Noodler's Fox Red

[yazeh]

Noodler’s Fox Red

 

When it comes to red ink, I'm often weary as they are very difficult to clean. I also prefer darker reds more than brighter reds. 

However, this ink has wowed me with its performance, it's one of the best inks, I've ever used. It doesn't ghost or bleed through on copy paper. It's a pleasure to use. 

 

Unlike other Noodler's inks, it comes into 1 oz/30 ml series. The other inks in this series are La Reine Mauve, Luxury Blue, Periwinkle and Whiteness of the Whale. Apparently the ingredients to make these inks are quite expensive, hence the smaller ink bottle. 

 

Let's start with the chroma; there's a hint of yellow in the sea of red.

Writing samples:

Text is from the Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

 

 

No ghosting or bleed through on Hammermill. Surprisingly longest dry time

 

 

Photo Paper is Mnemosyne - Nib is copperplate. Text is in French, same as above.

2

 

This ink is quite close to Noodler's Esenin. If you use a lot of red then maybe it's a better choice. (Esenin is also a very good red)

 

 

 

A bit of the red is removed. But the text is legible:

 

 

 

And as usual an artwork: Reunion an homage to The Little Prince.

Paper is Canson mixed media paper, 98lb/160 gr

Other inks used:

Black: Noodler's Polar Black

Yellow: J. Herbin Bouton d'or

Green: Polar Green

Wheat: Diamine Sepia

The Sky is a mixture of Herbin's  Émeraude de Chivor and Diamine Shimmering Seas, which I created effects by using a glass dip pen dipped in bleach. 

And finally the planet is done with Ferris Wheel Press, Storied Blue, lovely gorgeous ink for doing washes. 

 

 

· Pens used: Pilot Kakuna Ef, Lamy Safari (EF/F/M/B), Osmiroid Copperplate semi-flex, Jinhao 450

· What I liked: Well lubricated, well behaved.

· What I did not like: I’m nitpicking: I wish it were a darker red.

· What some might not like: 30s dry time with a medium nib on some papers, Price. 

· Shading: Nope 

· Ghosting: None.

· Bleed through: None 

· Flow Rate: Really nice

· Lubrication: Great

· Nib Dry-out: None

· Start-up: None

· Saturation: Saturated

· Shading Potential: dismal 

· Sheen: Faint

· Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: No

· Nib Creep / “Crud”: No.

· Staining (pen): No

· Clogging: No

· Cleaning: Surprisingly easy.

· Water resistance: A bit removes but not much. 

· Availability: 1oz (30ml)

Please don't hesitate to share your experience, writing samples or any other comments. The more the merrier  

 

 

 

 

[lapis]

Great review as always, my friend!

However; I don't like this ink for the following reasons (no special order here....)

• Too dusty and/or chalky.
• Too orangey.

For a "brighter" plus "purer" red, I stick to Sheaffer's (Skrip's) Red, and D's Poppy Red and Wild Strawberry.

Thanks again. Good that you do mention that it comes in a 1-oz bottle. Good way to save on N's inks.

[inkstainedruth]

I was curious as to how the color of Fox Red compares to Noodler's Park Red (which I like a lot).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[yazeh]

  On 7/28/2023 at 4:19 PM, lapis said:

Great review as always, my friend!

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🙏

  On 7/28/2023 at 4:19 PM, lapis said:

However; I don't like this ink for the following reasons (no special order here....)

• Too dusty and/or chalky.
• Too orangey.

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Fair enough

 

  On 7/28/2023 at 4:19 PM, lapis said:

For a "brighter" plus "purer" red, I stick to Sheaffer's (Skrip's) Red,

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It's a nightmare cleaning that one. Plus I believe it's out of commission

 

  On 7/28/2023 at 4:19 PM, lapis said:

 

 

and D's Poppy Red and Wild Strawberry.

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Nice colours. But my focus is waterproof inks.

 

  On 7/28/2023 at 4:19 PM, lapis said:

Thanks again. Good that you do mention that it comes in a 1-oz bottle. Good way to save on N's inks.

