Pilot ku‑jaku

[Sandy1]

➤ Please take a moment to adjust your gear to accurately depict the Grey Scale below. As the patches are neutral grey, that is what you should see.

• Mac http://www.wikihow.com/Calibrate-Your-Monitor
• Wintel PC http://www.calibrize.com/

Grey Scale.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/b4a04182.jpg

➤ As Photo*ucket has lost the functionality to display linked files as required and includes advertising with linked images, I've embedded the HiRes images. I apologise should that choice slow your display times.

=^=

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/e54300b8.jpg

Figure 1.
Swabs & Swatch:
Paper: HPJ1124.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/5499770f-4e52-48b2-95af-bda9e5842632_zpscfc3779f.jpg

Figure 2.
NIB-ism
Paper: HPJ1124.
Depicts nibs' line-width and pens' relative wetness.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/138bd3ce.jpg
Pens: L ➠ R: Estie, M200, Sheaffer, Somiko, NPS & C74.


WRITTEN SAMPLES: Moby Dick
Ruling is 8mm.

Figure 3.
Paper: HPJ1124.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/979d9e46.jpg
Figure 4.
Paper: Rhodia.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/f3b9fcd0.jpg
Figure 5.
Paper: G Lalo.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/72946ac4.jpg

Figure 6.
Paper: Royal.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/d01f2f5a.jpg

Figure 7.
Paper: Staples 20lb.
Pen: Somiko.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/9aae83d9.jpg

Comparison Exemplars for Turquoise Inks:

Figure 8.
Paper: HPJ1124.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/d25faad8.jpg

Figure 9.
Paper: Rhodia.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/8663cf29.jpg

OTHER STUFF

Figure 10.
Smear / Dry Times & Wet Tests
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/INK208_zps06aa496f.jpg
Figure 11.
Bleed - Show-Though on Staples.
(Reverse of Figure 7)
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/INK209_zps21fb8eaf.jpg
Hi-Res Scans:

Estie on HPJ1124.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/91fe8f87.jpg

Sheaffer on Rhodia
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/899058c3.jpg

Somiko on G Lalo
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/f726ff5c.jpg
C74 on Royal
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/a06fd44c.jpg

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Type:

• Dye-based fountain pen ink.

Presentation:

• Bottle.

Availability:

• Available when Topic posted.

Daily writer?

• Quite possible.

A go-to ink?

• Yes - when nothing else will do.

USE

Business:

(From the Office of Ms Blue-Black)

• While this may not have the gravitas that some prefer, this ink has charisma, and as such is an excellent choice for those at risk of being overlooked in the peloton of a corporate rat race, or working in a team / egalitarian environment.
• Certainly acceptable for lateral and downward internal correspondence, yet an ink with more gravitas may well be kept in the break glass cupboard along with the silver bullets.
• The writing experience is exceptional, even with very narrow nibs, so is a boon for those who write at length.
• Readability is high, though at high value Pk-j can become a bit vibrant during a long read.
• Welcome for forms work and mark-up & annotation of material printed in Black.
• Does not suit error correction or grading of assignments.

Illustrations / Graphics:

• Quite possible.
• Might replace colours that are currently mixed, and slip into the spot between Blue and Aqua for charts & graphs in both line and area formats.
• Line quality suits lines & labels.
• As a watercolour, the dye/s seem to act in harmony, so washes of varies values should remain the same hue. Even at high value, the ink retains much of its character.

Students:

• Possible.
• Ran well on all papers, though not at its best on 'lowest bidder' papers.
• Robust enough to withstand accidental encounters with potable liquids.
• To compensate for the higher cost of this ink, simply stop eating junk food - your brain, physique & GIT will thank you.

Personal:

• Absolutely.
• If one uses slightly dark inks for personal correspondence, this is a must-have; and perhaps The Go-To when the Blues are chilly, the warm colours too cozy, Brown is blah, and lighter inks too fluffy.
• The writing experience with any nib type shape or width is excellent, which makes Pk-j a top pick for long haul writing sessions. Prior to writing, kindly ensure that your paper shelves are fully stocked, and at least one kilo of espresso beans are ready to grind.
• One could easily run any nib with this ink, although I prefer an oh-so-boring mono-line - best that the reader not be [overly] distracted by the ink, so might actually read what I've written for once.

 

PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE & CHARACTERISTICS:

Flow:

• More than willing.

