Octopus Fluids Pastell Inks

Recently I’ve been trying out a new-to-me brand called Octopus Fluids. I wanted to start their ink reviews off with the Pastell series-6 very pale inks. Thanks to Octopus Fluids for sending these inks over for review!

Swabs:

Left to right: Pebble Stone, Cherry Blossom, Living Coral, Poppy Pods, Crystal Blue and Blue Iris.

Dry Time:

All six inks dried in 20-30 seconds.

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

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

Other properties: low to medium 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:

Pebble Stone is closest to Montblanc Spider Gray.

Cherry Blossom is closest to Sailor Ink Studio 237. Living Coral is closest to Sailor Jentle Sakura-mori.

Poppy Pods is closest to Pen Saijiki Kazahana.

Crystal Blue is right in-between Pure Pens Porthcurno Cove and Pilot Iroshizuku Ebisu.

Blue Iris is cooler-toned than Vinta Maskara.

Longer Writing:

I used a Taroko Enigma notebook. All six inks had an average but watery flow.

Overall, all of these inks are a bit light for me. They would be great for art but not for everyday writing. Out of the six Pebble Stone is my favorite color but Crystal Blue is the most readable in writing.

Disclaimer: These inks were provided by Octopus Fluids 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.

Thinkers Notebook Version 2

I reviewed the first Thinkers Notebook back in August but they recently released a second version which we are gong to look at today. Thanks to Thinkers for sending a copy over for review!

Size:

6.5" by 8.67" with a recycled leather cover and ribbon bookmark.

The paper is 120 gsm premium Munken paper, with 256 numbered pages using a 5mm dot grid.

The edges of the notebook feature an orange to black color fade.

Format:

The pages have space for a title at the top and a 5mm dot grid.

The page numbers are probably my favorite feature.

Fountain Pens:

Every ink feathered and bled at least a little, which is so disappointing after the first version. It handled all of the standard pens and highlighters I tried below.

This notebook is designed to be used with the app, but there isn’t a way to name files or group them by subject. It also crashes often. The app just isn’t for me I think.

Overall, I’m sad they changed the paper from the first version, which I preferred. I love the color on the edge of the pages but don’t love how blatant the branding is on the cover. There just isn’t enough I love about it that makes me want to use it often.

Disclaimer: This notebook was provided by Thinkers Notebook for the purpose of this review. All photos and opinions are my own. There are no affiliate links on this page and this post is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1359: Ferris Wheel Press Little Robinia

Ferris Wheel Press Little Robinia is from the Spring 2020 collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Little Robinia is a pale mauve purple.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more blue and shows off the blue undertone in 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: 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 in all nib sizes as well as a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Little Robinia is much paler than the other purple inks. Click here to see the Ferris Wheel Press 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 a super dry flow.

Overall, while I find the color interesting it’s not dark enough for everyday use. It’s also super dry which makes for great shading but not a great writing experience for me. This one is a solid no for me.

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 #1358: Monteverde Tanzanite

Let’s take a look at Monteverde Tanzanite. This ink was a late addition to the Monteverde Gemstone collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Pen Chalet (aff. link) and Vanness Pens.

The color:

Tanzanite is a dark blurple.

Swabs:

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

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Tanzanite has more blue in it than Monteverde Wisdom or Mulberry Noir, but less blue than Monteverde Charoite. Click here to see the Monteverde inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot VP Twilight with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow. I did have some flow issues with this combo-the ink felt a bit sticky and had some skips and hard starts.

Overall, I love the color and the price but I did have a few issues with the flow. It’s just not a home run 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 #1357: Cross Violet

I purchased a bottle of Cross Violet from a local pen friend a while ago, but never got around to reviewing it so today’s the day. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Violet is a medium saturated violet.

Swabs:

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

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Violet has a little more blue in it than Montblanc Beatles but not as much blue as 3 Oysters Violet. Click here to see the Cross 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, it’s a gorgeous color with a little bit of fun shading and sheen. I enjoy using this ink but it tends to get drowned out by all the new shading and sheening inks.

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 #1356: PenBBS 182 April Diamond

PenBBS 182 April Diamond is from PenBBS season 13. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

April Diamond is a pale blurple-right in-between blue and purple.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more blue and 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: 15 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low

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:

April Diamond is lighter than Sailor Ink Studio 343. Click here to see the PenBBS inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, I think the color is really interesting but the flow is a bit dry for me. I add a little White Lightning (ink additive) to make the flow a bit wetter and then I enjoy it a lot more.

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 #1355: Aurora Purple

Aurora Purple is from their 100th Anniversary ink collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Pen Chalet (aff. link) and Vanness Pens.

The color:

Purple is a bright magenta purple.

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: 30 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:

Purple is darker than PenBBS 137 Wisteria Sinensis and lighter than Pilot Iroshizuku Yama-budo. Click here to see the Aurora inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, it’s fine but there’s not anything I particularly love about it.

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 #1354: Kaweco Summer Purple

I really enjoyed the two Kaweco inks I’ve reviewed so far but I tend to forget that I’ve never reviewed the rest of them, so let’s look at Kaweco Summer Purple. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Summer Purple is a medium eggplant purple.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has just a tiny 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: 10 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low.

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Summer Purple is closest to Diamine Purple Dream and KWZ Berry, but is less saturated than both of them. Click here to see the Kaweco inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M600 Violet with a fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I would call this an average ink-a little feathering and bleeding on some papers and an average flow. It does dry in a quick 10 seconds which is nice. I’m glad I tried it but I don’t like it enough to need a full bottle.

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 #1353: Lamy Violet

A kind reader sent me a few Lamy Violet cartridges to try! I had forgotten about Lamy Violet. I prefer bottled inks and Lamy Violet (like Waterman Pink) is only available in cartridges. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Pen Chalet (aff. link).

The color:

Violet is exactly what it sounds like-a medium violet purple.

Swabs:

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

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

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-only on Leuchtturm.

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:

In swabs Violet is closest to Montblanc Beatles but in writing it’s closer to Monteverde Purple Reign. Click here to see the Lamy inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Safari Violet with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow. The shading is a bit subtle but it’s there if you look for it.

Overall, this ink is a bit paper dependent. It does well on Tomoe River (as 99% of inks do), but feathers on Rhodia and feathers and bleeds on Leuchtturm. I really loved this ink on TR, but I don’t love it on any other papers.

Disclaimer: This ink was provided by a reader for the purpose of this review. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does contain affiliate links but this post is not sponsored in any way.