Permanent Dye Based (Non-Pigmented Ink)

[Trexton]

I need a black ink that has permanent properties (water resistant, lasts in a notebook over the years) but that isn't pigmented; anyone have any suggestions?

[WhosYerBob]

I believe that most of the current inks on the market -- at least for fountain pens -- aren't pigment-based, with the exception of the few that use nanoparticles; these aren't to be confused with India ink and the like. The permanent black that a lot of people like and will recommend is Noodler's Black, but then he has a large selection of other blacks with additional qualities.

 

Another route to take is iron gall inks, which can deliver some of the best line quality available and are impervious to water.

[Arkanabar]

Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black is very (not perfectly) water resistant and fade resistant. Greg Clark rated it Very Good in both, and if I were to fear to put Noodler's into a pen, then I would almost certainly choose this ink over all other blacks.

 

If I were to choose a Noodler's black, it would be Heart of Darkness. It is less prone to smudging than original Black, dries faster, and holds up against any assault that doesn't destroy the document (and some that will).

[lapis]

Montblanc's Permanent Black.

[AndyYNWA]

Montblanc's Permanent Black.

Isn't that nano-pigmented?

[inkstainedruth]

Another plug for Heart of Darkness. I tried De Atramentis Archive Black (which I believe is not pigmented) a while back, but it's a very dry ink.

Although I will say that Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black was more water resistant than I was expecting.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[AndyYNWA]

Another plug for Heart of Darkness. I tried De Atramentis Archive Black (which I believe is not pigmented) a while back, but it's a very dry ink.

Although I will say that Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black was more water resistant than I was expecting.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

I thought the De Atramentis Document and Archive inks were nano-pigmented. But I might be wrong...

 

Anyway, they are very permanent.

[matteob]

I know a lot of people criticize Noodlers but his blacks that I use (X Feather and Heart of Darkness) are great and don't cause and issues in my pens: recommended.

[dcwaites]

Dye-Based Black

Noodler's Black (for a wettish pen) or Heart of Darkness (for a dryer pen).

Koh-i-noor Document Black

Private Reserve Invincible Black

Pilot Black

 

Nano-Particle Black

Sailor Kiwaguro Black

Blackstone Barrister Black