Taming Noodler's X-Feather Blue, dilution 2:1

[arcfide]

X-Feather blue is one of the more well-behaved Noodler's bulletproof inks for me, and it worked well in its standard configuration. However, I did notice that it had a slight tendency towards smudging more than other inks (though that also meant some nice sheen) and it had a longer dry time. It was also somewhat harder to clean out of the pen. Finally, the dark color was maybe a little too close to purple. I have found that a 2:1 ink:water dilution results in a much more tamed ink that has excellent properties and generally addresses the above issues. The ink is still pretty clingy and can stick to plastics, so it requires some physical wiping to get completely off of some materials. However, the blue comes off quite nicely, and is a reasonably blue blue without being excessively bright or muted. 

 

It's not as bright as Bleu de Minuit from J. Herbin and not as dynamic as an iron gall like Benitoite or Platinum Blue Black, but it's finally in what I would call a mostly well-behaved ink category. It also has the advantage of not bleeding through that quickly and holding a decent line (though not as crisp as iron gall inks). 

[peroride]

Thanks for the ratio. I found the ink chalky and will leave a sample ink vial opaque.

 

I had trouble with dry out and hard starts so now have mine in a preppy with random dilution but will now try your 2:1 😀

 

Surprisingly, the >1 month preppy just started up no problems so slip and seal + dilution appears to work!