Ink to enhance personal correspondence

[BillTheEditor]

I am looking for an ink to enhance my personal correspondence. Specifically, I'd like to start using an ink that gives a nice gradation of color when used in a pen with a stub or italic nib. "Bullet-proof" qualities are not needed for this application.

 

I've seen discussions here of Noodler's Red Black, which apparently gives the kind of result I'm looking for. Which brown or blue inks give a nice visual gradation effect in a broad line? I am not looking for primarily red, orange, or green inks. (Red Black is still a possibility, although I am not too sure that it matches my personality all that well.)

 

Pens that I would use the ink(s) in are a Parker Sonnet with a stub nib, and a Parker 75 with a #44 italic nib. Both are wet writers with Noodler's Hunter Green and PR Lake Placid Blue.

 

Thanks for your suggestions!

[Roger]

For a blue that shades nicely, Bill, try the Noodler's Ottoman Azure. Do some searching on FPN as I'm sure it has been pictured in a writing sample or two. Seem to recall Wim having done a review that included Ottoman Azure.

 

Though not really waterproof, it will leave behind a readable line after a thorough soaking. Clark rates it as VG in water resistance. That's two steps under the "eternals" and "contracts", but much better than those rated as only F. The F rated usually disappear after a good soak.

Edited June 25, 2006 by Roger

[Tara]

I've had good luck in shading in the Noodler's Antietam (dark burnt orange--almost red) and the Tianamen (dark red with just a hint of brown).

 

I also combine these two to make my own ink I call BLOOD that shades very nicely and freaks people out when I make corrections with it.

[Carrie]

Diamine Sepia shades nicely. I did a review of it a while back. Recently I've been using it in my VP with a Binder 0.9mm Cursive Italic nib and I just love the way it looks coming out of that nib.

[smudgy]

I've found that I like the shading in plain old Waterman Blue Black quite a bit.

 

I also combine these two to make my own ink I call BLOOD that shades very nicely and freaks people out when I make corrections with it.

 

That would be fun, to give my students' papers back all "bloodied"... of course, it wouldn't fit with the current "red is too harsh and hurts their self esteem blah blah" business going around. Not that I have any sort of opinion about it...

[*david*]

Bill - the easiest way to find this is to get one of the inks that is otherwise criticized as watery. From a broad nib they can look very interesting. Go here for some samples, but I don't know what brand of ink that is.

Edited June 25, 2006 by *david*

[BillTheEditor]

Thanks, everyone! You got me headed in the right direction. Based on what you said, and on a little longer search of past messages and reviews, my choices are going to be:

 

Diamine Sepia (hard to choose between that and Noodler's Golden Brown)

Noodler's Ottoman Azure

Noodler's Red-Black

 

... and just because I saw the reviews and liked the shading, Diamine Umber (ok, it's green -- so what?)

 

The other suggestions (WM Blue Black, Antietam, Tienamen) were good too and might be backup trials. (Tara, "blood" is just not me -- not even real sure about the Red-Black: a Goth I am not! When you're a gray-haired 60-year-old-male, heavy black mascara just looks disturbing ... which explains a lot about Ozzy Ozbourne.) (Not that I think you're a Goth, Tara -- but most of the people I write to may become truly concerned about the nature of my late late mid-life crisis if I start writing them in sanguine tones.)

 

Bill

 

Added: Hmmm. Looks like we can't get Diamine Umber from US suppliers. Hate to pay more for postage and handling than for the ink. Maybe I will have to go with Squeteague for now.

Edited June 25, 2006 by BillTheEditor

[KCat]

Added: Hmmm. Looks like we can't get Diamine Umber from US suppliers. Hate to pay more for postage and handling than for the ink. Maybe I will have to go with Squeteague for now.

but... if you get more 3 bottles or more, the final cost is equal to (and even less) than what you'd pay to get it here in the US.

 

If you anticipate trying more than one Diamine ink, the only difference is a few days (not many) shipping time. I believe I got my shipment in 5 days. Hardly a hardship.

 

I bought 3 bottles (of ink - two Umber, one Woodland Green) and sent one to someone else and still ended up not paying more than I'd have paid to buy three from a US seller. If I had an extra bottle of umber I'd sell it to you. Though it is my favorite ink.*

 

I would be happy to send a sample. Written or liquid.

 

Squeteague is lovely and would shade in a dry-to-medium writer. In a wet writer it's just a lovely blue-green.

 

*all comments are to be translated as "at this time and with the exception of Penman Emerald."

