Ink Review #1842: Esterbrook Tangerine & Shimmer

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Esterbrook recently released their own line of inks. Some of the inks have a shimmer and a non-shimmer version. Let’s take a look at Esterbrook Tangerine and Tangerine Shimmer. You can find these inks for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Tangerine is a bright medium orange.

Shimmer:

Tangerine Shimmer is the same bright medium orange but 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 just 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: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Low

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:

Tangerine is closest to Robert Oster Peach. Click here to see the orange inks together.

Tangerine Shimmer is closest to Diamine Citrus Ice.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Transparent Orange with a medium nib on a Taroko Breeze notebook. The ink had a slightly dry flow.

I used a Pelikan M600 Vibrant Orange with a medium nib on a Taroko Breeze notebook. The ink had a slightly dry flow.

Overall, there’s a little more bleeding and feathering than I prefer, but it’s not too bad. There’s nothing about either one that wows me, and there are some better orange inks out there.

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

Ink Review #1841: Oblation Portland Rain

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Let’s take a look at a store exclusive ink today-Oblation Portland Rain. Thanks to Oblation Papers and Press for sending this ink over for review!

The color:

Portland Rain is a medium grey ink.

*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 darkens to almost black.

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 a little bit of feathering in the large nib sizes but other than that it performs well.

Comparison Swabs:

Portland Rain is a little bit darker than Pilot Iroshizuku Kiri-same. Click here to see the grey inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M605 Black Tortoise with a medium nib on a Taroko Breeze notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I really enjoyed this ink. It’s a lovely color and performed well-even on copy paper.

Disclaimer: This ink was provided by Oblation 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 Inkvent 2021, Part 2

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December seemed to come and go quickly for me, so I’m just now getting around to working on the 2021 Diamine Inkvent calender (these inks are now known as the Red Edition). We’ve already covered days 1-5 so let’s take a look at days 6-10. These inks are available in full bottles now.

Swabs:

Left to right: Winter Spice, Candle Light, Raspberry Rose, Storm, Peach Punch.

Writing samples:

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

Dry Time: 40-70 seconds

Water Resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: Winter Spice has low green sheen and blue shimmer. Candle Light, Raspberry Rose and Peach Punch have medium shading. Storm has low shading and silver shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Winter Spice is darker than the other brown shimmer inks I have.

Candle Light is similar to Robert Oster Honey Bee.

Raspberry Rose is brighter than Wearingeul Taxidermied Genius.

Storm is similar to Cross Blue Black but it has shimmer.

Peach Punch is a little darker than Diamine Peach Haze.

All five inks had an average flow.

Overall, Candle Light and Peach Punch are my favorite out of the five.

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

Ink Review #1835: Van Dieman's Freycinet Aquamarine

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Van Dieman’s Freycinet Aquamarine is from the Colours of Tasmania collection. As of this month it has been discontinued so if you are looking to pick up this ink do it soon before it’s sold out. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Freycinet Aquamarine 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 doesn’t have much 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: Low

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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:

Aquamarine is similar to a lot of other colors including Kobe #26. 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 Breeze notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, there’s a little more bleeding and feathering than I like to see. I’d reach for Kobe #26 before 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 #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.