Comparing Noodler's To J. Herbin Inks

[KCat]

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.

 

(nod) I find them entirely different kinds of ink. I don't use much of either. I'm addicted to Noodler's Violet Vote, I admit. Stuff flows great, and makes me feel confident that my work for school won't float away in a rain storm (though right now, we're not getting much of those in Texas).

 

Basically, Noodler's tend to be too saturated for my taste and J. Herbin tend to be too anemic for my liking. But there are individual colors within each range that are nice.

[Albertine]

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.

 

For the record...I don't think that EITHER Herbin or Noodler's is actually troublesome. Maybe I should have kept the phrasing positive: Herbin is a little bit easier to deal with or requires a slight bit less maintenance?

 

I was just trying to say that they're both two different shades of "great". I think it's fair to say that every brand will excel in its own special way, isn't it?

[Jimmy James]

Whaleman's Sepia hates my Lamy Ratio (or vice versa)

 

Eclat de Saphir hates my flex nib Noodler's pen (or vice versa)

 

I'm with the people who note that a multi-ink line of products have different characteristics and that those characteristics are also subject to the nib, the feed, the pen itself, the paper used, the pressure applied by the user, the writing angle chosen by the user, the relative humidity of the location, and probably a half dozen other things if I really thought about it.

 

Take for instance Aurora Black and Aurora Blue. It's a lineup of exactly two inks. Both are well reputed, but they are reputed for having very different characteristics. I love my Cacao du Bresil, and I love my Black Swan in English Roses. I'm also darn glad we have so many options.

[mturk]

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.

 

Completely, totally agree. Herbin black works in all my pens, from a Waterman 12 eyedropper to a whole range of "modern" pens. Certainly can't say that about any Noodlers ink. However, my new favorite black is Borealis Black cut 50% with distilled water. It's smooth, free-flowing and doesn't look at all like a laser printer when dry!

[torstar]

Herbin is the only ink out of the bottle that I can optimally use with my Moleskin notebooks, and other paper of fine quality.

 

It is less brilliant and less impressive, but it has been important for my journals and work notes.

[wimg]

Having used all but one of the Herbin inks, normal production, and a few more besides the normal production, and approximately as many Noodler's inks, there is only 1 Herbin ink I still use, after adapting the pen to it, namely Herbin Café des Îsles. It is like writing with pure espresso, which goes extremely well with one of my Etrruria 991s, 1.1 nib. However, it writes so dryly, that I had to adjust the 1.1 nib to a point where I can't use any other ink with that pen, because it just gets too dark otherwise, in order to recognize any nice shading at all.

 

As to Noodler's, I use 9 or 10 of their inks on a regular basis, with no problems, and occasionally more. Never needed to adjust any pen for it, and lubricity is generally very high, unlike the Herbin inks, at least, IME.

 

Warm regards, Wim

P.S.: I own about 200 (ok 191) different inks, probably in about 230 bottles (lost count lately, need to recheck my spare bottles ).

[Jimmy James]

Herbin is the only ink out of the bottle that I can optimally use with my Moleskin notebooks, and other paper of fine quality.

 

It is less brilliant and less impressive, but it has been important for my journals and work notes.

 

Moleskine paper isn't really reputed to be a fine quality paper, at least for fountain pen use. You may want to try more Clairefontaine/Rhodia/Quo Vadis/Lalo products.

 

Mind you, it's your choice if you like the Moleskine experience and you have found ink that works for you. I write on cheap legal pads most of the time, and my inks reflect this preference by and large.

 

I own, by a large margin, more Noodler's than any other brand. I probably use in roughly the same proportion all of the inks I own in any quantity. I have ink purchase mistakes, inks I don't use that often but like, and favored inks. My favorite ink company is probably Diamine, so I don't exactly have a dog in this fight. I like Herbin. I like Noodler's. I'm glad we have them.

Edited April 3, 2011 by Jimmy James

[Alohamora]

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.

 

 

I've had that experience, only in my case, it was a Herbin ink that felt too dry and it was a Sailor ink that made the pen a joy to use.

