So if I was going to go old school shaving why not go with a fountian pen. My wife got me a Lamy Safari for Christmas (nice starter pen) along with about 10 samples. I noticed that when the samples were turned upside down then right side up the ink runs back down the plastic walls at different speeds. I know it must be something to do with viscosity etc. The question is how does it effect the writing with the ink? Some of the inks seem to take a long time to run down to the bottom of the tube and some seem to run like water
Nib Newbie Ink Question
- Thread starter deruitem
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I'm pretty new to this as well, but from what I have been able to gather, different pens will flow ink a bit differently based on that difference in ink as well as the pen nib design itself (and probably the weather, the position of the moon, and the day of the week, for all I know). It sort of seems to come to a situation similar to blades in razors. Any blade will shave in any razor, some combos work better for you than they would for me, and so on.
That's been my understanding on it, I'm sure one of the others can dig deeper with details for ya. lol
That's been my understanding on it, I'm sure one of the others can dig deeper with details for ya. lol
I'm fairly new to FPs also, although I've definitely been bitten hard by the bug! From my experience, different inks perform differently in different pens. From a practical standpoint, the difference in ink viscosity (within reason) shouldn't have a huge effect on your writing...the construction of the feed (the black thing that the nib is resting on) should buffer and hold the ink, so that a steady supply is provided to the nib, regardless of the thickness/viscosity of the ink.
Different inks have different compositions depending on color and qualities (bulletproof, waterproof, fast dry, no feather, etc). Because of this every ink is pretty much unique. There are some inks that are known to be avoided in certain pens. For example, any inks that tend to stain (reds and others with a lot of pigment like Noodlers Kingfisher) are best avoided in vintage demonstrators, etc. Inks that are heavily viscous are probably best avoided in Extra Fine nibs as clogging could more readily occur.
These are just little tidbits I've picked up here and at FPN. I'm sure some of the old pros can shed more light.
These are just little tidbits I've picked up here and at FPN. I'm sure some of the old pros can shed more light.
- Thread starter
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Any suggestions for the Lamy Safari Fine nib? The Diamine seems to flow nice. I guess more important any inks that I should avoid in it?
Everything I've seen and heard says that's a pretty bulletproof pen, so any inks made for FP use should be fine in that one.
Yeah, stick to some "normal" inks at first. Maybe get some sampler packs from Goulet to start.
I'm no chemist but I know that inks all have about the same viscosity, since they are all about 99% water. The differences you see in the sample bottles comes from varying surface tensions. Surface tension is a cohesive force between molecules which can be easily changed by the use of surfactants and affects the capillary action or flow (wicking) in the feed.
The use of surfactants to change flow can easily be done in experiments using tiny amounts of dish detergent in your ink. Changing the surface tension can cause the phonemenon of "nib creep".
The use of surfactants to change flow can easily be done in experiments using tiny amounts of dish detergent in your ink. Changing the surface tension can cause the phonemenon of "nib creep".
Unless it is oozing out of the feed or not feeding, don't worry about it 
I remember reading somewhere that India Ink is terrible for fountain pens ( I think it was here? ). I may be wrong as I'm tired & medicated today, but I'm pretty sure that India inks are bad for pens ( they gum them up & corrode parts ).
Hopefully someone will come along and say something definitive
Hopefully someone will come along and say something definitive
I remember reading somewhere that India Ink is terrible for fountain pens ( I think it was here? ). I may be wrong as I'm tired & medicated today, but I'm pretty sure that India inks are bad for pens ( they gum them up & corrode parts ).
Hopefully someone will come along and say something definitive
I read the same thing, a few different places. Was the reason I made sure to specify the Lamy should be solid to go with any "FP ink"
Yes, India ink will clog a fountain pen and should never be used. It's a drawing ink, carbon black, a solvent, and usually shellac.
I've tried both successfully and not to clean that junk out of fine pens. Yuck!
I've tried both successfully and not to clean that junk out of fine pens. Yuck!
Also something to consider, as part of the "equation" is the quality of paper that you use for your writing.
Lesser quality papers, think standard legal pads, react differently to a pen/ink combinations.
Dave
Lesser quality papers, think standard legal pads, react differently to a pen/ink combinations.
Dave
