Octopus Write & Draw Polar White Bear — Ink Review #121

Octopus Fluids Write & Draw — Polar White Bear

 

Ink Review # 121

 

Originally posted on FPN: Apr 5, 2024

 

Ink: Polar White Bear

Brand: Octopus Fluids Write & Draw

Country: Germany

Availability: 50 ml bottles.

Pens Used: Lamy Safari (EF, F, M, B)

Description

I was really excited to try this ink, hoping that it would be better than the ever-clogging De Atramentis Document White.

Note on Octopus Write & Draw inks: These are pigmented fountain pen inks, so they are best used in well-sealed pens that are easy to dismantle. Some colors clean out easily, while others may need pen flush if water alone is not enough. Octopus lists a two-year shelf life and notes ISO 12757-2 / DIN ISO 14145-2 compliance.

Unfortunately, as you will see in the writing sample, it became invisible after a while, and I couldn’t write anymore. I could see a wet, bluish tinge on the black paper. Thinking that maybe I had not cleaned my pen correctly, I tested the pen on normal paper, and it was still invisible.

I contacted Octopus, but they didn’t say anything concrete, other than recommending that I shake the bottle and use dip pens.

As of now, this ink is unusable and doesn’t lighten the other colours. So avoid it until it’s reformulated.

Writing Samples

It’s very difficult to photograph this page clearly. The paper is completely black. I didn’t colour-correct it, as I wanted to show off the blue tinge of the ink.

And finally, you can see how I couldn’t finish the last line, but you might still be able to discern a bit of invisible ink.

Comparison

Note how pale it is compared to the De Atramentis Document White:

I finally did a sketch with a Prismacolor white pencil. I used a watercolour brush directly in the sample bottle for Polar White Bear. Then I used a water brush to drag some ink from the fountain pen. You can see the bluish wet tinge of the cat’s body. When it dried, it was invisible.

This is the final work, where I finally emptied the pen onto the “cat’s” body and the mouse, then spread the ink with a water brush. As you can see, it’s quite pale compared to the bear.

Ink Characteristics

What I liked: Using a brush to “paint” on the black paper.

What I did not like: I couldn’t sketch with it.

What some might not like: Same as above.

Shading: n/a

Ghosting: n/a

Bleed through: n/a

Flow Rate: Wet

Lubrication: Does it really matter?

Nib Dry-out: Did not notice.

Start-up: Ok.

Saturation: Non-existent.

Shading Potential: n/a

Sheen: n/a

Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: n/a

Nib Creep / “Crud”: n/a

Staining (pen): No.

Clogging: Did not notice.

Cleaning: It seems easier than the Document White.

Water resistance: N/A. Was there any ink to begin with? 😛 

 

Please don't hesitate to share your experience, writing samples or any other comments. The more the merrier 😊