Colour comparison - Black inks

[mhwombat]

I got a set of samples of black inks from Fountainfeder. They have a number of sample sets; worth checking out if you're in Europe. Here's my comparison:

 

To create each sample I used a calligraphy nib (top) and a glass pen (middle). Below that, I swatched the ink using a Q-tip (ear bud). The top of the swatch shows two passes with the Q-tip; the bottom just one pass. All swatches are on Rhodia paper, and were filmed in natural light.The first image shows the comparisons. Below I comment on the undertones that I see; but I'm suspect that would depend on the paper. This comparison is only about appearance. Of these inks, the only ones I've used extensively are the Pilot and the Sailor, and I find them both excellent performers.

 

Note: None of these inks have what most people would call "sheen". The only reason I mention the slight amount of sheen that some of them have is that for ordinary writing, some people might find a completely matte ink to be more legible.

 

Kaweco Pearl Black - the blackest of the blacks. you can barely tell the difference between the top of the swatch (two passes) and the bottom (one pass). Undertone: slightly more red? Slight sheen, but I don't think it's enough to cause glare or hamper legibility.

 

Pilot Iroshizuku take-sumi - the second blackest. Undertone: balanced between red and blue. Matte.

 

Pelikan Edelstein Onyx - Undertone: slightly more blue? Very slight sheen.

 

TWSBI Black - Undertone: slightly more red? Very slight sheen.

 

Robert Oster Black is Black - Undertone: red. Matte.

 

Herbin Pearl Noir - Undertone: blue. Matte.

 

For comparison, I also swatched some Sailor Nano Black which was not in the sample set, but I had on hand. The second image shows the Sailor with the two blackest black inks.

 

Sailor nano black - Undertone: balanced between red and blue. Matte.

 

 

[LizEF]

I don't use black inks, but sincerely appreciate that you've taken the time to share your comparisons with us. Thanks!

[arcfide]

Great topic! I've actually done the same for myself, and I've been thinking about posting a similar comparison. It's really quite the journey to find a perfect black! 

[yazeh]

same as @LizEF 

[lapis]

Actually, I don't collect blacks, either. But I do have a good dozen of 'em because what I like most about them is what's not  black in them. E.g. "Say, isn't there a tick purple in that...?"

[Karmachanic]

Comparrison of thirty two black inks.

[mhwombat]

1 hour ago, Karmachanic said:

Comparrison of thirty two black inks.

That link is for this topic. Did you intend to link to a different URL?

[Karmachanic]

1 hour ago, mhwombat said:

That link is for this topic. Did you intend to link to a different URL?

 

oops!  It's not easy being me,

https://macchiatoman.com/blog/2017/12/11/ink-comparison-32-black-inks

[mhwombat]

Thank you @Karmachanic, that's a very useful resource.

[mhwombat]

I re-did my tests on (old) Tomoe River paper, and the results are dramatically different. Tomoe River seems to suck the life out of black ink. Only TWSBI Black survived unscathed.

 

Kaweco Pearl Black - Writing is matte black, but swatch is light blue-grey.

 

Pilot Iroshizuku take-sumi - Writing is matte black, but swatch is dark blue-grey with red sheen.

 

Pelikan Edelstein Onyx - Writing is black with some sheen, but swatch is dark grey with balanced undertones.

 

TWSBI Black - Stayed black, but has some sheen.

 

Robert Oster Black is Black - Writing is matte black, swatch is brown-grey.

 

Herbin Pearl Noir - Writing is black with slight sheen, swatch is brown-grey.

 

Sailor nano black - Writing is matte black, swatch is black with slight red undertone.

 

The photo was taken in sunshine, but there were some water droplets on the window, which caused the dappled effect that you see.