Thank you! I was looking for a waterproof black ink and did NOT want to buy lots of ink to figure out which was waterproof!! I sincerely appreciate your help!
Yes! It’s my favorite dark ink. I have a bottle I mix 50/50 Bully Black with Lexington Gray and I shake it gently before I refill my sketch pen. Dries almost instantly and no smears. I also love that it’s not as bold and dark as carbon inks.
Just a heads up re. the De Atramentis permanent inks - I was sketching regularly for a few years with the Black DeAtramentis ink in my Lamy fountain pens without any issue at all. However, I went through a phase of not sketching for about a month and when I went to use the pens again, I found that the ink had dried up in the nib assembly. It took a lot of flushes and soaking in a special cleaning solution before it was finally cleared properly. My advice is to sketch/write regularly when using De Atramentis inks to avoid the same issue I had. It's also worth noting that I had other fountain pens containing Platinum Carbon ink and they have never let me down even when they went without use for the same period mentioned above.
a few years! gah! oh dear. that's just way too much to ask of any ink in any fountain pen (the PCB notwithstanding). :) your poor LAMYs. you were very lucky even with your hard cleaning work. - yes, i have sketched and illustrated for fun and professionally (also fun) and never once had a problem in any pen with PCB. It is THE ONLY black ink I trust to be bulletproof and kind to my pens (and brush pens)
@SerenaLewis This is good to know, it helps with my future purchases of ink...Platinum Carbon ink is gonna be my next purchase..thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
@@kan-zee Since writing that comment 3 years ago, I just wanted to add that I have now become a TWSBI lover as, even with DeAtramentis permanent inks, they have not let me down. I think they have a tighter seal with having a screw-on cap. I tend to use my Lamys with water-soluable inks now. All the best.
@@artist-reader I think you misunderstood my comment. I had been sketching regularly for a few years but had only lapsed for just one month. Nowadays, I tend to test my fountain pens on a weekly basis to keep the ink flow going. Also, I tend to use TWSBIs over Lamys for permanent inks nowadays. They seem more compatible.
I just ordered my first fountain pen and ink. I also purchased your course about watercolor mixing for beginners. All your materials are awesome! Thank you so much for all your awesome work! 😊
I used to work with Noodler's Bulletproof Black, and I found that if I waited 24 hours before applying the watercolor, it no longer bled. However, I recently switched to Platinum Carbon because I got tired of waiting, and it is working great!
I use Deatramentis Archive Black on a Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with a posting nib extra fine. No problems. No clogging. Smooth continuous ink delivery during drawing.
Very useful, and exactly why I am following your channel. Saves us all a lot of time and money, trying to guess what products actually do what they are claiming to do. Interesting that in full res, I am able to see particles of ink landing on the page (not sure if it's from the brush or the writing being wetted, though). Particularly liked the ending tip - like the ball bearings in spray paint cans, added for the same purpose!
Very interesting about the Sailor ink. Puzzling how it's possible that the ink looses its waterproof properties over time. Also have you ever tried the waterproof inks by Super 5? The orange in that range is esp. very nice :) Thanks again for another great & useful video ❤️
I use Rotring ink in a Kaweko Sport for months and it hasn't clogged up yet. Dries quickly & waterproof. Also, the Kaweko Sport is extremely easy to take apart and clean, should any clogging occur ;-)
I've been loving Rohrer and Klingner SketchINKs for mixed media and water media work! I just got some of the brighter colours. Noodlers Lexington Gray is pretty good too. I haven't been thrilled with the De Atramentis Document inks, mostly I haven't had a good experience mixing them (as they are intended).
SketchInk Lotte is black, and is the very nice ink in my fountain pen -- must be the best value for money black waterproof ink there is available for fountain pens. The SketchInk Thea is the grey so won't ever be able to compete with Deatrementis black and Platinum Carbon black. I shall be buying the Lexington Grey as soon as my brush pen needs refilling.
Thanks Teoh! I got around to trying the Jinhao x750 + Zebra G nib combo fairly recently, and filled it with R&K Sketchink Lotte. Works very well in my opinion, and - like other commenters here - it's a much more economic buy in the UK than Platinum or Sailor nanopigment inks. I don't have many problems with it drying out in the pen, as with my experience of the Platinum desk pen and the cartridge of it's own ink. Both pens seem to seal pretty securely. Only thing is a flow problem when the ink in the converter runs low - which doesn't take too long since I widened the feed of the x750! Curious to try the DeAtrimentis ink too.
Rohrer & Klingner really make beautiful inks. I already have some of their regular fountain pen inks but I definitely will have a dip into the Sketch Ink line, because I need something bullet proof for my daily journalling but I don't want to stick to black ink when it comes to waterproofness.
I love your pen reviews and was very happy to find this review on fountain pen ink. I finally purchased a fountain pen and went for the Black Forest with a fude nib and also purchased the Platinum Carbon black ink. I would have made the mistake of purchasing the Noodler's black if I hadn't seen your review. I love my new pen and plan to buy more with other nibs. Thanks for the information you generously share with us.
