PenBBS Season 23

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Let’s take a look at five inks from PenBBS Season 23: Macau, Artemisia Absinthium, Matcha Ice Cream, Grape and End of Snow. You can find these inks for sale at Vanness Pens.

Swabs:

Left to right: Macau, Artemisia Absinthium, Matcha Ice Cream, Grape and End of Snow.

Writing samples:

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

Dry Time: 20-60 seconds

Water Resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: the first 4 inks had low-medium shading, End of Snow had medium black sheen and blue shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Macau is paler than the other pink inks I have.

Artemisia Absinthium is lighter than Sailor Ink Studio 370.

Matcha Ice Cream is close to Octopus Fluids Lindgrun.

Grape is similar to Robert Oster Berry d’Arche.

End of Snow is similar to Wearingeul Soyeongwije.

The first four inks had a dry flow, End of Snow had an average flow.

Overall, Macau and Artemisia Absinthium are too pale for me. Out of the five inks I think Grape is my favorite.

Disclaimer: All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links, and is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1826: KWZ Foggy Green

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Today’s ink is KWZ Foggy Green from KWZ’s standard collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Foggy Green is a deep petrol teal.

*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 black 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: 50 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper there is some feathering in all nib sizes as well as a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Foggy Green is similar to Noodler’s USS Texas. Click here to see the teal inks together.

Longer writing:

I used an Esterbrook Estie Montana Sapphire with a broad nib on a Taroko Breeze notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this is a nice ink. It’s well behaved and a lovely dark color.

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

Ink Review #1825: Private Reserve Blue Suede

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We are continuing on with teal inks-today is Private Reserve Blue Suede from Private Reserve’s standard collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Blue Suede is a deep teal.

*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: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper there is some feathering in all nib sizes as well as a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Blue Suede is similar to Monteverde Iced Cookie. Click here to see the teal inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot VP Tropical Turquoise with a medium nib on an Odyssey notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I enjoyed this ink. It’s well behaved and a nice color.

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

Ink Review #1824: Private Reserve Ebony Blue

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Today let’s take a look at Private Reserve Ebony Blue from Private Reserve’s standard collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Ebony Blue is a deep petrol 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 looks more blue than it does in the other swab.

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: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper there is some feathering in all nib sizes as well as a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Ebony Blue is similar to Colorverse Bluish Green. Click here to see the teal inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Safari Petrol with a medium nib on an Odyssey notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this ink is a nice dark color and well-behaved.

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

Ink Review #1823: Laban Hermes Sky Blue

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Laban Hermes Sky Blue is from Laban’s Greek Mythology collection. Thanks to Goldspot for sending this ink over for review!

The color:

Hermes is a light 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 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: 60 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

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 as well as a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Hermes is lighter than Birmingham Ice Age. Click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Leonardo Mother of Pearl with a medium nib on a Taroko Breeze notebook. The ink had a dry flow.

Overall, this ink is a bit light for me-I would stick to medium nibs or larger. Also, this ink is rather dry for me, I wish the flow was a bit wetter.

Disclaimer: This product was provided by Goldspot 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.

Diamine Limited Edition Inks

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Today let’s take a look at three Diamine limited edition inks: Lion Rock, Calm and Passion and Kong Girls. Thanks to the reader that sent these inks in for review!

Swabs:

Left to right: Lion Rock, Calm and Passion, Kong Girls.

Writing samples:

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

Dry Time: 20-30 seconds

Water Resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

Other properties: Lion Rock has low shading and medium green sheen. Calm and Passion has low shading and medium pink sheen. Kong Girls has low shading and blue shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Lion Rock is similar to Private Reserve Chocolat.

Calm and Passion is darker than Bungubox 4B.

Kong Girls is close to Diamine Lilac Satin.

Longer Writing:

I used a Taroko Breeze notebook. All 3 inks had an average flow.

Overall, out of the three Calm and Passion is my favorite. It’s well behaved and a nice dark color.

Disclaimer: This product was provided by a reader for the purpose of this review. This page does not contain affiliate links, and is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1819: Kakimori Zabun

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Today let’s take a look at Kakimori Zabun from Kakimori’s pigmented collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Zabun is an unsaturated teal.

*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: 70 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 as well as a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Zabun is less saturated than Diamine Eau de Nil. Click here to see the teal inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Kaweco Sport Cyan with a broad nib on an Odyssey notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I don’t love this ink. The flow feels a little bit thicker than it should be, I just didn’t enjoy it.

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

Ink Review #1818: IWI Frost's Descent

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Today let’s take a look at IWI Frost’s Descent from IWI’s standard collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Frost’s Descent is a deep teal 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 a little bit of 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: 5 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Medium

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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

On 20 lb copy paper there is some feathering in all nib sizes as well as a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Frost’s Descent is a little bit darker than Lamy Amazonite. Click here to see the teal inks together.

Longer writing:

I used an Esterbrook Estie Oversize Peacock with a medium nib on an Odyssey notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this ink has too much feathering and bleeding for me. There are other inks out there in a similar color that are much better behaved.

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

Ink Review #1817: IWI Pure Brightness

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Today let’s take a look at IWI Pure Brightness from IWI’s standard collection. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Pure Brightness is a light, bright teal.

*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: Medium

Feathering: Medium

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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

On 20 lb copy paper there is some feathering in all nib sizes as well as a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Pure Brightness is closest to J Herbin Vert Reseda. Click here to see the teal inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Leonardo Figboot with a medium nib on an Odyssey notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this ink has too much feathering and bleeding for me. I would rather use J Herbin Vert Reseda than 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 #1816: Monarca Mar Caribe

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Monarca Mar Caribe is from Monarca’s Caribe collection. Thanks to Monarca for sending this ink over for review!

The color:

Mar Caribe 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 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: 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 is some feathering in all nib sizes as well as a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Mar Caribe is close to Sailor Alaska. Click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Kaweco Sport Blueberry with a fine nib on a Taroko Breeze notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this is a nice ink. It can be a bit light in the smaller nib sizes so I would stick to larger nibs.

Disclaimer: This product was provided by Monarca 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.