Help me pick a Diamine Red.

[Wuddus]

I'm looking for a dark red for general use. I don't do "marking" or anything similar, and even if I was wanting something for editing notes, I would use my Amaranth. I want something deep and dark and rich that I can fill a piston filler with, and use as a general ink. I like really dark colours, and already have the Grape and Chocolate Brown, and love them both.

I've narrowed it down to a choice of four so far:

Monaco Red
Red Dragon
Crimson
Oxblood.

Looking at different writing samples online, each of these inks looks stronger or weaker candidates in different reviews. Sometimes excellent, sometimes not so much. I appreciate that paper and pen will make a difference here, but would like some feedback from those that have used them.

Crimson seems to veer quite purple at times, rather like a darker Amaranth. Oxblood almost strays from red to brown. Red Dragon sometimes looks a little "bright", and Monaco sometimes has a dull kind of powdery looking finish on some samples I've seen. Also, are there any behavioural aspects to any of these that I ought to be aware of?

Which would you say is the "must have" from these four and why?

Thanks in advance.

[Nathan Weston]

Not sure about a "must have" but my favourite true red from those is Monaco. Oxblood is really a reddish brown; Crimson is brighter and almost veers into pink territory. Monaco Red is a really rich, dark red in my experience (in an Extra-Fine Preppy, so might be even more saturated in a broader nib). Never noticed any powdery-ness with it! I haven't tried Red Dragon.

Hope that helps!

[Pterodactylus]

Personally I prefer Red Dragon.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4233/35495412642_0dc2cbdec5_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/W5Bgx9)
Harley Quinn (https://flic.kr/p/W5Bgx9) by Ptero Pterodactylus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/117783735@N07/), auf Flickr

(Diamine Red Dragon)


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4313/35064942533_b9621180e1_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/VqyZLH)
Quote 012 (https://flic.kr/p/VqyZLH) by Ptero Pterodactylus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/117783735@N07/), auf Flickr

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4218/34922807133_1bb6044c82_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Vd1vSn)Quote 008 (https://flic.kr/p/Vd1vSn) by Ptero Pterodactylus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/117783735@N07/), auf Flickr

(Jinhao 159 - M italic ..... Diamine Red Dragon)


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5738/30652798662_b98bc30146_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/NGFB7E)
Guess the ink (https://flic.kr/p/NGFB7E) by Ptero Pterodactylus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/117783735@N07/), auf Flickr

(Diamine Red Dragon, Dip Nib, Pentel Waterbrush)


https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5707/23164992876_4c107d49ec_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Bi1DjU)
Show_response_220 (https://flic.kr/p/Bi1DjU) by Ptero Pterodactylus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/117783735@N07/), auf Flickr

(Waterman 12 1/2 BCHR ..... Diamine Red Dragon)

[Chrissy]

Red Dragon. No contest. :)

[Wuddus]

Pterodactyus, I love the artwork. You have got Red Dragon showing darker than I expected to see. I expected everything to be nearer the brightness of the cat in the hat's bow tie.

[Pterodactylus]

Pterodactyus, I love the artwork. You have got Red Dragon showing darker than I expected to see. I expected everything to be nearer the brightness of the cat in the hat's bow tie.

Thanks :)

The bow tie is already washed, not 100% color anymore.

[FredRydr]

Monaco Red
Red Dragon
Crimson
Oxblood

Wuddus,

You can compare yourself with a bit of searching:
http://cdn3.volusion.com/stnvf.ynoqe/v/vspfiles/photos/sample-7009-1.jpg?1523299657http://cdn3.volusion.com/stnvf.ynoqe/v/vspfiles/photos/sample-7077-1.jpg?1523299657http://cdn3.volusion.com/stnvf.ynoqe/v/vspfiles/photos/sample-7012-1.jpg?1523299657http://cdn3.volusion.com/stnvf.ynoqe/v/vspfiles/photos/sample-7079-1.jpg?1523299657

You might just search Anderson's swatches for "red" and then "Diamine" within those to have all the Diamine reds juxtaposed (except Oxblood doesn't come up in the reds...or the browns).

