Ink Review #1092: Pilot Blue

When I purchased my Pilot Custom 823 Smoke with a broad nib, there was a bottle of Pilot Blue ink included in the box. I’m 100% in love with my 823 by the way-it’s amazing and my only regret is that I didn’t buy a second one with a medium nib at the same time (in a different color of course!). So let’s take a look at Pilot Blue! I purchased my 823 with the included ink from Pen Chalet, but you can buy Pilot Blue on its own from Vanness Pens.

The Bottle:

The bottle is a heavy glass 70ml.

The color:

Pilot Blue is a standard classroom and work appropriate blue.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some coppery 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: None

Other properties: medium shading, tiny sheen, and no shimmer. The sheen was only visible in large swabs on Tomoe River paper.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering and a few spots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Pilot Blue is less vibrant than Pilot Iroshizuku Tsuyu-kusa. Click here to see the Pilot inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Montegrappa Copper Mule with a fine nib on a Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had a slightly wet flow.

Overall, it’s a good basic blue. I found it to be just a little bit better behaved than Pilot Black or Blue Black. It is a large 70ml bottle so it will take me a long time to go through that much ink.

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 in any way.

Ink Review #1091: Pilot Blue Black

Let’s take a look at another standard Pilot ink, Pilot Blue Black. Thanks to Vanness Pens for providing a sample for review!

The color:

Blue Black is a classic blue black.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some 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: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low-there was a bit of feathering on Rhodia and Leuchtturm in the larger nib sizes.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-there was a bit of bleeding on Leuchtturm.

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering but no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Blue Black is a bit darker than Sailor Jentle Blue. Click here to see the Pilot inks together, and click here to see the blue black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Vanishing Point Galaxy with a broad nib on a Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had a slightly wet flow.

Overall, just like the Pilot Black I reviewed yesterday, I enjoyed this ink, but it does have a bit more feathering and bleeding than I like on some papers. While it’s a good basic blue black, there are better blue black inks out there.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by Vanness Pens. 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 #1090: Pilot Black

Now that I’ve made it through all of the Pilot Iroshizuku inks I want to get the Pilot standard inks reviewed too, starting with Pilot Black. Thanks to Vanness Pens for providing a sample for review.

The color:

Pilot Black is a classic, standard black ink.

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: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low-there was a bit of feathering on Rhodia and Leuchtturm in the larger nib sizes.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-there was a bit of bleeding on Leuchtturm.

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering and a few spots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Pilot Black is similar in color to Colorverse Sunspot. Click here to see the Pilot inks together, and click here to see the black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Custom 823 Smoke with a broad nib on a Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had a slightly wet flow.

Overall, I enjoyed this ink, but it does have a bit more feathering and bleeding than I like on some papers. I would call it a good black ink but not a great one.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by Vanness Pens. 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 #1089: De Atramentis Pearl Violet

We are going to take a look at another reader request today, De Atramentis Pearl Violet. Thanks to the reader that sent this ink in for review! You can find this ink for sale at popular pen retailers, including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Pearl Violet is a dark unsaturated violet.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks much 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: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Medium-this ink feathered in most nib sizes on Rhodia and the flex nib on Leuchtturm paper.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering and a few spots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Pearl Violet is a bit darker than Tono & Lims Mie, but not as dark as Diamine Grape or as vibrant as KWZ Gummiberry. Click here to see the De Atramentis inks together and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M600 Violet with a fine nib on a Leuchtturm notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, the flow is a bit wet, and has some heavier feathering than the average ink because of it. I enjoy this ink on Tomoe River paper because of the wet flow, but the feathering made me not like it on the other papers.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by a reader 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 #1088: Sailor Shikiori Yozakura

Today’s ink is Sailor Shikiori Yozakura. Thanks to the reader that sent a sample in for review! You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Pen Chalet.

