Not Readily Commercially Available

[amberleadavis]

So, the Hard Hat area is not just for inks that are tests inks - it's for reviews of inks made by new ink companies and old ink companies that are not readily commercially available. AND Hard Hat is for group reviews, Co-Razy-Views, Co-Reviews are multi person comparisons.

 

What does "Not Readily Commercially Available" mean? Can it be purchased in stores?

 

Easily obtainable (in no particular order):

 

• Aurora
• Private Reserve
• Noodler's
• S.T. Dupont
• Diamine
• De Atramentis
• J. Herbin
• Pelikan
• Cara d'Ache
• Mont Blanc
• Duke
• Hero
• Chesterfield
• Camlin
• Bril
• Chelpark
• Pilot
• Iroshizuku
• Rohrer & Klingner
• Visconti
• Sailor

 

Some examples of inks not readily commercially avaialable:

 

• Thistle ink was easily obtainable a hundred years ago - today, it's scarce. Thistle reviews go here.
• KWZI / Blackstone / Susemai inks are not available in any retail stores at this time - so, the reviews go here.
• Diamine powdered ink - gee, that hasn't been made in 60+ years - probably better put it here.
• Diamine ink made for Conway Stewart (or Akkerman), that goes in Ink Reviews UNLESS it a Co-Review or Group Review.

So, what about these inks - let's hear some feedback are these inks "Readily Commercially Available," and why or why not?

• Callifolio
• Standardgraph
• Rubinato
• Akkerman
• Kingdom's Note
• Bung Box
• ESSRI

[amberleadavis]

Readily Commercially Available - "RCA"

 

RCA - does mean within a Brick and Mortar store with at least 10 locations. So, if it is available at Paradise Pen (for those of you near one), then it's RCA.

 

Let's start with does is have to be sold in the US to be readily available? NO. For example, I have yet to find Chelpark and Bril available in India to millions. I've never seen the liquid ink.

 

I'd suggest that Akkerman is RCA because it is sold in B&Ms on 2 continents, but, you tell me if you feel differently.

 

I'd suggest that Callifolio is not RCA. I've only seen it as part of group buys or direct from the manufacturer. I've been told that some small boutiques in Belgium and France do carry it. Alas, I don't know where those stores are.

 

I'd also suggest that Rubinato is not RCA - It's barely available and not even in Italy.

[Sinistral1]

I would suggest that if anyone anywhere is unable to either purchase it in a local store -or- go online and order it easily for shipment to your home (where ever in the world you live) without having to learn a new language, it is not RCA.

 

Edited to add:

 

I didn't not factor price into my definition. What you and I think is expensive or too much to pay is too personal a decision, in my opinion.

Edited December 4, 2014 by Sinistral1

[amberleadavis]

So under the Sinistral definition.... Those Crossed off are NOT RCA.

Rubinato - not RCA

 

What about these?

 

Callifolio
Standardgraph
Akkerman
Kingdom's Note
Bung Box
ESSRI

[TheGreatRoe]

Bungbox and Akkerman are easily obtainable with a simple email or two.

[Cyber6]

I totally disagree with Sinistral's definition of RCA.. just because someone doesn't live at a spitting distance of a Brick/Mortar store or has a problem with using a basic web browser, or can't use google translate... does not mean is not "Readily Commercially Available"

 

 

If it has an online presence, and you can get it shipped to you... then it doesn't matter if it is across the universe.

 

 

C.

[Cyber6]

Bungbox and Akkerman are easily obtainable with a simple email or two.

 

Totally agree... so does the rest.

 

• Callifolio
• Standardgraph
• Rubinato (the fountain pen ink seems to have been discontinued)
• Akkerman
• Kingdom's Note
• Bung Box
• ESSRI

 

C.

[amberleadavis]

So Cyber6, can you easily acquire Rubinato? Because as I understand the list, you are saying it is an RCA. I would strongly disagree with that.

 

ESSRI was easily available online.

 

Let me look for Standardgraph.

[amberleadavis]

Okay, I can acquire Standardgraph fountain pen ink for less than $12. If it's that quick, then hopefully others can get it. Vis says it is available at stationary stores in Europe. So that's an RCA.

[amberleadavis]

BTW, Callifolio inks are not on ebay, but as usual, an over priced bottle of Penman may be found.

[amberleadavis]

So, how about this for a rule, at the time of production or review, the ink could easily be purchased online at MSRP. So even if the Louis Vitton ink seems over priced or even outrageously priced, it is not a HH ink.

[Cyber6]

So Cyber6, can you easily acquire Rubinato? Because as I understand the list, you are saying it is an RCA. I would strongly disagree with that.

 

ESSRI was easily available online.

 

Let me look for Standardgraph.

 

I did state that their Fountain Pen Ink seems to have been discontinued ... the Rubinato inks you can buy online might not be fountain pen friendly.

