Waterproof Inks In The Uk?

[Rewpert]

Hey All,

 

I'm sure this question must have been asked before on here, but I could not find it so I thought I'd ask. Also, I'm still pretty new to this, so forgive any 'noobisms'.

 

I'm after a waterproof ink for addressing envelopes and writing checks. I live in the UK and it rains a lot and thus this has become a problem for me.

 

From my Googling, Noodlers black looks like the best bet, but so far as I can tell it is only available in the UK at silly prices. I could of course just bite the bullet and pay though the teeth for a bottle, but between the principle of the thing and that it will be a very specialised, limited use ink for me, I don't fancy doing that.

 

Can anyone direct me to somewhere in the UK I can get some Noodlers ink at a fair price?

 

Or failing that, can anyone suggest me an ink with similar properties available in the UK?

 

Or, you know, does anyone in ol' Blighty just happen to have half a bottle in the back of a cupboard somewhere that they never think they'll get around to using?

 

Cheers,

 

Rewpert.

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

Kindly consider the iron-gall Ecclesiastical Stationery Supplies Registars Ink (ESSRI) and Pelikan 4001 Blue-Black. Rohrer & Klingner offers their Documentus series, and their Sepia and I-G Salix & Scabiosa will survive a dunking, as will the Pilot/Namiki Blue & Blue-Black.

 

Kindly avail yourself of the entries in the Ink Review Forum, which most often include some sort of water resistance test.

 

Bye,

S1

Edited May 27, 2016 by Sandy1

[Noihvo]

I'd say scratch Noodler's (even though you can get several colours at http://www.purepens.co.uk), and look fore something more locally made. Diamine Registrars ink, Rohrer & Klingner's Salix (blue) ans Scabiosa (purple), Sailor's nano-pigment inks (though they may be out of your price range, though cheaper than importing Noodler's). Pelikan's Fount India is also rock hard, with the same type of pigments as Sailor's.

Edited May 27, 2016 by Noihvo

[carlos.q]

In addition to Sandy1's excellent suggestions you should also look into Montblanc Permanent Blue.

[martinbir]

May just be able to help. After years of on off looking I have finally found a completely waterproof ink which is not too troublesome and an acceptable colour - Montblanc Permanent Blue. However, after a while it really was too bright so I ended up getting a bottle of MB Perm Black and adding a tiny amount to get a sort of blue black - excellent and I love it.

 

But, I have little use for black ink and would be happy to pass some on. PM me if interested.

 

Martin

[Rewpert]

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

 

I'm sorted for a waterproof ink now thanks to Martin (Thanks again).

 

Hopefully I have now sent my last letter to be sent back again because the postman tried to deliver it in the rain.

 

Rewpert.

[twdpens]

Candle wax!

 

HTH,

 

Martin

[Sasha Royale]

Noodler's inks arrive in the UK at fair prices. The Inland Revenue boys levy some heavy duties on it, it does on many things. I wrote "Pelikan 4001 Blue-Black" on a piece of copy paper (using that exact ink). I left it to dry overnight. This morning, I dripped water on the words. Though touching the paper before it is dry will destroy the paper, The writing remains 98% intact.

 

I, too, use Noodler's Black to address envelopes. However, it seems Pelikan 4001 Blue-Black would serve as well. The Pelikan ink has excellent flow qualities. As Pelikan is German, and from inside the EU circle, availability and price should be better.

[The Good Captain]

4001 Blue-Black. What more can I say?

[Rewpert]

Candle wax!

 

HTH,

 

Martin

I must admit that I am intrigued by this idea. Please do explain.

 

 

And, although I am set for the time being, I wouldn't mind picking your brains a little more, if you'll indulge me a little further.

 

How does the waterproofness of Mont Blonc Permanent Black compare to Pelikan 4001 Black or Blue Black?

 

And a few places say Pelikan ink is iron gal, others say its not. Who's right? I've never used Iron Gal before - how bad does it chew up nibs?

 

Cheers,

 

Rewpert.

[ksm]

Don't be afraid of 4001 Blue Black, I've used it in Pelikan M200 long before I've learned the term 'pen hygiene'.

On the other hand those days I was member of 'one man, one pen' crowd, and went through a fill, with fine nib, in two to three days.

Edited May 28, 2016 by ksm

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

Our dear Martin, of The Writing Desk, suggested that candle wax be used as an overcoat for whatever was written with an ink that is not water resistant.

 

Simply take a candle, or a scrap of wax remaining from one, then rub it across the address.

 

Tried and true.

 

Bye,

Not Martin nor twdpens, just S1

Edited May 28, 2016 by Sandy1

[sciumbasci]

I must admit that I am intrigued by this idea. Please do explain.

 

 

And, although I am set for the time being, I wouldn't mind picking your brains a little more, if you'll indulge me a little further.

 

How does the waterproofness of Mont Blonc Permanent Black compare to Pelikan 4001 Black or Blue Black?

 

And a few places say Pelikan ink is iron gal, others say its not. Who's right? I've never used Iron Gal before - how bad does it chew up nibs?

 

Cheers,

 

Rewpert.

Was confused about the 4001 Blue Black as well - turns out FPN users (and pelikan's official site) confirmed it to have a small amount of Iron Gall

 

I don't know how is the postal system in the UK, but here, I have been asked not to use a fountain pen for envelopes: ballpoint or permanent marker instead.

Edited May 28, 2016 by sciumbasci

[twdpens]

I must admit that I am intrigued by this idea. Please do explain.

Sandy1 explained its use above. I was intentionally brief as sometimes a little self-research can help .

 

 

 

And a few places say Pelikan ink is iron gal, others say its not. Who's right? I've never used Iron Gal before - how bad does it chew up nibs?

If you trawl through the past discussion here (and I'm sure other places) on Pelikan 4001 blue/black of recent manufacture you'll find a lot of speculation as to its composition and whether it contains any ferro-gallic content. My own tests and those of others such as The Good Captain indicated that, basically, if it didn't contain iron gall it certainly behaved as if did! Thankfully Pelikan put us out of our misery around a year ago and came clean (on its website I think) to the effect that Pelikan 4001 blue/black is an IG ink after all. The whole of FPN rejoiced in this knowledge and the confirmation that we're not going mad. Well, no more than usual.

 

And, no, IG inks don't chew up fountain pen nibs. Modern IG inks made by companies such as Pelikan, Rohrer & Klingner and Diamine are very pen friendly.

 

HTH,

 

Martin

[jcgara]

Pelikan Blue-Black will work, but if you can get it in the UK, Noodler's 54th Massachusetts is pretty waterproof.

[randomist]

Pure pens offer discounts on Noodler's BPB with some pens, they just don't advertise it, it appears in your basket after adding the pen. Lamy Safari fountain pens qualify.

[Larry Barrieau]

Rubbing candle wax doesn't seem to be the answer. The envelope might get to the right place unscathed, but if it's wet enough to endanger the address, it's probably wet enough to wet the inside of the envelope too. So you would have to wax the whole letter. I think water resistant (proof) ink is the way to go.