Graf Von Faber-Castell Hazelnut Brown

[TLab3000]

I've recently reviewed GvFC Moss Green and really liked the ink, so I thought I should try another one of the new GvFC inks.

 

This is Hazelnut Brown. My expectations were high, considering the price and how well Moss Green performed. But HB is quite different. Feathering and bleed-through are almost non-existent in both inks and both have about the same average saturation. However, HB's other properties are unfortunately not as good: Flow is rather low, it takes a lot longer to dry, there is less shading, and no sheen to be seen in normal writing, while MG has at least a tiny bit.

Actually, there is some shading, and the scan makes it look more pronounced. There is a lot of shading in quantity, but the contrasts are rather low which makes it look like less. And it's a lot more visible while the ink is still wet and then gets less while drying. This is a really difficult ink to assess.

http://bibu31.de/tmp/gvfcmg/gvfchb1.jpg

At the end of the page, when I made the ink comparisons, I got a bit disappointed. Why? See for yourself:

http://bibu31.de/tmp/gvfcmg/gvfchb2.jpg

GvFC Hazelnut Brown and Waterman Brun Absolu (aka Havana Brown) look pretty much the same, and Waterman's ink only costs a third.

Well, there is a little bit more red in the Waterman ink, but I think that's only noticeable in direct comparison.

However, I suppose one wouldn't buy GvFC HB because of it's outstanding properties (because they aren't outstanding...) but only because they really like the colour. And in that case, getting a bottle of Waterman BA could be the better choice.

 

I wonder whether all these inks are made in the same factory in Austria... How many ink manufacturers are there, anyway?

[bobaroo]

The two ink blotches are going in for a hug. Was that intentional?

[MisterBoll]

The two ink blotches are going in for a hug. Was that intentional?

 

Ink hugs are perfectly acceptable in this day and age.

 

Thanks for the review TLab3000. Good to know.

[MisterBoll]

I wonder whether all these inks are made in the same factory in Austria... How many ink manufacturers are there, anyway?

 

There are a couple in the west and a couple in the east.

 

I guess it depends if you like pretty bottles or not.

Edited November 7, 2013 by MisterBoll

[bobaroo]

 

Ink hugs are perfectly acceptable in this day and age.

 

 

Hmmm I'm sure I've read some horror stories about problems with mixing inks, but I'll all for free love.

[Sinistral1]

Bobaroo - If only they could talk! Here's what my Winston wore for a recent event

He would not keep a sock on long enough for a photo to be taken, yet happily let's me dress him up like a doll! He sounds like a herd of caribou crashing through the bush with those hard soled boots on.

Edited November 7, 2013 by Sinistral1

[cybaea]

Thank you for reviewing this ink so quickly. Much appreciated

[MisterBoll]

Hmmm I'm sure I've read some horror stories about problems with mixing inks, but I'll all for free love.

 

The only problems with mixing inks are - not doing it at the correct time and not donning your cloak and wand to do so. It is, after all, a magical operation.

[Scriptorium Pens]

Thanks for the review! I wouldn't have known about these GvFC inks otherwise. The color looks lovely. I just had to order a bottle.

[mazinger55]

The ink flow of this hazelnut brown is very bad, any idea to increase it?

[Jdm dc2]

I've tried this. It's quite nice, in the pen I had it in, I wished it was a touch darker.

[Moose22]

Waterman's ink is not 1/3 the cost, more like 1/2 or so. $10 for 50ml vs $30 for 75ml.

 

Of course, if you don't like the ink you're stuck with a lot more with GvFC...

 

Big difference in my mind is the flow. If Waterman's is much more flowing, like their blue for example flows better than some blues, it would suit a wider range of pens. Any chance of assessing Havana Brown for flow in the same pen?