Ink Review #1638: Cross Black

We recently finished looking at Waterman inks, so now we are going to look at six black inks, starting with Cross Black. This ink is available in 62.5ml bottles at most retailers, including Vanness Pens. Thanks to the reader that sent this sample in for review!

The color:

Cross Black is a good basic Black.

*For my swab cards I use a Col-o-ring by Skylab Letterpress, a medium Pilot Vanishing Point and a Mabie Todd Swan.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has a little bit of black sheen.

Writing samples:

Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.

*For my writing samples I use:

• EF, F, M, and B Pilot Vanishing Points

• Vintage Mabie Todd Swan (flex nib)

• Rhodia Goalbook

• Taroko Enigma notebooks (68gsm TR)

• Leuchtturm A5

• Pen & Gear Paper from Walmart

Dry time: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: no shading, low sheen, and no shimmer.

On 20 lb copy paper there was a lot of bleeding and feathering.

Comparison Swabs:

Cross Black is closest to TWSBI Black. Click here to see the black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M805 Stresemann with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a nice wet flow.

Overall, this ink is a really underrated ink! It has a great dark color, nice wet flow, and well behaved too! I have a full bottle on my wish list!

Disclaimer: This ink sample was provided by a reader for the purpose of this review. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored.