Noodler's: Manjiro Nakahama Whaleman’s Sepia

[sbruno33]

Finally watched Mr. Tardif's video on this ink. Have a new understanding of what he was going for.

...and tried the ink in a flex nib pen; received expected results with the Nib Creeper.

Happy i bought a bottle. Now to find a more traditional sepia for the collection.

[79spitfire]

I received this ink in this month's inkdrop. I'll have to admit I didn't think I was going to like it. Well, I was wrong, I ended up buying a full bottle the next day after using this ink in a Hero 616. Fabulous color, stands out without being "in your face". It's my current favorite ink!

[JefferyS]

I just received a bottle of this in the mail, but am balking at filling a pen with it. Given its reputation for dryness, I wish that Noodlers would sell a diluting/lubricating fluid that could be used to water down inks.

 

Do any of you know of such a thing (other than water)?

Edited March 25, 2011 by Jeffery Smith

[mstone]

I just received a bottle of this in the mail, but am balking at filling a pen with it. Given its reputation for dryness, I wish that Noodlers would sell a diluting/lubricating fluid that could be used to water down inks.

 

Do any of you know of such a thing (other than water)?

 

What's the problem with using water?

[JefferyS]

I just received a bottle of this in the mail, but am balking at filling a pen with it. Given its reputation for dryness, I wish that Noodlers would sell a diluting/lubricating fluid that could be used to water down inks.

 

Do any of you know of such a thing (other than water)?

 

What's the problem with using water?

 

Well, I don't really regard it as being lubricating. I think that the only lubricating brown ink I have is Noodler's Polar Brown. I'm going to try that for a while and see if I like the color/characteristics.

[mstone]

I just received a bottle of this in the mail, but am balking at filling a pen with it. Given its reputation for dryness, I wish that Noodlers would sell a diluting/lubricating fluid that could be used to water down inks.

 

Do any of you know of such a thing (other than water)?

 

What's the problem with using water?

 

Well, I don't really regard it as being lubricating.

 

That's pretty much how it works, though. In some pens the Manjiro is dry, you add some water (as much as 1/4 or 1/3) and it becomes free flowing.

[JefferyS]

I've got several pens that get dry nibs overnight. I have dealt with this by dipping them in the bottle, but that usually means that I always have stained fingers. I have a 4.5oz. Bottle of whaler's sepia, so maybe I'll make a diluted sample with distilled water.

[maria322]

Bought a sample from Goulet Pen Co., put it in a Waterman Kultur and it dried it out in less than 24 hours. It took me 10 minutes to try to get the pen to start up again. When it gets going, it lays down brown and turns into a brownish-grey, which is close to black but not quite there. Good for writing, but I've put it in a Sheaffer No-Nonsense pen, so we'll see if that one clogs tomorrow. I've heard it said the caps on the Kulturs let air in, which could cause the clogging. I think I've had trouble with other inks in that pen, also. FYI.

[79spitfire]

Bought a sample from Goulet Pen Co., put it in a Waterman Kultur and it dried it out in less than 24 hours. It took me 10 minutes to try to get the pen to start up again. When it gets going, it lays down brown and turns into a brownish-grey, which is close to black but not quite there. Good for writing, but I've put it in a Sheaffer No-Nonsense pen, so we'll see if that one clogs tomorrow. I've heard it said the caps on the Kulturs let air in, which could cause the clogging. I think I've had trouble with other inks in that pen, also. FYI.

 

Yes, I have found this with various Noodler's inks, I find and block the small vent holes in caps to help prevent this.

[an10awiz]

Nakahama has been my ink of choice since I bought it from Jetpens in 2009. I have NEVER had any of the problems reported. I have pens that have had the ink in for 6 months, I can unscrew the pen cap and write without any dryness. Maybe its because I have Pelikans or they changed the formula since I got it? I use EF to M, stock or Binderized cursive italic, vintage and modern nibs. I write in italic and like the antique quality the ink gives to my words.

regards, Joel

[clmurphy]

This is my favorite ink, and I didn't know it glowed under blacklight. Cool.

 

Do you use it at 100% or dilute it? If you use it at 100%, please tell me what pen you are using....

 

Thanks

[Avetikus]

I've just had the same problem with my bottle of Whaleman's Sepia in my Safari (EF).

 

I took the pen to the sink and disassembled it. There was some pigment (?) buildup in the nooks and crannies which came out with light brushing from a children's toothbrush I keep on hand for lots of small cleaning jobs. This stuff looks like pigment and it's the same color as the 'bulletproof' portion of the ink in the previous posts' illustrations so I think it's intentional.

 

I love the color, but maybe I'll dilute a little and see what that looks like. I've got a sample vial of it which will be perfect for this test. First dilution will be 20% v/v.

 

If nothing else, I'll just have to remember to clean the pen every couple of weeks. It's in a converter, so the small reservoir should be a good timer. Or find a wetter pen. Maybe a Pelikan. Yes. that's what I'll tell my wife. I needed the new m400 because my ink has to have it. Yes, I know I just waxed poetic how economical fountain pens are but that was yesterday.

 

What could possibly go wrong?

 

And yes, there's a solvent smell to it. No big deal. If there was anything crazy in there, the ink would come with an MSDS.

 

 

-Av

[Sassafras]

I have recently experimented with this ink to try and find a way to preserve the color I love, but help with the dryness and flow.

 

So far the most successful is a 1:1 mix with Noodler's Black Swan in Australian Roses. It changes the shade only very slightly. Less than using water at a 1:1 most definitely, and in my estimation, less than 25% water as well, and it greatly increases how quickly you can restart and extends the time you can leave the top off while pausing in your taking.

 

YMMV of course, but if you happen to own both inks, you may want to give it a try.

 

 

Edit: Added quick little comparison scan.

Edited May 11, 2011 by Sassafras

[Turtlegeuse]

(Necroed)

The Manjiro Nakahama story received treatment in Heart Of A Samurai a book for young adults by Margi Preus, who was recently interviewed on NPR. http://www.wbur.org/npr/151238662/may-backseat-book-club-pick-heart-of-a-samurai

Sounded pretty good. I wonder if the author is a Noodler's customer ? Guess I'll pluck up my courage and venture into the Y.A. stacks, and not for the first time either.

[Scriptorium Pens]

I just received a bottle of this in the mail, but am balking at filling a pen with it. Given its reputation for dryness, I wish that Noodlers would sell a diluting/lubricating fluid that could be used to water down inks.

 

Do any of you know of such a thing (other than water)?

 

I'd love to find some lubricating fluid like that! Does anyone know what Nathan puts in his "lubricating" inks?