Comparison - Noodler's #41 Brown :: 41 - 2012

[Sandy1]

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http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/b4a04182.jpg

 

- ♢ -

Please Note:

• Both inks were previously reviewed using Written Samples generated from the same pens and papers.
• This Comparison includes fewer samples than those Reviews, but hopefully enough to support the comparison process.

Figure 1. Pen Strokes.

Swabs were not used, rather the NIB-ism samples of down-strokes on HPJ1124 from the same six pens used for the Reviews are shown at the same scale - the pencil lines are 25mm apart.

 

Left Side: Original.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Comparison%20-%20Noodlers%2041%20Original%20TO%202012/a55cab56.jpg

 

WRITTEN SAMPLES - Moby Dick.

Ruling: 8mm.

 

Figure 2.

Paper: HPJ1124.

Left Side: Original.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Comparison%20-%20Noodlers%2041%20Original%20TO%202012/6cbab036.jpg

 

Figure 3.

Paper: Rhodia.

Left Side: Original.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Comparison%20-%20Noodlers%2041%20Original%20TO%202012/699f2193.jpg

 

 

 

Figure 4.

Paper: Staples 20lb.

Left Side: Original.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Comparison%20-%20Noodlers%2041%20Original%20TO%202012/ae19cfb0.jpg

 

 

☞ Figures 5 & 6 are my Personal Pen & Paper Picks made from the Written Samples for each ink.

I was taken aback that my choices are so different. Then again, I have more contradictions than my drawer of athletic socks.

 

Figure 5.

PP&PP for the Original was the Prelude on G Lalo.

Left Side: Original.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Comparison%20-%20Noodlers%2041%20Original%20TO%202012/879f6a92.jpg

 

Figure 6.

PP&PP for the 2012 was the C74 on Rhodia.

Left Side: Original.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Comparison%20-%20Noodlers%2041%20Original%20TO%202012/7e31ac94.jpg

 

 

OTHER STUFF

 

Figure 6.

Smear / Dry Times & Wet Tests.

Left Side: Original.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Comparison%20-%20Noodlers%2041%20Original%20TO%202012/5e6c922d.jpg

 

 

PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS

 

From the first Figure, it is apparent that the inks are very different. In most cases I would have just posted swabs then closed with a Gallic shrug and valediction of 'YMMV'. But not this time. Not really. (Although most readers may have left this Topic by now.)

 

 

USE

 

Business:

(From the office of Ms Blue-Black.)

• The Original was considered well-suited for much hand-written correspondence; and a contender for a daily writer ink.
• The 2012 was relegated to an 'alternate / auxiliary' ink.
• The stink of 2012 may result in one being removed from the premises by thugs in cheap suits.

Illustrations / Graphics:

• The Original has sufficient density to make it suitable as an alternative to Black, or could be played-off (counterpoint) against Black.
• The 2012 seems less likely to be used for primary figures; and somehow seems more likely to be used from a [dry] brush.
• Both inks have admirable line quality.
• The Original has a tendency to overload the paper, so that dye not bonded to cellulose comes adrift, making it less suitable for re-working with wet media.
  
• The Original has greater opacity and density, so the contrast between ink and paper is greater, which makes the line appear sharper on the page, an important consideration for taut narrow lines.

Students:

• If using a highly absorbent paper, such as the Staples 20lb, then both inks could be used for general notes. (See Figure 4.)

Personal:

• The Original is a keeper.
• Some of the 2012 will be kept. (OK OK - I know that to hand-off cold leftovers is not the best way to share.)

PERFORMANCE

• Much the same for both inks.
• The Smear/Dry Times are a cause for concern, so I leave it to other Members to chime in on that aspect. (Some have already done so in the Review of the Original N#41.)

THE LOOK

 

Presence:

• This is a primary difference: the Original is firm & inviting, the 2012 is warm & weaker.
• Espresso vs. Roobois.

Saturation:

• The Original has the strength to hold fast if diluted to a chosen density.
• The 2012 has low saturation, and cannot be diluted by much without losing its bottle.

Shading:

• The 2012 has much greater shading potential than the Original.

PAPER

• Neither ink shows significant limitation, though I would be tempted to use a fairly absorbent paper to deal with the S/DT.
• As the 2012 has shading potential, the use of hard/coated smooth-surface papers such as Rhodia or Clairefontaine Triomphe seems worth pursuing if one has dealt with the S/DT.

ETC.

 

Yickity Yackity

• I'm not happy.
• I am amongst those who would have paid the cost differential to keep the Original in production.
• The OOTE series of eleven keystone Brown inks is in distress.
• Ah kushbaby, is N41-2012 a harbinger of the Zombie Apocalypse?

= = = =

 

NUTS & BOLTS

 

Pens

Written Samples:

• Pelikan P99 Technix + steel F nib.
• Pilot Custom 74 + 14K № 5 SFM nib. (OoooLaLa)
• Parker 45 + steel M nib. (Staples 20lb. & Other Stuff)
• Sheaffer Prelude + factory stock steel Stub nib.

