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Still Looking For My Perfect Purple ...


Fozziebear

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Hi folks,

 

I've done some snooping around reviews and threads and can't seem to find the info. for which I'm looking.

 

Basically, I'm looking for the perfect (or 'pur'-fect purple) ink. I know what works for me, but I can't seem to find one ink that comes close on enough of the characteristics. I figured I'd throw this out to the ink-brain trust and see what y'all think.

 

Here's the short version: I like the properties of NAV and the color of Diamine Majestic Purple.

 

Here's the long version: For many of its properties, Noodler's North African Violet feels great to me: limited feathering and bleed through, water resistant, relatively fast drying and a great flow. But (there's always a but) ... once it's dry it's hard for me to tell the difference (at a glance) between it and BSB in terms of color. This is relevant to me because I color-code my notes, lists and various other scribblings. Sparingly, I love using BSB - there's no other blue quite like it.

 

Here's the rub: I've found a purple with a great color for me: Diamine Majestic Purple. But I'm not a big fan of its properties. If I want to use cheaper paper, it's great if I want to make bleeding art (pun intended). Dry time is okay, but it feels like the very definition of NOT water resistant. The nice part about that is that it's easier to clean but if my hand is even damp, my nearly illegible writing will be completely unreadable - even to me.

 

A friend of mine, before leaving the country, gave me what was left of her bottle of Purple Martin. I have plenty of that - almost a half-bottle - but smudges like crazy on ink-resistant paper, seems to take a while to dry and (again) lacks much water resistance. I'm not sure what to do with the rest of my bottle of that. For now, I've just set it aside - might do a PIF of Purple Martin samples at some point.

 

I buy ink twice a year. Usually, it's purchase ... test ... purchase again ... wait for next year. Now is one of those times and I'm stuck on my purple conundrum. I'm putting in an order to replenish some of my dwindling stock. It's not that I don't have an ink acquisition disorder. It's more that I simply can't afford one, so I set aside money as I use at a rate a little faster than I use.

 

Oh yeah, that's the other thing. I'm on a shoestring budget. Really.

 

I thought about buying a bottle of NAV and then adding some pink to it, but I've never tried anything like that and would hate to buy a bottle for naught. My current thinking is including a small bottle of (Diamine) imperial purple with my semi-annual order to GPC. It's properties are closer to what I need (not as good as NAV) and the color stands out a bit more (compared to NAV) but it's still a little dark. Or maybe try a few more samples. But which ones?

 

What say you?

 

This topic may have been covered before in another thread. If so, point me in the right direction and away I'll go.

 

Thanks to all.

 

ps. Apologies for the typos, rambling narrative, etc.

Edited by Fozziebear

My ink-swap post(s) become out of date eventually. My signature is always current. If you want to swap some ink, here's what I have: Diamine: Ancient Copper, Oxblood, Poppy Red, Red Dragon, Sherwood Green; Iroshizuku: Kon-peki, Ku-jaku, Take-sumi; Noodlers: 54th Mass, BSB, Purple Martin, X-Feather, Widow Maker; Private Reserve: Blue Suede. I'm partial to highly saturated inks, but am open to suggestions. PM if interested.

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Been recently enjoying R&K Scabiosa - kinda grape-like, but nice nonetheless. As it's and iron gall it ghas great properties and will help tame a wet pen. Actually my relation ship with it is more love/hate; though I quite like it, I think I was hoping for something a with a little more reddish hue to it.

"What? What's that? WHAT?!!! SPEAK UP, I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!" - Ludwig van Beethoven.

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I have also been enjoying Scabiosa for the past several months. It is certainly water-resistant and works beautifully on cheap paper, but what I most appreciate is how it takes on character according to circumstance. Its initial color varies quite a bit, depending on what paper one uses, from a dusty lavender to almost black. Two months later, writing that was grape at the outset has transformed into a coppery lilac. It is the only ink I have ever used that I would call mysterious. And relatively speaking, it is not very expensive.

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Two months later, writing that was grape at the outset has transformed into a coppery lilac. It is the only ink I have ever used that I would call mysterious.

 

I'm relatively new to it so I'll be on the look out for the coppery lilac shift. Right now it's just mostly black shading to grape kool aide. Nothing mysterious about that, just evocotive of a hot summer day when I was 8.

"What? What's that? WHAT?!!! SPEAK UP, I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!" - Ludwig van Beethoven.

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Hmm. Fozziebear, I'm wondering if you should get checked for colorblindness. I don't think of NAV looking *anything* like BSB; for me, NAV is smack in the middle of "purple" because it neither leans blue nor red. In fact, that's part of the reason I got it in the first place (Private Reserve Purple Mojo is similar, but a little softer, i.e., less vibrant). Whereas BSB is a a purple-tinged blue (but *definitely* still blue).

Admittedly I don't use NAV much at the moment, because I'm starting to like ink colors that are more complex, and I'm leaning more towards red-violet toned inks (Pelikan Violet, Noodler's Purple Heart, KWZI IG Violet #3, Diamine Tyrian Purple, and MB Lavender Purple are the ones that come to immediate mind). Somehow, though, I'm not finding the blue-violet leaning inks all that interesting or attractive, with the exception of Noodler's Kung Te Cheng, which is just, well, in a category all its own for both good and ill). And that may be my true issue with BSB -- it leans purple and while there is no equivalent for its eye-searing brightness, I actually prefer Noodler's Liberty's Elysium for color.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

"It's very nice, but frankly, when I signed that list for a P-51, what I had in mind was a fountain pen."

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If BSB and NAV look the same to you at first glance, it's got to be because they are very similar in both darkness and intensity.

The cheapest way to change that would be to add just enough water to NAV for you to be able to see the difference between the two colors. It will be lighter in hue, but that should make it easier to identify as a separate color.

 

Also, if you're having trouble with ink that smears, add a little water to that, and it should dry faster, with less smearing later.

You can just add a little to a converter full by not filling with ink all the way initially, and then just sucking up some water to fill it. No vials or syringes necessary (although they're fun!)...

Edited by chewytulip
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If BSB and NAV look the same to you at first glance, it's got to be because they are very similar in both darkness and intensity.

The cheapest way to change that would be to add just enough water to NAV for you to be able to see the difference between the two colors. It will be lighter in hue, but that should make it easier to identify as a separate color.

 

Also, if you're having trouble with ink that smears, add a little water to that, and it should dry faster, with less smearing later.

You can just add a little to a converter full by not filling with ink all the way initially, and then just sucking up some water to fill it. No vials or syringes necessary (although they're fun!)...

Excellent recommendations that I hadn't considered. Thanks so much!

 

I was starting to bang my head against a wall and then remember, "Wow, there are so many people from around the world who could offer me guidance." I especially appreciate the suggestion re: Purple Martin. Thanks again!

 

Thanks, too for the other suggestions. I think GPC is out of Scabiosa for samples, but there may be some other ways to go.

My ink-swap post(s) become out of date eventually. My signature is always current. If you want to swap some ink, here's what I have: Diamine: Ancient Copper, Oxblood, Poppy Red, Red Dragon, Sherwood Green; Iroshizuku: Kon-peki, Ku-jaku, Take-sumi; Noodlers: 54th Mass, BSB, Purple Martin, X-Feather, Widow Maker; Private Reserve: Blue Suede. I'm partial to highly saturated inks, but am open to suggestions. PM if interested.

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My preferred purple is sheaffer, that one actually produced.

I find it very well behaved, nice color, and fast drying.

Not water resistant, unfortunately.

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Personally I like bluish violet and lilac inks....

For instance: Pilot iroshizuku murasaki shikibu, Omas violet (similar to Diamine violet)

My favorite blue violet inks are Sailor Nioi Sumire, Pilot iroshizuku ajisai

My favorite dark blue-purple is Noodler's la couleur royale

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So I decided to pull the trigger on my new inks. I'm waiting for them to come in at the moment (USPS scheduled to arrive today, but reality has decided something different). After spending time with a handful of samples over the past few months (2ml purchased and/or 5ml swapped), I'm adding Ancient Copper, Diamine Sherwood Green and Poppy Red to my bottled collection (the cheaper 30ml plastic bottles doe the trick for me). In fact, I think it's time to update my "signature".

