Pelikan Brilliant Black Water Tests

[xxloverxx]

Wanted to learn Premiere Pro. Wanted to see how suitable Brilliant Black would be for me. So I ended up with this (after 2 hours, including the actual test)…

 

Basically, I used a Lamy 1.1 nib to write on some cheap memo-style paper. Then I soaked it in water, swirled it around a bit and examined it. Then I put it under running water. Then I rubbed it until the paper broke.

 

My findings: The paper disappeared before the ink.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z1-VNHJ97M&feature=g-upl

[jandrese]

Nice, thanks. Good vintage feel to the video to match the old, but still excellent black ink.

[The Good Captain]

I've found this ink to have really good water-resistance and it's the only real black I've got. Sheaffer is pretty good too and if I want a black with a green tinge (as opposed to Zhivago which is in a league of its own) I'll use Waterman or Parker/Quink.

[idazle]

It's been a very good idea to film the test instead of just posting a pic or a scan with the result. Thanks!

 

After seeing this test I wonder whether Cross black ink (allegedly the same ink) would behave in the same way. I've been using the Cross ink (cartridges) for years and it blurs a lot when a drop of water is spilt over it.

[xxloverxx]

It's been a very good idea to film the test instead of just posting a pic or a scan with the result. Thanks!

 

After seeing this test I wonder whether Cross black ink (allegedly the same ink) would behave in the same way. I've been using the Cross ink (cartridges) for years and it blurs a lot when a drop of water is spilt over it.

 

Well it wouldn't hurt to do a test

[BobR]

It's been a very good idea to film the test instead of just posting a pic or a scan with the result. Thanks!

 

After seeing this test I wonder whether Cross black ink (allegedly the same ink) would behave in the same way. I've been using the Cross ink (cartridges) for years and it blurs a lot when a drop of water is spilt over it.

 

It may be that the ink in Cross cartridges is made by Chad Labs--not Pelikan. In response to an inquiry, Chad told me that they make ink for Cross--not specifying whether for bottles or carts--but many retailers have said the bottled ink is made by Pelikan. I've noticed that the blue-black ink in Cross carts does not resemble Pelikan's (I don't have experience with the other colors).

[Lloyd]

Seeing water run down the drain in black & white made me expect to see the shower scene from "Psycho".

[mrul]

Great work - very interesting for me. Thank You.

[h.farmawi]

Thanks for the video, really interesting how this ink resists water in a way the paper you wrote on couldnt handle.

[Dickkooty2]

Now this is film noir!

[proton007]

Interesting. I didn't know 4001 Brilliant Black is water resistant.

Edited April 15, 2014 by proton007

[kokopelli_TR]

Didn't know that either. Tried this on Rhodia paper, 80gr notepads to be specific, as I've always found this paper more realistic for waterproofness tests. Side by side with some Diamine inks, Quink Blue, Pelikan Royal Blue, Brilliant Black was definitely waterproof between these with minimal loss after a minute under running water and even after some kitchen degreaser added to the test. The others completely vanished. Oh there was Hero Blue Black 232 that stood really well against water with all edges sharp and clear, but even that turned to sepia after the final detergent wash.