Best bottled ink for first time user

[KatrinaLouise1990]

Ok so I may take the plunge in to bottled ink because it seems to be far more popular than cartridges and well the colour range is very, very tempting (I like my letters to stand out from the crowd).

 

Problem is I have never used bottled ink or a convertor or anything like that before. I have lamy pen which I believe will be fit for purpose but if there are easier to fill pens feel free to recommend but nothing overly expensive (max of £30 or $45 - I think that conversion is near enough correct).

 

But what ink would be good? Obviously it has to be relatively easier to use, have a very, very secure lid (due to hyper dog & curious toddlers I look after - although I would keep the ink away from them to the best of my ability they do get in to places they shouldn't), and something not too messy and that won't stain everything (I don't have the steadiest hands ever).

 

As for colours I am not really fussy although I do like bright colours (not so much reds although orangey or pinky reds are ok). But I also like blacks too.

 

I am grateful for any help given.

Edited March 13, 2010 by KatrinaLouise1990

[Yuki Onitsura]

As far as black inks go, your best bet would probably be Waterman Black or Visconti Black. Both very well behaved and with the slightest hint of shading. In terms of coloured inks, the Pilot Iroshizuku range are all very nice (though rather expensive even before shipping). More economical suggestion would be Lamy Turqoise, Sheaffer Skrip Purple or Sailor Yellow-Orange. Enjoy the hunt =)

 

Yuki

[Rhapsody]

Since you are located in the UK, I would definitely recommend Diamine inks.

They are the least expensive inks I have seen so far, have a great variety of colours and they come in 30ml plastic-bottles. They also sell 80ml in glass bottles, but the smaller ones are better for trying out various colours and to see which you like best.

 

Look here

 

Edit to mention: No affiliation with Diamine.

 

What I did is looking at the colours on the Diamine site and after that going through the reviews on FPN to see how others describe the colour.

 

Have fun!

Edited March 13, 2010 by Rhapsody

[haziz]

Waterman Florida Blue and Pelikan Brilliant Black.

 

Sincerely,

 

Hany.

[Aysedasi]

Waterman Florida Blue for sure. I always have a bottle of this - both at work and at home.

[rbanks]

Preferences for ink colors is very subjective. I've found that looking at the reviews on FPN is quite helpful. Sometimes I agree sometimes disagree but the scans and other attributes usually mentioned in the review have really helped me figure out what I like. Warning: Inks are just as addictive as pens. I keep finding colors that I want for the fun. I've lately gotten into the blue/blacks. There are several I have on a list to pick up but right now I'm just stepping away from the credit card! Good Luck!

[Ondina]

Waterman Florida Blue, without a doubt. Or, South Seas Blue, Blue Black, Havana Brown, Black, Violet. If you local shop happens to carry Diamine, or Herbin, go for the color you like best; chances are you will enjoy it intensely.

[dizzypen]

My favorite blue is Visconti Blue. I'd recommend it to anyone.

 

As for other options, well there is always Diamine and J. Herbin. You honestly can't go too far wrong with either.

[War and Peace]

http://www.isellpens.com/Images/Ink/PELIKAN%20BLUE%204001%20INK%20BOTTLE.JPG

[Torrilin]

Most fountain pen inks are fairly washable. Medium blues are often called "washable" blue or have watery names... and like the name indicates, they will be very nonstaining. Downside is, if you use your fountain pen for signing checks, it's very easy to alter the check. Most ink brands don't seem to worry about their bright colors being very permanent on paper. (cotton clothing and paper are fairly similar chemically, so if the ink washes out on paper, cotton clothes should be pretty safe) If you're concerned about staining, you can test!

 

A traditional iron gall ink like Diamine's Registrar's Blue or Lamy's Blue-Black will be a bit washable at first. The initial color is temporary, and as it sits exposed to air the color darkens and becomes more permanent. Because these inks are a bit reactive, you might want to clean your pen on each refill. Since I'm fond of swapping colors, I'd do that anyway. If you want an ink where what you write stays, this is probably a decent choice.

[Beechwood]

You may want to have a look at the Ink sample exchange thing on here.

 

Many people buy 50 ml of an ink, use some, and then feel like a change, to pour a little into a 10 ml plastic sample bottle and swap with others, especially in the same country, allows you to try other inks.

 

This might lead to you buying for yourself or just trying lots of different inks, brands and colours.

 

Its my experience that FPN people are very kind and generous and a private message to almost anyone would elicit the required response.

[pen2paper]

War and Peace, don't wish to contradict your suggestion of Pelikan 4001.. but I did notice that the inquiry was for a Lamy pen.. I found this ink to be too dry in my Lamy, which caused my formerly wet writer, (with Lamy Blue ink), to suddenly feel scratchy.. I was tired of the pleasant basic blue, so tried Waterman Black, and haven't looked back.

 

Also the Waterman bottle is superb-its design allows it to be tipped to the side to capture the last sip of ink.

 

 

[mateo44]

Waterman Florida Blue for sure. I always have a bottle of this - both at work and at home.

 

+1 for Waterman FB.

[ailleurs]

Just chiming in with another vote for Waterman Florida Blue. I've been using it for 20 years without a problem, and the bottle design really is clever for getting all the ink out, as others have commented.

 

Waterman Violet is also lovely.

[lapis]

+5 for Florida. It's an allround ink, a benchmark ink, a well-behaved and low-maintenance ink, ask 100 guys and gals here what they say and I'll bet at least 50% of them will say "Right on".

 

Mike

[2Hearts]

If you are looking for a good variety of colours, Diamine looks like the way to go. They seem relatively inexpensive (I love Herbin inks, but they aren't cheap). I personally wouldn't recommend Waterman Florida Blue. I find it a remarkably boring colour, but then again I like brighter blues.

 

Pelikan and Herbin inks are safe in my experience, in terms of for your pens and they are washable as far as I know.

[Breck]

I would say Aurora Black, but I'm afraid if you use that for your first bottled ink, you may have unreasonably high expectations when you try others later.

 

Waterman inks are great and utterly trouble-free. With hindsight, I wish I'd started with them. Havana Brown and Florida Blue are both great colors. The purple and green are both nice, too (personal experience), and the red looks impressively bright from the scans I've seen. Conversely, I found the Blue-Black to be too greenish in person, but reasonable people can differ on that point.

[mooshi]

+1 for Waterman Florida Blue; great colour and "low maintenance." Cheap too!

 

-- Moo

[cpsantillan]

Waterman:Florida blue,Havana brown...

J.Herbin:Perle Noire,Vert empire...

Private Reserve:Burgundy mist,Spearmint...

Noodlers:American eel blue...

[bwnewton]

My daughter uses Diamine Scarlet which is a bright pink.

 

I suggest Lamy Turquoise, Lamy Blue, Lamy Black or Sheaffer Skrip Black.

 

If you want a pinkish, try Lamy Red, which in my opinion shouldn't be called red.

 

What about Sheaffer Skrip Purple?