 

But yep... you can find them online. Rakuten has them, so does KindomNote store.. and if you want them ship to you, you can easily contact a forwarding service like White Rabbit express... Like dcroe05 says.. a simple email or two.

 

 

C.

[Cyber6]

So Cyber6, can you easily acquire Rubinato? Because as I understand the list, you are saying it is an RCA. I would strongly disagree with that.

 

 

I also disagree with your "easily obtainable" statement. None of the inks below are "easily obtainable" (discounting eBay)

 

• Duke
• Hero
• Camlin
• Bril
• Chelpark

 

But, that doesn't make them impossible to get. So I don't mind them being on the RCA list.

 

 

 

In summary... the "Hard Hat" forum.. for me implies.. something "Under Construction", Blackstone is a perfect example. KWZI is a borderline example, since they are not "in developmet".. People all over the world are enjoying these inks.

 

So what if they are only available a few times in the year?.. Sailor Sweet Potato Purple is only available in September, and you can't call it Non RCA.

 

 

C.

[amberleadavis]

 

 

I also disagree with your "easily obtainable" statement. None of the inks below are "easily obtainable" (discounting eBay)

 

• Duke
• Hero
• Camlin
• Bril
• Chelpark

 

But, that doesn't make them impossible to get. So I don't mind them being on the RCA list.

 

 

 

In summary... the "Hard Hat" forum.. for me implies.. something "Under Construction", Blackstone is a perfect example. KWZI is a borderline example, since they are not "in developmet".. People all over the world are enjoying these inks.

 

So what if they are only available a few times in the year?.. Sailor Sweet Potato Purple is only available in September, and you can't call it Non RCA.

 

 

C.

 

 

No, wait -don't misquote me - easily obtainable for millions of Indians. If an ink is readily available to every person in one country, we shouldn't discount it. BTW, Duke is available at Bertram's Inkwell. Each of those that I listed have stores that ship internationally.

 

Clearly the forum name is going to have to be changed.

 

This forum IS NOT only for inks under development, it is among other things for INKS NOT READILY COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE, which which why we are discussing what RCA means.

 

The forum is for: Co-Razy-Views, Group Reviews and Analysis of Inks not readily commercially available

[amberleadavis]

 

I did state that their Fountain Pen Ink seems to have been discontinued ... the Rubinato inks you can buy online might not be fountain pen friendly.

 

But yep... you can find them online. Rakuten has them, so does KindomNote store.. and if you want them ship to you, you can easily contact a forwarding service like White Rabbit express... Like dcroe05 says.. a simple email or two.

 

 

C.

 

Go back to the definition I suggested:

 

at the time of production or review, the ink could easily be purchased online at MSRP.

 

This means that Rubinato or Parker Penman inks would by RCA and belong in IR. Even Sweet Potato would be RCA.

[Davros]

I would say the L'artisan Pastellier inks are readily available. Took me no time or effort to find their website and buy some. No minimum order, no hassle, no problem with international shipping.

[Cyber6]

 

Go back to the definition I suggested:

 

at the time of production or review, the ink could easily be purchased online at MSRP.

 

This means that Rubinato or Parker Penman inks would by RCA and belong in IR. Even Sweet Potato would be RCA.

 

 

Exactly... my point all along.

 

 

C.

[saskia_madding]

I don't know about all of them, but Callifolio and Kingdom Note/Bung Box/other Sailors are definitely readily available. In fact, there are links in my signature and details instructions on how to get them. In my opinion, if you can send one email or fill in a simple form,and get the inks shipped to your house no matter where you live, then I consider them readily available to everyone.

 

Callifolio doesn't require an email, you can just add them to a cart from their website and then buy them, just like any other online store. The Sailor inks are available either on ebay, or through an ebay vendor (which only requires an email), or through WRE (which requires an online form). They are expensive, but available. And Sweet Potato Purple is available seasonally, so I don't think it belongs in the not readily available area. It's not available until September, but it's not like the ink is gone forever or not yet on the market.

[Runnin_Ute]

 

Go back to the definition I suggested:

 

at the time of production or review, the ink could easily be purchased online at MSRP.

 

This means that Rubinato or Parker Penman inks would by RCA and belong in IR. Even Sweet Potato would be RCA.

This would seem to be a reasonable definition - at least as a starting point. It may evolve as we move forward.

 

One that is NOT on your list - either as an RCA or a non - RCA, but I would call an RCA are Levenger inks.

 

Online AND old fashioned paper catalog (I subscribe to their email stuff AND I get the paper catalog) Now how available are they to those outside of the US I don't know. They used to put a paper order form in the catalog, but I haven't see that in a while. They also have 3 B & M stores. (Boston, Chicago, DC area) 17 colors!!

[rafapa]

Two other which I would consider RCA are Stipula Calamo and Wancher.