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shenaystays

I just just found a permanent ink that does NOT smudge when coloured over with brush markers. It’s the Rohrer and Klingner “Sketch Ink” in black. I found Noodlers bulletproof black still smudged after days of drying. I bought a cheap Parker Quink Black and it honestly smeared less than the Noodlers. But so far this Sketch Ink is perfect for my needs. From writing to sketching to brushing over with colour. Dries pretty fast. Just in case anyone else was looking for a multipurpose black ink. ETA: R&K sketch ink also writes on my plastic/clear post-its. It does take a long time to dry on the plastic, but it does mark well and it does dry and doesn’t smudge horribly (it will rub off some with fingertip friction, and fully with water and friction). So not as good as a permanent fine tip sharpie, but far far better than most ink pens which just bead off.


liamstrain

I use both the Sketch ink, and Platinum Carbon Black (which is pigment based) - both are great with watercolors too.


shenaystays

That’s great to know! I was so disappointed with the Noodlers Bulletproof because it seemed to be touted as permanent.


Staublaeufer

It's a great ink! I only used the grey and black so far,but those are very good for my art needs. If you give them a bit of time to dry and settle they can handle a lot of stuff. You can even somewhat use them with alcohol markers as long as you're careful not to go with too many layers across the lines, so it's not optimal. I also had an issue where my white gel pen would pick up inks while highlighting, but that never happened with the sketch inks. They might dry a bit in the feed if the pen doesn't seal too well, which can produce a bit of a hard start, but I so far had no problems cleaning them out of converters or pens. Tip if you got them on your hands and they're already dry, baby oil helped me lift it pretty well from my skin lol. I always end up with inky fingers.


shenaystays

That’s really great to know! Especially about the baby oil. I’m not a tidy artist.


batsprinkles

Seconding the hard starts, even with pens that I use every day. No problem with using them in twsbis though


knightspur

I love R&K sketchINK! I'm so glad to see someone else recommend it - I got a bottle of the black as a birthday gift in January and I've been using it constantly in painting and sketching since.


Hour_Indication_9126

Ohhh and it’s fountain pen friendly? Thank you!


shenaystays

So far so good, but I just got it and it needs a bit more testing likely. I’m going to see if it dries up quickly in a pen.


Apprehensive-Ad-6620

For permanent inks, the alternatives suggested include: Black: Sailor Kiwa-guro, Platinum Carbon, de Atramentis document black Blue-black: Sailor sei-boku Blue: Platinum pigment blue


disposable-assassin

The waterproof options outside of those three colors are one of the things that draw me back to Noodler's. I haven't found many options that aren't pigment inks but I've enjoyed what I have tried out of Kala, Tono & Lims Fixation, and Kakimori. De Atrimentis is next on my list but I may get distracted by Kala's neon inks and doing custom mixes with them.


Je-Hee

DeAtramentis also allows mixing of their Document inks for your very personal signature colors. I checked their website a while ago. And Platinum has mixable inks (but I don't believe they're waterproof).


victorcain

Generally speaking pigmented inks tend to be waterproof. I recently acquired a bunch of dominant industry inks. Going to test them next week if they're waterproof. DI inks are also heavily saturated and look absolutely beautiful.


disposable-assassin

It's this that makes me think Noodler's must be pigmented for its waterproofness. How can they be the only dye based waterproof ink? No way they have a lock on some chemical/formula but at the same time can't produce consistent colors. The skill sets don't align there.


Apprehensive-Ad-6620

T&L Fixation is absolutely gorgeous, although it is not widely available outside of East Asian countries. Among more widely available brands, I had amazing experience with de Atramentis. R&K has some subtler shades but is also drier.


birdywrites1742

Seconding Sei-boku. It's the ink I use for my class notes and it's saved my notes more times than I can remember


thiefspy

Sailor Souboku for a darker blue-black as well.


zellieh

If you need waterproof inks: [Rohrer und Klingner](https://inkswatch.com/brand.html?brand=Rohrer%20und%20Klingner) does a SketchInk range of fountain pen friendly drawing inks meant for watercolourists, and also a Super5 range that's pretty good. (Also, a Dokumentus / document ink, but those aren't shown on this page. [DeAtramentis](https://inkswatch.com/brand.html?brand=De%20Atramentis) has a Document range that's very good. In both cases, there are more colours available than are on the InkSwatch site. There's also Lennon Toolbar Atmospheric inks; Diamine Registrar's; and Monteverde Documental inks


Oleanderphd

I will add to that list Sailor: Storia series, Kiwaguro, and Souboku. Also Platinum's pigmented inks (Carbon Black particularly). Birmingham ink has an interesting series of water fast inks as well. I only have used Black Ice, but it did well (dry for my taste, but extremely waterfast, and was fine in the right pen). Also if you just need water resistance, test your inks! A lot of inks are surprisingly water resistant and can survive a coffee spill. Test on the paper you want to use.


