Having both Diamine Oxblood and Noodler's Red-black I can confirm they are very similar, nearly indistinguishable. Noodler's Red-black having the advantage of being partially waterproof. The problem is, as with many Noodler's "bulletproof" inks, there is the colored dye component and the black bulletproof liquid which appears to be denser, despite being dissolved in the mix, over time, the two can separate in the bottle by sedimentation. So you need to shake it from time to time. Your sample might indeed, be extracted from an unshaken bottle, therefore you may lack the dark part of the ink.
@@kempetai2099 I used to do the same. How long have you used them? The biggest issue for me is the "forever dry time" that is prevalent in many of their inks, including Red-Black and fan favorites like Apache Sunset. I'm a lefty so inks that need longer than 30 seconds to dry are problematic for me. Maybe they wouldn't be for you. Noodler's is also the only brand that I've experienced where the inks fall apart. I have a handful of Noodler's inks which separate into layers and/or form clumps, including Bulletproof Black, Apache Sunset, and [Kiowa] Pecan. They also have a reputation for being very inconsistent. Trying samples a useless endeavor. The sample you receive and the bottle you receive is likely going to be different. This inconsistency isn't just true of the ink's hue. A friend of mine raves about Baltimore Canyon. It is one of Noodler's more well-behaved and beautiful options but mine takes over a minute to dry while she claims that hers is dry in 15 seconds. Pens, papers, and other factors help contribute to the difference but I don't have this issue with other inks. BC has a long dry time even on absorbent papers. I've also had two Noodler's ink bottles break in transit. They were boxed and wrapped in bubble wrap by two different distributors. I've never had another brand ruin a package. Amazon once dropped a box of Private Reserve into an envelope (no padding in the envelope; no bubble wrap). The ink's box arrived with a dented corner but the bottle wasn't broken. The occasional feathering or ghosting is present in Noodler's inks but this is something that I've experienced with other brands, too, so I generally don't hold it against Noodler's for it. My bottle of Lexington Grey, however, is extremely watery and will feather on any paper (even Tomoe River!) if filled into any pen that isn't an EF. As always, YMMV. I don't mean to drag Noodler's name through the mud as much as describe my honest experience and explain why I'll never buy another bottle. But if you or anyone else likes the stuff I am genuinely happy for you! I don't expect/want anyone else to dislike it just because I dislike it.
I would strongly recommend you give Noodlers Red Black another chance! The same thing happened to me, but when I shook up my bottle of ink, the color changed dramatically. It’s an ink with some beautiful shading and it’s partially waterproof. I actually prefer it over Diamine Oxblood. Thanks for this ink comparison - Love your videos!
I've been thinking the same, I really thought I was going to love the dark tones of it so I was hugely disappointed. I'll buy a bottle of it. Glad you're enjoying the channel!
@@SorrowisKnowledge --- I agree with OP. Noodler's Red-Black slightly separates in the bottle, because the red is the color and the black is the bulletproof part of the ink, so you MUST shake the bottle. I can tell immediately you got a bad sample and you're missing out. This is THE dark red ink. Give it another try. After it dries on paper it looks like it's actually blood..... if that's the look you're going for. ;) Thanks for the video.
Like you, I am happy with Tiananmen, as a nice dark but unbloody red, and hate Red-Black, which I call Red-Brown, though actually it's just an ugly brown. I think Nathan gave it that name because it is literally a combination of Noodler's Red and Noodler's Black, not because of the way it actually looks. I'll probably buy some Oxblood one day.
Thank you! I can definitely recommend Black Swan in Australian Roses, its one of my favourites inks. I haven't tried English before but it is on my list
Black Swan in English roses is a lot like Oxblood and is even somewhat water resistance. I keep my red 3776 inked with BS in E all the time, it’s my favorite noodlers ink.
