I am trying to use my fountain pens to draw in a Moleskine sketchbook. It seems that no matter what ink I choose, the ink tends to bead on the paper and it takes a very long time to dry. The ink just doesn't want to behave well on this paper. Has anyone else had this experience? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

I've had the same problem with lots of inks on Moleskine sketchbook paper. I did find, though, that Mont Blanc Burgundy (or is it called Bordeaux?) worked better than most. Omas Grey was also quite good, but only with a very fine nib, in my experience.
Neil

Further to my previous comment, I've just discovered that Diamine Prussian Blue also works very well on Moleskine sketchbook paper. (I was using it in a Sheaffer Touchdown with a medium nib, by the way.)
Neil

My comment isn't about the sketch book, but rather about the journal. I really like it and have problems with bleeding and feathering. I just acquired a bottle of Noodlers black on the recommendations of ppl in this forum as a solution. I'm about to try it as soon as I finish my current journal.

Have you tried any Noodlers inks?

I use Noodler's black (and Purple Martin, and Red-Black, and Ott Rose) in my moleskine all of the time.

I've had slight bleed issues with the wetter pens and the rose and purple, but not yet with the black or red-black.

I do prefer fine and extra-fine nibs, though. Heavier nibs almost always bleed for me.

Noodler's works great for me w/ a Lamy XF nib and Namiki F and M nibs.

Chris

My theory is that smooth nibs and non-saturated inks are usually trouble.
It is not totally in agreement with experiments Today I have and I just tried on the Sketchbook:

The good:
- Sheaffer Snorkel FX3 (extra fine flex) with Pelikan Royal Blue - No beeding no feathering.
- Sheaffer Snorkel fine with Noddlers Navaho Turquoise - No beeding no feathering.
- Esterbrook Relief 3-L wet stub with Sheaffer Skrip Black - No beeding - no feathering

The bad:
- Rotring Core fine with Waterman Blue - Ink beeding - no feathering
- Waterman Liaison fine with Waterman Blue - Ink beeding - no feathering
- Bexley Equipoise broad (ultra smooth) Waterman Blue Black - Terrible beeding, no feathering

I haven't had any trouble w/ Noodler's inks and F and XF nibs. What size nibs are you using? They may be laying down too much ink for the Moleskine paper to handle.

Check out this link for pens that work well with notebooks and journals:

http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/15776

Randy

I've used a variety of pens and inks in my journal (moleskine). Never had any problems with feathering or bleeding. Wouldn't it really depend upon the pen (how 'wet' a writer it is?). All my pens have medium nibs. Maybe I'm fortunate that all my pens are relatively uniform (neither 'wet' nor 'dry').

I've used PR Naples Blue, PR Midnight Blue, Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black and (now my primary choice) Noodler's Legal Lapis. I have a bottle of Luxury Blue on the way (although the reviews have been mixed, I wanted to try this ink for myself). I still haven't gravitated to the other colors (yeah, I'm boring) sticking primarily to blue, blue-black, and black inks.

I say ditto on the Noodlers Black.

I've never had any problems. Sometimes I have to not be quick to turn the page, but most my pens are very wet writers.


The archival quality combination of Noodlers and Moleskine are like penut butter and jelly. I find it hard to write with my pens outside of anything Moleskine. Does any body have any suggestions they might throw in as they reply to this topic about cheap good writing paper?

An English company called Mulberry produce a fine loose leaf journal/ diary similar to a Filofax in large and pocket size. The stationery for them is very good quality. I use a large version on my bench to make all sorts of mock up notes and jottings linked to my cabinetmaking hobby

They've just come out with new sketchbooks in the reporters' notebook style, specifically designed for watercolors. Anyone use those yet, to see how they fare with FP ink?