Inky T O D - Black Inks - Which Ones Do You Own And Which Are Your Favorites?

[Elyptic]

For me, black ink is a utility ink. I use it on forms requiring it, on written items for work where it's most appropriate and generally on really cheap paper. I also tend to use it for taking notes in the margins of my journals or notes.

 

For these purposes, I've pretty much kept my Pilot Vanishing Point (F nib) inked with Noodler's Bulletproof Black. This pen / ink combo is perfect for me. The VP is quick for hurried notes in the hallway at work, and I can fill out forms on really bad paper without issue.

 

I'm sure there are other beautiful blacks, but for my uses, I'm happy!

[mhosea]

Mike, I've never tried carbon inks, are they darker than normal inks? Are they safe to mix or even mixable at all?

Apparently not. I have not tried it, but I will take SeeksAdvice's word for it that even Sailor Sei Boku (Sailor nano-pigmented blue-black) and Kiwa Guro (Sailor nano-pigmented black) are not compatible.

 

Please don't suppose my post was entirely a response to yours. We've had this discussion before around here, with some people coming at this "blackest black" ink problem through chromatography and thinking that the "purest" black would be the "blackest" one. I'm just saying that it doesn't work that way, as people who went after Kiwa Guro because it fared well in that sense discovered. Kiwa Guro is a delightful ink, but that graphite gray reflection prevents it from looking like a "hole in the paper".

 

Here's a comparison of two carbon inks with Aurora Black I did awhile back.

 

[Fabienne]

Depends on the ink, pen, and paper. In general, though:

• Noodler's Black-The consistently darkest ink I own. Works beautifully on all supports. Waterproof, bulletproof. My favorite from every point of view.
• Noodler's Heart Of Darkness-Very black, great for mixing up blends which you want to shade. Love the name, but it's not as black as the above.
• Noodler's Old Manhattan Black-OK, this one is THE darkest black on all supports but it's discontinued now. A beautiful ink indeed.
• Waterman Black-Great stuff, shades for me on most papers. Easily washes out and is always correct.
• Hero Carbon Black-Kind of a disappointment. Too thick and sluggish, just did not live up to the expectation. Nothing special.
• Sailor Nano Black-Sorry to say, it was expensive but didn't have magic properties. Shines too much to be thoroughly black. Smells great, though.

I think that is about it. The winner? Noodler's Black for me.

[theolu]

With regard to the matte finish of Sailor Kiwa-Guro - to me that was a draw and one of the reasons I love the ink. It makes it distinnctive and unique among the black inks, which reminds me that I'm using a fountain pen where I can utilize unique inks. If I just want a "hole-in-page" black, there are plenty of rollerball or gel ink pens that can accomplish that.

[william2001]

I usually use Paradise Pen ink because they are good flowing and they are cheap.

-William S. Park

[amberleadavis]

I usually use Paradise Pen ink because they are good flowing and they are cheap.

-William S. Park

 

Those are Private Reserve inks.

[Tanzanite]

The blacks that I own are

Paker Quink Black

Pelikan Brilliant Black

Sailor Jentle Black

 

I prefer Parker as it is a soft black and still black not brownish.

 

Some others in carts that I have not tried yet.

[mhosea]

 

Those are Private Reserve inks.

 

"We've captured the colors of the rainbow and more in our Paradise Pen Bottled Ink. Our rich, premium inks are made in Europe exclusively for Paradise Pen." The bottle is the same shape as Pelikan, which of course only really suggests that the bottles are sourced from the same glass maker, but...

 

I'm not sure I would agree that they are "cheap" given that they are about 27 cents per ml (in 30ml bottles) when Waterman is 22 cents/ml at the same store.

Edited September 5, 2014 by mhosea

[amberleadavis]

Really? Have they changed? The last release I saw they were PR inks.

[mhosea]

I don't know anything about previous releases. That sounds plausible (that a previous set was PR-made). The first I saw of these wasn't very long ago, but I don't remember well enough to say whether it has been several months or possibly as much as a year.

 

http://www.paradisepen.com/refills-cat/fountain-pen-bottles?brand=759

[tmenyc]

I've tried a ton... and continually stay with:

Waterman's black for vintage.

Noodler's Black, Old Manhattan Black, and/or House of Darkness for modern or Esterbrook; at present I have OMB.

Aurora, for when I feel like using it.

Pelikan 4001 black for wet pens

Parker vintage microfilm black -- wonderful stuff, especially in a 51. I have maybe three fills left, and when it's gone it's gone.

 

Tim

[amberleadavis]

I don't know anything about previous releases. That sounds plausible (that a previous set was PR-made). The first I saw of these wasn't very long ago, but I don't remember well enough to say whether it has been several months or possibly as much as a year.

 

http://www.paradisepen.com/refills-cat/fountain-pen-bottles?brand=759

 

 

I looked back, MKeith and I both heard it from store personnel. Which is may not be the most reliable source. I miss my paradise pen.

[Fozziebear]

I have been thoroughly enjoying this thread. In fact, it has inspired me to try to figure out how to do some sort of "black ink comparison" project of sorts. If I post the beginnings of such a thread before my "edit window" for this post expires, I'll add a link to it. Otherwise ...

 

My current default black is X-Feather - good for paper of inconsistent quality. While it takes (much) longer to dry on better paper (Rhodia, etc), it seems to feather and bleed less on cheaper paper. It's also a pretty dark black.

 

When first looking for a decent black, I tried Noodlers' Bullet-proof Black. At the time, I thought it was too gray for my needs. Since then, I've tried a bunch of others, though I have nowhere near the experience as many on here do.

 

There are great (black) holes in my black-ink experience and knowledge, but am interested in learning much more.

 

As I am on the cusp of ordering a new bottle of black ink (I'm 2/3rds of the way through my 4.5oz bottle of X-Feather), so I figure now is the time to feed my over-researching nature and immerse myself in the world of black ink.

Edited September 8, 2014 by Fozziebear

[tinysnail]

I have a Metropolitan F permanently inked with X-Feather, so that's usually what I use when I use black ink. It's fade-resistant and water-resistant so I trust it for notes! I also have a bottle of Parker Quink Black for no real reason? I use it for my P51 I guess and for filling up pens I give away to people.

 

I have a few black samples, as well, all Noodler's and all water-resistant.

[Ergative]

I only have Pelikan Brilliant Black and a few ancient cartridges from like 15 years ago. The cartridges are actually quite nice. I have no idea what brand or anything they are, but they behave reasonably well and are quite nice and dark. I remember having someone write his email address in my notebook with a ballpoint and silently preening over how much nicer and blacker my writing was compared to his.

 

The Pelikan Brilliant Black is much less interesting. It's not nearly dark enough to be interesting, and such a dry ink that it does not behave at all well for me. If/when I expand my collection I'll probably get Noodler's Bulletproof Black, but for now I'm playing with All The Colors.

[zuerincolour]

J. Herbin Perle Noire is definitely my favourite.

[Six Dollar Dave]

The only black ink I own is Diamine Jet Black.

[Fabienne]

Black ink threads never fail to amuse. The poor soul who has Pelican Black...just wait until you try Noodler's, It's amazing. It's so waterproof that it almost makes me laugh out loud (the paper can disintigrate, but the writing will remain).

 

BTW< Amberlea, your avatar is hilarious!

[FountainPenCowgirl]

I got into fountain pens for the nearly endless color options, so I don't normally reach for black first. But when I do, it's Iroshizuku Take-Sumi. Flow is silky smooth, as with all of my IR favorites.

[amberleadavis]

 

 

BTW< Amberlea, your avatar is hilarious!

 

 

Thank you it is from Napalm.