Comparing Noodler's To J. Herbin Inks

[art8283]

Anyone had a similar experience to the following? I just flushed the remaining Noodler's "Squeteague" from my Rosetta pen (Schmidt B Italic nib) and filled the pen with J. Herbin's "Eclat de Saphir." The result was like writing with two different pens. The Noodler's wrote with some noticeable drag and felt rather dry. The Herbin was smooth and a little wet, resulting (at least for me) in a much more pleasurable writing experience. The paper I am using at the moment is G. Lalo's "Verge de France."

 

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Edited April 2, 2011 by art8283

[Possum Hill]

Anyone had a similar experience to the following? I just flushed the remaining Noodler's "Squeteague" from my Rosetta pen (Schmidt B Italic nib) and filled the pen with J. Herbin's "Eclat de Saphir." The result was like writing with two different pens. The Noodler's wrote with some noticeable drag and felt rather dry. The Herbin was smooth and a little wet, resulting (at least for me) in a much more pleasurable writing experience. The paper I am using at the moment is G. Lalo's "Verge de France."

 

Thanks in advance for any comments.

 

Let us know when you've completed the comparison of the rest of both lines.

[Number3124]

Odd... The pen could have just needed a good flush.

[Albertine]

I do think that Herbin inks have a reputation for flowing a little better than Noodler's, on average - but most of them aren't waterproof, either.

 

Not sure about the eclat de saphir, not having used it.

[farseer911]

I do think that Herbin inks have a reputation for flowing a little better than Noodler's, on average - but most of them aren't waterproof, either.

 

Not sure about the eclat de saphir, not having used it.

 

 

Ink is a third, the pen is a third, the paper is a third.

 

 

I would take issue with that noodlers statement. I have a Stack of Pilots that do not like J Herbin inks... but have never had an issue with noodlers, even the dreaded BSB...

 

I have like 11 different blacks from noodlers and they all behave differently.... all have different properties... I narrowed i down to one I like the best... for now.

 

when you finished running through all the noodlers and compared them to the 32 J Herbin inks then you can say on average....

[Albertine]

I do think that Herbin inks have a reputation for flowing a little better than Noodler's, on average - but most of them aren't waterproof, either.

 

Not sure about the eclat de saphir, not having used it.

 

 

Ink is a third, the pen is a third, the paper is a third.

 

 

I would take issue with that noodlers statement. I have a Stack of Pilots that do not like J Herbin inks... but have never had an issue with noodlers, even the dreaded BSB...

 

I have like 11 different blacks from noodlers and they all behave differently.... all have different properties... I narrowed i down to one I like the best... for now.

 

when you finished running through all the noodlers and compared them to the 32 J Herbin inks then you can say on average....

 

I was talking about the reputations that the two brands have. Naturally it would be a much trickier statement to make if I were referencing the inks themselves.

 

 

As far as personal experience goes...I've tried at least half-a-dozen of each brand, at a conservative estimate. Noodler's and Herbin have been, until now, the brands I like the most and gravitate toward (Iroshizuku is shouldering in on the game now). Still far from comprehensive, I realize, but at least I have a decent sampling of each - and affection for each, too, I am a huge fan of Noodler's and J Herbin both.

 

It is still my observation, from what I've experienced and what I've read, that in general (and allowing for exceptions), inks that are heavily saturated, waterproof, bulletproof, etc., tend to be a little more troublesome than inks that will fall off the page if you squirt at them with a mister.

 

But, of course, different people have different experiences.

Edited April 2, 2011 by Albertine

[ToasterPastry]

Ink is 12.5%, the nib is 12.5%, and the feed is 75%.

The feed makes all the difference in the world. A system with a really poor feed will react poorly, but the ink is often blamed. Certainly ink quality can make a difference. I tend to blame poor quality paper for my troubles, but am forced to use the paper that is given to me.

