Toucan Black

[Jamerelbe]

For the sake of providing a (fairly) comprehensive overview of the Toucan range of inks, here is Toucan Black. I already had two other black inks when I purchased this one - Noodler's X-Feather and Diamine Jet Black; I subsequently gave the latter away. I use Noodler's X-Feather by preference - I live in mortal fear of smudging my hand-written notes (especially work-related ones) so the 'bulletproof' nature of the Noodler's ink provides a massive reassurance factor.

 

That said, there are times when a non-permanent black ink is not only acceptable but desirable - for example, when my 11-year-old son asks me to re-ink his Lamy Safari. Do I trust him not to stain his fingers, shirt, trousers, and various items of furniture with celluloid-reactive ink? Well, let's put it this way: it' snot that I don't trust him, it's just that I know him! So this is the ink of choice for his Lamy Safari; his second pen has Waterman Serenity Blue; his third (a Platinum Preppy) is inked up with everyone's perennial favourite 'safe' ink, namely Noodler's Baystate Blue. OK, OK, maybe that wasn't such a good idea...

 

Without further ado, here is probably the least exciting ink in the range - photo only, not bothering with the scan:

 

http://i.imgur.com/3MLZHd7.jpg

 

Forgot to mention: this ink is only available in Australia and New Zealand at present - made by Tintex (Dye Manufacturers of Australia), and distributed by the Just Write Pen Company (www.justwrite.com.au).

Edited March 17, 2014 by Jamerelbe

[amberleadavis]

Me too! It's hard for me to get excited about black.

[Jamerelbe]

Me too! It's hard for me to get excited about black.

 

Thanks for taking the effort to read about it, then!

[lapis]

Me too... I'd call it a dull grey....

[Jamerelbe]

Me too... I'd call it a dull grey....

 

I've had experience with Quink Black (waaay in the past), as well as Diamine Jet Black more recently. I'd be willing to put this against Quink Black - which is likewise more of a very very dark grey - and a shade or two lighter than Diamine Jet Black. So I wouldn't want to be too hard on this ink - though maybe that's a reflection of my operant conditioning that tells me to 'Buy Australian'! My stock black ink is Noodler's X-Feather, diluted slightly (4 parts ink to 1 part water) - now THAT'S a truly black ink! (Even if it IS American... )

 

Would I have bought the black as a stand-alone - i.e. if I wasn't buying up the entire range of 14 inks? Probably not. Do I regret the purchase, though? No: as I said above, this is a great ink for my kids' fountain pens, and significantly cheaper (in Australia) than any of the competitors.

[rudyhou]

i like this greyish-black. i prefer the kind of black that comes with a charcoal grey shade to it. it's more soothing to the eyes for reading, rather than an intense deep dark black.

[Jamerelbe]

Personally, I quite like really black blacks - but I don't mind a charcoal-grey-black as an alternative. What I really like about *this* ink is that it's a true grey-black, with no green or brown cast to it. That and the fact that it shades nicely - which a more intense black won't do...

[rudyhou]

Personally, I quite like really black blacks - but I don't mind a charcoal-grey-black as an alternative. What I really like about *this* ink is that it's a true grey-black, with no green or brown cast to it. That and the fact that it shades nicely - which a more intense black won't do...

 

yes, i would agree. a true grey-black is much better than the ones that come with a greenish or brownish or blueish tint to it.

[amberleadavis]

North American Group Buy Coordinated by Sinistral.

Closing date is 5/28/2014

Make your order here.

[ac12]

Rather than black for black purposes, how is the black when used to darken other colors.

Example to make a red-black, using crimson as a base and adding black to it?

[Jamerelbe]

Haven't experimented with it, to be honest(I already have Noodler's Red-Black and Diamine Red Dragon) - but the inks are designed to be mixed, so I imagine it would work! Will have a little play and report back, if I get a chance!

[amberleadavis]

I admit, I like how these inks mix. I look forward to seeing more mixing results.

[colrehogan]

Me too! It's hard for me to get excited about black.

And here I am (in another thread) trying to pick you a black ink!

[amberleadavis]

But, you've found the most interesting inks for me to try and if you say I need to give it another shot.... I will. I trust your inky opinion.