Ink Comparison: final blacks!

And here we have the last of the blacks and greys! A very interesting selection of tones and shades - made more interesting by adding a violet and a couple of blues to the mix!
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Cheers for now!
Mike

[@animula6908]

I love bay state blue so much. It was my very first ink, and I’ve never found anything more joyful to write with.

[@writerlywitterings]

It really is one of those "Marmite" inks - people either love it or hate it, I think. I'm in two minds. I don't date use it in a demonstrator, because I know it'll stain the barrel - but it is a happy colour to write with, isn't it?

[@robt4550]

Thanks for reviewing those black inks. I’ll try the pilot.

[@writerlywitterings]

Good luck!

[@machitect]

I love that there are still people who have so many pens in their shirt pockets. I may very well do the same, if they made shirt pockets that big for women.

[@writerlywitterings]

I'll bet you could find some decent blouses to fit the pens! Thanks for the message!

[@penguinsforever1609]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@writerlywitterings]

You're welcome!

[@taiko7225]

Nicely done Michael - you make what might otherwise be quite mundane, both informative and entertaining, thank you!

[@writerlywitterings]

Many thanks, Taiko! I really appreciate the kind comments!

[@jamesaritchie1]

Very interesting. I have never been a fan of black ink, but now that I am officially retired, which means I'm working harder than ever, some of the sideline work I do requires a permanent black ink of archival quality paper. I chose Noodler's Heart of Darkness because, well, it meets all the specs, and I'm a fan of the novel. I also use black ink for much of the tinker, tinker writing I still do when I get snowed in on long winter days. But a few weeks ago I realized two things. 1. I no longer have need of using black ink for my own writing. 2. I had roughly two liters of Heart of Darkness cluttering my office. So I gave all of it away except one 4.5 ounce bottle, one three ounce bottle, and a nearly empty bottle that certainly has no more than enough to fill three or four pens. Aside from this, I kept two boxes of Pilot black ink cartridges, this for a quick ink transfusion when I'm out and about, and for taking notes that I'll inevitably throw away shortly after writing. Essentuially, I'm firmly resolved to using black ink only when absolutely required to do so, or when nothing else makes economic sense. No More Black. I feel even stronger about gray, even if you spell it grey. I love gray fountain pens. I love gray clothing. I hate gray fountaoin pen ink more than any other color. To me, it just looks like black that didn't try hard enough. Anyway, I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. And found a few inks I really do want to try. Thank you very much for the effort.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks, James - it's always a slightly odd experience, throwing videos into the void, as it were, and getting positive feedback is really helpful. It makes me realise that there are people who're interested in these witterings of mine! Do try the new inks. I find it fascinating to try different inks and it keeps my interest going in the various different colours and types.

[@0xss]

It would be lovely if you can ask your daughter to upload pictures/scans of all the pages somewhere! The comparisions are immensely useful,Thanks you Mr.Jecks.

[@writerlywitterings]

That is not a bad idea. I'll see whether it's possible to make a video here. One other thing I'll do is make a "favourites" video of the ones I really liked and why. Thanks for the idea!

[@Richard_Barnes]

I’ve seen a lot of ink reviews and yours are the best for me. Nice job 🙂👍🏻

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks so much, Richard - I'm really grateful!

[@lorico1849]

Was very interested in your comments on the Waterman black. It is the only black I have, and it feels so good on the paper, I wondered if it was just my imagination, but your comments matched mine. Thanks.

[@writerlywitterings]

Glad to hear it. Strange how these things work so well in different environments, different pens, different papers!

[@humanfirst11]

The Diamine Twilight is a very nice shade of blue! I really liked it. Hoping you could give it a separate video as I really like your way of ink reviews! Thanks!

[@writerlywitterings]

Ah, yes - a great blue-black-teal type of colour. Very good - and the very first ink I covered in my Blues selection, I think. I'll see what I can do on the review side.

[@joeymaximus8146]

I am hoping that this is merely a pause and that you will be back to reviewing inks soon. Your comparisons have been extremely helpful! Also, Baystate Blue isn't bulletproof on paper, however I have a towel that swears to its bulletproof properties lol All the best from across the pond.

