Diamine Oxblood

[raging.dragon]

Introduction

 

My goal in this round of tests was to choose a dark red or burgundy ink to use in my new Visconti Cosmoplitan. The pen is made of stacked red and clear celluloid, and I plan to use it with a reddish ink so that any staining will blend into the overall colour of the pen. After having reviewed the results for all the inks tested, I've revised my conclusions for some of them; therefore, where my typed and handwritten comments conflict the typed comments supercede the handwritten ones.

 

• Ink samples purchased from Goulet Pens (http://www.gouletpens.com/)
  
• Visconti Cosmoplitan purchased from Chatterly Pens (http://www.pentime.com)
  
• Veruna Rajan purhcased from AllWriteNow (http://www.allwritenow.net)
  
• OMAS 360 purchased from Classic Fountain Pens (http://www.nibs.com)
  

 

Conclusions

 

Diamine Oxblood is another ink which performed well, but with a colour which isn't quite what I'm looking for. Like Red Dragon the colour and shading of Oxblood varied significantly with changes in ambient lighting conditions: Oxblood is either a dark red with strong brown undertones, or brown with red highlights. Flow and general performance were excellent - in fact slightly better than Red Dragon. Again compared to Red Dragon, Oxblood exhibited more lubrication and slightly more shading. However, the brown tones are stronger than I prefere.

 

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/3091/diamineoxblood.jpg

 

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/8654/comparisonn.jpg

 

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/2123/soaktest.jpg

 

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with any retailer, distributor or manufacturer of pens, inks or stationery, nor have I recieved, been offered, or solicted any free samples or discounts.

[JimB]

I also like Oxblood but have the same issues with what appears to be a brown overtone to it. I was thinking of adding a bit more of a vibrant red ink to it, but why spoil what I've got? It's good, but not the perfect deep, dark red I was looking for at the time.

[JefferyS]

Maybe Binder Burgundy with less Waterman Purple added to it would do the trick. Perhaps try 2 parts Sheaffer Red to 1 part Waterman Purple.

[Surf Monkey]

I looked for a nice blood red for some time and finally settled on Diamine Oxblood. I LOVE it. In fact, it's my most used ink right now, even though I never used red much before. It's a very pleasant color that doesn't skew too far into brown for my taste. It's red, but deep, deep red. Highly recommended.

[shaylenwilliams]

The great thing about Diamine is that they have SO many shades that if one is almost what you want... they likely have something that leans just a shade more (insert color here). If Oxblood is too brown, go with Red Dragon. If it's not purple enough, so with Syrah.

[raging.dragon]

The great thing about Diamine is that they have SO many shades that if one is almost what you want... they likely have something that leans just a shade more (insert color here). If Oxblood is too brown, go with Red Dragon. If it's not purple enough, so with Syrah.

 

Exactly. And they're all well behaved inks too. With so many worthy inks to try, I'm glad that the Goulet's (among others) sell samples! Buying 9 samples, then the 2 or 3 bottles I'll actually use, is far more economical than buying 9 full bottles.

[shaylenwilliams]

The great thing about Diamine is that they have SO many shades that if one is almost what you want... they likely have something that leans just a shade more (insert color here). If Oxblood is too brown, go with Red Dragon. If it's not purple enough, so with Syrah.

 

Exactly. And they're all well behaved inks too. With so many worthy inks to try, I'm glad that the Goulet's (among others) sell samples! Buying 9 samples, then the 2 or 3 bottles I'll actually use, is far more economical than buying 9 full bottles.

 

I saw on your Red Dragon review that it was still a bit too brown for your tastes. I recently got a letter from a pen-pal who used Poppy Red... you might want to give it a shot too (if you haven't already, that is). It was not as bright as a "pure" red, but lighter/less brown than Red Dragon.

[raging.dragon]

The great thing about Diamine is that they have SO many shades that if one is almost what you want... they likely have something that leans just a shade more (insert color here). If Oxblood is too brown, go with Red Dragon. If it's not purple enough, so with Syrah.