 

I have Noodler's inks that I really, really like and a couple of Noodler's that I dislike (Someday I'll get around to putting them up for trade.) I don't think there's any other brand that has such a wide range of ink color and writing characteristics. Something for everyone, you might say.

 

If I didn't have to worry about either money or water resistance I'd likely primarily buy MB, Sailor and Iroshizuku. Since I do care about water resistance (in some but not all situations) I have lots of Noodlers. I have Diamine, Pelikan and Lamy inks that I like too.

 

Best thing to do is to try lots of samples and decide for yourself. You can trade samples with other FPN members or buy from one of the retailers or FPN members who sell small vials of ink.

[GardenCity-NY]

Whaleman's Sepia hates my Lamy Ratio (or vice versa)

 

Eclat de Saphir hates my flex nib Noodler's pen (or vice versa)

 

I'm with the people who note that a multi-ink line of products have different characteristics and that those characteristics are also subject to the nib, the feed, the pen itself, the paper used, the pressure applied by the user, the writing angle chosen by the user, the relative humidity of the location, and probably a half dozen other things if I really thought about it.

 

Take for instance Aurora Black and Aurora Blue. It's a lineup of exactly two inks. Both are well reputed, but they are reputed for having very different characteristics. I love my Cacao du Bresil, and I love my Black Swan in English Roses. I'm also darn glad we have so many options.

 

Interesting... I'd love to read more about the 2 Auroras and their differing traits... Is there an article on this?

[SnowLeopard]

Tryouts happen once a week...some make the team... others are given away to other squads to see if they can be put on another's roster. I also try them in different positions(pens) to see if they're liking that position. Sometimes they make errors, or choke when up at the plate. I give them chances to prove their worth. I try to keep an open mind. Sometimes, I'm surprised, sometimes not. It's the allure of the game...the endless variety...the freedom to expand my roster as I see fit. I always use Claire to play on...at least a level field of play keeps errors to a minimum...especially on a sharply hit ground ball.... oh... the joy of baseball.

[art8283]

Tryouts happen once a week...some make the team... others are given away to other squads to see if they can be put on another's roster. I also try them in different positions(pens) to see if they're liking that position. Sometimes they make errors, or choke when up at the plate. I give them chances to prove their worth. I try to keep an open mind. Sometimes, I'm surprised, sometimes not. It's the allure of the game...the endless variety...the freedom to expand my roster as I see fit. I always use Claire to play on...at least a level field of play keeps errors to a minimum...especially on a sharply hit ground ball.... oh... the joy of baseball.

 

I sincerely appreciate your observations, but I think you've used up a years supply of metaphors!

[torstar]

Herbin is the only ink out of the bottle that I can optimally use with my Moleskin notebooks, and other paper of fine quality.

 

It is less brilliant and less impressive, but it has been important for my journals and work notes.

 

Moleskine paper isn't really reputed to be a fine quality paper, at least for fountain pen use. You may want to try more Clairefontaine/Rhodia/Quo Vadis/Lalo products.

 

Mind you, it's your choice if you like the Moleskine experience and you have found ink that works for you. I write on cheap legal pads most of the time, and my inks reflect this preference by and large.

 

I own, by a large margin, more Noodler's than any other brand. I probably use in roughly the same proportion all of the inks I own in any quantity. I have ink purchase mistakes, inks I don't use that often but like, and favored inks. My favorite ink company is probably Diamine, so I don't exactly have a dog in this fight. I like Herbin. I like Noodler's. I'm glad we have them.

 

 

 

Thanks Jimmy. I'll look for Quo Vadis out there.

 

Clairefontaine has never worked for any FP combo for me, great for very good ball point pens though.

 

I think I have more Noodlers bottles now (about 25) than all other inks combined. They just keep multiplying somehow.

