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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: John Culbreth on October 14, 2013, 08:31:00 PM

Title: What type of pen and ink will write and last on the bow?
Post by: John Culbreth on October 14, 2013, 08:31:00 PM
How do you write the information on a bow?
Title: Re: What type of pen and ink will write and last on the bow?
Post by: mjwhitby on October 14, 2013, 08:37:00 PM
India ink and a calligraphy pen is what is use. I put a couple coats of finish on the bow, write my info on it then finish over that. Works really well for me.
Title: Re: What type of pen and ink will write and last on the bow?
Post by: jsweka on October 14, 2013, 08:44:00 PM
Yep.  What mjwhitby said.

I wish I would have realized this earlier rather than trying to use paint pens which ended up looking like a kid writing with a fat crayon.
Title: Re: What type of pen and ink will write and last on the bow?
Post by: Sockrsblur on October 15, 2013, 01:19:00 PM
On arrows... tried Perm markers, cresting paint... India ink X2!! Its water proof, fade proof, works great, finished and stayed great. found mine at hobby store. good luck
Title: Re: What type of pen and ink will write and last on the bow?
Post by: John Scifres on October 15, 2013, 01:20:00 PM
I do the same.
Title: Re: What type of pen and ink will write and last on the bow?
Post by: Bowjunkie on October 15, 2013, 02:04:00 PM
I used Jelly Roll ball point pens for years and was moderately satisfied, but they just didn't last and seemed to quit working if they sat for any length of time. So a short time ago, I began searching for something as heavily pigmented and lightfast as india ink, but with an application method I liked better than the caligraphy pens.

I found india ink pens that contain their own ink and have a type of felt tip which allow for a more metered flow. They are made by Faber Castell and I got mine in a pack of four, each with a different size tip.... XS, S, F, and M. I got them on ****. Go to **** and search for "Faber Castell fineliner".
Title: Re: What type of pen and ink will write and last on the bow?
Post by: John Scifres on October 15, 2013, 02:12:00 PM
You can get the Faber Castell india ink pens at art and crafts stores too.  They are nice especially for pen and ink drawing.  If they get a little dry, you can dip them in a little india ink and they will be good as new.  They are pretty cheap too.  My preference for the caligraphy pens is due to the slightly heavier ink application and a nice deep look to the inking on bows or other non-porous surface.
Title: Re: What type of pen and ink will write and last on the bow?
Post by: Bivyhunter on October 22, 2013, 12:09:00 AM
Have you been able to find the Faber Castell fineliner in white ink for writing on darker woods?
Title: Re: What type of pen and ink will write and last on the bow?
Post by: MoeM on October 22, 2013, 07:43:00 AM
Is there a pen that won`t be wiped away of glasslams when applying tru-oil?
Title: Re: What type of pen and ink will write and last on the bow?
Post by: LittleBen on October 22, 2013, 11:30:00 AM
I've tred sharpies at first ... that obviously didnt work.

Then I went to using sharpie brand paint pens, just cause they're found anywhere that sells school supplies.

They seem to work well. One problem I've had in general with writing on bows, is that the friction caused by a rubbed in finish such as tru-oil or tung oil tends to rub off the writing. I have less of a problem using a sprayed on finish or a wipe on finish like wipe on poly that isnt rubbed in.
Title: Re: What type of pen and ink will write and last on the bow?
Post by: jess stuart on October 22, 2013, 03:12:00 PM
I have used both india ink and acrylic ink, prefer the acrylic, seems to flow better for me.
Title: Re: What type of pen and ink will write and last on the bow?
Post by: FunFletcher on October 24, 2013, 11:10:00 AM
Pilot SCA-UF permanent marker is the very best marking pen I have found for writing on bows. They resist every finish I have tried, and unlike sharpies, they will not fade over time. They are very inexpensive as well...even at a high end art supply store they are less than 2 bucks.