I agree with you on the more muted reds, a tough choice between crimson and Monaco; I choose the former for writing prose. Oxblood is too dark to be "red" though I like it.

[Lady Onogaro]

I like Red Dragon, but I think any of those would be nice. I'm going to have to try Oxblood.

[Chrissy]

The comparison between the Anderson swabs seems to show Red Dragon as a lighter red. I've reviewed all of those red inks in the Ink Reviews forum, and think Red Dragon is darker than the swab suggests.

[Pterodactylus]

The comparison between the Anderson swabs seems to show Red Dragon as a lighter red. I've reviewed all of those red inks in the Ink Reviews forum, and think Red Dragon is darker than the swab suggests.

You are right Chrissy, Red Dragon does not look at all like Fred’s picture.

Don´t know what it really is, but for sure not Red Dragon.

[Wuddus]

Monaco Red
Red Dragon
Crimson
Oxblood

Wuddus,

You can compare yourself with a bit of searching:
http://cdn3.volusion.com/stnvf.ynoqe/v/vspfiles/photos/sample-7009-1.jpg?1523299657http://cdn3.volusion.com/stnvf.ynoqe/v/vspfiles/photos/sample-7077-1.jpg?1523299657http://cdn3.volusion.com/stnvf.ynoqe/v/vspfiles/photos/sample-7012-1.jpg?1523299657http://cdn3.volusion.com/stnvf.ynoqe/v/vspfiles/photos/sample-7079-1.jpg?1523299657

You might just search Anderson's swatches for "red" and then "Diamine" within those to have all the Diamine reds juxtaposed (except Oxblood doesn't come up in the reds...or the browns).

I agree with you on the more muted reds, a tough choice between crimson and Monaco; I choose the former for writing prose. Oxblood is too dark to be "red" though I like it.

There's a good comparison tool at Writing Desk too, but again, not all the swatches used there seem consistent with writing samples that I've seen. That brighter representation of Red Dragon would rule it out for me straight away, but it appears nothing like Pterodactylus' artwork and writing above. It was the inconsistency of online representations that led me to ask for opinions here.

[KKay]

From the 4 you narrowed it down to, I would also choose Red Dragon. Did you try Matador? That one is a good red, I am still using a sample of it, in a xf pen.

[Wuddus]

I've not tried any yet. My fun budget has already been diverted elsewhere this month, so I'll now not be making a decision on this for a few weeks at least

[Wuddus]

I can't get a link with the options pre-selected, but using this comparison tool https://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/inkchooser.php the swatches offered seem significantly different to those posted by FredRydr above for Red Dragon and Crimson too.

[FredRydr]

It just goes to show how lighting, lenses, digital image sensors, film perhaps, and of course your own display screen and settings influence what you see. You may just have to invest in bottles of ink to see what you get unless you can visit a pen shop or pen show to sample the goods.

[Wuddus]

Yeah, you're probably right. I'm not expecting to use a huge amount of red, and one bottle will most likely last me several years, particularly as I was originally planning to get an 80ml bottle so that I can get one of the piston fillers down into it. I think I'll just grab 30ml and find something a little wider to decant it into to fill 'em up from. I'll just grab one and try it, and see how it looks with my pens and paper. If it's not quite dark enough, maybe I can nudge it in the right direction by adding a squirt of Grape.

[Chrissy]

This sheet of comparison inks is quite old now and needs updating, but it may give you an idea:

39193

[Wuddus]

Excellent! Many thanks, Chrissy. That's very helpful. It bumps Red Dragon back down the pecking order for me, and makes Oxblood and Crimson the two favourites.

