Hi folks,

I'm awaiting the arrival of a Raw Ebonite Densho and I'd really like to fill it with the right ink-- which strikes me as a black cherry for that Japanese flavour. Not too keen on the PR version having seen the reviews.

This is my inspiration for the colour! (not my bike, tho)




So what ink??????

Thanks for all your thoughts. And, of course, it would be fun to hear other thoughts on what colours would work in an understated Japanese pen . . .

Ralf

You could have a look at reviews on Diamine Ruby and Monaco Red as a starter..... not sure about other makes though at this point.

How about Private Reserve's Black Cherry?

Also maybe Noodler's Tiananmen would be suitable.

I would take a red and add a little black to it (start off with tiny amounts of black and keep going until you get the shade you like). Noodler's Red-Black might work, but depending on the nib it can look more brown than red.

Simon

I'd recommend trying Private Reserve Burgundy Mist, as well.

Thanks for the ideas! How about something completely off the wall-- anything I should consider? :-)

Hmm, this is a tough one, but how about a fuschia-colored ink with a tiny dot of black (definitely not a black with an underlying green tone) and a just a bit of bright red added? Noodler's Shah's Rose or Saguaro Wine might give you the cooler temperature side of the a dark red that I'm seeing from the bike picture on my monitor. That is, if you don't like the rustiness of a lot of dark red inks. Just a thought. Happy mixing and congrats on your new Densho!

It depends on how your tastes run, but away from the reds, I'd say Noodler's Walnut would be very classy, while Noodler's Forest Green would be striking but still a bit subtle.

A little flashier would be Noodler's Wampum, Caran d'Ache's Storm, or FPN's Tulipe Noire (all similar in color). On the other side, you could do what I do with my Hanryo, which is keep it filled with Noodler's bulletproof Black.

Edited to add: Not sure what you've heard about PR's Black Cherry, but it works very well for me in a Lamy Safari F. Lays down a smooth almost-black line with nary a skip. It would be fun in your Densho.

I have been very happy with Noodles Antitium with a few drops of PR Black Cherry added, it is quite close to the color of my Danitrio Mikado.

Mike

PR Black Cherry or Burgundy Mist, which is more of a wine red.

====

Noodler's Habanero
Yellow
Turquoise
Widow Maker
Upper Ganges Blue w/Lamy green added to it.

satrap
why be normal?

Haha sorry, I only just realised that you said not PR Black Cherry in the first post

But actually, it's not that bad... I've got a bottle of it and like it.

Thanks for all the fabulous replies . . . I've got lots of fun projects now!

Take care,

R.

I'm going to add my 2 cents on PR Black Cherry. In a B or wet M nib, I get a terrific cherry juice ink color. In a dry or finer nib, I get almost black. So, this ink really has a lot of range depending on the nib. It's one of my favorites in a B nib that I keep loaded.