Lines & labels:

• Original - Pilot kiri-same from Pilot 'Lady' + H882 g-p steel F nib.
• 2012 - Parker Quink Blue-Black [sic] from a Pilot 78G.

______

 

Papers:

• HPJ1124 24 lb. Laser Copy.
• Rhodia.
• G Lalo, Verge de France, white.

______

 

Images

• Scans were made on an Epson V600 scanner; factory defaults were accepted.
• Figures shown were scanned at 200 dpi & 24 bit colour.
• To minimise variables in the presentation of images, new scans were made by placing the samples side-by-side on the scanner where possible, but if I wasn't happy with sideXside, the Adobe PhotoElements Panorama feature was used to make a composite of the new scans: Figures 2, 3, 6.
• Scans were not adjusted post-capture, other than dumb-down by APE, Photo Bucket and IP.Board s/w.

______

 

Densitometer Readings

______

 

Fine Print

The accuracy and relevance of this Comparison depends in great part upon consistency and reliability of matériel used.

Ink does not require labelling/notice to indicate (changes in) formulation, non-hazardous ingredients, batch ID, date of manufacture, etc.

As always, YMMV, not only from materials, methods, environment, etc., but also due to differences between the stuff I used, and that you may have.

Also, I entrust readers to separate opinion from fact; to evaluate inferences and conclusions as to their merit; and to be amused by whatever tickles your fancy.

 

-30-

Tags: Fountain Pen Ink Review Comparison Noodler's 41 forty-one Brown bulletproof 2012 Sandy1

Edited February 6, 2012 by Sandy1

[Sandy1]

LINKS:

 

Ink Review: Noodler's #41 Brown - Original: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/190272-noodlers-41/page__view__findpost__p__1922093

 

Ink Review: Noodler's 41 - 2012: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/213946-noodlers-41-2012-brown/

[IWantThat]

You should patent your reviews. They are that good I didn't realize the formulation of this ink had changed and was thinking of picking up a bottle. I'll look around a little harder for the 'old' formula, I think.

[MJ Vesuvius]

WOW they really are quite different. I have the original, and love it.

When it's used up I'll be on the prowl for something as deep, neutral, and water resistant ...

 

This is a case where the name really should have been changed...

 

Thanks for another useful and delightful review.

 

– MJ

[kiavonne]

I am very, very happy that I "hoarded" four bottles of the original formula when I found out it was being changed. Thank you for your EXCELLENT reviews, I very much appreciate the work you put into them.

 

 

 

Somewhere along the line, I suspect you were/are a submitter to a printed periodical.

Edited February 5, 2012 by kiavonne

[Sandy1]

You should patent your reviews. They are that good I didn't realize the formulation of this ink had changed and was thinking of picking up a bottle. I'll look around a little harder for the 'old' formula, I think.

Hi,

 

Thanks for the compliment!

 

I too am looking for the original stuff, alas no luck to date. IIRC, the original went out of production due to lack of [same-cost] source ingredients, then the 2012 was released with alternate ingredients which kept the cost consistent with the other Noodler's inks.

 

Bye,

S1

[Sandy1]

WOW they really are quite different. I have the original, and love it.

When it's used up I'll be on the prowl for something as deep, neutral, and water resistant ...

 

This is a case where the name really should have been changed...

 

Thanks for another useful and delightful review.

 

– MJ

Hi,

 

You're welcome!

 

I expected a minor variation, akin to an interesting interpretation of the same musical score, not a re-scoring of the main theme.

 

Bye,

S1

Edited February 5, 2012 by Sandy1

[raging.dragon]

I was also expecting minor changes.

 

To put it mildly, the 2012 variant is rather disappointing. Hopefully another worthy bulletproof (or equivalent) brown will come out before my stock of #41 is depleted.

[Sandy1]

I was also expecting minor changes.

 

To put it mildly, the 2012 variant is rather disappointing. Hopefully another worthy bulletproof (or equivalent) brown will come out before my stock of #41 is depleted.

Hi,

 

I was not enamoured by the new stuff. It seems an odd bundle of properties, some of which I like, such as shading, others I do not care for, such as the stench.

 

Being relatively pale, one must resort to wetter writers and/or more absorbent papers to drive the tone down to a level suited to business, etc. Not everyone has an array of pens nor might they choose their own paper in a business environment. Yet, the Original could be altered for different roles by simple dilution - at no cost.

 

Bye,

S1

[RudyR]

Is there any way to tell the 2012 from the original before making a purchase? Maybe some sort of item number or code?

[raging.dragon]

Is there any way to tell the 2012 from the original before making a purchase? Maybe some sort of item number or code?

 

Some vendors listed them separately. With others there's probably no way to tell.

[Maja]

I was also expecting minor changes.

 

To put it mildly, the 2012 variant is rather disappointing. Hopefully another worthy bulletproof (or equivalent) brown will come out before my stock of #41 is depleted.

I agree....I'm very disappointed in the 2012 variant. The original was one of my top 3 inks (along with PR Avacado and Noodler's Apache Sunset)

[Silent Speaker]

Is there any way to tell the 2012 from the original before making a purchase? Maybe some sort of item number or code?