[FredRydr]

Excellent! Many thanks, Chrissy. That's very helpful....
Yes, thanks from me too. Your comprehensive comparison sheets are worth keeping.

[Chrissy]

Excellent! Many thanks, Chrissy. That's very helpful. It bumps Red Dragon back down the pecking order for me, and makes Oxblood and Crimson the two favourites.

If you can afford to spend any time in the Ink review forum, I've probably reviewed quite a few red inks on this list, and Diamine reds are regular comparisons with each other.

I usually put Tags on my ink reviews, so they should be easily searchable.

[Wuddus]

Excellent! Many thanks, Chrissy. That's very helpful. It bumps Red Dragon back down the pecking order for me, and makes Oxblood and Crimson the two favourites.

If you can afford to spend any time in the Ink review forum, I've probably reviewed quite a few red inks on this list, and Diamine reds are regular comparisons with each other.

I usually put Tags on my ink reviews, so they should be easily searchable.

Brilliant! I'll have a rummage through.

[Runnin_Ute]

For a nice Dark red from Diamine, take a look at Merlot.

39245

[Wuddus]

I did have a look at Merlot, but it didn't really do it for me. From the various reviews I've seen, it can be a little pinky-purple depending on pen and paper, similar to Amaranth but darker. I did actually get a small bottle of Amaranth, and so far it's the only ink I've got where I wish I'd got something else instead. I'll probably end up mixing it.

[KrazyIvan]

Red Dragon and Syrah are favorites.

[Chrissy]

I think I remember Jon Szanto once saying you only need one red: Diamine Red Dragon and one green: Diamine Sherwood Green. Maybe I dreamed it?

[Wuddus]

I already have the Sherwood Green, and agree that's a fine choice of ink :D I'm also a Teal user too, so I'm not strictly a one green person.

If I specifically had need of a red for editing of marking, then I'd happily go with the Dragon, as I want it for more general use, I think I need to move further to the end of the spectrum. I'm now torn between Oxblood and Deep Dark Red by Cult Pens, though Oxblood is ahead by a nose... with a ring through it.

[Pterodactylus]

Hmmm, have both inks and can agree that Red Dragon is a must have, but to be honest I do not like Sherwood Green.

Personal tastes are different.

[Cyril]

I like Diamine OXBlood. It is so far my favourite red.

[Runnin_Ute]

For a good true red, Diamine Classic Red.

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[Wuddus]

"True" reds are what I'm trying to avoid. I don't have any functional need for one, and I'm aware that it's the one colour that people can get most perturbed about if they receive a letter written in that colour. If I got a "true" red, it would hardly ever get used and I'd never finish a converter, never mind a bottle. It would just end up drying up in pens and causing issues.

If truth be told, I don't really "need" any red at all, but was looking for one that I could use as a general ink, without unintended connotations. Oxblood and Deep Dark Red seem to fit the bill, whereas the others that I was considering, including Red Dragon, seem to be "too red" for general use, if that makes sense.

[KKay]

Oh, I misunderstood what you wanted then. I do like Diamine-Syrah, Diamine-Burgundy Rose, Sailor-Oku yama, KWZ-Maroon, Iroshizuku-Yama budo and KWZ-Flame Red as well. Note: These are not in order as to preference.

[Wuddus]

I got a sample of Diamine Oxblood today as a freebie with some drawing inks I ordered from Diamine. It doesn't look quite the colour that I was expecting in real life, but certainly a more versatile colour for me than a "true" red. I think this might just be the one.

[Kulprit]

I like Oxblood a lot, provided the pen using it isn't too wet. While I'm sure a lot of folks like it for it's shading, I personally think it runs too brown when it goes down very wet.

Browns are very popular these days, but not with me.

My current favorite "red that's not too red" is GvFC Garnet Red. This color is true to its name - very deep, dark garnet when applied liberally. Unfortunately, like most GvFC inks, it's not cheap.


