Here's a short review of one of my favorite inks: Noodler's American Eel Cactus Fruit
I'll try to add more information as time allows.


FPN Color Catagory: Pink
Opacity: Good
Saturation: Excellent
Shading:Good
Feathering: Good
Drying Speed: Fair
pH: 6.5*
Waterproof Rating: Fair*
Sunlight Resistance: ?*
Special Features: Lubricated Pen's Piston
Avaliable in Bottles Only
Quantity: 3 Ounce
Bottle Shape: Tall and Rectangular
Purchased from: Swisher Pens
Paid: $9.75
Price per Ounce: $3.25

Would I buy it again? Yes!

Ratings:
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor


*From Greg Clark's Ink Sampler, Final Edition

Thank you for the review. I've been thinking about buying this ink (just in the last week) and your review helped me make up my mind (yes!).

Thanks for the review! I've been curious about the effectiveness of Noodler's American Eel inks on piston-fillers. This color looks interesting. The way it appears on my monitor, it looks similar to PR Arabian Rose -- perhaps a lighter version of it.

I've been hesitant to acquire an Eel-series ink (eyes on Rattler Red, actually) on the basis of feathering. I was under the assumption that it would feather badly on copy paper in a wet pen (especially a wet flexy pen)... It seems you haven't had this experience... Am I mistaken about this series of inks? I thought that the lubrication was because of a surfactant, which could cause feathering on some papers...

The "one q-tip swipe" looks rather like Herbin Rose Cyclamen. Thanks for givings us some insights into this ink!

Best, Ann

Hi Girlie,

I think the Cactus Fruit is a very bright Pink/Magenta color, while the Arabian Rose is more of a mauve. Here's a scan for comparison:

Hi Melnicki-

I have this and the American Eel Gruene Cactus, both of which are in constant rotation. I haven't had feathering problems with either, so I don't know how Mr. Tariff managed the lubricating magic. The saturation of both of these inks is what I really notice. If you want something vibrant and vivid, I's give this line a shot.

Hi Ann-

The color is very close to Rose Cyclamen, but slightly deeper due to the high dye concentration I assume. Noodler's Seguaro Wine is a much closer match, if my Clark's Ink Sampler is accurate. Noodler's Socrates looks like a chalkier version of Cactus Fruit. Noodler's Ottoman Rose is more red, and both Noodler's Shah's Rose and Diamine's Claret are lighter and more pink. However, Rubinato Cyclamen, again from the ink sampler, looks pretty close.

And here's how it looks after ten minutes in cold water:

American Eel Cactus Ink Review

I can't wait to right an essay in this ink. I was at my local ink wall, and i picked up random inks. Among them J Herbin Orange Indien and Cactus Fruit! People are going to think it's femenine, but I don't care at all! I love reds purples light greens, because it adds contrast to the mellow brown black gray life I live

My what a beautiful ink! Thanks also for the comparisons.

Great review. Thank you very much for the time, effort and the great photos.

While I loved the properties and IDEA of using this ink, I ended up giving it back to the fellow in exchange for something else because it was just too pink for my purposes. I wanted to like it, but just couldn't embrace it...again, great properties and saturation IMO.

Good review. I was wondering how dark it was. Great photos, I think it's one I'll pick up. I've been branching out into brighter colors lately.