"Ultra Black-Fast Dry" by Private Reserve: A Fountain Pen Ink Review
- May 1
- 4 min read
Private Reserve Ultra Black Fast Dry is a deep, wet-flowing ink that delivers exceptional saturation and quick dry times for everyday writing.
🖋 Core Properties
✅ Unique Properties - Fast Dry
✅ Standard Fountain Pen Ink
❌ Sheen
❌ Glitter/Shimmer
❌ Scented
❌ Waterproof/Permanent Ink
The Review:
Private Reserve Ultra Black Fast Dry is a standout for anyone seeking a true, deep black without the typical wait times associated with high-saturation inks. During my two-week testing period, I put this ink through its paces using a range of nibs—from a Platinum medium to a Bock broad—on papers varying from everyday Pen+Gear copy paper to premium Clairefontaine Triomphe. Of the three inks I compared, including Monteverde Document Black and Noodler’s Black, this was undeniably the darkest of the bunch. It offers a consistently wet, reliable flow with no clogging issues across various pens.
The "fast dry" labeling holds up well, especially for those who prioritize speed, making it an excellent candidate for left-handed writers. On fine and medium nibs, I saw dry times between 8 and 10 seconds, though this jumps to 25 or 30 seconds with a broad nib due to the increased ink volume. While it isn't waterproof, it penetrates the paper well enough to leave faint traces behind if it gets wet. On high-quality paper, feathering and bleed-through are nonexistent, and even on cheaper sheets, the ghosting is minimal. Maintenance is straightforward; while this ink can leave slight staining or discoloration if not cleaned regularly, a few extra flushes easily clear it out. For a daily-driver black that balances a wet feel with quick-drying properties, this is a top-tier choice.
To bring the review to life, I’ve included a series of photographs that demonstrate the ink’s behavior under real writing conditions. These images highlight everything from smudge resistance and drying time intervals to the flow characteristics observed during extended writing. You are seeing my authentic comments penned using the ink itself, offering a direct glimpse into its consistency, saturation, and personality of the ink. These snapshots serve not just as proof, but as part of the ink’s narrative—capturing its strengths, quirks, and overall impression.
**Please note that our reviews may differ significantly from what you typically see from other individuals or companies. This is more than just a review—it's an ink test conducted for both our benefit and yours. We use each ink for one and a half to two weeks to gather as much information as possible. During this time, we test a range of nib sizes to evaluate how the ink performs across different writing styles. Some inks are tested with everything from a fine nib to a 1.1 mm stub, while shimmer inks may only be used with broad and stub nibs, as we generally advise against using shimmer inks with fine or extra-fine nibs.
This isn’t a “sit down, open a bottle, and write a review in 15 minutes” kind of approach. Instead, we aim to offer insights based on real-world tests and extended daily use. Keep in mind, every pen writes a little differently, and ink performance can vary from one to another. We also conduct several tests on various types of paper. Most of the time, we use Clairefontaine Triomphe 90g paper as our high-quality benchmark, and Pen+Gear 20lb copy paper as a lower-quality comparison.**
Performance Factors
Saturation & Depth - (How rich and bold the ink appears)
5 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️) – Intensely saturated! The color is bold and striking.
Shading / Sheen / Shimmer - (How the ink performs against other inks in this category)
1 Nib (✒️✧✧✧✧) – Flat & lifeless. No variation in tone or any reflective quality.
Consistency & Flow - (Is is smooth & reliable while writing?)
4 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✧) – Smooth & steady. Reliable, no skips, great ink performance.
Feathering & Bleed-through - (How much the ink spread/bleed on different paper types)
4 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✧) – Excellent! No feathering on quality paper.
Drying Time - (How fast the ink dries on paper?)
4 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✧) – Quick-drying. Usually under 7-12 seconds—great for notes.
Smudging & Smear Resistance - (How well the ink resists smudging)
3 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✧✧) – Average. Not perfect, but manageable.
Water Resistance - (How well the ink holds up against moisture)
2 Nibs (✒️✒️✧✧✧) – Mostly dissolves. Some traces remain, but not legible.
Cleaning - (How easy it is to flush ink from a fountain pen?)
4 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✧) – Quick flush. Minimal effort needed—leaves no stubborn traces.
Staining – (Does the Ink Leave a Mark Where It Shouldn't after cleaning?)
4 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✧) - Little to no staining visible. Feed may retain faint traces, but barrel and nib clean easily.
Overall Opinion
Private Reserve's Ultra Black Fast Dry is a pleasure to use: The solid black color, good flow, and just enough uniqueness to elevate your writing. Not quite perfect, but it rewards regular use and offers a refined experience without fuss.
Interested in this ink?
"Ultra Black-Fast Dry" by Private Reserve: A Fountain Pen Ink Review
"Ultra Black-Fast Dry" by Private Reserve: A Fountain Pen Ink Review
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