Source-backed tattoo equipment reference
Check whether a cartridge fits an exact tattoo machine and grip configuration using reviewed manufacturer evidence and generation-specific data. Results keep compatible, incompatible, grip-required, conversion-required and insufficient-evidence states distinct.
Exact hardware first
Physical/interface evidence only. No voltage, stroke, depth, technique, performance or shopping recommendation. If the exact machine or cartridge family is not listed, do not substitute a nearby model or generation; treat it as insufficient reviewed evidence and check the manufacturer documentation.
Compatibility result
Both reviewed sides resolve to the same normalized cartridge interface. This is a derived interface match, not an exact pair statement from the manufacturer.
Evidence path
FK Irons ONE → integrated cartridge receiver → Cheyenne Safety Cartridges
Support / intended-use note
FK Irons support language should be checked separately from physical fitment when a cartridge lacks a membrane.
Evidence
Last verified 2026-09-18Source-backed compatibility guide
This coverage is rendered from the same typed dataset used by the checker. It is not a second compatibility matrix. Exact generations stay separate, grip and conversion requirements stay visible, and qualified manufacturer wording is not promoted to a universal yes.
10
machine profiles
6
reviewed grips
7
cartridge families
1
conversion component
22
evidence sources
Exact machine coverage
A similar model name is not treated as the same machine. If a grip establishes the cartridge receiver, the static guide says so instead of collapsing the answer to the brand level.
Current profile
Generation: ONE
Reviewed receiver wording
Compatible with standard tattoo needle cartridges
Standard cartridge interface · broad documented interface claim
Last checked in linked machine evidence: 2026-09-08
Current profile
Generation: EXO
Reviewed receiver wording
Compatible with most standard membrane cartridges
Standard cartridge interface · qualified: most · membrane required
Last checked in linked machine evidence: 2026-09-08
Legacy profile
Generation: original
Reviewed receiver wording
Use original Cheyenne cartridges
Cheyenne cartridge system · manufacturer-only wording
Last checked in linked machine evidence: 2026-09-08
Current profile
Generation: 2
Reviewed receiver wording
Cheyenne cartridge system
Cheyenne cartridge system · specific manufacturer family
Last checked in linked machine evidence: 2026-09-18
Current profile
Generation: 1
Reviewed receiver wording
Cheyenne cartridge system
Cheyenne cartridge system · specific manufacturer family
Last checked in linked machine evidence: 2026-09-18
Current profile
Generation: 2
Reviewed receiver wording
Compatible with Cheyenne cartridge systems
Cheyenne cartridge system · specific manufacturer family
Last checked in linked machine evidence: 2026-09-08
Current profile
Generation: Nano
Reviewed receiver wording
Compatible with most cartridges
Standard cartridge interface · qualified: most
Last checked in linked machine evidence: 2026-09-08
Current profile
Generation: Eclipse
Reviewed grip path: Inkjecta Standard Cartridge Grip 26mm
Required conversion: Inkjecta SS Looped Push Bar
Last checked in linked machine evidence: 2026-09-08
Current profile
Generation: Torque
Reviewed grip path: Critical Wrath Gel Disposable Grip
Last checked in linked machine evidence: 2026-09-08
Current profile
Generation: XLUMEN
Reviewed grip path: Bishop XLUMEN Disposable Grip
Last checked in linked machine evidence: 2026-09-08
For Cheyenne and other standard cartridges
Standard cartridge interface · broad documented interface claim
Last checked: 2026-09-08
For Cheyenne and other standard cartridges
Standard cartridge interface · broad documented interface claim
Last checked: 2026-09-08
Designed for most major branded cartridges
Standard cartridge interface · qualified: most
Last checked: 2026-09-08
Holds the major cartridge brands
Standard cartridge interface · qualified: major/popular brands
Last checked: 2026-09-08
Compatible with most cartridge needle systems
Standard cartridge interface · qualified: most
Last checked: 2026-09-08
Works with cartridge needles
Standard cartridge interface · broad documented interface claim
Last checked: 2026-09-08
Cheyenne cartridge system · membrane verified
Last checked: 2026-09-18
Cheyenne cartridge system · membrane verified
Last checked: 2026-09-18
Standard cartridge interface · membrane verified
Last checked: 2026-09-08
Standard cartridge interface · membrane verified
Last checked: 2026-09-08
Standard cartridge interface · membrane verified
Last checked: 2026-09-08
Standard cartridge interface · membrane not established in current sources
Last checked: 2026-09-08
