Ink Review #1498: Kobe 59 Hirano Gion Romance Gray

Kobe 59 Hirano Gion Romance Gray is from Kobe’s standard lineup. I know all of my writing samples say Kirano but please pretend it says Hirano-I went with the spelling on the sample which turned out to be different than the official name. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens. Thanks to the reader that sent this ink in for review!

The Color:

Hirano Gion Romance Gray is a deep neutral grey.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some black 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: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was a some feathering but not much bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Hirano Gion is closest to Birmingham Smoked Iron. Click here to see the Kobe inks together, and click here to see the grey inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Sailor Pro Gear Lighthouse with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, it’s a lovely neutral grey, great for the office or daily use.

Disclaimer: All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored.

Ink Review #1497: Kobe 58 Hyogo Canal Blue

A while back a pen friend gave me a bottle of Kobe 58 Hyogo Canal Blue. I’ve used it many times but realized I’ve never reviewed it so it’s finally time. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The Color:

Hyogo Canal Blue is a beautiful medium blue.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink is a medium blue with lots 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: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was a lot feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Hyogo Canal Blue is closest to Organics Studio Nitrogen. Click here to see the Kobe inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M805 Vibrant Blue with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I really enjoyed this ink. it’s a lovely color with some beautiful shading and sheen.

Disclaimer: All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored.

Ink Review #1496: Diamine Writer's Blood

Diamine Writer’s Blood was created for the members of r/fountainpens on Reddit. This Reddit group also came up with Earl Grey and Aurora Borealis. I purchased my bottle of ink from Pen Chalet (aff. link).

The color:

Writer’s Blood is a deep Bordeaux red.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink is very dark, almost purple.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 60 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was a lot feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Writer’s Blood is closest to Sailor Manyo Kuzu. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Custom 74 Merlot with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I love how wet this ink is but unfortunately it can take a full minute to dry. It’s a nice dark office-appropriate color.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself and all photos and opinions are my own. This page does contain affiliate links but this post is not sponsored.

Colorverse Extra Dimension & Warped Passages

Colorverse Extra Dimension & Warped Passages are from the new Colorverse Season 3: Multiverse. Extra Dimension comes in a 65ml bottle and Warped Passages in a 15ml bottle. You can find this ink for sale at Pen Chalet. Thanks to the reader that sent these inks in for review!

Swabs:

Left to right: Extra Dimension is a deep blue with some sheen. Warped Passages is a medium blue with some pretty shading.

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper, Extra Dimension has some nice red 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: 15 seconds

Water Resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

Other properties: low-medium shading, high red sheen (Warped Passages) and no shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Extra Dimension is close to Robert Oster Great Southern Ocean, and a little darker than Pilot Iroshizuku Tsuki-yo.

Warped Passages is a little darker than Birmingham Cornflower.

Longer Writing:

Extra Dimension: I used an Esterbrook Estie Oversize Peacock with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma Notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Warped Passages: I used a Pelikan M805 Vibrant Blue with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma Notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I liked both of these inks! I prefer Warped Passages’s shading over Extra Dimension’s sheen but both are worth a try!

Disclaimer: These inks were provided by a reader for the purpose of this review. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does contain affiliate links but this post is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1493: PenBBS 160 Mentha Aquatica

PenBBS 160 Mentha Aquatica is from Season 12 and comes in 60ml bottles. I purchased my sample of ink from Vanness Pens.

The color:

Mentha Aquatica is a bright minty teal.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some lovely 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

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was a lot feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Mentha Aquatica is closest to Kobe Aotani Cascade Green. Click here to see the PenBBS inks together, and click here to see the teal inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Safari Turquoise with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a slightly dry flow.

Overall, I love the color of this ink, but I am a sucker for teal. I love how well it matches the Lamy Safari Turquoise. It is a little dry for me, but other than that it’s a great ink.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored.

Ink Review #1492: PenBBS 181 Haitian Sea

PenBBS 181 Haitian Sea is from Season 13 and comes in 60ml bottles. I purchased my sample of ink from Vanness Pens.

The color:

Haitian Sea is a pale Carolina blue.

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: 30 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 a lot feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Haitian Sea is a little less purple than PenBBS Serenity and a little less saturated than Sailor Ink Studio 143. Click here to see the PenBBS inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M805 Ocean Swirl with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s very close to PenBBS Serenity that I reviewed yesterday, it’s just a little less purple though. It’s too light for me in the smaller nib sizes, but I do like it in a Pelikan broad nib.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored.

Ink Review #1491: PenBBS 179 Serenity

PenBBS 179 Serenity is from Season 13 and comes in 60ml bottles. I purchased my sample of ink from Vanness Pens. The color reminds of spring so I knew I had to try it out!

The color:

Serenity is a pale cornflower blue.

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: 30 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 a lot feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Serenity is a little more purple than PenBBS Haitian Sea and a little lighter than Sailor Ink Studio 243. Click here to see the PenBBS inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used an Esterbrook Estie Lilac with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a nice spring blue, but it’s too light for me in the smaller nib sizes. I like it best in a wet broad nib.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored.

Ink Review #1490: De Atramentis Pink Rose Gold

De Atramentis Pink Rose Gold is a new store exclusive at Izumi Pens. Thanks to Izumi Pens for sending this ink in for review!

The Bottle:

This ink is available in the standard 45ml De Atramentis glass bottle.

The color:

Pink Rose Gold is a bubblegum pink with rose gold shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has a ton of rose gold 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: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was a lot feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Pink Rose Gold is closest to Diamine Pink Glitz. Click here to see the De Atramentis inks together, and click here to see the pink inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Sailor Pro Gear Sparkling Pink with a broad nib on a Taroko Odyssey notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a nice bright spring pink. I like the rose gold shimmer, which is a bit unusual. The only other ink I’ve tried with rose gold shimmer is Robert Oster Blood Rose and Schwartz Rose. This ink does have a lot of shimmer so I did have a few clogs with the smaller nib sizes but it did fine in a wet broad nib.

Disclaimer: This ink was provided by Izumi 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.

Ink Review #1489: PenBBS 175 Stendhal

PenBBS 175 Stendhal is from Season 13 and comes in 60ml bottles. I purchased my sample of ink from Vanness Pens. This ink was based on Stendhal, aka Marie-Henri Beyle, a 19th-century French writer.

The color:

Stendhal is a deep wine red.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks less saturated than it does on the previous swab.

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 24 lb copy paper there was a lot feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Stendhal is closest to Ferris Wheel Press Candy Marsala. Click here to see the PenBBS inks together, and click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Studio Terracotta with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a lovely ink, great for the fall and winter seasons.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored.

Ink Review #1488: PenBBS 153 Burning of the White House

PenBBS 153 Burning of the White House is from Season 12 and comes in 60ml bottles. I purchased my sample of ink from Vanness Pens. This ink was based on the burning of the White House on August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812.

The color:

Burning of the White House is a medium black with gold shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks darker 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: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was a lot feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Burning of the White House is closest to De Atramentis Velvet Black Gold. Click here to see the PenBBS inks together, and click here to see the black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Sailor Pro Gear Slim Purple Cosmos with a zoom nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this ink is pretty well behaved, but I’m not a big fan of the black and gold combo. It’s not an ink I ever really need, but it does perform well.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored.