La Couleur Royale (? ? ?) - Noodler's

[whichwatch]

I'll go along with that completely. WAIT! I'm not bashing but let me say that IMO Noodler's is without doubt the company with the widest and most often seen batch variation. Not the end of the world but I just accept that. Mislabelling is much less common (anywhere) and -- funnily enough -- IMO more "forgivable".

 

Mike

 

 

I have to agree that mislabeling is more forgiveable - really just a simple mistake that can happen anywhere.

 

As much as I respect Nathan and what he has done/is doing, I have to say that claiming significant batch to batch variations is a "security measure" is as big a pile of caca as is Delta's claim that their Fusion nib improves ink flow due to thermochemical (or whatever) physical and metallurgical properties. In my opinion it's just plain poor quality control. Who else purposely sells a branded product where you never know exactly what you're going to get or if it will be what you expected and wanted?

 

"Quality" is often defined as conformance to customer expectations. "Guess the contents" isn't that.

 

I still love you, Nathan. Sorry I had to get that off my chest.

[tfwall]

As much as I respect Nathan and what he has done/is doing, I have to say that claiming significant batch to batch variations is a "security measure" is as big a pile of caca ... In my opinion it's just plain poor quality control. Who else purposely sells a branded product where you never know exactly what you're going to get or if it will be what you expected and wanted?

 

"Quality" is often defined as conformance to customer expectations. "Guess the contents" isn't that.

 

Is your definition true and is it helpful?

 

Conformance to customer expectations is the same thinking that drives American tourists in Rome or Paris into a McDonald's instead of exploring local restaurants. "We know what we are getting at a McDonald's".

 

Conformance to customer expectations is what has driven American agriculture to huge factory farms where every aspect of growth is rigidly controlled and any piece of fruit or vegetable that is even slightly out of "normal" is thrown away.

 

"Quality control" is an easy term when you are speaking of vast homogeneous production facilities. When you have dozens of employees dedicated to the task and you are bottling thousands of gallons of watered down food coloring, it is easy to control for "quality". Such as it is.

 

It means something quite different when you are speaking of the work of an individual chef, cabinetmaker or ink maker.

Edited January 19, 2016 by Chemyst

[whichwatch]

 

 

It means something quite different when you are speaking of the work of an individual chef, cabinetmaker or ink maker.

 

 

But we're not talking about a "creation" or individual work of art such as a fine meal or a custom piece of furniture where the subtle nuances are desired. We're talking about ink, where the purchase decision is usually based on color and/or performance characteristics. If you don't even get the color you wanted or expected, has the product served its intended purpose at all?

[lapis]

 

 

But we're not talking about a "creation" or individual work of art such as a fine meal or a custom piece of furniture where the subtle nuances are desired. We're talking about ink, where the purchase decision is usually based on color and/or performance characteristics. If you don't even get the color you wanted or expected, has the product served its intended purpose at all?

Again, food for thought. As I explained earlier (IMO) batch-changes and mislabellings may be less forgiveable and more foregivable -- respectively -- and I'd now like to augment this by saying that both of those feats (batch-changes and milabellings) are not usually done on purpose... but if a new charge does have to be made for whatever reason, the company should at least tell us this in advance of selling it to us.

 

Whew!

[tfwall]

But we're not talking about a "creation" or individual work of art such as a fine meal or a custom piece of furniture where the subtle nuances are desired. We're talking about ink, where the purchase decision is usually based on color and/or performance characteristics. If you don't even get the color you wanted or expected, has the product served its intended purpose at all?

 

There is the fundamental disconnect.

 

You are asking for a commodity ink and Noodler's Ink is a unique handcrafted creation. If you want consistency and to "get the color you wanted or expected", you want an ink from one of Noodler's competitors.

[evyxmsj]

 

There is the fundamental disconnect.

 

You are asking for a commodity ink and Noodler's Ink is a unique handcrafted creation. If you want consistency and to "get the color you wanted or expected", you want an ink from one of Noodler's competitors.

 

I'd like to posit that people buy inks because of the colour (and other inky characteristics) they would like. Branding, availability and other intangibles of course come into play, but I think most people buying Noodler's make their choice significantly based on colour and flow/cleaning characteristics. For me, it's almost entirely based on colour, with a bit of curiosity and addiction thrown in.

If I had the option to buy the inks in person, I would accept your general sentiment.

 

As it is, I like Noodler's Ink and have to buy online. As such, I rely on swabs, reviews and other such information. I can accept a certain degree of difference between batches and ages, and also errors coming from scans, monitors, ambient lighting, nibs, paper, etc. But you have to sympathise when there is a significant hue difference like the OP. I know it's my choice to gamble as a consumer, but wouldn't it be great if it wasn't the gamble this thread seems to indicate!

 

That said, I do have difficulties with other inks and colours. I bought Diamine Bilberry expecting a much bluer shade than I got (it's very purple IMO). I also got some Noodler's El Lawrence, which is more greeny-yellow than some reviews I've seen on FPN (which appear almost black). However, I chalked these to scan-monitor / subjective perception issues. And I know I'm not colour blind before you ask!

 

Edited to provide a little more clarity.

