Which Inks Are Wetter And Which Inks Are Drier?

[Mysterious Mose]

Since I rotate my 8 pens and my 8 inks, there are many combinations of pen-ink. And then there's the 4 papers which I also rotate. Some combinations work better than others.

 

I'm trying to make sense of this. I ask you to rate the 8 inks and the 8 pens in terms of wetness and dryness.

 

Fountain Pens: Pelikan Souveran M805, Waterman Expert II, Waterman Phileas, Stipula Splash, Sheaffer Sagaris, Sheaffer Prelude, Sheaffer School pen and Sheaffer Cartridge Pen;

inks: Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Schwarz (Brilliant Black), Pelikan 4001 Königsblau (Royal Blue), Edelstein Sapphire, Edelstein Onyx, Waterman Encre Bleu (Inspired Blue), Diamine Mediterranean Blue, iroshizuku (Pilot) ama-iro (Sky Blue), Montblanc Mystery Black

 

Is there anything else I should know about these inks? Are there any other inks that belong in my collection? Blue or Black only, please.

[Mysterious Mose]

Here's another idea. For each pen, what ink would you recommend? I'm thinking of the Waterman Expert, someone here recommended using Waterman ink with it. I'm now using Pelikan 4001 Brillant Schwarz (Brilliant Black) in a Waterman Phileas (F) and find it a bit dry. Would this pen also be better off with Waterman ink?

[tinta]

For me, it all depends on how wet or how dry my pen is set up in the first place. It depends on the performance of my pen's feed, also its nib style & grade (tip size).

 

If a pen writes dry with say a Waterman's Inspired Blue, (considered to be a middle-of-the-road ink on the dry/wet scale), then you will probably need a wetter ink, like your Iroshi.

 

A list of your pens, with their corresponding nib grades may be helpful here.

Certain manufacturer's inks are considered to be dry. Pelikan 4001 inks tend to be on the dry side.

[aurore]

None of your Pelikan (incl. Edelstein) inks is much wet. Montblanc Black flow is middling. The rest is somewhat on the wet side but not extremely wet.

Your Pelikan 805 unless EF is most probably quite a wet writer so should work very fine with any of your inks.

Edited August 14, 2020 by aurore

[Mysterious Mose]

Fountain Pens:

 

Pelikan Souveran M805 (Fine)

Waterman Expert II (Fine)

Waterman Phileas (Fine)

Stipula Splash (Flex)

Sheaffer Sagaris (Medium)

Sheaffer Prelude (Medium)

Sheaffer School pen (Fine) and

Sheaffer Cartridge Pen (Medium)

 

In another thread, I asked about the Waterman Expert skipping with Pelikan 4001 Royal Blue Ink. https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/354905-why-does-waterman-expert-ii-skip/

Carlos.q wrote that this ink was dry and suggested a Waterman Ink. TSherbs wrote that "Both Waterman blue and Pelikan RB should work fine in this pen."

 

At the moment, I'm finding the Waterman Philieas filled with Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black is a bit dry. A wetter ink is worth a try. So that would be Waterman Encre Bleu (Inspired Blue), Diamine Mediterranean Blue or iroshizuku (Pilot) ama-iro (Sky Blue). Right?

 

 

 

[silverlifter]

Rules of thumb: Pelikan inks, both lines, are on the dry side. Watermans are in the middle. Iroshizukus are wet. Diamine depends more on the specific ink.

[Mysterious Mose]

Rules of thumb: Pelikan inks, both lines, are on the dry side. Watermans are in the middle. Iroshizukus are wet. Diamine depends more on the specific ink.

 

Diamine Mediterranean Blue?

 

How are Montblanc inks?

 

I changed the ink in the Waterman Phileas to iroshizuku (Pilot) ama-iro (Sky Blue) and it worked like a charm. Now the pen writes in a slippery manner.

[FredRydr]

So just how many distinct combinations are there of 8 pens, 8 inks and 4 papers? Math is not my forte.

[lapis]

Theoretically, 256. But practically less, because the differences between each (pens, inks, papers) will very likely be less than you'd expect, let alone be able to measure.

[Mysterious Mose]

So just how many distinct combinations are there of 8 pens, 8 inks and 4 papers? Math is not my forte.

8 * 8 * 4 = 256. I did some graduate study in math but this is Combinatorics, usually taught at the Freshman or Sophomore level.

 

But I'm not trying to see what works with different papers. Not Yet. Also, the Sheaffers, Stipula and Pelikan all seem to work fine with any ink (and with any paper). So we're down to the two Watermans. I think they would each work fine with Waterman Encre Bleu (Inspired Blue), Diamine Mediterranean Blue or iroshizuku (Pilot) ama-iro (Sky Blue) and maybe the Montblanc.

 

Can you think of any other wet inks besides the ones I have?

[minddance]

Please allow me to attempt a part of your qn. From your list, I only have experience with Waterman Phileas and Pelikan M800 series. Ink-wise, I only have experience with the Iroshizuku, Diamine, and Pelikan 4001 Royal Blue.

 

I have no idea how far the tines are apart in your pens: every pen is different, even from the factory. And the difference gets more pronounced with writing.

 

Some pens support being super wet and have the potential to be a gusher. While some pens, even with tines opened, will not put as much ink onto paper as some people might desire. This has got to do with the nib grind and feed, and probably convertor.

 

As for ink, some inks flow freely and fast; while others are more reticent, stay closer to the nib, reveal the nib grind. Another point is how the ink reacts with paper. E.g. Some slower flowing inks may pentrate the paper very quickly, others may form a barrier and not penetrate the paper thoroughly. Same for faster flowing inks.

 

For me, Pen-ink combination is a matter of personal taste. But please do not discount another factor which is paper. So, Pen-ink-paper. and for me, pen-ink-paper-hand-weather. at least 5 variables in this game. and this can be a huge permutation.

 

I am sorry you did not get specific answers from my blabber.

 

I can imagine Pelikan M800 with unadjusted tines "doing well" (no feathering, no bleedthrough, and legible enough. Sheen and shading is another matter) with 4001 Royal Blue on absorbent papers. If adjusted for wetness, on Rhodia, I can imagine some shading with Diamine Mediterranean Blue. If unadjusted, unprimed feed, it might turn out a tad light. Same for Phileas on Rhodia and Iroshizuku Ama Iro. But this is merely a guess. Please, have fun!

Edited August 15, 2020 by minddance