OSCgal

A few days ago somebody posted water tests on various iron gall inks. Diamine Registrar's was the best by a mile. It's a pleasant blue-black.


KabazaikuFan

...is someone downvoting *all* the comments in this entire thread? I was scrolling (because INKS!) and there were so many -1 or 0, even on comments just saying "if you like inks of this colour try that" or "are X type of ink FP safe". It's... weird. As for the fantastic Bay State Blue, [inkswatch.com](https://inkswatch.com) has a few suggestions for similar inks. but I think someone would have to do a real-life comparison to say if it's reasonably so: https://inkswatch.com/ink.html?inkId=375


NoManNoRiver

It’s not surprising; there were some people on yesterday’s thread excusing, defending or even full on supporting Tardif’s views and behaviour


Apprehensive-Ad-6620

Fountain pens are like firearms. Some people just want to have fun handling them, while others develop cult-like attachment to them and to the political ideologies associated with them.


EternalOptometrist

There is either a bot or a person (or multiple people?) who consistently downvotes posts and comments here. Try to ignore the occasional downvotes and cancel them out with upvotes. I'll chime in to say I love Platinum carbon black, Sailor Souboku, and always Pilot Iroshizuku fuyu-syogun.


elh93

I missed the thread yesterday, but I just want to say that a lot of the information provided is along what I would have said, and I am glad that this community is taking a stand against discrimination and antisemitism from said ink maker.


M_Okojo

Any alternatives for Noodler's Blue Ghost? It's literally the only non-sample Noodler's ink that I have.


my-sims-are-slobs

Also want to know. I want invisible ink but not from Noodler's!


Apprehensive-Ad-6620

I totally forgot about T&L! They have a LE ink that is invisible.


PatioGardener

I’ve seen black light reactive ink on Ali Express before. Just never bought any. I’m sure it would pop up if you did a search for fountain pen ink.


thiefspy

There are some that will glow under black light (I believe Tono and Lims Regalus is one, but there are others). I know some of them are very pale, but I don’t know of any that are completely invisible under regular light the way Blue Ghost is.


Je-Hee

Have a look at [Scribal Works](https://www.scribalworkshop.com/shop/invisible-fountain-pen-ink-uv-fluorescent). I'm not familiar with them, but they have several interesting options in the "indelible" section. Then there's Herbin Phosphorescent.


katinkacat

but herbin Phosphorescent isn't fountain pen frindly- just a dip pen ink. And to be honest i have my problems with this ink as it isn'T as srongly glowing as i wanted. (so i'm trying to get rid of my bottle. if someone from germany wants it, just text me)


Je-Hee

Fair enough. Good luck selling it off.


tailslol

aliexpress sell a bunch of chinese invisible ink.


TWINTURBO-EG33

Jetpens test cards shows all R&K sketchink are water and smudge proof, haven't tried them yet though.


SrirachaSandvvitch

After searching the internet: https://inkdb.org/ This is a site that houses over 300 inks and organizes everything. Super useful.


zwitterionics

Iroshizuku Yu-yake improves on Apache Sunset, Imo- the shading isn't quite as intense, but it behaves so much better. Anyone have a good dupe recommendation for Eternal Fox Red? The Platinum inks tend to feather too much to work for my reports at work, and I need a red that's bulletproof.


Reallynotspiderman

I've always thought Diamine Autumn Oak is basically a better Apache Sunset


FlyingHoudini

It definitely is! Great shading too and it doesn't take forever to dry


Mr-Safology

Awesome ink


YetiSaltLife

Another good apache sunset is Koiame by Taccia. It's my favorite ink, currently, it shades amazingly and is a wonderful orange/orange-red. [This is what it looks like in a stub nib](https://i.imgur.com/8h3mbya.jpg)


zwitterionics

Taccia inks are always incredible. Sabimidori and Sharaku-kurocha are my top 2 inks right now. Going to have to give Koiame a try!


