Pilot Purple Cartridges

[Alohamora]

Namiki/Pilot IC-50 Purple Fountain Pen Ink Cartridge, Made in Japan

 

Since purple is my favorite ink color and I didn't see any other reviews already listed for Pilot's purple, I though this might be a good topic to try for my first ink review.

 

My Pilot Plumix came with a blue cartridge, which is a fine ink, but I really wanted purple. I wanted to try Pilot's purple because good experience with the blue. The blue is also very water resistant and I was hoping for the same characteristic in the purple. Unfortunately, in that respect, it was a disappointment, it washes away easily. The other negative is that it's only available in cartridges. (at least as far as what's available in the U.S.)

 

Otherwise, it's a well behaved ink, it's very hard to find fault with it. Left uncapped for 10 minutes the 78g started up immediately, after 25 minutes uncapped it took just a couple of stroke to get going again. It writes well on all but the very worst paper and it's a fine shade of purple, not too bright, not to dark. If only it was available in bottles, I'd buy more of it.

 

A bit later I'll try to post photos of my water test. If there's anything else I forgot to include, feel free to ask.

Edited September 19, 2010 by Alohamora

[Alohamora]

No replies, boring ink or boring review?

 

Anyway, here's the promised water test. This was about a 3 or 4 minute soak. Don't use this to compare colors, the above scan is better color balanced. The blue comes through just about unscathed. The purple is mostly gone, just a trace still visible. (paper is Rhodia)

Edited September 25, 2010 by Alohamora

[chibimie]

Thanks for the very helpful review. Maybe it has not attracted responses because, as you suggest, it is cartridge ink. Like probably most others on this site, I almost never use cartridges, but having read your review (and as an owner of many Pilot pens that probably take that cartridge), I might give it a try.

 

Thanks for the interesting review.

[holgalee]

Just came across this as I was thinking of buying the ink. I think I'm better off with what I already have, so thank you for the very helpful review!

[bayport714]

Thanks for the review. It is nice to see cartridge ink reviewed. I always use cartridges in my Namiki Vanishing Point and new Parker 51 Special Edition pens.

[SCPaul]

I saw the review today and needed some cartridges for my Plumix. You changed my mind. I'm getting the purple ones.

[Alohamora]

An additional note, fade resistance is poor.

 

I left a sheet of paper on a window sill, half exposed to sunlight, half covered. I wrote one line with each of my inks and left it for a few weeks. The Pilot purple faded much more than anything else on the page. In another month, I bet it would be totally gone.

 

In the same amount of time, Pilot Blue changed to a duller blue, but it's still quite legible.

[mirosc]

I got it today and have to confess: It's a really boring ink for my taste. Maybe it has got more character in a broader nib, but with my japanese F nib; well, legible, but quite pale and too blueish. It lacks the purple blaze...

[Grendel]

Interesting, thanks for the review. From the water test my guess would be that the purple Varsity's are loaded w/ the same ink, altho they write a lot more saturated -- I found that Baystate Concorde Grape loaded into a Varsity looks almost identical (and is waterproof to a certain extend )