Super 5 - Inky Expendables

[visvamitra]

Like most people I like novelties, especially when it comes to inks and fountain pens. You know - I've been looking for grail ink for three years and there's always chance it's still ahead of me

When I came across Super 5 inks mention on Goulet's site, I thought the bottles looked cool and - in a way - familiar.

http://papierlabor.de/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/super5-ink-group-720x340.jpg

The names of cities were cool as well. Colors looked really nice on swabs. My dear friend google helped me to investigate.

Super 5 inks are sold by Format-Darmstadt GmbH on papierlabor.desite. The company offers also calligraphy pen and converter and some papers.

The inks are made by my second favourite ink maker - Rohrer & Klingner. Check their "regular" inks here.

That's good news. Really. They know what they're doing and you can expect good quality from R&K. The quality they indeed deliver.

So why Super5 inks are much more expensive than R&K inks. First of all - they're pigmented (I believe), then there need to be some margin for the distributor. At 20 euros / bottle yhey're not cheap. However unlike Caran d'Ache or Iroshizuku they offer not only more than satisfying quality, good flow and good lubrication but also added value of waterproofness and lightfastness.

Last week I was given the whole set. I'm going to review it and post comparison of the full line. Soon.

The colors are really great. Honestly. They're also extremely waterproof.

I've already reviewed Australia, Darmstadt, Dublin, Delhi and Frankfurt.

It's time to see indestructible six together.

http://imageshack.com/a/img901/3326/u4H53C.jpg

Atlantic: blue/gray that I enjoy auite a bit

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/295/zYQFuh.jpg

Australia: nice one.

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/673/QReKwN.jpg

Darmstadt: I dislike black. This ink won't make me visit Darmstadt. If I happen to visit Germany I'll give this city a wide berth.

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/8348/TArkRR.jpg

Delhi: Love it.

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/6023/OquJg1.jpg

Dublin: Great ink.

http://imageshack.com/a/img911/8264/idFGjA.jpg

Frankfurt: Nice.

http://imageshack.com/a/img910/7416/HqlGSE.jpg

Swabs (Mondi 90g paper, photos made on a cloudy day)

http://imageshack.com/a/img912/4950/6WRFsl.jpg

Drops of ink on kitchen towel

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/2786/PkgL7v.jpg

Kaweco Sport Classic, eyedropper mode, broad nib - Calendar

http://imageshack.com/a/img901/521/Lk6KpA.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/9821/h115ht.jpg

Kaweco Sport Classic, eyedropper mode, broad nib - Linum notebook

http://imageshack.com/a/img907/4929/Kt4zq2.jpg

Kaweco Sport Classic, eyedropper mode, broad nib - Oxford notebook

http://imageshack.com/a/img911/2743/mfhRNf.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/9500/yUmCtc.jpg

Kaweco Sport Classic, eyedropper mode, broad nib - Lyreco notebook:

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/4452/yBoMFl.jpg

Kaweco Sport Classic, eyedropper mode, broad nib - cream good quality 100 g paper:

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/4494/Vkgkfc.jpg

WATERPROOFNESS

Before immersion

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/6241/eIit91.jpg

After three days

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/9045/iD7mkt.jpg

After five days

http://imageshack.com/a/img673/9811/r61c36.jpg

SUMMARY

Super 5 inks have excellent properties although as they're pigmented it's reasonable to clear pen after using them instead of leaving it in the drawer for half a year with some ink left in it.

The price isn't as cool as inks are but you do receive added value: waterproofness and lightfastness. No other premium ink offers it. So if you do need such properties Super 5 inks would be reasonable choice. If you don't care about waterproofness as you don't bath with the notebook you may choose other inks. Unless, of course, you like these colors.

Atramenty te są drogie, ale oferują kupującemu coś ekstra ponad ładną butelkę i pozycjonowanie jako produkt premium. Czy warto? Jeśli ktoś szuka atramentu odpornego na działanie światła i wody, warto.

If you like the comparison, please choose your favourite in a poll or leave a comment. It;'s nice to know you enjoy my comparisons.

 

[oshizemi]

More inks to add to my wishlist. I wish they weren't so pricey... I want to own 4/5 of these! Excellent review. Thanks for sharing.

[Tas]

Atlantic & Frankfurt on the 2015 wishlist . . .

 

Thanks again vismaitra

[TheRealScubaSteve]

Thanks. Who couldn't use more waterproof inks?

[lgsoltek]

I think there are too many greyish inks in this line, too few bright colours. I like Delhi the most, followed by Dublin. The rest are too boring for me!

[Cyber6]

Dublin and Delhi all the way!!!!.... Close seconds are Atlantic, Australia and Frankfurt... :wub: :wub:

 

Yep... I like all of them (except Black)..

 

 

C.

[bstnnyc]

Great comparison as usual!

 

I like Delhi the most, followed by Dublin.

+1