Ink Review #1501: Oblation Olive

Oblation Olive is made for Oblation Papers & Press by Papier Plume. Thanks to Oblation for sending this ink over for review!

This ink is available in 30ml glass bottles with a wax fleur de lis on the lid.

The Color:

Olive is a bright medium olive green.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks much darker overall, but ranges from a medium chartreuse to a deep olive.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Walmart 20lb copy paper there was quite a bit of feathering and bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Olive is a little bit brighter than Robert Oster Saguaro Green. Click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, I love this ink’s shading! It’s a lovely green but it can be a bit hard to read in the lighter shades. I prefer this ink in a broad nib.

Disclaimer: This ink was provided by Oblation 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 #1500: KWZ Forest Park Green

The 2021 St. Louis Pen Show starts this weekend and this year it’s virtual! I get excited to see the show exclusive KWZ ink each year. The 2019 show ink Butterscotch is still one of my all-time favorite inks. This year is KWZ Meet Me in St. Louis 2021 “Forest Park Green” and it’s a beauty! You can order this ink at the virtual pen show!

The Color:

Forest Park Green is a bright grass green.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some black sheen where it pooled.

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, low black sheen, and no shimmer.

On Walmart 20lb copy paper there was quite a bit of feathering and bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Forest Park is darker than Robert Oster Ryde Green and lighter than Robert Oster Evergreen. Click here to see the KWZ inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, I loved this ink. It’s a great color, flows well and has some lovely shading. I would absolutely recommend picking up a bottle at the pen show!

Disclaimer: This ink was provided by the organizers of the St. Louis Pen Show 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 #1499: Kobe 01 Rokko Green

Kobe 01 Rokko Green is from Kobe’s standard lineup. Quite a while ago a pen friend gave me a bottle and I realized I’ve never posted a review. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The Color:

Rokko Green is a deep olive green.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more like a dark forest green.

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: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was quite a bit of feathering and bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Rokko Green looks like a darker version of Sailor Jentle Epinard. Click here to see the Kobe 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 a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, it’s a nice dark green, pretty well behaved with a nice wet flow.

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

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.