This video may be a little old but its SO helpful! I bought noodlers bullet proof black for watercolor work but i was so frustrated to discover its not actually waterproof and takes forever to dry 😭 (wasnt dry even after leaving it overnight). Ill be trying to return it and looking at your suggestions thank you!
In case you didn’t come around sending it back, you might want to try and dilute your Noodler’s ink with clean tap water or distilled water. Through the years I’ve increased my usual dilution from 1:9 even up to 1:1 in some situations, depending on the pen and paper. The Noodler’s inks are over saturated at delivery, and composed as not to feather, which leads to excess ink drying unbonded on top of the bonded ink. With dilution, the ink flows better too.
May I ask two questions please? 1. Do waterproof inks, e.g. Rohrer & Klingner, damage fountain pens if left in the pen for a few months? and; 2. When I buy a new, expensive fountain pen, should I first wash it out with cold water, before adding an ink cartridge or filling a pump?
I have both the platinium carbon and brown document. Never had trouble with either and they dry super fast. I'm left handed but these never smear. The only comment is that the carbon is a little shiny. I love that for writing but less so for line and wash.
Hi Teoh. Thanks for the video and information about waterproof inks. It’s very unlikely that Sailor Kiwa guro loses its waterproofness over time. Having used various other waterproof inks I feel that Kiwa guro is affected by the type of paper you use. If you use regular absorbent paper, all the ink is absorbed and it’s waterproof (I just tested it and no smearing at all). But it seems for coated or semi-coated papers, some ink combines with the paper and some is not absorbed and rests on the combined part. That results in the non-combined ink to redilute with water if introduced. Another minus about this ink is that it can smudge badly (again, supporting my hunch that a layer remaining on top). Try it on absorbent copier paper and you should find it’s pretty stable. I actually prefer Platinum Carbon Black as a more stable and unsmudgeable ink =)
Noodler's El Lawrence is waterproof and is an interesting almost off black greyish green. Monteverde Documental Black is a very nice waterproof ink and is actually a medium-dark grey, but with zero shading. There is also a Documental Blue though I haven't tried it. Pilot Iroshizuku Fuyu Syogun is also waterproof and is a sort of blueish grey.
I have most of these inks and love them. Didn't know Kiwa Guro could lose its waterproofness sometimes though!! :O Now I have to be careful. Also thanks for the tip about adding ball-bearings for mixing!
Thanks, I know this video is getting old but I found Noodlers bullet proof black to be waterproof on baohong watercolour paper but not completely waterproof on some other papers which is weird. Another weird thing is the cheap standard pilot ink is waterproof on most cheaper pulp papers but not on cotton watercolour paper.
That was interesting about the Sailor Kiwa-guro, especially since it is the same basic idea as the Platinum Carbon Black: nano inks rather than pigmented inks.
The standard Pilot blue black and black inks are well performing, reasonably priced and waterproof. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a daily use ink for writing.
These are great inks. I would add Noodler’s X-feather Blue, a gorgeous deep blue that is well-behaved and waterproof. I like its behavior better than the X-feather Black, which doesn’t seem to be quite as waterproof. I’ve had no issues on paper or in pens with the X-feather Blue.
Just read the label with my glasses on - Noodlers Bulletproof Black. It says Bulletproof on Cellulose! It is very small green text and I think that Daler Rowney paper is Cellulose I have some in HP.
I’m looking for an ink that I can put into my fountain pen (which I use daily for journaling and sketching) that is both waterproof and will not clog up and ruin my pen. I’m contemplating either sketchink’s Lotte or platinum carbon black. I’m really worried because there are so many mixed reviews. Could you possibly shed some light on this?
Rohrer and Klingner Dokumentus , twice as expensive as sketch inks. Black one is pretty black and opaque. Though a little thick and it feels like it has more surface tension -finer nibs write broader. Also it looks as it has more maintenance than the other inks it could stain the nib, likely the demonstrator too , fine nibs doesnt work well.
I love the R&K SketchInk in two pens in fude nibs. I have Thea Grey and Lott Lotte. No issues and I have not cleaned nib and feed yet! I am trying some other colors.
I haven't been able to get a straight answer as to if I can use Platinum Carbon Black in an Asvine pen that says "no carbon ink" in the directions. I assume it's about India ink gumming up the feed and nib, but I haven't had that problem with the Platinum Carbon, but I didn't have a non-carbon pen until now. The pen is the Hongdian Forest Fountain Pen Extra Fine Nib Rainbow Color. They originally listed it as Asvine, but I guess that's just a Hongdian brand. It's a beautiful pen, and it's a joy to write with. I have a ton of cartridges, but they supply a converter in the box, so I kind of want to try other inks in it. My first choice would be Platinum Carbon Black, but the manufacturer recommends against carbon. I have an ultrasonic cleaner I can use to deep clean the pen if it clogs, but I'd rather minimize the potential of it gumming up in the first place. It's a very pretty pen, and the nib was also plated with the titanium rainbow finish.
