Noodler’s Borealis Black Ink Review

I am way too early in my ink exploration so I am hesitant to even say this ... but ... I think I have found my black ink.

While Nathan Tardiff may never say explicitly, the name alone should tell you that Noodler's Borealis Black was created as a response to Aurora Black, which is one of the darkest basic blacks on the market. I haven't tested Aurora Black myself, but I think any black ink will have a hard time matching Borealis Black in pure darkness.

This ink is not without its flaws, which means it is not for everyone. First of all, this is not a bulletproof black ink. According to Noodler's, this ink is moderately waterproof, but can be washed out and is not light resistant. For me, bulletproof is not high on my list of ink priorities.

Secondly, and more importantly to some, Borealis Black takes a long time to dry. In my sample, you can still see some smearing at the 30 second mark. That is forever in dry time. I can't imagine a lefty ever using this ink. For me, it is not an issue. Using the same Rhodia paper in the photo I haven't had any ink transfer to my hand or to another page.

What I do love about this ink is that it writes smoother in my finest tip pens than any other ink I have tried. The review was done with my TWSBI Mini 1.5 mm Stub nib and I was so enamored with the performance and feel I loaded it out in my Pilot Prera F nib pen. The results were fantastic. The flow of the ink from the nib to the page had a different feel - it was highly lubricated and flowed freely.

I have several more black inks to test and as of right now this is the ink that they will all be measured against.

Ink Links

-- Lamy 2000 Fountain Pen (Ed Jelley)

-- Piccadilly Essential Notebook Review (The Well-Appointed Desk)

-- What Has It Got in Its Pocketses? (Field Notes)

-- Monteverde Cartridge Refill for LAMY Fountain Pens Review (Writer's Bloc Blog)

-- TWSBI 580 Disassembly (Ink Nouveau)

-- One year ago today… (JustDaveyB)

-- Patina (From the Pen Cup)

-- Prometheus Alpha Pen Review (Everyday Commentary)

-- Pelikan Brilliant Red ink review (Peninkcillin)

-- Lisa's Weekly Carry (Anderson Pens)

-- Noodler's Antietam Ink Review (Goldspot Pens)

-- The Success Choice Binder (Plannerisms)

-- Review of Word. Notebooks (Pencil Revolution)

-- N. M. & Co. (Cronicas Estilograficas)

-- Spring Time Means Frankenstein and Fantasy Baseball (And release...)

-- Vintage Faber Castell Higgins ink bottles and other donated art supplies (Lung Sketching Scrolls)

-- The Pilot Metropolitan (Independence!)

-- My Lindy Pens (My Supply Room)

-- TWSBI 580 with B nib (LostInBrittany Pens)

-- Unearthing Buried Treasure: A Savanna Green Lamy Safari (Retro Tech Geneva)

-- Review: Lamy Safari Fountain Pen EF nib- Green Body (delectable pens)

-- Pilot V7 Hi-Tec Point 0.7mm Cartridge System (Informal Scribble)

Pentel Fude Touch Sign Pen Review

I'm having a hard time classifying the Pentel Fude Touch Sign Pen. By definition, fude is a Japanese term for brush pen, then Pentel went and encased the pen in their traditional Sign Pen barrel. When writing, it is a mix between a marker and an art pen. So, Pentel Fude Touch Sign Marker Art Drawing Pen might have been a better name for it.

The tip is very soft like a brush pen and that is the general action you get when putting the tip to the page. But, the business end of the brush tip is a very small area. This makes it act more like a marker to me. I can get a small amount of line variation, but a traditional brush pen this is not.

There is something unique about this pen that makes it very enjoyable though. I have never used a brush/felt/plastic tip pen that has been this soft and smooth. Buttery is not an adjective normally used with brush pens, but that is the feeling I get from it. Honestly, I have never used a pen with this type of feedback. I'd say it was odd if it wasn't so cool.

The Violet color I am using here is a favorite of mine. I wish more purple pens came in this shade. Just that little bit of lavender black does it for me.

Has anyone else used this pen? I'm wondering 1. What you use it for, and 2. What you think of the feel? Let me know in the comments section if you have.