EFNIR: Platinum Classic Citrus Black

[LizEF]

Extra Fine Nib Ink Review: Platinum Classic Citrus Black

This is review #215 in my series. Here's the YouTube video:

Post-recording notes: Cleaning was quick and easy; no sign of any staining or damage to the nib.  This may be the palest ink I've reviewed yet - at least, until it oxidizes.  It's quite similar to the old / antique gold inks, and is a bit yellow, brown, and green.  You can see it darken as it dries, and the more of it there is, the darker it gets.  Better for large, wet nibs, IMO.  Platinum's own pictures of this ink look very accurate on my screen - so check those out if you're unsure about the color.

Zoomed in photo (Very close to what I see. Image is perhaps a little too brown. Green doesn't seem to show as much on Rhodia or in the EF nib.)

Screenshot (Text is a little too dark, and not quite enough green.)

Scan of Completed Review (It's as if the scanner removed all the green. Attempts to correct failed. Don't go by this color.)

Absorbent Paper Close-up (top is puzzle paper like thick newsprint, bottom is old 20lb copy paper) (AP: A little too bright; CP: all wrong. In reality, it looks muted, in the picture, it looks like it's glowing!)

Line width (One of the lines used for dry time. Magnification is 100x. The grid is 100x100µm. The scale is 330µm, with eleven divisions of 30µm each. The line width for this ink is roughly 305µm. With 215 inks measured, the average line width is 295µm.)

Microscope image (400x. Quite close in color, it seems to be the color before the ink oxidizes, interestingly.)

Water Test Results

Previous Review: Diamine Writer's Blood.

Images also available on Instagram: @zilxodarap.

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View a list of my inks, complete with review results in a google sheet.

Need to catch up on The Adventures of Quin and Makhabesh? Find the whole story here.

Hope you enjoy. Comments appreciated!

[Maurizio]

Wow. Thanks for the thorough review Liz. 

 

This ink, like all the Platinum specials, is one on my list to try, but I’m concerned about clogging. Have you already reviewed some of the other Platinum special inks. If so, would you please post links here?
 

This is an iron gall ink, not a pigmented one is that right?  The ink did move in your water test, but, as an iron gall ink, assuming that’s what it is, it will otherwise be quite long lasting I believe and so, useful for artwork meant to last for some time. 

 

I would like to use these Platinum special inks for pen & ink work. I suppose I should get a few inexpensive pens like preppies to use them in. I do currently keep one pen, a Platinum Plasir, as my one pen dedicated to Platinum Carbon Black because I’m afraid of clogging my “good” pens, and because sometimes a week goes by before I use it because I may do pencil practice for several days before picking up a pen for pen & ink practice. 

 

 

[yazeh]

Great review @LizEF  I really like this colour, though I'm sure it's better off in wetter, wider pens. Like you I was surprised how the writing experience was so fabulous, though I was using it in a vintage pen, with flex and oblique nib. 

 

 

That Quin seems to be having whole universe in his bag

I really like those microscopic golden colours. They're so cheerful! Maybe their baby Sneks

 

@Maurizio I doubt you'll have any problem with the platinum line as they are not heavy duty IG inks. I've been using IG inks for a long while. I have never experienced clogging, especially with the real deal (Essri/Registrars etc). Obviously you need to select an appropriate pen/ink/nib combo . If you use a scratchy nib with IG ink, the feedback will increase, as these inks, while wet, have less lubrication. But other than they are great inks. 

 

However, the platinum line are not archival. I doubt you can consider any  IG inks archival, not that they cannot last for centuries. But they are susceptible to high humidity (above 70%) and as far as I know they are not lightfast. 

 

[LizEF]

40 minutes ago, Maurizio said:

Wow. Thanks for the thorough review Liz. 

You're very welcome!
 

40 minutes ago, Maurizio said:

This ink, like all the Platinum specials, is one on my list to try, but I’m concerned about clogging. Have you already reviewed some of the other Platinum special inks. If so, would you please post links here?