Thanks for confirming what I was just realising about my Sailor kiwaguro ink. It used to be waterproof when I bought it several months ago. I then switched to other pens (Sakura pigma micron) for drawing. This week I switched back to Sailor kiwaguro (in a fountain pen) and it is smudging so badly when painting. I have been totally puzzled about it. Such a disappointment....... :-(
I bought the Sailor Kiwa Guro and like you said, it's not waterproof. Then I bought the De Atramentis Document ink. It's waterproof, but it doesn't flow from the pen as smooth or as wet at the Sailor. (I suspect it's because of the pigment particles.) Do you have a recommendation for an Ink that flows as good and as wet as the Sailor, but is permanent like the Atramentis? Also, thank you for all the videos, I've learned so much!
Thanks! I am getting into some 'normal' inks (I just some random black in from long ago) and I ordered a pilot blue-black. After that I am going to check out the platinum carbon black. It looks fine and is kinda in my budget... Anyways thanks again!
What about Noodler's Heart of Darkness? Also, have you ever tried CMYK color mixing with De Atramentis document inks (Turquoise, Fuchsia, Yellow, Black)?
My experience with Noodler’s Heart of Darkness is that it’s a very dark black but not all that waterproof. My preference at the moment is Sketch Ink (Black)
@@dandylion7627 I'm using R&K SketchINK Carmen. How dark is their black (Lotte)? Have you tried Platinum Carbon Black? If so, how does that compare to Heart of Darkness?
Kinslow Rainer I just did a test 🙂 In order of darkness- 1. Platinum carbon (clearly darker than the others) 2. Noodler’s Heart of Darkness 3. Sketch Ink Lotte 4. Noodler’s Bulletproof Black Heart of Darkness and SketckInk lotte are really close in terms of darkness. Lotte has an undertone that is ever so slightly warmer than HOD. In order of most waterproof to least- 1. Sketch Ink Lotte (doesn’t budge) 2. Platinum carbon 3. Bulletproof black 4. Heart of darkness, I wouldn’t call this waterproof
@@dandylion7627 My Heart of Darkness is quite waterproof. It's probably the most waterproof of the ones I own (I only buy water-resistant inks). I did let it dry for a couple of days before I ran it under water & soaked it. However, I should add I'm not using it for art, just writing.
Higgins Black Magic Ink! Is what i been using in my pilot pocket brush pen for two years now with zero problems and its WATERPROOF! I dont think it would be good for a fountain pen but i havent tried. As i mainly use brush or dip pen for fine line in my art.
What would you recommend as a decent entry-level fountain pen? I was thinking of the TWSB Eco but it's around 60 Euros with shipping. I like that it has the built-in converter but the price isn't too beginner friendly. I normally just do pencil and watercolour, wanted to try something different with a bit more "pop" to the line work.
TWSBI is good if you draw often and don't want to refill ink often. For easier cleaning, it's better to get pens that you can dismantle easily. For affordable pens, you can check out Lamy Safari, Pliot Metropolitan, Platinum Preppy. I have reviews here www.parkablogs.com/tags/fountain-pen-reviews
Hi there, thank you so much for all your videos, I very much appreciate them all. Would you consider putting Sketch Ink in really good fountain pens (cleaning them out weekly)?
Yes. I have the ink in a fountain pen that I use often and I've not cleaned that pen for a long time. Still works. But if you're not going to be using the fountain pen for weeks, it's best to clean out the ink.
I bought De Atramentis light grey ink and I think it’s too pale. Do you think it’s a good idea to add a few drops of black ink (I have a bottle of Carbone Ink) in the light grey bottle to make it a little darker?
Teoh, have you tried Winsor & Newton's calligraphy ink? It says it is fountain pen friendly and i've made my own tests and it dries quite water proof (or at least water resistant). I have the indian Red and blue black ones. Can't let them for too long inside pen without using regularly or it will dry out. Luckly i can dismantle all my fountain pens and clean the feeds and nibs. Still, W&N's a very good option! You can find them on Jacksons to buy.
Noodler’s black waterproof ink dries a lot slower than I was led to believe. I did some sketching on 90# cold press paper for my grandkids (something they could finish drawing and then color) and after 45 minutes wait time I discovered not every line had dried. When I went to erase some pencil lines several spots smeared. Just a warning. I am now waiting an hour plus just to ensure everything has dried. I’m not sure what ink to use outdoors if I plan to watercolor on site right away.
I own Carbon Ink, De Atramentis Document Ink and SketchInk. All three waterproof options and especially SketchInk dry out really fast. I don't use super expensive fountain pens but SketchInk evaporates extremely quickly. I need to have several colors with me for sketching, so some pens may not be used for a week - haven't found a waterproof brand that doesn't have issues reactivating yet. Ink flow also suffers compared to non waterproof inks... Maybe Noodlers is the answer
Hello, this is really interresting, thanks for sharing. Would you know if the atramentis and platinum can also be used with alcohol marker without causing any bleeding?
That's exactly what it means. Unsafe inks are those that heavily pigmented, especially with larger pigments, and those with added substance (eg shellac) that will dry to form some protective cover. These inks will clog pens, and when dry, it's extremely difficult to even scrap ink off anywhere.
I read somewhere about pigment ink being exposed to sunlight and UV has an effect on its permanence, did you have the sailor's ink ink in sunlight for a long period?
