Ink Review #1834: Van Dieman's Azure Kingfisher

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Van Dieman’s Azure Kingfisher was recently reformulated, but I finished this review before it was released so this is the original version. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Azure Kingfisher is a bright turquoise blue 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: 30 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 and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Azure is close to De Atramentis Cyan Blue Gold. Click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used an Edison Collier Blue Steel with a broad nib on a Taroko Breeze notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, there’s too much shimmer in this ink-it caused a few clogs. It also has a bit more bleeding and feathering than I prefer.

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

Ink Review #1833: Kobe 25 Tarumi Apricot

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I’ve been craving some bright inks lately so let’s take a look at Kobe 25 Tarumi Apricot. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Apricot is a bright medium 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 a little bit of 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: 20 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:

Apricot is similar to Diamine Orange. Click here to see the orange inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, I really enjoyed this ink. I love the bright summery color and the wet flow.

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

Ink Review #1832: KWZ Missouri Norton

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The St Louis Pen Show is coming up soon, so it’s time to take a look at this year’s exclusive KWZ ink: Meet Me in St Louis 2022 “Missouri Norton.” This ink can only be purchased at the St Louis Pen Show on June 23-26, 2022.

The color:

Missouri Norton is a deep wine 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 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: Medium

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 the larger nib sizes but no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Missouri Norton is a little darker than Robert Oster Astorquiza Rot. Click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Sailor Pro Gear Slim Supernova Red with a broad nib on a Taroko Breeze notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this is a lovely ink. It’s well behaved and a nice color. Pick up a bottle at the pen show this weekend!

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

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.