Top 10 Shading Inks
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My current top 10 shading inks!
Read MoreInk Review #1144: KWZ Iron Gall Gold
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KWZ Iron Gall Gold isn’t really gold to me, it’s more of a very unsaturated brown. This is an iron gall ink so it gets a bit darker as it dries, but be careful how long you leave it in steel nib pens-it can degrade them over time. Thanks to the reader that sent this sample in for review! You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.
The color:
Iron Gall Gold is a dark unsaturated, cool-tone brown.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink dries to a dark shiny finish, but doesn’t actually sheen. After a week of drying the ink drops still look wet.
Writing samples:
Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.
Dry time: 50 seconds
Water resistance: Medium-some of the ink washed away, but you might still be able to read it.
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 no bleeding.
Comparison Swabs:
When compared to other KWZ inks I would consider “gold”, IG Gold is just dark brown. IG Gold is much cooler in tone than any of the other brown inks I have. Click here to see the KWZ inks together, and click here to see the brown inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a Pelikan M200 Gold Marbled with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow.
Overall, I’m not a big fan of this one. The flow is much drier than I prefer, and I’m not in love with the color.
Disclaimer: 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 #1143: Pelikan Edelstein Moonstone
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Let’s take a look at Pelikan’s Ink of the Year for 2020, Moonstone. I purchased my sample of ink from Vanness Pens.
The color:
Moonstone is a pale silvery grey.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks a bit more yellow and complex.
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-some of the ink washed away, but you might still be able to read it.
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 but no bleeding.
Comparison Swabs:
Moonstone is a bit lighter than Montblanc Spider Gray, and less blue than Diamine Silver Fox. Click here to see the Pelikan inks together, and click here to see the grey inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a Franklin-Christoph 45 Vanness with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a drier than average flow. Since this broad nib is pretty wet it did fine with this ink, but I would probably only use it in wet nibs.
Overall, it’s a nice neutral grey, but there’s nothing about it that wows me. The flow is a bit drier than I prefer, but that can be overcome with a wet nib. I’m glad I tried it, but I don’t need a full bottle of this one.
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 #1142: Troublemaker Petrichor
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Today’s ink is a bit usual; Troublemaker Petrichor is interesting because it’s green when wet and dries to a different color entirely. I wasn’t really sure what to call this color so I compared it to a lot of other swabs and decided it’s closest to grey, with purple and green shading (yes, I will compare it to some Sailor Ink Studio inks below). Thanks to Shigure Inks for sending a sample over for review!
The color:
Petrichor is a moody grey-purple with pops of green.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks way more purple than it does in writing, and you don’t see the green as much.
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: high shading, no sheen, and no shimmer. The shading was visible in every nib size I tried.
On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.
Comparison Swabs:
Petrichor is a bit lighter than Sailor Ink Studio 223, but much darker than 123. It’s also more grey than Vinta Armada. Click here to see the Troublemaker inks together, and click here to see the grey inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a TWSBI Eco Transparent Green with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a drier than average flow.
Overall, this ink is really interesting. Starts green, dries to purple-grey with purple and green shading. I love playing with this ink, but it can be rather light in some nib sizes, so I wouldn’t use this as an everyday ink just as a fun ink.
Disclaimer: A sample of 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.
Ink Review #1141: De Atramentis Mouse Grey
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Let’s take a look at a reader request today, De Atramentis Mouse Grey. Thanks to the reader that sent this sample in for review! You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens (and it’s on sale right now too!)
The color:
Mouse Grey is a medium cool-tone grey.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more blue 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: 15 seconds
Water resistance: Medium
Feathering: Low-this ink did have some feathering on Rhodia and the largest two nibs on Leuchtturm
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 broad and flex nib.
Comparison Swabs:
Mouse Grey is a bit cooler in tone than Diamine Silver Fox, but it lacks the blue tone than PenBBS Zi has. Click here to see the De Atramentis inks together, and click here to see the grey inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a Pelikan M805 Stresemann with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow. This nib is pretty wet on its own and paired with this wet ink it almost gushed.