Great video!! Thanks for all this information I now wish I would have purchased at least one bottle of the R&K SketchINK to try. I purchased a set of their (R&K) other drawing inks..but not sure if they can be used in the fountain pens, however most of the time for drawing with inks I just use a calligraphy pen either straight or oblique. I wanted inks I could paint with as well and liked the color choices of their other drawing line of inks. The R&K SketchINK line seems like odd colors? I do like DeAtramentis inks as well.
I am using Moleskin notebooks daily. I started with Pelikan Edelstein ink (as my pen uses cartridges) and I was not happy with its (basically zero) water resistance. Based on this video I bought the de Atramentis Archive ink, and unfortunately on this paper it is very easy to smudge with water. So I guess I will keep searching ... EDIT: I need to correct my statemen - the Ink is better in regard to water resistance than Pelikan Edelstein, but depending on paper type not quite as resistant as shown here. Also bright-marker don't tend to smudge it much.
i'm thinking to have a fountain pen so that i don't have to waste a lot of standard pen after it's out of ink, am I doing it right? is fountain pen good to use for standard writing? (not for calligraphy or drawing)
Can you make the same test with rubbing alcohol? i dont know which ink to use with alcohol markers edit: or does anyone know any ink that is alcohol proof?
Hello sir , I made a mestake and I bought the wrong ink ( dip ink for my fountain pen ) , my question is there anyway to make it work for my pen( added materials ) ? Its more thick and block my pen. Thank you
I think Teoh may have missed your question, because his response didn't really answer it. I don't recall reading about additives to dip inks to make them FP friendly, unfortunately.
Oh, sorry, I mis-read your question. Those thicker inks are probably due to the pigment load. They are heavily pigmented so regardless of what you add, they will still be pigmented and can clog fountain pens. Don't ever use those inks inside fountain pens.
Depends on what other ingredients are in the ink. It's usually shellac (from India ink) that will ruin pens. Shellac will dry to form a protective coating that's difficult to scratch off even with fingernail.
Thank you! I was looking for a waterproof black ink and did NOT want to buy lots of ink to figure out which was waterproof!! I sincerely appreciate your help!
If you mix one part of noodlers Lexington gray to two parts of noodlers black the ink becomes waterproof and still black.
Good idea
TheAwkwardMaître D'. I've tried it before and it works very well, even 50/50 !
Ok, that's cool!
Yes! It’s my favorite dark ink. I have a bottle I mix 50/50 Bully Black with Lexington Gray and I shake it gently before I refill my sketch pen. Dries almost instantly and no smears. I also love that it’s not as bold and dark as carbon inks.
What manner of witchery be this?!
Just a heads up re. the De Atramentis permanent inks - I was sketching regularly for a few years with the Black DeAtramentis ink in my Lamy fountain pens without any issue at all. However, I went through a phase of not sketching for about a month and when I went to use the pens again, I found that the ink had dried up in the nib assembly. It took a lot of flushes and soaking in a special cleaning solution before it was finally cleared properly. My advice is to sketch/write regularly when using De Atramentis inks to avoid the same issue I had.
It's also worth noting that I had other fountain pens containing Platinum Carbon ink and they have never let me down even when they went without use for the same period mentioned above.
a few years! gah! oh dear. that's just way too much to ask of any ink in any fountain pen (the PCB notwithstanding). :) your poor LAMYs. you were very lucky even with your hard cleaning work. - yes, i have sketched and illustrated for fun and professionally (also fun) and never once had a problem in any pen with PCB. It is THE ONLY black ink I trust to be bulletproof and kind to my pens (and brush pens)
@SerenaLewis
This is good to know, it helps with my future purchases of ink...Platinum Carbon ink is gonna be my next purchase..thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
@@kan-zee Since writing that comment 3 years ago, I just wanted to add that I have now become a TWSBI lover as, even with DeAtramentis permanent inks, they have not let me down. I think they have a tighter seal with having a screw-on cap. I tend to use my Lamys with water-soluable inks now. All the best.
@@artist-reader I think you misunderstood my comment. I had been sketching regularly for a few years but had only lapsed for just one month. Nowadays, I tend to test my fountain pens on a weekly basis to keep the ink flow going. Also, I tend to use TWSBIs over Lamys for permanent inks nowadays. They seem more compatible.
I just ordered my first fountain pen and ink. I also purchased your course about watercolor mixing for beginners. All your materials are awesome! Thank you so much for all your awesome work! 😊
I used to work with Noodler's Bulletproof Black, and I found that if I waited 24 hours before applying the watercolor, it no longer bled. However, I recently switched to Platinum Carbon because I got tired of waiting, and it is working great!
I use Deatramentis Archive Black on a Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with a posting nib extra fine. No problems. No clogging. Smooth continuous ink delivery during drawing.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm looking for a waterproof ink that won't clog an ef nib. This one sounds perfect.
0:14... . How long did you allow the ink to dry on paper , before testing it for its waterproofness.??
