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Caran D'ache Chromatics Vibrant Green

musicman123

By musicman123
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musicman123

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I made the decision to pick up a bottle of the Caran D'ache Chromatics because I really wanted a cool looking bottle in my collection. Sadly, the price was a whopping $45 for 50mL (running at 90 cents for 1mL). At this price, I expected the ink to be made of liquified emerald mixed with the blood of a forest fairy. Those very realistic expectations were not met, but I did find the ink to be pretty good (admittedly a bit standard).
 
Here are the pictures of the review, with a commentary on each picture. Photos are as close to life as possible while the scan is not. Also note that none of the pictures have been run through editing albeit a batch resize and a crop. 
 
Here is a preview of the ink. 
 
http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Caran%20d'ache/Ink.jpg
 
It was written on my current paper which is the HP 28lb copy paper. I print different ruling on the paper, as I use it for school and other things. 
 
http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Caran%20d'ache/Paper.jpg
 
I like B nibs so I did this review in a B nib naturally. I actually put a TWSBI B nib into a Nemosine pen, because I like the Demonstrator Nemosine.
 
http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Caran%20d'ache/Nib.jpg
 
Here is a swab of the ink, using a medium-saturated Q-Tip. You can see a bit of shading, but nothing very exaggerated like Apache Sunset.
 
http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Caran%20d'ache/Swab.jpg
 
I actually found this ink to be a very standard ink, even though it had such a high price. The characteristics of the ink were nothing too special and I don't think $45 would be very appropriate. Maybe, $30 would be closer to a good price. Here are the characteristics of the ink. I do have to say that this ink doesn't feather on cheap papers that much. 
 
http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Caran%20d'ache/Characteristics.jpg
 
Here is the second page of characteristics. As you can see, nothing special.
 
http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Caran%20d'ache/Characteristics%202.jpg
 
I have read numerous reviews complaining about the dry time of this ink, and how it never dries, even after 30 seconds. I have honestly never had this problem yet, even though my nib is extremely wet. Maybe the batch is different?
 
http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Caran%20d'ache/Dry%20Time.jpg
 
Here is a comparison to other popular inks that I have. This is quite similar to the Private Reserve Spearmint but it leans a bit more towards the blue side, where the PR leans more to the yellow.
 
http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Caran%20d'ache/Comparison.jpg
 
Here is my new standard water test. The top grid had 4 drops of water soak for a good time (~30 seconds), while the bottom writing did not. The writing was rubbed downwards many times, along with the top grid. The ink did not exhibit much waterproofness and the ink spread quite a lot with the rub. The grid had a bit of ink disappear. However, this ink isn't billed as waterproof so I can't expect too much.
 
http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Caran%20d'ache/Water.jpg
 
Lastly, here is a new thing I'm trying out which is a paper towel drop. I dropped 1 drop into a standard paper towel, and waited for it to soak up. You can see a bit of blue coming out on the bottom-left near the small red mark. Thus, you can tell the ink has a strong blue lean in the hue. 
 
http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Caran%20d'ache/Towel.jpg

 

Almost forgot the scan! Here it is! Scanned at 300dpi with a Brother MFC-6240 flatbed scanner in 24bit color. This had not been color corrected in any way. 

 

http://files.goviralforyou.com/Inks/Reviews/Caran%20d'ache/Scan.jpg

Edited by musicman123

fpn_1434432647__fpn_1425200643__fpn_1425160066__super_pinks-bottle_200x159.jpg

 


Check out my blog at Inks and Pens

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VivienR Vintage

VivienR

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Beautiful green ink in beautiful bottle. Even if Chromatics are pricy they worth it at least for esthetics. Currently I don't have Chromatics just Colors of Earth, based on that its worth it, sonly will buy a few bottle of Chromatics.

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stevesurf Vintage

stevesurf

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It's a wonderful color and I actually like the Delicate Green even betbettenice review!

Best regards,
Steve Surfaro
Fountain Pen Fun
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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

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Thanks for saving me. I love green and I love the bottle. I think I would rather have Susemai Green Diamond.

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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musicman123 Collectors Item

musicman123

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Beautiful green ink in beautiful bottle. Even if Chromatics are pricy they worth it at least for esthetics. Currently I don't have Chromatics just Colors of Earth, based on that its worth it, sonly will buy a few bottle of Chromatics.

I agree. I like them just to have a fancy bottle around. And, the ink isn't too bad anyways. I'm pretty bummed that they discontinued Colors of Earth as I didn't even get to try a single one.

fpn_1434432647__fpn_1425200643__fpn_1425160066__super_pinks-bottle_200x159.jpg

 


Check out my blog at Inks and Pens

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musicman123 Collectors Item

musicman123

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It's a wonderful color and I actually like the Delicate Green even betbettenice review!

The Delicate green seems like it would be a good highlighter ink if diluted. I could get a sample to try it out.

fpn_1434432647__fpn_1425200643__fpn_1425160066__super_pinks-bottle_200x159.jpg

 


Check out my blog at Inks and Pens

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musicman123 Collectors Item

musicman123

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Thanks for saving me. I love green and I love the bottle. I think I would rather have Susemai Green Diamond.

I've been a sucker for greens, so I love the color too! I don't love the price though. I think that if you don't have a Chromatics, you should get one anyways! Your cabinet is missing the bottle.

fpn_1434432647__fpn_1425200643__fpn_1425160066__super_pinks-bottle_200x159.jpg

 


Check out my blog at Inks and Pens

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VivienR Vintage

VivienR

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I agree. I like them just to have a fancy bottle around. And, the ink isn't too bad anyways. I'm pretty bummed that they discontinued Colors of Earth as I didn't even get to try a single one.

 

I was lucky. Some local stationery store have a few hidden bottle of the Colors of Earth series. Sadly usually those store tend to go for popular color and not get the full line. Wasn't a cheap buy either, but definitely worth it. Currently working hard to finally empty a bottle, to change the ink from CdA bottle, and to fill it with my favorite ink. The bottles are look so good.

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

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I have an orange which isn't that motivational, but I may break down and see about green.

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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