Can someone explain/recommend cartridges to me?

[Callie33]

I'm still working on practice skin but as I've been reading about sterilization practices I see the terms "membrane" or "Backflow preventer" a lot, but while browsing cartridges I don't see any place advertising those features on their cartridges. Is that not a thing anymore or is it assumed that all cartridges now have membrane/backflow preventers? I will have access to an autoclave once I start but I feel like this is still valuable info? The less mess in my machine the better, right? Anyways does anyone have recommendations for trustworthy cartridges with reliable membranes?

 

[gadsden1776]

most, if not all, carts these day will have some sort of backflow mitigation. at least from what i have seen.

any of your name brand carts should be fine. Envy, Kwadron, etc... i am currently using a couple different amazon carts that have them as well.

 

[MirandM]

most, if not all, carts these day will have some sort of backflow mitigation. at least from what i have seen.

any of your name brand carts should be fine. Envy, Kwadron, etc... i am currently using a couple different amazon carts that have them as well.

Absolutely true, even the most cheap carts today have silicon membranes inside. Should be the least of your worries.

 

[whippet]

Worth considering why there is huge price differentials in this space. One thing that I’ve noticed is the play in the tip of the cartridge; how much the needles can wiggle around. I’ve noticed that some cart manufacturers now have standard (I guess) and ‘precision’ carts, meaning the latter have less play and should provide better consistency. They cost a little bit more.

I’ve also heard others talk about the consistency of the needles (sharp and clean points) and the consistency of the group configuration…not that I’ve experienced these problems myself, but you might imagine that budget has less QC checks, same as with traditional needles.

I have noticed big differences in the resistance of different carts, and wasted 100 Sabre carts that my Stigma Hyper just couldn’t move.

I will say that I love the ease of carts, especially as someone that started with soldering my own needles, and now I have a couple of adjustable stroke machines, life has got even easier on this front. I have access to an autoclave daily and I clean the cap inside my Axys valhalla every tattoo…and yet to pick up any ink (not that ink is the problem…but I’m seeing nothing nasty up inside the machine body).