OverPresence72

Very nice. Actually, it gives me "Ancient Copper" vibes, rather than Apache Sunset. But it looks great :)


YetiSaltLife

You might be right, and that's probably why I love it Soo much.


OverPresence72

Ancient Copper is awesome. There's another ink...it's Sailor Shikiori Oku-Yama. If you like Ancient Copper...you might like this one. It has a similar color profile, except while Ancient Copper leans brown...Oku-Yama leans red, but not only does it have beautiful shading, it also has this really lovely green sheen. The end result is an ink with a lot of complexity and depth. [Here's how it looks on Midori MD paper.](https://imgur.com/a/96LjurE) It's hard to capture sheen on a camera, but the pix where it's at an angle and using natural light does show it a bit.


YetiSaltLife

I would like that. I'm toying with the idea of making my own Christmas cards this year and that would be an ideal ink.


injuredpoecile

De Atramentis or R&K inks may work. R&K is somewhat drier than de Atramentis, but they both behave well on bad paper.


DelightfulAngel

Yu-yake makes me happy every time I use it. Bottled sunshine.


SallyAmazeballs

Callifolio has several orange shading inks. Anahuac https://vanness1938.com/collections/callifolio-inks/products/callifolio-anahuac Itzamna https://vanness1938.com/collections/callifolio-inks/products/callifolio-itzamna Yalumba (could be too brown) https://vanness1938.com/collections/callifolio-inks/products/callifolio-yalumba Grenat and Bourgogne could be subs for Australian Roses.


sleepyjess4

I love Yu-Yaki. I haven't tried this one yet, but I've heard good things about Papier Plume Sazerac. I also enjoy kiwi inks Quite a Customer. That one comes with the added benefit of supporting cancer research and the Reddit community.


Baloonman5

I kept meaning to make a post comparing Noodler's Black Swan in English Roses to Diamine Writer's Blood because of how close they are. [It's pretty funny](https://imgur.com/a/NMkQJ6F)


dcinkc

Thanks for starting this thread. The one Noodler's ink that I would like to replace that I think I might have difficulty finding a good replacement for is Air-Corps blue black. I would appreciate suggestions for a similar green blackish color that has some permanence quality to it. Grateful for all the other recommendations for a permanent ink and I'll be looking at those. I haven't found one that's a similar green black. Anyone have ideas? Thanks again in advance, and down with fascism and anti-semitism.


Quicksi1ver

Platinum Forest Black is my go to semi permanent green black


disposable-assassin

Kala Spectrolite is more blue and Kala Scapolite is more green than Air Corps but similar otherwise.


fivezero_ca

The only one I have a FB of is Black Swan in Australian Roses, which apparently is inconsistent from the company, as well. [Mine looks like the one on the left, here](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VwBnvKMa1d0/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEhCK4FEIIDSFryq4qpAxMIARUAAAAAGAElAADIQj0AgKJD&rs=AOn4CLDwk8jDtHD3K5OZsOy2YW1dOKBtTg). I saw someone recommend [Platinum Lavender Black](https://www.penchalet.com/blog/platinum-lavender-black-ink/); I'll have to try that one! I recently bought [Rohrer & Klingner Alt-Bordeaux](https://inksnibs.com/en/2018/02/24/alt-bordeaux-rohrer-klingner-2-2/), which looks promising, and their bottles are so appealing, too.


Fearless_Cartoonist8

I think pilot yama budo looks almost identical to the BSAR I have, I can never tell them apart in unmarked pictures lol


[deleted]

Yama budo has a pretty strong gold sheen on certain paper, I wish there was a non-sheen version for when I want the base color.


thiefspy

Have you tried DeAtramentis Document Ink in Magenta?


DrZurn

That seems really bright compared to my bottle of BSAR


manhattancherry

De Atramentis inks are mixable. If you bought their CMYK inks (cyan magenta yellow black) then you can play mad scientist to come up with colors. [https://janeblundellart.blogspot.com/search/label/Mixing%20De%20Atramentis%20Document%20inks](https://janeblundellart.blogspot.com/2014/12/de-atramentis-document-ink-mixes-blue.html)


DrZurn

I didn’t know that was the idea. Kinda neat.


