Deep Sea Green - Graf Von Faber-Castell

[visvamitra]

Graf von Faber-Castell was founded in 1761 and developed into the major manufacturer of wood-cased pencils. With time they started to offer much broader range of products. Few years ago company's introduced six inks. Recently they've added three new colors to the line.

 

1. Carbon Black
2. Cobalt Blue
3. Deep Sea Green
4. Garnet Red
5. Hazelnut Brown
6. Midnight Blue
7. Moss Green
8. Royal Blue
9. Stone Grey

One of new colors is Deep Sea Green. I dislike such colors but there was quite a lot of hype about this one. I've tried it and I must say I'm really disappointed. I was sure I wouldn't like the color. That's OK. We're different and have different tastes. As long as the ink is good, it'll find its afficionados. In this case however I can't imagine why someone would praise Deep Sea Green.

 

Not only the ink feels dry and doesn't deliver pleasant writing experience, it's also rather muted. It lacks lubrication, it lacks saturation. For me it's one of worst inks I've tried in a while, especially given it's supposed to be premium product.

 

Maybe is extremely wet flex nibs it could look better. But in regular pens it just doesn't deliver.

 

Fail.

 

Drops of ink on kitchen towel

Software ID

Tomoe River, Kaweco Classic Sport, B

Leuchtturm 1917, Kaweco Classic Sport, B

Rhodia, Graf von Faber-Castell Guilloche, F

Oxford, Duke, F/M

Water resistance

 

Edited January 10, 2016 by visvamitra

[Misfit]

It reminds me a bit of Iroshizuku Syo-Ro. I got a small bottle of it. So far, it's disappointing, but I've only tried it with a stub nib pen.

 

Thank you for the review. It's very thorough.

[sakayume]

Thanks for the review. I really like this kind of faded blue-green colour, but I'm glad I waited on getting a bottle if it's dry and lacking lubrication.

[gylyf]

Shame about the performance, as I quite like the color...

[Uncial]

I can't say my experience of it was particularly dry. I quite like what they have done with this. I think they were aiming at a more 'vintage' style of an ink, if that makes sense, with a slightly more watery feel to it that is somewhat like some of the J Herbin inks. Due to the watery nature it is certainly not saturated and doesn't feel as lubricated as other inks, but I do like it. It reminds me a lot of Bungbox Fujiyama Blue - it's very subtle and aims towards a really, very good shading in an unusual colour.

[AndyYNWA]

Nice review.

 

To me it's too pale.

[lgsoltek]

I'd rather use Syo-ro.

[Manalto]

About 75% of the inks named green I see as blue. My monitor? My eyes? Hey, maybe it's them. But, why?

 

Thanks for the helpful review. I have Noodler's 'Bad-belted Kingfisher' for the rare occasion when the mood strikes for this color family.

Edited January 10, 2016 by Manalto

[pkotrcka]

Thanks for the review :-) Good job.

[swanjun]

Thanks for the warning. I like the color and was thinking of ordering a bottle, but now I'll wait 'til samples are available in the US.

[Abner C. Kemp]

Ew, I'll steer very clear of this one. Thanks for the review.

[migo984]

I like this ink. It reminds me of Maruzen Athena Nihombashi Kirin

 

 

Edited January 10, 2016 by migo984

[attika89]

I agree that it would be nice if it was more lubricated, but other than that I like this ink. It can shade really nicely!

[amberleadavis]

I avoided it based on color, but your review saved me, thank you!

[Rach31]

I am not shocked at the muted color, garnet has that dusky look to it. (It isn't make your eyes bleed red.) I like the way it looks in the finer nibs, but it would be interesting to see how it changes with a flex nib. I have ordered a bottle, but I also have my EF nibs tuned to be dry writers, so I guess I am not the best judge of ink stuff.

[SUNIL GARG]

I liked this ink. Just as I like the Iroshi Syo Ro. While Syo Ro is a little brighter & a little greener.

GvFC Deep Sea Blue Green is on the dark bluish side.

[DaveBj]

Count me among the steer-clears. Thanks for the review; excellent work, as usual.

[oldrifleman]

An update to this, I just tried some of this and while the color was Ok, this ink was very dry/rough writing. I was using a platinum izumo stub and it was like there was zero lubricants in the ink. Wrote about a half page and cleaned the pen. Put in my favorite green ( bung box forest) and it was back to it's normal smooth self.

[chromantic]

Thanks, vis. I like the color, though probably not enough to order a bottle.

 

ETA: Found a 6-pack for $4.50 on ebay so I'll give it a try.

Edited March 26, 2017 by chromantic

[hilsedwards]

£25.00/bottle; I think I'll give this a miss