Noodler's Black Swan in English Roses Bulletproof Ink

Noodler's Ink is a small American company run by Nathan Tardif in Southern Massachusetts, USA. The Noodler's Ink Co. is best known for their massive range of colours, the unique and largely hand drawn bottle label artwork and unique properties of their inks. Nathan Tardif is best known for his political views and historical knowledge, which often spills over into the names and labels of his inks.

The name Noodler's comes from a technique of catching catfish by hand. Noodling involves wading into the water and feeling around for small crevasses and catching the catfish who have backed themselves inside by holding onto the outside edges of their open mouth. Nathan says it is the ultimate battle between man and beast and your bank balance and social standing have no bearing on your ability. The catfish can be seen on all the ink bottles packaging.

The glass bottles are simple and affordable and the cardboard boxes are recycled.

Black Swan in English Roses is a burgundy ink - Similar to Black Swan in Australian Roses but with red undertones

Partially Bulletproof, Forgery Resistant and Partially Waterproof in 3oz bottle

The two part name is suggestive of the two-tones shading properties. The darker tones, where the ink characteristically pools whilst writing with fountain pen ink, represent the 'black swan' and the lighter tones of plummy pink represent the 'English roses'.

This ink is designed to go well with flexible nibs, such as in the Noodler's Ahab, where the flexible nature of the writing will show off the two-toned abilities of the ink.

Please note the below information:

Noodlers 'Bulletproof' ink designed for use in fountain pens for writing and not for watercolour washes. The top layer of the ink will be removed if you try to smudge it with a wet finger or a wet brush - we have a blog above which has a test of 7 Black inks and has a video showing any surface run off from this and 6 other inks.

The ink which is in direct contact with the paper will be permanent (due to a chemical reaction between the ink and paper) but any excess ink will be removed with water (call it 'ink-on-ink', rather than 'ink-on-paper' if you will). This is why the ink is removable from hands, plastic, fabric, etc whereas traditonal permanent ink will not be and why Noodler's will not stain or damage your pen like old fashioned Iron Gall Inks may.

3oz bottle (approx. 90ml)

N.B - The bottles are VERY full, so be careful when opening them!