Edited January 20, 2016 by evyxmsj

[whichwatch]

 

If you want consistency and to "get the color you wanted or expected", you want an ink from one of Noodler's competitors.

 

 

Indeed I do.

 

That's unfortunate, as I really get a kick out of Nathan and many of his sentiments. I'd love to support him. I'm just not willing to buy an ink that will prove to be "some shade of blue".

[Sailor Kenshin]

Noodler's is one of the companies that don't need introductions. Nathan's Tardiff work is unimaginable. The guy must be a vampire who doesn't sleep and feeds on developing ideas: new inks, new pens.

 

The color is nice and the ink behaves well. On the other hand I have a feeling IT"S NOT LA COULEUR ROYALE. I've got this bottle. I enjoy the content but to be honest I expected La Couleur Royal to be violet. It seems my bottle was mislabeled. If anyone could guess which Noodler's I got instead, let me know.

 

 

Ink splash

Drops of ink on kitchen towel

Software Id

Tomoe River, Kaweco Sport Classic, B

Leuchtturm 1917, Kaweco Sport Classic, B

Looks like Liberty Elysium. I don't have any, but people write to me with it, which made me want some.

 

Very peculiar, V, but thanks for the review!

[amberleadavis]

Again, Vis, thanks for the review.

[evyxmsj]

Yeah, I actually quite like the bluey colour

[BobR]

I agree with Sailor Kenshin--it looks more like Liberty's Elysium rather than Blue. See zchen's post above for the comparison--it looks accurate to me. The shading is more than I get with Elysium however (or that I ever got with the Blue). I wonder if it can be another "exclusive".

[Chrissy]

If users in the UK wish to buy Noodler's ink, it is very expensive, especially if it has to come from the US.

 

So, if I bought La Couleur Royale because it was a very nice purple ink, I would be really unhappy if I received instead an ink that was blue. I can't afford to be disappointed because returning it is probably not an option.

 

I think that most people primarily buy inks based on colour. If there is so much variation that you can't be sure what colour ink you're going to get, then for sure, I need to buy ink from a different manufacturer.

[Alexandra]

It could even be Ottoman Azure. It's a green leaning blue with good shading and nowhere near La Couleur Royale.

[tfwall]

If users in the UK wish to buy Noodler's ink, it is very expensive, especially if it has to come from the US.

 

So, if I bought La Couleur Royale because it was a very nice purple ink, I would be really unhappy if I received instead an ink that was blue. I can't afford to be disappointed because returning it is probably not an option.

 

Artificial scarcity in Europe is a political choice made by your elected representatives.

 

There is no fundamental reason why prices need to be high, dealers need to be limited and a simple return needs to be complicated.

 

Open the market and on a fair playing field, Noodler's Ink could be among the best value for your pound sterling, your euro or your franc!

[bobje]

Thank you, Chemyst. The opportunity to converse directly with innovators in this industry is one of the greatest reasons to participate in the Fountain Pen Network.

[Sailor Kenshin]

It could even be Ottoman Azure. It's a green leaning blue with good shading and nowhere near La Couleur Royale.

 

 

Now that you mention it, I don't recall much shading in the LE. Now, this makes me interested in Ottoman Azure, 'cos I looove shading.

[wastelanded]

 

There is the fundamental disconnect.

 

You are asking for a commodity ink and Noodler's Ink is a unique handcrafted creation. If you want consistency and to "get the color you wanted or expected", you want an ink from one of Noodler's competitors.

 

Commodity or not, if an ink is advertised as a purple it shouldn't be vivd blue: that's taking "unique" to its very limits. Yes, some of Noodler's inks vary from batch to batch, being hand-made. But a totally different colour isn't acceptable. I'm quite sure this is a case of mislabelling.

 

Regardless, I really, really like this blue. Much more so than actual LCR.

[lapis]

I do too as I already mentioned above. That's why I wish that somebody/anybody could infact/indeed/yes find out what that ink was/is that I see in Post #1 here:

[tfwall]

But a totally different colour isn't acceptable. I'm quite sure this is a case of mislabelling.

 

Regardless, I really, really like this blue. Much more so than actual LCR.

As you've convinced yourself that the label IS wrong, it is really your choice to decide what color you need it to be so you can be satisfied. If you are happier believing it is Liberty's Elysium with some color variation rather than La Couleur Royale, that is your perogative.

 

Keep in mind though, batches are generally made in series and by hand. There isn't a vast warehouse of bottles laying around waiting for an industrial labeller. Mislabelling is very hard to do.

[wastelanded]

As you've convinced yourself that the label IS wrong, it is really your choice to decide what color you need it to be so you can be satisfied. If you are happier believing it is Liberty's Elysium with some color variation rather than La Couleur Royale, that is your perogative.

 

Keep in mind though, batches are generally made in series and by hand. There isn't a vast warehouse of bottles laying around waiting for an industrial labeller. Mislabelling is very hard to do.

I'm well aware there isn't a "vast warehouse" and that Noodler's is a small business. And I haven't convinced myself of anything. Mislabelling is hard to do? In what way?

 

Talking down to people lends nothing to your argument.