Ink Review #841: Vinta Sea Kelp Leyte 1944

Today’s ink is Vinta Sea Kelp Leyte 1944, from Vinta’s Series 1. According to Vinta’s website, “The Battle of the Leyte Gulf is where the Japanese were ultimately defeated at the end of WWII. Leyte is also one of the biggest producers of Kelp. This gentle green ink evokes the color of kelp as it floats in the bright clear seawaters of Leyte.” Thanks to Vanness Pens for sending a sample over for review.

The color:

Leyte is a medium army green.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink shows off some interesting shading.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 15 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low-there was some feathering in the flex nib on Leuchtturm and Rhodia.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-there was some bleeding in the flex nib on Leuchtturm and Rhodia.

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper the ink feathered in all nib sizes and had a little bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Leyte seems like a darker version of Rohrer and Klingner Alt-Goldgrun. Leyte has a bit more yellow in it than Taccia Uguisu Olive Green but less yellow than Noodler’s Army. Click here to see the Vinta inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer Writing:

I used a Kaweco Sport Sunrise with a broad nib on Tomoe River paper. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I really enjoy the color of this ink. I love R&K Alt-Goldgrun, and this ink feels similar to that. It performed well for the most part, I just wouldn’t use it in flex nibs.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by Vanness Pens 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.

Ink Review #840: Vinta Sikatuna Sandugo 1565

This week it’s time to tackle some of the Vinta Series 1 inks, starting with Vinta Sikatuna Sandugo 1565. According to Vinta’s website, “In 1565, Datu Sikatuna and the Spanish Miguel López de Legazpi made a blood compact, or Sandugo, to seal their friend­ship with trust. This beautiful dark red ink sheens with green to symbolize both friendship and the lush green landscape of Bohol where the Sandugo was held.” Thanks to Vanness Pens for sending a sample over for review.

As soon as I swabbed this ink it quickly reminded me of J Herbin Rouge Hematite. It feels like a similar red with green sheen, so we will compare the two below.

The color:

Sandugo is a medium red with lots of green sheen.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper it’s easy to see the bright green sheen.

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: Low-there was some bleeding in the flex nib.

Other properties: low shading, high sheen, and no shimmer. There could be some more shading under there, but if so it’s hidden under all the green sheen. It’s almost a monster sheener, just a little bit short of the mark.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper the ink feathered in all nib sizes and had a little bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Sandugo is very similar to Rouge Hematite, the main difference is that Sandugo doesn’t have any shimmer. Other than that they are very close. Click here to see the Vinta inks together, and click here to see the red inks together.

Longer Writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Coral with a medium nib on Tomoe River paper. The ink had a wet, slightly sticky flow (this sticky quality is common in heavy sheening inks).

Overall, it’s a close match for J Herbin Rouge Hematite, so if you are looking for a non-shimmer version of that ink, this is the one for you. It does have the slightly sticky feeling flow that a lot of heavy sheening inks do. It doesn’t smear as much as the Organics Studio sheening inks, but does smear more than the Diamine sheening inks. This ink is very hard to clean out in pens. It took three rinses as well as two passes in the ultrasonic cleaner before my pens were free of red. While sheening inks are fun, I’m not a fan of the ones you can easily smear, so I would say my feelings are neutral on this ink-I don’t love it due to the smearing, but I don’t hate it either.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by Vanness Pens 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.

Ink Review of Colorverse Martian & Life on Mars

It’s time to take a look at the last two inks from the August Ink Flight box, (the box is still available-you can find it here) Colorverse Martian and Life on Mars. This ink comes in a boxed set with a 65ml bottle of Martian and a 15ml bottle of Life on Mars.

The color:

Martian is an interesting burnt orange color, Life on Mars is somewhere between grey and teal. When I compared it to both grey and teal inks, I decided it leans a bit more toward the grey side.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some pretty shading.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Medium-both inks feathered in all nib sizes on Leuchtturm and the larger nib sizes on Rhodia.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Medium-both inks bled in all nib sizes on Leuchtturm and the larger nib sizes on Rhodia.

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper the ink feathered in the all nib sizes and had a lots of bleeding in the flex nib too.

Comparison Swabs:

Martian is similar to KWZ Butterscotch. Life on Mars is a bit more unique-I didn’t have any good matches for it, neither grey nor teal inks came close. Click here to see the Colorverse inks together.

Longer Writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Transparent Orange with a medium nib and an Edison Beaumont Unicorn with a fine nib on Tomoe River paper.

Overall, I find the colors really interesting, but the performance just isn’t there for me. It performs well on Tomoe River paper, but 98% of inks do. There’s way too much feathering and bleeding on most papers to justify the high price of the ink. KWZ Butterscotch is a better-behaved alternative for Martian (which stinks because that was a limited edition show ink), but I don’t have a good alternative for Life on Mars.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by Ink Journal 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.