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi, Joey - and thanks for the comments. I hope to review more, but the sad fact is, my finances won't support my habit (or a weekly video) so I think the comparisons will have to remain as my best attempt. I can see what you mean about the Baystate. It seems very keen to cling to my towel (and hand) instead of the paper!

[@AlphineWolf]

Noodlers bsb is basically sharpie blue and closest diamine sapphire blue

[@writerlywitterings]

I have to admit, I find Noodler's to be just too heavily coloured. I'm always anxious that they'll stain my pens!

[@steveconquest6684]

Another brilliant video Michael. Your recommendation of Diamine Grape was absolutely spot-on. I'm going to try Diamine Twighlight next. Death Ship of Dartmouth was superb as well. Cheers,Steve

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks, Steve - for all three compliments! Particularly that you liked Death Ship!

[@qwe1231]

Diamine Graphite has always leaned green when I've bought it. Looks pencil-like in EF.

[@writerlywitterings]

I have it, although it's not a favourite - now, don't get me to talk about Earl Grey from Diamine - it's constantly in one or more of my pens, I really love it!

[@tsherbs1309]

Thanks for all these, Michael.

[@writerlywitterings]

Many thanks! It's been a pleasure!

[@neo5kali]

Thanks. I really like Graf von Faber Castell carbon black.

[@writerlywitterings]

It is a lovely colour.- sadly I've run out and can't review! Thanks for the comment!

[@BossPenguin]

Thank you for this review. Very informative. By the way there’s also a permanent version of Montblanc black that probably is easier to find than grey, since the latter was a 2014 limited edition. But they all are certified for notarial and archival use. I hope this series will continue, you’re doing a great job! Cheers, Chris

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi, Chris - and thanks again for the wonderful parcel! I'll try to continue with inks, but I have the basic issue that I basically can't afford to buy any more, sadly, so apart from a few "my favourite ink and why" type videos, I think that will be the end of the series, sadly.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

Aurora Black is possibly my all-time favourite black, and I have several black inks in my collection. Waterman Intense Black and Noodler’s ‘Eternal’ Heart of Darkness are two of my firm favourites, as well. I’d love to see you to do a similar video on excellent blue and blue-black inks.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that, my friend. I've never had a chance to try Aurora, Waterman or Noodler's. There are just so many different inks, aren't there?! If you want a series of comparisons on blue inks, you'll find them here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/borWeYCnfLutm8k and here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4mvq4ydjrqneJI - hope that helps!

[@sajjadhusain4146]

writerlywitterings ...Oh, thanks a lot for the helpful feedback. I’m glad I chanced upon your channel for the first time the other night when I saw and commented on this particular video. You’re right; there is just a bewildering array of attractive, outstanding inks for fountain pen enthusiasts like us all. I always keep a few dependable black, blue, and blue-black inks that are also pleasing to the eye. I’ll certainly watch your video on blue inks.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks so much, Sajjid - it makes a huge difference to hear back from people who have watched the videos - especially when they enjoyed them! Hope you like the others too!

[@sajjadhusain4146]

writerlywitterings ...Oh, I did actually watch your wonderful video on the Diamine blues a few hours ago. It made my head spin in amazement. There is such a thing as too many choices. This hobby really does lead us down a rabbit hole. Anyway, Diamine inks are my mainstays and long-standing favourites. I reckon around two-thirds of my sizeable collection of inks are Diamine. Truly splendid inks, all round. One perennial favourite blue that springs to mind is the Diamine Majestic Blue. Very aptly named, too. These videos certainly take a lot of effort, patience and commitment on your part. I laud that. Curious to know if you’re fond of, say, red and brown inks. I ask because I am. 🙂

[@nauci]

I absolutely adore Baystate Blue but cannot find any paper other than the old Tomoe River that it won't feather on or bleed through. :C

[@writerlywitterings]

I'm told the best thing to do is to dilute it a little - apparently it's designed to be diluted! I haven't tried that, I have to admit. But what an amazing ink it is!

[@evybrowning]

Finally some down time for inks......... that Diamine Midnight is rather a treat. Surprise myself with that but you never know with inks do you?

[@writerlywitterings]

I was surprised at the colour - you never can tell from a name, can you? But that was a very appealing colour as soon as I tried it!