I haven't experienced clogging with any of the "Classic" inks - not that I recall, anyway.  Platinum inks I've reviewed:

• Carbon Black
• Blue Black
• Classic Forest Black
• Classic Lavender Black

Don't forget, we have an excellent index of ink reviews, where you can easily find all the posted reviews on Platinum inks together.

 

45 minutes ago, Maurizio said:

This is an iron gall ink, not a pigmented one is that right?  The ink did move in your water test, but, as an iron gall ink, assuming that’s what it is, it will otherwise be quite long lasting I believe and so, useful for artwork meant to last for some time. 

Yes, the "Classic .. Black" line are all modern iron gall.

 

48 minutes ago, Maurizio said:

... and because sometimes a week goes by before I use it because I may do pencil practice for several days before picking up a pen for pen & ink practice. 

My understanding is that iron gall inks aren't the sort you want sitting around idle - due to oxidation and acidity.  No idea how much of a concern this is with the Platinum Classic line (and using a Preppy to find out doesn't seem like much of a risk - certainly their excellent seal will lower it).  Best wishes if you do decide to try these inks!

[LizEF]

4 minutes ago, yazeh said:

Great review @LizEF 

Thanks!

 

4 minutes ago, yazeh said:

I really like this colour, though I'm sure it's better off in wetter, wider pens. Like you I was surprised how the writing experience was so fabulous, though I was using it in a vintage pen, with flex and oblique nib.

Exactly - beautiful writing sample.  This is one of those inks that benefits exponentially from a wetter nib.

 

7 minutes ago, yazeh said:

That Quin seems to be having whole universe in his bag

It's a wonder he can find anything!

 

8 minutes ago, yazeh said:

I really like those microscopic golden colours. They're so cheerful! Maybe their baby Sneks

🐍  Yes, it's not so much that it was interesting as that it was pretty.  The round bits with radiating lines are sort of like Diamine Ancient Copper (I think) - and a few others.  Certainly a repeating pattern from multiple inks.

 

Thanks for adding your greater IG experience for Maurizio!   I've only sampled IG inks so far.  My only bottle of IG (Anderson Pens Oshkosh Denim) was received around the time I got heavily into samples, and not much has been used. 

[yazeh]

@LizEFyou made another good point. These inks are best used in well sealed pens. Also IG inks have an expiry date. 

I didn't know of Anderson Pens Oshkosh Denim, pity it's unobtainium. 

 

[Maurizio]

1 hour ago, yazeh said:

 

@Maurizio I doubt you'll have any problem with the platinum line as they are not heavy duty IG inks. I've been using IG inks for a long while. I have never experienced clogging, especially with the real deal (Essri/Registrars etc). Obviously you need to select an appropriate pen/ink/nib combo . If you use a scratchy nib with IG ink, the feedback will increase, as these inks, while wet, have less lubrication. But other than they are great inks. 

 

However, the platinum line are not archival. I doubt you can consider any  IG inks archival, not that they cannot last for centuries. But they are susceptible to high humidity (above 70%) and as far as I know they are not lightfast. 

 

 

Thanks yazeh. 

[LizEF]

24 minutes ago, yazeh said:

I didn't know of Anderson Pens Oshkosh Denim, pity it's unobtainium. 

It's a shade-monster, or a super-shader, or whatever we should call something that shades beautifully.   No idea why they quit carrying it.  But I just did a search (very little about this ink out there) and I'm thinking maybe it's not IG - none of the things I found say it is, and it doesn't say IG on the bottle.  Someone here (don't remember now who) said it is, but I'm not convinced any more...  I suppose I could ask Anderson Pens and see if they reply...

[yazeh]

13 minutes ago, LizEF said:

It's a shade-monster, or a super-shader, or whatever we should call something that shades beautifully.   No idea why they quit carrying it.  But I just did a search (very little about this ink out there) and I'm thinking maybe it's not IG - none of the things I found say it is, and it doesn't say IG on the bottle.  Someone here (don't remember now who) said it is, but I'm not convinced any more...  I suppose I could ask Anderson Pens and see if they reply...

