Inks For A White Pen

[tisquinn]

Hi all,

 

I have a Pelikan M605 ghost on its way to me. I've never had a white pen. Any ideas or advice? What kinds of ink should be avoided? Any especially recommended? I was thinking of maybe sticking with Iroshizuku—or maybe some Edelstein, which I've never really explored; and not using some of the more saturated noodler's like Navy (maybe my favorite ink right now). Any thoughts? Would Iroshizuku be safe? Can I get away with Baystate Blue?

 

Cheers!

[senzen]

Never had a white pen but I would probably go with lighter inks, maybe an amber like Ambre de Baltique.

[torstar]

My Sailor Pro Gear is showing ink stains and such after a decade.

[Runnin_Ute]

Almost anything. I have Edelstein Olivine in my Pelikan M400 White Tortoise right now. Last fill was Levenger Pomegranate. Two very different colors.

[ErrantSmudge]

I like white pens because I don’t have the temptation to match ink color to pen. My favorite color for white pens is a deep blue-leaning violet, like Rohrer & Klingner Cassia or Monteverde Charoite.

[A Smug Dill]

If I had a white pen, I'd probably put the blackest pigment/carbon ink in it.

 

Hang on, I do have a $2 white Wing Sung pen. I just haven't bought any Platinum Carbon Black ink yet, and so the pen thus far remains uninked.

[AlohaLani787]

Never had a white pen but I would probably go with lighter inks, maybe an amber like Ambre de Baltique.

 

I agree with pseudo88 on ink shade. I was interested in the Montablanc Tribute pen but hesitated due to the white resin. I asked a MB sales associate about it and was told they do see stains on pens with white resin. So rather than confining an expensive pen to pale inks I decided not to purchase it. YMMV, of course. I've seen several that I think are beautiful, including the Pelikan you own.

[lapis]

My white (or is it "Ivory"?) Charleston stands up to everything. The only staining I ever see is a slight bit in the thread part of the barrel (due to filling, har, har) but that always gets washed off easily after a brief wiping with a little bleach solution. Dark blues, blue-blacks, blacks are no problem. Different ink brands ditto. Steer away from B'state Blue.

[SallyLyn]

You were joking about the Baystate Blur, right? Not unless you want a blue - white pen.

And I like Baystate.

 

Some of the inks suggested maybe fine. I’d be tempted to go with something like Waterman and yet would still avoid red or purple. Waterman is still considered the safest of inks.

[minddance]

My white kaweco Sport is a vegeterian, it has a staple diet of Herbin inks. So far, I have fed it Cacoa du Bresil and Violette Pensee.

[tisquinn]

Yes, I was very much joking about Baystate Blue. If I had it, it would live in a dedicated pen, but I've actually never been wild about the color. It's a little too vibrant for me

 

 

Thanks for all the recommendations folks!

[KCat]

I have a White Tortoise and have put green and brown Diamine inks in it. Both made a mess of the ivory colored section which for whatever reason is very "sticky." It comes clean with a good rub with a dry cloth. I don't know if this will be the case with your pen but my point is, I'd have expected a green ink to be less problematic than a brown (reds and browns tend to stain things like converters and clothes) but that green was just as tenacious on that material as the brown. So, if Pelikan uses a similar material, just be prepared to have to keep the section clean. If they learned their lesson, YAY!

[Noihvo]

[sansenri]

some good recommendations above, Waterman, Pelikan, J. Herbin, R&K, among the safest.

(typically washable inks)

I would also avoid red/purple even in these.

Avoid the very saturated inks, there's lot's of other inks without needing to fill that particular pen with highly concentrated dyes.

[Holon]

I like vibrant colors in a white pen. The Pelikan looks great, I think a blueish teal would look great.

[Runnin_Ute]

One person I know often uses Diamine Pumpkin in her M605 White Transparent.

 

So far in my M400 White Tortoise, I have used Levenger Pomegranate and Edelstein Olivine. Before it arrived I seriously considered KWZI El Dorado, and still expect to use it in the future. And who knows what else I will try.

[A Smug Dill]

Let's just say I'd be comfortable putting any colour (except pink!) in a white Pilot MR fountain pen if I bought one.

[Aysun]

My white pens have Noodler's Blue Ghost in them >.>

[MsRedpen]

My M400 white tortoise is usually filled with R&K Alt Goldgrun, Herbin’s Cacao du Bresil or Diamine Blood Orange.

Good wipe of section after filling is highly recommended, and a clean cap inside.

White pens look amazing whatever colour you choose for writing. Enjoy!

[A Smug Dill]

I just ordered myself (among other things) a white Pilot MR, and separately from that, thirty different new-to-me ink colours spanning oranges, browns, reds, purples and blues. I think the new pen is going to meet a few of those inks.