What's Your Best 'i Want It All' Ink For Fine Nibs

[heraldstorm]

Yeah so I'm probably asking for what I can't have. I want a saturated, thick, ink that sticks together enough to stay on top of the paper, flows well but isn't a fire hose, and I want it in a fine or extra fine nib (my penmanship is too poor for me to use Medium or Broad nibs). The Pens I use most are the Pilot Vanishing point (oh man what engineering can do these days) and the TWSBI 540 - 580.

 

The TWSBI nibs (German I think) seem to have a more lustrous characteristic to them, especially on smooth paper. Obviously the Vanishing Point Fine nib (which is more like an Extra Fine on steroids, from an Asian nib perspective) is fairly toothy. I can't really say it's like writing with a nail (Hi, Lamy) but because the thing is so thin, it is, by nature, very scratchy. I do use wove paper to help minimize that (Rhodia is fantastic stuff) but I really am trying to hit the glassy feeling, while dropping deep color on the page (not into the page, so not too wet) but no skipping allowed.

 

Any suggestions? Currently the closest I can get is Aurora Black. Pelikan Black is a bit too cohesive, just doesn't flow well enough, and the Diamine varies depending on the color.

 

Thanks in advance!

-Herald

[Floreat]

De Atramentis inks have worked well in my TWSBI EF nibbed 580, I've tried about three of them and they all performed well

[ac12]

I use Waterman and Cross/Pelikan inks.

As you noticed, the Pelikan inks need a wet pen to flow enough ink.

I use either Waterman (wet) or Pelikan (dry) to match the flow characteristic of the pen.

Dry pen get Waterman, wet pen gets Pelikan.

[MarcS]

i like private reserve inks in my fine point pens. very saturated, so even the thin lines show great color--no faint, washed-out appearance. no flow problems so far in parker, cross, and waterman.

[biancitwo]

Iroshizuku Asa Gao is wonderful with every nib. My favorite nibs are broad italics, but I use obliques, a couple of fines and an extra fine. Asa Gao is great every time. It has good flow, saturated color, and excellent lubrication. The last four 50mm bottles I found a eBay for around $17 each. Nothing touches it. Pens often dictate some of an ink's characteristics. Asa Gao dictates its characteristics virtually with every nib. And, it is beautiful.

[Buzz_130]

In my experience, the Japanese inks work very well in fine and extra-fine nibs. However, they don't really meet your requirements of "saturated and thick."

 

Buzz

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

Visconti Blue

Private Reserve Black Magic Blue

 

Bye,

S1

[VivienR]

Diamine Imperial Purple, love it with fine nib, but seems bit dark with medium. In black, the Platinum Carbon Black is surprisingly well behaving ink, it flows really well.

[WaskiSquirrel]

I wonder if Noodler's Black or Noodler's X-Feather might work for you?

[bstnnyc]

Hello, J. Herbin 1670 Bleu Ocean is my go to ink for my finer nibs that need a little extra TLC and I recently tried and had a very good experience with Pelikan Edelstein Tanzanite. Both have a good flow, provide a smooth writing experience, are well behaved and pretty saturated yet easy to clean from a pen.

[heraldstorm]

Thanks to everyone for your input. It seems ink preferences vary widely with personal preference. I had hoped to see something begin to stand out as a unanimous cut above the rest, but I will certainly look into Private Reserve and some of the more reputable Japanese inks. I've not tried some of the Japanese stuff due my shyness at their price. I have not really looked into any of the Private Reserve inks because I was scratching a Diamine itch. They have so many colors to try!!!

 

Thanks again for your time and considered replies.

-Herald