Noodler's Black Swan In Australian Roses

[carpedavid]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4125/5215097413_4381d7a976_b.jpg

 

The award for most poetically named ink goes to Noodler's Black Swan in Australian Roses – one of the most poetic inks I've reviewed this year. Black Swan is a brand new ink from Noodler's that was just released in late November. It is a moderately saturated ink with lots of very moody shading, and was designed to show off the shading potential of flex nibs.

 

On paper, it is easy to see where both aspects of the name come from, as two different colors characterize this ink: on top is a dark purple-black (the black swan), and underneath lies a lovely pink rose (the Australian roses). I almost feel like I'm describing a perfume, with talk of top notes and base notes, but this ink deserves such talk – I'd say that it easily ties J. Herbin 1670 for this year's most dramatic ink.

 

Like most Noodler's inks, Black Swan flows easily in all of the pens I used it with and is very resistant to feathering, even on absorbent paper like Ecosystem journals. It had a very low level of show through with a fine nib, and exhibited no bleed through – another common characteristic of Noodler's inks.

 

Where Black Swan differed from other Noodler's inks is in its drying time. I've resisted using many Noodler's inks due to the typically long drying times, but this one dries relatively quickly on both Rhodia paper and Ecosystem journals – about ten to twelve seconds. Curiously, it took over thirty seconds for this ink to dry on Moleskine paper – I'm at a loss as to why.

 

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5215097339_483c85ca6a.jpg

 

Pleasantly, I also found Black Swan to be quite resistant to water. According to Noodler's, this ink is about sixteen percent bulletproof – but it stands up quite well under most scenarios. A smear test, in which I ran a wet finger across the page, does show some bleeding, but the lines remain bold and readable.

 

A drip test, in which I let drops of water set for about a minute before blotting them, is barely noticeable. A small amount of ink came up, but nothing that affected the legibility of the lines. The soak test was most impressive. I ran the paper under the faucet for about a minute, and the lines remained quite readable. On the left-hand side of the soak test, you can see some fading where I rubbed the paper – but I was taking paper off at that point. In summary, it performed admirably.

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5215688516_bb8a900fda.jpg

 

Noodler's Black Swan in Australian Roses comes in a standard 3 oz. Noodler's bottle that's filled to the brim – so be careful when opening. Noodler’s intentionally uses stock bottles and lids to keep their prices low, which means that they aren’t intended to be show pieces in and of themselves. They are functional and stable, but not an objet d'art intended for the top of one's desk.

 

However, this bottle's label contains references to the myth of Leda and the Swan, and interplay between the Noodler's catfish mascot and a black swan. You can watch Nathan Tardiff, the man behind Noodler's inks, describe the label in detail here:

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Depending on one's pen, this ink could conceivably be work-appropriate. In a wet nib, it is very dark almost luxurious. In a dryer pen, the pink undertones come out, which is less work-friendly, but would work well for correspondence and personal use. Italic and flex nibs are where the ink's potential is expressed fully – and, since it has a semi-bulletproof property, it would be great to see this used with an italic nib as a signature ink.

 

Noodler's Black Swan in Australian Roses is a beautiful new ink from Noodler's – one that I think many people will enjoy using. It's designed for flex nibs, but works great with both italic and standard nibs, and is well behaved and fun to use. I can easily see this taking a place in my regular ink rotation.

 

Review notes: I used a 3.8 mm Pilot Parallel calligraphy pen for the widest strokes, a 1.9 mm Lamy Joy calligraphy pen for the medium strokes, and a fine-medium steel nib on a Noodler's piston-fill fountain pen for the fine strokes. The paper is Rhodia 80g.

[The Royal Pen]

I really do love the colour of this ink! It is absolutely sublime! Thank you for a wonderful review--and BEAUTIFUL calligraphy!

[karinh]

Gorgeous!

Carpedavid, you could make any ink look beautiful with that calligraphy. I like how you always draw an appropriate picture on your reviews too.

