Noodler's Zhivago

[JJBlanche]

Attached below is an image of a writing sample with Noodler's Zhivago, and below that, the review proper. Regarding the image, "lorem ipsum" is a nonsense language used by printers to showcase a font/color (ie: it takes focus away from content and puts it on aesthetics). The water test was performed by submerging and agitating a sample swatch of the given ink in reverse osmosis water for thirty seconds, then letting it drip dry.

 

A key has been added, written on Clairefontaine paper, with a number of different inks for reference.

 

Standard Disclaimer: Image provided only to give a general sense of the color. The vibrance and nuance are typically lost when an ink is digitized.

 

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/2250/noodlerszhivagocy4.jpg

 

Review

 

When I write a review, I first focus on color, and award an ink 0 to 100 based upon that alone, separate from other considerations. I then deduct points from the color score for defects (ie: lack of flow, creep, etc), to arrive at an overall score.

 

Color

 

I looked into Zhivago originally, because I was told it had complexity. Perhaps, depending upon your definition of complex. When the ink hits the page, it's mostly black with hints of a brownish-green. Over a day or two, it gradually fades to an almost pure black, with some green nuances if you look hard enough.

 

Color Score = 68

 

Deductions

 

Zhivago has all the mess of Noodler's Navy, and none of it's positive attributes.

-5

 

Zhivago is one of the slowest driers I have yet encountered.

-5

 

Bonus Points

 

Zhivago performed the best, by far, on my water test, and deserves bonus points.

+5

 

Overall Score = 63 out of 100

Edited May 29, 2008 by JJBlanche

[weissa]

Having just praised Zhivago elsewhere, I'm going to take issue with some of this.

 

I'm looking at several pages I wrote on standard white, lined paper, as well as notes I took on generic copier paper, over the last week. The ink is clearly a subtle dark green, with a moderate amount of shading. I also see no smears. I used a MB Meisterstuck 149 with a medium nib.

[JJBlanche]

Every ink review is, by its very nature, subjective. Every fountain pen nib writes differently. This is why, at the top of my review, I noted the pen and nib I was using. In a fine nib, this ink looks black, with the subtlest brown-green hints if you hold the paper right up to your face.

 

This seems to be a love it or hate it ink. I post reviews only to offer my perspective and opinions. I'm not trying to issue propaganda, or anything of the like.

[lefty928]

Yup, Zhivago does seem to vary a lot, depending on the pen. In a lot of my pens it seems black, which I don't care for, but in a few others it's a nice grayish green (lately in a Pilot 78G with medium nib).

[digitalnative]

Just got my bottle of Zhivago today and inked a Hero 329. Altho' it takes a wee bit longer than some inks to dry, this pen-ink combination works nicely in my Moleskines. It's a cool "vintage" look on the off-white paper.