Best Black List

[JulieParadise]

5 hours ago, A Smug Dill said:

Officially, “Guitar Taisho Roman Haikara Ink” made by Teranishi Chemical Industry Co. Ltd (analogous to “Shikiori Tsukuyono Minamo ink” made by The Sailor Pen Co. Ltd.).

[...]

So, I guess if we typically consider “Sailor Shikiori Yonaga” and “Sailor Yonaga” to be proper references to the ink product, then analogously “Teranishi Guitar Antique Black” and “Teranishi Antique Black” would be equally as proper. Even if Teranishi subsequently introduces a different product line of fountain pen inks, it's still unlikely that the black ink in that will be named Antique Black.

 

Thank you, dear @A Smug Dill! It might seem odd or nerdy, but being able to fit all those elements of manufacturer (when disclosed) + brand + line/series + specific ink (colour) name (+ specifier such as #3)  into a system of nomenclature makes it feel much more orderly. With most Western inks this is easy, but some Asian brands make it hard to even have a name to an ink for those unable to read the script (looking at you, Wearingeul Stonecutter's Song/Mason's Song/?).

 

So, again, thank you for the explanations!

[A Smug Dill]

7 minutes ago, JulieParadise said:

So, again, thank you for the explanations!

 

You're most welcome! I'm always happy to help/serve active contributors in the hobby community, especially those with more dedication and artistic talent than I do, such as your good self.

[Aether]

Been wanting to get take sumi but since no economy ship from Japan is going to cost $50.  Bit steep.

[Karmachanic]

8 minutes ago, Aether said:

$50.  Bit steep.

 

$26 at JetPens.

[Aether]

26 minutes ago, Karmachanic said:

 

$26 at JetPens.

 

Thanks, but I have to consider ship fees too. Cheapest was $20 a bottle direct from Japan... plus $30 ship!!  wonder if ship fees will ever come down again.

[JulieParadise]

21 minutes ago, Aether said:

 

Thanks, but I have to consider ship fees too. Cheapest was $20 a bottle direct from Japan... plus $30 ship!!  wonder if ship fees will ever come down again.

Well, if people knew where you are located they might have tips for you, but "vacant lands" is nowhere a shop I know. 😉

[amberleadavis]

And don't forget to join the Black Pen Society.  I renew my membership whenever I see Paul at a pen show.

[amper]

On 3/16/2023 at 4:56 AM, JulieParadise said:

Most people ask for the blackest black, but my new favourite is a "soft black", of that is ever possible: Teranishi/Guitar Taisho Antique Black. (It is still not clear to me what the real name of these inks is, as there are 'Roman' variants that seem to be sold by or exclusives for Stilo e Stile or some other shop.)

 

I have had this very dark-brown-bordering-black in several pens now and just love it. It looks almost black, and it is dense, but there is a slight tinge to it, a certain softness, just like a faded black would have. I like this look a lot.

 
The term "Taisho Roman" in Japanese means "a romantic nostalgia for the Taisho era". All of the ink in Teranishi's Guitar Brand "Taisho Roman Haikara" line share the same designation. "Haikara" is the Japanese transliteration of "high collar", and it refers to how it was seen as fashionable in Japan during the Taisho era to adopt Western fashions.

The Taisho era was from 30 July 1912 to 25 December 1926 (the reign of the Taisho Emperor, following the Meiji era, and preceding the Showa era), and represented a period of rapid introduction of Western technology and culture to Japan, with an equally rapid industrialization and prosperity in Japan.

The graphic design of the packaging of this ink line is representative of graphic design of that era in Japan, as well.

[amper]

16 hours ago, Aether said:

 

Thanks, but I have to consider ship fees too. Cheapest was $20 a bottle direct from Japan... plus $30 ship!!  wonder if ship fees will ever come down again.

In the US, it's $18.80 from Amazon, with free shipping if you have a Prime membership.

[amper]

On 3/16/2023 at 10:30 PM, A Smug Dill said:

”Haikara” seems to be transliterated from “high-colour”, possibly as in saturated dye load.

As I noted above, it's actually a transliteration of "high collar", and refers to the fact that it was considered fashionable during the Taisho era to adopt Western fashions, which at the time often featured high collars.

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ハイカラ

[JulieParadise]

6 hours ago, amper said:

 
The term "Taisho Roman" in Japanese means "a romantic nostalgia for the Taisho era". All of the ink in Teranishi's Guitar Brand "Taisho Roman Haikara" line share the same designation. "Haikara" is the Japanese transliteration of "high collar", and it refers to how it was seen as fashionable in Japan during the Taisho era to adopt Western fashions.

The Taisho era was from 30 July 1912 to 25 December 1926 (the reign of the Taisho Emperor, following the Meiji era, and preceding the Showa era), and represented a period of rapid introduction of Western technology and culture to Japan, with an equally rapid industrialization and prosperity in Japan.

The graphic design of the packaging of this ink line is representative of graphic design of that era in Japan, as well.

 

Thank you! 

[Karmachanic]

Just for the record.  Mita-Sanshodo Sumi Ryuno Black is the blackest black ink.

[Arkanabar]

On 3/16/2023 at 11:25 PM, arcfide said:

 

Parker and Waterman Black are both really interesting inks because their component dyes are essentially more of a violet/blue mixed with a yellow-ish color, leading to a cool toned ink that some people see as very blue/purple, but which also could be green depending on the paper and saturation and so forth. <snip>

Parker has been doing this for decades.  When I got my Dad's "51", it was full of dried-up Quink Permanent Black with Solv-X, purchased prior to his switch over to a Pentel Rolling Writer around 1985.  The rinse out of it had strong blue and gold components.

[arcfide]

19 hours ago, Arkanabar said:

Parker has been doing this for decades.  When I got my Dad's "51", it was full of dried-up Quink Permanent Black with Solv-X, purchased prior to his switch over to a Pentel Rolling Writer around 1985.  The rinse out of it had strong blue and gold components.

 

I don't think the fundamental formula for Waterman or Parker black ink has changed in a long time.