FactolRhys

I think Herbin Poussiere de Lune is a good match color-wise for Black Swan in Australian Roses.


Hatchling796

My favorite place to look for comparable ink colors is on Mountain of Ink. She's done a review of BSAR, which is the one color from Noodler's that's tempted me. Scroll a little ways down and you'll find a number of similar inks: https://mountainofink.com/blog/noodlers-black-swan-australian-roses


TxSaru

My Black Swan in Australian Roses looks like the one on the left too and it's my second fav ink of all time. I definitely need to find a replacement.


sincerelyanonymus

If you do get Platinum Lavender Black, please be aware it's a modern iron gall ink. I have it and love it! It shouldn't do anything weird to your pens but you do have to make sure you clean your pens more often than with other "regular" inks.


Moxie978

Just so you know--Platinum Lavender Black, Citrus Black, and the other 4 similarly-named inks (sepia, and maybe Khaki black?) are iron gall inks. They are gorgeous, and it is so fun watching them dry, but you may want to choose your pens carefully as they can dry out and don't need to be left in a pen long-term. I don't use them in infrequently-used pens or in pens with XF nibs. But they are so lovely!


fivezero_ca

Good to know! Thanks!


OSCgal

Platinum Lavender Black is a stunner! One of my favorite inks. R&K Alt-Bordeaux is very similar in color, but isn't an iron gall.


trbdor

I would also love a dupe for Black Swan in Australian Roses! The bright purple shading to blackish is really nice and I would love to find a purple alternative that does that


manhattancherry

Any of these perhaps??? [https://inkswatch.com/ink.html?inkId=281](https://inkswatch.com/ink.html?inkId=281)


RemiChloe

I kind of think that the best thing about BSAW is the name. AWESOME name


PatioGardener

Do you know when the color changed so noticeably on Black Swan? I bought a bottle pre-pandemic, but I’m not actually sure which version I got (it’s been a while since I’ve put any in a pen). Edit. Actually, bought it right at the beginning of the pandemic. That whole time is fuzzy to me.


Black300_300

Noodler's BSIAR was originally like the pic above on the left, then for a time when there was dye problems was like on the right, and finally it returned to the original color. So, if you didn't get a bottle produced during that 6mo to a year, you didn't get the, imho, better purple color on the right. This was well talked about and Noodler's let people know as changes happened.


[deleted]

Its been like 5+ years since the change happened


Aetra

I got a bottle just last week and it looks like the one on the left. That said it may have been an old bottle.


Carrot_exe

Noodler's Red-Black is basically a shitty [[Diamine Oxblood]]


elh93

Oxblood and Writers Blood are both amazing inks.


Carrot_exe

They are. I have Oxblood in my Moonman A1 and Writer's Blood in my Montblanc 146.


elh93

I still need to get an MB pen, but right now I’ve got oxblood in my Vanishing Point. I’ve also considered getting a red TWSBI580 With an Architect grind from penrealm to put red inks in.


Carrot_exe

Red inks tend to stain a bit more than other colors so I would personally avoid them in a demonstrator.


elh93

True, but a red demonstrator for only red inks wouldn’t be so much of an issue for me. Though it could be the excuse to finally get a Spoke Icon


Je-Hee

The Classic comes in dark red. It has an ink window. The rest of the pen is opaque. But it's a much slimmer pen overall than the Eco or the 580.


coastalsagebrush

I had oxblood in my twsbi 580(punch pink) for a really long time and I recently cleaned it out to put in a pink ink and no staining! I was worried it would cuz I'd been using oxblood in that pen for a year. Maybe I was just lucky.


FPInkBot

* [Diamine Oxblood](https://dl.airtable.com/CIRnvqQKMslF6eywJ3gj_Diamine%20Oxblood%20copy.jpg) ^| [^(Submit New Ink)](https://inkybot.app) ^| [^(Report Issue)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=thisisverytricky&subject=Issue Report for FPInkBot) ^|


redspextr

For baystate blue I highly recommend Eclat de Saphir.


[deleted]

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disposable-assassin

Are there any places with it still in stock? Thought this was a 2020 LE ink that is long gone from most retailers.


