New Batch Of Whaleman's Sepia: Reformulated?

[justaninker]

Just received my sample of Whaleman's Sepia from Goulet. This is an ink that, according to older posts, should be dry, thick, and prone to clogging. The consistency of my sample seems to be no thicker than the regular Noodler's inks. Inked it up in a Preppy fine, and the flow is comparable to regular Noodler's ink in that pen as well. It writes light brown with a tiny reddish hue, lighter than most of the reviews I've seen (sorry I don't have my scanner with me). This begs the question whether this has been reformulated/diluted to correct the reported drying/clogging behavior of previous batches.

 

I left the cap off that Preppy for a whopping 10min in the dry California climate, and it started writing again after only 4-5 dry strokes. In comparison, I previously inked the same pen with 54th Massachusetts and left the cap off for 5min, and it refused to write until I wicked the feed with tissue paper.

 

If this sounds nothing like the experience you've had with Whaleman's Sepia before, and you love the color, I think it won't hurt to get a sample of the new lot. I was prepared to hate its behavior and now I'm kissing the paper it had glided on

[ENewton]

Thank you. I really like the look of this ink but had gotten the impression from reviews that it is...somewhat inconvenient to use.

 

I wonder how large a "lot" is and whether the behavior change that you note represents a deliberate improvement or an accidental and possibly ephemeral variation.

[justaninker]

Thank you. I really like the look of this ink but had gotten the impression from reviews that it is...somewhat inconvenient to use.

 

I wonder how large a "lot" is and whether the behavior change that you note represents a deliberate improvement or an accidental and possibly ephemeral variation.

Good point. Whaleman's Sepia used to be the most frustrating Noodler's ink, and many on FPN reported dumping their bottle down the drain--unheard of for other Noodler's inks (or inks from other brands, for that matter). It must be heartbreaking for the inkmeister to hear that. I'd like to think that Nathan tinkered with the formula so this lovely ink won't have to mingle with sewage water...with the caveat that now it's a bit less saturated.

[Uncial]

I have a MASSIVE bottle of it and really like it. Have used it for about two years now with no problems except bleed on some papers. In a very fine or extra fine nib it is a lovely ink. Mine is brown, but with a very,very slight red tinge and probably a more dominant hint of purple. You do have to vigorously shake it before filling as it does have a tendency to separate out.

[WaskiSquirrel]

This is one of the few brown inks that I use. Of course, it needs to be in a pen that seals the nib well so that it doesn't dry out in the nib and feed. But, it's an attractive, dark ink that is just enough different to give a unique look.

[bone215]

Shake the ink up 24 hours before using in your pen. I find it eliminates problems before they occur. Make sure you have the cap secure on the bottle first.

Not all inks need this but many (in my collection) do.

There's no downside to this process afaik.