 

As soon as I have the chance, I'll replenish my supply of distilled water and try the trick with the Purple Martin and NAV. If I can get the PM to behave, I can live with that as my default until the bottle runs out (about 40ml. remaining). If I can't make it work, I can always give it away as free samples.

 

In the meantime, I expect a bunch of (2ml) purple (and similar) samples to arrive with my order: another 2ml of NAV (but this one will be used for mad science experimentation ... add a little water ... add a little pink ...hope nothing explodes). As I've misplaced my tests of Majestic Purple and Imperial Purple, I've added them to the order along with PR DC Supershow Violet (I think that's what it is), De Atrementis (?sp.) Magenta Violet (I think that's the color), Yama-Budo and one or two more.

 

For more color-coding variation in general, I'm also starting to explore orange inks and have realized that there are quite a few nicely saturated, well-behaved turquoise inks to be enjoyable to use and easy to distinguish.

 

To an earlier comment, I may very have some color-blindness. My dad does. For some reason, I thought it was an all or nothing sort of thing, but according to my genetics textbooks, there may be shades of gray (no pun intended). I really like BSB and NAV, both. For my daily schedules and todo lists, I may have decide which will be my default color. However, I'll still be able to use the other for special occasions.

 

I suppose the exploration is part of the fun, but I'd like to settle on about 20 different "Core" inks. I know that might sound excessive, but color-coordinating enables me to see certain aspects of my written life quickly and conveniently. Unfortunately GPC didn't have Scabiosa in stock when I ordered and will have to be put on the back-burner (until I have the $$ to try a sample after deciding to invest in a full bottle of something else).

 

Thank you all, so much, for the suggestions. I'll post again to let you know what I learn from my experimentation. I might upload some pics. Also, if others have suggestions, I'm still open to any and all.

 

Thanks again!

 

Cheers.

My ink-swap post(s) become out of date eventually. My signature is always current. If you want to swap some ink, here's what I have: Diamine: Ancient Copper, Oxblood, Poppy Red, Red Dragon, Sherwood Green; Iroshizuku: Kon-peki, Ku-jaku, Take-sumi; Noodlers: 54th Mass, BSB, Purple Martin, X-Feather, Widow Maker; Private Reserve: Blue Suede. I'm partial to highly saturated inks, but am open to suggestions. PM if interested.

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I'd have suggested diluting smudgy, slow-drying inks had it not already been done by others. If you overdo it, you wind up with a poorly flowing, hard-starting ink. Add water in moderation, and use distilled water for preference.

 

Indeed.

 

I have a science background and generally practice "safer ink." [because there is no such thing as "safe" ink. ;) ... ]

 

So I'll start with tiny dilutions ... try on a reasonable assortment of papers with an equally reasonable assortment of pens/nibs and compare to known inks. It'll take a while to do it thoroughly, but that's part of the fun. It might not be for a few more weeks, but I'll report back with my results.

 

Cheers.

My ink-swap post(s) become out of date eventually. My signature is always current. If you want to swap some ink, here's what I have: Diamine: Ancient Copper, Oxblood, Poppy Red, Red Dragon, Sherwood Green; Iroshizuku: Kon-peki, Ku-jaku, Take-sumi; Noodlers: 54th Mass, BSB, Purple Martin, X-Feather, Widow Maker; Private Reserve: Blue Suede. I'm partial to highly saturated inks, but am open to suggestions. PM if interested.

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Personally I like bluish violet and lilac inks....

For instance: Pilot iroshizuku murasaki shikibu, Omas violet (similar to Diamine violet)

My favorite blue violet inks are Sailor Nioi Sumire, Pilot iroshizuku ajisai

My favorite dark blue-purple is Noodler's la couleur royale

 

Hi Aseyahi,

 

I just noticed this was your first post. Welcome to FPN!

 

Cheers.