Edited June 25, 2006 by KCat

[sonia_simone]

I just bought a bottle of golden brown and I think it is pretty swell.

[Dr.Grace]

Squeteague is lovely and would shade in a dry-to-medium writer. In a wet writer it's just a lovely blue-green.

KCat,

 

How does Squeteague compare with Tahitian Pearl? They seem similar on swatches I've seen online, but of course it's impossible to tell that way.

 

Don

[BillTheEditor]

but... if you get more 3 bottles or more, the final cost is equal to (and even less) than what you'd pay to get it here in the US.

 

If you anticipate trying more than one Diamine ink, the only difference is a few days (not many) shipping time. I believe I got my shipment in 5 days. Hardly a hardship.

 

Squeteague is lovely and would shade in a dry-to-medium writer. In a wet writer it's just a lovely blue-green.

 

*all comments are to be translated as "at this time and with the exception of Penman Emerald."

Thanks, Ms. KCat. I only wanted the two bottles, so it wasn't going to work out all that well. I'll try the Squeteague in the Sonnet. It's a little drier than the 75. In the reviews here the Umber and the Squeteague looked pretty close.

 

I'm looking forward to trying out one of your other favorite inks, the Diamine Sepia.

 

OT:

If I had a bottle of Penman Emerald, I'd offer to trade for a bottle of the Umber. But I don't have it. I have a half-bottle of Sapphire and about three-quarters of a bottle of Ruby instead. If you could arrange to send us about seven inches of your abundant rain, spread out over a three- or four-week span, I'd call it an even trade -- ink for you, rain for my poor grass and flowers and house. Some of the towns up here are already at stage 4 water restrictions (no watering at all, not even foundations, which means houses are also in peril). Mesquite may not be far behind. We're having water main breaks because of the shifting soil, and I've already got new cracks in interior walls and the kitchen ceiling. Phooey.

[KCat]

KCat,

 

How does Squeteague compare with Tahitian Pearl? They seem similar on swatches I've seen online, but of course it's impossible to tell that way.

 

Don

Not similar. Tahitian pearl is, from the written sample I've seen (in a letter, not on-line) a very dark "blue-black" with not much blue. It may be typical of some "blue-blacks" in that it may have a greenish tint. But honestly, I can't say because I don't have a direct comparison.

 

Squeteague is definitely a green that leans blue with slight, grey undertones. A rich green color. I might have called it a dark teal (in a wet line).

 

From what I've seen both shade well in a dry writer, some in a medium-flow nib, and not much at all in a very wet line (or fine) line.

 

But all that is based on one letter I received with some Tahitian Pearl used. A bit too grey for me. Basically - I think the name fits it - if you've ever looked at a very good black pearl specimen, then you've seen Tahitian Pearl.

 

The only thing i *can* guarantee is that they are not anything alike. But I have to say that in as many words as possible so BillTheEditor can sit here and think "Geez, Woman! Trim the fat off that post!"

[KCat]

Thanks, Ms. KCat. I only wanted the two bottles, so it wasn't going to work out all that well. I'll try the Squeteague in the Sonnet. It's a little drier than the 75. In the reviews here the Umber and the Squeteague looked pretty close.

 

I'm looking forward to trying out one of your other favorite inks, the Diamine Sepia.

yep, at one to two bottles, it's a bit more. I was so impressed with The Writing Desk on this.

 

Given how quickly I am using up my supply, I will probably order more before too long. I can't imagine actually growing bored with this ink. And if I do and some poor Umber-less soul wants to buy a bottle, I'll have an extra (Hi "P"!)

 

I really love the Sepia. Was one of those inks that at first I thought... oh boy. too light. But I put it in my Piazza Navona with a medium-flow F nib and the more I used it, the more i loved the shading. I also have it in a very wet sharp stub (about a .7mm line I think) and it really shows off in that - wet line, but lots of shading. . I think this ink looks stunning on a nice ecru paper especially. Get that lovely vintage feel. The Golden Brown review looks very similar.

 

Well, if you had Emerald you could sell it and buy 3 bottles of Umber from TWD and probably still have some $ left over! I'm amazed at how pricey those inks are. Emerald fans really need to gang up on Nathan (or ?) to get a true clone of this ink. If I write the plea, will you edit it.

