Nomikomi Inkwell (II)

The nomikomi system, we saw previously, is a thing of the past—the 1930s—and those old inkwells might not be used again.

But what about the idea? Could it not be revived now?

Modern plastics and sealing gaskets would easily make the whole system better and more reliable. After all, Twsbi created the Vac-20 inkwell to work in combination with some of its pens in a similar fashion as the nomikomi filling—inverting inkwell and pen together.

But the secret of the old Pilot filling lied on the pen feed—a very long feed whose capillary action was able to overcome the surface tension of the ink. And to recreate those pens we would need a daring company.

Is there room in the market for such a pen?

Pelikan M200 Cognac – Pilot Iroshizuku Yama-budo

Bruno Taut
February, 2022
etiquetas: soluciones técnicas, Pilot, Twsbi

Nomikomi Inkwell (I)

One of the most original filling systems ever invented was the easy-drinking or nomikomi system.

Pilot created it in the mid 1930s and was fully marketed in combination with the model 38, the newly arrived workhorse of the years to come. However, this filling system can also be seen on balance models –with maki-e decoration—by the mid 1930s which seem to be proofs of concept and sample pens.

N-system (N-式), or nomikomi. Translated, easy drinking filler.

The key element in this filling system is obviously the inkwell, without which the dedicated pens would be regular eyedroppers or pens with reusable cartridges. The inkwell needs a secure sealing system—inverting it while full of ink is not for the faint-hearted. It is, in fact, a recipe for disaster.

But collectors are fetishists for whom utility is a very secondary element... and that is why a nomikomi inkwell might never see new action.

Antigua's Perseus S – Sailor Yama-dori

Bruno Taut
February, 2022
etiquetas: soluciones técnicas, Pilot