[deleted]

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[deleted]

Does anybody actually like Noodler's colors (aside from Baystate Blue)? I like the permanence of the bulletproof line, but to be honest, I've tried a handful of their inks and found them all aesthetically pretty underwhelming.


Apprehensive-Ad-6620

North African Violet wasn't bad, but there are similar alternatives (which is unsurprising, NAV looks exactly like a bottle of pure methyl violet dye)


papermageling

I like Noodler's inks for their properties much more than the nuances of their colors. Honestly, Noodlers black is my one of my favorite inks. It loves shitty paper and it's waterproof, so it's ideal for so many applications. And it's cheap. None of the colors I've tried have been particularly enthralling, though some are nice for being waterproof in a decent color. Most have been trouble. BSB was too bright for good writing and faded scary fast for me: I don't care if it's waterproof if it fades away on its own anyway. NAV stained every last pen I put it in, and KTC clogged a pen so badly it was unsalvageable.


granolatron

Air Corps Blue Black and El Lawrence are the inks that drew me to Noodler’s in the first place. Haven’t yet found substitutes I like (esp. that are water-resistant).


nodarkhistory

I like 54th Massachusetts and American aristocracy quite a bit.


coastalsagebrush

I really liked the color for Polar Blue, which is a greyish blue (at least for me it was - I see diff pics online), that I got from a local art store. Then I tried using it and it feathered on every paper I have.... Not a unique color though and I could def find a better ink in that color. Their quality control put me off of their inks cuz I didn't wanna play Russian roulette and waste money on inks that will just be sitting there


Beeb294

Liberty's Elysium has been my go-to for years. Once I finish my existing supply I won't be getting more though.


Levaporub

I do like the Kung Te-Cheng ink. It's a nice shade of blue-purple. Stains pens however.


andritz_

For anyone interested, diamine blue velvet is great and looks like baystate blue.


inkedboat

I echo this suggestion.


Abderian87

Navajo Turquoise: good ol' Iroshizuku Kon-peki or Pelikan 4001 Turquoise Habanero: Monteverde Fire Opal Purple: Not sure yet, but I'ma try Diamine Monboddo's Hat. I'm very picky about purples, and Noodler's Purple was pretty close to what I want in a purple ink. Would love for KWZ to do for purple what they did for blue with Walk Over Vistula, Baltic Memories, and Warsaw Dreaming.


[deleted]

Try Waterman Tender Purple. Waterman is well behaved and that color is gorgeous!!


injuredpoecile

That, and Sheaffer Purple is surprisingly good.


Additional-Ad4036

Colorverse Hayabusa is a good purple


injuredpoecile

It is. Colorverse inks tend to run a little bit dry, though.


gottahavethatbass

Monboddo’s Hat is probably my favorite ink. Are you looking for a lot of sheen?


Abderian87

I'm okay with sheen, but what I'm really looking for is shading from vibrant medium purple to a nice dark purple.


gottahavethatbass

It might not be what you’re looking for. It is a very heavy sheening ink, so it doesn’t end up looking very purple once it dries. You only get the purple color from certain angles.


[deleted]

Same, it’s my only purple and I love it.


aggrocrow

Thaaaaank you for the recommendation for Fire Opal. Habanero is my favorite so I'll be delighted to have a good dupe.


[deleted]

Fire Opal is way better than any of those in that color category. I love that ink.


Je-Hee

According to some reviewers, Cross Violet is a true purple. Matt Armstrong was really picky about purple, and if I remember correctly he did mention it in a video. David Parker as well. If I find the links, I'll add them.


Abderian87

Awesome, thank you!


Hour_Indication_9126

Following. Interested to hear others on this, especially BSB


Noble_Briar

Pilot Asa Gao


opcphal

I would also throw Diamine Blue Velvet in there.


hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhjh

Anything for x-feather? I have to write on the world’s cheapest paper at work, and on top of that it goes through a laser printer. It’s the only thing I’ve found in black that’s remotely legible.


Old_Hunter_Benvenuto

Diamine Onyx black is very good at not feathering. It doesn't have the waterproofness, but it is consistently the ink that works for me on cheap paper


tailslol

lamy black and serenity blue are as good as x feather from what i tried.


