Do Pens Need To Be The Same Brand As The Ink?

[imeion]

Am new to these forums so Hi All! Lol

 

Ok so my question is can al fountain pens use inks that are of different brands? I have three fountain pens, one sheaffer dunno whatmodel haha, i'll let u guys identify it later, sheaffer ferrari 100 and a parker sonnet red. I've always used their respective brand inks but i do use parker's quink with my sheaffers. The question stems from those namiki-pilot inks, are they usable with my pens? Or do i need to go buy a namiki one just to be safe that the inks wont ruin my pens? (on pen boutique it states that the inks were made for namiki/pilot pens - and so my question arose haha).

 

Ty all

[sargetalon]

First, welcome to the forums. The short answer to your question is all fountain pens for the most part can use any ink designed for fountain pens. Pilot's Iroshizuku ink line works with all fountain pens and are amazing inks, not to be missed. Have fun mixing it up!

Edited December 1, 2013 by sargetalon

[imeion]

Ok thank you very much! Feel much safer now haha

[ac12]

It is the pen manufacturer that wants you to use their ink.

Some pens are tuned to work better with their own brand inks.

 

What you will learn over time is certain inks will work better or worse in your pen. And sometimes it is the manufacturers ink that does not work well. I have a Parker 180 which when loaded with Parker Quink will drip ink from the nib. Switch to Cross ink (made by Pelikan) and no drips.

 

Having said that, there are some inks that are more "troublesome." Some people have no trouble with them and others have problems. So approach these inks with a bit of care, they may or may not work in your pen. Sometimes all it needs is more frequent cleaning of the pen.

 

Some inks are also harder to clean out of a pen. So if you switch inks, getting the old ink completely out can be difficult.

In my experience, I had the hardest time cleaning out RED inks, then purple inks. It may not be all red and purple, but maybe just the ones that I had to clean out. They just did not want to let go of the pen.

[Tom Aquinas]

There was an attempt in Australia a couple of years ago by importers to void warranties if the discrete manufacturers own brand of of ink and ball pen refills (notwithstanding the fact they used another brands expired patent refill, A fountaiinpen would not be fit and proper for the purpose for which it is intended if it only used a discrete brand of ink. They found out that the Sale of Goods Act principles applied , and indeed the more modern concept of unconscionable conduct in attempted restrictive trade practice.

[lapis]

Hi and welcome aboard! You can use any brand of ink in any pen but here are two small exceptions:

 

1. For a very dry-writing pen you might write more easily and "more to your taste" using a wet ink, e.g. many Noodler' and vice versa, for a wet-writing pen use a drier ink like several Pelikans.

2. It has been claimed that if you buy a new and expensive pen like a Montblanc and need it repaired (especially within the guarantee time), then never tell them that you used any other ink than a Montblanc ink in it, otherwise they may say that the guarantee time is no longer valid.

 

Mike

[OldGreyGuy]

Hey, welcome to FPN.

 

A lot of good advice in the posts above. It may be a good idea to edit your profile and add in generic location / state so that people in your area can recommend retailers in your state.

[Minty]

Probably not. However in my 40 years of experience (& more) I have found that Sheaffer inks work best in Sheaffer pens by a long shot. Mont Blanc inks work best in Mont Blanc pens & Pelikan inks work best in Pelikan inks.

 

"Don't start vast projects with half-vast ideas."

[Rabbit713]

I agree, mix it up and see what happens. I rarely match ink/pen manufacturers, and haven't had any problems so far.

[Sandy1]

 

Hi,

 

Before selecting a new-to-you ink, I suggest that you ensure it is listed in the Ink Review Index, or is mentioned somewhere [on FPN] as being suitable for fountain pens. If not, I invite you to pose your question in the Inky Thoughts Forum.

 

The Pilot inks are compatible with your pens, but that is no reason not to get a Pilot pen. (Welcome to The Vortex!)

 

It is likely that you will prefer the appearance resulting from certain ink+pen combos, but typically that has nothing to do with compatibility. Indeed, from the thousands of ink+pen+paper combos I've tried, there's been but a handful that were true failures. There were too many that were not quite to my taste, which goes a long way to explain why my ink shelves are overburdened.

 

I will also mention that good pen hygiene is very important, so ensure your pen is free of the previous ink before charging it with another ink.

 

In addition, if you choose an iroshizuku series ink, I suggest acquiring some [coated] FP-friendly writing paper, such as Rhodia, to exploit the full potential of those inks. I'm not aware of the papers available from local Vendors under the Southern Cross, so trolling through the P&PP Forum should give you some good ideas.

 

Enjoy!

 

Bye,

S1

Edited December 1, 2013 by Sandy1

[Sasha Royale]

Welcome !

 

Modern fountain pen inks are safe in all fountain pens of good condition. However, performance and characteristics vary.

(a delight, rather than a problem).

/

FOUNTAIN PEN INK ONLY, in fountain pens. Many art and drawing inks contain lacquers, and such, for texture and beautiful gloss. They can clog the fountain pen feed.

.

Check out these "swab charts" for comparison of ink colors.

http://www.gouletpens.com/Swab_Shop_s/793.htm

 

Write with joy.

[LWJ2]

Fountain pens do not work well with India inks and many drawing inks because these contain particulate matter (pigments, et c.) You can use them, but they'll clog your pen; you'll have to clean it frequently.