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  On 7/28/2023 at 4:23 PM, inkstainedruth said:

I was curious as to how the color of Fox Red compares to Noodler's Park Red (which I like a lot).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

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I don't have Park Red. @inkstainedruth see if this tool helps:

https://andersonpens.com/ink-tool/

 

Park red is lighter than Fox Red

 

[inkstainedruth]

Duh!  Why didn't I think of that myself?!

Admittedly, on my screen the swab of Park Red does not look quite as pink-leaning as my bottle of it is (but I like that it's pretty water resistant and generally well behaved -- especially for a red ink).  

And of course my go-to "fire engine red, color of my first car red, smack in the middle of the spectrum red" is Diamine Classic Red, which does not lean pink, or orange or brown.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[LizEF]

Excellent review, @yazeh!  I rather like the slight orange lean.  Don't really like the chalky look, though.  But the colors in your rinsed kitty are fabulous - it probably makes for an interesting drawing ink - if you can get it to wash fast enough.  But the very best part is your homage to The Little Prince !  Fabulous!  A happy ending to amend the story's rather sad one. Thank you!

[txomsy]

Thanks for the review. I agree, it is a very nice red ink.

 

Personally I lean to darker reds as well and prefer it to Sheaffer's skripp red which is to eye searing for continued reading (though a wonderful red as well).

 

[yazeh]

  On 7/28/2023 at 5:34 PM, inkstainedruth said:

Duh!  Why didn't I think of that myself?!

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It happens to the best of us

 

  On 7/28/2023 at 5:34 PM, inkstainedruth said:

Admittedly, on my screen the swab of Park Red does not look quite as pink-leaning as my bottle of it is (but I like that it's pretty water resistant and generally well behaved -- especially for a red ink).  

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I'm waiting for my sample to arrive. I was intrigued by the colour

 

  On 7/28/2023 at 5:34 PM, inkstainedruth said:

And of course my go-to "fire engine red, color of my first car red, smack in the middle of the spectrum red" is Diamine Classic Red, which does not lean pink, or orange or brown.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

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I know. It's difficult to find waterproof fire engine red colour! I still haven't found one, but this one was so well behaved

 

[yazeh]

  On 7/28/2023 at 6:21 PM, LizEF said:

Excellent review, @yazeh! 

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🙏

  On 7/28/2023 at 6:21 PM, LizEF said:

 

I rather like the slight orange lean.  Don't really like the chalky look, though. 

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Chalky?!  To be honest, I don't see it, must have become used to them chalky looks

 

  On 7/28/2023 at 6:21 PM, LizEF said:

 

 

But the colors in your rinsed kitty are fabulous -

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😸

  On 7/28/2023 at 6:21 PM, LizEF said:

 

it probably makes for an interesting drawing ink - if you can get it to wash fast enough.

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I actually waited sometime until it dried. But as the dry time is quite longer than Polar Green it easier to conclude. The secret is good watercolour paper, so you can apply a thick layer of water before applying the ink, .i.e. if one wants to go towards a lighter colour, otherwise you smudge as you draw. You learn so many tricks when using them in "artsy" fashion and things we don't like while writing can become useful while drawing

 

  On 7/28/2023 at 6:21 PM, LizEF said:

 

  But the very best part is your homage to The Little Prince !  Fabulous!  A happy ending to amend the story's rather sad one. Thank you!

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I'm glad you liked it. I guess  this time the essential is visible to the eye  🦊

 

[yazeh]

  On 7/28/2023 at 7:52 PM, txomsy said:

Thanks for the review. I agree, it is a very nice red ink.

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It is indeed a very well behaved but eye searing red

 

  On 7/28/2023 at 7:52 PM, txomsy said:

 

Personally I lean to darker reds as well and prefer it to Sheaffer's skripp red which is to eye searing for continued reading (though a wonderful red as well).

 

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Exactly like you. As I said, I find Skripp Red, one of the most difficult inks to clean

 

[Sailor Kenshin]

Lovely review, @yazeh!  I like the color, the chroma, the handwriting, the drawings (naturally!),  if not the long dry time.  Even using various tricks I'd probably smear every line.