Very useful, and exactly why I am following your channel. Saves us all a lot of time and money, trying to guess what products actually do what they are claiming to do. Interesting that in full res, I am able to see particles of ink landing on the page (not sure if it's from the brush or the writing being wetted, though). Particularly liked the ending tip - like the ball bearings in spray paint cans, added for the same purpose!
Thanks for the ink demo. I just ordered the De Atramentis Archive ink (for my Pentel brush pen)
Sketch ink dries on my fountain pen if i didn't write or cap in seconds. Thanks for the last tips. Going to try that 😁
Thank you Teoh! I purchased a bottle of Noodler's Lexington Gray based on this review and I really like it!
Very interesting about the Sailor ink. Puzzling how it's possible that the ink looses its waterproof properties over time. Also have you ever tried the waterproof inks by Super 5? The orange in that range is esp. very nice :) Thanks again for another great & useful video ❤️
I use Rotring ink in a Kaweko Sport for months and it hasn't clogged up yet. Dries quickly & waterproof. Also, the Kaweko Sport is extremely easy to take apart and clean, should any clogging occur ;-)
Thank you for this! I'm glad that I didn't have to trial-and-error my way to a waterproof ink for fountain pens.
I've been loving Rohrer and Klingner SketchINKs for mixed media and water media work! I just got some of the brighter colours. Noodlers Lexington Gray is pretty good too. I haven't been thrilled with the De Atramentis Document inks, mostly I haven't had a good experience mixing them (as they are intended).
I find Rohrer and Klinger's various coloured Sketch inks highly waterproof and (in the UK) they are relatively inexpensive compared to other inks.
SketchInk Lotte is black, and is the very nice ink in my fountain pen -- must be the best value for money black waterproof ink there is available for fountain pens. The SketchInk Thea is the grey so won't ever be able to compete with Deatrementis black and Platinum Carbon black.
I shall be buying the Lexington Grey as soon as my brush pen needs refilling.
Thanks Teoh!
I got around to trying the Jinhao x750 + Zebra G nib combo fairly recently, and filled it with R&K Sketchink Lotte. Works very well in my opinion, and - like other commenters here - it's a much more economic buy in the UK than Platinum or Sailor nanopigment inks. I don't have many problems with it drying out in the pen, as with my experience of the Platinum desk pen and the cartridge of it's own ink. Both pens seem to seal pretty securely. Only thing is a flow problem when the ink in the converter runs low - which doesn't take too long since I widened the feed of the x750!
Curious to try the DeAtrimentis ink too.
Rohrer & Klingner really make beautiful inks. I already have some of their regular fountain pen inks but I definitely will have a dip into the Sketch Ink line, because I need something bullet proof for my daily journalling but I don't want to stick to black ink when it comes to waterproofness.
I love your pen reviews and was very happy to find this review on fountain pen ink. I finally purchased a fountain pen and went for the Black Forest with a fude nib and also purchased the Platinum Carbon black ink. I would have made the mistake of purchasing the Noodler's black if I hadn't seen your review. I love my new pen and plan to buy more with other nibs. Thanks for the information you generously share with us.
This video may be a little old but its SO helpful! I bought noodlers bullet proof black for watercolor work but i was so frustrated to discover its not actually waterproof and takes forever to dry 😭 (wasnt dry even after leaving it overnight). Ill be trying to return it and looking at your suggestions thank you!
In case you didn’t come around sending it back, you might want to try and dilute your Noodler’s ink with clean tap water or distilled water. Through the years I’ve increased my usual dilution from 1:9 even up to 1:1 in some situations, depending on the pen and paper. The Noodler’s inks are over saturated at delivery, and composed as not to feather, which leads to excess ink drying unbonded on top of the bonded ink. With dilution, the ink flows better too.
May I ask two questions please? 1. Do waterproof inks, e.g. Rohrer & Klingner, damage fountain pens if left in the pen for a few months? and; 2. When I buy a new, expensive fountain pen, should I first wash it out with cold water, before adding an ink cartridge or filling a pump?
De Atra mentis archive and Platinum showed a bit of darkness, I can see it. Didn't you?
I thought that some of it may have been dirty water after the Noodlers Black, too.
You mentioned affiliate links in the vid but they dont seem to be in the description. I was trying to use your links to help out...
I have both the platinium carbon and brown document. Never had trouble with either and they dry super fast. I'm left handed but these never smear.
The only comment is that the carbon is a little shiny. I love that for writing but less so for line and wash.
Hi Teoh. Thanks for the video and information about waterproof inks. It’s very unlikely that Sailor Kiwa guro loses its waterproofness over time. Having used various other waterproof inks I feel that Kiwa guro is affected by the type of paper you use. If you use regular absorbent paper, all the ink is absorbed and it’s waterproof (I just tested it and no smearing at all). But it seems for coated or semi-coated papers, some ink combines with the paper and some is not absorbed and rests on the combined part. That results in the non-combined ink to redilute with water if introduced. Another minus about this ink is that it can smudge badly (again, supporting my hunch that a layer remaining on top). Try it on absorbent copier paper and you should find it’s pretty stable. I actually prefer Platinum Carbon Black as a more stable and unsmudgeable ink =)
Noodler's El Lawrence is waterproof and is an interesting almost off black greyish green. Monteverde Documental Black is a very nice waterproof ink and is actually a medium-dark grey, but with zero shading. There is also a Documental Blue though I haven't tried it. Pilot Iroshizuku Fuyu Syogun is also waterproof and is a sort of blueish grey.
