A Visit To The D C Supershow Ink Testing Table

[Jared]

My favorite part of the DC Pen Show (Supershow) is the ink testing table - it's free and available 24 hours a day in the hotel lobby for the length of the show.

 

Our very own plistumi, testing some of the new Akkerman ink in tester bottles, brought by Vanness Pens.

 

 

 

Vanness sold their 60ml bottles of Akkerman at lightning speed. Some colors were sold out within minutes of the show's start.

 

In order of unavailability (what sold out first) it was #11, #5, and #23 & 26. I'm not sure what went after I left Saturday at lunch, but I hope they sold out...

 

 

Sailor brought their new inks, which were added to the table.

 

 

Also, the full line of standard Montblanc inks.

 

In addition to the new inks, there was the usual set of Noodler's, Private Reserve, J.Herbin, Franklin Christoph, Organics Studio, Sailor, Aurora, Omas, Lamy, Monteverde, Parker, Sheaffer, Pelikan, etc. As well as a hodge-podge of other inks.

 

Unfortunately, Diamine didn't make it to the table this year. It appears that they are running out of table space...

 

It's a great show, and I'd recommend it highly to anyone who's able to attend.

(visible is only part of the show... it seems endless at first as this is only one of many rooms).

Edited September 11, 2014 by Jared

[Pentulant]

Woooo..thank you for posting.

 

Can you talk a little about how the ink testing table worked? Were people dipping their own pens? The neat freak in me is freakin' out a little LOL

[Cyber6]

OH WOW!!!>.. The ink table at the Long Island Pen Show was one fourth of that... and I spend half a day there...

 

 

I would have die and gone to heaven if I was at the DC Show... I am glad I didn't go... I have kids you know...

 

 

Thanks for the Pics....

[Kosmic-kowgirl]

Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing!

[Jared]

Woooo..thank you for posting.

 

Can you talk a little about how the ink testing table worked? Were people dipping their own pens? The neat freak in me is freakin' out a little LOL

 

This is how the ink testing table works:

 

The show is Thursday - Sunday. Bob Johnson's minions help set up the table first thing on Thursday. For the last two years I have helped with the set up, as the minions aren't ink folks and I like to see that all inks are represented at the table. Diamine didn't make it on the table this year because the 30ml bottles are easily tipped over and require two-sided tape for mounting on a large platter for display and stability. The hotel failed to bring the platter, so no Diamine. Bob has many boxes of ink (huge numbers of Private Reserve and many Noodlers), which are placed in sections on plastic wrapped tables provided by the hotel. The caps are removed, washed & stored in Ziploc bags by brand for reapplication after the show and to prevent theft (Iroshizuku inks have disappeared in the middle of the night). In addition to the inks, pads of paper, q-tips, glasses with water, paper towels and dip pens with various nibs are placed in areas on the tables by the inks. The dip pen nibs leave a lot to be desired, the q-tips are cheap and non-absorbent, and the paper can vary each year, although Anderson Pens (the largest ink seller at the show) has provided some nice paper recently. I often bring my own dip pen & nib, paper and sometimes q-tips. I try my best to try the new inks first, as they're not only new to me, but unspoiled. Although the ink table minions try to change out the water frequently, it is often quite dirty. Dirty water and failure to cleaning nibs between inks makes for inaccurate colors in some bottles. Some Noodler's ink bottles have been in use for at least 7 years (my first Supershow). You are able to dip & fill your own pen, which many do, but the recent Akkerman tester bottles were so narrow in the top that it was impossible to get anything larger than a dip pen in the ink.

 

Any other questions, please let me know.

Edited September 12, 2014 by Jared

[amberleadavis]

Wow that was incredible!

[GardenWeasel]

I had no idea...wow! Impressive!

[Jared]

Unfortunately, my camera didn't do too well in the low light, so most of the photos didn't come out well. Crazyorange apparently used a better camera than mine and took some great shots. I'd recommend you look at them for a more complete view of the available ink at the table.

[white_lotus]

Makes me want to go to a pen show for certain now!

[inkstainedruth]

The only problem with the testing tables at DCSS is that where it's set up has horrible lighting, even in the daytime.

