Which Inks Are You Using Today?

[inkstainedruth]

I didn't like Diamine Registrars. Wondering now if the sample I got was a bad batch, because it oxidized to a washy blue grey -- great shading but that's all it had to recommend it. IJzer-Galnoten, OTOH, behaved the way I EXPECTED an IG ink to behave, and I much prefer it -- goes down much darker, and stays darker.

I just looked up my old ink-journal test of it (and mind you, the crummy Piccadilly sketchpad paper does weird things to ink colors sometimes) but it's still pretty dark even after all this time (I'd say a good 5 years at least, since I got it during the original FPN group buy). It's like a dark grey/shading black even now.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[ENewton]

I keep meaning to try the bottle I have of Waterfont Dusk and keep getting sidetracked.... And I bought it when they still had the B&M store in Pittsburgh....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

I keep thinking I should buy a bottle of Waterfront Dusk, but Birmingham pens has a very high cut-off for free shipping--$75--and I'm just not going to buy the requisite quantity of merchandise that I don't want.

[inkstainedruth]

My problem is that there are some inks that aren't even listed on their website at the moment -- both of which I REALLY like (Truss Blue and Panther Blue).

One of regular topics of conversation at Steel City Nibs meetings is "Hey, does anyone know if they're found a new location yet?" I really miss their B&M store and being able to just pop in and say "So, Nick -- whaddya got in that's new?" (One time, I went in to take a look at the Pacific Blue al-Star, decided I didn't like the color enough, but then went looking to see what other goodies they had that day and ended up buying a more expensive pen instead -- the Pink TWSBI 580-AL. And they had just gotten a shipment of DeAtramentis inks in and they were still all on the counter, and I wound up buying three of those as well (Sky Blue, Van Dyke Brown, and Gold).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[NumberSix]

Namiki Blue - Noodler's Neponset (Edison nib)

Skrip Black - Parker 51 Special

[Helen350]

Sheaffer Absolute Brown

Diamine Syrah

Diamine Sargasso Sea

[ENewton]

My problem is that there are some inks that aren't even listed on their website at the moment -- both of which I REALLY like (Truss Blue and Panther Blue).

One of regular topics of conversation at Steel City Nibs meetings is "Hey, does anyone know if they're found a new location yet?" I really miss their B&M store and being able to just pop in and say "So, Nick -- whaddya got in that's new?" (One time, I went in to take a look at the Pacific Blue al-Star, decided I didn't like the color enough, but then went looking to see what other goodies they had that day and ended up buying a more expensive pen instead -- the Pink TWSBI 580-AL. And they had just gotten a shipment of DeAtramentis inks in and they were still all on the counter, and I wound up buying three of those as well (Sky Blue, Van Dyke Brown, and Gold).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

My favorite Birmingham Pens story is that I called from California to place an order, and Nick called me back at something like 5 o'clock in the morning my time. I told him that I would rather not rise quite so early in the morning but that I would call back in a few hours. "Oh!" he said. "I wasn't thinking about the time zone." When we ultimately did speak later in the morning, we had a very pleasant conversation. It appeals to me that he doesn't come across as a businessman. If I remember correctly, he said at one point in the conversation, "My brother is an importer type."

Edited September 22, 2020 by ENewton

[inkstainedruth]

I met Nick's brother once when the B&M store was still in existence. Sadly, don't remember his name offhand, because I nearly always dealt with Nick. I can't remember a single time where I was the only customer in the store -- there was always at least one other person poking around.

What I really love about the Birmingham inks is that the names are all Pittsburgh-area references, and most of the ones I've tried have been relatively well behaved. Occasionally I wouldn't like a color (I have a bunch that were sent to last year's Pittsburgh Pelikan Hub and people could take what they wanted of the bottles or samples). I can't recommend Gunpowder Tea, though -- it's a fairly unpleasant color that I suppose *could* be used as a highlighter ink....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[I-am-not-really-here]

Van Dieman's Black Tongue Spider Orchid is the ink for today. Loaded into a F-C 45 with Broad S.I.G. nib

[NumberSix]

Noodler's 54th - I have it in two pens (Parker 51 Special, Parker 41), to test the results. Both are fine nibs, but the 41's nib is markedly finer.

 

Yet with this ink, they both write about the same line. If anything, I prefer using the slightly broader Special since it's a little smoother - and they look the same on paper anyway.

