January 23, 2022

Ink Review #1736: Kobe 50 Kyomachi Legend Blue

January 23, 2022/ Kelli McCown

We are looking at blue inks this week, today’s blue is Kobe 50 Kyomachi Legend Blue. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Kyomachi Legend Blue is a classic medium 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 just a little bit of 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:

Dry time: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Kyomachi is closest to Tono & Lims I Feel so Refreshed. Click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Transparent Blue with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, this is another good blue ink from Kobe. They do a great job on their inks, and this one is no exception.

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

January 22, 2022

Ink Review #1735: Kobe 42 Rokko Island Sky Blue

January 22, 2022/ Kelli McCown

We are looking at blue inks this week, today’s blue is Kobe 42 Rokko Island Sky Blue. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Rokko Island is a pale sky 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 just 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:

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Rokko Island is cooler-toned than most of these blues, and lighter than Kobe Shioya Blue. Click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Al-star Pacific Blue with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, this is a nice blue ink, but it is rather light, especially in the smaller nib sizes.

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

January 19, 2022

Ink Review #1734: Kobe 37 Minatojima Island Blue

January 19, 2022/ Kelli McCown

We are looking at blue inks this week, today’s blue is Kobe 37 Minatojima Island Blue. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Minatojima Island is a dark admiral 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 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.

*For my writing samples I use:

Dry time: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Minatojima is closest to Kobe 14 MayaLapis Lazuli. Click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used an Esterbrook Estie Lilac with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I love the dual pink and green sheen, I just wish it was more apparent in writing. Other than the dual sheen it is pretty close to Kobe 14 so you 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.

January 18, 2022

Ink Review #1733: Kobe 36 Sakae Machi Indigo

January 18, 2022/ Kelli McCown

We are looking at blue inks this week, today’s blue is Kobe 36 Sakae Machi Indigo Blue. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Sakae Machi is a medium cornflower 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 some deep 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: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Sakae Machi is closest to Lennon Tool Bar Ganlan. Click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Vanishing Point Tropical Turquoise with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, this is a lovely ink. It’s well behaved, a beautiful color and even has a little shading and sheen.

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

January 17, 2022

Ink Review #1732: Kobe 26 Wadamisaki Blue

January 17, 2022/ Kelli McCown

We are going to take a look at some blue inks this week, starting with Kobe 26 Wadamisaki Blue. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Wadamisaki Blue is a bright turquoise 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 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: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Wadamisaki Blue is closest to Waterman Inspired Blue. Click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M600 Turquoise with an extra fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I enjoyed this ink. It’s a pretty bright blue with a little bit of shading. It isn’t unique enough for me to need a full bottle, but it’s a good ink.

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

January 15, 2022

Wearingeul Demien Inks

January 15, 2022/ Kelli McCown

Wearingeul recently came out with a new line of inks called Demien, two of which are Mature and Lost. Thanks to Wearingeul for sending these inks over for review! You can find these inks for sale on Amazon (aff. link).

Swabs:

Left to right: Mature and Lost.

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

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: 30-40 seconds

Water Resistance: 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 bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Mature is lighter than Monteverde Azure Noir.

Lost is much lighter than the other blue ink swabs I had with me.

Longer Writing:

I used an Odyssey A5 notebook. Both inks have an average flow.

Overall, out of the two I prefer Lost. It starts off more grey when wet and dries to a smokey blue. It can be a bit too light in smaller nib sizes though, so if readability is a concern I would go with Mature.

Disclaimer: This product was provided by Wearingeul 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.

January 14, 2022

Wearingeul Jekyll to Hyde Ink Set

January 14, 2022/ Kelli McCown

I love trying out new inks so I was excited when I recently got a set of Wearingeul Jekyll to Hyde in the mail. Thanks to Wearingeul for sending these inks over for review! You can find these inks for sale on Amazon (aff. link).

This set is a bit unique because it has a standard bottle of ink called Jekyll and a bottle of Hyde that you add an activating solution to so it changes color from red to purple.

Swabs:

Left to right: Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde

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

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: 20-30 seconds

Water Resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

Other properties: low shading, Hyde has low green sheen and no shimmer.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was a bit of feathering in every nib size as well as bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Jekyll is less saturated than Colorverse Dirty Red.

Hyde is a bit lighter than Penlux Mo Plum.

Longer Writing:

I used a Taroko Odyssey notebook. Both inks have an average flow.

Overall, I like Hyde better than Jekyll. The color-changing solution is interesting, but not a necessary thing for me-I would’ve liked the ink just as well if it started out the correct color.

Disclaimer: This product was provided by Wearingeul 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.

January 13, 2022

Ink Review #1727: Colorverse 004 Dirty Red

January 13, 2022/ Kelli McCown

Colorverse 004 Dirty Red is from the Colorverse Project series of inks. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Dirty Red is a deep maroon red.

*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 red.

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: Low-mostly on Rhodia paper.

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Dirty Red is closest to Diamine Mulled Wine. Click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

I used an Esterbrook Estie Maraschino with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, there was more feathering and bleeding than I like to see, but the color is nice and work appropriate. It’s not a must-have for me and I found it behaves best on Tomoe River paper.

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

January 11, 2022

Ink Review #1726: Van Dieman's Tasmanian Safron

January 11, 2022/ Kelli McCown

Van Dieman’s Tasmanian Safron is from the Van Dieman’s Harvest series of inks. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.