16 And Shopping For Inks

[svbecca]

So my dad got into fountain pens, and the first thing I did was of course steal all of them. He bought me the two I'm using now so I can't recall the brand, but I have a flex nib and a narrow nib. They're good quality and durable thankfully- I'm the only one in my high school who uses fountain pens and people are constantly asking to borrow them, I worry myself sick watching them hold the pen upside down or perpendicular to the paper! Anyway, I'm brand new to this website, and am admittedly mostly here because I have some birthday money to blow, and what sixteen year old wouldn't promptly spend it on noodlers ink?

 

I know there are a lot of newbies looking for help currently, but I"ll gladly take any advice or general tips, I've been casually using fountain pens since 15 and would like to get more serious about them.

 

My main question, however, is whether or not it's worth it to get more than the standard blue and black and red ink (I do have anti feather and two shades of blue) when I'm in high school and would only be able to use colors for out of class activities (darn you public school- stifiling my creativity!), and which colors or styles of ink are known for being the most beautiful/usable on walmart college ruled paper. Right now I'm flirting with noodlers ink, but there's just so much variety!

 

[RMN]

Hi and welcome to FPN.

 

At your age I was using my granddads Waterman, but after that, in university I switched to ballpoints, fountain pens were not handy during practice labs where you had to quickly jot down results and go on again with your experiment (chemistry and things like that).

 

Luckily I re-found fountainpens.

 

I'm a bit boring, inkwise. I'm looking for the ideal very dark blue. So I can't give you much advise, apart from: have a look at the Goulet website with all the inkswabs they have.

 

Most common school paper is cheap these days, and made for ballpoint ink/gel-ink. Many fountainpen inks bleed and feather like crazy on these papers. I would rather use my birthday-money on some nice fountainpen-friendly college paper so you can use your pens at school.

I am very wary of letting others use my FPs. As you wrote, the way they hold them....

Biggest hazard is they are not getting ink that way and start pushing real hard. And damage the nib of your pen.

 

For more info about nice inks, head over to our "Inky Thoughts" department, and enjoy.

 

D.ick

Edited January 10, 2014 by RMN

[Inkling13]

Could we change the title? I really don't care if you put your information out there on a personal level, but I cringe when people say their age, especially when the internet is involved.

[MisterBoll]

Could we change the title? I really don't care if you put your information out there on a personal level, but I cringe when people say their age, especially when the internet is involved.

 

I've never been offended by people stating their ages.

I thought FPN was open to young and old alike.

[AndrewC]

Ah, but so MANY shades of blue... And black and red. Some that won't get you in trouble because they are pretty close to the norm as well. As said above, check out Goulet Pens swab shop, and get some samples to try out. Also, keep in mind a narrow nib should deliver less ink at once so your feathering should be less than with the flex nib, although paper does make a difference as well. You might shop around a little and see if different brands hold ink better. (For instance, I used to find Staples lab books from Brazil worked for my FPs but those from China did not.)

 

Although pricey, Pilot Iroshizuku inks are really well behaved and do well on cheap paper. I use Asa Gao in the pens I use for banking and balancing the check book. I find Diamine Sapphire well behaved. The only black ink I have is in cartridges and is Pilot/Namiki. I use this in my Vanishing point for taking notes when working on articles, which means using legal pads or laser jet paper. As mentioned above, check out the Inky Thoughts and Reviews fora for lots of info.

 

If I were you, I'd be nervous letting others use the pens as well. When someone wants to use my pen, I ask if they are familiar with FPs, and then I tell them they don't need to press hard, just use a light hand. Also, if you wish to use your pens with other inks in them, you can sign up for snailing with folks here and at Pentrace (another board for pen fans). Enjoy the hunt for the perfect ink. I'm still exploring my choices after many years.

[Lyander0012]

I used to feel the same as you, but then I got a bottle of this amazing green for Christmas (J. Herbin Vert Empire), which changed my mind for me. I still have a stock of blue and black ink (and a dwindling supply of Lamy Blue-Black, come to think of it), but I'm gradually adding new, fun colours to my reserve for doodling and personal correspondence.

 

There's something immensely fun about watching FP ink dry. No, really, I'm not joking. It's also rather nice to see a colour you're particularly fond of gushing out of a pen and staining paper; I sometimes sketch using FPs, and though I'm nowhere near passable at it (pencil's honestly much easier to use), it's still fun to make use of the shading properties of various inks. I could go on and on about how much fun it is to play with ink, but I'll not spoil the fun for you.

 

What's your favourite colour? Have you yet tried an ink wth amazing shading properties? Perhaps you'd like a supersaturated one to complement your loud personality (or a softer, more subtle one for better variation)? Whatever the case, I'm of the opinion that you should at least try getting a non-standard ink and try using it just for fun.

 

 

Hope all goes well, and that you ave fun!

 

Kevin

[PAKMAN]

Hello and Welcome to FPN!! Glad to have you as a member!

[1point1mm]

Greetings and Welcome aboard the FPN! Enjoy your stay here!

[YoungPenmanship]

Glad to have another young person into fountain pens, just like me and a few others here! Welcome to FPN!

 

Now, on to your question:

 

Ink are the sole reason why I write with fountain pens and I can understand why you would want to expand your ink varieties at the age you are.

 

However, being in high school and using cheap paper gives you some limitations on to how the inks will behave. I recently asked this question in one of my own threads that I posted here. In all honesty, for high school, I would stick to using blues and blacks for doing school work that has to be handed in to the teacher.

 

The purpose for that is to retain the importance of getting to the work done and not distracting the reading. However, for taking notes, have a ball with all the inks available. I personally would recommend Noodler's for their vast varieties of colors and water-resistance in most of them.

 

For the more eye-appealing inks, look into Pilot Iroshizuku inks and the whole Private Reserve line -- a lot of colors, nice shading, good flowing.

 

If you want to see my thread about inks for note-taking and such, here's the link:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/258397-in-search-of-ink-for-fast-writing-and-note-taking/

 

PS: Personal Reccomendations

 

Noodler's Le Couleur Royale

Pilot Iroshizuku Ku-Jaku

Pilot Iroshizuku Syo-Ro

Private Reserve DC Supershow Blue

Noodler's Socrates

Edited January 10, 2014 by YoungPenmanship

[WaskiSquirrel]

Speaking as a high school teacher, I would say that either a blue or black is vital. My personal preference for my own writing is black. I use Noodler's Black. Bonus (from your perspective) is that it is lower-cost and behaves well and lower quality paper. Another one with these qualities is Parker Quink. The benefit of the latter is you might actually find it in a store. I don't have a good recommendation for a blue.

 

Beyond that, I like a bright color of some kind just for fun and for my own editing purposes. (As a teacher, I also use these bright colors to correct papers.)

 

Some personal favorites are:

• Noodler's Baystate Blue (but know what you're getting with this ink: it's not for everyone)
• Noodler's Saguaro Wine (an amazing, decently-behaved purple)
• Noodler's Nikita (a nice red and it comes with a free pen)
• Nooder's Apache Sunset (call it orange, but it has amazing, gorgeous shading)
• Noodler's Golden Brown (another one with great shading)
• Noodler's Black Swan in English Rose (a unique red with very dark shading)
• Noodler's Black Swan in Australian Rose (a sort of purpose with dark shading)

In addition to Noodler's, I can strongly recommend the Sailor Jentle inks. They're a bit pricey and I'm personally boycotting them for reasons of my own, but I love them! I also really like the Iroshizuku inks, though they are pricey was well.

 

By the way: since someone else brought up my age, here is my thought: you should be careful about giving too much personal information on the internet, but a certain amount is necessary to give some perspective. I don't see any harm in giving age (I'm 38). Age gave me hints about what you can afford and what you would need.

[Lyander0012]

[snip]

 

By the way: since someone else brought up my age, here is my thought: you should be careful about giving too much personal information on the internet, but a certain amount is necessary to give some perspective. I don't see any harm in giving age (I'm 38). Age gave me hints about what you can afford and what you would need.

 

My thoughts exactly. I'm not all that reserved about bringing up my age, but that's only for when I need to explain things contextually (how I use my FPs, why I'm usually short on money, etc. ). To be honest with you, I kinda winced when I saw the thread title, though why I did, I can't say exactly. I can see why you thought to mention your age (usage of the ink), but that aside, you really ought to be more careful on the internet.

 

While I can't personally vouch for each and ever member here on this board, I can say that the FP community is one of the nicest, if not the nicest, online and offline groups of people I've ever had the pleasure of acquainting myself with. Sure, people can get a bit persnickety at times, but that kinda comes with the territory

 

Erm, drifted a bit off topic there.

 

Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that while this board is one of the nicer ones, that's no reason to abandon caution.

 

 

Pelikan Konigsblau/Cross Blue (they're the same ink) is a marvellous school ink that's an amazing shade of blue. It works well for formal settings (Sandy1 called it "Times New Roman in a bottle" in her great review of the pen, which I fully agree with) and personal use alike. The only downside that might not be a downside at all is the fact that it has zero waterproofing. It was designed that way to ensure that even if you spill some on your favourite dress shirt or something, it'll wash off easily.

 

I can also vouch for Skrip and Quink inks. They're very usable and well-behaved inks that pair well with even vintage pens. I lean towards Skrip myself, but I'm a Sheaffer fan, and thus a bit biased

 

Cheers!

[captain nib]

Welcome!

 

Happy fountain penning. I'm not going to enter the ink fray here...some good suggestions have already been made. One can only trial various inks and develop personal tastes & preferences.

 

As an Aussie, I should fly the flag. So, have a look at www.justwrite.com.au where they have recently come up with a selection of Australian made inks...there is even a core-group of 4 colours you can order which will allow you to experiment and mix ... perhaps come up with your unique blend !! (see also the thread under Shop Walk "n Talk, click on The Mall, and see some threads from the Just Write people).

