Inky Rut, Happy Rut?

[Alexandra]

Despite my best inky intentions and my ongoing pursuit of the next best ink I find I have settled into an inky rut. It seems Private Reserve Tanzanite is suitable for my every mood and need...a sort of one-size-fits-all ink. Tanzanite and I get along very well. Have others out there settled into an inky rut despite themselves? I'm wondering what other inks have worked such persuasion over their owners.

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

For all my inky explorations and enjoyment, Parker Quink Blue-Black with SOLV-X remains my daily writer ink. Even though it was discontinued years ago, and there are other inks that have a better performance profile, it has become 'my' ink.

 

Bye,

S1

Edited June 13, 2015 by Sandy1

[ENewton]

I have other inks, but if only Montblanc Lavender Purple and R & K Scabiosa were available, I would be satisfied.

[Alexandra]

Hi,

 

For all my inky explorations and enjoyment, Parker Quick Blue-Black with SOLV-X remains my daily writer ink. Even though it was discontinued years ago, and there are other inks that have a better performance profile, it has become 'my' ink.

 

Bye,

S1

You must have quite a store of it for it to still be in daily use.

[Bklyn]

I have settled in with Bay state Blue and can't seem to leave it.

[ac12]

I used to use black ink for everything, for decades.

Then about 3 years ago I changed to blue. Maybe it was a revolt of so many years of black ink.

Then after frustration after frustration trying to find a blue that I liked, I am about ready to head back to black.

 

However, I still have my personal ink, which is now green.

[Buzz_130]

Every time I find myself approaching a rut with too many pens loaded with Iroshizuku Asa Gao, I find myself aimlessly browsing Inky Thoughts. Ink reviews, ink properties, shading, and so many other items to think about to challenge my assumption that Asa Gao is "it" for me.

 

One of my favorite and accidental discoveries was the KWZI Group Buy #3, which brought me a great selection of new inks to enjoy. If I could be certain that IG inks would work for decades in all of my Fps, then I might be a true convert and not use any other inks!

 

Buzz

[Sandy1]

You must have quite a store of it for it to still be in daily use.

 

Hi,

 

When I travel I like to explore the pen & stationery shops, and sometimes have the good fortune to come across a stock of that ink, usually in one-shutter shops of the sort without bar-code readers.

 

Bye,

S1

[SallyLyn]

I often will use many inks just because I have many and many pens. But what you are doing is fine. My dad only had one fountain pen, a Sheaffer Snorkel, but he did have two bottles of ink. Sheaffers Black and one of Blue Black.

 

The nice thing is should you want to change your preferred ink it only takes a few dollars and a few minutes at the sink. A pretty inexpensive hobby? Well until you start hoarding, ok collecting pens and inks.

 

Enjoy.

[Alexandra]

I used to use black ink for everything, for decades.

Then about 3 years ago I changed to blue. Maybe it was a revolt of so many years of black ink.

Then after frustration after frustration trying to find a blue that I liked, I am about ready to head back to black.

 

However, I still have my personal ink, which is now green.

That strikes me as humorous that green wins the battle of blue/black.

[Alexandra]

Well until you start hoarding, ok collecting pens and inks.

 

 

I'm afraid most of us here on the forum are in the hoarding category and finding clever ways of hiding the true expense from spouses.

[Pira]

I'm afraid most of us here on the forum are in the hoarding category and finding clever ways of hiding the true expense from spous

 

 

I'd laugh...except that remarks pretty much sums up my current state of being.

[Alexandra]

 

I'd laugh...except that remarks pretty much sums up my current state of being.

Haha! Pay cash for a postal money order and he'll never know!

[amberleadavis]

I'm afraid most of us here on the forum are in the hoarding category and finding clever ways of hiding the true expense from spouses.

 

 

 

I'd laugh...except that remarks pretty much sums up my current state of being.

 

 

I'd laugh because I'm divorced, but I confess to my ex-husband and my children when I buy pens and ink. My daughter is thankfully an enabler.

[Alexandra]

 

 

 

 

I'd laugh because I'm divorced, but I confess to my ex-husband and my children when I buy pens and ink. My daughter is thankfully an enabler.

 

Kudos to your daughter I've got my daughter on course to being an enabler. When I finally buy my dream pen one day I'll be glad to have somebody who can appreciate it...of course she'll have to promise to keep the secret.

[amberleadavis]

Exactly!

[ac12]

 

That strikes me as humorous that green wins the battle of blue/black.

 

I decided to spin off my own personal ink (green) from my normal/business ink (black then blue now headed back to black).

Actually, if I find a REALLY DARK green, it indeed may win the battle. Then I can use a green for business stuff.

[inkstainedruth]

I think that my "in a rut" ink is probably Noodler's 54th Massachusetts. I like that I can safely use it for writing checks, and signing papers. I actually prefer the color of Noodler's Kung Te Cheng, but 54th Ma is somewhat better behaved without needing to be diluted. Either that or Noodler's El Lawrence, which is a little more, um, *subversive* an ink -- it's not really black but can pretend to be (just as KTC can "pretend" to be blue).

Although I'm also finding that I like Heart of Darkness quite a bit (which is good because a 4-1/2 oz bottle will last a good long time, given how little I like black inks in general).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: When I get done with the fill of HoD in the new Charlie pen, I'm going to give Noodler's Old Manhattan a whirl and see which ink I like better. Both are, IIRC, considered "eternal" inks and I want to see how they compare for "blackness", as well as such factors as dry times and water resistance. Especially when using the same Charlie pen.

Edited June 15, 2015 by inkstainedruth

[mooshi]

I think that my "in a rut" ink is probably Noodler's 54th Massachusetts. I like that I can safely use it for writing checks, and signing papers. I actually prefer the color of Noodler's Kung Te Cheng, but 54th Ma is somewhat better behaved without needing to be diluted. Either that or Noodler's El Lawrence, which is a little more, um, *subversive* an ink -- it's not really black but can pretend to be (just as KTC can "pretend" to be blue).

Although I'm also finding that I like Heart of Darkness quite a bit (which is good because a 4-1/2 oz bottle will last a good long time, given how little I like black inks in general).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: When I get done with the fill of HoD in the new Charlie pen, I'm going to give Noodler's Old Manhattan a whirl and see which ink I like better. Both are, IIRC, considered "eternal" inks and I want to see how they compare for "blackness", as well as such factors as dry times and water resistance. Especially when using the same Charlie pen.

I love my 54th. It was my go-to ink for some time when I had gotten back "into" FPs but couldn't get a hold of Legal Lapis. I ended up diluting it a bit just for experimentation (I think 10% with distilled water) and it worked out well for me, as my pen (Pilot VP) kept running dry quicker than I'd like otherwise.

 

Since xFountainPens had a sale though, I'd switched over to Chesterfield's Archival Vault, which is my next favorite. It's a nice blue-black without the teal tinge. This one's been diluted about 15% with a touch of glycerin. I'm still letting a small amount sit to see if the glycerin forms any precipitates, but it's been fine so far. It's still a writes drier than the 54th, but not terribly so.

 

Actually. Come to think of it, I've only got 3 inks since the move. 54th, Archival Vault, and PR Chocolat. I'm pretty happy. Maybe I should get around to some Goulet samples to change it up a bit - but I'm pretty happy anyhow.

Edited June 15, 2015 by mooshi