Ink Review #1108: Diamine Beau Blue

Diamine Beau Blue is a very pale blue. I bought a bottle of this ink a few years ago from Cult Pens, but I’ve never used it much so it’s time to test it out.

The color:

Beau Blue is a pale baby 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: None

Show through: Low

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes but no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Beau Blue is the same tone as Tono & Lims Yamanashi, but it’s much lighter. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Kaweco Sport Serenity Blue-fine nib on a Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, while this ink behaves well it is very pale and hard to comfortably read. I think I would use this ink more for lettering and art rather than drawing.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself, and 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 #1107: Sailor Manyo Akebi

I fell hard for the two Sailor Manyo inks I’ve tried, so I decided to go ahead and check out a third, Sailor Manyo Akebi. I purchased my bottle of ink from Pen Chalet.

The color:

Akebi is a medium magenta purple.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has a ton of 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: 10 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low-there was a bit of feathering on Rhodia.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes and bleeding in the swab only.

Comparison Swabs:

Akebi is similar to Diamine Robert, but has just a little less sheen. Click here to see the Sailor inks together., and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Sailor Pro Gear Shamrock-broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. (I’m in love with this pen by the way-sparkly and amazing) The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I really like this ink. It has a good wet flow, dries quickly, has plenty of shading and sheen, and it’s pretty!

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 #1106: Kyo-no-oto 09 Sakuranezumi

Today’s ink is Kyo-no-oto 09 Sakuranezumi. I wrote all of the writing samples out for this ink and realized I left the “I” off the end, but we’re just going to run with it so please pretend there’s an i there. Thanks to Shigure Inks for sending a sample over for review!

The color:

Sakuranezumi is a dark dusky purple.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some pretty shading and turns black where it pooled, but doesn’t actually 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: Medium

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 in most nib sizes and bleeding in the swab only.

Comparison Swabs:

Sakuranezumi is similar to Robert Oster Claret, but doesn’t have quite as much depth. Click here to see the Kyoto inks together., and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Vanishing Point Crossed Lines-medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a very dry flow.

Overall, it’s a lovely moody purple color, but the flow is pretty dry which cased some skipping.

Disclaimer: This ink was provided by 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.

Pure Pens Inks

I love testing out different brands and it’s time to try out some Pure Pens inks. I managed to snag a few samples in a group buy a while ago, and another few from a kind reader. Thanks to the reader that sent some samples in!

Swabs:

Left to right: Llanberis, Cadwaladr, Pendine Sands, Cwm Idwal, Glens of Antrim, Saltire Blue, Celtic Sea, Porthurno Cove and Flower of Scotland.

Writing samples:

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

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: low shading, some sheen, and no shimmer. Cwm Idwal, Saltire Blue and Flower of Scotland all have a little bit of sheen on Tomoe River paper.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Llanberis is similar to Sailor Jentle Chu-shu.

Cadwaladr is similar to Franklin Christoph Sweet Maroon.

Pendine Sands is close to Robert Oster Red Orange.

Cwm Idwal is a bit more blue than Ferris wheel Press Peppermint Drop.

Glens of Antrim is a bit brighter than Colorverse Sea of Tranquility.

Saltire Blue is a bit more purple than Monteverde Peace.

Celtic Sea is a bit darker than Robert Oster Blue Lagoon.

Porthcurno Cove is a bit lighter than L’artisan Pastellier Turquoise.

Flower of Scotland is warmer than Kobe Sannomiya Panse.

I used a Mabie Todd swan on a Taroko Enigma notebook. All of the inks had an average flow.

Overall, I found these inks to be well behaved and lovely colors. I need to get the rest of their inks to try out.

Disclaimer: I purchased some of these inks, and some were 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 is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1096: Diamine Asa Blue

Let’s take a look at one more Diamine ink this week before we move onto some new inks-Diamine Asa Blue. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens about 3 years ago.

The color:

Asa Blue is a vibrant medium blue.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some pretty 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: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-there was just a little bit of bleeding in the larger nib sizes.

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes and bleeding in the flex nib only.

Comparison Swabs:

Asa Blue is a little bit darker than Colorverse Supernova, KWZ Hawaii Blue and Blackstone Barrier Reef Blue. Click here to see the Diamine 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 a Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a nice medium blue but there are a lot of inks this color.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself, and 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 #1095: Diamine Aqua Lagoon

I’m sticking with yesterday’s bright theme today with Diamine Aqua Lagoon. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens.

The color:

Aqua Lagoon is a medium vibrant blue. It has just a hint of green in it, but not enough to make it a teal.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks a bit more green and has just a touch 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: 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 but no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Aqua Lagoon is just a little bit more vibrant than Robert Oster Clearwater Rain. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Al-star Bronze with a fine nib on a Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had an average flow and some really great shading.

Overall, it’s a great vibrant blue ink-well behaved and a pretty color. I reach for this ink every summer when I want a bright blue.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself, and 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 #1094: Diamine Apple Glory

I’ve been in the mood for more color lately. I’m sick of winter and absolutely ready for spring, and bright colors will magically bring it, right? Let’s take a look at Diamine Apple Glory. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens.

The color:

Apple Glory is a vibrant medium green.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks darker, and has just a little bit of 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, 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 but no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Apple Glory is a little more vibrant than Sailor Ink Studio 460. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M600 Vibrant Green with an extra fine nib on a Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had an average flow, almost borderline dry, just a little bit.

Overall, I like this ink. I love the color, but I wish the flow was just a little bit wetter. It’s a great color match for my Pelikan M600 Vibrant Green.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself, and 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 #1093: Diamine Amaranth

I tried a sample of Diamine Amaranth not too long after I bought my first fountain pen and then quickly forgot about it. A reader recently sent in a sample and I was happy to give it another go. Thanks to the reader that sent this ink in! You can find this ink for sale at most pen retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Amaranth is an unsaturated burgundy.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some warm 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: 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 but no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Amaranth is similar to Noodler’s Black Swan in Australian Roses. 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 Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I enjoyed this ink. It’s a nice color and pretty well behaved too. It’s a great alternative for those who like the color of Noodler’s Black Swan in Australian Roses.

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.