Standard cartridge interface · membrane not established in current sources
Last checked: 2026-09-08
Exact pair evidence
Cheyenne HAWK Pen (original) → Cheyenne Safety Cartridges
Exact reviewed positive
Cheyenne machine and Cheyenne cartridge system are explicitly documented together
Cheyenne HAWK Pen (original) → Cheyenne Capillary Cartridges
Exact reviewed positive
Cheyenne machine and Cheyenne cartridge system are explicitly documented together
Cheyenne HAWK Pen 2 (2) → Cheyenne Safety Cartridges
Exact reviewed positive
Cheyenne machine and Cheyenne cartridge system are explicitly documented together
Cheyenne HAWK Pen 2 (2) → Cheyenne Capillary Cartridges
Exact reviewed positive
Cheyenne machine and Cheyenne cartridge system are explicitly documented together
Cheyenne SOL Nova Unlimited (1) → Cheyenne Safety Cartridges
Exact reviewed positive
Cheyenne machine and Cheyenne cartridge system are explicitly documented together
Cheyenne SOL Nova Unlimited (1) → Cheyenne Capillary Cartridges
Exact reviewed positive
Cheyenne machine and Cheyenne cartridge system are explicitly documented together
Cheyenne SOL Nova Unlimited II (2) → Cheyenne Safety Cartridges
Exact reviewed positive
Cheyenne machine and Cheyenne cartridge system are explicitly documented together
Cheyenne SOL Nova Unlimited II (2) → Cheyenne Capillary Cartridges
Exact reviewed positive
Cheyenne machine and Cheyenne cartridge system are explicitly documented together
FK Irons ONE (ONE) → Bishop DA VINCI V2
Exact reviewed positive
Machine documents standard tattoo needle cartridges and the cartridge family documents twist-in cartridge machine/grip fit
Conflicts stay conflicts
Cheyenne HAWK Pen (original)
The original Cheyenne manual directs use of genuine Cheyenne cartridges while a secondary cross-brand guide makes broader fit claims. Primary documentation does not support upgrading the third-party claim to confirmed compatibility.
Result semantics
Exact reviewed evidence supports the relevant machine and cartridge relationship.
The machine-to-grip or conversion path is reviewed and resolves to the same documented cartridge interface.
Both reviewed sides resolve to the same normalized interface. This is an interface match, not an exact manufacturer pair statement.
Exact negative evidence for the selected hardware path overrides weaker generic compatibility language.
The available evidence is qualified, one-sided, or conflicting, so the checker does not upgrade it to compatible.
The current reviewed dataset does not establish enough evidence to make a fitment claim.
The machine depends on the installed grip for its cartridge receiver, so the exact grip must be selected.
A manufacturer-documented conversion component is part of the reviewed physical path and must remain explicit.
What "universal" means here
"Universal" or "standard" is treated as interface language, not a promise that every cartridge fits every machine, grip or generation. Exact negative evidence beats generic positive language, exact positive evidence beats derived interface inference, and "most" never becomes "all".
How tattoo cartridge compatibility works
Identify the exact machine generation, then the grip when it defines the receiver, then any documented conversion component, and finally the cartridge family. Exact manufacturer evidence outranks generic interface language; qualified or conflicting evidence stays qualified.
01
Machine generations stay separate. A legacy HAWK Pen is not silently treated as HAWK Pen 2.
02
Exact negative evidence overrides a weaker generic positive. Exact positive evidence outranks derived interface inference.
03
If a manufacturer says most cartridges, the result stays qualified. Most never becomes all.
04
Missing grip, missing conversion, source conflict or unreviewed hardware never becomes a guessed compatible result.
Scope boundary
Compatibility Checker owns physical machine, grip and cartridge fitment. Needle & Cartridge Finder owns grouping geometry, count, pin diameter, taper and configuration exploration.
Do not use a compatibility result as a performance recommendation. A physically supported path says nothing about whether a cartridge is the right grouping, taper or diameter for the tattoo you are planning.
Open Needle & Cartridge FinderRelated tattoo tools
Use Compatibility Checker for hardware fit. Use Needle Finder for the configuration itself.
View all tattoo toolsPractical guides
FAQ
The checker is intentionally conservative where manufacturer evidence is qualified, generation-specific or incomplete.
No. Some manufacturers use broad standard-format language, others say most cartridges, some require membrane cartridges, and some machine-to-grip paths are proprietary. The checker preserves those qualifiers instead of turning them into a universal yes.