Nib Dry-Out:

• None.

Start-up:

• Immediate.
• With confidence.

Lubricity:

• Outstanding.
• Provides a whisper of feedback so one may keep the nib running on its sweet spot.
• Makes even the lesser nibs seem like they've been tuned by a master hand - well, almost.

Nib Creepies:

• None.

Staining (pen):

• None after 3 days.

Clogging:

• Not seen.
• Seems unlikely.

Bleed- Show-Through:

• Staples: More than a few freckles.
• All other pen+paper combos shown are greenlighted for two-sided use.

Feathering:

• C74 on Royal: In some 'ink pools' at the end of a stroke.

Aroma:

• Very faint.
• Rounded sweet esters.

Hand oil sensitivity:

• Not noticed.

Clean-up (pen):

• Fast and thorough with plain water from recently charged pens.
• After three days the use of a DIY pen cleaning solution of 0.5% ammonia+surfactant did not release any visible residue after my OCD water-only cleansing regimen.

Blending:

• No stated limitation, but Father Christmas & Uncle Sam's NSA will know if such a rogue thought even crosses your mind, then its downhill from there.

Archival:

• Not claimed.

 

THE LOOK

Presence:

• Classy.
• Friendly.
• A firm handshake - no hug or bisou.

Saturation:

• A fully-inked line is quite do-able.

Shading Potential:

• Oh yes, that too!

Variability:

• Pen+nib combos used:
  • More than expected.
• Papers used:
  • A bit more than expected.

Malleability:

• Fairly good.
• Responds well to fine tuning in a fairly predictable manner - no pranks from this well mannered ink.
• Bon temps rouler!

 

PAPERS:

Lovely papers:

• Crisp white paper.
• Tonnes of the good stuff.

Trip-Wire Papers:

• Those with grids, lines or [polka] dots.

Copy/Print Papers:

• Not the home range of Pk-j.
• Though the appearance was up to par on HPJ1124, the Staples 20lb swallowed enough of the lustre that I felt short-changed.

Tinted Papers:

• Possible, but greatly a matter of personal taste.
• I do enjoy Pk-j from a wet pen onto the Tomoe River and Rhodia 'R' 90gsm papers, both of which combine a warm base-tint with a smooth surface.

Is high-end paper 'worth it'?

• No doubt that Pk-j does nicely on the HPJ1124, yet if one wants to exploit the full potential of this ink, then pairing with a high-end paper may well kick out the chocks.

 

ETC

Majik:

• Just add some encouragement.

Personal Pen & Paper Pick:

• NPS on Rhodia.
• The wide nib puts down a satisfying amount of ink, yet the nib is dry enough so we have gentle shading.
• The Rhodia is not such a stark white that it counteracts the shading that its smooth surface promotes.

Yickity Yackity:

• The look is exquisite and unique, yet not startling.
• The writing experience, and the ink's generosity while writing is something else. This ink wants to write and do it so very well.
• Ah kushbaby, I imagine this is on your top shelf too.

= ==== =

NUTS BOLTS & BOILERPLATE

Pens:
- Written Samples:
A. Esterbrook J + 2550 posting steel XF nib.
B. Pelikan M200 + g-p steel EF nib.
C. Sheaffer Imperial TD + 14K F nib. *OoooLaLa*
D. Somiko + TIGP B nib.
E. The Notorious Pink Safari + steel B nib.
F. Pilot Custom 74 + №5 14K three-tine MS nib.
- Lines & labels: Pilot Penmanship + EF nib.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/70d925f4-71c9-4b37-b00b-271a82ed55e8_zps40d49995.jpg

Papers:

• HPJ1124: Hewlett-Packard laser copy/print, 24lb.
• Rhodia: satin finish vellum, 80gsm.
• G. Lalo Verge de France: natural white, laid, 100gsm.
• Royal: 25% cotton, laser/inkjet copy/print, 'letterhead', 90gsm.
• Staples: house brand multi-use copy/print, USD4/ream, bears FSC logo, 20lb.

Imaging

• An Epson V600 scanner was used with the bundled Epson s/w at factory default settings to produce low-loss jpg files.
• No post-capture manipulation of scanner output was done, other than dumb-down by Epson, Photo*ucket, IP.Board s/w, and your viewing gear.