 

Exactly. And they're all well behaved inks too. With so many worthy inks to try, I'm glad that the Goulet's (among others) sell samples! Buying 9 samples, then the 2 or 3 bottles I'll actually use, is far more economical than buying 9 full bottles.

 

I saw on your Red Dragon review that it was still a bit too brown for your tastes. I recently got a letter from a pen-pal who used Poppy Red... you might want to give it a shot too (if you haven't already, that is). It was not as bright as a "pure" red, but lighter/less brown than Red Dragon.

 

I actually like the hint of brown in Red Dragon, it and Noodler's Widowmaker are my favourites in the batch of inks I tested.

[shaylenwilliams]

The great thing about Diamine is that they have SO many shades that if one is almost what you want... they likely have something that leans just a shade more (insert color here). If Oxblood is too brown, go with Red Dragon. If it's not purple enough, so with Syrah.

 

Exactly. And they're all well behaved inks too. With so many worthy inks to try, I'm glad that the Goulet's (among others) sell samples! Buying 9 samples, then the 2 or 3 bottles I'll actually use, is far more economical than buying 9 full bottles.

 

I saw on your Red Dragon review that it was still a bit too brown for your tastes. I recently got a letter from a pen-pal who used Poppy Red... you might want to give it a shot too (if you haven't already, that is). It was not as bright as a "pure" red, but lighter/less brown than Red Dragon.

 

I actually like the hint of brown in Red Dragon, it and Noodler's Widowmaker are my favourites in the batch of inks I tested.

 

Good deal. I thought Oxblood was perfect until I tried Red Dragon! I think I actually prefer the color of Red Dragon, but Oxblood seems a bit more lubricating... so I'll stick with my bottle of Oxblood for now, and probably buy Red Dragon when I'm through with it!

[raging.dragon]

The great thing about Diamine is that they have SO many shades that if one is almost what you want... they likely have something that leans just a shade more (insert color here). If Oxblood is too brown, go with Red Dragon. If it's not purple enough, so with Syrah.

 

Exactly. And they're all well behaved inks too. With so many worthy inks to try, I'm glad that the Goulet's (among others) sell samples! Buying 9 samples, then the 2 or 3 bottles I'll actually use, is far more economical than buying 9 full bottles.

 

I saw on your Red Dragon review that it was still a bit too brown for your tastes. I recently got a letter from a pen-pal who used Poppy Red... you might want to give it a shot too (if you haven't already, that is). It was not as bright as a "pure" red, but lighter/less brown than Red Dragon.

 

I actually like the hint of brown in Red Dragon, it and Noodler's Widowmaker are my favourites in the batch of inks I tested.

 

Good deal. I thought Oxblood was perfect until I tried Red Dragon! I think I actually prefer the color of Red Dragon, but Oxblood seems a bit more lubricating... so I'll stick with my bottle of Oxblood for now, and probably buy Red Dragon when I'm through with it!

 

I also found that Oxblood had slightly more lubrication, and was slightly wetter, than Red Dragon. Depending on your nib, that might or might not matter; however, my nib is smooth enough, and wet enough, that the difference wasn't significant to me.

[shaylenwilliams]

The great thing about Diamine is that they have SO many shades that if one is almost what you want... they likely have something that leans just a shade more (insert color here). If Oxblood is too brown, go with Red Dragon. If it's not purple enough, so with Syrah.

 

Exactly. And they're all well behaved inks too. With so many worthy inks to try, I'm glad that the Goulet's (among others) sell samples! Buying 9 samples, then the 2 or 3 bottles I'll actually use, is far more economical than buying 9 full bottles.

 

I saw on your Red Dragon review that it was still a bit too brown for your tastes. I recently got a letter from a pen-pal who used Poppy Red... you might want to give it a shot too (if you haven't already, that is). It was not as bright as a "pure" red, but lighter/less brown than Red Dragon.

 

I actually like the hint of brown in Red Dragon, it and Noodler's Widowmaker are my favourites in the batch of inks I tested.

 

Good deal. I thought Oxblood was perfect until I tried Red Dragon! I think I actually prefer the color of Red Dragon, but Oxblood seems a bit more lubricating... so I'll stick with my bottle of Oxblood for now, and probably buy Red Dragon when I'm through with it!

