Ink Review #1454: Van Dieman's Hastings Caves

We are continuing on with yellow ink week today-let’s take a look at Van Dieman’s Hastings Caves from Van Dieman’s Wilderness collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Hastings Caves is a medium yellow with lots of silver shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks darker with plenty of 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: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Hastings Caves is closest to Robert Oster Aussie Liquid Gold. Click here to see the Van Dieman’s inks together, and click here to see the yellow inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Safari Mango with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a slightly dry flow.

Overall, this ink is generally pretty well behaved, but it is a little drier than I prefer. It’s pretty similar to Robert Oster Aussie Liquid Gold, so I probably don’t need both.

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

Ink Review #1453: Kobe 22 Shinkaichi Gold

Kobe 22 Shinkaichi Gold is from Kobe’s standard collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Shinkaichi Gold is a deep golden yellow.

Swabs:

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

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, tiny black sheen, and no shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Shinkaichi Gold is closest to Robert Oster Gold Antiqua. Click here to see the Kobe inks together, and click here to see the yellow inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, I enjoyed the color of this ink-it’s perfect for the fall and winter seasons. It’s well behaved and has some lovely shading!

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

Ink Review #1452: Colorverse 80 Brunch Date

Colorverse #80 Brunch Date is from Colorverse’s Joy in the Ordinary collection. You can find this ink for sale at Pen Chalet (aff. link) and Vanness Pens.

The color:

Brunch Date is a pale brown-pink.

Swabs:

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

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

Bleeding: None

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:

Brunch Date is pinker than Diamine Warm Brown. Click here to see the Colorverse inks together, and click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Kaweco Al-sport Gold with a fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow.

Overall, it is a bit pale so it can be hard to read in the smaller nib sizes, and it’s a bit dry for me. I’m just not sold on this one.

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

Ink Review #1451: Van Dieman's Ruby Slippers

Van Dieman’s Ruby Slippers is from Van Dieman’s Hollywood collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Ruby Slippers is a bright cherry red with silver shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has an average amount of 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: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Medium

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Ruby Slippers is closest to De Atramentis Camelian Red Silver. Click here to see the Van Dieman’s inks together, and click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M205 Star Ruby with a fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a lovely color but does have a bit more feathering and bleeding than I prefer. It’s similar to De Atramentis Camelian Red Silver but it clogs less.

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

Ink Review #1450: Van Dieman's Blonde Bombshell

Van Dieman’s Blonde Bombshell is from Van Dieman’s Hollywood collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Blonde Bombshell is a medium honey gold with gold shimmer.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has 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: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

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 and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Blonde Bombshell is cooler-toned than Diamine Golden Sands and lighter than Robert Oster Heart of Gold. Click here to see the Van Dieman’s inks together, and click here to see the yellow inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M400 White Tortoise with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this ink is lovely! It’s a great color, well-behaved and has plenty of shimmer. I don’t have another shimmer ink that’s too close to this one, so it’s somewhat unique.

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

Ink Review #1449: Van Dieman's Diamonds are a Girl's BFF

Van Dieman’s Diamonds are a Girl’s BFF is from Van Dieman’s Hollywood collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Diamonds is a medium magenta purple with silver shimmer.

Swabs:

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

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Medium

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Diamonds is closest to De Atramentis Magenta Red Silver. Click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Sailor Pro Gear Sparkling Pink with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, the color is beautiful, but there is more feathering and bleeding than I prefer, so I would probably stick to medium/broad nibs with this one.

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

Ink Review #1448: Van Dieman's Elizabeth's Violet Eyes

Van Dieman’s Elizabeth’s Violet Eyes is from Van Dieman’s Hollywood collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Violet Eyes is a medium red violet.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more like a true purple, but look at the ink drops below-so much feathering!

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: Medium

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Medium

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:

Violet Eyes is less saturated than Sailor Ink Studio 950 and lighter than Rohrer and Klingner Aubergine. 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 could take or leave this ink. It has more feathering and bleeding than I prefer, but it has a nice color, so…meh. I’m neutral on this one.

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

Ink Review #1447: Robert Oster Citrus

Robert Oster Citrus is a recent release from Robert Oster. I purchased my bottle of ink from Pen Chalet (aff. link).

The color:

Citrus is a bright lime green.

Swabs:

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

Citrus is a little brighter than Kyo-no-oto Moegiiro. Click here to see the Robert Oster inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, this is a lovely medium green. It’s nice and bright for the summer and well behaved too!

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 #1446: Kaweco Highlighter Yellow

Kaweco Highlighter Yellow is from Kaweco’s standard lineup, but it’s only available in cartridges. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Highlighter Yellow is a fluorescent yellow.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks very bright.

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: no shading, no sheen, and no shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Highlighter Yellow is darker than Thornton’s Highlighter Yellow but lighter than Tono & Lims Charge. Click here to see the Kaweco inks together, and click here to see the black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Franklin-Christoph 45 Kelly Green with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I don’t like this ink. It’s way too bright, even for a highlighter. It also only comes in cartridges, which I don’t love. It’s just a 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.