 

Lyander0012 - very kind words about the FP Network - there are novices & veterans, sharing ideas & resources. A terrific aspect of an online community. But, yes, common sense & caution might not go astray...as it should be with any online activity.

 

But , that said, do throw caution to the wind in seeking views of FPN as the fountain pen addiction takes hold You may have to hit the Ink sub forum...where inkwells run deep in debating / discussing inks !!

[Sasha Royale]

Welcome !

 

I concur with your choice of anti-feather Black. School paper can be very low quality. If you can tolerate the

slower drying time, it is a very good school ink.

 

There are some very rugged and good-functioning pens for school. Stick with one of these, as your pen gets

"borrowed" a lot, and is vulnerable. Leave your nicer pens at home. Resist the temptation to take them to school.

 

As a teenager, in a ballpoint pen world, you are different. Different often means targeted. May you learn to

be assertive, but patient and kind, as well.

 

NIB UP and OUT OF THE HEAT !

 

Be a good Texan.

[notVirtuThe3rd]

Hi! Welcome to FPN.
I'm really glad you've joined us.

 

Have a good day,
Kota Adachi

 

From Japan

[Clancy]

Greetings from northern California and welcome to FPN. It's great to have you here with us.

[ac12]

About pen borrowing.

#1 Only take a pen to school that you can afford to loose (loss, theft, or damage).

#2 This means, keep the good/expensive/sentimental pens at home, where it is safe.

#3 Learn to say NO, when someone asks to borrow your pen.

#4 If you cannot say no, then do not take the fountain pen to school, because sooner or later it will be damaged by someone who borrowed it.

 

This is the same situation for me in a work environment.

My "office pens" are inexpensive pens that I can afford to loose, my good pens stay at home.

None of my office pens cost me more than $15. In fact the most expensive is a $13 Pilot Metro.

This is as a result of having an expensive gold pen stolen from my desk.

[Wahl]

[petravana]

Welcome to FPN!

 

I concur with the others that you not take valuable pens to school. However, if you can afford to take two, your main pen and a cheap spare one, why not take that with you for those who want to try out a fountain pen. That way you're protecting your main writing implement yet possibly turning on others to the hobby.

 

As for your mainstay inks, I would recommend Noodler's Black (bulletproof and does well on cheap paper) and Pilot/Namiki Blue (another well behaved essentially waterproof ink). You don't want your assignments washed away with an unfortunate spill!

 

But for your own notes? Have at it with whatever colors you fancy. Just consider if you need them to be permanent or not. Also whether you would want to be able to use a highlighter. Most will smear, some Noodlers won't. Goulet's Swab Shop and the ink forum will give you tons of information as to what's available.

 

I have no idea how I got through grade school and high school with washable ink, but my old notebooks are still legible (Quink blue-black and Waterman Florida Blue). But in those days they didn't have the range of inks they do now so I would play safe rather than be sorry.

 

Best of luck in your new hobby.

[Gloucesterman]

First thing to do is quit stealing ! I don't know whether you were serious when you said stealing and it sounds like you father is a smart person because his response was to provide you with pens of your own. There is something special about buying, trading or even building your own pens. In some cases, finding or trading can be MUCH more fun and satisfying than buying pens and other stuff.

 

In my opinion you are already ahead of many others of your age because you seem to take a personal pride in being an individual and wanting to increase your creativity.

 

As for note taking, take notes in any color you want, AND, when you review those notes, THAT'S when the additional use of colors can be most effective with underlining as well as hi-lighting. Using distinct, eye catching colors to emphasize and attract your eyes (and mind) to important information that you want to pay extra attention to is very valuable.

 

If we don't quickly review information we receive, we forget 50% of what we read/hear within several hours, 90% within several days, thus, using your different colored inks to underline important information can only improve what you remember. BTW, you can use colors to emphasize anything you want to pay more attention to or to locate more quickly.

 

Welcome to FPN, where age is no barrier and the qualities of curiosity, helping, sharing knowledge and respect are valued.

Edited January 12, 2014 by brgmarketing

[Sandy1]

 

Hi,

 

Like Member AndrewC, I reckon there's plenty of inks in the 'school acceptable' Blue through Black range to keep a person amused for years. On the other hand, I used the same ink+pen combo from my latter school years through my first Degree, so I certainly agree with Member YoungPenmanship that ink should support your functional need to get the job done, and not be distracting.

 

I'll suggest broadening your palette to include a Turquoise ink, and a high performance Brown, such as Rohrer & Klingner Sepia. Both will be suitable as aux/alt inks, so might find their way into the second & third pens in your array.

 

As you may be changing inks more frequently, it may be advantageous to take a look at the various Topics on pen cleaning & maintenance.

 

Oh, if someone asks to borrow your pen, ask them if you can borrow their phone at the same time.

 

Bye,

S1

>16 and shopping for inks

Edited January 12, 2014 by Sandy1