 

I once had a sample of Montblanc Red Fox, which I think was also a Petit Prince reference. But it was a rust-red.  I even have some of those small Noodler's bottles.  I use them for water.

 

Thanks.  Looking forward to your next one.  

[yazeh]

  On 7/28/2023 at 9:08 PM, Sailor Kenshin said:

Lovely review, @yazeh!  I like the color, the chroma, the handwriting, the drawings (naturally!),

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🙏

  On 7/28/2023 at 9:08 PM, Sailor Kenshin said:

 if not the long dry time.  Even using various tricks I'd probably smear every line.

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I guess for an overwrite 30 seconds is an eternity

 

  On 7/28/2023 at 9:08 PM, Sailor Kenshin said:

 

I once had a sample of Montblanc Red Fox, which I think was also a Petit Prince reference. But it was a rust-red.  I even have some of those small Noodler's bottles.  I use them for water.

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Water? As for cleaning pens?

  On 7/28/2023 at 9:08 PM, Sailor Kenshin said:

 

Thanks.  Looking forward to your next one.  

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It'll be the dark Polar night

 

[Sailor Kenshin]

Yes, I use them for cleaning pens, or when a reluctant writer needs a dip.  🖌  Cute, small bottles.  

 

Can't wait to see the next review.

[yazeh]

  On 7/29/2023 at 12:54 AM, Sailor Kenshin said:

Yes, I use them for cleaning pens, or when a reluctant writer needs a dip.  🖌  Cute, small bottles.  

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  On 7/29/2023 at 12:54 AM, Sailor Kenshin said:

 

Can't wait to see the next review.

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Me too

[jmccarty3]

A darker red that is waterproof and well-behaved is Noodler's Rattler Red Eel. If you need a red ink for work, this is a good one.

[yazeh]

  On 7/29/2023 at 4:46 PM, jmccarty3 said:

A darker red that is waterproof and well-behaved is Noodler's Rattler Red Eel. If you need a red ink for work, this is a good one.

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It is my understanding that Rattler Red Eel is not waterproof and has long dry times. On the plus side it's a great stain remover from pens  Otherwise, there's Noodler's Tsvetayeva, a gorgeous red but it has long dry times

For now De Atrementis Document/ Artist Dark Red are the best options. 

 

[Aethertigris]

  On 7/28/2023 at 4:19 PM, lapis said:

Too orangey.

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Too orangey even for the name? Foxes would actually be more orange and less red than this, right?

[vtgt]

I found Fox Red took a long time to dry if allowed to sit a long time in the pen so I mixed it with Skrip Red which deepened the red, made it behave more normally. That will mean it washes out more with water but one can still read what's left.

Regarding Park Red, who knows what colour of Park Red is the current one. The bottle I used from 2021 was more burgundy than when launched. It is more like the one reviewed by aninkguy on youtube than the original release. Park Red only has a slight water resistance but behaves more normally than Fox Red. The colours are not the same.

[yazeh]

  On 8/11/2023 at 8:45 AM, vtgt said:

I found Fox Red took a long time to dry if allowed to sit a long time in the pen so I mixed it with Skrip Red which deepened the red, made it behave more normally. That will mean it washes out more with water but one can still read what's left.

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Thanks for sharing your information 🙏 

  On 8/11/2023 at 8:45 AM, vtgt said:

Regarding Park Red, who knows what colour of Park Red is the current one. The bottle I used from 2021 was more burgundy than when launched. It is more like the one reviewed by aninkguy on youtube than the original release. Park Red only has a slight water resistance but behaves more normally than Fox Red. The colours are not the same.

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Park red is slightly darker in it's new iteration than Fox Red, They're very close colour wise

 

[vtgt]

Please state the year of Fox Red and Park Red. Or even better, show us with photos from a professional camera where attention has been paid to profiling the colour.

Noodler's are not the kind of ink company to get a repeatable product from.

I refer to inks bought in 2021.

I repeat, readers should refer to aninkguy for reviews of both Fox Red and Park Red which look like my bottles.