Other Inks

• This Review uses the same Written Sample format, atrocious handwriting and some pen+paper combos common to most of my previous Reviews of Blue and Turquoise inks. Consequently, ad hoc comparisons through manipulation of browser windows is supported.
• Should that functionality not meet your requirements, I welcome your PM requesting a specific comparison. Additional scans may be produced, but the likelihood of additional inky work is quite low.

Fine Print
◊ The accuracy and relevance of this Review depends in great part upon consistency and reliability of matériel used.
◊ Ink does not require a label/notice to indicate (changes in) formulation, non-hazardous ingredients, batch ID, date of manufacture, etc.
◊ As always YMMV, due to differences in materials, manner of working, environment, zebra migration, etc.
◊ Also, I entrust readers to separate opinion from fact; to evaluate inferences and conclusions as to their merit; and to be amused by whatever tickles your fancy.

-30-
TAGS: fountain pen ink review Pilot iroshizuku ku-jaku kujaku Peacock Blue Turquoise Sandy1

Edited November 8, 2013 by Sandy1

[Ghost Plane]

Ah....now you've experienced my favorite for wizardry & flight planning.

 

On a more serious note, mild staining noted in Visconti double power filler ink windows after a few weeks of exposure to a midsummer morning sun in Florida even in an air conditioned house. Pull the blinds!

[LagNut]

Sandy,

 

Another of my favorite inks, this adds a lightness that I really like.

 

As usual, your review is pretty much spot on, though I'd have predicted a bit less water-fastness. Looking at your scans, though I think it's the blue murk that you do have that made me recall this as not so water fast (and I recall kon-peki and Edelstein Topaz as superior).

 

Looking back at your reviews of those two, I would put E. Topaz as superior in that light, with the kon-peki possibly a bit better, but not that much.

 

This is why I (and I think I speak for many here) love your reviews. Massive amounts of well organized information that I find myself going back into, liberally sprinkled with chuckles when the details are investigated.

 

Toodles,

Mike

[MisterBoll]

Another wonderful review - thanks. I was looking at the color and thinking, "I must get a bottle of this!" only to discover I already do.

[The Good Captain]

This looks like I'll have to e-mail my 'shopper' in Japan before he comes back for Christmas!

[Sandy1]

Ah....now you've experienced my favorite for wizardry & flight planning.

 

On a more serious note, mild staining noted in Visconti double power filler ink windows after a few weeks of exposure to a midsummer morning sun in Florida even in an air conditioned house. Pull the blinds!

 

Hi,

 

Yes indeed! I've been on to this ink for years, but, like tsuki-yo, it has taken a while for me to write a Review.

 

Pk-j certainly would be a most excellent ink for "wizardry & flight planning", arts which have much in common.

 

Thanks for letting us know of your experience with clean-up.

As I am not one to let ink linger in a pen, I greatly appreciate learning from those who do so. Was the stain permanent? or was the stain removed by some chemical treatment / follow-on ink?

 

Bye,

S1

 

[Sandy1]

Sandy,

 

Another of my favorite inks, this adds a lightness that I really like.

 

As usual, your review is pretty much spot on, though I'd have predicted a bit less water-fastness. Looking at your scans, though I think it's the blue murk that you do have that made me recall this as not so water fast (and I recall kon-peki and Edelstein Topaz as superior).

 

Looking back at your reviews of those two, I would put E. Topaz as superior in that light, with the kon-peki possibly a bit better, but not that much.

 

This is why I (and I think I speak for many here) love your reviews. Massive amounts of well organized information that I find myself going back into, liberally sprinkled with chuckles when the details are investigated.

 

Toodles,

Mike

 

Hi,

 

Many thanks for your kind words. I'm glad that you find my wee Reviews to be worthy of multiple reads, though I'm lead to believe that many people don't read it at one go unless trying to overcome symptoms associated with insomnia.

 

I'm glad that your experience with Pk-j has much in common with mine.

 

As to the Wet Tests: These are done in an arbitrary fashion, intending to emulate non-industrial accidents without addressing nefarious acts by villains, such as criminals or the neighbours' doggies. To support repeatability/consistency hence comparison, the methods are simple: drip plain water from an eye dropper; and an hours long static soak in water that contains a bit of washing-up liquid + bleach at a 'sanitising' concentration of ~50ppm available chlorine.

 

Wet Tests:

T - B: Pk-j, Pk-p, PET.