 

Within the discussion of inks. I think it is difficult to say that all J. Herbin inks are superior to all of Noodler's inks. First, the models of the two companies are completely different. While both are ink manufacturers, Noodler's tends to produce "novelty" inks in small batches, limiting the quantity of the production, and reducing financial risk. If Noodler's produces a popular ink, they/he will make more. J. Herbin produces a more traditional-style ink that will work well in most pens. It may not have some of the properties of Noodler's inks, but it works well in your pen. Unfortunately this discussion of inks is such a subjective one, no one can be correct.

 

Right now, I can't seem to put down Private Reserve's Tanzanite, even though I own over 100 bottles of inks, many I haven't even used. In my subjective opinion, this ink (at least for the past month) is the best ink ever made.

Edited April 2, 2011 by ToasterPastry

[lapis]

For me the comparison is easy (but that is a very personal thing)...

 

A. Noodler's are in many cases more saturated than Herbin's. That makes Noodler's inks darker, intenser, more waterproof (even if not yet absolutely bulletproof).

B. Herbin's are more watery, to exaggerate, more watered down, more diluted. That usually has a good effect on the smoothness and wetness of your writing in any pen.

C. But that's a problem, too. Some pens write so much wetter in the first place (see "feed" above) that there will be no huge difference in the wetness of the writing, regardless of the ink used.

D. Of course, any real comparison (e.g. of two inks) will necessitate that you use them in one and the same pen, pre-washed, pre-rinsed, pre-dried and ther filled each time in the same manner. To save time and money, get two or more good el cheapos just for this purpose. I have 6-7 Pelikanos for comparisons, always clean at hand.

 

MIke

[Possum Hill]

I was talking about the reputations that the two brands have. Naturally it would be a much trickier statement to make if I were referencing the inks themselves.

 

 

As far as personal experience goes...I've tried at least half-a-dozen of each brand, at a conservative estimate. Noodler's and Herbin have been, until now, the brands I like the most and gravitate toward (Iroshizuku is shouldering in on the game now). Still far from comprehensive, I realize, but at least I have a decent sampling of each - and affection for each, too, I am a huge fan of Noodler's and J Herbin both.

 

It is still my observation, from what I've experienced and what I've read, that in general (and allowing for exceptions), inks that are heavily saturated, waterproof, bulletproof, etc., tend to be a little more troublesome than inks that will fall off the page if you squirt at them with a mister.

 

But, of course, different people have different experiences.

Hmm... "troublesome" and Noodler's linked again. For goodness sake, if it's really "troublesome" stop using it, just like AL intends! There is no trouble; there might be a little extra care in pen maintenance, which would probably be a good thing for all of us.

 

It's just ink. Get a grip.

[redisburning]

the two inks arent really competing along any factor except for the fact that they are both inks and cost money.

 

I wouldnt have an issue using a Noodler's ink if it had the right combination of color, flow and lubrication. I just dont like their colors, honestly. Therefor, I own J. Herbin and not noodler's.

[Number3124]

I agree. Noodler's really doesn't deserve its reputation. Compared to modern, watered-down inks Noodler's old-styled inks do require a bit more attention, but I find this to be part of the appeal. Who is AL though?

[Possum Hill]

the two inks arent really competing along any factor except for the fact that they are both inks and cost money.

 

I wouldnt have an issue using a Noodler's ink if it had the right combination of color, flow and lubrication. I just dont like their colors, honestly. Therefor, I own J. Herbin and not noodler's.

Excellent reason to choose ink! No one ink or brand is going to satisfy everyone; the best we can hope is that everyone here finds some he likes a lot, but not so much that he has to give up the fun of looking for something even better.

[KCat]

I agree. Noodler's really doesn't deserve its reputation. Compared to modern, watered-down inks Noodler's old-styled inks do require a bit more attention, but I find this to be part of the appeal. Who is AL though?

 

AL is a virtual entity and I am this close to banning mention of him/her. Please take it backchannel with PossomHill. (not fussing at you, just a request that it be a discussion between you and the perpetuator of the mention of the entity).

[wlwilcox]

I would take issue with that noodlers statement. I have a Stack of Pilots that do not like J Herbin inks... but have never had an issue with noodlers, even the dreaded BSB...

 

 

Farseer911, I was wondering what exactly you mean that your Pilot pens do not like Noodlers ink? This is a subject I would like a little clarification on.

