What does "Bullet-Proof" ink refer to?

[JR Paepke]

Also, while we're on the subject, what's the deal with blue-black ink? Is it really dark blue? Thanks in advance.

[Kalessin]

Hello,

 

Also, while we're on the subject, what's the deal with blue-black ink? Is it really dark blue? Thanks in advance.

 

"Bullet-Proof" is a trade mark used by Noodler's Ink to denote its permanent inks (they're also called "Eternal"). Basically, when it dries in paper, it's there forever (and more permanent than the inks from the past that were marked as Permanent by Sheaffer, Parker, etc.). It's waterproof, bleach-proof, light-proof, and probably impervious to a few other things too.

 

http://www.noodlersink.com

 

 

Welcome to the Fountain Pen Network!

[ramshacklemann]

Welcome to FPN!

 

It's just what it means, bulletproof inks repel bullets like how "like poles" of magnets repel each other. You'd have to use a cannonball to make a hole through a sheet of paper which has bulletproof writing on it! quite amazing really!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't mind me, I've just had a heavy lunch and I'm kinda annoyed at myself for stuffing. :embarrassed_smile:

Edited November 20, 2007 by ramshacklemann

[jbb]

JR Paepke,

 

This is off topic but that's a very nice avatar. Did you design it?

 

On topic: Blue-black ink is a bluish black colored ink. It's just somewhere in between the two.

[AllWriteNow]

This is off topic but that's a very nice avatar. Did you design it?

 

jbb and JR Very Nice Avatars the both of you!

 

[Johnny Appleseed]

Blue-black ink is generally a dark-blue or dark greyish-blue. It generally denotes a blue that has been darkened and is less saturated, rather than simply an intense dark blue, but there are not set standards.

 

Historically, however, blue-black ink was a product of iron-gall inks. Iron-gall inks used dissolved ferric salts that would precipitate on the page in use. The solution was fairly colorless, so ink-makers would mix in indigo or some other dye to make it have a stronger color in the bottle - the ink would go on blue, and then turn blackish as the ferric salts reacted with the paper, thus blue-black. The combination was widely used in the 1800s. When people switched over to more fountain-pen friendly analine dyes, they often made inks to match the color of the old blue-black inks.

 

John

[Iridium]

Welcome, JR Paepke!

 

"Bullet-Proof" is a trade mark used by Noodler's Ink to denote its permanent inks (they're also called "Eternal"). Basically, when it dries in paper, it's there forever

 

With regard to Noodler's inks, the terms "bulletproof," "eternal," "waterproof," and "contract" mean essentially the same thing. These inks use dyes that form a strong chemical bond with the cellulose fibers that comprise the paper (i.e. cellulose-reactive); theoretically, this bond is stronger than the bond between the fibers themselves, implying that the paper would fall apart before the dye could be removed.

 

In practice, there is some variation between the inks in terms of how tenaciously they resist chemical attack. Black (labeled "bulletproof") and Luxury Blue (labeled "eternal") are said to be the strongest in this regard, sticking to the paper and remaining the same color even beyond abuse that would destroy the paper; some folks use the term "bulletproof" exclusively for these inks, placing them in a slightly different class. The second-strongest inks appear to be the "contract" inks, such as Legal Lapis, Legal Blue, Aquamarine (also labeled "waterproof"), et al--these inks use dyes that can stand up to even chlorine solution without being visibly affected in any way (beyond the degree of deterioration of the paper). Some cellulose-reactive dyes, such as those used in Hunter Green and Eternal Brown, can change color under strong chemical attack, but still leave a visible remnant (and they are fully resistant to water).

 

A separate, though related, classification is "near bulletproof," which means that the ink contains at least one cellulose-reactive dye mixed in with other standard dyes. The standard dyes are easily washed away by water and chemicals, but the cellulose-reactive dyes will remain. In most cases, the color will be totally changed, but at least you can read what's left.

 

The following thread documents a test that illustrates some of these distinctions, as well as how freakishly tough some of these inks are:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=29483

 

(and more permanent than the inks from the past that were marked as Permanent by Sheaffer, Parker, etc.).

 

Unfortunately, the term "permanent" can take on a great many different meanings. Sometimes it just means that the ink will not fade away on its own, implying absolutely nothing about whether it could be washed away by water. A more appropriate term for this property and others related to longevity is "archival," although many people take this term to mean that it is waterproof, as well! It's all so confusing, isn't it? That's the thing about semantics. Commonly today, if someone says "Noodler's" and "permanent" they are talking about the cellulose-reactive inks, but with other brands the term must come with an explanation.

 

Historically, however, blue-black ink was a product of iron-gall inks. Iron-gall inks used dissolved ferric salts that would precipitate on the page in use. The solution was fairly colorless, so ink-makers would mix in indigo or some other dye to make it have a stronger color in the bottle - the ink would go on blue, and then turn blackish as the ferric salts reacted with the paper, thus blue-black. The combination was widely used in the 1800s. When people switched over to more fountain-pen friendly analine dyes, they often made inks to match the color of the old blue-black inks.

 

Just to elaborate slightly, true iron-gall inks tend to turn brown over long periods of time, and there are still some commonly available modern formulations around.

[Shangas]

Blue-black ink is honestly nothing SUPER special, in my mind. It is merely black ink with a small amount of blue mixed into it. You could create your own at home with a bottle of black, a bottle of blue and something in the middle to mix it around in. I've done it myself out of frustration when my blue ink just wasn't dark enough for my fancy. I now have a nice, rich, dark, purply ink which is wonderful to write with.

 

Welcome to the forums, JR.

[Italicist]

It's just what it means, bulletproof inks repel bullets like how "like poles" of magnets repel each other. You'd have to use a cannonball to make a hole through a sheet of paper which has bulletproof writing on it! quite amazing really!

 

Don't mind me, I've just had a heavy lunch and I'm kinda annoyed at myself for stuffing. :embarrassed_smile:

 

Warning: more stuffing coming. I wish that it really were bullet-proof. Think of the marvellous stunts one could arrange. A cotton jumpsuit could become full body armour! Gosh, it'd be tremendous fun.

[JR Paepke]

As usual, marvelous replies all. And thank you for noticing my avatar jibb, though I by no means have anything to do with its creation, except for my appreciation of it. It's the new logo for SEELE. It's complicated, but luckily you can find info on them in any number of sites, including wiki.