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[Wuddus]

I like Oxblood a lot, provided the pen using it isn't too wet. While I'm sure a lot of folks like it for it's shading, I personally think it runs too brown when it goes down very wet.

Browns are very popular these days, but not with me.

My current favorite "red that's not too red" is GvFC Garnet Red. This color is true to its name - very deep, dark garnet when applied liberally. Unfortunately, like most GvFC inks, it's not cheap.


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After spending a little more time with Oxblood, I've come to the conclusion that it's a very nice russet brown - a brown leaning slightly towards red, not a red leaning to brown.

I was sat there this evening thinking that this was the second failed attempt at a "not quite red", but at least the Oxblood will get more use than the Amaranth which was the first failed attempt. I had resigned myself to the fact that I'd have to find something to mix that with... hang on...

I opened up my X450, and the converter was just about half full with Oxblood. I grabbed a syringe, sucked up a little Amaranth, and injected it into the converter, then drew up all the ink and reinjected it a few times to mix it. The result is a lot nearer what I thought Oxblood would have looked like.

I need to spend more time with it, but this is looking promising...

[Wuddus]

In daylight, the blended ink does show some of the Amaranth traits coming through, but more subdued than Amaranth alone. I think I would be very happy using Oxblood neat, but mixing it also makes the Amaranth more usable (for me).

40409

Oxblood

40410

Oxblood and Amaranth. I'm liking this so far.

I'll see how I feel about this once I've worked my way through a full converter of it, but it is showing promise as a "not quite red" ink. It shades from the darker hues of Amaranth through to Oxblood, without Amaranth's vivid pink tendancies (which is what I find offputting about it).

[Medieval]

Oxblood is considered to be very popular. It's easy to see why because it has many and interesting shades in it. Merlot is also nice but is more of a rustic brown than a deep red.

[RocketRyan]

I have a red called Roasted red from beaufortink.co.uk which I love, well worth a look.

[Wuddus]

I have a red called Roasted red from beaufortink.co.uk which I love, well worth a look.

I like the look of that one, and the Peacock too.

[Wuddus]

Oxblood is considered to be very popular. It's easy to see why because it has many and interesting shades in it. Merlot is also nice but is more of a rustic brown than a deep red.

I do like the Oxblood (even though I consider it more brown than red), and am happy to have it as part of the array. The mixing was an attempt to make the Amaranth into something that I'd be happy to use, rather than an attempt to modify the Oxblood. I might try mixing it with Diamine Grape too.

[RocketRyan]

I have a red called Roasted red from beaufortink.co.uk which I love, well worth a look.

I like the look of that one, and the Peacock too.

I have the peacock, but it's too teal for me. I also have a blue very similar to majestic blue, it's name escapes me though.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Sorry to necro-post, but I am in need of a True Christmas Red. Good shading, neither pinky nor purply. NO long dry times, no shimmer. Sheen okay but not needed.

Help? ❤️🍎♦️

[mizgeorge]

Diamine Matador or Sheaffer Red (I think it's now called Inferno) immediately come to mind and both are excellent value.

[Runnin_Ute]

Diamine Classic Red

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[Chrissy]

Diamine Red Dragon, Monaco Red, or maybe the appropriately named Diamine Noel (good shading & sheen) in the cute Blue Edition bottle. :)
(I often wish I had bought Noel instead of Poinsettia)

[TSherbs]

Red Dragon
+1

[Sailor Kenshin]

I like the looks of Red Dragon and Matador (once had a sample). I will likely get more Matador, but just now had to go with what I had, and settled temporarily for Monteverde Ruby.

[damfino]

I've been using bright reds for my Xmas cards: Diamine Wild Strawberry and Monteverde Ruby.

[Chrissy]

I've got a new one: Cult Pens Tammy - a dark red Iridescink :thumb:

[TSherbs]

I've got a new one: Cult Pens Tammy - a dark red Iridescink :thumb:

Never heard of it. Sounds interesting.