I have most of these inks and love them. Didn't know Kiwa Guro could lose its waterproofness sometimes though!! :O Now I have to be careful. Also thanks for the tip about adding ball-bearings for mixing!
Thanks, I know this video is getting old but I found Noodlers bullet proof black to be waterproof on baohong watercolour paper but not completely waterproof on some other papers which is weird. Another weird thing is the cheap standard pilot ink is waterproof on most cheaper pulp papers but not on cotton watercolour paper.
I’ve also heard good things about Pelikan Fount India and Hero 440 “writing ink.” Thanks for showing me some new waterproof black inks to try.
Your videos are super helpful! Thank you :)
Thank you Teoh, I was just thinking of getting some inks for my fountain pens
I always learn something new from your videos and they keep me inspired to keep creating art! Thank you!
Thanks for this Teoh. I've been admiring that Lexington Gray for some time, so good to know it's waterproof.
Thank you Teoh, your videos are always so helpful.
Thanks you for all your videos Teoh. I hope you will try out Blink blackest ink when it comes out - it looks interesting.
That was interesting about the Sailor Kiwa-guro, especially since it is the same basic idea as the Platinum Carbon Black: nano inks rather than pigmented inks.
Very useful demonstrations and recommendations. Thanks.
Diamine Registrar's ink is very good and absolutely water proof. Lays down in writing as blue but oxidises to black once dry.
I would love to hear your throughs on how these various inks may or may not stain demonstrator fountain pens.
These are not going to stain. Avoid anything with shellac.
The standard Pilot blue black and black inks are well performing, reasonably priced and waterproof. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a daily use ink for writing.
Your video is a life saver. Thank you, this is very informative. Stay safe
These are great inks. I would add Noodler’s X-feather Blue, a gorgeous deep blue that is well-behaved and waterproof. I like its behavior better than the X-feather Black, which doesn’t seem to be quite as waterproof. I’ve had no issues on paper or in pens with the X-feather Blue.
Just read the label with my glasses on - Noodlers Bulletproof Black. It says Bulletproof on Cellulose! It is very small green text and I think that Daler Rowney paper is Cellulose I have some in HP.
With the sailor ink I wonder if the pigment has separated and the bottle needs a good shake?
I’m looking for an ink that I can put into my fountain pen (which I use daily for journaling and sketching) that is both waterproof and will not clog up and ruin my pen. I’m contemplating either sketchink’s Lotte or platinum carbon black. I’m really worried because there are so many mixed reviews. Could you possibly shed some light on this?
I’m still using SketchINK and it seems safe enough.
Rohrer and Klingner Dokumentus , twice as expensive as sketch inks. Black one is pretty black and opaque. Though a little thick and it feels like it has more surface tension -finer nibs write broader. Also it looks as it has more maintenance than the other inks it could stain the nib, likely the demonstrator too , fine nibs doesnt work well.
Great comparative! Thanks from Spain!
I love the R&K SketchInk in two pens in fude nibs. I have Thea Grey and Lott Lotte. No issues and I have not cleaned nib and feed yet! I am trying some other colors.
Christopher, which pens do you use, as this ink dries quite fast in my Lamy pens?
I haven't been able to get a straight answer as to if I can use Platinum Carbon Black in an Asvine pen that says "no carbon ink" in the directions. I assume it's about India ink gumming up the feed and nib, but I haven't had that problem with the Platinum Carbon, but I didn't have a non-carbon pen until now.
The pen is the Hongdian Forest Fountain Pen Extra Fine Nib Rainbow Color. They originally listed it as Asvine, but I guess that's just a Hongdian brand. It's a beautiful pen, and it's a joy to write with. I have a ton of cartridges, but they supply a converter in the box, so I kind of want to try other inks in it. My first choice would be Platinum Carbon Black, but the manufacturer recommends against carbon.
I have an ultrasonic cleaner I can use to deep clean the pen if it clogs, but I'd rather minimize the potential of it gumming up in the first place. It's a very pretty pen, and the nib was also plated with the titanium rainbow finish.
Noodles black needs to actually react with the paper from what iv heard and that could be why it didn't work on water colour paper
Now that you mention it, maybe that's why. Watercolour paper is made to resist water.
Thanks for confirming what I was just realising about my Sailor kiwaguro ink. It used to be waterproof when I bought it several months ago. I then switched to other pens (Sakura pigma micron) for drawing. This week I switched back to Sailor kiwaguro (in a fountain pen) and it is smudging so badly when painting. I have been totally puzzled about it. Such a disappointment....... :-(
Very helpful ... Thank you!
I bought the Sailor Kiwa Guro and like you said, it's not waterproof. Then I bought the
De Atramentis Document ink. It's waterproof, but it doesn't flow from the pen as smooth or as wet at the Sailor. (I suspect it's because of the pigment particles.) Do you have a recommendation for an Ink that flows as good and as wet as the Sailor, but is permanent like the Atramentis? Also, thank you for all the videos, I've learned so much!