Thanks for sharing all these red shades. I love red, especially a cardinal red. But I use only vintage pens and reds are well-known for damaging vintage pens so I avoid them. Also, I didn’t know how water damages them so easily. Also, can I make a suggestion? I suggest that you use a medium or broad nib instead of a fine nib for the writing samples. The fine line is too thin to show any shading which will happen with wider nibs. Just a thought. Keep up the good videos!
I’ve always been very fond of red/burgundy inks. You profiled six very nice reds here. I’ve had Diamine Oxblood for years - and still like and use it in two of my pens. I seldom use F nibs, though. Oxblood certainly looks the least ‘red’ of the six you showed here. But I’d pick it every time. I can readily recommend two of my own favorite reds : Frankin-Christoph Urushi Red and Birmingham Pen Co. Fred Rogers Cardigan Red. An old very true red is Sheaffer’s Skrip Red.
Noodler's red-black tends to sepparate on the bottle, so the sample might have gotten only the red part of the ink. It is an incredible shading ink in flex and broad nibs, and it does become almost black depending on the nib
Red Dragon also has some smearing issues, especially on coated paper, even after drying for almost an hour if not more. De Atramentis Document Dark Red is a pretty nice water resistant red ink, not sure if it is that similar to Oxblood though (which I haven't tried).
Thank you for a thoughtful review. I'm tempted by Pure Pens Cadwaladr (available from Cult Pens in the UK), tho' Diamine Blood Orange is a close fit to it. In a fine nib the two are indistinguishable, but at work we have to use black. Ho-hum.
I just found your channel since I'm also looking for a burgundy/maroon ink. So far the leader for me is Monteverde's Passion Burgundy (vs. their Napa which is a bit more rosy). It has a similar brown component to Oxblood but is darker without being as dark as Writer's Blood (too dark for me). In the deep red category (not burgundy or maroon), a beautiful, deep, rich one is Herbin's Rouge Grenat. Good luck in your search if you haven't already found what you're looking for. Great videos!
The best dark red ever to exist is Parker Ruby, and it's not close. But I got into pens for the first time when it was being made, so I'm biased. You can still find some here and there, if you're willing to shell out for it. Scribe Garnet is an attempt to recreate it, which I haven't tried yet. But Robert Oster Muddy Dragon, (also discontinued, how do I keep doing this to myself) while a brighter red, has some nebulous SOMETHING that reminds me of it. It's a very nice red. And Monteverde Cherry Danish has the nicest shading I've ever seen on a red that wasn't at all orange. But from the sounds of it, it might be wetter than you prefer.
I'm using writer's blood. Love it. As you said, it can only used with a pen that isn't a gusher. Love that ink though. Have you considered Black swan English roses/diamine syrah?
Having both Diamine Oxblood and Noodler's Red-black I can confirm they are very similar, nearly indistinguishable. Noodler's Red-black having the advantage of being partially waterproof.
The problem is, as with many Noodler's "bulletproof" inks, there is the colored dye component and the black bulletproof liquid which appears to be denser, despite being dissolved in the mix, over time, the two can separate in the bottle by sedimentation. So you need to shake it from time to time. Your sample might indeed, be extracted from an unshaken bottle, therefore you may lack the dark part of the ink.
Diamine Matador
Using Noodler's inks is like dating a cheerleader: they're fun to look at but high-maintenance, unstable, and overstate their worth.
Complete opposite experience, almost exclusively buy noodlers
@@kempetai2099 I used to do the same. How long have you used them?
The biggest issue for me is the "forever dry time" that is prevalent in many of their inks, including Red-Black and fan favorites like Apache Sunset. I'm a lefty so inks that need longer than 30 seconds to dry are problematic for me. Maybe they wouldn't be for you.
Noodler's is also the only brand that I've experienced where the inks fall apart. I have a handful of Noodler's inks which separate into layers and/or form clumps, including Bulletproof Black, Apache Sunset, and [Kiowa] Pecan.
They also have a reputation for being very inconsistent. Trying samples a useless endeavor. The sample you receive and the bottle you receive is likely going to be different.
