Ink Review #1275: Ink Institute Zhonghe-xinlu Line

I’m a sucker for a good golden yellow ink in the fall, so let’s take a look at Ink Institute Zhonghe-xinlu Line from the Taipei Metro series. Thanks to Shigure Inks for sending this ink over for review!

The color:

Zhonghe-xinlu is a complex golden yellow-brown.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more flat, less vibrant, and frankly less interesting. It’s rare for me not to love an ink more based on how it behaves in large swabs on TRP, but it just doesn’t improve this ink.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 20 lb copy paper there was feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Zhonghe-xinlu is a bit more brown than Kobe Taisanji Yellow but less brown than Franklin-Christoph Honeycomb. Click here to see the Ink Institute inks together, and click here to see the yellow inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M400 White Tortoise with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a slightly dry flow.

Overall, the color is amazing-perfect for fall and it does have some beautiful shading, but I do wish it was just a little bit wetter.

Disclaimer: This ink was provided by Shigure Inks 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 in any way.