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Graf Von Faber Castell's Olive Green


fpupulin

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I just discovered that I am quite unable at doing real "reviews" of the inks that I want to discuss . Apparently, I lack that sort of cool objectivity that makes a true review something a bit impersonal but for this same reason a very useful and unbiased point of view. My point of view is obviously not unbiased, as I am driven by passion, and I have never "reviewed" something that I do not like and, in a way, something that I wouldn't suggest.

So, here goes my very personal and subjective opinion about Graf von Faber Castell (GvFC) Olive Green ink. For a complete disclosure: I like it...

 

 

fpn_1517789838__montegrappa_extra_and_ol

 

I was attracted by this ink as soon as I saw it for the first time in the net. I have obsessively searching for a green ink to perfectly match what is probably my preferred pen, a Montegrappa Extra 1930 in black bamboo celluloid. I bought and tried a lot of green inks, some of which I found very close to my "ideal" green for my pen.

In general, I do not like "blue", cold greens, I dislike too brilliant greens, and those tending to turquoise (even though I like true turquoise shades). I like inks with rich shading, somewhat unsaturated, not too light (with exceptions) and sober but with enough personality not to be boring and excessively serious. There were a lot of these point scoring high in the photos of GvFC Olive Green.

There was, however, a quite authoritative, real review of the ink published in a pen forum, criticizing the lack of lubrication of the Olive Green (and, in general of all GvFC's inks), qualifying it as "dry" and fairly unfriendly ink. Would I give it a try anyway? Well, the color was too much perfect for my tastes not to trying...

 

 

fpn_1517789982__graf_fon_faber_castell_o

I have to agree on the fact that GvFC Olive Green is not the wettest of my inks. But it works for me. I tried it with my Montegrappa a Extra, fitted with a stub nib. Montegrappas are, in general, moderately wet pens. Even so, the ink behaved flawlessly on both a very smooth and a quite hard laid papers, Fabriano's Grifo and Ingres (these are two of my preferred media).

 

 

fpn_1517790305__graf_fon_faber_castell_o

The color is outstanding, and I hope that my photographs would render justice to the true resemblance of the Olive Green to the deep shades of my pen's celluloid. The ink is low saturated, almost matte, a character that I really like. Shading is fantastic, at least with this particular nib, on both kinds of paper. As we already know, it is not a wet ink, but is "moist" enough to produce a noticeable variation in "density" with any of the graphs that I used for my test.

 

 

fpn_1517790666__graf_fon_faber_castell_o

fpn_1517790707__graf_fon_faber_castell_o

 

 

At about $30.00, the Olive Green ink is not cheap, but the bottle contains 75 ml. At 40 cents per ml, it is in the price range of Kaweco inks, which I do not consider expensive.

 

 

fpn_1517790751__graf_fon_faber_castell_o

Edited by fpupulin
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Where does one buy this stuff - preferably samples? I tried Goulet, Anderson, and Vanness - none of them have it.

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Thank you for the wonderful review! I also have a Bamboo Black Extra 1930 (mine has a broad nib), and have been searching along with you for just the right green ink for it. I will definitely try the GvFC Olive Green, which looks like a wonderful match. Another ink you should try is Callifolio Olivastre. It would be interesting to see these two inks compared. I think they are very close.

 

It is always a joy to see your superb photographs!!

Rationalizing pen and ink purchases since 1967.

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Thanks for the review. This is a nice looking green (I like ones that lean a little yellow, but not too yellow). But it also means I have several very similar looking ones already.

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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Hi, there, Fpupulin,

 

Great review. I love color... and I really enjoy the earthy colors... browns, leafy greens and the like.

 

This one here looks like a text-book Olive green. :thumbup:

 

Have you ever tried Olivine by Monteverde? It's a great olive green, too; not quite as true as your Graf version, but still nice... and very wet... with great flow and lubrication. Really a nice ink... if you like olive, you'll want to check it.

 

Be well and enjoy life. :)

 

Thanks again for the great review.

 

 

- Anthony

 

P.S.: Very nice pens. :thumbup:

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The best reviews are completely subjective. Fpupulin, this ink suits your elegant handwriting and lovely Montegrappa pens. Your photography looks like a still life. Bravo.

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No, I was confused by Moss Green. Olive Green is available from Cult Pens, but not the other sellers I mentioned. Maybe its a European thing.

Edited to try to add the apostrophe, but it wont appear.

Edited by Inkvisible
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Excellent review! Thank you for taking the time and resources to write it.

 

I am a huge fan of GvFC inks, especially Cobalt Blue and Hazelnut Brown. These are great inks. But I haven’t tried Olive Green. I am currently using up Callifolio Olivastre, which is a great dark olive. But, I think I need to buy a bottle of this.

 

Thanks again.

"Today will be gone in less than 24 hours. When it is gone, it is gone. Be wise, but enjoy! - anonymous today

 

 

 

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Liz, this is available from Cult Pens. I am quite tempted. But I just got a bottle of Stipula Moss Green.

 

Thanks, Inkvisible! I'll check it out. I also found cartridges on Amazon, not exactly cheap, but less initial investment to try them out and see how I like the color.

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Have you ever tried Olivine by Monteverde? It's a great olive green, too; not quite as true as your Graf version, but still nice... and very wet... with great flow and lubrication. Really a nice ink... if you like olive, you'll want to check it.

 

+1 for Olivine.

Rationalizing pen and ink purchases since 1967.

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For those in the US, you can order all the GvFC inks, including Olive Green, direct from the GvFC web site:

 

http://www.graf-von-faber-castell.us

 

I ordered Olive Green, Burned Orange, and Midnight Blue for US$30 each, free shipping.

Rationalizing pen and ink purchases since 1967.

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I'd say that there are, yes, a few inky thoughts here and more than enough to place it into Ink Reviews so that's why I have just moved it. Thanks and kleep up the good work. IYAM and/or TG we'll never run out of inks....

:)

Life is too short to drink bad wine (Goethe)

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Is Edelstein coming up with an Olive Green this year?

 

 

Yes, I read that in March Pelikan will come up with a Edelstein Olivine, of which some photographs are already available on the net.

 

If the color is close to that shown in the photographs, and considering the "lubrication virtues" of Edelstein inks, no doubts I will give it a try...

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