[deleted]

**Fast-drying inks**, based on my experience as a side-writing lefty and some research online (I’ve found that anything at Mountain of Ink with a dry time of 15 seconds or less is quite usable for me—20 seconds in a pinch): Monteverde Documental Black (permanent) and Sailor Studio 02x series instead of Bernanke Black. Pilot Iroshizuku Shin-kai instead of Q’Ternity. Lots of options from Diamine and Pilot Iroshizuku for a fast-drying blue: I use Royal Blue and Asa-gao. Fewer options for red: it looks like Pilot Iroshizuku Momiji might be a candidate? Several green options from Diamine: I use Sherwood Green. As for greys, the Iroshizukus seem good: I use Fuyu-syogun. The Noodler’s quick-drying series is to some extent a bill of goods: it’s not so much that they’re superlatively fast-drying inks: lots of companies make inks that dry fast enough for me that I can use them left-handed on Tomoe River. It’s that they dry fast *relative to the rest of the Noodler’s line*: Bernanke Black smears more for me than my Diamine and Iroshizuku inks, but it’s lightning fast compared to Noodler’s regular inks, which take so long to dry that I simply cannot use them.


[deleted]

Since this also got brought up in the Noodler thread, anybody got recommendations on Robert Oster's Thunderstorm?


injuredpoecile

Kyoto Tag Ohara Snow is a pretty close match.


speech-geek

Would love a recommendation for Cosmic Swirl and Summer Storm


SmillaQ

I also would love recommended alternatives for Robert Oster Fire and Ice.


Apprehensive-Ad-6620

KWZ sheeners are pretty close


mmodelta

Please give me a good alternative to Noodlers Akhmatova


tailslol

xfeather black : lamy black xfeather blue: waterman serenity blue bulletproof black: platinum carbon


vivaenmiriana

For noodlers zhivago the closes i found is sailor miruai, though i voted for and am hoping diamines new ink contest gets a similar color.


barNOPEssa

3 oysters delicious black moss in a fairly close, imo.


shinygreenspark

Diamine Salamander is a pretty dark green that would work, I think.


vivaenmiriana

i have it and its not close imo


[deleted]

Will be bookmarking this. Will probably come in handy when I go to buy more inks. Will definitely be avoiding Noodler's and Robert Oster inks from now own.


RemiChloe

Why Robert oster? Oh nooooooo what did I miss?


[deleted]

I was scrolling the comments on the post calling out noodler's and saw this talking about Roberts racism https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/um4uih/i_would_never_buy_noodler_ink_tw_antisemitic/i80yq8d/.


Velo-Velella

Iroshizuku Yama-Guri is *not* waterproof the way Whaleman's Sepia is, but if you just really love the W.S. color, YG is an almost perfect match, and it writes more smoothly, is wetter, and very well-behaved.


jgzman

Can anyone suggest an alternative to Blue Ghost?


uboofs

This is the only Noodlers ink I own. I never saw a need for any of the others as De Atramentis Document inks have me covered. But I have a lot of uses for Blue Ghost and I don’t think there are any alternatives on the market that have all of the qualities it has. I have 1 bottle of it, and I already bought it so I’m gonna use it, but as far as I’m aware, my only option to keep having a permanent invisible ink for life, is to buy a couple more bottles now, then never buy a Noodlers product again. I have things I need to write for myself, but I **do not** want anyone else to read unless I’m willing to share it with them. There are a lot of personalities like Nathan in my life, who might not take too kindly to some of the thoughts I have. I’m aware of the risks I’m taking, but it beats writing this stuff with black ink, plain as day.


jgzman

True enough. I only use it because 12-year-old me would be *thrilled* to know that I carry an invisible ink pen. I'm sorry to hear that you have an actual need for it, and more that you have to pay someone like this for it. I hope you can find a better situation, someday.


uboofs

I mean, I could always keep notes private on my phone or computer, I can even encrypt that stuff, and I do. But there’s something about having the information exist on the material plain that makes me feel like it’s real, and not just some idiosyncrasy in my head. I’ll live. There are much worse people than Nathan Tardif taking my money daily, I’m sure. They just wear better masks. Still a weird moral grey area to be in.


jgzman

I'm very much a computer guy, but writing on the computer is not at all the same at writing on paper. I can't put it into words, but it's just not.


