Franklin-Christoph Second Generation Inks

[visvamitra]

Please,allow me to start by saying thank you mmg112 for sending me samples of all new Franklin-Christoph's writing fluids (and much more!). I appreciate it a lot and I hope the reviews I've prepared are enough to repay you

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Franklin-Christoph is one of fairly new pen makers. I had three of their pens and they were all good writers. The company is headed by Scott Franklin and operates from North Carolina. I like company's approach to clients (sales directly to us) and they're designs.

Franklin-Christoph offers not only pens but also notebooks, pen cases, wallets and inks. I was huge fan of Olde Emerald from first generation of their inks. It used to be my favourite ink for a while. At the moment however the bottle's long gone and I keep fond memories of this exceptional writing fluid.

I was surprised to hear they've stopped producing first generation of their inks, especially after I took a look at new colors. First generation colors were rather unique, second generation colors are rather generic. And that's not an advantage to my eyes. Being boring in ink market may be safe when you're Pelikan or Sheaffer, but for smaller player it's risky. Just my opinion.

If you happen to know who makes they're ink, I'm eager to know.

The second generation of FC inks counts eight inks with uninteresting names (Black Magic, Dark Denim, Olde Emerald - those were cool names; Blue 72, Emerald 357 are NOT cool names)

1. Blue 72
   
2. Brown 732
   
3. Classic Black
   
4. Dark Chocolate
   
5. Emerald 357
   
6. Midnight Emerald
   
7. Noir et Bleu
   
8. Red 187
   

All together

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Ink Splashes

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Calendar, Hero 5028, stub 1,9

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http://imageshack.com/a/img540/1872/rBwQ75.jpg

Midori, Hero 5028, stub 1,9

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Copy paper, Kaweco Sport Classic, B

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/3867/SLibls.jpg

TeNeues, Kawedo Sport Classic, B

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/9568/DDlWJw.jpg

Calendar, Kaweco Sport Classic, B

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Waterproofness

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/170/NIYvRt.jpg

Summary

In my opinion Franklin-Christoph made strange move with introducing this inks. Their other products are quite unique and offer some classic, yet fresh designs. They are as well targeted on fountain pen enthusiasts who are eager to learn about companies other than Pelikan, Sheaffer and Waterman. Basically to people who are educated and start to define their taste in pens and seek something elegant and unique in the same time. Why then offer boring, generic color every ink maker has in offer? This I can't understand.

Would I consider buying any of these inks? No.

Two colors I find nice are Red and Dark Chocolate. Brown looks quite nice in broad nib. But then I have plenty of browns and reds and FC inks don't stand out in any way.

I hope third generation will be unique because I really enjoy the company's other doings and I enjoy their products. Except for these inks.

PS: Please remember the inks are well behaved and they have good writing proprieties. Don't mix my cold feelings toward the colors with bad quality Quality is good.

Edited July 12, 2015 by visvamitra

[Frank C]

i voted for Midnight Emerald. It was the only one that stood out to me. But it didn't stand out much.

[migo984]

I haven't voted. Don't like any of them enough to have a preference. They are exceptional in their ordinariness.

[mmg122]

Excellent summary, Vis. Thanks for reviewing FC's inks.

[amberleadavis]

Vis thank you for your honest feedback and insight!

[inkstainedruth]

I didn't vote, but the Red, Brown, and Noir et Bleu look nice.
I'd be interested to see how they compare, behavior-wise, (and price) to some other inks, but I agree -- the colors seem pretty ordinary (and the Blue looks relatively awful -- can't make up its mind if it wants to be Waterman Mystery Blue or Quink Washable Blue).

Franklin-Christoph generally has a table at DCSS, so I may scope the inks out when I'm there. But I'm on a pretty tight budget this year -- most of the discretionary funds are going to pen repairs -- so whether I pick up much else (like ink) is somewhat debatable....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[delano]

I like seeing all the colors together. I agree with the OP -- wouldn't buy any of them, although the red and the midnight emerald might tempt me a bit

[moms daughter]

I voted for midnight emerald but have not tried it. I am very disappointed that they joined the generic. I LOVE olde emerald and am very happy that I splurged and bought a second bottle before my first was only half gone.

I was so exited about the future of their colors--olde emerald hinted that they would be able to come up with other beautiful colors. But not so. I'm very sad. I have several of their pens and like them very much. And, as said above, the inks are well behaved.

[visvamitra]

Yes, Olde Emerald was stunning. The flow wasn't breathtaking but the color really had it.

[J85909266]

The only colors I like, at all, are Noir et Bleu and Dark Chocolate.

 

I already love Diamine Macassar, so I have little use for Dark Chocolate.

 

Noir et Bleu is fairly unique in tone and color for a BL/BLK. I pick that as the most interesting of the lot, though that doesn't say much.

[77kath]

I had a sample of dark chocolate which I used in a Delta with a stub Fusion nib. I thought it was OK. Then I ran out. Put something else in the pen and it balked. Don't remember what it was, but the color was also pretty bland. Some Herbin Lie du The saved the day, but I will be ordering some dark chocolate soon. Hmm. I'm getting thirsty.

[Dr. Saleem Ali]

Emerald 357 and Dark chocolate are good-looking but whats classic in classic black ?

[PS104]

From the comments it sounds like some up-and-comer had a bright idea.

And the suits bought it

[DrDebG]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I have only tried Emerald and Midnight Emerald, and I love them both. I am also interested in their two newest colors, Black Cherry and Tenebris Purpuratum.