High Viscosity Inks?

[rivermaze]

Hi, I need a fountain pen ink/s of the highest possible viscosity (thick, somehow sticky). Can anyone suggest something please?

[tinkerteacher]

Is it for a fountain pen or for a dip pen?

 

For fountain pens, the highest viscousity inks I've run across are the Japanese pigment inks and Noodler's Kung Te-Chung (if you can call that stuff ink). And, also V Pen/Petit inks if you've a lot of time and a syringe.

 

For dip pens, the highest viscousity inks I've run across are the J. Herbin Calligraphy and Pearlescent inks.

 

Also, you could just take any old fountain pen ink that is water based and semi-desicate it, remove a certain portion of the water from it via various means. That would thicken it up nicely.

 

I'm sure others with far more experience will be along shortly.

Edited March 21, 2015 by tinkerteacher

[Intellidepth]

Thick/sticky + fountain pen are terms that are usually at opposite ends of the planet. What is the ink's end use/purpose please? I've run experiments using a viscosity modifier in sacrificial, cheap, replaceable, converter or piston pens but there are pros and cons with it.

 

If it's for dip pen use, or non-fountain pen use, there are a couple of additives you could use.

[rivermaze]

Thank you both so much!

 

Is it for a fountain pen or for a dip pen?

 

It is for a fountain pen. I am not entirely convinced that increased dye density will always result in higher viscosity but dessication seems like an interesting idea and I will have a try. Thank you also for the ink suggestions! I may have some Platinum pigmented ink cartridges around, and the mentioned Pilot's inks shouldn't be hard to get.

 

Thick/sticky + fountain pen are terms that are usually at opposite ends of the planet. What is the ink's end use/purpose please? I've run experiments using a viscosity modifier in sacrificial, cheap, replaceable, converter or piston pens but there are pros and cons with it.

If it's for dip pen use, or non-fountain pen use, there are a couple of additives you could use.

 

In general, I prefer dry writing pens. Unfortunately, some of mine seem to have much richer flow than I can tolerate. I don't think there is much more I can do in terms of basic nib adjustment and the only thing left is some work on feeds which I'd like to avoid. Also, I get some railoading with the Pilot Falcon nib. I've suspected for some time that JHerbin's scented inks have higher viscosity and I must admit that although they tend to occlude the flow in some pens they work great with the Falcon and some other flex nibs.

 

Intellidepth, I'd love to learn more about your experiments and additives you have used.

 

Thank you both again!

Edited March 21, 2015 by rivermaze

[Intellidepth]

Ok, so honey-like-sticky-substance in an fp is not the real plan then (phew) .

 

Here's the link to the experiments. As you sound like you'd be one of the few who would ever need it for non-glitter/lustre suspension purposes, may I strongly suggest you read it in its entireity, especially the qualifiers I posted a couple of times through it (ie at your own risk). I recently purchased a biocide, phenol, in case I need it later.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/283167-glitteratipearlmica-and-e415/

 

I am not an ink maker or ink expert, just a person who went out on a limb and tried something out while reading as many articles as I could find on the topic.

 

The trials have only extended to a few weeks in pens which have now been flushed. I'm waiting to see if anything happens in my vials before contemplating its use in any of my other pens (eg vintage waterman).

 

I have never added the additive to an ink bottle as it's still under trial in vials. May I suggest you do the same if you are interested in giving it a go, as you have mentioned an (to me) expensive pen. But up to you of course. Feel free to add anything to that thread that you notice if you start experimenting with it yourself, as I would love to learn from others' experiences.

[tinkerteacher]

I've suspected for some time that JHerbin's scented inks have higher viscosity and I must admit that although they tend to occlude the flow in some pens they work great with the Falcon and some other flex nibs.

 

I personally wouldn't use thickener additives in a fountain pen above the Platinum Preppy price level, but speaking of potential bad ideas. If J. Herbin's scented inks worked out for you, and you want to live dangerously, you could always try diluting their Calligraphy/Pearlescent ink and see if that works (or see if it permanetly cements your feed to nib)

 

These people carry them at great prices with cheap and fast shipping. Usual weasel words of non-affliation apply.

 

http://thewritingdesk.co.uk/showproduct.php?brand=Herbin&range=Calligraphy+Ink+selections&cat=gifts

Edited March 21, 2015 by tinkerteacher

[Intellidepth]

Rivermaze, what nib adjustments have you tried? I've found for the very few fountain pens I have (listed in my signature) that to make them drier I needed to move the tip of the feed as close to the tip of the nib as possible. To make them wetter, I do the opposite. With my flex nibs there is a sweet spot between maximum wetness and railroading due to lost capillary contact/surface tension between ink, feed, and nib.