Black Vs. India Black Color?

[djmaher]

Is there a difference, or, is this totally a marketing thing?

 

Did Parker ever have a matte black finish? Or was everything glossy?

 

And, does this include the Desk Pens as well?

[joss]

Which Parker pen model are you referring to?

[tamiya]

I've had black Parkers that weren't shiny black. Satin more than textured matte.

[mitto]

What model Parker are you talking about?

[nsalvut]

Black and India black are different types of ink. One is dye based (black) and the other is heavily pigmented (India black). If you are referring to the finishes on a pen, please be more specific such as what model/s you are referring to so that we can better answer your question.

Edited December 11, 2018 by nsalvut

[djmaher]

Thanks for the clarification on ink.

 

Perhaps my question is more of a historical one as well. I was referring to Parker fountain pens. Specifically, the 51, which according to Richard, had the two versions of black.

 

I often wonder if there was any unannounced color crossover within the Parker line that someone might be aware of. So, tamiya, that's the thing I'm inquiring about as well. Did they have finish changes with some pens that might change the "color", therefore warranting the marketing department using a different name for what amounts to the same color.

 

It occurs to me that India Black might have been something marketed in Great Britain, because of the "connection" to the Indian Subcontinent. Even if the color was just indicated as "black" here in the US.

 

And, no, I'm not referring to custom jobs on pen bodies I've seen around. I'm talking about Parker-created products.

 

So, im also curious about the 45, as it was such a massive seller. And I've seen some black pens that don't look quite black and not quite dark gray either.

[inkstainedruth]

I have both a black 51 Vac and a black 51 Aerometric. I don't think I've noticed much in the way of difference in the barrel colors between the two pens -- so I strongly suspect it's marketing.

I will try to remember to check tomorrow in daylight (it's after dark here, and incandescent light is pretty yellow leaning in the light spectrum (the floor lamp next to my LR chair takes a three-way bulb, and I have yet to find one for sale (at *any* price point) that is an LED light -- and my husband finds that the hum and flicker of CFL bulbs will trigger a migraine for him within minutes....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[djmaher]

Ruth,

 

Are you looking for a standard base, three-way bulb? Or a specialty-type bulb?

 

I have one in my lamp next to my desk. I purchased it at Lowes. They even had different color temps to choose from. Daylight color balance LEDs are brutally bright, but, the color is accurate. I think I picked the middle of the three color temps. Slightly warmer that daylite.

 

Hope I didnt misunderstand what you were looking for.

[inkstainedruth]

Standard base -- it's for a few standing lamps which are designed for 3 way bulbs (the old incanscent type) that were bought about 25-30 years ago. The last time I looked at Lowes, I found regular LEDs but not 3-ways. Guess I'll have to look again (the price has certainly come down since they first came on the market ). I still have some of the old lightbulbs (which I think are something like 35W/100W/150W) so I hadn't been looking all *that* hard. But of course one of the filaments always burns out way sooner (at the moment we can't get the brightest setting for the bulb in the lamp by where I sit in the living room because of that). And part of the problem is trying to figure out the equivalent light production in the LEDs.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[FarmBoy]

Parker referred to the Vacumatic filled “51”s as India Black. When they switched to Aerometric filled it became Black. Unlike some of the other color changes, there is no discernible difference between the two.

[djmaher]

Farmboy, thanks for the clarification. Makes total sense, especially from a marketing perspective.

Standard base -- it's for a few standing lamps which are designed for 3 way bulbs (the old incanscent type) that were bought about 25-30 years ago. The last time I looked at Lowes, I found regular LEDs but not 3-ways. Guess I'll have to look again (the price has certainly come down since they first came on the market ). I still have some of the old lightbulbs (which I think are something like 35W/100W/150W) so I hadn't been looking all *that* hard. But of course one of the filaments always burns out way sooner (at the moment we can't get the brightest setting for the bulb in the lamp by where I sit in the living room because of that). And part of the problem is trying to figure out the equivalent light production in the LEDs.
Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

Being a photographer, for work and recreation, always makes me nerd out on this stuff. LEDs has also invaded the photographic industry. Unlike CFLs, they tend to be "brighter" or more intense-appearing in actual use. With zero-heat output, which is awesome. Basically, I stood in the bulb aisle, compared lumens, wattage and color temp, until I found what I was looking for, comparing regular filament bulbs to LEDS. CFLs have seemingly disappeared off the shelves at my local Lowes. Not the worst thing.

If I remember right, the 3-way bulbs were on clearance as well. Maybe not so many 3-way lamps anymore these days.


"Daylite" bulbs are brutal to read under, but blindingly bright and perfect for outdoor fixtures. The warm ones make things too yellow. I think I got the 'soft white" color, as it was in the middle, color temp wise. Also lower wattage, to save my eyeballs. The brand I bought were the store brand, and not too expensive. They also seem to be switching all of their bulbs over to the GE brand. Although I'm not always keen on Walmart, they also have a decent selection, including 3-way bulbs, and reasonable prices.

[inkstainedruth]

Parker referred to the Vacumatic filled “51”s as India Black. When they switched to Aerometric filled it became Black. Unlike some of the other color changes, there is no discernible difference between the two.

 

Yeah, I pulled my two black pens (the Aero and the 51 Vac out this morning, while it was still somewhat sunny. And the only difference I could ascertain (other than the different fill mechanisms) is that the Aero may be a Demi... . As far as color? They looked the same to me.

So yeah, marketing....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[mitto]

A black is black whether India or non-India.