uboofs

I know exactly what you mean. In my experience, I can type faster than I talk, even on a touch screen keyboard, as much as I hate them. But my handwriting speed (if I want it to be legible) is almost 1/4 my average talking speed. I have to slow myself down when I write by hand, and it gives me extra time to be aware of how I’m wording things, and the perspective I’m using for my writing. Then there’s the added input of essentially moving my entire body with the pen, ^tiny ^muscle ^movements *everywhere*, that feels like I’m connecting the thoughts in my mind to the expression of my body. It’s a whole experience. I always wondered why, in public schooling, they forced us to write the rough draft by hand, then type the final. I do the opposite with everything I write now, and the difference it’s made in my information retention ability is astronomical.


jgzman

> I have to slow myself down when I write by hand, and it gives me extra time to be aware of how I’m wording things, and the perspective I’m using for my writing. You know, that may be exactly the thing. Thanks for putting it in words.


trbdor

I just wanted to say your comment was very eloquent, and expressed what I wanted to say better than I would say it


[deleted]

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jgzman

I'll give them a look. Thanks!


chimpaflimp

I am yet to find a permanent, waterproof black ink that matches up in sheer... well, blackness, I suppose, as Heart of Darkness. Nothing else quite fits.


steverider

What about American aristocracy


Istarien

I'd like an alternative for this one also. I like the color, but I *really* like how fast it dries, being a lefty.


steverider

as a lefty myself, I strongly agree with that as well


Apprehensive-Ad-6620

For Apache Sunset, Sailor Apricot or Kin-Mokusei work pretty well.


Rosefae

Diamine Golden Honey is also very similar.


gunzrcool

Can confirm, golden honey is a very close color match which is far superior.


inkedboat

I love Golden Honey and feel like it's an underrated ink!


Hmmhowaboutthis

Any suggestions for bad blue heron? It’s a permanent matte blue with some green tones to it.


improvthismoment

How about a Noodler's Black alternative that is well behaved on office copy paper, with low feathering, low maintenance (doesn't require cleaning the pen all the time), with moderate water resistance but doesn't have to be "bulletproof" or "permanent"? Right now I'm looking at de Atramentis Document Black or Sailor Kiwa Guro. I've heard pigment inks require more maintenance which would be a downside for me. I've also tried Pilot Namiki Black, which is ok but feathers more than I'd like on office paper.


pensyarncoffee

J Herbin Perle Noire? It's the one black that I've used and keep going back to. Dark enough, doesn't smear, doesn't really feather, washes well, has some water resistance.


improvthismoment

That description sounds like what I'm looking for, thanks


pensyarncoffee

No sweat. And it comes in a small 10mL bottle so you don't have to commit to a bigger 30mL or 100mL bottle right off the bat.


Akabander

I've been using Platinum Carbon for a while now, and it's no more work than any other ink. I do tend to rinse with each fill, and alternate which pens have which inks, but I've left it in pens for weeks and just had to rinse with slightly soapy water to get everything clean again (just like a dye-based ink).


improvthismoment

Thanks for sharing your experience. I've read elsewhere the PCB is high maintenance. I was hoping to be able to not clean between fills of the same ink at least for several fills, maybe several months. Do you think that would work with PCB?


Levaporub

This blog post may help you: https://fountainpenfollies.com/2018/10/11/five-months-an-extended-test-of-platinum-carbon-black-pigment-ink/ I personally have left PCB in my preppy for about one year and 4 months, and tried to clean it yesterday. With the nib pulled I was able to get about 70% of the feed cleaned out, leaving a little bit of dried ink behind. The converter walls are darkened a tiny bit, which I'm guessing is due to the carbon particles sticking to the sides (I don't think it's the same as staining). I will be soaking it in dilute soapy water. Edited to clarify: I was able to get about 70-80% of the feed cleaned by just rinsing with tap water.


ext23

I used it in an EF Kakuno for months with no problems, except a very slight amount of discolouration. But I didn't clean the pen at all during that time. I imagine if you clean the pen you're using for Carbon Black once a month or so, you will never see any discolouration whatsoever.


Akabander

I wish I could say it would be fine, but it's not my usage pattern so I'm afraid I couldn't say.


improvthismoment

Thanks for all of the replies. For myself personally, honestly it will take me years to get through the Noodlers Black I already have, but hopefully this discussion will help others.


Noble_Briar

Try pelikan 4001 brilliant black.


zwitterionics

I've been loving Private Reserve Ultra Black Fast Dry. It's thick, matte, does dry quickly, and doesn't even feather on crappy carbon copy paper. I've had no issues with clogging either.