 

My daughter is in Dallas - a little tiny storm blew up yesterday and she was so thrilled. For about 3 minutes. Just enough rain such that when their wandering kitty came in he was soaked to the skin. But not enough to do more than steam things up a bit. Believe me, there are a lot of folks in Southeast Houston who would love to have let some of that rain fall elsewhere. We were blessed with 6.5 inches of rain and no flooding. Unfortunately, when you do get the rain, it can further shift the soil and cause more main breaks. I wish ya'll the best. I really do because the kids could use it, too. They are in stage 4 rationing. Which their landlord is not very happy with to say the least.

 

Okay - the dog is grumbling for dinner so that means I have to quit typing for a few minutes. We do not ignore Her Lowness when it comes to Dinner.

[Dr.Grace]

The only thing i *can* guarantee is that they are not anything alike. But I have to say that in as many words as possible so BillTheEditor can sit here and think "Geez, Woman! Trim the fat off that post!"

 

Thanks. Your description of Tahitian Pearl was spot on. Unlike you, I like it a lot. But it sounds like I'd like Squeteague too, and as it won't duplicate TP, it's something I might try out.

 

Don the Succinct

[KCat]

 

Thanks. Your description of Tahitian Pearl was spot on. Unlike you, I like it a lot. But it sounds like I'd like Squeteague too, and as it won't duplicate TP, it's something I might try out.

 

Don the Succinct

Re. the Tahitian Pearl: It is an interesting color that I think any fan of "classy" colors should check out. A color that would suit business writing without being boring. I just went through that stage some time ago. Probably down the line I'll get bored with what I have and try it myself. Probably would look good in my grey M200 with .9mm cursive oblique.

[Dr.Grace]

Oooh, that sounds good! You're right. If you're into matching, it would probably go well with a lot of pens in the blue-gray-green spectrum because it has a little of all those colors, but it's dark enough to be versatile for business/personal use. I've found that it goes really well with my Sheaffer Balances in ebonized pearl and green stripe motifs.

[DrPJM1]

You can also water down one of your favourite inks with distilled water to achieve better shading.

[p-zero]

Umber is well worth the wait when ordering from the UK...(Thanks K!) Maybe you could order the other colors you want from them too. (I don't know what all else they carry...but they have a lot!)

[BillTheEditor]

Given how quickly I am using up my supply, I will probably order more before too long.  I can't imagine actually growing bored with this ink. And if I do and some poor Umber-less soul wants to buy a bottle, I'll have an extra (Hi "P"!) 

 

Maybe those of us who live relatively close should go in together for a group buy on the Diamine inks that we can't get from Pendemonium, e.g. Umber. Or where the price break would make it cheaper to do the group buy from the UK. Do you pay customs on ink when you order it from The Writing Desk?

 

If I write the plea, will you edit it. 

 

It would be my pleasure. Re your comment in another reply about cutting the fat: My magazine is published online only, so I'm in the wonderful position of not having to worry about page count. I don't let authors ramble all over the place, but I don't have to be the Word Count Meany either. The only place I have a strict word limit is for the columns -- 750 max and I like the final count to be within 30 of that. (I have to be anal about *something* or they'll strip me of my red and blue pencils.)

 

My daughter is in Dallas - a little tiny storm blew up yesterday and she was so thrilled.  For about 3 minutes. 

 

We got .05" out of that. Just teasing us. Two miles to the west of us they got a frog strangler. Three blocks south of us they got a classic North Texas 6" summer rain: raindrops six inches across, six feet apart, for about 60 seconds. Wet the sidewalks, knocked the jaybirds and mockers off their branches, not much else. I am so proud to be a Texan! (why don't we have a smilie with a stetson?)

[KCat]

Do you pay customs on ink when you order it from The Writing Desk?

Most personal shipments worth up to $200, and gift packages worth up to $100, will pass duty-free as long as the recipient does not receive multiple packages in a single day whose cumulative value is more than these amounts.

 

"Personal shipment:" This could mean a shipment from one person to another vs. one business to an individual or a business to a business. But since I did not get any kind of customs/duties costs on the shipment of 3 bottles I purchased a couple of months ago, I'm guessing it's means a shipment to an individual in the US v. to a business.

 

I found it interesting that "gifts" had a lower maximum for duty-free shipping. Would have thought it was the opposite.

 

Anyway - i have yet to be charged anything for the shipments I've received from overseas. None have been near $200. One was around $100 but it has not arrived yet. (fret, bite nails, fret)

 

If I write the plea, will you edit it. 

 

It would be my pleasure.

 

Oy! You were supposed to catch the lack of a ? there.