 

I also found that Oxblood had slightly more lubrication, and was slightly wetter, than Red Dragon. Depending on your nib, that might or might not matter; however, my nib is smooth enough, and wet enough, that the difference wasn't significant to me.

 

I am using these in my very smoothest nib, so it's not a huge deal... still, more lube is better in a perfect world.

[raging.dragon]

I am using these in my very smoothest nib, so it's not a huge deal... still, more lube is better in a perfect world.

 

Agreed.

[Cryptowolf]

Have you considered Noodler's Fox? I've found that Fox has a slightly more red tint than Diamine Oxblood. Oxblood is my go to red ink for editing and correcting because I can quickly find my notes amidst dense text.

 

Try a sample from the Goulets before ordering Noodler Fox. I think it goes for about $10 an ounce.

[raging.dragon]

Have you considered Noodler's Fox? I've found that Fox has a slightly more red tint than Diamine Oxblood. Oxblood is my go to red ink for editing and correcting because I can quickly find my notes amidst dense text.

 

Try a sample from the Goulets before ordering Noodler Fox. I think it goes for about $10 an ounce.

 

As it happens I ordered samples of Fox and Empire yesterday.

 

I figured a fraud resistant markup ink might have it's uses. I also got some other reds and a whole bunch of blues to try.

Edited September 16, 2011 by raging.dragon

[gentlewarrior6]

This is interesting. I got the same pen a few months ago, and decided on Noodlers Black Swan in Australian Roses for it.

 

Enjoy your pen and whichever ink you choose. They are nice.

[wildblueroan]

Have you tried MontBlanc Burgundy? Its beautiful, and one of my favorite inks.

[raging.dragon]

Have you tried MontBlanc Burgundy? Its beautiful, and one of my favorite inks.

 

I generally like the MB inks. I haven't tried their Burgundy as it seems to be more translucent that I prefere.

[Inkquest]

I looked for a nice blood red for some time and finally settled on Diamine Oxblood. I LOVE it. In fact, it's my most used ink right now, even though I never used red much before. It's a very pleasant color that doesn't skew too far into brown for my taste. It's red, but deep, deep red. Highly recommended.

 

Yep, I've been on a quest for that "dark blood red" for as long as I have been writing. Searching for a ebonyish red that's basically what Zhivago is for "green" or PR Ebony Purple is for "purple". The Oxblood name at least *sounds* in the right direction.. I'll have to check this one out as well.

 

Maybe one part blue/black to three parts syringe right outta my arm will do the trick..

[raging.dragon]

I looked for a nice blood red for some time and finally settled on Diamine Oxblood. I LOVE it. In fact, it's my most used ink right now, even though I never used red much before. It's a very pleasant color that doesn't skew too far into brown for my taste. It's red, but deep, deep red. Highly recommended.

 

Yep, I've been on a quest for that "dark blood red" for as long as I have been writing. Searching for a ebonyish red that's basically what Zhivago is for "green" or PR Ebony Purple is for "purple". The Oxblood name at least *sounds* in the right direction.. I'll have to check this one out as well.

 

Maybe one part blue/black to three parts syringe right outta my arm will do the trick..

 

Somebody (Noodler's? Private Reserve?) make an ink called red black which might be what you're looking for. At least if name is an accurate description of the colour.

[efftee]

I looked for a nice blood red for some time and finally settled on Diamine Oxblood. I LOVE it. In fact, it's my most used ink right now, even though I never used red much before. It's a very pleasant color that doesn't skew too far into brown for my taste. It's red, but deep, deep red. Highly recommended.

 

Yep, I've been on a quest for that "dark blood red" for as long as I have been writing. Searching for a ebonyish red that's basically what Zhivago is for "green" or PR Ebony Purple is for "purple". The Oxblood name at least *sounds* in the right direction.. I'll have to check this one out as well.

 

Maybe one part blue/black to three parts syringe right outta my arm will do the trick..

 

Noodlers Tiananmen is as close to Blood Red as I've seen. But if you want it dark, try Private Reserve's Black Cherry, that's the closest to your 'Zhivago::Green' analogy.