Oh, and that I didn't get a chance to test the new Sailor inks.... And I'd swear that I saw a bottle of the reformulated MB Violet, but then couldn't find it later on.

I didn't spend as much time at the tables this year, but last year I probably spent hours there, because then I had a lot fewer inks.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[UDog]

I attended one of the Chicago pen shows but there was no ink table...or I missed it. Do all shows have ink tables?

[JMichael]

The Atlanta pen show has no ink table either. However, one vendor at the last show did have limited inks to test.

[Jared]

The only problem with the testing tables at DCSS is that where it's set up has horrible lighting, even in the daytime.

 

I agree - the lighting is limited. If they had it under the big skylight in the middle it would be much better, but as the show has grown, so has the need for more space, so paying customers/tables get preference. The ink is a side show, and gets little attention comparatively. Also, there is a lot of ink brought by Bob to the show that never makes it to the table - all vintage. Waterman, Parker, Sheaffer, Montblanc, etc. Also, the full line of the now discontinued Noodler's Swisher Inks. I think his preference for display is modern inks currently available for purchase from his paying customers.

Edited September 12, 2014 by Jared

[Brian Anderson]

I attended one of the Chicago pen shows but there was no ink table...or I missed it. Do all shows have ink tables?

No, most pen shows do not have this. Actually, I think DC is the only show to have this, but then again they don't call it the Super Show for nothing!

[shawndp]

Wow! Thanks for posting those pics - I've never been to a pen show and am eagerly counting down the days to Michigan next month. That said I am going to make a point to go to DC next year - it seems amazing!

[Pentulant]

Thank you for posting more details. I'd definitely be going armed with q-tips.

 

CRAZY that someone would steal the bottles of ink.

 

 

 

This is how the ink testing table works:

 

The show is Thursday - Sunday. Bob Johnson's minions help set up the table first thing on Thursday. For the last two years I have helped with the set up, as the minions aren't ink folks and I like to see that all inks are represented at the table. Diamine didn't make it on the table this year because the 30ml bottles are easily tipped over and require two-sided tape for mounting on a large platter for display and stability. The hotel failed to bring the platter, so no Diamine. Bob has many boxes of ink (huge numbers of Private Reserve and many Noodlers), which are placed in sections on plastic wrapped tables provided by the hotel. The caps are removed, washed & stored in Ziploc bags by brand for reapplication after the show and to prevent theft (Iroshizuku inks have disappeared in the middle of the night). Once inks are placed on the table, pads of paper, q-tips, glasses with water, paper towels and dip pens with various nibs are places in areas on the tables by the inks. The dip pen nibs leave a lot to be desired, the q-tips are cheap and non-absorbent, and the paper can vary each year, although Anderson Pens (the largest ink seller at the show) has provided some nice paper recently. I often bring my own dip pen & nib, paper and sometimes q-tips. I try my best to try the new inks first, as they're not only new to me, but unspoiled. Although the ink table minions try to change out the water frequently, it is often quite dirty. Dirty water and failure to cleaning nibs between inks makes for inaccurate colors in some bottles. Some Noodler's ink bottles have been in use for at least 7 years (my first Supershow). You are able to dip & fill your own pen, which many do, but the recent Akkerman tester bottles were so narrow in the top that it was impossible to get anything larger than a dip pen in the ink.

 

Any other questions, please let me know.

[Cyber6]

No, most pen shows do not have this. Actually, I think DC is the only show to have this, but then again they don't call it the Super Show for nothing!

 

I have not attended most pen shows, but I was at the Long Island Pen Show..and they had a beautiful ink table. They even provided free refreshments (coffee/tea/cookies).. you can easily spend all day just testing inks...

[Brian Anderson]

 

I have not attended most pen shows, but I was at the Long Island Pen Show..and they had a beautiful ink table. They even provided free refreshments (coffee/tea/cookies).. you can easily spend all day just testing inks...

D'Oh! That's right, it was right in front of my table as I recall. Ok, so Long Island does it too.

[Cyber6]

D'Oh! That's right, it was right in front of my table as I recall. Ok, so Long Island does it too.

 

 

Oh yeah... I forgot I met your lovely wife.

[Ergative]

That's wonderful! I'm so cautious about buying ink, and I would have loved to have this sort of opportunity at the SF pen show.