Calli Ink

[henrico]

Would like to hear comments on this ink (Calli) made by Doler-Rowney of England. The penmanship is my "standard" hand without any embellishments.

 

 

[Daosus]

Please tell me you didn't put that ink in that fountain pen! The stuff will hardly come off my dip pens, I can't imagine what it would do to the feed of that Lamy. Other than the gross odor and the stickiness of the ink, and the long drying time, I think it's a beautiful ink. I don't like to fuss with it, so I use something else, but if you don't mind taking the time to work with the ink, I doubt you'll find ink more vibrant.

 

PS - Beautiful handwriting.

[henrico]

Daosus............is it not non-clogging, as stated on the bottles????

 

Thanks for the comments.

Edited October 12, 2008 by henrico

[Daosus]

Um, maybe they've made a new kind of ink? The stuff I used was certainly not non-clogging, and didn't state it was on the bottles. You should probably disregard everything I just said then :embarrassed_smile:

[Zoe]

I've used Calli ink but only their calligraphy ink. What is your experience with this version?

[QM2]

I have the red ink and use it with dip pens. It is difficult to clean off the nib.

 

As a rule, calligraphy inks should not be used with fountain pens; even if the bottle says "non-clogging" -- don't believe them!

[Annie]

Here's a thread from 2007:

Calli Inks - Are they safe for fountain pens?

 

[henrico]

Right.............I will clean out my Lamy and use the inks only with dip pens. Thanks for all your comments and advice.

 

Henrico

[henrico]

Zoe..............I've used Calli ink with dip pens and find them really good for calligraphy on cards etc.. They are easily available here.

 

a little later............ :blink:

 

Well....guess what......i have just cleaned out the Lamy and already clogging had begun as small flakes of green ink came out and the barrel of the converter is permanently stained green......better be safe than sorry......thanks Daosus and all of you who posted.

 

Henrico

Edited October 13, 2008 by henrico

[Zoe]

Good that you stopped before the situation got too serious, henrico

 

A Canadian alternative I like for calligraphy (and painting) is Tri-Art acrylics--some beautiful colours and not always easy to get in the States.

 

 

[henrico]

Zoe ........thanks for the tip on other inks. I don't experiment much with inks, use whatever is available in the store when I need it. Same for paper. Store stocks here are inconsistent when it comes to ink and paper. I cruised the web site (pentamento) noted in your last post and found some useful info there. Thanks for that. I work with Chinese calligraphy and use ink sticks and brushes made in China of course, and use Chinese calligraphy paper in rolls. I also work at European calligraphy, mostly uncial and italics. I love italics best. As a designer, I always wrote notes on drawings in italics, occasionally using uncials for headings. A year ago, I started using cursive and copperplate. I had to slow down my hand considerably. I don't do any calligraphy during the summer. For me, it's a winter hobby. I find a cozy, quiet spot in the house and go at it. I especially get creative when snow is falling, by the fireplace, with a glass of single malt scotch, Lagavullin. The scotch frees me up of any inhibitions and everything looks wonderful.......until next morning. ha!! ha!!! "See you"

 

Henrico

Edited October 14, 2008 by henrico

[Zoe]

I don't recall if I mentioned this Canadian resource for some calligraphy supplies. I've known Suzanne for many years and try to buy from her whenever I can.

 

I've never done Chinese calligraphy, but have tried my hand at different styles of writing. I think I am more attracted to colours than almost anything else and get caught up in buying too many art supplies solely based on their beauty.

 

Perhaps you'll share some of your work in the Penmanship forum. It's always a pleasure to see a fine hand, henrico.

[Titivillus]

Zoe ........thanks for the tip on other inks. I don't experiment much with inks, use whatever is available in the store when I need it. Same for paper. Store stocks here are inconsistent when it comes to ink and paper. I cruised the web site (pentamento) noted in your last post and found some useful info there. Thanks for that. I work with Chinese calligraphy and use ink sticks and brushes made in China of course, and use Chinese calligraphy paper in rolls.

 

 

When I was in Shanghai I picked up some sticks and brushes but the most amazing thing was an entire store of nothing but the grinding stones some almost 2 feet on a side with rather detailed carvings around the edges. Some were thousands of dollars.

 

 

Kurt

[Ernst Bitterman]

I've discovered, returning to a pen I thought I'd ruined about ten years ago when Calli actually put the words "Fountain Pen Ink" on the bottle, that the generally recommended 1:10 Ammonia-Water solution will shift the stuff from the internals. Or, it will shift the stuff from the 1990s after it's sat in the feed for 10+ years.

[GreenVelvet]

Yep, I used some Calli samples briefly in my cheap Chinese pens - gunked up but good.

[Titivillus]

I've discovered, returning to a pen I thought I'd ruined about ten years ago when Calli actually put the words "Fountain Pen Ink" on the bottle, that the generally recommended 1:10 Ammonia-Water solution will shift the stuff from the internals. Or, it will shift the stuff from the 1990s after it's sat in the feed for 10+ years.

 

 

Wonder if it comes out easier after sitting awhile- sort of flakes off rather than the goo?

 

Kurt

[Ann Finley]

As I said in the thread that Annie posted the link to above, I never ruined a fountain pen using Calli inks--but traded my Calli inks after Noodlers came out with waterproof inks. The maintenance hassle wasn't worth it to me to me to continue using the Calli.

 

Best, Ann

[henrico]

Thanks Ann. I came so close to ruining a great pen.

 

Interesting comment on grinding stones there Titivilus. A 2 foot square grinding stone!!!!!!!!!! Mine is 2" square and quite smooth.

 

Chinese brush calligraphy and painting is an interesting art for the lack of a better word. I will post some of the work I did one of these days.

 

Henrico

[Tunnip]

I am another very happy user of Calli inks... in particular I love the Calli Blue ink. Very nice deep blue with sheen and shaking, plus very good flow in flex pens, and very resistant to bleedthrough and feathering.

 

Although I have not tried it in my more expensive pens that cannot be taken apart, I did use it on the Pilot Custom 742FA and the ink really worked well on that pen.

 

It is also interesting to note though, that while many seemed to frown upon Calli pigmented inks, the same people felt okay with Sailor's nano-carbon series inks.

 

All in all though, Calli makes good inks. Never clogged my pens so far.