Ink Review #1335: Standard Bindery Stargaze

Standard Bindery was a new-to-me brand when I started this review a few months ago, but since I started it Standard Bindery inks are no longer available. Since the review was already finished I decided to go ahead and publish it. If you would like to find a bottle, the used market may be your best bet.

The color:

Stargaze is a dark grey/black with a green undertone.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some interesting black 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: low shading, medium 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:

Stargaze has a stronger green undertone than any of these inks.

Longer writing:

I used a Franklin-Christoph 45L Italian ice with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a nice well-behaved ink. I enjoyed the strong green undertone as well as the little bit of shading.

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 #1334: Diamine Peacock Flare

We have one more Diamine Shimmertastic ink to cover: Diamine Peacock Flare. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Peacock Flare is a medium teal with lots of shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has a little bit of pink sheen and plenty 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: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: medium shading, tiny pink sheen, and silver shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Peacock Flare is closest to Robert Oster Crystal Marine. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the teal inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, I love the color of this ink, but then I’m partial to teal inks. It’s well behaved, has some fun properties and is one of my favorite inks from the Shimmertastic collection.

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 #1333: TWSBI Red

TWSBI Red 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:

Red is a medium red that leans pink.

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.

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

Comparison Swabs:

TWSBI Red is less orange than Robert Oster Direct Sun but more pink than Sailor Jentle Irori. Click here to see the TWSBI inks together, and click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Al-star Purple with a fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I’m not a fan of this one. It’s a little too pink and definitely too strong smelling for me, I got a headache just from writing the full page shown above.

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 #1332: TWSBI Blue

So far this week we’ve covered TWSBI Black and Blue Black from the recent standard color collection, so today let’s look at TWSBI Blue, sometimes referred to as Sapphire Blue. 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 is a standard medium 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 bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Blue is closest to Diamine Washable Blue. Click here to see the TWSBI 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 slightly dry flow.

Overall, this ink is well-behaved and affordable, I just with the flow was a little bit wetter. I’m glad I tried it, but it’s not a must-have for me.

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 #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.