Ink Review #837: Colorverse Dust Storm

Colorverse #67 Dust Storm belongs to Colorverse Season 5 and was included in the August Ink Flight box, the box is still available-you can find it here. This ink comes in a boxed set with a 65ml bottle of Dust Storm and a 15ml bottle of Valles Marineris.

The color:

Dust Storm is a brownish-yellow with some shading.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some pretty shading.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low-there was some feathering in the flex nib on Rhodia and Leuchtturm.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-there was some bleeding in the flex nib.

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper the ink feathered in the all nib sizes and had a lots of bleeding in the flex nib too.

Comparison Swabs:

Dust Storm is closest to 3 Oysters Mustard, but it’s quite a bit lighter. Click here to see the Colorverse inks together, and click here to see the yellow inks together,

Longer Writing:

I used a Kaweco Al-sport Anthracite with a medium nib on Tomoe River paper. The ink had an average flow but it didn’t get along well with this medium nib-after about a paragraph the ink felt dry and I primed the feed a bit. This was interesting since the ink had an average flow in all the other pens I tried it in.

Overall, it’s not my favorite Colorverse ink. There’s some feathering, bleeding and it didn’t get along well in every pen I tried it in. I’m also not super crazy about the color, so it’s not an ink I need a full bottle of.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by Ink Journal 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.

Ink Review #836: Colorverse Opportunity

Colorverse #69 Opportunity belongs to Colorverse Season 5 and was included in the August Ink Flight box, the box is still available-you can find it here. This ink comes in a boxed set with a 65ml bottle of Opportunity and a 15ml bottle of Spirit. Opportunity is one of those interesting magenta purples, it can look pink in certain light but I find it more of a purple.

The color:

Opportunity is a bright magenta purple with a little bit of shading.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink in looks a bit flatter than it does in writing.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 10 seconds on Rhodia, 40 seconds on TR

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low-there was some feathering in the flex nib on Rhodia and Leuchtturm.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-there was some bleeding in the flex nib.

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper the ink feathered in the all nib sizes and had a lots of bleeding in the flex nib too.

Comparison Swabs:

Opportunity is similar to Sailor Ink Studio 435 and Sailor Kingdom Note Thysanostoma Thysanura. Click here to see the Colorverse inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer Writing:

I used a Platinum 3776 Nice Lavande with a broad nib on Tomoe River paper. The ink had a slightly wet flow.

Overall, it’s a pretty color. There was a bit of feathering and bleeding in the flex nib, but it performed well in the other nib sizes and dried pretty quickly too. It would be a good color to use in the summer.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by Ink Journal 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.

Ink Review #835: Colorverse Mariner 4

Colorverse #65 Mariner 4 belongs to Colorverse Season 5 and was included in the August Ink Flight box, the box is still available-you can find it here. Mariner 4 is a lovely dark navy blue with some pretty shading. It comes in a box set with a 65ml bottle of Mariner 4 and a 15ml bottle of Allan Hills.

The color:

Mariner 4 is a dark navy blue.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has a little bit of shading.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low-there was some feathering in the flex nib on Rhodia and Leuchtturm.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-there was some bleeding in the flex nib.

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper the ink feathered in the all nib sizes and had a lots of bleeding in the flex nib too.

Comparison Swabs:

Mariner 4 is similar to Robert Oster Great Southern Ocean. Click here to see the Colorverse inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer Writing:

I used an Edison Collier Blue Steel with a broad nib on Tomoe River paper. The ink had a slightly wet flow.

Overall, I love navy blue inks. There was a quite a bit of feathering and bleeding in the flex nib, so I would stick to standard nib sizes with this ink.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by Ink Journal 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.

Ink Review #834: Colorverse Map of Mars

Let’s take a look at another ink from the August Ink Flight box, Colorverse #63 Map of Mars from Colorverse Season 5 (the box is still available-you can find it here). Map of Mars has a surface tension of 60.5 and a PH of 8.5. This ink is only available in a box set which includes a 65ml bottle of Map of Mars and a 15ml bottle of Mars Attacks.

The color:

Map of Mars is a gorgeous dark teal.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some pretty sheen-I can’t quite figure out what color the sheen is though, somewhere between red and black.

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: Low-there was some bleeding in the flex nib.

Other properties: medium shading, low sheen, and no shimmer. The sheen was only visible in the broad and flex nib on Tomoe River paper.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper the ink feathered in the larger nib sizes and had a lots of bleeding in the flex nib too.

Comparison Swabs:

Map of Mars is similar to Diamine Aurora Borealis and Robert Oster Deep Sea (both of which I love). Click here to see the Colorverse inks together, and click here to see the teal inks together.

Longer Writing:

I used a Pelikan M600 Turquoise with a broad nib on Tomoe River paper. The ink had a slightly wet flow.

Overall, I like this ink. I’m a sucker for teal inks and this one is a gorgeous color, generally pretty well behaved and has a nice flow as well.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by Ink Journal 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.