 

Ink is added to my ever-growing wish list. *sigh*

Edited December 1, 2010 by karinh

[Stephany]

Another one on my wish list!

[sloegin]

Thank you for the water resistance test.

[kwpalzang]

I'm personally not seeing much of the black outline effect described by Nathan... maybe that only works with flex pens.

[WendyNC]

I'm personally not seeing much of the black outline effect described by Nathan... maybe that only works with flex pens.

 

From what I can tell, one does need to be using a flex nib to bring out the black swan effect. *sigh*

[Ipno Tizer]

Good review.

 

I can't wait till this ink becomes available in the UK.

 

I'm personally not seeing much of the black outline effect described by Nathan... maybe that only works with flex pens.

 

jgrasty's review (https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/176259-black-swan-in-australian-roses/) does show the black outline. There was also some debate in this thread about how similar this is to Mont Blanc violet.

 

Any other comments on this?

 

Chris B.

[Gobblecup]

This ink has preformed very well and looks great in any pen I put it in. This review totally covers it and you really did a nice job!

[tonysingh]

Awesome review .Thats one pretty ink looking forward to purchasing it thanks again for this comprehensive review.

[jniforat]

i have a 5ml sample on the way very excited

[Miranda]

Thank you for the review and the example of your wonderful calligraphy.

[lefty928]

Good review.

 

I can't wait till this ink becomes available in the UK.

 

I'm personally not seeing much of the black outline effect described by Nathan... maybe that only works with flex pens.

 

jgrasty's review (http://www.fountainp...stralian-roses/) does show the black outline. There was also some debate in this thread about how similar this is to Mont Blanc violet.

 

Any other comments on this?

 

Chris B.

 

To my eye, MB Violet is a red-tinged purple and Black Swan is more of a plummy burgundy (leaning toward the muddy pink brown family -- which is my take on on "wine" and "burgundy" designations, but with reddish purple and dark tones in it). The FPN Tulipe Noire comparison seems more exact (I dug out a writing sample I had made, thanks to The Ink Exchange program).

 

 

BTW, so far the dip pen nib on Rollabind paper has been the only combo to achieve that black outline at my crazed pen-filling abode.

 

edited once I got a look at my writing sample of MB Violet

 

 

Edited December 13, 2010 by lefty928

[neena]

Oh my goodness, this ink is lovely!!!! I am relative newcomer to fountain pen inks - have just ordered my first luxury FP - a Yard O Led victorian pocket pen and am looking for some lovely inks ...... is noodlers ink ok to use in a YOL?

 

And does anyone know of any stockists in the UK and when this will be released in the UK? Many thanks in advance.

[whichwatch]

The ink looks good but dude! I love your calligraphy!

[Rena]

How did I miss this review until now? Once again, another stunning ink review! Beautiful ink (and name), beautiful review, beautiful calligraphy! Thank you.

[nicholasyeo]

This is really an incredible review! One curious thing I observed, was how your scanner makes

Yama Budo appear really pinkish! HAHA! I always thought of it as a very saturated ink!! :hmm1:

[Yoda4561]

I agree with everything David said in his review. In regards to waterproofness especially, some of the rose component will smear and wash off on exposure, but the rest of it is VERY tenacious, I'd say it's roughly twice as "bulletproof" as Bad Belted Kingfisher. Both have some color runoff when exposed to water, but black swan has crisper and darker lines which help keep it 100% legible regardless of the level of water exposure. In a wet writer, as long as you're not getting crazy with flex nibs or something, it's elegant yet dark enough to not have any sensation of "hope the guys don't find out I'm using rose colored ink"

Edited December 18, 2010 by Yoda4561

[all my hues]

Hmm, has anyone compared this gorgeous color to Noodler's Tulipe Noire? Which I'm also lusting after

 

 

(in a writing sample I mean, not just color swab)

Edited December 18, 2010 by all my hues

[Ghost Plane]

Have a bottle on the way in a shipment and Tulipe Noire in my desk drawer. Now if I can get time over the next week... :hmm1: