Ink Review #1632: Waterman Inspired Blue

Waterman is a classic fountain pen ink brand, one of those brands that new inks get compared to. I haven’t reviewed most of the Waterman inks yet, so it’s time! We are starting off with Inspired Blue. This ink is available in 50ml bottles at most retailers, including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Inspired Blue is a bright turquoise blue.

*For my swab cards I use the Col-o-ring by Skylab Letterpress, a medium Pilot Vanishing Point and a Mabie Todd Swan.

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.

*For my writing samples I use:

• EF, F, M, and B Pilot Vanishing Points

• Vintage Mabie Todd Swan (flex nib)

• Rhodia Goalbook

• Taroko Enigma notebooks (68gsm TR)

• Leuchtturm A5

• Pen & Gear Paper from Walmart

Dry time: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper there was feathering in all nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Inspired Blue is closest to Aurora Turquoise. Click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, this is a wonderful turquoise blue, well behaved and pretty. It’s absolutely worth a try.

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

Ink Review #1631: Scribo Blu Cosmico

Scribo is a new-to-me ink brand, so let’s start off the brand with Blue Cosmico. This ink is available in 90ml bottles. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Blu Cosmico is a midnight blue black.

*For my swab cards I use the Col-o-ring by Skylab Letterpress, a medium Pilot Vanishing Point and a Mabie Todd Swan.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some gorgeous copper sheen.

Writing samples:

Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.

*For my writing samples I use:

• EF, F, M, and B Pilot Vanishing Points

• Vintage Mabie Todd Swan (flex nib)

• Rhodia Goalbook

• Taroko Enigma notebooks (68gsm TR)

• Leuchtturm A5

• Pen & Gear Paper from Walmart

Dry time: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: medium shading, monster copper sheen, and no shimmer.

On 20 lb copy paper there was feathering in all nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Blu Cosmico is closest to Aurora Blue Black. Click here to see the blue black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Vanishing Point Azure with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a slightly dry flow.

Overall, this is a lovely ink. I wish it had a wetter flow, but other than that it’s well behaved and a great color.

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

Ink Review #1630: 3 Oysters Hangangmul

Today’s blue black ink is 3 Oysters Hangangmul. I purchased my sample of ink from Pen Chalet.

The color:

Hangangmul is a deep blue black.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some pretty deep red 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: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was feathering in most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Hangangmul is closest to Aurora Blue Black. Click here to see the 3 Oysters inks together, and click here to see the blue black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Mini Rose Gold with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow.

Overall, this is a nice blue black! It’s pretty well behaved and a lovely color too!

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

Ink Review #1629: Kobe 38 Kitanosaka Night Blue

Kobe 38 Kitanosaka Night Blue is from Kobe’s standard collection and is available in 50 ml bottles. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Kitanosaka is a deep moody blue black.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some pink and 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: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Kitanosaka is lighter than Diamine 1864 Blue Black. Click here to see the Kobe inks together, and click here to see the blue black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Franklin-Christoph 46 Blue Diamondcast with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I really like this ink. It’s well behaved, has a nice wet flow, and I love the pink and green sheen!

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

Ink Review #1628: Van Dieman's Blackened Seas

Van Dieman’s Blackened Seas is from the Midnight series and comes in 30ml bottles. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Blackened Seas is right in-between blue and blue black.

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: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was feathering in all nib sizes but only a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Blackened Seas is lighter than Rohrer & Klingner Verdigris. Click here to see the Van Dieman’s inks together, and click here to see the blue black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Vanishing Point Wish with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this ink is generally well-behaved, but there’s nothing about it that jumps out at me. I could go either way on this one, fine but not great.

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

Ink Review #1627: Kobe 23 Nagata Blue

We are continuing blue black ink week with Kobe 23 Nagata Blue. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Nagata is a deep blue black.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some pretty copper 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, medium copper sheen, and no shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Nagata Blue is less saturated than Robert Oster Thunderstorm. Click here to see the Kobe inks together, and click here to see the blue black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Safari Petrol with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, this is a lovely ink! It's a nice dark color, but still has some character from the shading and sheen.

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

Ink Review #1626: Cross Blue Black

We are starting Blue Black ink week with Cross Blue Black! Blue Black is from Cross’s standard collection and is available in 2 oz bottles. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Blue Black is a neutral blue black.

Swabs:

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

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Blue Black is a little bit lighter than Kobe Kaikyou Blue. Click here to see the Cross 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 a wet flow.

Overall, I really enjoyed this ink! I actually love it so much I put a full bottle of it on my wishlist. It would be a great everyday, office appropriate ink!

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

Pennonia Inks Part 6

We have one more set of Pennonia inks to go over: Young Wine, Chestnut Brown, Sour Cherry, Devil Red and Cotton Candy. Thanks to Shigure Inks for sending these inks over for review!

Swabs:

Left to right: Chestnut Brown, Young Wine, Sour Cherry, Devil Red and Cotton Candy

Writing samples:

Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.

Dry Time: 30-50 seconds

Water Resistance: Low-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 a bit of feathering in every nib size as well as a little bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Chestnut Brown is lighter than Montblanc Toffee Brown.

Young Wine is similar to Montblanc Seasons Greetings.

Sour Cherry is a little lighter than Monteverde Napa Burgundy.

There are a lot of inks close to Devil Red including Monteverde Valentine Red.

Cotton Candy is a little darker than Birmingham Cranberry Nobel.

Longer Writing:

I used a Taroko Odyssey notebook, four of the inks had an average flow and Devil Red had a dry flow.

Overall, Young Wine is my favorite, I love the color and it’s well behaved. You can’t go wrong with any of these inks, but Devil Red is a little dry for me.

Disclaimer: These inks were provided by Shigure Inks 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.

Ink Review #1620: Robert Oster Cult Blue

Today’s ink is Robert Oster Cult Blue, a Cult Pens exclusive ink. Thanks to Cult Pens for sending this ink over for review!

The Color:

Cult Blue is a blue-black with a strong purple undertone.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper there is some bronze 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: low shading, tiny bronze sheen, and no shimmer. There is some shading there, but it’s very subtle so I would call it low rather than medium.

On Walmart 20lb copy paper there was just a little bit of feathering and bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Cult Blue is a little less saturated than Robert Oster Blue Black. Click here to see the Robert Oster inks together, and click here to see the blue black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Mini Rose Gold with a medium nib on a Taroko Odyssey notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I enjoyed this ink. It is similar to Robert Oster Blue Black, so unless your are an ink addict you probably don’t need both.

Disclaimer: This ink was provided by Cult Pens 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.