The Uniball Signo DX .38 in Brown Black...I still dont like all the stuff painted on the side
I know I’ve reviewed the Uniball Signo DX .38 pens multiple times before, however this review will focus more on the actual color of the ink rather than the pen itself. In the past I think I’ve made it clear that I really like the Signo DX, so I was curious to check out this unique color in one of my favorite pens.
Not so long ago, I was very hesitant to use anything other than black, or blue for any of my business or work writing, but once I discovered blue black ink, that completely changed my mind. I found that the blue black ink was a great way to stand out a little bit without coming off as too busy or loud. After I became comfortable with the blue black ink, the next thing I looked into was green black, which I also really liked. Now that I was comfortable with all of these mixed color inks, I began to seek them out more often and I came across the Uniball Signo Brown Black, which I picked up from JetPens (no discount or special considerations for this mention, I write this simply as a happy customer) a few months ago.
Writing sample of the Signo DX Brown Black with comparison to regular black
When I did the writing sample for this pen, I was initially disappointed because it was really hard to pick up the brown color of this ink, and to me it mostly looked black. I did a little more writing and on some scrap paper I scribbled and doodled some, but to no avail, I found what mostly looked like black ink to me, or at best VERY dark brown
Because I was concerned that I was just missing something and not seeing it right, I decided to add a comparison to the writing sample that showed this ink next to black ink from an identical pen, so I grabbed my Signo DX .38 in black and went to work. Now when I put the two inks next to each other I could see a more clear difference in the two inks.
I do really like the color once it is positioned in proximity to another color that helps set it off, but unfortunately for day to day writing this just is not a practical method to undertake in order to get a color of ink to show up nicely. Ill probably use this pen as a back up or spare because as I said before, when used alone it just looks black to me, so I guess I’ve pretty much just got another Signo DX in black, that happens to say “Brown Black” on the cap.
Great review, I really like the Signo myself, I have several and use them all the time.
“Brown Black” isn’t even a color. At best, it’s a light black. Sorry you’re stuck with another Signo DX in black.
I felt the same way about ink color…one color! Then a kind soul sent me a couple of Sarasa’s in red-black and green-black and I fell in love with the mixed colors! I just ordered some DX 0.38’s in Bordeaux Black, Blue Black, Green Black and Violet and an RT in Lavender Black (from the recommendation of PenAddict).
I have started, like you, seeking out these mixed colors. I don’t think that I would ever get the Brown Black, as I really dislike the color brown and could not even think of writing with it!
PS: Thanks again for the Sarasa’s and starting this obsession!
This is absolutely my favorite ink color and I’d estimate that I write with it about 75 percent of the time. I use it when most people would use black or blue. However, I prefer the 0.5mm version; I have all three point sizes, but I find the brown-black color shows up better in the 0.5mm and is less likely to be mistaken for black.
I think I’m the only person I’ve read of whose Signo DX in brown-black was too brown for my tastes, and not brown-black enough.
I like the brown-black as a slightly softer alternative to use on more cream-colored paper 🙂 Reminds me of sepia photographs.
@Mike – Yep, Im almost never let down by any of the Uniball Signo pens.
@Andrew – You are right, its two colors. 😉
@Michael Ramm – Glad I could get you interested in the mixed colors, they really are nice to write with…makes me happy to know I could help.
@Susan – Based on your suggestion I picked up a .5mm of the brown black…review will be posted shortly. I appreciate the feedback and advice.
@Leila – Thats interesting, what size tip was it?
@Marte – Ill have to give it a shot on the cream colored paper, the sepia look is always nice and I think you might be on to something there.