(Black) Boss Enterprises "laoban" - First Online Review

[Aeliascent]

 

This is my first ever ink review, and as far as I can tell, the first online review of the Boss Enterprises "Lao Ban" Black ink in English. I have only ever owned three black inks, Lamy Black, Parker Quink Black, and this one, and this is the most saturated black ink I have ever used. If anyone with more experience would like to review this ink, I'd be happy to send them a sample for a more comprehensive and educated opinion. I will pay for shipping if you're in the continental USA.

 

I forgot how much I got this ink for, but if I remember correctly it's less than $2.00 USD per bottle. As far as I can tell, it is unavailable in the United States of America, but widely popular in the People's Republic of China.

 

It's very black, and dries with a sheen. I don't believe the sheen comes from micro-particles, but more from the nature of the chemicals used.

 

 

 

According to their website, their inks are on the alkaline side, which might not be good for celluloid pens, but it's okay in the lucite Parker 51 and the polycarbonate Lamy 2000. I don't have a ph testing kit so if anyone has one, and would like to review this ink, let me know.

 

There is quite a bit of nib creep, but it doesn't bother me since it doesn't get on the paper. In terms of ease of cleaning, I'm able to clean it out of my my Parker 51 Vacumatic using a few rinses of water. I pour water into a container and push the pump until that water gets saturated, then I keep repeating until it's clear, like with every other ink in a pen that uses the vacumatic mechanism. This takes me about five to ten minutes.

 

Drawing using Boss Enterprises Black:

 

Let me know if there is anything else you'd like to know, and if you know any blacks that are comparable to this one!

 

Thanks!

Edited September 17, 2016 by Aeliascent

[visvamitra]

Nice review I would be interested to know more about the company.

[Tas]

A first for me too. Thank you for your review.

Nice sketch too

[Aeliascent]

Thanks guys! Do you guys know any inks that are similar to the one above?

[Tas]

Thanks guys! Do you guys know any inks that are similar to the one above?

 

At first glance it reminds me of Hero Black. Similar "colour" and water resistance .

 

 

Here's an old review:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/67594-hero-black/?p=651803

Edited September 17, 2016 by Tas

[Aeliascent]

At first glance it reminds me of Hero Black. Similar "colour" and water resistance .

 

 

Here's an old review:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/67594-hero-black/?p=651803

How would you say it compares to Noodler's Black in terms of color? I think the Boss Enterprises Black is much darker than Hero Black Edited September 17, 2016 by Aeliascent

[Tas]

Ooo, I'd dare not say without side by side comparisons. Too much at stake.

[Aeliascent]

LOL Thanks. I'll take a sample and a review sheet over to Fountain Pen Hospital to see what they think. Will post results.

[truthpil]

Thanks for the review!

 

Judging by the bottle and water resistance, this is Boss's Carbon Black #851.

Their regular black is not waterproof nor as saturated.
Carbon Black has silver dots on the box and label, but their regular black has black dots.

 

Boss Carbon Black is a great ink, but the carbon particles can clog a pen if the ink is left in the pen too long. I also noticed some sediment sticking to corners under the nib and in the converter. It requires good pen hygiene to use, but it's a great dark waterproof black! I did some comparisons with Noodler's Black that I'll try to post later today.

Edited November 12, 2016 by TruthPil