Searching for the perfect ink... I was fascinated when I heard about Noodlers Bullet proof series - the fear of smuding envelopes had always put me off using a fountain pen. So, having tried Noodlers Eternal Black and Polar Blue I found that they dry up the nib and don't flow well if the pen is left even for a short while only. Reading horror stories of waterproof inks clogging up your pens also not v. encouraging (yes I know about cleaning regulalry!).

For a bit of variation (and Christmas cards) I got myself a bottle of Private Reserve Sherwood Green, which is a really nice colour but I found the drying time a drawback (lots of smudging and green fingers).

I am now keen to find out whether Diamine may be the way forward but have read that they are prone to fading...

Aurora sounds like a good choice but they only come in blue and black.

Is there the perfect ink? Nice colours, good flow, not too wet, waterproof, no fading...

Any thoughts appreciated.

Alas.... there is no perfect ink. Since you like colors other than blue or black, I think you should start by exploring the colors of Waterman, then move to Diamine, and only later to Private Reserve and Noodlers. You will have to make compromises. The ink with the right color may fade, or smear, or feather. The ink with the best performance may not have exactly the right color to satisfy you.

I would have to agree with CharlieB in that there is no perfect ink. I'm not concerned with the bulletproof concept. If I need permanence I use a G2.

It's definitely a personal decision, but if I could have only one fountain pen ink it would be Waterman Brown (Havana). It flows well, has good lubricity, and looks good on paper even after 10 or 15 years.

Mescoff

There is a lot of variability even between different inks in a line.

Diamine has many brilliant colors, but like you have seen, it is prone to fading. J Herbin is similar to Diamine in both these respects.

If you want waterproof ink, you'll either need to get a iron based blue-black or one of the Noodler's line. You'll be able to see lots of reviews on these on the boards if you search around.

Whatever the reason, it seems to be getting increasingly difficult to make sweeping characterizations about an entire line of inks. J. Herbin has many colors, and some are and some are not similar to some of Diamine's in regard to fading or water resistance. I like Diamine's flow and colors, but the admittedly few Diamine inks I've tried virtually disappeared with water; I have no knowledge about their fade resistance. Both Herbin's Rouge Caroubier and Diamine's Monaco Red fade almost away in water. Some others of Herbin's inks, though, are nearly indelible under all but extraordinary conditions. The Perle Noire, i.e., black, is completely fade resistant in my tests and nearly--not totally--water resistant in soaking tests (and remains mostly legible through dried ink puddles after splash tests). Aurora's black, btw, has almost the same water resistant attributes and seems, in my limited tests, also to be fade resistant. I don't think one can accurately tag all of Herbin's inks--or all the inks of any producer with the possible exception of Noodler's--with being water resistant or not being water resistant.

I'll second the recommendations for the Aurora inks, both of which have lovely colors and some of the best flow characteristics out there. Waterman also makes superb inks. I usually use Waterman's Florida Blue when I get a new pen. Not only does it not stain, but any resulting issue seems to be the pen rather than the ink. However, Noodler's is probably my favorite line of inks since Nathan offers properties that are just not avaliable anywhere else. If you want super-saturation I've been pleased with the American Eel line, which will also lubricate your piston. (My god, that sounds like some horrible euphemism. ) The only issue I've had with Noodler's is the Naval and Legal Lapis Waterproof/Eternal Lines irreversibly staining my demonstrator M200 pens. If you can't abide the Bulletproof chalky colors try mixing it with an ink whose shade you do like. Private Reserve makes an excellent mixing kit which is cheap ($8?) and comes with measuring cups and spare bottles for your custom creations. Good Hunting!

What is G2?

Mike

Pilot G2 gel ink disposable pen, available at any Rite-Aid.

Alas, just as the perfect fountain pen does not exist, neither does the perfect ink, but there are many good ones out there, Aurora are definately some of the best behaved, the visconti colours are also very good (the black is a tad thin though), pr also do some quick drying inks that may be useful for you.

I agree on the Waterman. That is what I did. I am new to bottled ink, and I knew that Waterman was good, so I have Waterman Blue, Green, Red, Purple, and Brown. Lone them all. I plan to venture out from there.
Just my 2 cents.