Ink For Thin Bible Paper

[mike in arkansas]

HI -- I have a question that may or may not be answerable. I want to use a fine FP to write notes in my Bible. Is there some ink that works well for that-- doesn't soak thru very thin paper? I see some reports on the ESS ink but it sounds like it is not available here in the US (at least not easily). I also took a look at gobblecups post on pen/ink combo for Bibles. (one reason I don't post is that usually I find the answer I was looking for without posting!!). Anyway, any other thoughts some of you may have??

 

Thanks,

Mike

[JimB]

ESSRI is VERY easy to order online from the US. I have had 2 bottles shipped in the last year.

 

If you want to stay clear of ESSRI or any IG ink, then I'd go for Noodler's Black. Also called Bulletproof Black, but my bottle just says "Black." It's a great ink, feathers less than Heart of Darkness, and is dirt cheap.

 

[Edited to add link to the online store]

Edited October 4, 2012 by januaryman

[wallylynn]

Similar to ESS Registar's Ink is Diamine Registar's. If you find an old bottle of Lamy Blue-Black, that should work too. I've used Montblank Midnight Blue on Moleskein planners (thin cheap paper) as well, though it's a much wetter ink than the above.

 

Noodler's black was developed to do newspaper crosswords. Might want to try that out also.

 

Write fast, light touch. Dry pen, fine (or xf) nib.

 

Lastly, though this is FPN, not all of us insist on using FPs for everything.

[JLT]

What januaryman said! I was in the process making the very same suggestions when he posted. Glad I looked.

[Movis]

I would say that in-Bible notes are one area where fountain pens are not the best tool for the job. I love them dearly, but in some cases they aren't the right tool (filling out carbon copies is another example).

 

I always used Sakura Pigma Microns in my Bible. They're available in a bunch of colors if you want to color code, and they can get SUPER fine. I used to use the 0.2mm version. The thing to watch out with them is to not press to hard, the tips are felt/plastic that wear quickly if you press hard. The upside to them is they are also archival/waterproof, so they'll stay forever, and if you use 0.3mm or below they don't bleed through usually. Obviously if you put down a bunch of ink, or go over something a few times, it can still bleed through, but they work very well with any Bible paper I've tried them with.

[dali3464]

As disappointing as it may sound, I'm going to agree with Movis. It's awfully difficult to find a good match between a fountain pen, nib, ink and the paper. From my experience, a Western-standard EF nib will lay down a line sufficiently thick to bleedthrough to the other side as if you've just thrown a bucket of paint at the page. You'd have to venture down to a XXF, or even an XXXF, nib to minimise bleedthrough to an acceptable level. There's also the difference in paper quality used by the various publishing firms which will affect the ink choice.

 

Not to mention as wallylynn said, it requires a certain manner of writing for Bible paper: fast and light. Unfortunately I'm fast and heavy-handed and as you can imagine the results weren't particularly good.

 

I would venture and grab a set of the Sakura Pigma Microns (more stationery is always something to look forward to!) or some coloured pencils.

 

There is one more option, something that I've fathomed for quite a while in fact. It's to make your own notetaking Bible with paper that's acceptable for notetaking purposes. Now there are looseleaf Bibles in circulation, however the paper used is still the thin, bleedthrough-prone paper used in typical bound Bibles. However, a good workaround is to simply insert sheets of whatever, high-quality paper you'd like in between each page. A problem with this is that it markedly increases the thickness of the Bible itself and the best solution is to simply split the Bible into a couple (3-4 I would think) different volumes to make it more portable. This can also be done with smaller (the looseleaf Bibles tend to be quite large), pre-bound Bibles as this blogger indicates their success here.

[Movis]

The other option, if you want to go loose-leaf is to print your own Bible with whatever margins and spacing you want on good paper. You'd be restricted to public domain Bibles like KJV, or Lexham English Bible. You might be able to find a digital version of the NIV out there somewhere too. I would take it to a printer and have them do it double sided of HP 32lb. Premium Laser if I went this route.

 

If you want to do that you can also pair it with a disc bound system like Levenger's Circa, or Staples Arc, punch the pages and have a super-flexible system. I've considered it lol.

 

And the last option, and maybe the most fun, is to use FP-friendly paper, and copy out your desired translation by hand. Better retention and Bible knowledge, and you'll have a unique artifact to give to your children one day. I plan on doing this eventually, even though my handwriting is terrible.

[mike in arkansas]

Alas-- I think Movis is right (not about writing the whole Bible by hand!!). I tried writing wtih black ink on a blank page, and while the ink did not soak through, you could see the writing on the back of the page!! It was worth a shot anyway!! Thanks for all that chimed in with ideas!!

 

Blessings,

Mike

[welch]

The other option, if you want to go loose-leaf is to print your own Bible with whatever margins and spacing you want on good paper. You'd be restricted to public domain Bibles like KJV, or Lexham English Bible. You might be able to find a digital version of the NIV out there somewhere too. I would take it to a printer and have them do it double sided of HP 32lb. Premium Laser if I went this route.

 

If you want to do that you can also pair it with a disc bound system like Levenger's Circa, or Staples Arc, punch the pages and have a super-flexible system. I've considered it lol.

 

And the last option, and maybe the most fun, is to use FP-friendly paper, and copy out your desired translation by hand. Better retention and Bible knowledge, and you'll have a unique artifact to give to your children one day. I plan on doing this eventually, even though my handwriting is terrible.

 

I use a pencil. Ink soaks through.

 

Incidentally, you can also find, online:

 

- RSV

- American Standard (the American version of the Revised Version done around 1870 - 1880, meant to replace the King James and based on many newly discovered manuscripts, as of 1870)

- Eastern Orthodox New Testament (they are working through the Septuagint OT)

- John Wesley's translation of the NT

[FPFan]

I use an older version of this pencil. Or just plain 2mm red or blue pencil leads. Has worked for me for over 50 years. Just sharpen the point for writing or use them dulled for marking/highlighting scriptures.

 

http://www.jetpens.com/Pentel-Multi-8-Lead-Holder-2-mm/pd/8978

[macaddicted]

Add me to the list of pencil users. I prefer a thin, soft ( B ) lead, either .3 or .5.

 

There are Bibles printed for note taking. Here are some at Amazon. Not sure which translation you need but there's NIV, NRSV NASB, KJV, NKJV and more. I use the Oxford Press NRSV.

Edited October 4, 2012 by macaddicted

[blopplop]

Mike,

 

I'd like to jump in here. I've been using these two inks for writing in my Bible's and they have little (VERY) to no bleed through on every thickness of Bible paper I've used.

Sailor Kiwa-Guro Pigmented Nano Black

Sailor Sei-Boku Pigmented Nano Blue-Black

 

I have been using both extensively for about 3 years. I always use a FP when writing in my bible and these inks have about as much bleed through as a rollerball. In fact, sometimes the ghost image on the other side of the page is less with the Sailor inks than with a rollerball.

 

The only caveat is I use as close to an extrafine nib as I can.

 

My testing has been done with several bottles of these ink with the same result-- LITTLE TO NO BLEED THROUGH.

 

I would strongly encourage you to give them a try. The price point is a little high, but the value of having an ink that won't bleed through the pages of your Bible is a good trade off IMHO.

 

Gouletpens & Jetpens sells it last I checked.

 

Be blessed, and continue to study to show yourself approved.

 

Dave

[NedC]

Not a comprehensive test, but it gave me an excuse to put off an unpleasant task for a few more minutes. I apologize for the lamentable penmanship but I had to balance the book on my knee whilst writing.

This is the Bible I tested some of the various pens and inks from my collection, fairly standard modern bible paper. The pens used included various combinations of inks and nibs as all as ballpoints, a roller ball and some pencils. I flipped/inverted the backside of the test page for enhanced legibility.

[mgm1988]

Treat yourself to a nice pencil - its what I use.

[ransky]

I'm going to pitch in with the minority here. I love my Bible and I love fountain pens. Why give up one for the other? I take notes and underline and do whatever else requires writing with a fountain pen. That said, the tradeoff is some bleed through, and I'm perfectly okay with that. I use typically Kon Peki ink, so it's not too dark and a Pilot or Platinum fine point nib. The fine nib minimizes bleed through and lets me keep the writing small so I can make margin notes. Some folks would be upset by a smear or bleed through - if that bothers you keep to pencils. However, I really find joy in using my FPs and I will do so whenever/where ever the opportunity presents. Life is so short and quite difficult enough, don't deny yourself the little things that make you happy. Randy

[blopplop]

Like I said, grab one or both of the Sailor inks I mentioned and your search is over. No need to give up using FP's in your Bible's.

 

Dave

[mike in arkansas]

Wow-- thanks for all the thoughtful replies!! Wonderful to have brothers (and sisters) on such a wonderful Forum!!

 

Blessings on y'all (in Arkansas!)

 

Mike

[mhphoto]

R&H Salix or Noodler's Bad Blue Heron, maybe? I've had really good luck with both on cheap, absorbent paper in terms of both bleedthrough and feathering.

Edited October 7, 2012 by mhphoto

[N2theBreach]

So, now that you/we have some answers to the original question, I have to ask about that young buck in your avatar. There aren't many bucks who come inside to bed down on a nice padded cushion. There has to be a nice story behind it.

Edited October 8, 2012 by N2theBreach

[torstar]

Your Bible is the bigger step. Better bindings and thicker paper will absorb ink more readily.

 

Cambridge and R.L. Allan's have been great for note taking.

 

http://www.bibledesignblog.com/

 

a site i kind of wish i never knew, but great for FPNers

 

Those reviews down the right column...

Edited October 8, 2012 by torstar