Ink Review #990: Robert Oster Blood Crimson

Ink Review #990: Robert Oster Blood Crimson

Robert Oster first released this ink as Rivers of Blood, which is still the name you can find it under at Pen Chalet where I purchased my ink. According to Robert Oster’s Instagram post, “Courtesy note: Blood Crimson is the common name of the newly released Fountain Pen Ink colour announced as Rivers of Blood. That name was of historical significance with horrific undertones and we respect the thoughts of those who brought this to our notice. UK and European stockists will be offered the colour name Blood Crimson. [Some retailers in other regions may carry the colour as Rivers... due to early stocking arrangements and recent stockists will carry it as Blood Crimson. We trust you accept our sensitivity and respect to the feelings of our community.]” So even though my sample is labeled as Rivers of Blood, I’m going to use the updated name of Blood Crimson. I love that Robert Oster was so responsive to customer concerns and did his best to adjust.

Read More

Ink Review #988: Pilot Iroshizuku Kiri-same

Ink Review #988: Pilot Iroshizuku Kiri-same

When I first discovered fountain pens I bought a sample of Pilot Iroshizuku Kiri-same, aka Scotch Mist, quickly used up the whole sample and then forgot to buy a bottle. It’s one of those inks I just kind of forgot about until a reader sent me a sample for review. As soon as I saw it again I remembered how much I liked it, and that I’ve never reviewed it. You can purchase this ink at most pen retailers, including Pen Chalet.

Read More

Ink Review #985: Diamine Monboddo's Hat

d-monboddos-hat-4.jpg

This year the Fountain Pens UK Facebook group teamed up with Diamine to create two new purples: Monboddo’s Hat and Scribble Purple. Today we are taking a look at Monboddo’s Hat. Thanks to Vanness Pens for sending a sample over for review.

d-monboddos-hat-3.jpg

The color:

Monboddo’s Hat is a medium purple with a slight red undertone.

Swabs:

d-monboddos-hat-5.jpg

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink shows just a little bit of gold sheen.

d-monboddos-hat-6.jpg

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: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in all nib sizes but just a tiny bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

d-monboddos-hat-1.jpg

Monboddo’s Hat isn’t as red as Lamy Dark Lilac but has more red in it than Sailor Ink Studio 750. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

d-monboddos-hat-2.jpg

I used a Platinum 3776 Nice Lavande with a broad nib on a A5 Yoseka notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, It’s a fun purple. It has less sheen than I expected, but still interesting and dries quickly too.

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.

Ferris Wheel Press Charger Set

fwp-charger-set-4.jpg

We are wrapping up this week’s Ferris Wheel Press theme with the Charger Set that includes 5ml sample vials of Candy Marsala, Tanzanite Sky and Bluegrass Velvet. Thanks to Vanness Pens for providing samples for review. You can purchase these inks in the charger set, or as individual bottles: Candy Marsala, Tanzanite Sky and Bluegrass Velvet.

Swabs:

fwp-charger-set-s-1.jpg

Left to right: Candy Marsala, Tanzanite Sky and Bluegrass Velvet.

Writing samples:

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

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low-there was some feathering on Rhodia.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-there was some bleeding on Rhodia and Leuchtturm.

Other properties: medium shadingsome sheen, and no shimmer. Only Tanzanite Sky showed any sheen-and then only on Tomoe River paper in large nib sizes.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was lots of feathering in every nib size as well as a little bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

fwp-charger-set-s-2.jpg

Swabs:

Candy Marsala is a little less saturated than Monteverde Cherry Danish. Tanzanite Sky is similar to Robert Oster Dragon’s Night. Bluegrass Velvet is similar to both Lamy Amazonite and Monteverde Iced Cookie.

fwp-charger-set-s-3.jpg

I used an A5 Yoseka notebook. All of the inks had an average flow.

Overall, while generally well behaved, I find Candy Marsala a bit too unsaturated. I enjoy both Tanzanite Sky and Bluegrass Velvet, but both are very similar to inks I already have.

Disclaimer: These samples were 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 is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #981: Ferris Wheel Press Grape Ice Pop

fwp-grape-ice-pop-2.jpg

Today’s ink is Ferris Wheel Press Grape Ice Pop. Thanks to Vanness Pens for sending a sample over for review.

fwp-grape-ice-pop-1.jpg

The color:

Grape Ice Pop is a dark purple with a red undertone.

Swabs:

fwp-grape-ice-pop-3.jpg

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more straight purple, less red.

fwp-grape-ice-pop-4.jpg

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: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in all nib sizes but just a tiny bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

fwp-grape-ice-pop-s-1.jpg

Grape Ice Pop is a little less vibrant than Diamine Purple Dream but more vibrant than Robert Oster Berry d’Arche. Click here to see the Ferris Wheel Press inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

fwp-grape-ice-pop-s-2.jpg

I used a Pelikan M600 Violet with a fine nib on a A5 Yoseka notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I enjoyed this ink. It’s well behaved, a lovely color, and even has a bit of shading.

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 #980: Ferris Wheel Press Jelly Bean Blue

fwp-jelly-bean-blue-2.jpg

We are continuing on with Ferris Wheel Press inks, today’s is Jelly Bean Blue. Thanks to Vanness Pens for sending a sample over for review.

fwp-jelly-bean-blue-1.jpg

The color:

Jelly Bean Blue is a vibrant medium blue.

Swabs:

fwp-jelly-bean-blue-3.jpg

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks lighter, with some red sheen.

fwp-jelly-bean-blue-4.jpg

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 on Rhodia.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in all nib sizes but just a tiny bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

fwp-jelly-bean-blue-s-2.jpg

Jelly Bean Blue is similar to Parker Penman Sapphire. Click here to see the Ferris Wheel Press inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

fwp-jelly-bean-blue-s-1.jpg

I used a Pelikan M805 Vibrant Blue with a broad nib on an A5 Yoseka notebook. The ink had an average flow. Since we finished up The Hobbit yesterday, today I started on The Fellowship of the Ring.

Overall, this ink is generally well behaved except for some slight feathering and bleeding on Rhodia. It’s a beautiful match for the Pelikan M805 Vibrant Blue.

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.