Not Quite Black Please

[BlazeOrangeGuy]

Akkerman Dutch Master’s Stormy Blue/Stormachtig Blauw. Very dark, dark blue that looks pretty much black on the paper unless really examined under bright light. 

[inkstainedruth]

Ooh, forgot about Stormachtig Blauw.  That's one of my favorite inks -- but I wasn't sure how "not quite black" was wanted.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[BlazeOrangeGuy]

9 minutes ago, inkstainedruth said:

Ooh, forgot about Stormachtig Blauw.  That's one of my favorite inks -- but I wasn't sure how "not quite black" was wanted.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

It’s a nice one isn’t it Ruth! I have used it in my Pelikan, so it went down pretty wet I suppose. It always looked like a black ink to me, but not quite a proper black ink if you know what I mean. Really nice ink👍🏼😊

[Karmachanic]

9 hours ago, BlazeOrangeGuy said:

Akkerman Dutch Master’s Stormy Blue/Stormachtig Blauw

 

Added to the list. Thanks!

[Karmachanic]

1 hour ago, inkstainedruth said:

I wasn't sure how "not quite black" was wanted.

 

Ideally it wouldn't raise an eyebrow in a conservative milieau. Subtle off-blackness. Interesting without calling too much attention to itself. Wouldn't embarrass the Stresemann at the embassy luncheon.

 

[mizgeorge]

I've got some Papier Plume Iron Lace on the way - happy to pop a sample over when it arrives if you like, along with some Doyou and any of the others I have - I definitely have some very dark greys that might qualify.

[Karmachanic]

20 hours ago, kulnet said:

Check out Papier Plume iron lace.

 

Thanks. This could be top contender for the green slot!

[Karmachanic]

11 hours ago, mizgeorge said:

I've got some Papier Plume Iron Lace on the way

 

Thank you so much! PM to follow later in the day.

[dhanks]

Noodler's Zhivago.  Dark, looks black from wet, fine nibs, but has a nice touch of green around the edges, more so in wider nibs.  Also, waterproof.  I really like it.

 

Rumpole

[I-am-not-really-here]

Cult Pens' Diamine Deep Dark Brown and Deep Dark Green.  These look, to me, quite "black" unless an actual black is adjacent, only then is the real color revealed.  

[Karmachanic]

1 hour ago, dhanks said:

Noodler's Zhivago.  Dark, looks black from wet, fine nibs, but has a nice touch of green around the edges, more so in wider nibs.  Also, waterproof.  I really like it.

 

In this Hue I'm leaning towards El Lawrence. I will, however, definitely add it to the list.

[Karmachanic]

17 minutes ago, I-am-not-really-here said:

Cult Pens' Diamine Deep Dark Brown and Deep Dark Green.  These look, to me, quite "black" unless an actual black is adjacent, only then is the real color revealed.  

 

Thank you, but based upon the reviews I've looked at neither of these float my boat. Neither hue nor tone. ☹️ I'll add then to the list tho' as others my think differently.

[OleJuul]

I just wanted to add that my suggestion of KWZ Hunter Green might not be good. I just took a sample on cotton paper, which had dried for 20 hours, and dipped it twice in a glass of water. The result was a complete wash out and there was no hint of writing on the paper whatsoever! This is probably not acceptable for professional use.

 

[Karmachanic]

1 hour ago, OleJuul said:

I just took a sample on cotton paper, which had dried for 20 hours, and dipped it twice in a glass of water.

 

Your concern is appreciated, but I have no need for archival inks.

 

Ordinary, garden variety, dye inks have served me well these 50 plus years.  That said I've purchased three IG inks in the last year, mostly for the way they look when dry.

 

 

 

[gerigo]

Would I get in trouble if I mention an ink that is difficult to get? It's Iroshizuku's Hotei-son from Pilot's 100 anniversary inks. I use it for Spencerian sketching as it as this beautiful tone especially with paper that is not pure white.

[A Smug Dill]

1 hour ago, gerigo said:

Would I get in trouble if I mention an ink that is difficult to get?

 

Why would you? I think the more we hear about little-known, and/or not commonly-or-readily available inks (in Western markets), the richer the data set is, when the sole/key criterion is the colour an ink presents, not how convenient or economical it is for a particular user operationally.

 

I saw one swatch last night that should qualify: Van Dieman's Ink Pepperberry. Not that I particularly feel like promoting the brand or helping the company along at this point.

[Karmachanic]

2 hours ago, gerigo said:

Would I get in trouble if I mention an ink that is difficult to get? It's Iroshizuku's Hotei-son from Pilot's 100 anniversary inks.

 

Very nice. A contender for top slot in the green category. Found an Italian source.

[JonSzanto]

My order from Vanness just came in this afternoon and while I ordered three full bottles, I also ordered one sample: KWZ Warsaw Dreaming. I think I'm going to have to order that up! Did some quick sample/swatches and it is a very dramatic, extremely dark.. purple, I think. I'm looking forward to writing with and playing with this ink, a serious contender in this thread.

[A Smug Dill]

PenBBS Fountain Pen Ink No.406 幽月繁星

 

 

 

[Karmachanic]

39 minutes ago, A Smug Dill said:

I saw one swatch last night that should qualify: Van Dieman's Ink Pepperberry

 

Haven't found any reviews. The swatches on retailer site look straight black.