I have always used Waterman Blue-Black for my Demi Parker "51" with the Binderized 0.4 mm stub. But I have a need for some permanency with end-of-the-year memories coming up so turned to Noodler's Ink for my next refill. But which one?
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1 week ago
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I've been playing with Legal Lapis for a while now, and just started trying other colors. Here's some random opinions on the few I've tried: the "bulletproof" inks (Eternal Brown, Luxury Blue, Hunter) are absolutely permanent, but they're pale and washed out once dry. Some of the ones that are color-saturated are not really permanent, for example, Forest Green, Marine Green, Baystate Blue(although that last one is somewhat waterproof). Of the limited number I've tried, my two favorites are Zhivago, a black with a undertone of green, and Red-Black, which is a little like Havana Brown. Both have deep, crisp color, no feathering, and appear to be permanent. Although it dries a little dull, I too like Legal Lapis.
ReplyDeleteO yes, Baystate Blue :) I'm still soaking and trying to rinse it from one of my pen. Luckily, I read about it and used a "user-grade" Hero. But gotta love the color though. I don't have Red-Black yet but it's next on my list. (One of) My latest one is Zhivago --- I waited for a while to get it so I'm glad to hear it's one of your favorite.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by :)
Ouch, I didn't know that about Baystate Blue, I better go rescue my Pelikan 800. I've been a Pelikan fan for years, and I really love their inks, especially Brilliant Brown, but they're very impermanent. BTW, I also bought Antietam and Tainanmen, when I got the Noodler Red-Black; they're both nice colors, but not waterproof.
ReplyDeleteLove Pelikan (though I'm partial to Sheaffers too) but I stayed with the lower end. I still have an uninked M205 Demonstrator. I'm resigned to the fact that I will probably never work up enough oomph to actually ink that pen :) I did ink the Amber one and that wrote nice. The 800 must be even better. Hope the Baystate Blue didn't stain it.
ReplyDeleteThe nib on the 800 has no stains, so maybe it will be OK; I'll find out next time I refill it. I've had that pen for years. It's hefty, but is very well-balanced and satisfying to write with. I haven't tried it for long sessions, so I don't know if it might be too heavy. The 200s are nice. I picked up a tortoise one years ago, and just replaced the steel nib with a 14K gold one, so it really writes smooth; at first I thought the 200 would be too light, but it's very comfortable. I also just picked up the italic one that was on sale, and that's really fun to use.
ReplyDeleteThe only Sheaffer I have is a Targa from about 25 years ago, and I like it a lot. What Sheaffers do you have?
I noticed Elaine was mulling over Noodler Walnut. Have you tried that? I've heard good things about it.
I have a Slim Targa that I found online a couple years back. I have not used it much; it does pen well and looks regal & important. I got it more because I heard so much about Targas. I'm more drawn to the basic Sheaffer No Nonsense and School Pens (of which I have several) for the tinkering factor. Converted some into eyedroppers, changed nibs (not grinding, not fancy like that, just meant changing nib units!). Also collected some used Sheaffer snorkels and Touchdown from ebay -- just so I can see the filling mechanism :) I have a Balance for the same reason as the Targa (don't use it). I think, with Sheaffers, I went with quantity and not quality! Just so many styles.
ReplyDeleteI like Walnut but, then, it's the only brown I have so no comparison. The color is a good sedate brown, still suitable for my formal correspondence. Only problem I have is the slightly longer dry time.