Ink Review Tools

[Nate_Emmi]

Alright, bear with me for a moment, to all of those that test and compare fountain pen inks, do you have a standard or base (control is the scientific word isn't it?) when you review an ink? Like a pen you always use? or a glass dip pen? or even a dip nib pen? and paper, do you use a paper that'll show the TRUE colors of a pen, or do you use the paper that you're most likely to use? (a journal/diary). I'm trying to decide between a batch of colors and wanted to compare them in the most accurate and fair way.

[The Good Captain]

I usually use a Rhodia No 16 pad, lined or dot. I've a couple of Lamy Safari pens with M nibs that I use as 'dippers' when I'm doing my ink comparisons or whatever, flushing out with a rubber bulb between inks and making sure the paper towel is completely unstained before moving on.

Sometimes I will do a short review with a filled pen but that's usually one that is destined for that particular ink and not one of the Safaris. I use Clairefontaine, Leuchtturm, Moleskine and Rhodia notebooks so have been known to cut a sheet out of the back of them if I really want to show what an ink will do, like my Salamander review. Generally speaking, I wouldn't do a test with a paper that only was available in limited areas or countries.

[luminesce]

Currently, my comparisons are exploratory, so I use the variety of pens and papers that I use everyday and my ink journal is more of an annotated scrapbook of different combinations of pens, inks, papers and scripts.

If you are trying to choose between a batch of colours, what is the purpose of your choice? For instance, if you're testing red inks for marking students, how will it help you to know how the ink looks on Rhodia when no student will submit work on Rhodia?

Your test needs to reflect your application. If you have multiple uses in mind or are looking for general everyday usage, then multiple tests may be in order.

[Pentulant]

I try to always use the same pen,,,Lamy Safari....though nib width may vary. I also try to test on a few different papers to appreciate the differences.

[Mr Rob]

I don't do FPN ink reviews anymore, but when I'm evaluating inks for my own use, I try to use the same pen (Pilot 78G, medium nib using cartridges refilled with a syringe) and the same set of papers (HP Laserjet 24 lb., Staples bagasse, and a lower-tier paper such as Staples Multipurpose). I will usually settle on a passage of text (about half a page) to write out on the various papers to get a feeling for flow, lubrication and overall writing experience. For testing dry times, I use Staples bagasse since it seems to be less absorbent and tends to lengthen dry times. I test dry times in 5-second intervals from 5 to 40. I also do swabs of inks to get a better idea of the color.

 

But sometimes things conspire against me. I received a sample of Noodler's Liberty's Elysium and noticed how close it was to PR Lake Placid Blue, so I thought I'd compare the two. After I finished with the Noodlers, I cleaned my pen, filled up with the PR ink and to my dismay, it all but dripped onto the paper. So I filled another 78G/medium and found the flow rather dry, which more or less invalidates my comparison. I suspect a cartridge seating problem with the other pen, so I may give it another try with a different cartridge.

 

My suggestion is to use a paper that you will most likely use every day and use that same paper for all your ink comparisons. Do writing samples and maybe swabs on a single sheet so you can see how the colors compare with each other. But also spend time writing out longer passages of text, because the writing experience is important and it's hard to get a good feel for that by only writing a line or two.

 

Have fun with your comparisons!

[WirsPlm]

I separate inks and pens buy purpose, so I try to match up pens and inks based on type but don't worry about specific ones. I do try to test on different kinds of paper with the same ink and pen though.

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

I prefer to use an array of pens & papers.

 

For each basic colour group, I try to use at least two if not three pens consistently, then add a few others to the cadre. They are chosen to demonstrate how an ink looks and performs from a range of pens based both on nib width and pen wetness, plus a Stub/CI; and if I am feeling particularly reckless, I'll even add a flex-ish nib to the mix. I am adverse to using glass or steel dip pens, yet I do learn something about an ink from those who choose to use such.

 

Papers are chosen to be representative of basic types: a good quality utility paper, a common FP-friendly writing paper, a quite absorbent paper and a laid paper. Those also have various base tints and amounts of optical brightening agents. I recently started to use a 'lowest bidder' paper to provide a best guess of performance on such paper, which can be very inconsistent.

 

By being fairly consistent in choice of materials, I feel that quite valid comparisons amongst inks can be made, such as the OOTT series. https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/196998-one-of-the-ten-blue-inks/

 

Bye,

S1

[amberleadavis]

Lately, my reviews are much more whimsical and report my observations.

 

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Inklings/slides/2013-Ink_509.jpg

[amberleadavis]

Also, I keep sheets of "what is inked today" ....

 

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Inklings/slides/2013-Ink_525.jpg

[amberleadavis]

Though, I usually take what I've already inked and expose it to water (then later sun), just because.

 

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Inklings/slides/2013-Ink_525b.jpg

[amberleadavis]

Keep in mind what information interests YOU, and what you like to read. Chances are that others will find it interesting too.

[BCL-2]

I use the same pen (Lamy safary fine with converter) and the same paper (normal copy paper which I write on the most often) to keep comparisons "scientific" and methodical. I think if I change pens, or even nib width that can influence how inks behave rather strongly and thus make the comparison less accurate. I prefer not to keep all variables as controlled as possible apart from the ink itself

 

I'm actually trying to build up a "catalogue" of inks I own so exact comparison without distracting differences in paper and nib is important for me but to each his own.

Also I'm a sucker for neatness

[Bo Bo Olson]

Stateside basic paper is not Euro basic paper.

HB would be basic to both.

Laser over ink jet.

 

I could see using some 'basic' 90 g paper...in I don't see a reason to buy cheap paper and write on it at home, when 90g which is by me the minimum, don't cost much more than 75-80 g.

 

With 90g paper I can expect to see some shading out side of Brunner (German)...which is ball point paper no matter what weight.

 

I guess many folks got to work with cheap paper, so that has to be included by those still working.

Two papers, cheap work paper, and your private stash of 90 g + would be adaquate IMO.