 

Some pens, particularly custom made and antiques, have no manufacturer's inks; you'll discover that each pen has it's "preferences" as to what works well. That's part of the fun, an ink that doesn't work well in one will function flawlessly in another.

 

Welcome aboard !

[imeion]

Thanks all for the tips and replies!

 

I just checked the iroshizuku inks price at a local retailer (pen ultimate at qvb) and it costs $50 AUD, i dont think i'm prepared to fork out that much for just ink - $30~$35 max haha. Are there cheaper retailers in sydney? If anyone knows that is? Otherwise i'll just stick to using sheaffer and parker inks haha (maybe i'll dabble into mont blanc inks since they retail at $35).

[Sailor Kenshin]

Thanks all for the tips and replies!

I just checked the iroshizuku inks price at a local retailer (pen ultimate at qvb) and it costs $50 AUD, i dont think i'm prepared to fork out that much for just ink - $30~$35 max haha. Are there cheaper retailers in sydney? If anyone knows that is? Otherwise i'll just stick to using sheaffer and parker inks haha (maybe i'll dabble into mont blanc inks since they retail at $35).

Yikes. Here in the USA, we can get them for $17.

 

Is there an Amazon AUS? They were selling Iro for around $22 at one point. And you might see what sort of samples you can get before springing for any but the most inexpensive inks.

[Bo Bo Olson]

There are two toned shading inks...that need a bit better paper, many not typhoon proof.

There are vivid supersaturated monotone inks many permanent

You need both.

 

Eventually there are inks with Sheen.....I'm not up with them in they seem to happen with super expensive Japanese inks most. By the time you fly a heavy glass bottle half way around the world it to me, it becomes expensive. Should be cheaper by you.

 

Get a Pelikan dry ink...green is good, violet too. Blue Black you can get, can't get it in the US.

 

Once ... four years ago Waterman was considered wet...now it is not, by many who use Noodler or Private Reserve.

You'd have to ask the Noddler fans about it's shading inks...and his dry inks.

 

Living in Europe I have the basic 50 inks, and need to get the other 50 essential Continental inks before chasing inks from far away.

 

Then you want a medium ink Herbin for shading. MB has some good inks too, and a most wonderful bottle.

Aurora or Visconti are wetter inks.

[amberleadavis]

Now, some of us have elaborate rules for ink filing:

 

 

 

At THE LAS VEGAS PEN POSSE, we have discussed the "rules" we each have for choosing which ink belongs in which pen.

One of my fellow TLVPP has always had the most elaborate guidelines .... I'm sure he'll jump in and correct my misunderstandings ....

1. Match brand of pen with brand of ink ... Pelikan ink goes in Pelikan pens.
2. Match color of ink with barrel of pen ... Pelikan Amber ink goes in the Pelikan Tortoise.
3. When you cannot meet Rule 1, then choose by country....
   1. German inks can go in a German Pen ... So MB ink can go in a Pelikan Pen.
   2. If you can't match by country, then try and match by continent or trade zone. So if you count MB is Austrian not German, it can still go in a Pelikan pen.
   3. BUT try and follow the WWII Axis / Allied alliances....
      1. Herbin ink does not go into Aurora pens
   4. AND keep the war theaters differentiated....
      1. Sailor ink does not go in Pelikan pens. Pelikan ink does not go into Sailor Pens.

[Runnin_Ute]

Welcome imeion!

Pretty much like others have said - if the ink is designed for fountain pens, you can use it. Some inks are higher maintenance than others, but other than that no worries.

 

 

[imeion]

No amazon Australia -.-" we just gotta order from the US amazon and pay shipping woo...

Although i think buying it that way would still be cheaper than that $50 bottle lol

I also searched ebay Australia but every bottle seems to be in the high 30s to low 40s when shipping is included...

[Inkheart]

You just warmed the cockles of my little OCD heart.

 

 

Now, some of us have elaborate rules for ink filing:

 

 

 

At THE LAS VEGAS PEN POSSE, we have discussed the "rules" we each have for choosing which ink belongs in which pen.

 

One of my fellow TLVPP has always had the most elaborate guidelines .... I'm sure he'll jump in and correct my misunderstandings ....

 

 

• Match brand of pen with brand of ink ... Pelikan ink goes in Pelikan pens.
• Match color of ink with barrel of pen ... Pelikan Amber ink goes in the Pelikan Tortoise.
• When you cannot meet Rule 1, then choose by country....
  • German inks can go in a German Pen ... So MB ink can go in a Pelikan Pen.
  • If you can't match by country, then try and match by continent or trade zone. So if you count MB is Austrian not German, it can still go in a Pelikan pen.
  • BUT try and follow the WWII Axis / Allied alliances....
  • Herbin ink does not go into Aurora pens
• AND keep the war theaters differentiated....
  • Sailor ink does not go in Pelikan pens. Pelikan ink does not go into Sailor Pens.

Edited December 2, 2013 by Inkheart

[Vendome]

Any brand of ink should be fine in any make of pen, (as long as it's not Indian ink).

Some companies are solely ink or writing instrument manufacturers , such as Diamine, (who are the exclusive ink supplier to the Onoto pen company).

As the cheapest Onoto pen is over 300 quid, they seem ok with recommending Diamine ink for their pens.