D1 Mini Refill vs. Standard International Cartridge
Comparing 2 standards across 12 specifications. 12 key differences identified.
The D1 Refill (standardized under ISO 12757-1 as Type D) is a standardized miniature metal-cased ballpoint/gel refill measuring exactly 67.0 mm in length and 2.35 mm in diameter. Friction-fit into internal selector sleeves, it is the universal standard for multi-function pens (3-in-1, 4-in-1), compact pocket pens, and precision stylus combinations.
The Standard International Cartridge (also known as the European or Universal cartridge) is the dominant standardized fountain pen ink format, featuring a 2.4 mm nozzle opening sealed with a plastic sphere. Available in Short (38 mm / 0.85 ml) and Long (72 mm / 1.4 ml) sizes, it is used by dozens of European and American fountain pen manufacturers.
Specification Comparison Table
12 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Overall Length
|
67.0 ± 0.5 mm (2.64 in) | — |
|
Outer Tube Diameter
|
2.35 ± 0.05 mm (0.093 in) | — |
|
Mounting Mechanism
|
Friction-fit slide sleeve (no threads or springs attached to refill body) | — |
|
ISO Standard Code
|
ISO 12757-1 Type D | — |
|
Ink Varieties
|
Hybrid low-viscosity (Uni Jetstream SXR-200), Gel (Zebra JSB), standard ballpoint (Lamy M21, Schmidt 635) | — |
|
Benchmark Multi-Pens
|
Lamy 2000 4-Color, Rotring 600 3-in-1, Zebra Sharbo X, Kaweco Liliput ballpoint | — |
|
Short Cartridge Dimensions
|
— | 38.0 mm length × 7.0 mm diameter (approx. 0.80 to 0.85 ml ink capacity) |
|
Long Cartridge Dimensions
|
— | 72.0 mm length × 7.0 mm diameter (approx. 1.40 to 1.50 ml ink capacity) |
|
Bore / Nozzle Diameter
|
— | 2.4 ± 0.05 mm (friction-fits over the pen feed nipple) |
|
Internal Seal
|
— | Floating polystyrene bead / puncture disc pushed into cartridge body upon insertion |
|
Two-in-Barrel Tandem Storage
|
— | Most full-size pens store one active short cartridge plus one inverted spare short cartridge in the barrel |
|
Brand Compatibility
|
— | Kaweco, Pelikan, Montblanc, Faber-Castell, Visconti, Diplomat, Caran d'Ache, Jinhao, Waterman (long) |