 

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pilot%20ku-jaku/INK210_zps7d8675be.jpg

 

My reading of the runes is that all inks have dye that will come adrift, and the dye that comes adrift from PET is least likely to re-bond with the paper. Hence in terms of practical disaster recovery, I'd likely toss a water damaged sheet written with PET into the wash, but water damaged sheets of Pk-j & Pk-p would likely be dried as-is, then the written matter recovered using non-destructive tools such as image capture/manipulation software.

 

Bye,

S1

 

__ __

 

The now-defunkt 4S Scale of water resistance & response:

0 : Nothing left but wrinkled paper.

• Recycle.

1 : Some inky artifacts remain as evidence of activity, but no words legible.

• Recycle.

2 : Over half is legible.

• May provide basis for 'best guess' restoration. (Think Dead Sea scrolls.)

3 : All legible, but either very faint and/or has heavy staining from re-deposit of soluble dye.

• Needs recovery/restoration for anything beyond personal use.

4 : All legible, can be easily read and/or have light staining from re-deposit of soluble dye.

• Use as-is for work papers & internal use.
• Adjustments to a scanner may drop-out the stain.

5 : Cannot really tell that it was wet, except for the wrinkled paper.

• Line quality may be ever so slightly degraded: woolly/feathering.
• Use as-is.
• May need to be photocopied/scanned to replace wrinkled paper.

Edited November 9, 2013 by Sandy1

[GTOZack]

sandy1,

 

out of every inks you have performed tests, which one is your favorite and why

[Pterodactylus]

http://imageshack.us/a/img689/6121/inhj.jpg

 

http://imageshack.us/a/img801/465/33s3.jpg

 

(Faber Castell Osmia 883 - OF ..... Iroshizuku Ku-Jaku)

(TWSBI Mini - 1.5 CI ..... Noodler´s Navy)

[Sandy1]

sandy1,

 

out of every inks you have performed tests, which one is your favorite and why

 

Hi,

 

As shown on my Profile: Montblanc Blue-Black

 

As for the 'why?', I invite you to read the many Reviews of that ink. Better yet, try some, though it may be a spot of bother to acquire that discontinued ink.

 

Bye,

S1

[Sandy1]

http://imageshack.us/a/img689/6121/inhj.jpg

 

http://imageshack.us/a/img801/465/33s3.jpg

 

(Faber Castell Osmia 883 - OF ..... Iroshizuku Ku-Jaku)

(TWSBI Mini - 1.5 CI ..... Noodler´s Navy)

 

Hi,

 

You're most welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed the Review.

 

Thanks for showcasing Pk-j in such a fair hand, and for the comparo to Noodler's Navy Blue!

 

I always appreciate hearing of other Members' experience with an ink, which to me is an essential part of a Review.

 

It is indeed unfortunate when high expectations are not met. Yet I've also had the experience of having my expectations exceeded; and some inks, such as tsuki‑yo, only met/exceeded my expectations after using them for some time.

 

While I do not care to discuss cost of ink in my Reviews, I will say that about as many high cost inks as low cost inks lost their spot on my ink shelves and were sent to Mixing Corral limbo.

 

Bye,

S1

 

__ __

◎ My thoughts on the price of ink @ Post № 5: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/174538-pelikan-edelstein-topaz/?p=1772664

◎ Topic 'Most Disappointing Ink Buy' https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/226341-most-disappointing-ink-buy/?p=2413560

Edited November 10, 2013 by Sandy1

[LagNut]

Sandy1,

 

Thanks for detailing how you do your drip and soak tests. I still can't figure out how you end up with the unwashed notch in the soak - it always gets my gears spinning, and still haven't hit on a jackpot that would reliably reproduce that sharp notch...

 

Please don't tell. I enjoy that little puzzle.

 

Mike

[Ghost Plane]

Hi,

Yes indeed! I've been on to this ink for years, but, like tsuki-yo, it has taken a while for me to write a Review.

Pk-j certainly would be a most excellent ink for "wizardry & flight planning", arts which have much in common.

Thanks for letting us know of your experience with clean-up.

As I am not one to let ink linger in a pen, I greatly appreciate learning from those who do so. Was the stain permanent? or was the stain removed by some chemical treatment / follow-on ink?

