Diamine Graphite

[DanielCoffey]

INK : DIAMINE GRAPHITE

PAPER : RHODIA #16 A5 white lined

PEN : Onoto Magna 261 Medium nib tweaked for wet flow by John Sorowka (Oxonian).

Scanner : IT8-calibrated Epson V600 flatbed
Colour Space : Adobe RGB
Matte : 50% grey and 100% white
Post-process : Unsharp Mask

Colour Balance : Neutral

http://www.dcoffey.co.uk/images/fountainpennetwork/ReviewGraphite.jpg

WATER RESISTANCE : One thing I wish to point out immediately is that I changed my mind about the water-resistance of this ink between the quick test I did when writing this page and the proper drip and soak test I did afterwards. I found that once dry, Diamine Graphite is significantly water-resistant. A little of the colour lifts but what is left behind is very clearly legible.

DRYING TIME : Fairly long, particularly since I use a nib and feed adjusted for very wet flow. In the order of 30s even on copy paper.

BLEED THROUGH : I saw moderate bleed-through on Pukka 80gsm copy paper and even a little on Rhodia. It was just the odd tiny pinprick showing through but it was visible

Here is a close-up of the swab.

http://www.dcoffey.co.uk/images/fountainpennetwork/ReviewGraphiteSwab.jpg

Diamine Graphite does have a greenish tinge in my opinion. This is clearly visible when rinsing any pen parts as the washing water will show a green colour.

And a close-up of the shading.

http://www.dcoffey.co.uk/images/fountainpennetwork/ReviewGraphiteShade.jpg

Shading was only slight as this is a medium-saturation ink.

Water tests were interesting...

http://www.dcoffey.co.uk/images/fountainpennetwork/ReviewGraphiteWater.jpg

The ink was fairly water-resistant and clung to the paper strongly.

[alvinlum]

wow, this gray looks beautiful. Never though diamine have any water resistant inks other than the registrar.

[DanielCoffey]

This (and Grey) was a surprise to me too. I know Diamine Prussian Blue has a grey component that clings well in soapy water too.

Edited May 7, 2013 by DanielCoffey

[alexander_k]

Great review. It's one of the inks I might return to but more from the green viewpoint. Diamine Grey is all the grey I need.

[georges zaslavsky]

Very nice grey, looks almost black. Thanks for the review

[notimetoulouse]

Thanks for your review Daniel. Just as I was letting some moths out of my wallet to buy Diamine Grey ( I bought a 30ml bottle and loved it), I decided to see what you thought of Graphite, and.... I'm stuck in the paralysis of analysis again.

I've already got MB Oyster, so I think I'm going to go with Graphite as my monthly treat. Oh, and Teal also, because you have already sold me on that.

Must:

i) stop reading your reviews and then dashing off to buy more ink, or

ii) buy another ink shelf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone on FPN good with shelves?

Edited June 18, 2013 by notimetoulouse

[MyDarnSnakeLegs]

I'm a big fan of this ink. It's one of the few greys that I really like using day-to-day.

[lapis]

Nice review as always. There sure are lots of greys out there, but none like this (I think). What I like about it is the slightly green hue.

 

Hugh

[DanielCoffey]

And for those who don't like the green, there is Diamine Grey. If folks want something a little darker there is Diamine Jet Black.

 

3-Up Comparison : https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/245280-comparison-diamine-grey-graphite-and-jet-black/

[Gloucesterman]

Really like your review - content and style.

 

Very thorough and easily read with excellent images.

 

Thank you,

[DanielCoffey]

I think it was well worth paying for the colour calibration sheet for the scanner when I bought it. It always does a very fine job of showing the on-paper colour.

[papen]

Not usually a grey fan, but...

 

thanks for your review and keeping this ink on my mind.

[mhm802]

+1 another fan of this lovely ink. I adore the subtle green undertone.