Fountain Pen Ink Review: Noodler's Gruene Cactus Eel Ink

I have been wanting to try a truly green ink for quite some time. I purchased some samples from Goulet Pens and this Gruene Cactus Eel ink is one of those samples. (I have been using Noodler's Zhivago ink, but it is a green ink that is almost black. Noodler's Gruene Cactus Eel ink is truly green!)

I don't hate the Gruene Cactus Eel ink, but I'm pretty sure that I don't love it. I wish this green was a bit darker like the 3x pass in the test sample. 

I do appreciate the shading properties of this ink. You can see the shading especially on the down stroke at the bottom of a line or a letter.

The flow of the ink is nice. It seems to be a very wet ink. So, if you need something that dries fast, don't bother.

I'm glad I just bought a sample of this ink. I want to try something not blacker, but darker. 

I give this ink a 7.25 on a scale of 1–10.

Fountain Pen Ink Review: Waterman's Absolute Brown

I tend to gravitate toward blue inks, but this brown is an ink that I am enjoying greatly.

I use a Live New Journal. And the brown color shows itself nicely in that particular journal. I also have a vintage-looking journal where I record thoughts about my life as a dad that I hope I can pass on to the next generation. The brown ink looks really nice in that vintage-looking journal, too.

I might be becoming a big fan of brown ink! So, I will likely explore other versions of brown ink.

I don't actually own a bottle of this ink. I'm using a sample from my daughter-in-law. I gave this ink to Joanna for Christmas with a brown Nemosine pen. I wanted the pen and ink to represent her oldest son who has brown hair and brown eyes.

This is a nicely saturated ink. It has good shading properties. But at times, on this Rhodia paper, it did not flow as readily as I would have liked. I do not have this problem in my journals which contain cheaper paper, though. Therefore, I think that my flow problem might be an unfriendly combination of pen, paper, and ink. I really don't think it's fair to grade this ink down because I had some flow issues.

I look forward to comparing this ink to the Montblanc Toffee Brown ink.

I give this ink an 8.25 on a scale of 1-10.

Fountain Pen Ink Review: Chesterfield's Night Sapphire

I really, really like this ink. I like the color. I like how wet it flows. I like its shading properties. And... I like the price. 

About the only thing I don't like about this ink is that it does not do so well on a splash test. It is very sensitive to water. But since I'm not likely to use this ink out in a rainstorm, I think I can overlook that one negative quality.

I purchased this ink from xFountainPens.com. 

The fountain pen community says that this ink is actually produced by Diamine. Night Sapphire, therefore, is roughly equivalent to Diamine's Blue Black ink.

In the future, I will likely try some more Chesterfield inks.

I give this ink a 9.1 on a scale of 1 – 10. 

Fountain pen ink review: J. Herbin Emerald of Chivor 1670 Anniversary Ink

This is a much reviewed ink. In fact, it was the ink of the year for Goldspot in 2015. My take on the ink can't add much to what's already been said. You can find reviews here, here, and here,

Although, I have little new to share, here comes my modest review anyway.

I truly enjoy this ink. It contains tiny gold particles that are fun. I often use it when I'm writing what I hope are encouraging notes to my friends and colleagues. With an italic nib, it seems to add a sense of intrigue and flair to the writing.

You must shake the gorgeous bottle thoroughly every time you fill up a pen with this ink. At times, I have found that the flow through the feed is inhibited, perhaps by the metallic flecks.

It's an expensive ink, comparatively speaking. But I've found a way to stretch your dollar when using this ink. There have been times when I started to clean out my pen after using the ink and simply filled up the converter with water and found myself using a diluted version of this ink. Even "watered down," it still is very saturated.

The Emerald blue green color is amazing in my opinion. It is saturated and shades well.

I have read that a reddish sheen shows up especially when you use it on Tomoe paper.