Overall, I like the color and it has a nice wet flow, but it does feather a bit more than I like. The ink almost behaves like a pigment ink-it dries to a very matte, almost chalk-like finish, like a lot of the pigment inks I’ve tried.
Disclaimer: 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 #1140: Lamy Mango
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Each time Lamy releases a new ink I get excited to try it out. They’ve had some hits and misses with their limited edition inks, so let’s take a look at the newest one: Lamy Mango. I purchased my bottle of ink from Vanness Pens.
The color:
Mango is right in-between yellow and orange. If I had to pick one I think it leans a bit more toward yellow.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more orange, and even shades to red.
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: medium shading, no sheen, and no shimmer.
On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.
Comparison Swabs:
Mango is closer to the yellow inks I have rather than the oranges. It’s similar to Diamine Amber, Bungubox Sweet Potato Yellow and Diamine Sunshine Yellow, but much less saturated and with a bit more red in it. Click here to see the Lamy inks together, and click here to see the yellow inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a TWSBI Eco Transparent Orange with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow. You can see that it’s darker in the first paragraph where the feed was more saturated and gets lighter as you continue writing and the dry flow is more apparent.
Overall, it’s a bit light and dry, so I would keep this ink in broad or flex nibs. I’m not in love with it by any means, but it’s one I think I would use occasionally.
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 #1139: Troublemaker Luneta Twilight Pink
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Let’s take a look at Troublemaker Luneta Twilight Pink. Thanks to Shigure Inks for sending a sample over for review!
The color:
Luneta Twilight Pink ranges from a medium pink to more of a bright coral depending on the paper.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has just a bit of shading, and looks more yellow where the ink pools.
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 in most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.
Comparison Swabs:
When compared to other inks Luneta looks a bit more coral. It’s a bit more pink than Sailor Ink Studio 230, but not quite as pink was Kobe Oji Cherry. Click here to see the Troublemaker inks together, and click here to see the pink inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a TWSBI Eco Pastel Pink with a fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wetter than average flow, which worked well in this fine nib.
Overall, it’s an interesting bright pink. It worked well in the Eco fine nib which struggles with drier inks.
Disclaimer: A sample of 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.
Ink Review #1138: Diamine Lavender
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Let’s take a look at one more Diamine ink before we move on to some new inks: Diamine Lavender. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens a while ago.
The color:
Lavender is just that-a medium lavender purple.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks a bit warmer toned than it does in the Col-o-ring swab. It has just a tiny bit of copper sheen, which is hard to capture in pictures.
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 copper sheen, and no shimmer. The sheen is only visible in large swabs on Tomoe River paper.
On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.
Comparison Swabs:
Lavender is a bit lighter and cooler toned than Diamine Majestic Purple. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a Sailor Pro Gear Slim Red Supernova with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.
Overall, it’s a good color and pretty well behaved. This ink is a little bit different depending on what paper it’s on. It looks a bit warmer in large swabs on Tomoe River than it does in a fine nib on copy paper.
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 #1137: Diamine Kensington Blue
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We are continuing on with Diamine inks today with Diamine Kensington Blue. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens a while ago.
The color:
Kensington Blue is a pale dusky blue.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper there’s some pretty shading. I love this color so much.
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 most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.
Comparison Swabs:
Kensington Blue is a bit less saturated than Sailor Ink Studio 840. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a Pelikan M605 White Transparent with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow. I’m in love with this pen/paper/ink combo right now, I’ve been using it for my personal journaling lately.
Overall, I really love this color. The ink is well behaved and affordable too. It’s a win for me.
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 #1136: Diamine Jet Black
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Let’s take a look at a black ink today, Diamine Jet Black. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens a few years ago.
The color:
Jet Black is a standard medium black.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink dries to a bit of a shiny finish but I wouldn’t actually call it 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: 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 in most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding in the medium nib for some reason.
Comparison Swabs:
Jet Black is just a little bit bluer in tone than Pilot Iroshizuku Take-sumi. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the black inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a Kaweco Al-sport Black with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.
Overall, it’s a good basic affordable black ink. It can be a bit light with the little bit of shading, it turns to more of a grey than black.
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.