Ink Review #833: Colorverse Arabella

The Ink Flight Box is a monthly ink sample subscription by Ink Journal, and they were very kind to send me this month’s subscription. August’s box includes 7 Colorverse inks (the box is still available-you can find it here). The first ink I want to take a look at is Colorverse #51 Arabella from Season 4. According to the card included with the inks, Arabella is a “Bright, ‘DOS prompt’ green named after a space-bound spider. Surface Tension: 76.0 / PH: 7.6”. Arabella comes in a box set with a 65ml bottle of Arabella and a smaller 15ml bottle of Anita.

The color:

Arabella is a medium vivid green.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some nice shading and just a tiny hint of pink sheen.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low-there was some feathering in the flex nib on Rhodia and Leuchtturm.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-there was some bleeding in the flex nib.

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper the ink feathered in the larger nib sizes and had a little bit of bleeding in the flex nib too.

Comparison Swabs:

In writing Arabella is pretty similar to Pilot Iroshizuku Fukurokuju from the anniversary set. Click here to see the Colorverse inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer Writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Transparent Green with a medium nib on Tomoe River paper. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a nice ink. I like the little bit of shading and the color but I don’t love that it feathers and bleeds in the flex nib on some papers. I do love the Ink Flight Box-it’s a nice way to try out some new inks each month. Check back later this week to see the other inks from the August box.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by Ink Journal 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.

Ink Review #832: Vinta Cosmic Blue Kosmos 1955

Today’s ink is Vinta Cosmic Blue Kosmos 1955. According to Vinta’s website, “In 1865 the Jesuit Padre Faura started the Observatario Meterorologico de Manila to study Philippine and predict the passing of typhoons. This beautiful shimmering ink evokes the image of stars glimmering amidst the backdrop of the Philippine sky.” Thanks to Vanness Pens for sending a sample over for review.

The color:

Kosmos is a pretty medium blue with pink sheen and copper shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks so pretty-all sheen and shimmer.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-there was some bleeding in the flex nib.

Other properties: low shading, medium sheen, and copper shimmer. There might be some more shading in there, but if there is its hidden underneath all the shimmer and sheen.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper the ink feathered in the larger nib sizes and had a little bit of bleeding in the flex nib too.

Comparison Swabs:

Kosmos is very similar to De Atramentis Cyan Blue Copper. I do prefer Kosmos over the Cyan Blue simply because it’s slightly better behaved. Robert Oster Blue Water Ice is also similar, but without the shimmer. Click here to see the Vinta inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer Writing:

I used a Bonecrusher Studios pen with a Regalia Writing Labs Crossflex nib on Tomoe River paper. The ink did clog the pen often, and I had to prime the feed a few times to make it flow well again.

Overall, I did have issues with clogging in a few different pens, and it was very hard to clean out when I was finished with it. I have a love/hate relationship with shimmer inks. In some pens they look so pretty but they do take some extra work. It is better behaved than some shimmer inks, but not as well behaved as others.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by Vanness Pens 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.

Ink Review #831: Vinta Pastel Blue Julio 1991

My middle child is obsessed with unicorns. She’s six and wears unicorns every day in some form from her shirt all the way down to her shoes. If any one ink could look like a unicorn, Vinta Pastel Blue Julio 1991 does. If she could paint herself with this ink she probably would. It’s a pale blue with a strong baby pink tone and silver shimmer. According to Vinta’s website, “Julio and Julia, was a popular show about two magical twins. It went on air in 1991. It was actually created by a French writer Jean Chalopin and the original title was Les Jumeaux du Bout du Monde or ‘Twins of Destiny.’” Thanks to Vanness Pens for sending a sample over for review.

The color:

Pastel Blue Julio is a pale baby blue with a strong pink undertone/shading and silver shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink shows off the pink undertone and the silver shimmer.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 15 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low-there was some feathering in the flex nib on Rhodia and Leuchtturm

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-there was some bleeding in the flex nib.

Other properties: medium shading, no sheen, and silver shimmer. There is a bit of shading in the blue but it’s so pale you have to be really looking for it to see it, and in the flex nib sometimes you can see the shift between the blue and pink tones.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper the ink feathered in the larger nib sizes and had a little bit of bleeding in the flex nib too.

Comparison Swabs:

Julio is lighter than Montblanc Miles Davis (which I didn’t think was possible). I don’t have any blue shimmer inks this color, the closest I have (which isn’t close at all) is J Herbin Kyanite du Nepal. Click here to see the Vinta inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer Writing:

I used a Bonecrusher Studios pen with a Regalia Writing Labs Crossflex nib on Tomoe River paper. The ink had a dry flow. The color is really interesting-you can see the pink come out in a lot of the letters as well as lots of silver shimmer, but even in the flex nib the color is very pale.

Overall, I loved playing with this ink, but I wouldn’t use it in anything smaller than a flex nib. It would be a good art ink.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by Vanness Pens 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.