Red is just another color to me. All my pens are dedicated to a particular color, and some have red in them. The red I use is Waterman red, so nothing exotic.
Red ink: When do you use it?
- Thread starter AimlessWanderer
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If I spend more than I should, or don't bring in enough cash, I tend to use more red ink. I used a lot back in 2008 and 2009, but not much after that until the past couple years.
Right now I'm using MB Modena Red in a Diplomat Aero.
I was watching author Michael Jecks’ “Writerly Witterings” youtube channel and he was reviewing Dominant Industries inks and he loves the “Romanian Red”.
Tom
Tom
When I owe more than I have.
I use it anytime I please. Most of my writing at work is notes that I write to myself. That kinda gives me the freedom to use whatever color ink I want. I'm in a mood for red so all of tonights notes will be in red ink (I do carry a pen loaded with Lamy black for when I need to sign my name to something official).
As mentioned by others, on Christmas cards. I also have a red pen (not fountain) that I use on schedules to mark off people who call in sick. It stands out for easier accounting of hours/staff.
I also use red ink to keep track of people who are SK, VC or other absent and for people on overtime.
Tom
Tom
As a former avid pen collector of the 1980s-90s I also hunted down vintage ink. Red seemd to evaporate the most (even when apparently sealed). A Sanford red ink pint bottle with poring spout from c.1940 had lost half its liquid.
Old-time bookkeepers used red ink for negative figures in ledgers. New employees were warned to pay attention and not incorrectly post while using black and red ink. If they did, they would have to cross out the bad entry and initial (sometimes also with the head bookkeeper's initials).
Using blue ink (even Sheaffer's Blue-black) was generally not allowed in ledgers.
Bracketing negative figures in black ink (rather than red ink) was also common. Pre-computers the larger companies had more standardized rules vs. small businesses using a part-time bookkeeper.
I used only Diamine Oxblood for the whole year on my work notes. I left it out to dry a tiny bit and it became darker, which is perfect for me.
I'll ink up a pen w/red ink when the mood strikes me. I bought a Visconti Homo Sapiens Fountain Pen in Magma (My God what a beautiful piece of art) & I decided on a whim to buy a bottle of Visconti Red Ink, a bottle of Visconti Black Ink & a bottle of Visconti Blue Ink just to cover all my bases when I decide to take the pen out & so far have only used the Red & the Black. I generally have no more than three pens inked at one time. One of the three is an Esterbrook 407 Dip-Less Inkwell Desk Set with Waterman's Harmonious Green (My "Signature Color") w/an Esterbrook 9284 Signature Stub nib which is always inked & used daily. I carry a Vintage pen & a Modern pen at all times. As to the color of ink in the two carry pens, one is Black & the other is whatever color of ink I'm in the mood for. I also do NOT allow ANYONE to use one of my pens unless they are fountain pen enthusiasts themselves & therefore, will treat my pen with the loving care they so deserve. Sorry about the rant but use red ink whenever YOU want to. Fountain Pens are meant to not only be a writing instrument but also to be a joy to use & a joy to behold. When they cease to be anything but something to write with you might as well just use a ballpoint pen & a box of crayons for contrast. If that came across as rude then my most sincere apologies. Please enjoy your red ink. Later.
Red is my favorite and main go to ink…I wrote this earlier today!
I copied down a long narrative poem in Pilot Red from the ink cartridge. It actually looks very nice and very apropos to the story line.
Several people I knew always had two pens, one was inked in red and the other either blue or green .. we called them teachers....
I liked oxblood when I tried it as a sample, but I haven't gone through and bought any of it yet, I am not opposed to using red, but I don't need a red, and to echo several other points, the main need for red I can think of would be grading papers as a teacher
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AimlessWanderer
Remember to forget me!
Since starting this thread, my use of red inks, and what I need from it, has gotten clearer. I still use it for contrast/editing, but if I don't use it as a "general" pen too, there's a chance of it sitting unused for too long, and gumming up the nib a bit between uses. While a quick dip of the nib under the cold tap always fixes it, it's still something I'd rather avoid.
Based on that...
Diamine Matador has been a great contrast ink, but I don't enjoy It as a general use ink, unless it's a particularly wet pen, or has been in the pen long enough to darken a bit. Paper comes into play too. This might need maintenance throughout the use of a fill due to lack of use.
Oxblood is a good general use ink for me, but might not offer enough contrast, depending on what other inks are in play. Again, paper and nib matter, plus natural vs artificial light.
Diamine Red Dragon and Crimson do both well. Crimson particularly. I've found my reds right there. However, Diamine Ochre and Burnt Sienna do the same job very well too, if I'm not in the mood for a red - or if I already have Oxblood in use as a general ink. All four tick both boxes (contrast and general use), no matter what I am writing on or with.
Based on that...
Diamine Matador has been a great contrast ink, but I don't enjoy It as a general use ink, unless it's a particularly wet pen, or has been in the pen long enough to darken a bit. Paper comes into play too. This might need maintenance throughout the use of a fill due to lack of use.
Oxblood is a good general use ink for me, but might not offer enough contrast, depending on what other inks are in play. Again, paper and nib matter, plus natural vs artificial light.
Diamine Red Dragon and Crimson do both well. Crimson particularly. I've found my reds right there. However, Diamine Ochre and Burnt Sienna do the same job very well too, if I'm not in the mood for a red - or if I already have Oxblood in use as a general ink. All four tick both boxes (contrast and general use), no matter what I am writing on or with.
Red? -- Great on Christmas cards.
I consider red just another color to use when I write letters. Sailor Yodake or Iroshizuku Fuyu Gake are my reds.