I believe it says so on the label; something about a 2012 edition or somesuch (difficult to see if it's only a small stock picture though).

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Since I've only ever used the new variant (in a sample) I guess that I don't suffer the same disappointment as many here who have used the original. I'll still be kicking myself that I didn't snatch up one of the last bottles that had been floating around. All gone now, I'm afraid.

 

IMO, and though I can't compare it personally to the original, I don't find it to be, in itself, so bad. After all, it was the only brown ink that I could find that had those specialised Noodler's bulletproof properties and I didn't want to bother with the Platinum pigmented brown (which seems too light anyway).

 

Still, sad about the change, but at least there's something available, and not nothing at all.

 

It kinda smells of a sharpie marker - not quite as strong, but a definite 'whiff' of something similar.

 

Thanks for the review/investigation Sandy1; meticulously great as always!

[Sandy1]

✃ snip ✁

Since I've only ever used the new variant (in a sample) I guess that I don't suffer the same disappointment as many here who have used the original. I'll still be kicking myself that I didn't snatch up one of the last bottles that had been floating around. All gone now, I'm afraid.

 

IMO, and though I can't compare it personally to the original, I don't find it to be, in itself, so bad. After all, it was the only brown ink that I could find that had those specialised Noodler's bulletproof properties and I didn't want to bother with the Platinum pigmented brown (which seems too light anyway).

 

Still, sad about the change, but at least there's something available, and not nothing at all.

 

It kinda smells of a sharpie marker - not quite as strong, but a definite 'whiff' of something similar.

 

Thanks for the review/investigation Sandy1; meticulously great as always!

Hi,

 

You're welcome!

 

For the most part, I agree that N41-2012 is in itself not so bad.

 

I think that as consumers, we expect continual improvement - which is not always possible.

I try to clearly separate my opinion from 'fact', so I did not hide my personal opinion. So that readers can come to their own conclusions, I include oodles of written samples, and I typically respond to relevant replies.

 

If N41-2012 was not a sequel to the Original N#41, I like to think I would have given it much the same Review: the glass is half full (of luke warm roobois).

 

I agree that there had to be something better than Polar Brown, especially as the Platinum nano ink is of limited appeal.

 

Should I hold my breath for N41-2013?

Bye,

S1

[MrsGouletPens]

Is there any way to tell the 2012 from the original before making a purchase? Maybe some sort of item number or code?

 

Some vendors listed them separately. With others there's probably no way to tell.

They say 2012 on the bottle. At Goulet we only have the new - we haven't had the old version since last summer. I suspect they may be near impossible to find at this point.

[Scribblesoften]

I guess I missed out on the old #41. The 2012 #41 is one of my favorite inks. It is, as noted in the review, excellent in flexible nib pens providing interesting shading. I suspect the disappointment expressed might have been mitigated if Noodler's had named the ink something else. Naming it #41 made the comparison inevitable. Again, in it's own right the 2012 #41 is one of my favorites.

[Maja]

Is there any way to tell the 2012 from the original before making a purchase? Maybe some sort of item number or code?

 

Some vendors listed them separately. With others there's probably no way to tell.

They say 2012 on the bottle. At Goulet we only have the new - we haven't had the old version since last summer. I suspect they may be near impossible to find at this point.

Thanks for the quick reply here (and to my email sent yesterday!), Rachel!

[Bo Bo Olson]

S/DT???????

Always something to learn with fountain pens.

 

Being more interested in shading inks, the new ink can get put in the line of future buys.

 

Which of the brown shading inks does it resemble?

Cafe des Iles?

[Scribblesoften]

S/DT???????

Always something to learn with fountain pens.

 

Being more interested in shading inks, the new ink can get put in the line of future buys.

 

Which of the brown shading inks does it resemble?

Cafe des Iles?

For me in light writing flex nibs it is almost a sepia with good shading. In wet pens it is just a saturated brown. I have not used Cafe des Iles but I think the colors represenations in Sandy's review are quite accurate.

[Sandy1]

I guess I missed out on the old #41. The 2012 #41 is one of my favorite inks. It is, as noted in the review, excellent in flexible nib pens providing interesting shading. I suspect the disappointment expressed might have been mitigated if Noodler's had named the ink something else. Naming it #41 made the comparison inevitable. Again, in it's own right the 2012 #41 is one of my favorites.

Hi,

 

Thanks for letting us know of your experience with the N41 - 2012!

 

If you are referring to my Review/s, neither the Original or current version was sampled with a flexi nib. I did use the Pilot Custom 74 with a Soft Fine-Medium (SFM) nib, which has a wee bit of line-width variation, but not in the order of a flexi nib such as the Waterman 52 1/2 V used (poorly) in some of my other Reviews.

 

Ah, I reckon that I would've been disappointed in any subsequent bulletproof Brown that didn't match or improve upon the original N#41, regardless of name. A rose is a rose is a rose.

 

I am very glad that you do like the N41 - 2012!

 

Bye,

S1

Edited February 13, 2012 by Sandy1