Moon Palace Sumi Ink With Dip Pens

[patrickfp]

Yesterday I decided to try using Moon Palace sumi ink with a Hiro/Leonardt pen. I tried with and without a reservoir, transferring the ink to the pen using a brush a la Hermann Zapf.

 

What I like about the ink:

• It smells like Chinese medicine which is better than the "urine" smell of Higgins Eternal Black
• It is waterproof when dry. I put the sheet under running water, and nothing happened to the ink.
• The wetter the stroke the shinnier the letters. A nice shine actually.
• It does not bleed like Pilot ink.

 

What I don't like about the ink:

• There is some build up on the pen, which in my opinion, tends to interfere with the flow a bit.
• I have the feeling that the ink I poured into a small jar becomes thicker due to evaporation.

Because of the ink tendency to thicken when exposed to air, I would be reluctant to use it in a Parallel pen or any fountain pen.

 

Also, I think I need to give Brause nibs a try. I find Hiro and William Mitchell too flexible.

[Randal6393]

Yes, sumi ink is NOT to be used in a Parallel or fountain pen. The build up will clog either. But, sumi works great in dips. Mr. Zapf recommends the use of a stiff-bristle brush with short hairs. Mostly so that, in addition to filling the pen, the penman can scrub the brush and clean it in the process of filling. This helps keep built up ink under control.

 

Best of luck,

[patrickfp]

Mr. Zapf recommends the use of a stiff-bristle brush with short hairs.

 

Aha! I have never used a brush to load a pen before, and thought a softer brush would be better. I should a stiff brush. Thank you for this very important piece of information.

 

I've been keeping a journal, loosely employing the terms "keeping a journal" here, and noticed that the ink has faded. The Waterman Florida Blue faded more than the Waterman Black. On top of my journal, I have been writing letters with small pieces of advice for my daughter. My thought behind this was that I would prefer to give her the advice myself, but if something were to happen to me, then she would still get some of them from me. But, I am starting to worry about the faded ink. I think I will start to use the Sumi ink for that.