Noodler's Dragon's Napalm

[musicman123]

My recent short trip to Texas led me to Dromgoole's Pen Shop, which received rave reviews about the service and selection. Naturally, once I got there, I headed straight to their ink selection, which had a large assortment of Noodler's inks. This is my first Noodler's surprisingly, so I didn't know what to pick up. But I remember watching this (

), so I decided it would be an interesting choice to play with. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the color of it!

 

This review will be in my normal format, with a picture following a short description of it, above it. Another note, this is a VERY hard ink to photograph, so I have done my best to ensure color accuracy. 

 

We will start with a preview of the ink. It's a really interesting and bright color at first look. 

 

http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Noodlers/Dragon's%20Napalm/Ink.JPG

 

For the pen, I used my go-to Nemosine Singularity Demonstrator with a TWSBI B nib. The B nib is a bit thinner than the western B, but nothing major. It's really smooth and awesome.

 

http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Noodlers/Dragon's%20Napalm/Nib.JPG

 

The review is written on what is now discontinued, HP 28lb Copy paper. It's my go-to paper as well, at least till I run out of it. HP 32lb is also nice!

 

http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Noodlers/Dragon's%20Napalm/Paper.JPG

 

Here is a swab of the ink, showing some color variation. The label says that it is the only "Sepia shading, carmine ink." I beg to differ. I see no sepia, nor carmine, which I expect to be a dark-ish red. Still, I like the color very much!

 

http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Noodlers/Dragon's%20Napalm/Swab.JPG

 

Onto the characteristics of the ink. The ink is very well behaved, and does not exhibit any noticeable feathering, or bleed through. Also, the color shifts between a bright orange, and a noticeable pink, under different types of lighting. Also, the color is highly saturated, but does not stain any converters, or barrels of demonstrators. Very minimal shading is present, contrary to what the label would have you believe. It flows well, and provides decent lubrication.

 

http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Noodlers/Dragon's%20Napalm/Characteristics.JPG

 

http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Noodlers/Dragon's%20Napalm/Characteristics%202.JPG

 

The ink does not have an overly long dry time, but it is definitely not the fastest. I don't mind the current dry time, the way I write, so its not a problem. 

 

http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Noodlers/Dragon's%20Napalm/Dry%20Time.JPG

 

Here is a small comparison to my other ink colors which I happen to have loaded. Use these as a calibration for the pictures, and your monitor. I didn't intend them to compare similar inks.

 

http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Noodlers/Dragon's%20Napalm/Comparison.JPG

 

Lastly, here is the water test. The top grid of the test had water drops placed on them for 10 seconds, then vigorously wiped downwards. The bottom text did not receive any drops and was only wiped, to show ink smearing. The test showed noticeable lifting of the ink, but still leaving a little on the page. The ink has a medium amount of smear. I would not consider it waterproof. 

 

http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Noodlers/Dragon's%20Napalm/Water.JPG

 

http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Noodlers/Dragon's%20Napalm/Water%20After.jpg

 

Almost forgot! Here is a scan of the ink. Use it to read the review, and not for color accuracy. It is very far off. The pictures are a better representation.

 

http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Noodlers/Dragon's%20Napalm/Scan.jpg

 

That's all folks! I would give the ink a decent 8/10, due to the lack of waterproofness. If you like this review, stay tuned for many more!

Edited February 16, 2015 by musicman123

[Octo]

This is one of my favorite inks. It's always in one of my pens. The color is different on every paper and changes according to the lighting, so it's always intriguing to use.

[musicman123]

This is one of my favorite inks. It's always in one of my pens. The color is different on every paper and changes according to the lighting, so it's always intriguing to use.

 

I agree! In the morning it's one color. At night, it's a totally different one! I was a bit shocked when I first tried it!

[musicman123]

If you are experiencing problems, the picture links aren't broken. Just having a temporary blackout, knocking out my server. Should be back later tonight.

Edited February 17, 2015 by musicman123

[amberleadavis]

Thank you for the review. Did you enjoy Dromgoole's? I've never been, but I adore Larry Dromgoole. As you know, the Dromgoole inks are some of my favorites.

[musicman123]

Thank you for the review. Did you enjoy Dromgoole's? I've never been, but I adore Larry Dromgoole. As you know, the Dromgoole inks are some of my favorites.

I actually really like Dromgoole's! It was the first pen store I had ever been to, so everything was a surprise! Sadly, I was in a bit of a rush because I had to catch my plane home, or else, I would have ended up with a couple Vanishing Points, and some Pelikans (I guess it's good that I couldn't stay so long, or I would be broke.) I really wanted to get some of the Texas Pecan, but Larry told me they didn't make it anymore.

 

Anyhow, Larry is one of the nicest people I met in Houston so far! Definitely would go back!

 

BTW, I tried to go to Monvoria's Fountain Pen Shop, but they said they were at the LA Pen Show! Did you see 'em?

[amberleadavis]

I don't know.... I think I did. I met a lot of nice people.

[musicman123]

I'm bummed that I'm not able to make it this year! It's my first year in the FP world, and this would have been an interesting oppurtunity! Hope you got a lot of pictures!

[amberleadavis]

I was so swamped, I didn't take pictures. I have some pictures of the side trip to Calico ghost town. I am sorry you didn't make it, it was fun.

[musicman123]

I was so swamped, I didn't take pictures. I have some pictures of the side trip to Calico ghost town. I am sorry you didn't make it, it was fun.

It's ok! And don't be sorry! I got hit with some Music Conservatory auditions, which are always fun *insert sarcasm*!

[amberleadavis]

Ah, I met with one of our FPNers who plays with the San Diego Symphony.

[musicman123]

Ah, I met with one of our FPNers who plays with the San Diego Symphony.

Ohhhh I haven't heard the San Diego Symphony yet, but I heard they are quite good! If you get a chance, you should check out the LA Philharmonic one of these days! They are amazing!

[amberleadavis]

Will do.

[aiden]

That's intense. I wonder how many minutes you can read through several pages without hurting your eyes. Seriously, though, is it a note-taking friendly ink? Or is it more... what editors would use to butcher edit your work? (Because I can imagine my editor writing REVISE on my draft with this ink)

[musicman123]

That's intense. I wonder how many minutes you can read through several pages without hurting your eyes. Seriously, though, is it a note-taking friendly ink? Or is it more... what editors would use to butcher edit your work? (Because I can imagine my editor writing REVISE on my draft with this ink)

I have actually done a multi page assignment in this ink before. It is not as bad as you would think. It is a bit bright and all, but it is still pretty readable.