[Margana]

Tryouts happen once a week...some make the team... others are given away to other squads to see if they can be put on another's roster. I also try them in different positions(pens) to see if they're liking that position. Sometimes they make errors, or choke when up at the plate. I give them chances to prove their worth. I try to keep an open mind. Sometimes, I'm surprised, sometimes not. It's the allure of the game...the endless variety...the freedom to expand my roster as I see fit. I always use Claire to play on...at least a level field of play keeps errors to a minimum...especially on a sharply hit ground ball.... oh... the joy of baseball.

This is so apt as I watch a Dodgers game. Like Wim I have upwards of 200 inks and have used all of the Herbin line except the yellow. My experience with Noodler's is with as many colors but that would be a smaller percentage of the line. There are lots of colors from each company that make my regular rotation but only in well-matched pens. Herbin has a translucent quality while Noodler's has that rich, saturated look but both statements only hold true for some of their inks. That's why each ink needs to be matched with a compatible pen for the best shot at a great pen experience.

 

Just as a side remark, I have had really good success with both Herbin Black and Noodler's Black in a wide variety of pens and even on Moleskine paper. Neither ink has given me any trouble and I have used them for years.

[wimg]

Hi Margana,

 

Long time no see - we missed each other in this vast place I guess .

Tryouts happen once a week...some make the team... others are given away to other squads to see if they can be put on another's roster. I also try them in different positions(pens) to see if they're liking that position. Sometimes they make errors, or choke when up at the plate. I give them chances to prove their worth. I try to keep an open mind. Sometimes, I'm surprised, sometimes not. It's the allure of the game...the endless variety...the freedom to expand my roster as I see fit. I always use Claire to play on...at least a level field of play keeps errors to a minimum...especially on a sharply hit ground ball.... oh... the joy of baseball.

This is so apt as I watch a Dodgers game. Like Wim I have upwards of 200 inks and have used all of the Herbin line except the yellow. My experience with Noodler's is with as many colors but that would be a smaller percentage of the line. There are lots of colors from each company that make my regular rotation but only in well-matched pens. Herbin has a translucent quality while Noodler's has that rich, saturated look but both statements only hold true for some of their inks. That's why each ink needs to be matched with a compatible pen for the best shot at a great pen experience.

 

I still maintain that certain pens call out for certain inks, they tell me what they want . That is why I adjusted the nib of the one 911 - it just wanted Café des Îsles . And one of my Ambers still only wants Ottoman Rose, the Blue Ocean Ottoman Azure, the Gaudi Van Gogh Starry Night, the Nuda Dumas Tulipe Noire, the Iris Galileo Manuscript Brown, the Pilot Music Socrates, etc. .

Just as a side remark, I have had really good success with both Herbin Black and Noodler's Black in a wide variety of pens and even on Moleskine paper. Neither ink has given me any trouble and I have used them for years.

Warm regards, Wim

[nicholasyeo]

I tend to think that Noodler's is more likely to bleed than Herbin ink/s.

Herbin flows really well too, despite the fact it is so much more expensive.

[Possum Hill]

I tend to think that Noodler's is more likely to bleed than Herbin ink/s.

Herbin flows really well too, despite the fact it is so much more expensive.

Which Noodler's inks are you talking about? They vary a lot.

[sjs]

They vary a lot.

 

Noodler's is unique among brands that I've tried, in that they have such a wide spectrum of differently bahaving inks. Many other brands are so consistent that if you try one, you get a half-decent idea of the performance of all.

 

But that's not true for Noodler's. Some Eels are wet; some wardens are dry. Some inks have nib creep and smell like turpentine; some have none of those features. Some dry fast; some dry slow. Some are good on expensive paper; some are good on cheap paper. The list goes on.

 

I think it's impossible to characterize the entire brand by performance. I suppose you could say the brand as a whole is inexpensive, catfish-oriented, and always interesting.

[Number3124]

Some inks have nib creep and smell like turpentine; some have none of those features.

 

Is it just me or does Old Manhattan Black smell a bit like blackberries?

[Possum Hill]

...catfish-oriented...

Best Noodler's generalization ever.

[KCat]

...catfish-oriented...

Best Noodler's generalization ever.

 

yeah - i giggled aloud.