Thanks!
I am getting into some 'normal' inks (I just some random black in from long ago) and I ordered a pilot blue-black. After that I am going to check out the platinum carbon black. It looks fine and is kinda in my budget... Anyways thanks again!
What about Noodler's Heart of Darkness?
Also, have you ever tried CMYK color mixing with De Atramentis document inks (Turquoise, Fuchsia, Yellow, Black)?
I've not tried that before
My experience with Noodler’s Heart of Darkness is that it’s a very dark black but not all that waterproof. My preference at the moment is Sketch Ink (Black)
@@dandylion7627 I'm using R&K SketchINK Carmen. How dark is their black (Lotte)? Have you tried Platinum Carbon Black? If so, how does that compare to Heart of Darkness?
Kinslow Rainer I just did a test 🙂
In order of darkness-
1. Platinum carbon (clearly darker than the others)
2. Noodler’s Heart of Darkness
3. Sketch Ink Lotte
4. Noodler’s Bulletproof Black
Heart of Darkness and SketckInk lotte are really close in terms of darkness. Lotte has an undertone that is ever so slightly warmer than HOD.
In order of most waterproof to least-
1. Sketch Ink Lotte (doesn’t budge)
2. Platinum carbon
3. Bulletproof black
4. Heart of darkness, I wouldn’t call this waterproof
@@dandylion7627 My Heart of Darkness is quite waterproof. It's probably the most waterproof of the ones I own (I only buy water-resistant inks). I did let it dry for a couple of days before I ran it under water & soaked it. However, I should add I'm not using it for art, just writing.
Higgins Black Magic Ink! Is what i been using in my pilot pocket brush pen for two years now with zero problems and its WATERPROOF! I dont think it would be good for a fountain pen but i havent tried. As i mainly use brush or dip pen for fine line in my art.
What would you recommend as a decent entry-level fountain pen? I was thinking of the TWSB Eco but it's around 60 Euros with shipping. I like that it has the built-in converter but the price isn't too beginner friendly. I normally just do pencil and watercolour, wanted to try something different with a bit more "pop" to the line work.
TWSBI is good if you draw often and don't want to refill ink often. For easier cleaning, it's better to get pens that you can dismantle easily. For affordable pens, you can check out Lamy Safari, Pliot Metropolitan, Platinum Preppy. I have reviews here www.parkablogs.com/tags/fountain-pen-reviews
@@teohyc Thanks
Very useful video, thank you.
Hi there, thank you so much for all your videos, I very much appreciate them all. Would you consider putting Sketch Ink in really good fountain pens (cleaning them out weekly)?
Yes. I have the ink in a fountain pen that I use often and I've not cleaned that pen for a long time. Still works. But if you're not going to be using the fountain pen for weeks, it's best to clean out the ink.
Teoh Yi Chie Thank you for taking the time to reply Teoh, much appreciated.
With the sketchink I had the problem that it tended to smudge when erasing underdrawings. Less so with the DeAtramentis.
Great review and bonus tip, thank you
Thank you again. What do you think of the Pilot fountain ink?
Pilot fountain ink is usually not waterproof unless specifically mentioned.
Many thanks for this useful video Teoh!!
I bought De Atramentis light grey ink and I think it’s too pale. Do you think it’s a good idea to add a few drops of black ink (I have a bottle of Carbone Ink) in the light grey bottle to make it a little darker?
Rohrer & Klingner Dokumentus Ink is supposed to be waterproof. I don't know if it could be used with watercolors since I haven't used the ink
If it's waterproof, it can be used with watercolour
Teoh, have you tried Winsor & Newton's calligraphy ink? It says it is fountain pen friendly and i've made my own tests and it dries quite water proof (or at least water resistant). I have the indian Red and blue black ones. Can't let them for too long inside pen without using regularly or it will dry out. Luckly i can dismantle all my fountain pens and clean the feeds and nibs. Still, W&N's a very good option! You can find them on Jacksons to buy.
I've not tried that before
Noodler’s black waterproof ink dries a lot slower than I was led to believe. I did some sketching on 90# cold press paper for my grandkids (something they could finish drawing and then color) and after 45 minutes wait time I discovered not every line had dried. When I went to erase some pencil lines several spots smeared. Just a warning. I am now waiting an hour plus just to ensure everything has dried. I’m not sure what ink to use outdoors if I plan to watercolor on site right away.
Platinum Carbon, Sailor KiwaGuro, DeAtramentis Archive, SketchINK
I own Carbon Ink, De Atramentis Document Ink and SketchInk. All three waterproof options and especially SketchInk dry out really fast. I don't use super expensive fountain pens but SketchInk evaporates extremely quickly. I need to have several colors with me for sketching, so some pens may not be used for a week - haven't found a waterproof brand that doesn't have issues reactivating yet. Ink flow also suffers compared to non waterproof inks... Maybe Noodlers is the answer
I am curious about using Robert Oster Ink inside fountain pens. Have you ever used this, Teoh?
