Ink Review #1699: Kobe 02 Hatoba Blue

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Kobe is a brand I come back to again and again, just because I love them so much. Today let’s look at Kobe 02 Hatoba Blue. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Hatoba Blue is a medium ocean blue.

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

Swabs:

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

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper there was some feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Hatoba Blue is closest to Waterman Serenity Blue in writing. Click here to see the Kobe inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M805 Vibrant Blue with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I really enjoyed this ink. It’s a pretty color, has a nice wet flow and some shading and sheen too. I don’t think it’s a must-have for most people, but I really enjoyed it.

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

Ink Review #1698: Vinta Fortaleza

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Vinta Ochre Fortaleza 1797 from Series 3 is a pretty medium brown. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Fortaleza is a medium golden brown.

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

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink turns black where it pooled.

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:

Dry time: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper there was some feathering and bleeding in the larger nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Fortaleza is closest to SBRE Brown. Click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

I used an Edison Collier Persimmon Swirl with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I enjoyed this ink. It has a nice color with some pretty shading.

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

Ink Review #1697: Scribo Classico Seppia

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We have two more brown inks to look at this week before we move onto some new inks. Today let’s look at Scribo Classico Seppia. This ink is available in square glass 90ml bottles. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Seppia is a medium brown with a red undertone.

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

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks darker with a flat finish.

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:

Dry time: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper there was some feathering and bleeding in the larger nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Seppia is closest to Diamine Chocolate Brown. Click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M800 Renaissance Brown with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a slightly dry flow.

Overall, this is a nice, well-behaved brown ink, if slightly dry. There’s just nothing about it that jumps out at me and says “you need me!”

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

Ink Review #1696: 3 Oysters Gogung

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We are continuing on with brown inks this week! Today’s brown ink is 3 Oysters Gogung from the I.Color.U collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Gogung is a dark cool-tone brown.

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

Swabs:

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

Dry time: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper there was some feathering and bleeding in the larger nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Gogung is closest to Colorverse Space Laika. Click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M800 Renaissance Brown on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow.

Overall, this is a fine ink, but rather too dry for me.

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

Ink Review #1695: Van Dieman's Leatherwood Honey Amber

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Van Dieman’s Leatherwood Honey Amber is from the Colors of Tasmania collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Leatherwood is a medium honey brown.

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

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks much darker.

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:

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Medium

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper there was some feathering and bleeding in the larger nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Leatherwood is darker than Robert Oster Muddy Sand, and more golden than Robert Oster Khakhi. Click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, I enjoyed this ink on Tomoe River paper, but it does have a fair bit of feathering on other papers. I love the color but the performance is a bit off for me.

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

Ink Review #1694: Kobe 40 Sumiyoshi Brown

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Thanksgiving is coming up fast, so I’m reaching for all the brown inks this week! Let’s take a look at Kobe #40 Sumiyoshi Brown from Kobe’s standard lineup. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Sumiyoshi Brown is a dark espresso brown.

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

Swabs:

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

Dry time: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper there was some feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Sumiyoshi Brown isn’t super close to any of the other brown inks I have. Click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Waterman Ideal on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a good standard brown ink. I do wish the flow was a little bit wetter, but it’s well behaved and has a bit of shading too!

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

Ink Review #1693: Ferris Wheel Press Cream of Earl Grey

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Ferris Wheel Press Cream of Earl Grey is from the Spring 2020 collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Cream of Earl Grey is a pale pink-brown with shading.

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

Swabs:

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

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:

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper there was a little bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Earl Grey is less pink than FWP Madam Mulberry and way lighter than the other brown inks. 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, this ink is way too light and dry for me. It would be a great ink for art but not for everyday writing.

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

Ink Review #1692: PenBBS 218 Spicy Lobster

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PenBBS 218 Spicy Lobster is from season 14. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Spicy Lobster is a bright orange-red with gold shimmer.

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

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has lots 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.

*For my writing samples I use:

Dry time: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper there was lots of bleeding and feathering.

Comparison Swabs:

Spicy Lobster is closest to Diamine Firefly. Click here to see the orange inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Transparent Orange with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a slightly dry flow, there was some clogging.

Overall, this ink is an interesting color but I did have some issues with the shimmer clogging the nib. It worked best when I stuck to wet broad nibs and flex nibs.

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

Ink Review #1691: PenBBS 158 Cherry Blossom

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PenBBS 158 Cherry Blossom is from season 12. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Cherry Blossom is a light coral pink.

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

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.

*For my writing samples I use:

Dry time: 15 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper there was lots of bleeding and feathering.

Comparison Swabs:

Cherry Blossom is closest to Birmingham Sweetheart. Click here to see the pink inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Kaweco Sport Coral with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow.

Overall, the color is pretty but was too light for me in the smaller nib sizes. The flow is a bit dry for me as well, but worked fine when I stuck to wet broad nibs. I could take or leave this ink, just not a must-have for me.

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

Ink Review #1690: PenBBS 154 Zhu Ziqing

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PenBBS 154 Zhu Ziqing is from season 12. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Zhu Ziqing is a bright summery orange.

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

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.

*For my writing samples I use:

Dry time: 60 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper there was lots of bleeding and feathering.

Comparison Swabs:

There are quite a few similar ink colors. 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 an average flow.

Overall, this is a lovely, well-behaved orange. It does take a long time to dry though. There are a lot of other orange inks this color, so you might already have something similar.

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