[N1003U]

• Diamine Presidential Blue
• Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black
• Rohrer & Klingner Fernambuk

 

[inkstainedruth]

Van Dieman's Black Tongue Spider Orchid is the ink for today. Loaded into a F-C 45 with Broad S.I.G. nib

How are you liking the Van Dieman's? I ran across the brand a couple of weeks ago while looking up some stuff on the Vanness website, but couldn't really find anything about the brand or where they're out of.

For me, today, it's been Kyo-no-oto Sukuranezumi, in the Purple Cosmos Sailor Pro-Gear Slim (zoom nib); Ferris Wheel Press Tanzanite Sky in the red Cross Solo (F nib); and vintage Quink Microfilm Black, in the Silver Pearl Parker Vac Major, F nib.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[MBDostoevsky]

Pelikan Brilliant Red... I dont like it because it is too light and is not the shading of red that I would like to have.

[I-am-not-really-here]

How are you liking the Van Dieman's? I ran across the brand a couple of weeks ago while looking up some stuff on the Vanness website, but couldn't really find anything about the brand or where they're out of.

For me, today, it's been Kyo-no-oto Sukuranezumi, in the Purple Cosmos Sailor Pro-Gear Slim (zoom nib); Ferris Wheel Press Tanzanite Sky in the red Cross Solo (F nib); and vintage Quink Microfilm Black, in the Silver Pearl Parker Vac Major, F nib.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

They are from Tasmania and at the times I was purchasing there were no U.S. distributors. Now Penchalet and Vanness carry the various lines though I don't know if either has all of it.

 

https://www.vandiemansink.com.au/collections/van-diemans-bottled-ink

 

I haven't encountered any issues so far in the inks sampled.

[N1003U]

Pelikan Brilliant Red... I dont like it because it is too light and is not the shading of red that I would like to have.

This is my view of Brilliant Red as well. About the best I can say for the ink is that is looks lovely in my M605 transparent-white. The color of the ink on paper is not optimal for me, either.

[MBDostoevsky]

This is my view of Brilliant Red as well. About the best I can say for the ink is that is looks lovely in my M605 transparent-white. The color of the ink on paper is not optimal for me, either.

 

Yes. The same goes for the Brilliant Green as well. However, their Turquoise is pretty decent and probably the best in their 4001 line up.

[N1003U]

 

Yes. The same goes for the Brilliant Green as well. However, their Turquoise is pretty decent and probably the best in their 4001 line up.

In the 4001 range, I have at present Brilliant Black, Blue-Black, Royal Blue, Violet, Brilliant Brown, Dark Green, and Brilliant Red. I like them all except the red, and I find all of the 4001 inks I have used to be well behaved and great value.

 

I can not speak to the Brilliant Green, because I have never used it, and as I understand, it is now discontinued. The Dark Green is OK. I do know there are folks here who are fans of both Brilliant Red and Brilliant Green (some like one, some the other, and some both).

 

I have seen and heard many good things about Pelikan 4001 Turquoise, but I have not yet tried it.

I have in my stock at present some bottles of turquoise inks. Despite that the Pelikan 4001 Inks are very reasonably priced, I suppose I will have to use up some of my exiting turquoise ink before I go looking for another. But if a chance to sample it comes along, I will certainly give Pelikan 4001 Turquoise a try.

[Methanius]

I currently have two of my three stalwarts configured as:

• Pelikan m200 m nib inked with KWZ Rotten Green
• Opus 88 Koloro Clear Demonstrator* curved BB architect inked with KWZ Monarch.

 

Double trouble KWZ's. Definitely my favourite brand. I only wish Konrad would make more murky colours. I want more murky greens with the luxurious KWZ feel and consistency!

Edited September 24, 2020 by Methanius

[amberleadavis]

My fingers are covered with Levenger Cardinal Red - but at least it is good looking!

[white_lotus]

Sailor Kingdom Note Birgus latro in the Pelikan M400 Tortoise.

KWZ brown Pink in the Neon Edison Beaumont pneumatic.

Sailor Kingdom Note Garrulus lidthi in the Edison Collier "Metallurgy".

 

Seems like the iPhone camera picked up every wooly bleed in the line. It doesn't look that bad on paper!

 

[KaB]

It's been over a year since I last used a black ink. But now, I've filled my MB149 (Broad Sorowka stub) with Pelikan Brilliant Black.

Immediately remembered why it's been over a year. Black ink on white paper just lookt creepy, wrong, boring, missed opportunity. In my eyes that is.