fountain pen ink Archives

a rainbow for writing

penny on November 12, 2015

After weeks being surprised at how long it was taking to write one of my pens dry, I finally reinked all my pens in the colours I want.

I think.

I’m still not completely convinced on the orange, but it feels good to have made these choices for now. I think the number of pens I have is little absurd, but that’s a discussion for another day because all of these colours make me happy. This paper isn’t the best for flex nibs or wet fountain pens, but it’s been nice to have a book to track how pens were inked over time. I picked it up at Muji a while ago. Sorry for the colours being off. Time change + a rainy week!

Bottled Inks are:
J Herbin Terre de Feu, Ambre de Birmaine, Lierre Sauvage, Verte Empire, Poussiere de Lune
Diamine: Red Dragon
Noodler’s: Apache Sunset, Lexington Gray
Waterman blue-black (purchased 14 February 2001)

return of the Lamy

penny on August 20, 2015

After not writing with my Lamy fountain pens for a while, I cleaned and set them aside to see if I really missed them or if they could go find a new home. I traded my charcoal grey Safari with Miriam Felton in exchange for a custom pen case. Shortly thereafter I picked up more ink colours. On Monday I decided I wanted to try the Noodler’s 54th Massachusetts sample I had picked up but didn’t want to change out any of my other pens. Out came the Lamy. I’ve been writing with a medium nib Jinhao and was surprised to find I enjoyed it, so I had hope for the return of my Lamy.

While the barrel shape isn’t my favourite, I am liking how it writes. I also really like this this colour and if I ever use up the bottom of Waterman’s blue-black I picked up in February 2001, I will likely replace it with the Noodlers.

I’m happy with my rainbow selection of inks. I’m now looking for the perfect orange, a nice harvest colour. Right before this photo, I had just given the Jet Pens Chibi filled with J Herbin Ambre de Birmanie a dip in some windex to improve flow, I’d stored it oddly, it’s a very beautiful colour more ambre than in this early morning tablet camera photo.

Do you have a favourite ink and pen combination? Please let me know.

greens and blue-greens, ink edition

penny on July 16, 2015

I go through colour phases. A long time ago when family tried to get me to stop wearing so much black (I live in NYC, I wear black, deal), I shifted through the colour spectrum more frequently. During each colour shift, it seems almost everything I acquire ends up that colour. It isn’t conscious I just look up and suddenly everything all my accessories are shade of green. I’ve been in the green phase for a several years now. It’s a good place to be and I find it easier to mix two shades of green than I can other hues. I realized that a secondary colour arrived. Perhaps it began with the surprisingly perfect sweater. It has now expanded into my ink collection.

Inks shown are Noodler’s General of the Armies, J Herbin Vert Empire, J Herbin Lierre Sauvage, J Herbin Poussière de Lune, and a mystery teal cartridge.

Do you have a favourite fountain pen ink? I love J Herbin’s Poussière de Lune the most.