Least Creepy Ink For Esterbrook

[Mezzie]

I'm going to be giving an Esterbrook J to a friend who loves vintage things and recently expressed an interest in fountain pens. I'd like to give a bottle of ink along with the pen, but I'm not sure which brand to give. I love Noodlers, but the ones I have creep quite a bit with almost all my pens (including the Esties), and I think that might be a bit of a turn off for this friend who always looks immaculate and probably wouldn't enjoy ink-stained fingers or clothes.

 

Any suggestions for a brand that behaves well in Esterbrooks?

 

Thanks!

[Runnin_Ute]

Are you looking for a specific color? A lot of Diamine inks don't creep on mine.

[Mezzie]

Her favorite color is light blue -- looks like Diamine has a lot of colors she would like. Thanks!

[ac12]

I have Cross/Pelikan ink in 2 of my Esterbrooks; black and blue.

The Cross/Pelikan blue is a wierd ink. On some pens it fades to a washed out light blue. On other pens, including my Esterbrook, the blue is a darker royal blue that does not fade. I think it has something to do with the interaction of the width of the ink line and the amount of ink put down by the pen. I do not have a wider nib that writes the Cross ink dark, only my F nibs will write it dark.

 

A comment about light blue. I have a problem with any of the lighter blues. The light blue ink line visually competes with the blue ruled lines on the page, and I have a harder time reading the writing. A DARK blue, or green, black, etc. where there is more visual contrast with the lines is easier for me to read. This kinda reminds me of why I used black ink in college, the blue inks were probably harder read on the paper back then also.

[carlos.q]

Diamine Sapphire is a nice bright blue with some water resistance.

Pilot/Namiki blue is another nice blue and has great water resistance.

[Mezzie]

Thanks. I think Diamine Sapphire may be the way to go. Thanks again. I hope she likes the pen and the ink.

[Sasha Royale]

I have had very good experience with several Noodler's inks.

Noodler's did not exist in the Esterbrook days, when J-nibs and feeds were created. Parker, Pelikan, Sheaffer were there.

When I ink a newly acquired J-series, I expect that my favorite Noodler's will work, but first ink is always Pelikan or Parker

because the Estie was intended to use such inks.

 

You are a good friend..

[kidde]

You are a good friend..

 

I completely agree.

If there is time between now and when you bestow this gift, trying a few samples might be a good idea. Blue Steel from Dromgoole's wrote well in a J, but I have a "thing" for old (vintage) Skrip blue/black. First ink I used as a kid, 70's, and in my head what I expect an old pen to write like.

 

Paul

[pajaro]

I completely agree.

If there is time between now and when you bestow this gift, trying a few samples might be a good idea. Blue Steel from Dromgoole's wrote well in a J, but I have a "thing" for old (vintage) Skrip blue/black. First ink I used as a kid, 70's, and in my head what I expect an old pen to write like.

 

Paul

I second the recommendation for Skrip blue black. I have used it since about 1958, but it's no light blue. The old Royal Blue is also nice.

[Mezzie]

I'll give that as a recommendation when I give her the pen. I ended up with Diamine Aqua Blue which looks like exactly her favorite color. It's a little light for my tastes, but it is pretty, and I haven't seen any feathering on even cheap paper when I've tested it, so that's good. I won't see the recipient until August, so now the pen and ink are just sitting around waiting for their new owner.

[pajaro]

All the Diamine inks I have used have great flow and are pleasant. A great choice.

[Mezzie]

The pen was given last week and the recipient was super excited about both the pen and the ink (it was exactly her favorite color after all!). Thanks again to everyone who gave suggestions.