Ink Review #1785: Laban Zeus Purple

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Laban Zeus Purple is from Laban’s Greek Mythology collection. Thanks to Goldspot for sending this ink over for review!

The color:

Zeus Purple is a deep magenta purple.

*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 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.

*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 bronze sheen, and no shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Zeus is closest to Birmingham Boysenberry. Click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Ishime Burgundy with a medium nib on an Odyssey notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this is a lovely purple ink with some character.

Disclaimer: This product was provided by Goldspot 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.

Ink Review #1784: Vinta Ubi

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Vinta Mulberry Ubi is from Vinta’s Series 3 collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Mulberry Ubi is a deep plum purple.

*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 bit of 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: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Mulberry Ubi is closest to Robert Oster Dark Chocolate. Click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Lilac with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this is a nice purple ink, generally well behaved and a pretty color.

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

Ink Review #1783: Esterbrook Lilac Shimmer

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Today’s purple ink is Esterbrook Lilac Shimmer. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Lilac Shimmer is a medium purple 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 some shading and 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: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Lilac Shimmer is closest to J Herbin Amethyste de L’oural. Click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

Somehow my longer writing sample disappeared and I don’t have enough ink to do another one.

Overall, there’s a little more feathering and bleeding than I prefer, but the color is nice and the shimmer is pretty. I prefer J Herbin Amethyste de L’oural over 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 #1782: Vinta Makopa

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Vinta Makopa is from Vinta’s Series 3 collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Makopa is a bright magenta purple.

*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 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: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

Other properties: no shading, monster green sheen, and no shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Makopa’s base color is similar to Diamine Bougainvillea. Click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Al-star Vibrant Pink with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow.

Overall, this is a lovely magenta ink with lots of sheen. I’m not a big fan of monster sheeners so this isn’t the ink for me, but it’s 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 #1781: Van Dieman's Sweet Fig

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Van Dieman’s Sweet Fig is from Van Dieman’s Tassie/Seasons collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Sweet Fig is a deep plum purple.

*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 shading, but not much.

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: Medium

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Sweet Fig is closest to Kobe 09 Suma Purple. Click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Sailor Pro Gear Slim Purple Cosmos with a zoom nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, there is too much feathering and bleeding for me to love this one. I prefer Kobe Suma Purple for this color rather than Sweet Fig.

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

Ink Review #1780: Vinta Harlequin Bodabil

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Vinta Harlequin Bodabil is from Vinta’s Series 3 collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Bodabil is a deep purple with lots of green sheen.

*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 plenty 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: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: no shading, monster green sheen, and no shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Bodabil is a little darker than Van Dieman’s Royal Starfish. Click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Sailor Pro Gear Slim Purple Cosmos with a zoom nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow.

Overall, I can see this ink being popular-it has a ton of green sheen and is well behaved. I’m not a fan of a ton of sheen so this ink isn’t 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 #1779: Van Dieman's Golden Orb Web

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Van Dieman’s Golden Orb Web is from Van Dieman’s Night collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Golden Orb Web is a bright golden yellow 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 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.

*For my writing samples I use:

Dry time: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Golden Orb Web is close to Van DIeman’s Hastings Caves except that it has gold shimmer not silver. Click here to see the yellow inks together.

Longer writing:

I used an Esterbrook Estie Sunflower with a broad nib on an Odyssey notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this is a nice yellow shimmer ink, easily readable in a broad nib.

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

Ink Review #1778: IWI Grain in Ear

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IWI Grain in Ear is from IWI’s standard collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Grain in Ear is a bright sunshine yellow.

*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 nice 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: 5 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Medium

Show through: Low

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Grain in Ear is similar to Ink Institute Circular Line. Click here to see the yellow inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Yellow with a broad nib on an Odyssey notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, the color is nice and bright in a broad nib, but can be too light in the smaller nib sizes. It also has a lot more feathering than I like to see, so it’s not a must-have ink 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 #1777: Kakimori Kurun

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Kakimori Kurun is from Kakimori’s pigmented collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Kurun is an unsaturated dark green.

*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: 100 seconds

Water resistance: High

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Kurun is closest to Yoseka Origin #1. Click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Kaweco Sport Sage with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I love the water resistance but it does take a wicked long time to fully dry. Due to the pigment you do need to make sure you clean your pens well after using this ink. I don’t love the flow of this ink, it just wasn’t as smooth as most inks are. I’m just not in love with it.

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