Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Showing 1 of 112 conversations about:
jboib
Oct 29, 2014
bookmark_border
Hi I am new to fountain pen use, and I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on starting up? Is it better to use cartridges or to use converters? Things like that. Also, if it is recommend that I use a converter (my first pen is a Pilot Metropolitan that I'm getting from a drop), what kind of ink should I use? What's the best value ink and is this particular one good?
Thank you.
Dark_Ethereal
51
Oct 29, 2014
bookmark_border
jboibIn the long run it will be more economical to use bottled inks, because a bottle's worth of cartridge inks will be significantly more expensive.
On top of that, many of the great inks out there (*cough cough* Noodler's *cough*) don't come in cartridges, with most suppliers who do use cartridges only offering a very narrow range of inks in said cartridges.
Plus as long as your pen has a converter or build in filler system, you can fill it with any ink, where as not all cartridges fit all pens.
That said, cartridges can be mighty convenient since you can carry loads and re-fill on the fly without having to worry about breaking bottles or making a mess. But be careful about mixing inks in your pen. Sometimes inks can react in strange ways, possibly gunking up your pen or even eroding it. It's probably not very common, but it can happen.
It's best to flush a pen with water before inking up with a different ink to remove as much ink as possible to avoid nasty supprises, and to stop contaminating ink bottles.
As far as what ink to use, I'd say fountain pen ink :D More important is what ink to NOT use. Don't use pigment inks like India Ink, Carbon ink or anything with pigment particles in. Pigment inks are great for dip-pens, but they've got particles in that'll clog up a fountain pen's ink feed system unless you're really stringent with cleaning.
If you want more info, Check out the "Ink Nouveau" youtube series. They've got a "Fountain pen 101" series about the basics of fountain pens there.
As for whether J. Herbin is a "good" ink, it's really down to what color, and personal preference. J.Herbin is certainly a reputable supplier, and is in fact the oldest supplier still in existence for fountain pen ink. They do good ink, it's not going to kill your pen or anything. But how great the ink is comes down to what particular color, not just what supplier. It's also down to your personal preference and even what pen you will use it in. Personally i like my inks to be something extra special, so I don't stick to one supplier, I search around for the best looking ink of the color I want.
As for value? Again, that's a tough subject. J.Herbin them selves don't seem to be overpriced at all. The actual value of this deal will depend on what they sell for in your area. But TBH I have to say I don't see the value in buying 5 J.Herbin inks all at once. If you can find 5 J.Herbin inks that you really like, that's great. But I personally would much prefer to retain the freedom to buy different inks from different suppliers.
And let me just say, even one of these bottles will last you a heck of a long time. If you get 5 and keep switching between them, these things will hang around a VERY VERY long time unless you're a serious writer. Maybe 4 years? maybe much more.
That said, cartridges can be mighty convenient since you can carry loads and re-fill on the fly without having to worry about breaking bottles or making a mess. But be careful about mixing inks in your pen. Sometimes inks can react in strange ways, possibly gunking up your pen or even eroding it. It's probably not very common, but it can happen.
It's best to flush a pen with water before inking up with a different ink to remove as much ink as possible to avoid nasty supprises, and to stop contaminating ink bottles.
As far as what ink to use, I'd say fountain pen ink :D More important is what ink to NOT use. Don't use pigment inks like India Ink, Carbon ink or anything with pigment particles in. Pigment inks are great for dip-pens, but they've got particles in that'll clog up a fountain pen's ink feed system unless you're really stringent with cleaning.
If you want more info, Check out the "Ink Nouveau" youtube series. They've got a "Fountain pen 101" series about the basics of fountain pens there.
As for whether J. Herbin is a "good" ink, it's really down to what color, and personal preference. J.Herbin is certainly a reputable supplier, and is in fact the oldest supplier still in existence for fountain pen ink. They do good ink, it's not going to kill your pen or anything. But how great the ink is comes down to what particular color, not just what supplier. It's also down to your personal preference and even what pen you will use it in. Personally i like my inks to be something extra special, so I don't stick to one supplier, I search around for the best looking ink of the color I want.
As for value? Again, that's a tough subject. J.Herbin them selves don't seem to be overpriced at all. The actual value of this deal will depend on what they sell for in your area. But TBH I have to say I don't see the value in buying 5 J.Herbin inks all at once. If you can find 5 J.Herbin inks that you really like, that's great. But I personally would much prefer to retain the freedom to buy different inks from different suppliers.
And let me just say, even one of these bottles will last you a heck of a long time. If you get 5 and keep switching between them, these things will hang around a VERY VERY long time unless you're a serious writer. Maybe 4 years? maybe much more.
jboib
Oct 30, 2014
bookmark_border
Dark_EtherealThank you so much for the information, i really appreciate it. I'll take your advice and start searching for My perfect bottled ink soon after i receive my pens. I've heard that Noodler's is really good ink, but what do you think about the Pilot Iroshizuku ink? I've read around that it is a reputable and easy to use ink, especially for pilot pens.
Thank you.
Werven
7
Oct 30, 2014
bookmark_border
jboibCheck out /r/fountainpens on reddit, they're full of good info on inks and such. Pilot Iroshizuku is great, so is Noodler's, but different inks have different characteristics in a fountain pen and may misbehave or stain or corrode a pen. Noodler's is all produced by one guy! Goulet Pens has swatches and ink reviews: http://www.gouletpens.com/Shop_All_Bottled_Ink_s/1106.htm Good luck!
agfontanilla
7
Oct 30, 2014
bookmark_border
jboibI have Iroshizuku ink. I love it.
I write with a Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo. Fine nib, and the color scheme I get when I write with it is beautiful on paper. My writing is kind of inconsistent, so I never get a single, dark shade and instead I get varying shades in my writing, but I love love love my Iroshizuku ink.
I write with a Pilot Vanishing Point Decimo. Fine nib, and the color scheme I get when I write with it is beautiful on paper. My writing is kind of inconsistent, so I never get a single, dark shade and instead I get varying shades in my writing, but I love love love my Iroshizuku ink.
AdamtheGrim
2
Nov 2, 2014
bookmark_border
jboibConverters are much better, you get a much more diverse choice of ink when using one. I definitely recommend picking one up. Noodler's ink is pretty good in value, as is this one.
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop