Ink Review #1205: Monteverde Documental Black

Monteverde Documental Black aka Permanent Black has been on my to-try list for quite a while. You can find this ink at Pen Chalet (aff. link) or Vanness Pens.

The color:

Documental Black is a very light black/dark grey.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has just a little bit of shading and dries to a shiny finish.

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: High

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:

Documental Black is much lighter and more grey than any of the other black inks. Click here to see the Monteverde inks together, and click here to see the black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Custom 823 in Smoke with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I really like this ink. It dries fast and is water resistant, but it’s more of a dark grey than a black so it doesn’t unseat my favorite black water resistant Platinum Carbon Black. It has a really nice wet flow and it’s an ink I will use often so I need to get a full bottle.

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

Ink Review #1204: Monteverde Ruby

Let’s take a look at Monteverde Ruby from the Gemstone collection. I purchased my bottle of ink from Pen Chalet (aff. link).

The color:

Ruby is a medium red that leans a bit orange.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has just a little bit of 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: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: low shading, tiny green sheen, and no shimmer. The sheen is only visible in large swabs.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Ruby is closest to Monteverde Love, but is a bit more complex. Click here to see the Monteverde inks together, and click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M205 Star Ruby with a fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wetter than average flow.

Overall, it’s a nice standard red with very little sheen and just a little bit of shading. It’s not my all-time favorite red, but it’s one I think I will use often.

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 #1203: Robert Oster Nederlands Eerste

Robert Oster Nederlands Eerste was exclusive to the 2019 Dutch Pen Show, 100 bottles were handed out by Patrick from Robert Oster. A penpal used this ink in one of their letters and very kindly sent me a sample.

The color:

Nederlands Eerste is a chartreuse, right in-between yellow and green.

Swabs:

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

Nederlands Eerste is more green than Colorverse Adobe but more yellow than Robert Oster Chartreuse. Click here to see the Robert Oster inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Al-Star Charged Green with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a slightly dry flow.

Overall, it’s an interesting color, rather unusual. The flow is a bit dry and it can be hard to read due to its light color, so it’s not an ink I need to track down a full bottle of, but it is fun to play with.

Disclaimer: This ink was provided by a pen friend 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 #1202: Monteverde Fireopal

Let’s take a look at Monteverde Fireopal from the Gemstone collection. I’ve reviewed most of them but haven’t gotten to this one yet. I purchased my bottle of ink from Pen Chalet (aff. link).

The color:

Fireopal is a fiery red orange.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink dries to a bit of a matte finish with some 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 some feathering in most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Fireopal is a little more red than KWZ Butterscotch but not quite as red as Diamine Blood Orange. Click here to see the Monteverde inks together, and click here to see the orange inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M600 Vibrant Orange with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wetter than average flow.

Overall, it’s a lovely red orange ink. It’s well behaved and has a nice wet flow-it’s one I will use often.

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.

Lennon Tool Bar Tea Color Inks

Lennon Tool Bar’s Tea Color collection includes: Sun Moon Lake Ruby Black Tea, Muzha Tieguanyin Tea and Wenshan Pouchong Tea. Thanks to Shigure Inks for sending samples over for review!

Swabs:

Left to right: Sun Moon Lake Ruby Black Tea, Muzha Tieguanyin Tea and Wenshan Pouchong Tea

Writing samples:

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

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Medium-there was feathering on Rhodia and Leuchtturm in both medium and flex nibs.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-there was some bleeding on Leuchtturm.

Other properties: low shading, no sheen, 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:

Sun Moon Lake Ruby Black Tea looks like a much less saturated version of Sailor Ink Studio 973.

Wenshan Pouchong Tea is more green than Tono & Lims Fukushima, but less green than Robert Oster Astorquiza Olive.

Muzha Tieguanyin Tea is a little bit lighter than Tono & Lims Afternoon Tea.

Longer Writing:

I used a Taroko Enigma notebook. All three inks had a wet and watery flow. I did have some flow issues with Muzha, it gushed ink at the beginning.

Overall, Wenshan Pouchong Tea is my favorite of the three, it’s the most well behaved. I don’t love the flow/behavior of the other two-there’s more feathering and bleeding than I like.