[@frogsoisuoiusd7326]

Good video

[@writerlywitterings]

Glad you enjoyed

[@phoenixdaradia5897]

The Journal Shop seems to be selling the Iroshizuku for about £5 less than Amazon, and with free delivery to boot. It's still waaaay more expensive than a Diamine equivalent (especially by volume) but at under £20 comes much closer to Edelstein Onyx...

[@writerlywitterings]

I'll have to check that - but while it's tempting, I don't think it'll persuade me away from Diamine - it's still only a quarter of Iroshizuku's prices even at the cheaper rates, I think?

[@phoenixdaradia5897]

@@writerlywitterings The bottles of Diamine seem to come in at around £8 for the standard colours, and the Iroshizuku Take-Sumi has just come back into the Journal shop at £18, so a little more than double (or three times by volume!). It's really worth looking around, though - the 30ml plastic Diamine bottles generally come in at around a fiver on Amazon, but I've found them for as little as £2 elsewhere!

[@sicilianeye]

Do you have any "Black As My Ex-Wife's Heart"?

[@writerlywitterings]

Now that would be telling, wouldn't it?!

[@AllanEngelhardt0]

Noodler's Heart of Darkness?

[@steveconquest6684]

@@AllanEngelhardt0 Not nearly dark enough to match my ex-wife's heart I'm afraid lol.

[@writerlywitterings]

Ouch!

[@nrstooge]

The Baystate blue is known to stain converters, etc, so don't use in a pen you love - it is bulletproof

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for the warning, Nancy. It started to discolour my TWSBI Go in the time it took to fill, write, empty and flush - I've never had that with any other inks. Quite astonishing. There must be something in the ink that reacts with the plastics of the pens. Appreciate the warning, though!

[@nrstooge]

@@writerlywitterings A pen flush might help too, but again.. I wouldn't use it in your Visconti - maybe dedicate a cheaper pen to it?

[@caomhan84]

Yeah, I flinched when he put that in his TWSBI. Baystate Blue is known to "mark" any pen it touches (and even stain sinks!), which is why people either swear off the stuff entirely or, if they use it, dedicate a single pen to just that and nothing else. It also reacts to other inks. Good thing Mr. Jecks has a bunch of TWSBI Go's.

[@writerlywitterings]

Well, I have to admit, I was concerned, and didn't leave it in the TWSBI for any time. But I wanted to test it, so filled my Kaweco with a convertor and left it in there for over a week - and it had no impact whatsoever. However, when I flushed the pen, the ink stained my stainless (!) steel sink. It came off with a little bleach, but I was and am intrigued as to how it didn't affect Kaweco's convertor!

[@caomhan84]

@@writerlywitterings yes we've all had our hearts jump into our throats as Baystate Blue stains the stainless steel sink. Off to the forums I went the the time it happened to me. Thankfully an amusing product called Krud Kutter obliterated the blue mess. I never touched the stuff again. I think regular Noodler's Blue or Goulet's Liberty's Elysium are nice alternatives.

[@AllanEngelhardt0]

Platinum Carbon Black is waterproof and great with watercolour. Haven't seen any of your paintings for a while?

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi, Allan - no, I haven't had time to do a single painting this year. I've started a sketch of a local building, but I've got so much work on, it's hard to take time off. Thanks for that comment - I'll give it a try with one of my Preppies.

[@annies8075]

New to your channel and found you because of your inky reviews ☺️. Bay State Blue 😱😱😱😱😱 best used in an inexpensive Chinese pen, or a pen you don't value 😂😂. Will have to check your books out, as I've never heard of them ☹️. I'm an avid reader and I love mysteries, so don't why I've not come across them before!

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi, Annie's, and thanks for the comment. I've been surprised that the Bay State didn't stain my poor Kaweco at all, but the pen survived the experience perfectly happily, luckily! And do please have a look at my books - sadly all too many people haven't heard of my books because of a sad lack of marketing, which is why I've taken back the rights to half my titles, and I'm in the middle of negotiating with other publishers to take on half my backlist. However, if you want a good-value entry to my books, I can recommend: www.amazon.co.uk/Knights-Templar-Collection-engrossing-unmissable-ebook/dp/B00QQNW33C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1546937159&sr=8-2&keywords=Knights+Templar+volume+1

[@annies8075]

@@writerlywitterings Many thanks for the link 👍. I'll certainly check this out 🙂

[@benvt1]

Genuinely sad the series is complete, as far as I’m concerned you did an amazing job reviewing them. Perhaps if we all ask Gouletpens, Jet Pens, etc nicely they can provide you with some more inks? Lamy’s new series seems interesting, Pelikan’s Edelstein series deserves a better look and perhaps some more Noodler’s samples?