Those are normal fountain pen inks. They are safe
From where I can collect waterproof ink for my fountain pen?
Hello, this is really interresting, thanks for sharing. Would you know if the atramentis and platinum can also be used with alcohol marker without causing any bleeding?
Should work with alcohol markers.
What do you mean by "safe for fountain pens"? What is it about inks that wouldn't be safe for them?
That's exactly what it means. Unsafe inks are those that heavily pigmented, especially with larger pigments, and those with added substance (eg shellac) that will dry to form some protective cover. These inks will clog pens, and when dry, it's extremely difficult to even scrap ink off anywhere.
RK Frieda seems chalky and dull but its reall cheap, black as you said looks good, not sure about other colours
Lotte is pitch black
I so enjoy seeing great reviews on products I already own 😄 !
I read somewhere about pigment ink being exposed to sunlight and UV has an effect on its permanence, did you have the sailor's ink ink in sunlight for a long period?
I've not tested Sailor ink for lightfast. But if it's pigmented, it's going to be lightfast, at least for black.
@@teohyc Hmm, not sure then..very strange it loses its permanence like that.
Great video!! Thanks for all this information I now wish I would have purchased at least one bottle of the R&K SketchINK to try. I purchased a set of their (R&K) other drawing inks..but not sure if they can be used in the fountain pens, however most of the time for drawing with inks I just use a calligraphy pen either straight or oblique. I wanted inks I could paint with as well and liked the color choices of their other drawing line of inks. The R&K SketchINK line seems like odd colors? I do like DeAtramentis inks as well.
I am using Moleskin notebooks daily. I started with Pelikan Edelstein ink (as my pen uses cartridges) and I was not happy with its (basically zero) water resistance. Based on this video I bought the de Atramentis Archive ink, and unfortunately on this paper it is very easy to smudge with water. So I guess I will keep searching ...
EDIT: I need to correct my statemen - the Ink is better in regard to water resistance than Pelikan Edelstein, but depending on paper type not quite as resistant as shown here. Also bright-marker don't tend to smudge it much.
Pelikan Fount India for Fountain Pens is wonderful!
That's pigmented India ink so I will be very cautious of using it inside any fountain pen
Love Lexington Gray. Want to give Platinum Carbon a try.
Update: De Atramentis Archive is one my favorites
I have the opposite issue. As I'm looking for a good non-waterproof type of ink that reacts well to brushing water.
Maybe check out Pilot Iroshizuku fountain pen inks, or Diamine
i'm thinking to have a fountain pen so that i don't have to waste a lot of standard pen after it's out of ink, am I doing it right? is fountain pen good to use for standard writing? (not for calligraphy or drawing)
Fountain pen is good for many things.
Have you ever tried Chou Curo in fontain pens? 🤘🏻
Can you make the same test with rubbing alcohol? i dont know which ink to use with alcohol markers
edit: or does anyone know any ink that is alcohol proof?
Hi! I've tried Sketchink Lotte in my Lamy Allstar but the ink doesn't flow even if I clean the pen. What can I do to improve the ink flow?
I added a drop of Glycerine but didn't test if it is still waterproof
Parker Quink permanent blue black?
Hello sir ,
I made a mestake and I bought the wrong ink ( dip ink for my fountain pen ) , my question is there anyway to make it work for my pen( added materials ) ? Its more thick and block my pen.
Thank you
You can use that thicker inks with dip pens.
I think Teoh may have missed your question, because his response didn't really answer it. I don't recall reading about additives to dip inks to make them FP friendly, unfortunately.
Oh, sorry, I mis-read your question. Those thicker inks are probably due to the pigment load. They are heavily pigmented so regardless of what you add, they will still be pigmented and can clog fountain pens. Don't ever use those inks inside fountain pens.
Good review what type of ink in uniball micro pen
Waterproof pigment ink.
Does this advice also apply for refilling pentel brush pens (with syringe)
I find Rotring ink works better in brush pens
thanks!
Is pilot ink iroshizoku bottle water proof?
Pilot have waterproof inks but none of the inks of the Iroshizuku line is waterproof/water resistant
How long did you let it dry?
Except for Noodler's, the other inks dry relatively fast
How long could I leave Sketch Ink in my fountain pen?
Not sure. Weeks? If you don’t intend to use your pen for weeks, it is best you remove the ink
Teoh Yi Chie thanks for the reply Teoh :) was worried about ruining my pen. Love your videos
Thank you
awesome, thank you
Thank you so much. I already had the carbon ink. Next on my list to buy is the atramentis. Love your reviews. Thanks a lot.
Some waterproof inks will not work well on watercolor paper or paper with gelatin sizeing.
Make sure ball bearings are stainless steel....don't want rust in your ink!
Is parker quink not good?
It's good, just not waterproof
Has anyone tried colorverse office permanent black ink available on Amazon
Doesn’t the carbon ink ruin your pens?
Depends on what other ingredients are in the ink. It's usually shellac (from India ink) that will ruin pens. Shellac will dry to form a protective coating that's difficult to scratch off even with fingernail.