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Ask the Desk: India Ink and Calligraphy Ink

Author AnaPosted on 6 Comments

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Ever wondered about india ink or calligraphy ink versus “fountain pen” ink? Meg posed this great question about just such a topic.

… I’ve been refilling the Pilot Petit1 cartridges with some bottled india ink that I have left over from dabbling in calligraphy. Ink seems to be pooling in the thready area (like on the Preppy), am I doing something wrong?

Calligraphy and india inks are not designed for fountain pens. They can be corrosive and can dry to be waterproof which, in the pen overtime, can cause it to clog. Some calligraphy inks are also thicker and gooier meant for dip pens so that the ink sits up on the paper and does not bleed into the paper fibers. This characteristic is particularly handy when you are using very wide italic nibs.

The good news is that if you did really jam up a pen, it is a Pilot Petit 1 and not a pricier pen.

I would recommend purchasing some ink specifically designed for fountain pens like Noodlers, Diamine, DeAtramentis, J. Herbin or any fountain pen manufacturer that sells ink (i.e. Lamy, Waterman, Parker, Kaweco, etc). These inks are specifically designed for fountain pens so that they flow easily through the feeder. These inks are not waterproof which means they will not dry and cake up the feed of nib. If fountain pen ink does dry in a pen, usually a good soak in water will clear it up, though it might take awhile.

In the future, save the calligraphy inks for dip nib pens. Since the nibs in most dip pens can be easily swapped out for less than $5, when they do corrode, its not such a big deal.

If you want to experiment with fountain pen inks, check out Goulet Pens which sell sample sized vials of ink for a dollar or two and use the syringe method to refill your cartridges.

Thanks for the great question, Meg!

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Link Love: Eraser Day and His Bradness Goes to a Pen Show

Author AnaPosted on
Happy (belated) Eraser Day from Present + Correct.
Happy (belated) Eraser Day from Present + Correct.

For me, the big news this week was The Pen Addict’s trip to the Atlanta Pen Show so if you read nothing else, check out both of his recaps from the show.

Pens and Pencils

Notebooks

Misc. goodies

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The Napper’s Desk

Author AnaPosted on

studio-nl-desk-bed-1-650x435

Ever napped under your desk, or even just considered napping under your desk? Then you’ll appreciate this desk designed by Studio NL with a bulit-in nap cubby underneath it. When you’re productive, the nap pad creates the back wall of the desk. Swivel it down and fold open the end to have space for a snooze.

(Via Lost at E Minor, top o’ the hat to reader MJH. Thanks!)

In feature, Ink Review

Review: J. Herbin Vert Olive Ink

Author AnaPosted on

J. Herbin Vert Olive Fountain Pen Ink

Green is my favorite color, if you haven’t guessed already, and yellow-greens like lime, avocado and olive are my favorite, favorite greens. So, it was only a matter of time until I broke down and purchased the J. Herbin Vert Olive ($9 per bottle or $6 for a tin of six cartridges) which appears to be right in my color “sweet spot.” I was hesitant though because I’ve had a long string of not-quite-right green pens in my life and I was really hoping I wouldn’t end up with a whole bottle of disappointment.

J. Herbin Vert Olive Fountain Pen Ink Writing Sample

When I was finally brave enough to uncap the bottle, I was pleasantly surprised. In the swab test, the color looks a little pale, like a lemon-lime Kool-Aid but when I filled my TWSBI Mini and actually wrote with it, it ended up being a more concentrated lime-peel green. It absolutely glided out of my pen and while it was a little lighter when wet, it darkened as it dried.

I think Vert Olive and I are going to have a long, happy life together.

What’s your favorite color and have you found the perfect fountain pen ink in that color?

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Now Open: The Well-Appointed Desk Shop

Author AnaPosted on

The Shop Screenshot

Ever wanted to stock up on vintage office supplies or try out one of the products tested here on The Desk? Well, now is your chance. I am pleased to announce the opening  of The Well-Appointed Desk Shop featuring vintage office supplies like rubber stamp holders, staplers, assortments of pencils and airmail envelopes. More items will be added regularly to check back frequently.

Vintage Airmail Envelopes

Soon, I’ll add gently used fountain pens and other tools. These will be products purchased for review on the blog and, by selling them, it will help finance new purchases as well as the upkeep of this blog.

"Good Mail" Rubber Stamp

I am also offering some of my original rubber stamp designs available in the shop starting with the “Good Mail” stamp that I’ve gotten lots of requests to sell.

I am using Big Cartel for all the sales so every item is buy-it-now, no bidding, no haggle pricing. Please leave a comment below if you have questions or comments about the shop.

I hope you like it!

In feature, Ink Review

Ink Drop Reveal for April 2013

Author AnaPosted on

Ink Drop April 2013

When I first got interested in fountain pens, I wanted nothing to do with blue or black ink which was so readily available in the average American ballpoint or rollerball pen. I wanted the unique and uncommon colors found in fountain pen inks like greys, browns, purples and pinks. Over time though, I’ve discovered the vast array of subtle hues in blues and blacks and this month’s Ink Drop subscription from Goulet Pens is no exception. The collection is actually titled “Under The Sea” but, since it was raining, I mistakenly wrote “April Showers” which was the title of last year’s Ink Drop for April.

This month, from lightest to darkest:

  • Diamine Soft Mint: this is a lovely aqua color and surprisingly usable. I was concerned it might be too light but it showed up well on the paper. ($12.75 per bottle)
  • Lamy Turquoise: The Lamy Turquoise is brighter and more vivid than the Sheaffer Skrip Turquoise. I find it to be a really pretty blue color. And if you haven’t purchased a bottle of Lamy, I love the blotter paper built-in to the bottle. Super handy. ($8.50 per bottle)
  • Sheaffer Skrip Turquoise: The Sheaffer Turquoise is a bit more of a true blue turquoise. Its darker and richer in color than the Lamy Turquoise. Its also the most “out there” color that Sheaffer makes. I want to heartily support their forays into less traditional colors! ($9 per bottle)
  • Pilot Namiki Blue: The Pilot Namiki blue reminds me a rinsed denim blue. Its a classic blue color and the bottle is gorgeous. I know I shouldn’t be inclined to buy an ink just for the bottle but I might for the PIlot Namiki inks. ($12 per bottle)
  • DeAtramentis Indigo Blue: Last, but certainly not least, the DeAtramentis Indigo Blue moves into one of my favorite color categories — the blue-blacks. Its a lovely deep midnight blue and a definite strong contender if you’re looking for a blue-black. ($12.50 per bottle)

All the inks performed well on my stock paper (Miquelrius grid) using my vintage Easterbrook with a #9788 nib (shaded writing) which is a slightly flexible medium nib. There was no bleeding or feathering of any other issues. Anyone one or all of the colors would be a great addition to your ink collection. Yeah, ink!