The Best Of Three Blacks

[Scriptorius]

Hey, Inkheads . . .

 

I'm down to three options for my primary black ink. I'd like to get some feedback from folks who've used all three and can make an informed suggestion about which is the overall better ink, and share with me your thoughts on specifically why. I'm not looking to consider any other black inks except these three. Thanks in advance for your feedback. These are the three I'm considering. Let me know your preference, would you? Darkness, saturation and ease of use are my biggest concerns.

 

A ) Pilot Iroshizuku Take-sumi Bamboo Charcoal Ink

 

B ) Sailor Kiwa-Guro Pigmented Black Ink

 

C ) Platinum Black Ink

 

 

 

Happy Holidays,

 

 

Scriptorius

Edited December 14, 2016 by Scriptorius

[mehandiratta]

Sailor Black.... darker ... inexpensive and easily available... tried and tested...

fade proof...

[888007888]

+1 Sailor. Solid. Dark. Rich.

 

I know you mentioned you're only considering your three inks listed above, but if you so feel inclined, might I also suggest Aurora Black. It's my go to black. Sailor is my backup

[lapis]

If you like black at all and have decided on only these 3, then why don't you buy all 3 (or at least samples) and write with them using several pens on several papers. No harm meant. Only then can you really decide which is best for you.

 

Mike

[Scriptorius]

If you like black at all and have decided on only these 3, then why don't you buy all 3 (or at least samples) and write with them using several pens on several papers. No harm meant. Only then can you really decide which is best for you.

 

Mike

 

Mike,

 

Because I don't want to waste the time. I'd also like to take advantage of some significant holiday discounts before Christmas comes and goes. If 4 out of 4 people recommend the same ink, I think I've got my answer.

[Pravda]

 

Mike,

 

Because I don't want to waste the time. I'd also like to take advantage of some significant holiday discounts before Christmas comes and goes. If 4 out of 4 people recommend the same ink, I think I've got my answer.

 

 

Well, your post is relatively new. Give some time for members in different time-zones to chime in

 

I will also vote Sailor hehe

[lapis]

FWIW I too can recommend Kiwa-Guro... as the blackest black of all blacks I have (which include your other two possibilities)... although it has no character because it's 100% black.

[Scriptorius]

Sailor it is. Thanks so much for the quick (and consistent) feedback!

 

 

Scriptorius

[Behike54]

Okay, reread you post. NEVER MIND.


After seeing and using a number of blacks, Kyo-no-oto Nureba Iro seems to me as the most interesting, imho.


That said, It will largely depend on your needs, no?

 

I don't have to worry about business needs, per se, so the Nureba Iro is a no-brainer for me.

 

Just my 2 cents.

Edited December 15, 2016 by Behike54

[Tas]

After seeing and using a number of blacks, Kyo-no-oto Nureba Iro seems to me as the most interesting, imho.

 

 

Couldn't agree more. My favourite black by a long shot

[mr2txaggie]

 

 

Of your three to pick from, Sailor would be my first choice.

[ink-syringe]

totally different inks with different properties and applications

 

The Sailor is a carbon ink, great on pulpy paper, bullet proof, great for addressing envelops, etc. The Sailor is especially slick and the nanoparticles are super small but it is still a carbon ink which means you can't fall asleep on the pen cleaning and you can't leave it sit a long time in your pen. Black as night but dried a matte black, which I personally hate but we used it in the old days as it was permanent and great on the photocopy machine.

 

The Iroshizuku is a very free flowing charcoal color, not back hole black at all and not meant to be. A little hard to clean out of pens but my Pilot pens really seem to like it. It is quite free flowing.

 

The Platinum you have there is the non-pigment (nano/carbon whatever) ink. I personally love the brand but dislike this ink. Dull, boring and has none of the charm of the Take-Sumi and isn't very black.

[inkstainedruth]

I haven't tried the Platinum ink, so I can't either recommend or dis-recommend it.

A lot of people like the Kiwa-guro, but be advised that they report additional maintenance when flushing pens because of the nano particles. My only experience with it was trying it in a Preppy eyedropper set up as a rollerball pen. It was not a happy one. It might do better with a standard fountain pen nib and feed. But it *is* supposed to be quite water-resistant/waterproof if that's what you need.

And then there's Take-sumi.... Which, if you want the "blackest black" out there, possibly won't be to your liking. But there's just something about it. It has this almost tactile three dimensional look to it on a page that made me think of velvet or velveteen. I've never seen this with any other ink (of any color or brand). And I've tried other "shading" black inks before, so it's not just that.... Not especially water-resistant, IIRC, but it's one of those inks that you keep staring and staring at because it's so unique.

Ruth Morrisson aka inktainedruth

[HoosierGeek]

I just purchased Iroshizuku Take-sumi from Amazon last week, for only $18 for a full 50ml bottle, and two-day free shipping (I'm a Prime member). While I haven't used your other two options, I have been very impressed with the Take-sumi so far. It's actually darker than I expected, and very well-behaved in my TWSBI 580AL.

[Highbinder]

Well as as result of this thread I just bought a bottle of Take-Sumi. Love the Iroshizuku inks, so well behaved and great shades.

[Jared]

I do like the permanence of Sailor, but find it to be a strange flat or matte finish when dried, and it clogs any pen I leave it in for any amount of time. Platinum is like a Sharpie. Never tried the Iroshizuku. For black ink, I'm a fan of J.Herbin Perle Noire.