This inconsistency isn't just true of the ink's hue. A friend of mine raves about Baltimore Canyon. It is one of Noodler's more well-behaved and beautiful options but mine takes over a minute to dry while she claims that hers is dry in 15 seconds. Pens, papers, and other factors help contribute to the difference but I don't have this issue with other inks. BC has a long dry time even on absorbent papers.
I've also had two Noodler's ink bottles break in transit. They were boxed and wrapped in bubble wrap by two different distributors. I've never had another brand ruin a package. Amazon once dropped a box of Private Reserve into an envelope (no padding in the envelope; no bubble wrap). The ink's box arrived with a dented corner but the bottle wasn't broken.
The occasional feathering or ghosting is present in Noodler's inks but this is something that I've experienced with other brands, too, so I generally don't hold it against Noodler's for it. My bottle of Lexington Grey, however, is extremely watery and will feather on any paper (even Tomoe River!) if filled into any pen that isn't an EF.
As always, YMMV. I don't mean to drag Noodler's name through the mud as much as describe my honest experience and explain why I'll never buy another bottle. But if you or anyone else likes the stuff I am genuinely happy for you! I don't expect/want anyone else to dislike it just because I dislike it.
I would strongly recommend you give Noodlers Red Black another chance! The same thing happened to me, but when I shook up my bottle of ink, the color changed dramatically. It’s an ink with some beautiful shading and it’s partially waterproof. I actually prefer it over Diamine Oxblood. Thanks for this ink comparison - Love your videos!
I've been thinking the same, I really thought I was going to love the dark tones of it so I was hugely disappointed. I'll buy a bottle of it. Glad you're enjoying the channel!
@@SorrowisKnowledge --- I agree with OP. Noodler's Red-Black slightly separates in the bottle, because the red is the color and the black is the bulletproof part of the ink, so you MUST shake the bottle. I can tell immediately you got a bad sample and you're missing out. This is THE dark red ink. Give it another try. After it dries on paper it looks like it's actually blood..... if that's the look you're going for. ;)
Thanks for the video.
Noodler's has to be the most overrated ink brand in the community.
Conklin Dark Rust, or Sailor Manyo Ume are pretty great alternatives to oxblood.
Like you, I am happy with Tiananmen, as a nice dark but unbloody red, and hate Red-Black, which I call Red-Brown, though actually it's just an ugly brown. I think Nathan gave it that name because it is literally a combination of Noodler's Red and Noodler's Black, not because of the way it actually looks. I'll probably buy some Oxblood one day.
Noodler’s Red black should be shaken before filling a pen. It is very dark. I prefer Noodler’s Hawthorne’s Scarlet rather than Oxblood.
Great video. Oxblood is my favorite as well. My next test inks will be Noodler's black swan on English and Australian roses, both.
Thank you! I can definitely recommend Black Swan in Australian Roses, its one of my favourites inks. I haven't tried English before but it is on my list
@@SorrowisKnowledge You should try Monteverde Passion might replace oxblood
Black Swan in English roses is a lot like Oxblood and is even somewhat water resistance. I keep my red 3776 inked with BS in E all the time, it’s my favorite noodlers ink.
Thanks for sharing all these red shades. I love red, especially a cardinal red. But I use only vintage pens and reds are well-known for damaging vintage pens so I avoid them. Also, I didn’t know how water damages them so easily. Also, can I make a suggestion? I suggest that you use a medium or broad nib instead of a fine nib for the writing samples. The fine line is too thin to show any shading which will happen with wider nibs. Just a thought. Keep up the good videos!
You have to try KWZ Maroon. It's noy similar to Oxblood, but is a nice dark-dark red. Thanks for the comparison!
Agreed. I like this ink too.
Waterman absolute brown
You're welcome
Diamine Syrah could replace the Oxblood.
I did take a look at it, I wondered if it was too on the magenta side, its almost similar to Noodler's Black Swan in Australian Roses
Diamine "bah humbug" has a very close base colour but with added red shimmer.
What Pen do you use ?
I mix noodlers fox red with a touch of platinum carbon black.
