Ink Institute Inks
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Swabs and links to Ink Institute ink reviews.
Read MoreInk Review #1271: Colorverse 75 Somnium
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The Colorverse Johannes Kepler set includes three 5ml ink bottles: 73 Planetary Motion, 74 Conjecture and 75 Somnium. We’ve covered Planetary Motion and Conjecture, so it’s time for Somnium. Thanks to Shigure Ink for sending this ink over for review!
The color:
Somnium is a dark, unsaturated green.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some pretty 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: 30 seconds
Water resistance: Medium
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 bleeding in all nib sizes.
Comparison Swabs:
Somnium is closest to Diamine Green Umber. Click here to see the Colorverse inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a TWSBI Eco Cement Grey with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.
Overall, this is a lovely winter green, perfect for December/January. I don’t love the 5ml bottle, but I enjoyed the ink itself.
Disclaimer: This ink was provided by Shigure Ink 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 #1270: Colorverse 74 Conjecture
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The Colorverse Johannes Kepler set includes three 5ml ink bottles: 73 Planetary Motion, 74 Conjecture and 75 Somnium. Yesterday we looked at Planetary Motion so we are going to look at Conjecture today. Thanks to Shigure Ink for sending this ink over for review!
The color:
Conjecture is a dark wine red.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some pretty 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: 40 seconds
Water resistance: Low
Feathering: Low
Show through: Medium
Bleeding: Low
Other properties: medium shading, no sheen, and no shimmer.
On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.
Comparison Swabs:
Conjecture is closest to Diamine Burgundy Royale. Click here to see the Colorverse inks together, and click here to see the red inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a Lamy Al-star Purple with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.
Overall, (like Planetary Motion from this same set) I enjoyed the ink but I’m not in love with the tiny 5ml bottle. I like the lovely shading and the dark color, but it’s not a must-have for me.
Disclaimer: This ink was provided by Shigure Ink 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 #1269: Colorverse 73 Planetary Motion
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The Colorverse Johannes Kepler set includes three 5ml ink bottles: 73 Planetary Motion, 74 Conjecture and 75 Somnium. Let’s take a look at Planetary Motion first. Thanks to Shigure Ink for sending this ink over for review!
The color:
Planetary Motion is an unsaturated dark blue.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has a slight green tone to it.
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: Low
Show through: Medium
Bleeding: Low
Other properties: medium shading, low red sheen, and no shimmer.
On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.
Comparison Swabs:
Planetary Motion is closest to Sailor Ink Studio 640. Click here to see the Colorverse inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a Lamy Safari Petrol with an medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.
Overall, I enjoyed the ink but I’m not in love with the tiny 5ml bottle. It’s rather spendy for the tiny amount of ink, and it is a bit messy to fill your pen with since you can’t put the nib straight in the bottle.
Disclaimer: This ink was provided by Shigure Ink 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 #1268: Sailor's Sailor
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Sailor’s Sailor, despite having a slightly silly name, was developed to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Sailor Ink Studio events. I dream of one day being able to attend an Ink Studio event and having Sailor’s ink mixer Osamu Ishimaru make me my own custom ink-it’s on my bucket list. Thanks to Shigure Ink for sending this ink over for review!
The color:
Sailor is a beautiful medium blue that shades to a darker blue.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some beautiful shading and rose 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: 30 seconds
Water resistance: Medium
Feathering: None
Show through: Medium
Bleeding: Low
Other properties: high shading, high rose gold sheen, and no shimmer.
On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.
Comparison Swabs:
Sailor is closet to KWZ Azure #3, but shades much lighter and darker than Azure’s base. Click here to see the Sailor inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a Pelikan M600 Turquoise with an extra fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.
Overall, I love this ink. I love that it shades and sheens, even in an extra fine nib. The color is great, the shading and sheen are fabulous and the wet flow is lovely. I will be using this ink often!
Disclaimer: This ink was provided by Shigure Ink 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 #1267: Diamine Tropical Green
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Diamine Tropical Green is another ink from the 150th Anniversary collection released in 2014. You can find this ink at Pen Chalet (aff. link) or Vanness Pens.
The color:
Tropical Green is a medium jungle green.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks darker and has a little bit of 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
Show through: Medium
Bleeding: None
Other properties: medium shading, tiny red 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:
Tropical Green is a little bit darker than Pilot Iroshizuku Shin-ryoku. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a Bonecrusher Studios pen with a Regalia Writing Labs Crossflex nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow, but struggled to keep up with the super wet flex nib. It looks much darker in this wet nib than it does in drier nibs.
Overall, it’s an interesting green ink, but it does struggle to keep up with super wet nibs.
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 #1266: Robert Oster Taiwan Blue
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Robert Oster True Blue was originally exclusive to Vitstyle and Juspirit, released at the Taiwan Pen Show and is now available worldwide. You can find this ink for sale at Pen Chalet (aff. link) or Vanness Pens.
The color:
Taiwan Blue is a medium blue with a slight green undertone.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some pretty 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: Low
Feathering: Low
Show through: Medium
Bleeding: Low
Other properties: medium shading, medium pink sheen, and no shimmer.
On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in all nib sizes.
Comparison Swabs:
Taiwan Blue is a little bit lighter than Robert Oster Blue Denim. Click here to see the Robert Oster inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a Pelikan M805 Ocean Swirl with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.
Overall, it’s another Robert Oster blue. It’s pretty well behaved and has some pretty shading and sheen but there are a lot of other inks similar to this one.
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 #1265: Diamine Safari
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Diamine Safari is from the 150th Anniversary collection released in 2014. You can find this ink at Pen Chalet (aff. link) or Vanness Pens.
The color:
Safari is a dark army green.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks darker and has some interesting 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: Medium
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 but no bleeding.
Comparison Swabs:
Safari has a lot more yellow in it than these other greens. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a Kaweco Al-sport Petrol with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.
Overall, it’s a lovely army green, perfect for the fall and winter seasons.
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 #1264: Robert Oster Vine Leaf
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Robert Oster Vine Leaf is another recent release from Robert Oster. You can find this ink at most retailers including Vanness Pens.
The color:
Vine Leaf is a light spring green.
Swabs:
In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks a little bit darker.
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 all nib sizes and just a few dots of bleeding.
Comparison Swabs:
Vine Leaf is closest to Sailor Ink Studio 260. Click here to see the Robert Oster inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a Lamy Safari Turquoise with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.
Overall, it’s a lovely light green but it can be rather pale, especially in smaller nibs and therefore hard to read. I think I would reach for this ink the most in the spring and early summer.
Disclaimer: 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 #1263: Diamine Carnival
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Diamine Carnival is from the 150th Anniversary collection released in 2014. You can find this ink at Pen Chalet (aff. link) or Vanness Pens.
The color:
Carnival is a deep wintery red.
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: 15 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 but just a few dots of bleeding.
Comparison Swabs:
Carnival is closest to Robert Oster Royal Red. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the red inks together.
Longer writing:
I used a Pilot Vanishing Point Galaxy with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.
Overall, this is another great ink from Diamine. The color is more winter appropriate than spring or summer.
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.