Disclaimer: These inks were 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 is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1198: KWZ Discovery Green

Dromgoole’s has a new KWZ exclusive ink! KWZ Discovery Green is another version of KWZ Sheen Machine but in green. Thanks to Dromgoole’s for sending this ink over for review!

The color:

Discovery Green is a dark green that leans toward teal.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more teal and has some pretty 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: Medium-there was feathering in the three larger nib sizes on Rhodia and Leuchtturm.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Medium-there was bleeding on Rhodia and Leuchtturm.

Other properties: low shading (there may be more but it’s hidden under all the sheen), high sheen, and no shimmer. The sheen is visible in all nib sizes on Tomoe River paper, and just a little bit in the flex nib on Leuchtturm paper.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering and bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Discovery Green is pretty close to Diamine November Rain. 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 Shamrock with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I love the color, flow and the pretty sheen, but it does have quite a bit of feathering and bleeding, and it is prone to smearing on Tomoe River paper.

Disclaimer: This ink was provided by Dromgoole’s 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.

Lennon Tool Bar 2019 Winter Inks

Lennon Tool Bar’s 2019 Winter collection includes: Plastic Sky, Winter Bamboo Shoots and Hard Rime. Thanks to Shigure Inks for sending samples over for review!

Swabs:

Left to right: Winter Bamboo Shoots, Hard Rime and Plastic Sky.

Writing samples:

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

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Medium-there was feathering on Rhodia and Leuchtturm in both medium and flex nibs.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Medium-there was bleeding on Rhodia and Leuchtturm in both medium and flex nibs.

Other properties: low shading, no sheen, 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:

Winter Bamboo Shoots is closest to Troublemaker Kelp Tea.

Hard Rime is a pale grey-blue, similar to how Lennon Tool Bar Cloudy Day is grey-blue.

Plastic Sky is closest to Vinta Perya.

Longer Writing:

I used a Taroko Enigma notebook. All three inks had a wet and watery flow.

Overall, I’m not in love with these inks. There’s a lot more feathering and bleeding than I prefer, mostly due to the watery consistency. I like the color of Plastic Sky the best, but it’s too light in most nib sizes.

Disclaimer: These inks were 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 is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1194: Diamine Quartz Black

Let’s take a look at an older ink today, Diamine Quartz Black. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens a few years ago.

The color:

Quartz Black is a medium, slightly unsaturated black.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has a 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: 15 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 but no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Quartz Black is closest to Jacques Herbin Noir Abyssal. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the black inks together.

Longer writing:

I started with a my new Platinum Curidas with a medium nib, but the nib was so messed up I quickly switched to an Esterbrook Estie Lilac with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook (I’ve sent the Curidas off to be fixed). The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a nice basic ink, but not one that stands out from all of the black inks out there.

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 #1193: Monteverde Raven Noir

Today’s ink is Monteverde Raven Noir from the Noir collection. These inks came out quite a while ago and this is the last one I need to review. I purchased my sample of ink from Goulet Pens quite a while ago.

The color:

Raven Noir is a dark grey/light black.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has just a little bit of gold 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: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: low shading, tiny gold sheen, and no shimmer. The sheen is only visible in large swabs.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Raven Noir is pretty close to Monteverde Coal Noir. Click here to see the Monteverde inks together, and click here to see the black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Vanishing Point Crossed Lines with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a slightly wetter than average flow.

Overall, it’s a good black ink but not my favorite one. Monteverde makes some other black inks I like better.

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.

Tono & Lims Earth Contact Inks Part 2

Tono & Lims has recently added three new inks to their Earth Contact lineup: 003 Opal, 004 Mali Garnet and 005 Diamond Dust. Thanks to Shigure Inks for sending samples over for review!

Swabs:

Left to right: 003 Opal, 004 Mali Garnet and 005 Diamond Dust.

Writing samples:

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

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low-there was some feathering on Rhodia and Leuchtturm.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Opal is much lighter and less saturated than the other yellow inks. Mali Garnet is lighter and brighter than the other green inks. Diamine Dust is much lighter and less saturated than Birmingham M. River Luster.

Longer Writing:

I used a Taroko Enigma notebook. All three inks had an average flow.

Overall, out of the three I like Diamond Dust the best. Opal is too light for me to easily read it.

Disclaimer: These inks were 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 is not sponsored in any way.