I’ve always been very fond of red/burgundy inks. You profiled six very nice reds here. I’ve had Diamine Oxblood for years - and still like and use it in two of my pens. I seldom use F nibs, though. Oxblood certainly looks the least ‘red’ of the six you showed here. But I’d pick it every time.
I can readily recommend two of my own favorite reds : Frankin-Christoph Urushi Red and Birmingham Pen Co. Fred Rogers Cardigan Red.
An old very true red is Sheaffer’s Skrip Red.
Noodler's red-black tends to sepparate on the bottle, so the sample might have gotten only the red part of the ink. It is an incredible shading ink in flex and broad nibs, and it does become almost black depending on the nib
I ended up buying a bottle and as long as I shake it before filling a pen it works great. I really like it
Have you tried Wearingeul's Human Issue's or Platinum Cassis Black?
I haven't, but will give it a shot!
Red Dragon also has some smearing issues, especially on coated paper, even after drying for almost an hour if not more. De Atramentis Document Dark Red is a pretty nice water resistant red ink, not sure if it is that similar to Oxblood though (which I haven't tried).
I think it's across many Diamine inks, just how they are. I'll add the De Atramentis to the list, thank you! I love all the recommendations
Private Reserve Black Cherry is a beautiful dark red ink.
I'll take a look!
Try Robert Oster Muddy Dragon. It’s my favourite ink. 😊
Thank you for a thoughtful review. I'm tempted by Pure Pens Cadwaladr (available from Cult Pens in the UK), tho' Diamine Blood Orange is a close fit to it. In a fine nib the two are indistinguishable, but at work we have to use black. Ho-hum.
Diamine/Cult Pens Deep Dark Red is a good Oxblood alternative.
Nice vid. 👍
I still haven’t found a substitute for Montblanc corn poppy red…
Great video comparison, just suggest you use a broad nib for ink comparisons.
I just found your channel since I'm also looking for a burgundy/maroon ink. So far the leader for me is Monteverde's Passion Burgundy (vs. their Napa which is a bit more rosy). It has a similar brown component to Oxblood but is darker without being as dark as Writer's Blood (too dark for me).
In the deep red category (not burgundy or maroon), a beautiful, deep, rich one is Herbin's Rouge Grenat.
Good luck in your search if you haven't already found what you're looking for. Great videos!
I can't believe I have never tried any Herbin, definitely on my list for the next to purchase!
Sailor Shikiori Oku-yama!
The best dark red ever to exist is Parker Ruby, and it's not close. But I got into pens for the first time when it was being made, so I'm biased. You can still find some here and there, if you're willing to shell out for it. Scribe Garnet is an attempt to recreate it, which I haven't tried yet. But Robert Oster Muddy Dragon, (also discontinued, how do I keep doing this to myself) while a brighter red, has some nebulous SOMETHING that reminds me of it. It's a very nice red. And Monteverde Cherry Danish has the nicest shading I've ever seen on a red that wasn't at all orange. But from the sounds of it, it might be wetter than you prefer.
You've given me a few inks to lookup, I appreciate it!
I'm using writer's blood. Love it. As you said, it can only used with a pen that isn't a gusher. Love that ink though. Have you considered Black swan English roses/diamine syrah?
I haven't tried either of those so I will look them up now! Thanks
Lovely video as always
What's the pen you wrote the Robert Oster Crimson with??
It's a dip pen with a vintage nib put on
That red pen you used!! 😍 What is it called?!
The one at the start is a vintage Montblanc 320 with a 14k nib
@@SorrowisKnowledge the one @1:42
A lovely dip pen I picked up when I was in Italy, attached a vintage nib to it
@@SorrowisKnowledge it is gorgeous!!
😱✉️🌧😅😂
Luckily I could still read it!
I love your calm demeanor. Keep up the ink reviews and comparisons. Looking forward watching them.
🔴🔴🟠🟠🟡🟡🟢🟢🔵🔵🟣🟣🟤🟤
Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos 😊