Would you sign a check with "Binder Purple"?

[gizmoe]

A week ago, I got a .6mm stub nib for my Pilot VP, from Richard Binder. Since it was one of his special nibs, it seemed appropriate to fill the pen with Richard's "Binder Purple" ink. (50/50 mix of Waterman Florida Blue and Waterman Purple.) Since then, I've fallen in love with the line variation and shading I can get from this pen and ink combination. I'd love to use my VP to apply my signature to checks and documents, but I'm kind of reluctant to change the ink to a more sedate black or blue.

 

So, to any and all who are familiar with what Binder Purple looks like, would you use a purple-ish ink for an official document? Do any of you regularly use "non-standard" ink colors to sign forms and documents? I'm very curious to hear everyone's thoughts on this subject.

[Deirdre]

I signed one with Victoria's Royal Mint the other day. My spouse was happy -- it's close to his favorite shade of green.

[James P]

Absolutely! I sign checks in all greens, purples, browns, blues - just about everything EXCEPT black.

 

James

[PAKMAN]

Yes! I have never been hung upon being official with black ink! The only caution some would give is that this is not a really permanent ink, splash a little water on it after you have written and you will see what I mean. But like you I really like my Binder Blurple!!

 

 

[FrankB]

For checks, I generally use Noodler's "Eternal Brown," "Iraqi Indigo," or "Legal Lapis." If I send a check to a new or unknown vendor, I make it a point to use the brown or indigo. Those colors can be a defense against check fraud. If there is even any doubt about the authenticity of one of my checks, I have only to ask what color ink is on the check.

[langere]

Yes! I use all kinds of colors, as long as they show up nicely on the check. One of the reasons I got myself my first fountain pen as an adult was to have a bit of fun while I was paying the bills...

 

Never had any problem with people not cashing 'em either. So - go right ahead! You deserve some fun when you're paying out your hard-earned (I hope) money.

 

Erick

[Sonnet]

I write my checks in purple, blue, or green inks all the time-- whatever's dark enough to show up. I try to stick to blue and black inks for work documents though.

[Elaine]

Yes, all the time!

[mturk]

I use Binder Purple in a Pelikan 800 desk set (how many of those have you seen?) with a B nib to write checks. It has become one of my two favorite colors. The other is "Pre-electricity Midnight Blue", which is 50% Waterman Florida Blue and 50% Waterman Black.

[el3ssar]

The other is "Pre-electricity Midnight Blue", which is 50% Waterman Florida Blue and 50% Waterman Black.

 

I really would like to see a scan of that one

[Jimmy James]

If it's a personal document like a check, I'm going to sign it in whatever color I please.

 

If it's a document I'm filling out in my professional capacity, I go with a blue, blue-black, or black. I tried brown once, and it was coming out as a nice and strong brown at first. It started getting lighter for whatever reason, and it was getting embarrassing to me. I had to go to a backup ballpoint.

Edited May 5, 2008 by Jimmy James

[CharlieB]

I always use black ballpoint pens for my checks. Not only is the ballpoint ink bulletproof, but the force of the writing makes an indentation in the check. Also, I use checkbooks that make carbon copies, and only a ballpoint delivers the goods.

 

I use fountain pens for everything else. If I were to use fountain pens for checks, it would be blue or blue-black ink.

[amh210]

Without hesitation!

[Ed Svoboda]

I use any color except for the peacock blue or south seas blue types. My bank scans the checks and includes them with the statement. I noticed that those two colors are difficult to pick up.

[Deirdre]

I always use black ballpoint pens for my checks. Not only is the ballpoint ink bulletproof[...]

What ballpoint are you using that's got bulletproof ink? After seeing the torture test, I decided that I was going to use Noodler's on my checks from now on.

[Martius]

I generally go for bulletproofs for checks - but never black. Usually Iraqi Indigo/VV or Legal Lapis.

[richardandtracy]

I use whatever colour is in the pen I'm carrying. In the UK the cheque is falling out of favour as being too inconvenient - you actually have to wait for more than 5 seconds to write it, after all - and as a result cheque fraud is rather less likely than credit card fraud, despite the introduction of the Chip & Pin fraud reduction measures. Due to that, I'm not even bothered if the ink is bullet proof.

 

As a secondary thought, if you use an unusual colour, it'll be less likely that the fraudster will have the ink available and so will be less likely to try to alter your cheque.

 

Regards

 

Richard.

 

[Rapt]

If you're worried about cheque fraud I like the idea of using bulletproof ink to write out the cheque and really washable ink to sign.

[chibimie]

For official university business, I routinely sign documents with de Atramentis Frederic Chopin--a deep, olive-green ink. (as long as it will properly 'photocopy', i'm told )

Edited May 6, 2008 by chibimie

[asexton]

I always use black ballpoint pens for my checks. Not only is the ballpoint ink bulletproof, but the force of the writing makes an indentation in the check. Also, I use checkbooks that make carbon copies, and only a ballpoint delivers the goods.

 

I use fountain pens for everything else. If I were to use fountain pens for checks, it would be blue or blue-black ink.

 

I am in charge of paying my grandmother's bills (I write the checks and she signs them), and her checkbook has the carbon copies. I wrote a couple of checks with an FP, but then I would have to go back and write on the carbon copy. I got tired of doing double work, so that has become the only time when I use a ballpoint.

 

-Cody