Red 187 - Franklin-Christoph

[visvamitra]

Please,allow me to start by saying thank you mmg112 for sending me samples of all new Franklin-Christoph's writing fluids (and much more!). I appreciate it a lot and I hope the reviews I've prepared are enough to repay you

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Franklin-Christoph is one of fairly new pen makers. I had three of their pens and they were all good writers. The company is headed by Scott Franklin and operates from North Carolina. I like company's approach to clients (sales directly to us) and they're designs.

Franklin-Christoph offers not only pens but also notebooks, pen cases, wallets and inks. I was huge fan of Olde Emerald from first generation of their inks. It used to be my favourite ink for a while. At the moment however the bottle's long gone and I keep fond memories of this exceptional writing fluid.

I was surprised to hear they've stopped producing first generation of their inks, especially after I took a look at new colors. First generation colors were rather unique, second generation colors are rather generic. And that's not an advantage to my eyes. Being boring in ink market may be safe when you're Pelikan or Sheaffer, but for smaller player it's risky. Just my opinion.

If you happen to know who makes they're ink, I'm eager to know.

The second generation of FC inks counts eight inks with uninteresting names (Black Magic, Dark Denim, Olde Emerald - those were cool names; Blue 72, Emerald 357 are NOT cool names)

1. Blue 72
2. Brown 732
3. Classic Black
4. Dark Chocolate
5. Emerald 357
6. Midnight Emerald
7. Noir et Bleu
8. Red 187

Red 187 is called after pantone color it's supposed to match. I like the color. It's good red, without too much pink accents. I'm sorry to say I'm not happy with the result. My scanner serves me well with most colors. But when it comes to reds, nope.

Ink splash

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Drops of ink on kitchen towel

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Waterproofness

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/520/3aLGFx.jpg

Software ID

http://imageshack.com/a/img908/696/RaZdgE.jpg

Oxford, Kaweco Sport Classic, B

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Semikolon, Kaweco Sport Classic, B

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Midori, Hero 5028, stub 1,9

http://imageshack.com/a/img901/2688/KJuyWr.jpg

Edited July 4, 2015 by visvamitra

[Frank C]

Thanks for posting. The handwriting looks to be red. The splash and kitchen towel appear to have some pink in them. I think I'll keep MB Corn Poppy Red as my regular red.

[Venator]

It looks similar to Diamine Wild Strawberry to me, and not interesting enough for the price tag. Thanks for the review!

[mmg122]

Cost comparison:

Diamine: 18 cents/ml (US)

Franklin-Christoph: 21 cents/ml ) US

 

 

Thanks for your usual outstanding review, Vis, and for taking the time to review all of FC's current generation inks. Of the current generation inks, I'll be buying Dark Chocolate, Brown 732 and Red 187.

 

I'm currently still using 1st gen Black Magic and 1st gen Dark Denim. Sure wish I could get my hands on a bottle of 1st gen Olde Emerald.

 

While some of FC's colors are pretty bland (boring), they are all well behaved. Perhaps we'll see a 3rd generation lineup that will blow our socks off. Are you listening, Mr. Franklin?

[Venator]

Cost comparison:

Diamine: 18 cents/ml (US)

Franklin-Christoph: 21 cents/ml ) US

Indeed, I was thinking of Faber Castell. I get the two confused. I don't think I have seen Franklin-Christoph for sale at all in Australia.

[ethernautrix]

Looks like a good color for writing on a mirror - threats or taunts.

 

That is, a lipstick red. Cue dramatic music.

 

 

 

But I'm not that girly, so....

[delano]

Franklin-Christoph's only "IN YOUR FACE" ink.

 

Looks like a good color for writing on a mirror - threats or taunts.

 

I think RED RUM would look GREAT with this ink. It's Franklin-Christoph's only "IN YOUR FACE" ink.

[eelldan]

Thank you for the review! Thank you for posting the reviews of the FC inks, This color is not what I was hoping for in a red ink and will be passing on using it. You have saved me from a lot of disappointment.

[Cyber6]

That's a nice looking red.....

[visvamitra]

I've managed to take photos that do some justice to this ink. Please, take a look:

 

CIAK, Gama Airborne F nib

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/46/nk3cNX.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img907/8499/JEffuI.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img909/7021/L7vOlo.jpg

It's not pinkish. It's strong, well saturated,well behaved red ink. With one problem though. It's not complicated. There's no depth to it. If it had better lubrication I would consider it but that's not the case. I find Sheaffer Red of better value.

 

In my opinion Franklin-Christoph made strange move with introducing this inks. Their other products are quite unique and offer somne classic, yet fresh design. They are as well targeted on fountain pen enthusiasts who are eager to learn about companies other than Pelikan, Sheaffer and Waterman. Basically to people who are educated and start to define their taste in pens and seek something elegant and unique in the same time. Why then offer boring, generic color every ink maker has in offer? This I can't understand.

Edited July 10, 2015 by visvamitra