The color:

Yozakura is a pale purple with a pink undertone.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks much 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: 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 and a few spots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Yozakura is closest to Tono & Lims Kyoto. Click here to see the Sailor inks together and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Franklin-Christoph 45L Italian Ice with a medium nib on a Leuchtturm notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I really like the color of this ink-it’s a good color for this time of year, when winter isn’t quite over but spring isn’t here yet either.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was 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 #1087: Bungubox L'amant

I’ve enjoyed the Bungubox inks I’ve tried so far, but lately I’ve lost a little love for the brand due to the price increase. Bungubox L’amant was available in 50ml bottles for $43, but recently they changed bottle size and price so now a 30ml bottle is a whopping $49. The price has really become a turnoff for me, but I’m still going to review the ones I can samples of, so let’s take a look at Bungubox L’amant. Thanks to the reader that sent this sample in for review! You can find this ink for sale at Anderson Pens.

The color:

L’amant is a bright medium purple, rather close to a magenta.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some 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: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering and a few spots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

L’amant is similar to Colorverse Einstein Ring and Sailor Ink Studio 735. Click here to see the Bungubox 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 a Leuchtturm notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I like this ink-the only think I don’t like is the price.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by a reader 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 #1086: Rohrer & Klingner Aubergine

I have a love/hate relationship with limited edition inks-today’s limited edition ink is Rohrer and Klingner Aubergine. This ink was a limited edition ink in 2018 and is no longer available unfortunately. Thanks to the reader that sent a sample in for review!

The color:

Aubergine is a dark, cool-tone purple, almost an eggplant color.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some brown 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: 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 and a few spots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Aubergine is closest to PenBBS 95 Lin Huiyin and Sailor Ink Studio 950. Click here to see the R&K inks together and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, I enjoyed this ink. It’s well behaved and a pretty color. If you missed out on this ink when it was available, you might want to give PenBBS 95 Lin Huiyin or Sailor Ink Studio 950 a try!

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by a reader 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 #1085: Troublemaker Foxglove

Let’s take a look at Troublemaker Foxglove. Thanks to Shigure Inks for sending a sample over for review!

The color:

Foxglove is a medium dusky purple with some shading.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some blue 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: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering and no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Foxglove is warmer in tone than Pilot Iroshizuku Murasaki-shikibu. It’s much darker than Pen Saijiki Fujifusa. Click here to see the Troublemaker inks together and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Transparent Purple with a medium nib on a Leuchtturm notebook. The ink had a dry flow.

Overall, I like the color, but the flow is a little too dry for me. There is a little bit of blue shading, but it’s hard to get in writing. After trying some of the other Troublemaker shading inks I was just hoping for a bit more shading. You could call it a dual shader since it shades a different color than the base, but it’s hard to get it outside of large swabs.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by a 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.

Ink Review #1084: Kobe 18 Sannomiya Panse

It’s time to move on to some purple inks this week, starting with Kobe 18 Sannomiya Panse, sometimes also called Sannomiya Pansy. Thanks to the reader that sent this sample in for review! You can purchase this ink at most ink retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Panse is a pretty, dark purple.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some silver 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: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering and no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Sannomiya Pense is a little warmer than Robert Oster Bishop to King and Colorverse Hayabusa. Click here to see the Kobe inks together and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Vanishing Point Twilight with a medium nib on a Leuchtturm notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I really enjoyed this ink. It’s a pretty color and has a little shading and sheen too.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by a reader 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 #1083: Robert Oster Australian Opal Blue

Let’s take a look at another Robert Oster ink today, Australian Opal Blue. I purchased my bottle of ink from Pen Chalet.

The color:

Australian Opal Blue is a pale spring blue, almost a baby blue.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some shading but no 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: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering and no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Australian Opal Blue is a bit paler than Diamine Aqua Blue and a bit warmer than Tono & Lims Yamanashi. Click here to see the Robert Oster inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Edison Beaumont Unicorn with a fine nib on a Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had a dry flow. The ink seemed to have evaporated in the pen a bit, so it was more concentrated when I first started the page.

Overall, it’s a pretty blue but it’s a bit too light for me in smaller nibs and the flow is a bit too dry. Since I already have a full bottle of this I will try adding some ink additive next time to improve the flow and use it in a larger nib. It’s not a bad ink it’s just not a great one either.

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 in any way.