Best Black Fountain Pen Ink

Out of all the ink colours out there, black is the most sophisticated one you can use. If you’re a fountain pen enthusiast, you’ll want to know all about the best black fountain pen ink. Luckily, we’ve got you covered!

We’re going to discuss and review the best black fountain pen inks on the market. First, what makes black ink such an attention grabber?

The Allure Of Black Ink

Why are people so set on finding the best black fountain pen ink? Black is easy to read and gives off a professional look and feel. If you think about it – black is the top colour to wear at formal events.

Black ink from a fountain pen makes for sleek, smooth writing. Of course, to make the most of your fountain pen, you’ll need some good paper. You might be interested in the best notebooks for fountain pens.

A letter written in platinum carbon black will look more professional than one written in pink. From the business perspective, black is used in legal documents as it makes them easier to scan. If you’re not set on black, but still want the very best for your pen, read up on the best fountain pen inks.

Best Black Fountain Pen Ink

Noodler’s Black

This is our first contender for the best black fountain pen ink. Sometimes referred to as Noodler’s Bulletproof black, this ink is the go-to for Noodler’s fans. It’s considered the bar that other black inks should live up to.

This is a cellulose reactive water resistant ink. What this means is that if the ink touches cellulose on a page, it creates a permanent ink bond to the page.

This ink comes in a 3-ounce bottle, which is more than enough ink for your fountain pens. Noodler’s black ink is great for durability – you’ll notice that water has little to no effect on this ink. This can make it tough to clean.

It doesn’t have a fast drying time when compared to other black inks on the market. However, it is a reliable choice for many in the fountain pen community.

If you’re interested in other Noodler’s inks – consider Heart of Darkness. Noodler’s Heart is also a popular and affordable buy.

Noodler’s Black is an affordable option for your fountain pens. It’s good quality, and is sure to keep your writing as smooth as can be.

Pros

• Stands the test against water.
• Consistent black ink.
• Little to no shading.

Cons

• Long dry time.
• Difficult to clean.

LAMY Black

LAMY easily makes the list for the best black fountain pen ink.

The colour of this ink becomes darker if you leave it to dry. If you dip some paper that you’ve written on into water, the colour becomes more blue. LAMY ink displays minimal shading, bleeding and feathering.

This ink is also known to dry quite fast. Using an extra fine nib, the ink will dry in around 6 seconds. The stub nib will dry in around 9 seconds. If you’re looking for a new nib, you might want to read up on the best fountain pen nibs.

The flow of the ink is very smooth. With regards to wetness, some think it could be improved.

Out of all the black fountain pen inks, LAMY black is on the more affordable side. It costs just less than Noodler’s – so if you’re on a budget, consider LAMY.

Pros

• Little shading, feathering and bleeding.
• Affordable.

Cons

• Could be wetter.

Waterman Intense Black

Waterman has two inks that many consumers tend to go for. These include their Serenity Blue ink and the Mysterious Blue. We love a good blue ink – but how does Waterman hold up in the black ink department?

Their Waterman Intense Black shouldn’t go unnoticed. In fact – it’s quite loved in the fountain pen community.

The design of this bottle is clever. You can easily turn the bottle onto it’s side so that ink can be retrieved. With this ink – you’ll be wanting to use every last drop!

Waterman Intense Black isn’t pitch black ink like some of our previous mentions. It sways more towards a basic black with a hint of grey and blue shading.

Fountain pen inks can be pricey, especially if you’re wanting black fountain pen inks. This ink is one of the most affordable out there.

It also displays little echo and bleed-through when it comes to writing. It is simple to clean, and dries out in a reasonable amount of time. The wetness of this ink is well balanced.

Pros

• Easy to clean.
• Good wetness.
• No bleed-through or echo.
• Affordable.

Cons

• More of a blue-black colour.

Montblanc Mystery Black Ink

You don’t get more prolific than Montblanc – it’s only fair to assume that their ink is of the highest quality.

Despite some shading, Montblanc Mystery Black Ink is said to be the blackest ink you can get. It also has a good amount of wetness to it – the ink is ready to flow when you put pen to paper.

Montblanc Mystery Black Ink takes around 28 seconds to dry. This can be beneficial depending on your preferences.

This ink shows no spread, bleed-through, echo or sheen. It is generally well behaved, although it will need to be protected. The colour does not fare well against water and bleach.

However, this ink works well on absorbent papers, and is widely considered to be a reliable permanent ink. This Montblanc ink is on the pricier side of inks, and is appealing to expert fountain pen enthusiasts.

Pros

• Very dark black.
• No echo or bleed through.

Cons

• On the more pricey side of the reviewed inks.
• Grey shading.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re on the hunt for a good-quality black ink, we hope this guide has been helpful. Good ink can make all the difference with a fountain pen! Shading, wetness, colour, feathering and bleed-though are all important markers of a fine ink.

Whether you’re drawn to Noodler’s or Montblanc – you’ll be pleased with the quality and colour. Any of the above options are great, and you’re sure to be happy!