My ink-swap post(s) become out of date eventually. My signature is always current. If you want to swap some ink, here's what I have: Diamine: Ancient Copper, Oxblood, Poppy Red, Red Dragon, Sherwood Green; Iroshizuku: Kon-peki, Ku-jaku, Take-sumi; Noodlers: 54th Mass, BSB, Purple Martin, X-Feather, Widow Maker; Private Reserve: Blue Suede. I'm partial to highly saturated inks, but am open to suggestions. PM if interested.

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Fozzie...a couple more suggestions:

Levenger Amethyst - well behaved, waterproof, $6 / 50ml on Amazon. Handwriting sample shown is from FPN member Ondina in a 2009 ink review in this Forum.

 

WahlEversharp Everberry - well behaved, water resistant, $12.95 / 80ml at WE online store.

 

 

Good luck finding the perfect purple.

post-36725-0-36789300-1449557350_thumb.jpeg

post-36725-0-45611100-1449557488_thumb.jpeg

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If you want an ink that is vibrant like BSB, but is really purple, and you like the properties of NAV and you are willing to clean your pen, then you want one of these two inks: Concord Grape (a Baystate ink) and KWZI #17r. I've added a BSB spider to give you some comparisons.

 

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Ink_Companies/Noodlers/slides/Concord_Grape.pnghttp://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Colors/Blue/slides/2014-Ink_127-BSB.jpghttp://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Colors/Purple/slides/KWZI-17r.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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And this may help us look:

 

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Ink_Companies/Noodlers/slides/2012-02-25_01_NAV.jpghttp://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Ink_Companies/Noodlers/slides/2012-02-25_01_bsb.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Also, I think you should consider using Midway blue instead of BSB.

 

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Ink_Companies/Noodlers/slides/2012-02-25_01_MidBlue.jpg

and when you use it, with NAV, you can see the differences easily.

 

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Ink_Companies/Noodlers/slides/2012-02-25_01_NAV.jpg

 

Even better, when you mix them, you can get some great colors that are water resistant.

 

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/Ink_Companies/Noodlers/2014-Ink_268.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Wow. Even more great suggestions! I will try as many as I can and report back with tests, etc. I just noticed a similar thread to this one started a month ago. Google searching the site didn't pick it up for some reason, but my computer has been acting a little wonky lately.

 

Thanks, again, for all of the great ideas. I've received my November order (1 of 2/year) from GPC and will also spend some time playing with some of the samples I was able to snag that might also come close to my quest.

 

I'm noticing that the Diamine Majestic Purple has A LOT of pink in it. With all of the great ideas being floated in this thread, I'm wondering if, in terms of color, I'm really looking for a purple ink that leans a little to the pink (as opposed to a pink ink that leans purple). Of course, I might be happier just changing the blue slightly (to Midway). Almost certainly, that's the simplest approach. I hadn't even thought of that; thanks amberleadavis!

 

I'm so fond of BSB because it seems (to me) like such a rich blue, but I'm wondering if there are elements in it that pull it ever so slightly toward violet, thus the challenge with telling them apart at a glance. I can distinguish between NAV and BSB on careful inspection, but not when I write adjacent lines with one, then the other and then glance at my notes hoping to get the full effect. I can read the notes, but the color-coding (which gives me a fair amount of info) gets lost when just looking at that scenario quickly.

 

More to chew on, though. I'll try to get my hands on some of the suggestions I don't yet have and try to apply some of the ideas proposed here in controlled tests to let folks know how things have panned out. Of course, if others have more suggestions, I'm all ears, but I have enough here to keep my quite busy.

 

In the meantime, I have some acceptable (but less preferable) work-arounds that I'm using to maintain my quirky system.

 

Thank you all for your really really great ideas - they are super helpful!

 

Cheers.

Edited by Fozziebear

My ink-swap post(s) become out of date eventually. My signature is always current. If you want to swap some ink, here's what I have: Diamine: Ancient Copper, Oxblood, Poppy Red, Red Dragon, Sherwood Green; Iroshizuku: Kon-peki, Ku-jaku, Take-sumi; Noodlers: 54th Mass, BSB, Purple Martin, X-Feather, Widow Maker; Private Reserve: Blue Suede. I'm partial to highly saturated inks, but am open to suggestions. PM if interested.

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