Ink Review #1331: TWSBI Blue Black

TWSBI Blue Black is part of their recent collection of standard colors. This ink is available in 70ml glass bottles. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Pen Chalet (aff. link) and Vanness Pens.

The color:

Blue Black is a classic medium blue black.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink gets very dark 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: 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 and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

TWSBI Blue Black is closest to Sailor Blue Black. Click here to see the TWSBI inks together, and click here to see the blue black 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, I love the color, price, water resistance and the little bit of shading. It’s definitely 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 #1330: TWSBI Black

TWSBI Black is part of their recent collection of standard colors. This ink is available in 70ml glass bottles. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Pen Chalet (aff. link) and Vanness Pens.

The color:

Black is a dark black with black sheen.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has plenty of sheen but no 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: no shading, high black 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:

TWSBI Black is closest to Pilot Black. Click here to see the TWSBI inks together, and click here to see the black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Custom 823 Smoke with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow, it was actually so wet that I had to close off the end cap so it wouldn’t gush quite so much.

Overall, it’s a great basic black with some sheen and I love the wet flow. It’s absolutely worth a try, especially for the price!

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 #1329: Diamine Rockin Rio

I’m so close to finishing up the Diamine Shimmertastic collection, so let’s keep it going with Diamine Rockin Rio. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Rockin Rio is a burnt orange with gold shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some shading and lots of silver shimmer.

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 gold shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Rockin Rio is darker than J Herbin 1798 Cornaline d’Egypte and less saturated than Diamine Firefly. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the orange inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Kaweco Sport Orange with a double broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this is an interesting color, a little different from the other orange shimmer inks I’ve tried. It’s not a must-have for me, but still worth a try.

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 #1328: Ferris Wheel Press Pumpkin Patch

Ferris Wheel Press Pumpkin Patch is an ink I’ve been meaning to review for quite a while, but never quite got around to it. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Pumpkin Patch is a medium orange, a perfect color for the fall season.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink 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: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Pumpkin Patch is closest to 3 Oysters Orange. Click here to see the Ferris Wheel Press 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 slightly dry flow.

Overall, I enjoyed this ink, but it is a little dry for me. The color is perfect for early autumn.

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 #1327: Sailor Ink Studio 280

The original Sailor Ink Studio collection included 100 inks, but recently they retired three inks and introduced three new ones, including Ink Studio 280. I purchased my bottle of ink from Pen Chalet.

The color:

280 is an unsaturated green-brown that shades yellow, green and brown.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has lots of 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: 15 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering and just a little bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Ink Studio 280 has a lot more green in it than Robert Oster Khakhi. Click here to see the Sailor inks together, and click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Yellow with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I love the high shading, but the green-brown color isn’t my favorite so it’s not a must-have for me.

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 #1326: Diamine Neon Lime

I’ve been trying to finish up the Diamine Shimmertastic inks, so today’s ink is Diamine Neon Lime. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Neon Lime is a bright yellow-green.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some shading and lots of silver shimmer.

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 silver shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Neon Lime is brighter than Robert Oster Fizzy Lime. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Franklin-Christoph 45 in Spanish Moss with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this is a good happy spring green. It’s well-behaved and a great color, but it can be light in the smaller nib sizes, so I would stick to the larger nib sizes.

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 #1325: Diamine Mystique

Diamine Mystique is from the most recent Shimmertastic collection. I purchased my sample of ink from Vanness Pens.

The color:

Mystique is a dark purple with gold shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink doesn’t have much shading, but does have plenty of gold shimmer.

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

Yes, I spilled a bunch of ink all over this page…

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Mystique is darker than all of these inks, closest to Robert Oster Barossa Gilt. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Platinum 3776 Nice Lavande with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this is a fun ink! It’s much darker than most of the other shimmer inks I’ve tried, which makes it stand out from the crowd a bit.

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 #1324: Diamine Pink Champagne

Diamine Pink Champagne is from the most recent Shimmertastic collection. I purchased my sample of ink from Vanness Pens.

The color:

Pink Champagne is a medium coral pink with gold shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink doesn’t have much shading, but does have plenty of gold shimmer.

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: no shading, no sheen, and gold shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Pink Champagne has a bit more orange in it than any of the other pink shimmer inks I have. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the pink inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Franklin-Christoph 45 Pink and White (aka the “bacon pen”) with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I love the color of this ink-it’s more coral than any of the other shimmer inks I’ve tried, but it doesn’t have much shading or any sheen.

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 #1323: Sailor Manyo Yomogi

Sailor Manyo Yomogi is the last ink up for review from the first Manyo collection. I purchased my bottle of ink from Pen Chalet.

The color:

Yomogi is a medium teal blue.

Swabs:

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

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

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 and a little bit of bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Yomogi is more blue than Sailor Jentle Yama-dori. Click here to see the Sailor inks together, and click here to see the teal inks together.

Longer writing:

I used an Edison Beaumont Unicorn with a fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I love the color of this ink. It’s generally well-behaved and so pretty too!

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 #1322: Sailor Manyo Sumire

Sailor Manyo Sumire is from the first Manyo collection. I purchased my bottle of ink from Pen Chalet.

The color:

Sumire is a bright sky blue.

Swabs:

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

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering and a little bit of bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Sumire is one shade darker than Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki. Click here to see the Sailor inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Al-star Pacific Blue with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, this is a great alternative to Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki for those who don’t love Pilot inks. It’s a gorgeous color, well-behaved and has some pretty shading and sheen.

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.