All I want is some fountain pen ink for my fountain pens.
I have discovered that is way, way easier said than done in these here parts. I’ve been to 6 or 7 stores so far—including OfficeMax, Office Depot, Staples, and University Art Supply (San Jose)—and called several others, and all I have found is one package of Waterman cartridges with black ink.
Short of driving all the way to Palo Alto—which it’s looking like I’m going to have to do, which is nuts, given that it’s 20 miles each way and I have two kids with me and we’ve already done our day-in-Palo-Alto for this month—I’m going to have to make an order online to buy ink.
All the stationers have closed, it seems. At least, around here. No more McWhorter’s. No independents like A&B Stationers (which was on Ventura in Studio City).
Anybody have any suggestions for where I can find some damn fountain pen ink?
http://www.levenger.com. In many colors. In cute little bottles. Delivered to your home.
Here are my sources:
Katy’s Fine Pens at 1133 Montana, Santa Monica 310-394-1378
Flax 1078 Gayley Westwood 310-208-3529
And online, this beautiful store:
http://www.kschweizer.com/
Hope this helps! Shari
You know, it’s funny — I can think of 10 places in Los Angeles off the top of my head that would have the fountain pen stuff I’m looking for…and you’ve come up with some I wouldn’t have even known about!
Of course, I’m not in LA any more…waaaah. Who would have thought LA would have more stationery outlets than Silicon Valley?
If you want to lay your hands on the ink before buying, the two best local bets are both in Palo Alto. University Art you’ll alraedy know about. The fine pen store in the Stanford shopping center (right outside of Macy’s Womens) has a good selection.
These days, though, ordering over the web is the way to go. My sister has a small fountain pen collection, and has been happy with the Levenger bottled inks.
Try art supply stores, rather than stationery stores. Even the chain art suplly places will have a decent selection of colors.
The best selection on inks I know of is from: http://www.pendemonium.com/ink.htm
They are very nice people and will answer all questions. I have purchased from them for several years and have only had good experiences.
You could also check at craft stores like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. I know Michael’s has a section of calligraphy pens, and I’ve gotten replacement cartridges for my Sheaffer there, in other colors besides black. It seems that all the office supply stores carry is black ink.
Yup. you got to go to Standford mall.
I know this issue well –
I would recommend Waterman’s ink – that calligraphic ink cassandra recommended is a bit harsh for fountain pens – although Sheaffer made beautiful pens in the past (I have plenty of them circa 1930s-40s), their ink has always been rather substandard (imho) – you want an ink that will not in any way clog your pen – The Pen Shop in the Stanford Mall is a great place to find alternatives, and often they even know what they are taking about, which in the world of pens is laudable 😉 the Omas inks are also pretty amazing for color (although still not quite as clean as Waterman ink – not as much of a problem in the newer pens) – and you can buy an ink converter so you can use a bottled ink if you prefer…
(this is coming from someone who has boxes of ink of every color, and even more cartridges of every kind 😉
Good luck!
Peacock blue ink in my Esterbrook pen….Am I too late? Can peacock blue be purchased? None of the new colors compare…
I have located what I need on line at Pendimonium
.com the people are wonderful and very informative. The Service is fast! they have inks for 20 brands of fountain pens and you can receive a monthly news letter on line. call toll free at 888 372 2050. Good luck.
What Paula Wirth said is only half accurate. Ink for dip pens or technical pens (such as the stuff with the Winsor & Newton or Higgins names on it) is certainly not something you’d want to put in a fountain pen because it has shellac in it and *that* will definitely clog up a fountain pen. But Sheaffer doesn’t produce ink for dip pens. Their ink is for fountain pens. Whether you like it or not is another issue, but it’s *not* going to clog a fountain pen.
Try Pearl Art and Craft Supplies or this site has distributers list:
http://www.inksampler.com/
I have a few bottles of Peacock blue it was made by Sheaffer (Skrip); Sheaffer since th 1960’s stopped calling it peacock blue and you can buy this same color in what they now call Turquoise different bottle but still Sheaffer (Skrip).
Joseph
Look up Noodler’s Ink online. All colors – ALL colors plus some. They even have HIGHLIGHTER yellow fountain pen ink. About $14 a bottle that lasts forever – and it’s shipped to your house.
@Paula Wirth
Paula,
My daughter is looking for cartridges for a vintage Gucci fountain pen. After looking for a few days can’t find a place who knows what other cartridge will fit this pen since they don’t make it any more. Can you help her? She lives and works in Santa Monica and from your quote, you know lots of places in the area! Hope you can help
Patty
Go to Goulet Pen Company.com for your inks. Brian Goulet is the owner and there is no one in the business easier to work with. His website has a great tool for comparing ink colors and his selection of ink manufacturers is extensive. Quick personal responses to orders and queries sets the standard for online retailers. And, no, we are not related!