Yeah,I was surprised too.  I read a review of the ink, which. mentioned it was very dry. But the only way to know is to ask

[dragondazd]

Huh I need to give this ink another try.

 

What does it feel like to be dry but lubricated?

[Sailor Kenshin]

Many island nations in a white sea!   Wall builders?  Cool.  Can't wait to see what's next.

 

I've used one Platinum Black ink, I think it was some poiple color.  It was just a sample, and I have no memories of it, one way or another.  This Citrus Black looks stranger and more interesting.  

 

And I forgot it was Toozdae.  Thanks @LizEF as always for the review/serial!  

[LizEF]

31 minutes ago, Sailor Kenshin said:

Many island nations in a white sea!

  Earthsea!

 

31 minutes ago, Sailor Kenshin said:

Wall builders?  Cool.  Can't wait to see what's next.

  It's possible Quin's pack is running low on cool stuff.

 

32 minutes ago, Sailor Kenshin said:

I've used one Platinum Black ink, I think it was some poiple color.  It was just a sample, and I have no memories of it, one way or another.  This Citrus Black looks stranger and more interesting.

Citrus Black is definitely interesting.  The poiple one was probably Lavender Black - nice, but I don't remember anything more about it.

 

33 minutes ago, Sailor Kenshin said:

And I forgot it was Toozdae.  Thanks @LizEF as always for the review/serial!

  (Were it not for my Hobonichi, I'd never know what day of the week it was!)  You're very welcome!

[LizEF]

54 minutes ago, dragondazd said:

Huh I need to give this ink another try.

 

What does it feel like to be dry but lubricated?

Well, it is unusual for a dry ink to be well lubricated, but it does happen.  It feels the same as any other well-lubricated ink, but because of the dry flow, you don't get as much ink, or it may not keep up with fast writing, especially for long continuous writing sessions.

[yazeh]

2 hours ago, Maurizio said:

 

Thanks yazeh. 

Most welcome! Your instincts are spot on. Try with a cheap pen you know well, and then upgrade after you become well acquainted

 

[Karmachanic]

3 hours ago, yazeh said:

I really like this colour

 

Yes!  Especially as shown with your broader wetter pen, following as Liz'  reccomendation.  I've been eyeballing this for a while.  Now it's on the list.

 

Tanks!

[Misfit]

Cool review. I have a sample of Lavender Black. Loving the story as it continues onward. 

[LizEF]

1 hour ago, Karmachanic said:

 

Yes!  Especially as shown with your broader wetter pen, following as Liz'  reccomendation.  I've been eyeballing this for a while.  Now it's on the list.

 

Tanks!

  Hope you enjoy it!  If nothing else, watching it darken before your eyes is fun.   (For those of us who are easily amused?)

[LizEF]

1 hour ago, Misfit said:

Cool review. I have a sample of Lavender Black. Loving the story as it continues onward. 

  Thanks, Misfit!  Lavender Black is a very nice color.  Not as intriguing as this one (this one is just an unusual color), but still very nice.

[Misfit]

@LizEF Off topic, but since we are both on Reddit, it’s sweet and yet uh, duh, when people post if everything is all right when they are using shading ink. It’s nice that everyone who answers is patient, and explains nothing wrong, what you’re seeing is shading.  

[LizEF]

42 minutes ago, Misfit said:

@LizEF Off topic, but since we are both on Reddit, it’s sweet and yet uh, duh, when people post if everything is all right when they are using shading ink. It’s nice that everyone who answers is patient, and explains noting wrong, what you’re seeing is shading.  

  Noobs!  We were all newbies once.  There are a lot of newbies on reddit, so everyone tries to be extra kind.  The fun part is when someone is just sure there's something wrong with their pen and you walk them through it and they're shocked! shocked, I say!  that this is a desirable feature.