Ink Review #1219: Diamine Saddle Brown

I love how affordable Diamine inks are, and they come in multiple bottle sizes which is great. I purchased a bottle of Diamine Rustic Brown from Cult Pens a while ago, but never played with it much until now.

The color:

Saddle Brown is a very unsaturated red-brown.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more 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: 30 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 some bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Saddle Brown is a little bit more red than Pilot Iroshizuku Tsukushi. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Franklin-Christoph 46 in Autumn Oak with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, the color isn’t my favorite and I wish it had a bit more shading. It’s nice, but not a must-have.

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 #1218: Diamine Rustic Brown

I’ve been slowly working my way through all the Diamine inks, so today it’s time to look at Diamine Rustic Brown. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens a few years ago.

The color:

Rustic Brown is a dark red brown.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more burgundy than brown.

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, no sheen, and no shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Rustic Brown is more red than most of the brown inks I have, Robert Oster Chocolate is the closest. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Kaweco Al-sport Red with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s well behaved but I’m not in love with the color, it’s more red than anything else. I’ll probably end up giving my bottle away.

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 Magazine

I love getting mail from Yoseka Stationery! I’m pretty sure I squealed like a little girl when I opened the most recent package. Hobby Stationery Box recently released a special edition Fountain Pen Ink magazine and it’s everything inky and wonderful. A while ago I saw an Instagram post about this magazine coming out. I never found out where to buy a copy, but Yoseka has come to the rescue and started carrying them for everyone ink obsessed (like me).

This magazine is 144 pages of inky goodness that displays over 2,000 different inks and is a must have for anyone who is interested in collecting ink. It is written in Japanese so Google Translate is your friend here.

There’s an amazing ink chart in the front of the magazine and pages that cover each brand individually. I love seeing brands I’ve never tried like Online…adding some to my wish list now!

There’s some helpful charts that show the different possibilities using the Platinum Mixable inks.

As well as some amazing illustrations done by different fountain pen artists. I love seeing all of the different bottle art.

There’s even some helpful charts and illustrations on everything from how to fill your pen to how to use them properly.

Overall, I’m 100% in love with this magazine. My only wish is that it came in English, but that won’t stop me from using it often!

Disclaimer: This product was provided by Yoseka Stationery. All photos and opinions are my own. There are no affiliate links on this page, and this review is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1217: Robert Oster Copper

Robert Oster Copper is one of Robert Oster’s inks that looks very different from how it sounds. I hear copper and I think something between red brown and orange, this is not that. I purchased my sample of ink from Pen Chalet (aff. link).

The color:

Copper is a dark but unsaturated burgundy red.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more purple brown.

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: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: medium shading, tiny black 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 but no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Copper feels like a darker version of Robert Oster Lipstick Red. Click here to see the Robert Oster inks together, and click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Sailor Pro Gear Slim Supernova Red with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a slightly dry flow.

Overall, I’m not a fan of this ink. The color really doesn’t speak to me, and the flow is a bit drier than I prefer.

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 #1216: Diamine Ruby

Let’s take a look at Diamine Ruby today. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens a few years ago.

The color:

Ruby is a medium unsaturated red.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more matte and unsaturated.

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: no shading, no sheen, and no shimmer.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes as well as some bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Ruby is closest to Robert Oster Blood Crimson. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Blossom Red with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a lovely red. It’s an interesting color and well behaved, but it lacks any shading or sheen to give it more depth. Since I love shading I don’t think I would reach for this ink often, but it’s a good basic red.

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 #1215: Monteverde Brown Sugar

Monteverde Brown Sugar is an interesting medium brown. It’s currently available in 90ml and 30ml glass bottles. You can find this ink at Pen Chalet (aff. link) or Vanness Pens.

The color:

Brown Sugar is a medium brown with a slight red tone.

Swabs:

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

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: low shading, tiny black 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 just a little bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Brown Sugar is closest to Montblanc Toffee Brown, Diamine Music Bach and Bungubox Piano Mahogany. Click here to see the Monteverde inks together, and click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M800 Renaissance Brown with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, it’s well behaved, but does look very different in drier nibs vs wetter nibs. It looks very dark in the Pelikan medium nib used above. It’s a lovely option if you are in need of a dark brown ink.

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 #1214: Diamine Royal Blue

Diamine Royal Blue is another ink that has been sitting in my ink drawer for quite a while, so it’s time to test it out! I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens a few years ago.

The color:

Royal Blue is a bright summery blue.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper you can see some pretty shading and a little bit of 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: 10 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low-there is just a little bit of feathering in the flex nib on Rhodia and Leuchtturm.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: low shading, tiny brown 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 as well as some bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Royal Blue is a little bit brighter than Diamine Washable Blue. Click here to see the Diamine 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 an average flow.

Overall, it’s a lovely summery blue-well behaved, affordable and fast drying.

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 #1213: Monteverde Black Ash

Monteverde Black Ash is an ink I’ve had in my drawer for a while but never really tried, so let’s test it out . You can find this ink at Pen Chalet (aff. link) or Vanness Pens.

The color:

Black Ash is a medium black that leans purple.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more blue violet than black.

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 just a little bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Black Ash is closest to Montblanc Ultra Black. 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 wet flow.

Overall, it’s a lovely ink. It’s not my favorite black because it leans so far toward purple, but it’s still worth a try.

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 #1212: Diamine Raw Sienna

Let’s take a look at Diamine Raw Sienna today. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens.

The color:

Raw Sienna is an unsaturated cool-tone brown.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks much cooler in tone 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: 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 some bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Raw Sienna is closest to Colorverse Soul. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Studio Terracotta with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a lovely cool-tone brown and affordable too!

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 #1211: Monteverde Documental Blue

I really wanted to try Monteverde Documental Blue aka Permanent Blue since I loved Monteverde Document Black so much-let’s take a look! You can find this ink at Pen Chalet (aff. link) or Vanness Pens.

The color:

Documental Blue is a medium blue, but slightly dusky.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has just a little bit of shading and 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: High

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Documental Blue is closest to Sailor Ink Studio 443 and Pilot Iroshizuku Asa-gao. Click here to see the Monteverde inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Vanishing Point Twilight with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I enjoyed this ink. It’s water resistant, has a little bit of shading and sheen and is affordable!

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