Noodler's X-Feather On Laid Paper?

[BBU]

Hey guys.

 

I am planning to write a letter in a few days with a Noodler's black ink. Unfortunately, the regular black that I had my heart set on just isn't going to be available locally in time because of weather and shipping complications. I might have to buy X-Feather instead, and though I've read about it extensively, I'd just like to know if anyone has tried it on laid paper, which is known to be highly absorbent or "thirsty".

 

So far, I know that X-Feather:

• has long dry times
• is somehow more viscous than most inks (but this applies to Noodler's inks in general?)
• is drier, less lubricated and spreads less than HOD and Bad Black Moccasin (I prefer thinner lines as long as there's no skipping)

I use a pen that varies wildly in its flow, but most people call it a dry pen (Nemosine Singularity with 0.6 mm stub). X-Feather is surely not useful for smooth papers like Clairefontaine, but since laid paper is more or less the exact opposite in characteristics, I am theorizing that it could be suitable for my needs based on how the qualities of the ink and paper match up. In contrast, some people have had trouble using fine nibs, stubs, or dry inks on G. Lalo Vergé de France because of its texture, and maybe other reasons.

 

I'm in a bit of a rush so I hope someone can vouch for this combination of materials. If it comes down to it, I could still buy a few samples of the regular black instead of a new bottle of X-Feather, but I would be under a lot of stress if the absorbency of the paper or the limited amount of ink caused me to run out before I'm finished writing.

 

Also, if anyone has used it, about how many hours should one allocate for drying to prevent smearing? I understand that laid paper should make drying less of an issue, but this is X-Feather, after all.

 

Thank you.

[michaellunsford]

I used Feather-X on G. Lalo almost exclusively until recently. It's a great combination. No flow problems to speak of, except on one of the very small Noodler's Creeper Flex pens (but that pen has flow problems with anything I've put in it). The Ahab flex I use regularly can put down a nice thick line on the G. Lalo with no noticeable feathering or bleed through. Never tried a truly fine nib with it, though.

 

Also never had any trouble with Feather-X on slick papers. The dry time can be a challenge on the slick stuff, but I've used blotter paper with great success when patience was running thin. Overall, love Feather-X.

 

Likewise on G. Lalo, I've used Bernanke Black & Blue without any problems; and Bernanke will feather and bleed on the few slick papers I tried it with.