Best Nib/ink For A Moleskine Diary?

[zerobuttons]

I had reasonable luck with a Montblanc 146 and a Lamy 2000, both with medium nibs and both filled with Montblanc Blue-black or Lamy Blue-black (which is the same ink), when I used a Moleskine for journaling. I went with Habana Quo Vadis since, because the paper in these is more consistent in quality and generally better.

[laser8]

Moleskine (paper) is worthless. I'll never buy them again.

[epo]

Point taken, repeatedly, about the quality of Moleskine paper. However it is a diary not a journal or notebook and Moleskine diaries are actually rather good.

 

I think there is scope for lots of FP geekery from this thread to try and find the best compromise and there is, of course, always pencil.

 

For UK readers, Paperchase sell bound squared notebooks whose paper, while thin, seems better behaved with my pens. Not seen any for sale recently but that may just be Edinburgh.

[limesally]

Point taken, repeatedly, about the quality of Moleskine paper. However it is a diary not a journal or notebook and Moleskine diaries are actually rather good.

 

I really like the size and format of the diaries, and surprisingly they have had better paper (for me) than the notebooks.

[jniforat]

well, i use moleskine a lot, and i use a VP w/F nib and a 51 w/ef octanium nib and it works fine...inks are Noodler's Dark Matter, P.R., and now, with ink drop, whatever the five colors of the month are

[ethernautrix]

I've used Noodler's Black in a Sailor Desk Pen and now in a Nakaya Desk Pen (F nib) without problems.

[wednesday_mac]

Fine point Sheaffer or Waterman, best ink I've found for a Moleskine is either Herbin's or the very droll, boring, inexpensive calligrapher's/artist's Higgins inks.

[tawanda]

I've just been shocked to my foundation! I used a broad cursive italic in a Pelikan M200 loaded with MBs new Midnight, in a small Mole cahier (noted for dreadful quality) Being a broad nib I thought I'd be in for terrific bleedthrough, but not a drop. Even only the faintest showthrough. That's the one for me, from now on. (But remember folks, it is i.g ink so take care!)

[bwnewton]

Lamy blue is reasonably OK on Moleskine paper. I fine nib (if you have one) will help to avoid too much ink flow.

 

HTH,

 

Martin

 

I've had great success with Lamy Blue ink, as well as Lamy Blue-Black, on Moleskine using an F nib on my Lamy Safari fps.

[bwnewton]

I've just been shocked to my foundation! I used a broad cursive italic in a Pelikan M200 loaded with MBs new Midnight, in a small Mole cahier (noted for dreadful quality) Being a broad nib I thought I'd be in for terrific bleedthrough, but not a drop. Even only the faintest showthrough. That's the one for me, from now on. (But remember folks, it is i.g ink so take care!)

 

If you want the same experience and look but for less cash, you might consider using Lamy Blue-Black (bottled; $7.50). It's an iron-gall ink that's very similar to MB Midnight. It has a cool bottle as well that even comes with blotter paper!

[bwnewton]

You might find this list of 100% Moleskine-Proof ink helpful: http://inkyjournal.blogspot.com/search/label/100%25%20Moleskine-proof%20ink

[wykeite]

Inspired by legend I bought quite a few Moleskines only to be totally disappointed by the quality of the paper. The only fountain pen ink I've found is like so many others iron gall, Diamine in my case. I'm sure other inks work with them but I really don't care for buying a bunch of ink just to see if they work.

 

I now use them for work where a fountain pen is impractical for me as it'd get broken. Ballpoint and pencil is fine.

 

As good as the design is I'd never waste money on Moleskine again, others do it far better and significantly cheaper.

[Escribiente]

Unfortunately, the quality of the paper in Moleskine journals is uneven. The first batch, wherever it was made, had a fountain pen friendly paper, but in recent years (say, last three) the paper is a hit or miss proposition. Nevertheless, even when the Moleskine paper is not very good, I have had luck with Aurora Black and Waterman Blue Black used in Sailor Fine, Nakaya Fine and Pilot Fine.

[limesally]

You might find this list of 100% Moleskine-Proof ink helpful: http://inkyjournal.blogspot.com/search/label/100%25%20Moleskine-proof%20ink

 

That is a great blog with gorgeous pictures!

 

That said, I've had two of those inks in his 100% proof list bleed/feather on Moleskine paper - Sheaffer turquoise and Pelikan Blue-black. Not in every pen or all the time - I'd just downgrade it to 80% or something, that's all

 

eta: three of those inks, I just noticed Aurora Blue on the list.

Edited September 11, 2010 by limesally

[jason808]

Couldn't stand the hardbound Moleskines, but the cahiers have done well for me. Now that I found Black & Red though, my 'skines will find less use.

 

For the MS, Namiki Blue (bottled) has been fantastic, quick drying with no bleedthrough with an Estie 2556 (fine), and a Namiki Falcon medium. In fact, Namiki Blue is my go-to ink in vintage pens or anything where I have concerns about having a well-behaved ink. Great stuff.

 

I've also had great luck with a Lamy Safari medium which trends to more of a fine point and Lamy blue-black (iron gall bottled).

 

Pelikan Brown is working great, as does Parker Quink Blue/Black.

 

Noodler's black has also done well, esp. concerning bleed-though.

 

Private Reserve Burgundy mist doesn't have any feather/bleed problems, but it is dark and IMHO is only good for one sided writing. PR Spearmint works well regarding show/bleed but dries a little slow.

 

PR Electric DC Blue is worthless. It will still come up on my hand after weeks.

[laiki]

Unfortunately, the quality of the paper in Moleskine journals is uneven. The first batch, wherever it was made, had a fountain pen friendly paper, but in recent years (say, last three) the paper is a hit or miss proposition. Nevertheless, even when the Moleskine paper is not very good, I have had luck with Aurora Black and Waterman Blue Black used in Sailor Fine, Nakaya Fine and Pilot Fine.

 

This makes a lot of sense now. I've been reading quite a few topics about the low quality of Moleskine journals however the one (and only one) I bought 2 or 3 years ago seems to always work well with my fountain pens regardless of the ink. I even use my Lamy 1.9 mm italic nib and have never experienced feathering. It is unfortunate that the paper quality is not consistent. I'd want to buy another notebook soon...

[rperson17]

I've had good luck in the Moleskine lately with Pelikan blue-black in my somewhat wet m800 (medium nib). Doesn't seem to feather or bleed through, unlike many of the other inks I've used in my journal. That said, I've already bought my next journal for when the Moleskine is filled up soon: the large black Rhodia Webbie. You just can't beat that beautiful Clairefontaine paper, which seems to work wonderfully with a much wider array of inks.

[Opus104]

I've had good luck in the Moleskine lately with Pelikan blue-black in my somewhat wet m800 (medium nib). Doesn't seem to feather or bleed through, unlike many of the other inks I've used in my journal. That said, I've already bought my next journal for when the Moleskine is filled up soon: the large black Rhodia Webbie. You just can't beat that beautiful Clairefontaine paper, which seems to work wonderfully with a much wider array of inks.

 

 

+1

 

 

[james0tucson]

A review on amazon.co.uk says the diaries are as good as blotting paper, which seems harsh, certainly the paper is thin.

 

 

Ridiculous! Moleskine paper is excellent, whether you use a ballpoint, fountain pen, or a sharpie.

[Truppi327]

A review on amazon.co.uk says the diaries are as good as blotting paper, which seems harsh, certainly the paper is thin.

 

 

Ridiculous! Moleskine paper is excellent, whether you use a ballpoint, fountain pen, or a sharpie.

 

 

Where do you get your moleskines? Ballpoints I can see, but a sharpie?