Pilot Red — Ink Review #135

Pilot Red

 

Ink Review # 135

 

Originally posted on FPN: Jul 17, 2024

 

Ink: Red

Brand: Pilot 

Country: Japan

Availability: 30 ml bottles. Cartridges. 

Pens Used: Pilot Kakuno EF, Lamy (EF, F, M, B, 1.1), Noodler’s Nib Creaper semi-flex

Description

This was the fifth and last ink in the blind-testing series. I had already reviewed the fourth ink before the blind test (J. Herbin Vert de Gris). Many thanks to FPGeeks member Lithium.

It’s not easy to find. But if you need an eye-searing red, it might be for you.

This ink writes a vermilion colour, which changes depending on the paper, making it difficult to describe. It’s very bright, so prepare your sunglasses. 😎

It is very wet, almost too wet. Paradoxically, it has very fast dry times on Rhodia and is well-behaved on copy paper.

It’s not a colour that I could write with, but I enjoyed doing some artwork with it.

I doubt it’s a suitable ink for wet pens.

It didn’t stain the clear Nib Creaper body, but it was a pain to clean from that pen and easy to clean from the Kakuno.

During the blind test, the ink was referred to as E.

Chroma

Writing Samples

Rhodia

Midori

TR68 gsm

Hammermill 20 lb

Photo

TR 68 gsm

Comparison

Water Test

Left side 10 seconds under running water. Sample written with glass nib, so much more than usual pen.

Artwork

Inktober52, 2024: Aware.

Note how with a water brush one can lighten the ink.

Noodler's Lexington Gray,  Pilot Red, Fabriano Sketchbook (super absorbent paper)


In Flanders' field...T

You can see the different shade of pink and red, just like the Flanders' poppy.

J Herbin Vert de gris, Noodler's Lexington Gray. Talens Mixed Media Sketchbook. 

 

Ink Characteristics

What I liked: Drawing, fast dry time.

What I did not like: Very wet, colour is too bright for everyday use.

What some might not like: Colour.

Shading: On Tomoe River 68 gsm.

Ghosting: No, faint

Bleed through faint depending pen nib combination.

Flow Rate: Very wet

Lubrication: sSlightly below average

Nib Dry-out: Did not notice.

Start-up: Ok.

Saturation: Bright.

Shading Potential: It has some potential.

Sheen: No.

Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: Did not notice.

Nib Creep / “Crud”: Did not notice.

Staining (pen): Did not notice.

Clogging: Did not notice.

Cleaning: The Kakuno was a breeze, the Lamy needed a cleaning solution, so did the Noodler's Nib Creaper.

Water resistance: Meh

 

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

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