I'm Often Asked Why I Like Noodler's Black ?

June 1, 2012

Seeing this thread, I told myself I should make a similar test with Noodler's Polar Black. Similar but not the same, because for example I have no newspaper near me today

I've used 4 kinds of paper : Rhodia Dot Pad, unnamed office copy paper, PostIt note and a page of glossy magazine paper.

Here you have the samples after writing :

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7314727652_8bafe217e8_z.jpg

Here the four samples after being submerged in water for 10 minutes :

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7243/7314727450_076fae4307_z.jpg

And here after some torture...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7314727166_ce22002fc4_z.jpg

The ink is wonderful in all samples besides the glossy paper. Why doesn't it perform great on it ? If I understand right, it's because it bulletproofness comes from bonding with cellulose in paper, and in glossy paper there is a layer impermeable between the ink and the cellulose, bonding is way limited.

I really love this ink, my ink of choice (with Pharmacist's Iron Gall Ink) for everyday use!

June 1, 2012

I know for a fact that HOD will withstand the water torture test and work on many different papers. I wrote with HOD on Clairefontaine 70g recycled paper along with a few other inks as a test. Just for fun I wanted to see just how it would withstand being "washed" in the sink. All of the other inks disappeared off the paper and the only one left was the HOD. It did not bleed or even smudge when I wrung out the paper! Mind you, I did let the inks set for a few days before trying this so I am not sure if that has any bearing on the results.

June 1, 2012

So...I'm new to the website, but a lifetime pen (of all sorts) junkie. That being said, which is the "better" Noodlers black ink? I haven't tried any yet, but I'm wondering about the plain black, or heart of darkness. I do know I am not too impressed with Parker, Mont Blanc, Waterman, or Namiki blacks, and generally return to Levenger's Raven Black, which is darker than all of the former I have tried. I do, however, want something that is easily cleaned out when I decide to change ink colors in my pen(s).

June 2, 2012

I'm curious as to how Heart of Darkness compares to Black?

I believe HoD is a bit faster-drying than Black, but doesn't work as well with cheap, absorbent paper.

I know some will think it's blasphemy to say, but I don't really like HoD that much. I find that Private Reserve Invincible Black is my preferred alternative -- it's fast drying, very lubricating, and still manages to handle cheap paper decently well. Noodler's Black and PRIB cover just about all my black ink needs.

June 2, 2012

I believe HoD is a bit faster-drying than Black, but doesn't work as well with cheap, absorbent paper.

I know some will think it's blasphemy to say, but I don't really like HoD that much. I find that Private Reserve Invincible Black is my preferred alternative -- it's fast drying, very lubricating, and still manages to handle cheap paper decently well. Noodler's Black and PRIB cover just about all my black ink needs.

I am a bit of a blasphemer as well, as I've consistently failed to fall in love with HoD and Aurora Black. I'm wondering if I should try to dig up some Old Manhattan Black to see if I can strike out.

I wonder if it's possible to categorize these black preferences in some useful way.

June 2, 2012

There's slight feathering with HoD and so I find that when I write with it, it leads to slightly thicker lines. It doesn't seem to be as Black as Noodler's Black. But it is definitely a much more lubricating ink than Noodler's Black.So I find myself now using Noodler's Black for pens where I want thinner and finer lines but in cases where I might have a nib with a little bit more tooth, I would use HoD on it instead as it helps to lubricate.

June 2, 2012

I'm curious as to how Heart of Darkness compares to Black?

I believe HoD is a bit faster-drying than Black, but doesn't work as well with cheap, absorbent paper.

I know some will think it's blasphemy to say, but I don't really like HoD that much. I find that Private Reserve Invincible Black is my preferred alternative -- it's fast drying, very lubricating, and still manages to handle cheap paper decently well. Noodler's Black and PRIB cover just about all my black ink needs.

No worries, I'm not a big fan of HoD either. To my eye (the one that counts to me!) it doesn't look as black, and does seem to feather more (perhaps that's the reason )

Plain old Bulletproof black is such a reliable ink, flows well, dries quickly, and doesn't seem prone to nib dryout, even in cheap pens! It's pen nirvana in a bottle!

(Gotta love that quart size!)

Edited June 2, 2012 by 79spitfire

June 2, 2012

I have 2 bottles of 4.5oz, even when my 3oz bottle is still 3/4 full. I like it so much i was really afraid they would not sell it anymore. That is what usually hapens with good inks, like MB Racing Green, i never got a chance to use it because they do not sell it anymore. Isn't that stupid? Why would anyone want to stop manufacturing a good, succesful ink? Yet, that is what they do on times. Conclussion: Just buy more Noodler's Black, man. Why? Well, because... because i just cannot understand life anylonger without Noodler's Black in some of my FP's.
This ink is all i have ever wanted in a balck ink. It is just perfect! Flows great, cleans right, looks amazing.
You guys think they will be still selling it in 5 years?

so what are you trying to say?

BTW, i love your logo!

June 2, 2012

You seem to have caused several serious cases of "ink envy."

+1 I can't even use that much ink, yet I am strangely attracted.

Noodler's black is my favorite 'go to' utility ink.

we're all sick! we need therapy. .

let's get some ink.

June 2, 2012

I think there is a different between the Noodler Black and its feather free Black Ink.

I really like the feather proof black a lot. I find its the blackest of all I have used and it somehow has lub in it where it always ensure optimum flow

and write so well on any papers.