Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Arrows => Topic started by: DC on January 20, 2015, 03:17:10 pm

Title: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: DC on January 20, 2015, 03:17:10 pm
I think I read on here that India Ink lasts longer than a Sharpie. I have spine, weight and balance point marked on my arrows with a Sharpie and it starts to fade inside a month. I'm not sure if it's wearing off or fading. Does it last longer with a coating of some kind? Does India ink need a coating? Which do you prefer?
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: bow101 on January 20, 2015, 04:23:43 pm
Use clear coat of spray polyurethane.
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: Pat B on January 20, 2015, 04:41:16 pm
Sharpie will fade over time no mater what you cover it with. I use India ink to mark my bows now. It does need to be sealed but it will never fade.
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: DC on January 20, 2015, 04:48:04 pm
Does it have to be a solvent based coating for India ink? Does water based poly smear it?
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: Pat B on January 20, 2015, 05:57:36 pm
Once it is dry you can add solvent, water or oil based finish with no problems, at least from my experience.  Test it out with different finishes on a scrap and see what works best for you.
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: DC on January 20, 2015, 06:47:42 pm
Thanks guys
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: bow101 on January 20, 2015, 10:37:46 pm
Sharpie will fade over time no mater what you cover it with. I use India ink to mark my bows now. It does need to be sealed but it will never fade.
Thanks for the tip Pat, not aware of the sharpie fading.  Where do I buy India Ink and is it available in a pen..?
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: Pat B on January 21, 2015, 12:00:17 am
Most arts and craft stores or office supply stores have India ink. I use a nib pen or a quill pen with the India ink.
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: DC on January 21, 2015, 03:31:52 pm
Sharpie will fade over time no mater what you cover it with. I use India ink to mark my bows now. It does need to be sealed but it will never fade.
Thanks for the tip Pat, not aware of the sharpie fading.  Where do I buy India Ink and is it available in a pen..?

I've been looking for a pen. They are available, but it looks like art stores only. Michaels has ink but not pens. Same with Staples. I'll look around town today.
I'm pretty sure I need a pen. I can still remember the godawful mess I made with a quill in grade 4.
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: Pat B on January 21, 2015, 07:54:40 pm
You could have improved since the 4th grade.  ;)
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: DC on January 21, 2015, 08:28:16 pm
Not according to my wife ;) Handwriting is way down on my list of abilities. I looked around town with no luck as far as India Ink pens. I got a Staedtler Permanent at the art store. The lady there says she is getting in some ID pens that are used for labeling your stuff. Supposed to be permanent. She brought up a point that my arrows are bamboo and it has a smooth/waxy? coating. Maybe my labeling is mostly rubbing off. I'll try sanding it lightly
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: Pat B on January 21, 2015, 11:49:04 pm
A light sanding with fine sand paper will allow the ink to stick to the cane.
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: JEB on January 22, 2015, 08:20:16 am
DC: I picked up a few long handled India Ink writing pens at a yard sale years ago and never used them.  You want one just PM your address and I will send one off to you.

These pens are the type that you dip into the india ink bottle.
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: bow101 on January 22, 2015, 10:05:44 am
Not according to my wife ;) Handwriting is way down on my list of abilities. I looked around town with no luck as far as India Ink pens. I got a Staedtler Permanent at the art store. The lady there says she is getting in some ID pens that are used for labeling your stuff. Supposed to be permanent. She brought up a point that my arrows are bamboo and it has a smooth/waxy? coating. Maybe my labeling is mostly rubbing off. I'll try sanding it lightly

Sometimes I would lose my brain if it was not encased....... ::)    I always thought a  Permanent was a felt pen.  So a Sharpie is a felt not a  Permanent; Correct..?   ???
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: Pat B on January 22, 2015, 10:56:33 am
Permanent means the ink doesn't wash out so a Sharpie is permanent but not when it comes to UV light; it fades over time.
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: DC on January 22, 2015, 02:07:52 pm
Like Pat said. Permanent refers to the ink. Felt is what the tip is made of, at least on the larger Sharpies(and imitations). The finer Sharpies etc. have a kind of porous, fibery tip. I wouldn't call it felt but it serves the same function.

Jeb, thanks for the kind offer but those "dip in the ink" pens are what I'm trying to avoid. That and the shipping to BC would probably be more than what the pens would cost.
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: DC on January 22, 2015, 02:35:55 pm
I just looked up this  Staedtler Permanent and their website says "extremely lightfast for seven years" so I'll give it a try. 
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: DC on January 24, 2015, 03:28:08 pm
I stopped at Michael's on the way back from Victoria and found a Faber-Castell PITT artist pen. It says it's Indian Ink. I Googled India and Indian ink and apparently they are the same thing. It's just like a Sharpie as far as nib and such are concerned. $7Can

  $3 on the internet. DOHHHH!
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: wazabodark on January 25, 2015, 03:51:54 am
A good quality,fine tip brush works well with India ink. Just be sure to clean it really well when you're done with it.
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: DC on January 25, 2015, 01:34:48 pm
A good quality,fine tip brush works well with India ink. Just be sure to clean it really well when you're done with it.

A good quality,fine tip brush also needs talent and steady hands, something I'm a little shy on :-[
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: le0n on January 25, 2015, 10:21:53 pm
Burn it in.

(http://www.archers-review.com/images/128.jpg)

Then go over it with India ink.
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: Springbuck on January 30, 2015, 08:53:31 pm
  You can also buy very skinny automotive paint pens.  I have a gold one and a brass one and they are very easy to use.
Title: Re: Sharpie vs India ink
Post by: Blaflair2 on February 04, 2015, 11:52:21 pm
Big box store sell paint pens. U can get super fine ones. Acrylic paint.