I think I may have a problem

[KKay]

Well I just ordered a bottle of Edelstein-Jade, a dip pen with nib, and more samples! Yes, I found 2 Mont Blanc samples. I loaded up 2 of my pens with Diamine-Autumn Oak, and R&K Alt-Goldgrun. I was ready to use ink I'd purchased for a change. I am going to do a bullet journal, for the first time ever. The dip pen and nib were less than ten dollars, if I remember right. That should help with sampling. I seriously doubt if I will ever convert over to dip pen use. That is an excellent way for my shaky hands to knock over a bottle. While filling the Alt-Goldgrun, my converter unscrewed, and I almost spilled the whole bottle of ink. I wondered what was going on. I saw the problem, it freaked me out so bad, that is when the bottle started to tip. Too bad there was no video of that. It could've had a few bleeps in there, I'm not sure) I caught it just in time. I thought I was going to need long tweezers to fish it all out of the bottle.

Crud. The seller just told me they are out of one of the samples. (Mont Blanc too) So I got a Faber-Castell Hazelnut as a sub.

[KKay]

Well I got my samples in today, Jade ink, and the little wood dip pen holder by Brause, and the nib for it. This set of samples should tell the tale, on finishing off my wish list for ink. I thought I would be able to use that pen for testing ink. But today I see a video that says they don't do well with regular fountain pen ink. :-( Well it was less than ten dollars for pen and nib. I may just use it anyway, because I am hard headed. LOL.

I updated the list on page one.

[SIR]

Get a reservoir for your dip pen nibs - note different reservoirs fit different nibs - it will make the experience more satisfying.
I believe various substances may be added to fountain pen ink to thicken for use with dip pen, also if you leave a sample of ink open to breathe for 24-48 hours, some of the wetness will evaporate giving a thicker ink - this can also enhance any sheen properties the ink may have.

[naimitsu]

Am I the only one that goes the opposite direction for using FP inks with dip pens?
I do a 50% dilution with water and noticed that the color saturation is similar to what comes out of FPs... or am I on crack and seeing things again? (or would that be 'shrooms?)

[victordomingos]

Am I the only one that goes the opposite direction for using FP inks with dip pens?
I do a 50% dilution with water and noticed that the color saturation is similar to what comes out of FPs... or am I on crack and seeing things again? (or would that be 'shrooms?)

Won't the ink become too fluid?

[naimitsu]

Am I the only one that goes the opposite direction for using FP inks with dip pens?
I do a 50% dilution with water and noticed that the color saturation is similar to what comes out of FPs... or am I on crack and seeing things again? (or would that be 'shrooms?)

Won't the ink become too fluid?

I think it would depend on the nib. I believe the one I used was a Nikko G and it wrote just fine on cardstock. I haven't tried it on "normal" paper, so I don't know how bad the spread would become.

I also diluted some Ziller's dip ink 1:3 water, plus some pearl powder and that wrote better than straight dip ink.

[KKay]

reservoirs...and pearl powder...will have to look into this...

I have a friend who said he puts a drop or two of vegetable glycerin in his ink bottle.

I will have to look into this. I thought I would use the dip pen to test inks quickly, at least it would help determine how much to put in my pen to try. SIR, I think you mean an ink pot with a hole in it?

[Sailor Kenshin]

I've been using artist pearl powder (as well as eye shadow) to make my own glitter inks....after a lot of trial-and-error phail, I'm doing pretty well!

[bluesea]

Been using Sailor Kiwa-guro for both Nikko and Zebra G. If anything's been wanting in the ink, I haven't noticed. I'll do all my writing with the Zebra G today. With Kiwa-guro and the xxxf tip its great for writing checks/bills.

[naimitsu]

I've been using artist pearl powder (as well as eye shadow) to make my own glitter inks....after a lot of trial-and-error phail, I'm doing pretty well!

Eye shadows? Really? What brand? I have a bunch of Bare Mineral loose powder eye shadows that I'll never use! If I can repurpose them, that would be fantastic!

[SIR]

SIR, I think you mean an ink pot with a hole in it?