What is it about pens and ink's that causes one to change the ink in the pen they are writing with?

Since I am relatively new to using fountain pens, I am asking some input to this issue.

Thanks

[rogerb]

Quote Farseer911: ,,,I would take issue with that noodlers statement. I have a Stack of Pilots that do not like J Herbin inks... but have never had an issue with noodlers, even the dreaded BSB..

 

 

Farseer911, I was wondering what exactly you mean that your Pilot pens do not like Noodlers ink? This is a subject I would like a little clarification on.

What is it about pens and ink's that causes one to change the ink in the pen they are writing with?

Since I am relatively new to using fountain pens, I am asking some input to this issue.

Thanks

 

:hmm1:

[Possum Hill]

I agree. Noodler's really doesn't deserve its reputation. Compared to modern, watered-down inks Noodler's old-styled inks do require a bit more attention, but I find this to be part of the appeal. Who is AL though?

 

No one knows, or at least no one will admit to knowing. A while back it emerged that someone was preying on new members, trying to prejudice them against Noodler's ink via PM. This was the work of an Anonymous Loser. Later he took a more subtle approach, calling his posts "primers". Apparently he thought his earlier work was out of reach, because comparison of new and old work showed they were by the same, still anonymous, author. Whoops!

 

It's unlikely that anyone who has posted AL's work is actually AL himself -- it's above their pay grade. Someone who could write it would be too smart to fall for it.

 

AL's not much of a threat once one can get his mind around the basic concepts that someone is actually willing to go to that much effort to libel an ink and that someone is of such character that he'll try to poison our enjoyment of the FP, ink and paper hobby.

 

He may not have limited his efforts to FPN. Someone edited a Wikipedia article to spread the same misinformation, but it's not necessarily the same person. It sort makes my skin crawl to think there might be two, though.

 

More detail about AL's work is here and details of Wikipedia hijinks here and here.

[Possum Hill]

I would take issue with that noodlers statement. I have a Stack of Pilots that do not like J Herbin inks... but have never had an issue with noodlers, even the dreaded BSB...

 

 

Farseer911, I was wondering what exactly you mean that your Pilot pens do not like Noodlers ink? This is a subject I would like a little clarification on.

What is it about pens and ink's that causes one to change the ink in the pen they are writing with?

Since I am relatively new to using fountain pens, I am asking some input to this issue.

Thanks

Evaluation of the performance of FP, ink and paper is highly subjective, particular for FPN members who are looking really hard for small differences in characteristics. It's not unusual here for someone to find completely intolerable a particular pen, paper or ink that is someone else's Holy Grail.

 

The most reliable way to resolve questions about such issues is to buy the items and try them out. There is no problem that can't be solved with another pen, some more ink, and a new type of paper.

[Number3124]

To Possum Hill: Thanks, I'd seen that acronym a few times and couldn't figure it out.

 

To KCat: Sorry.

[JustinJ]

I could not agree more with trying out inks. The best thing is to just buy samples. The samples can be bought for around $1.00 or a little more. Some of the inks that have been praised in other reviews just did not work well for me. The only way is to experiment with inks. I have tried about 30 different inks and can tell people that ink is an important part of writing with a fountain pen. The paper also plays an important role. I like a pen and ink that works well with cheaper paper.

 

When I first started using fountain pens, I bought bottles of ink. This was a big mistake. The ink was expensive and some of the ink I just did not like.

 

Since I have been buying samples of ink now, I find that I do not want to buy a bottle of ink.

 

 

I liked the Herbin inks at first but now find them a little diluted. Noodler's is not a bad ink and is a good value for the money. I have not been happy with the performance of it overall in my pens. Now, if I needed a waterproof ink, I would definitely use one of the Noodler's bullet proofs inks, even though I prefer other inks more than the Noodlers that I've tried.

 

Inks are something that is a personal choice, just like a fountain pen. Try out the inks for yourself to see what you like.

[KCat]

To Possum Hill: Thanks, I'd seen that acronym a few times and couldn't figure it out.

 

To KCat: Sorry.

 

's okay.