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi, Ben, and thanks for that really kind comment. I'd love to try out other inks, so feel free to contact anyone with that as a proposal! Diamine were astonishingly helpful and generous, but I don't know how other manufacturers would react!

[@alexromey]

The blackest black: Take Sumi or Aurora Black ... or ... ?

[@writerlywitterings]

Ach - I can't! I used to use black all the time when I was a salesman, and looked always for the harshest contrast with white paper - and now I never use it! I only have a certain number of blacks which I use for sketching in my Platinum Preppy pens. I'm so much happier with colour in my life now! As to the very blackest, I'd have to say that of all the inks I've used, it has to be either Montblanc Black, Diamine Jet Black, possibly Iroshizuku Take-Sumi (especially if you like a little sheen) or, more likely, Leipziger Schwartz from Rohrer & Klingner, which is a really intense black.

[@chrislj2890]

I was hoping you would flip the page on your Baystate Blue writing. That stuff is gorgeous but it can bleed though sheet steel, plus you have to clean your pen with a bleach solution using any of the Baystate inks.

[@writerlywitterings]

It's amazing how it stains metal, isn't it? I have just taken a couple of shots, one of either side of the sheet of paper I wrote on, but I can't see how to add them to this reply. Are you on Instagram/Twitter or similar? I can post to you there, if you like?

[@chrislj2890]

@@writerlywitterings I'm afraid that KZbin is as social as I get, but thank you anyway. I was just curious to know if it bleed through the paper.

[@writerlywitterings]

I can promise you that there is no bleeding at all. This 68 gsm paper from Tomoe River is fabulous! Oh, and thanks - this week I'm going to start testing some different papers with Baystate Blue and a couple of other colours to show how they respond.

[@chrislj2890]

@@writerlywitterings That's surprising to me. I have a some Tomoe River paper and I will have to give it a try.

[@JBFire97]

It’s a shame about the price of Iroshizuku as the ink is lovely .

[@writerlywitterings]

It really is ... although you can keep the black!

[@evybrowning]

PS reading the comments I think I'd dispose of that Noodlers somehow so the hound doesn't become a blue one for ever..................

[@writerlywitterings]

Oh, don't even think it! The hound is not allowed near my inks any more, but to be honest I think the flavour of her last experience was enough to put her off too!

[@thedandymod]

The black inks give me respect in case I don't get a good flow with them ... I prefer the blue-black ones. By the way, what are your favorite blue-blacks (not permanent)? Thanks!

[@writerlywitterings]

I'm going to make a video on exactly that subject - my favourite inks of all those I've tested, which will hopefully go live next week.

[@thedandymod]

@@writerlywitterings great! I will love to see it. :)

[@writerlywitterings]

Many thanks, Antonio!

[@ImTash]

i know you said the onyx black came out thinner - you also seem to be using quite a thick nib - i'm just ordering an extra fine nib for my Lamy - do you reckon that would pose any sort of problem? Thanks!

[@writerlywitterings]

I'm using the same TWSBI Go in all the videos, which has a 1.1mm nib, because I wanted to show changes in tone and shade with the different inks. As to how the Lamy would work - I honestly don't know. I only have one Lamy, which is a medium. Fine is one thing, Extra Fine is another. I once had a Pelikan to test, which had an EF nib, and I couldn't use it, sadly. It was too hard for me - although I have a number of 0.2/0.3 Platinum Preppies which work fine. So anything I said would be a pure guess, I'm afraid.

[@writerlywitterings]

Incidentally, I used to be a Surrey boy until I downsized the stress of work and moved to Devon!

[@marka.200]

I took a shot of tequila every time he said "black" and nowflbb23!2234

[@writerlywitterings]

My daughter. just rolled her eyes, which may be better for her liver and kidneys ...!

[@marka.200]

@@writerlywitterings It's ok. No tequila was harmed for this comment.