Bye,

S1

 

I tried flushing with JB's pen flush, then clear water only to find the aggravating design of the double power filler now left me with lingering pen flush & a fainter stain. Not having hours to aggressively & repetitively pump water in & out, I let the pen air dry with the piston in the extended position for maximum drying. When next I ink, I'll be curious to see if renewed ink results in gradual dissolution of remaining ink/flush remnants or if I'll have a faint tinge such as graces my white sections within on my white resin Visconti.

 

I'm afraid I'm not very perturbed by lingering evidence of use as my pens are...gasp!...used quite thoroughly for their intended purpose. Even the abominably expensive ones.

[Sandy1]

Another wonderful review - thanks. I was looking at the color and thinking, "I must get a bottle of this!" only to discover I already do.

 

Hi,

 

 

Well, the best of intentions bear fruit when acted upon.

 

I hope that you're now enjoying Pk-j - better than finding a fiver in the pocket of a seldom worn garment.

 

Bye,

S1

Edited November 11, 2013 by Sandy1

[Sandy1]

This looks like I'll have to e-mail my 'shopper' in Japan before he comes back for Christmas!

 

I thought Father Christmas, aka Santa Claus, lived at The North Pole - not in Japan!

 

No wonder I've had no reply to my weekly missives sent to him!!

Edited November 11, 2013 by Sandy1

[cybaea]

 

I thought Father Christmas, aka Santa Claus, lived at The North Pole - not in Japan!

 

No wonder I've had no reply to my weekly missives sent to him!!

 

He lives wherever there are good children Keep believing.

[Sandy1]

Sandy1,

 

Thanks for detailing how you do your drip and soak tests. I still can't figure out how you end up with the unwashed notch in the soak - it always gets my gears spinning, and still haven't hit on a jackpot that would reliably reproduce that sharp notch...

 

Please don't tell. I enjoy that little puzzle.

 

Mike

 

Hi,

 

You're welcome!

 

For the Wet Tests I intend to give some sort of results that can indicate 'real world' performance.

 

The WTs do not directly address what might happen to facing pages as might be the case for bound notes & journals in terms of page-to-page offset transfer; nor do they address the effect of water on two-sided work when dye+water penetrates the sheet.

 

I think each person should do their own samples, and include recovery action/s applicable at certain times/stages: blot dry, let dry in place, wash before/after dry, etc. And if security protocols allow use of a personal camera, take photos of damaged pages soonest, before recovery.

 

Bye,

S1

[Fabienne]

Dear Sandy1-Your reviews are the gold standard of reviews. I love each and every one of them. Thank you for your patience and care. You have helped me find gems and avoid those which just would not do for me.

[Sandy1]

I tried flushing with JB's pen flush, then clear water only to find the aggravating design of the double power filler now left me with lingering pen flush & a fainter stain. Not having hours to aggressively & repetitively pump water in & out, I let the pen air dry with the piston in the extended position for maximum drying. When next I ink, I'll be curious to see if renewed ink results in gradual dissolution of remaining ink/flush remnants or if I'll have a faint tinge such as graces my white sections within on my white resin Visconti.

 

I'm afraid I'm not very perturbed by lingering evidence of use as my pens are...gasp!...used quite thoroughly for their intended purpose. Even the abominably expensive ones.

 

Hi,

 

Many thanks for your detailed reply!

 

It seems that other Members thought the Visconti pens with Power Filler plumbing are difficult to cleanse.

 

Our amberleadavis posted yet another one of her interesting & helpful Topics, 'Best ink to use in between high maintenance inks?' https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/251595-best-ink-to-use-in-between-high-maintenance-inks-something-lubricating/?p=2762032

So there is more than one way to deal with persistent residue, other than aggressive chemical treatment, teardown or sending for overhaul.

 

I very much agree that 'lingering evidence of use' happens. Its not as if we're careless with our pens. They acquire scars of authenticity, yet I'm quite surprised that my rotring 600 which I use in the field appears quite untouched.

 

Bye,

S1

 

[Sandy1]

Dear Sandy1-Your reviews are the gold standard of reviews. I love each and every one of them. Thank you for your patience and care. You have helped me find gems and avoid those which just would not do for me.

 

Hi,

 

Many thanks!

 

I am flattered that you hold my efforts in such high regard, and that they've been of use when prospecting the wide array of inks in the market. Yet they only provide a peek through a keyhole.

 

Bye,

S1