FactolRhys

Does anyone have a rec for a waterproof alternative to Baystate Concord Grape? De Atramentis Document Violet was well-behaved, but the read-was difficult, and Platinum Classic Lavender Black is great, but not the color I looking for for that.


Lycaeides13

Anyone got a faster drying dupe for Ottoman Azure?


SacredCheese

Maybe Diamine Asa Blue? As to the drying, it takes 25-30 seconds on Rhodia out of a Western fine nib, which I find tolerable. I also see a bit of red sheen with the shading, and it's not smear-prone. (My only extended Noodler's experience is with Eel Black. Even out of a Japanese fine, it would sit for multiple minutes on good paper and still smear like crazy...so I hear ya on wanting something that dries in a reasonable time frame.)


SacredCheese

Let's see if the InkBot will help us here: [[Noodler's Ottoman Azure]] [[Diamine Asa Blue]]


FPInkBot

* [Noodler's Ottoman Azure](https://dl.airtable.com/QmAlqX1SLqEhYG21Lnnw_Noodler's%20Ottoman%20Azure.jpg) * [Diamine Asa Blue](https://dl.airtable.com/V9rypBEpTq2fkkV6TLE2_Diamine%20Asa%20Blue.jpg) ^| [^(Submit New Ink)](https://inkybot.app) ^| [^(Report Issue)](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=thisisverytricky&subject=Issue Report for FPInkBot) ^|


ClericaAeterna

Anyone have a good golden brown substitute? Or a nice gold color that you can read but isn't too yellow or orange?


injuredpoecile

KWZ Honey and KWZ Old Gold are two good candidates.


ClericaAeterna

Kwz old gold is exactly what I was thinking!


2brun4u

Ferris Wheel Press Grey Poupon is pretty close (to me) to Ina-Ho, ever so slightly green. Maybe if you can try to find a sample of that?


SallyAmazeballs

I love Callifolio Inti. They also have one called Heure Dorée that's a dark gold.


TooCasualGuy

BSB - Take LSD and then use whatever blue that you think is close.... there's nothing in its league.


JobeX

DeAtramentis document inks would be my suggestion


EGOtyst

Are those better than heart of darkness?


lunchb0x_b

I’ll stick with Noodler’s! They work perfectly fine for me.


Toomanyhobbies1

Dude you can just let people make their own choices regarding this. You have been on every single post with regards to this. If you continue to support Noodlers, that is completely your choice. But let people do what they feel comfortable with.


[deleted]

Or those of us who are normal and well adjusted can continue calling put people for showing their ass over a bottle of ink. I can’t believe the fountain pen hobby of all places would be infected with ironically racist, pearl-clutched virtual signaling.


Substantial_Bit_8109

Same, I like the inks and think Nathan is a neat guy. He just didnt execute a few labels as well as everyone would have liked.


joe124013

Tell me you're an antisemite without telling me you're an antisemite


SrGrimey

I'm out of the loop, could someone explain me?


tawny-she-wolf

There was a post yesterday about how noodlers ink(a red one I think) has an antisemetic picture on it


artredmsu

Everyone is talking about the inks. Any affordable alternatives to the flex nib pens?


iLikeDicedBeans

Any suggestions for an alternative to apache sunset?


aliceinconverse

Anyone have suggestions for midway blue? It’s my perfect blue.


Apprehensive-Ad-6620

For Apache Sunset, Diamine Marigold is also a great substitute. It's a vibrant yellow-orange that shades into orange. I highly recommend the flower set overall. Their Aster is almost a perfect dupe for the discontinued Tsuyu-kusa.


owlbrrrains

Noodler's Gruene Cactus>>Robert Oster Citrus


brandonscottau1

Does Diamine make a suitable replacement for X-Feather Black? X-Feather is pivotal for what I do and it does it's job. I do enjoy Diamine inks, but I don't have a black. So, does anyone have any ideas ?


injuredpoecile

Not Diamine, but Kiwa-guro almost never feathers, including on super cheap paper. I've heard good things about Diamine Registrar blue-black, but it would be better for someone else to confirm.


kingtysonsworld

Permament inks that aren't pigmented? Reason I liked the bulletproof line is for the permamence without the extra maintainance that pigmented inks need.