Diamine Registrar's Blue

[dizzypen]

The full version of this review, along with all my others, can be found at The Dizzy Pen.

 

This scan was done after the ink had changed colors to a much dark blue almost black.

 

(click to enlarge and sharpen the image)

 

http://dizzypen.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/dia-registrars-ink-card21.jpg

 

This ink was sent to me for review by the good folks at Diamine Ink Co. I am not otherwise affiliated with them.

[Uncle Red]

One of my favorite inks. I found it had faster drying times in a fine nib and it even worked on some credit card receipts. I love to keep checking on it to see the color changes. I noticed that the color darkens slowly on an enclosed space like a closed journal and faster on a pad of paper left out overnight.

[Torculus Resupinus]

I am very partial to Registrar's Ink. I find its behavior varies considerably depending on the paper used: sometimes it quickly goes almost pure black (with a vibrant quality I prize), other times it will retain a blue tint forever. Sometimes the shading is very noticeable, other times hardly so. The chemical composition of the paper (which I have no definite knowledge of) seems to be the key rather than the smoothness or absorbency of the paper. Like most inks it will also vary depending on the pen used.

[dcwaites]

I had a bottle some time ago. I didn't use it enough, and it clogged up a Platinum Preppy I had it in. I liked it though, as it was the only ink I had at the time that would work on the execrable stationery supplied by by office.

 

I gave it away, strangely enough to a JP, aka Registrar, for use in signing official documents...

 

Recently, I acquired this --

 

 

 

It appears to be an early/mid 20th C precursor to the current Registrar's ink. Once made up it looks and behaves the same as the Registrar's ink when I had it. (And no, I haven't made up the full quart's worth).

 

Can anybody from Diamine comment on the history of the names on the container?

Actually, I just looked it up. From the Diamine Website

Diamine dates back to 1864 when the company was founded by T Webster and Co. in London. The business moved to Liverpool in 1925 and T Webster and Co. changed its name to Diamine in 1964.

So the ink was made sometime between 1925 and 1964.

 

Still, if anybody from Diamine is lurking, could you see if there are any of the old containers hiding in a storeroom and perhaps consider offering it to FPN members?

[DanielCoffey]

I would advise moving this into its own thread so we can keep the modern Diamine Registrar's review on topic.

[vistafan]

I may just have to purchase this!

[Alexandra]

Thanks for the review, I just ordered a bottle. I'm really looking forward to this one.

[mrt77]

I have this under the "Chesterfield Archival Vault" name. Ordered it from X Fountain Pens (no affil) and that web site claims it has neutral pH levels.

 

A very nice ink and I too love to watch it darken over time.