Basically put a small amount like 1 or 2ml into small dish or another bottle without a lid on; 'concentrating' a whole bottle of ink would take longer that 48 hours and probably not the most sensible use of primary resources...

[Sailor Kenshin]

I've been using artist pearl powder (as well as eye shadow) to make my own glitter inks....after a lot of trial-and-error phail, I'm doing pretty well!

Eye shadows? Really? What brand? I have a bunch of Bare Mineral loose powder eye shadows that I'll never use! If I can repurpose them, that would be fantastic!

Dollar store, lol...and loose. I don't recall the brand, will have to look, but any loose, glittery stuff may work. Be sure to use a cheap c/c pen for experimental purposes.

[naimitsu]

I've been using artist pearl powder (as well as eye shadow) to make my own glitter inks....after a lot of trial-and-error phail, I'm doing pretty well!

Eye shadows? Really? What brand? I have a bunch of Bare Mineral loose powder eye shadows that I'll never use! If I can repurpose them, that would be fantastic!

Dollar store, lol...and loose. I don't recall the brand, will have to look, but any loose, glittery stuff may work. Be sure to use a cheap c/c pen for experimental purposes.

Hmmm, I'll go check out the makeup aisle next time I'm at a dollar store.
And you're braver than me! I don't think I'd ever try any of my mixes with a FP! Plus, it gives me an excuse to use my dip nibs

[KKay]

Sailor Yama-dori ordered. Mont Blanc Irish Green added to the approved list. Faber-Castell Hazelnut added to approved list. I also updated my list on page one today.

[KKay]

Updated the list again. The Sailor Yama-dori came in. I ordered the Penvelope 6, Terra Firma, and one small notepad to try from them. After I had already sent the check, I got a phone call. Let's just say I won't be having any money coming in anymore. I most likely won't be ordering anything now with pens, ink, or paper for quite some time.

So this is what I've come up with. 14 colors.
Green 5
Turquoise 2
Orange 1
Maroon/Burgundy 2
Gray 1
Teal 2
Brown 1

[bluesea]

Updated the list again. The Sailor Yama-dori came in. I ordered the Penvelope 6, Terra Firma, and one small notepad to try from them. After I had already sent the check, I got a phone call. Let's just say I won't be having any money coming in anymore. I most likely won't be ordering anything now with pens, ink, or paper for quite some time.

So this is what I've come up with. 14 colors.
Green 5
Turquoise 2
Orange 1
Maroon/Burgundy 2
Gray 1
Teal 2
Brown 1

Are those the inks you have already?

[KKay]

Green 5
Turquoise 2
Orange 1
Maroon/Burgundy 2
Gray 1
Teal 2
Brown 1


If you mean these, yes. I have all of these except Terra Firma. I sent payment for it already. I thought it would be good to take note of that. I have a few on the approved list. (none on the updated approved list have been ordered) I still have more samples that have not been tested though.

[bluesea]

That's a good collection. No blues?

[KKay]

I liked the Sargasso Sea by Diamine. Someone told me they'd send me their bottle. I guess they didn't use it after a time or two. If they don't, I will just keep it on the approved list for a future buy. I have Bleu Pervenche...it is a light blue/turquoise. I just put it under the turquoise category. Sometimes it is hard to decide where one goes, if it looks like more than one. Jade is a blue green, green blue...but I thought it was better in the green category. I have the list updated on page one. (post 4)

[KKay]

My list still stands. I tried the Sheaffer Brown, and Diamine-Ancient Copper. They were both very nice inks. But they did not make the approved list, because I am trying to keep the list as small as possible. I still don't have the Yama Budo sample, but that is okay. I can't buy it anyway. Diamine-Majestic Purple is nice, but it did not make the approved list either. I have turquoise to sample some more. I definitely cannot wait to try the Diamine-Steel Blue. I can't remember if that is really a turquoise or not. But I think the rest of the samples I have are. So I am set as far as my brown picks. I will need to cull the approved list too...lol. That will be even harder to do. They wouldn't get on the approved list if I didn't love them.