Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Fountain Pen Ink Review -- Noodler's Zhivago

I ordered Noodler's Zhivago after wanting a dark, saturated green. I wanted to still be able to make out the green, though. I was slightly disappointed with the Zhivago as to me it looks just like a slightly less saturated black to me. The green is hardly noticeable at all, and isn't quite what I expected. The only time I notice the green is when I look at it in very bright light situations. In a regularly lit room, I cannot notice the green and all I see is black. I'm going to order Noodler's Green Marine in the near future and hopefully it will be more of what I'm looking for. Anyways, onto the review...

Click to enlarge
An explanation of the water test:
The first sample was written, then passed over with a wet q-tip.
The second sample is just a control sample of ink that hasn't been in contact with water.
The third sample was first run under a faucet for about 15-20 seconds, then smudged with a q-tip afterwards.

Close-up of writing sample

Price paid: $14.99 on Amazon, but as of 12-23-10, it is on sale for $11.99 shipped if you're still interested: Noodler's Ink Refills Zhivago Bottled Ink - ND-19027

Update 12-28-10: Here is another scan using a broad italic nib in my Sheaffer NoNonsense:

-Derek (ThirdeYe)

2 comments:

  1. You can see the green when you rinse the nib or touch your nib to a napkin. I am wondering if a slight dilution would bring more of the green out? I do like the Zhivago, but agree, that if you're after a greenish black, green is rather hidden by the black.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I see what you mean about how muted the green is. Even if the screen changes the color accuracy, this looks like a color I'd avoid, unless I wanted to try to blend it with a bit more green.

    I was considering this ink as a future purchase, and now I will not be getting it, so thanks for the review.

    ReplyDelete