I give this ink a 9.25 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Noodler's Liberty Elysium Ink Review

Noodler's Liberty Elysium ink is a gorgeous blue, beautifully saturated with minimal shading. (I wish there was more shading!) This brilliant true blue ink is water-resistant and semi-bulletproof.

The flow of this ink is very good from my Parker 51, medium nib. 

It's a rather wet ink... which is my preference.

For more information about this ink which was developed by Noodler's Ink with input from Brian Goulet, check out this link. It's my understanding that this ink is only available through the Goulet Pens website.

I give this ink an 8.75 on a scale of 1 – 10. The only reason I don't give it a higher rating is because I wished that it had more shading properties. 

A few suggestions for fountain pen newbies

From time to time, I am asked by fountain pen newbies what advice I have for them as they enter the wide world of fountain pens. What follows is a Facebook conversation...

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Question: 

You will never believe the words that are about to come from me....I think I may want to invest in a fountain pen *gasp* would you be able to provide some good wisdom on this?

My answer: 

Yes!!! How much do you want to spend? Go to an article on jet pens about choosing your nib. Read up on the kind of nib you want.

Go to Goulet Pens to watch a video and read about getting started. I really like Goulet Pens. I think the couple who started the company share my faith in Christ. I read recently that they enjoy singing in their church choir and that the choir is actually how they met.

Also check out Pen Addict for an article called the beginner's guide to fountain pens.

Do you want line variation? Do you want a flex nib?

The Noodler's pens are fairly inexpensive flex nibs. You can get Noodler's pens from Goulet pens.

Do research tonight and let's talk tomorrow before you order.

:))))))))))))))))))

Comment: 

Hahaha! I knew this would be a text that would bring you joy! I will do my homework tonight! And yes I want line variation. I don't like writing with a thin pen. It makes me feel limited in what I can do with it.

My next reply: 

Well maybe you could purchase a Jinhao pen that we can fit with a #6 italic nib. Or else you could get a Noodler's pen. You can search for Noodler's pens on Goulet Pens website. You'll find lots of color options in Noodler's Nib Creapers Flex, Noodler's Konrad Flex, and Noodler's Ahab Flex.

Someone else saw the FB conversation and asked: 

What was the name of that "intro" pen you have talked about? I believe it was in the $15 range and available at local department stores?

I answered: 

A great intro pen is the Pilot Metropolitan.

Another reader chimed in: 

I received one for Christmas two yrs. ago....has the plastic ink cartridge....if I don't use it a lot the ink dries out. I love using fountain pens and I love writing CURSIVE with them!

I wrote: 

Please use it!!! The fun part is using different inks. You could get a converter so you can buy ink in bottles. Much cheaper than cartridges.

Finally, another reader wrote: 

I prefer wider nibs also. While at school, I tend to leave pens behind, so it's not practical for work.

I wrote back: 

If you spent $25-$50 on a pen, I bet you wouldn't leave it behind. And just think, FPs are environmentally friendly. Just sayin... Here are a couple of pros and cons regarding that issue.

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So, for all you newbies, welcome. Hope this post helps a few folks join the Fountain Pen World.

Fountain Pen Ink Review: Montblanc Lavender Purple with an Italix Parson's Essential pen, M italic nib

This Montblanc Lavender Purple ink is nicely saturated.

But I wish that it had more shading properties. The color is rich.

It might not be for everyone, but I personally find it very pleasing. To me, it's fun in an understated and classy way.

I give this ink an 8.75 on a scale of 1-10.

Fountain Pen Ink Review: Private Reserve Claret

Private Reserve Claret is an ink that is true to its name. It does look like a beautiful wine. 

It writes smoothly even with a medium steel nib in my Parker 45 fountain pen. 

I used it in the Parker 45 pen because the color of the ink is fairly close to the color of the barrel of my particular pen.  

The ink is fairly saturated but it does not have much shading.  Actually, I would like to try this ink with either a broad nib or with an italic nib. Perhaps then some shading would occur. 

Overall, I give this ink a 7.5 rating.