Some Ink Colour Perform Poorly When Flex?

[twomartoe]

So, I was using an indian ebonite pen with a zebra g nib. Its been brilliant with the pelikan 4001 green, no pooling, very little railroading when flexed fully going at moderate speed.

Today, decided I want a different ink and switched to Diamine autumn oak. Will not flex fully and railroads even with minimal flex, going at slow speed. Was thinking nib and feed wasnt agreeing somehow and spent lots of time fiddling around with that. Gave up and tried Diamine Crimson. And flex has no problems! WOW.

 

I like the diamine autumn oak in broad nibs. Great shading.

But whats in it thats giving me flexing grief?

Edited June 8, 2016 by twomartoe

[amberleadavis]

I think (and I could be wrong because I don't use many flex nibs), that you need a really wet ink for great flex. Autumn Oak is a dry ink. I think the surfactant is what makes the ink perform better on the flex nib.

[lgsoltek]

Some inks are too dry or too watery to be used in flex nibs. They cause constant railroading. Autumn Oak is the driest ink I've ever used. And most regular J. Herbin inks are too watery. With watery inks, the ink just quickly dripped from the nib onto paper.

Edited June 7, 2016 by Lgsoltek

[twomartoe]

good to know. Will try some surfactant and report back. Will Gum Arabic do any good? Also does ink shade well because its drier?

[Ergative]

good to know. Will try some surfactant and report back. Will Gum Arabic do any good? Also does ink shade well because its drier?

 

Gum arabic isn't a surfectant; it makes ink thicker and flow more slowly. Also, I don't think it's a good idea to add it to something with an internal mechanism or feed. It could gum up the works badly. I only ever use it for dip pens.

[lgsoltek]

good to know. Will try some surfactant and report back. Will Gum Arabic do any good? Also does ink shade well because its drier?

No don't put gum Arabic in an ink that you'll put into a fountain pen! However, you can add gum Arabic to a fountain pen ink to make it thick enough for dip pens.

[twomartoe]

Ok tried ox gall liquid as a surfactant. Its works up to a point. Interestingly, Shading in the diamine autumn oak is not as apparent as before. The theory is that the surfactant slows down drying time and therefore aids/ or through being a surfactant, makes the ink spread evenly when wet. I guess drier ink will dry quicker therefore 'freezing' the colour on paper.

 

I love to hear from any long term experience with mixing off the self ox gall liquid.

Edited June 9, 2016 by twomartoe