Ink Review #1917: Robert Oster Napa

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Robert Oster Napa is from the Cities of America collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Napa is a medium 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 a bit more purple.

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: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper the ink had some feathering and a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Napa is closest to Montblanc Antoine de Saint-exupery. Click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, this is a lovely red ink. It’s a nice color and I enjoyed using it.

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

Ink Review #1916: Robert Oster Oklahoma City

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Robert Oster Oklahoma City is from the Cities of America collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Oklahoma City is a medium mossy 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 dries very matte and flat.

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: medium shading, no sheen, and no shimmer.

On 20 lb copy paper the ink had some feathering and a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Oklahoma City isn’t super close to any of these other greens. Click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Custom 74 Forest with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this is a nice ink. It’s a nice dark color and is 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 #1915: Robert Oster Miami

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Robert Oster Miami is from the Cities of America collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Miami is a medium blue with a slight green undertone.

*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 tiny 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: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper the ink had some feathering and a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Miami is a little darker than Papier Plume Carolina On My Mind. Click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Decimo Nagasawa with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

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

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

Diamine Summer 2022, Part 2

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Cult Pens recently teamed up with Diamine to create 8 summer inks. Yesterday we looked at the first four inks so today let’s look at the other four: Caribbean Green, Lime Ice Lolly, A Dip in the Pool and A Toe in the Ocean. Thanks to Cult Pens for sending these inks over for review!

Swabs:

Left to right: Caribbean Green, Lime Ice Lolly, A Dip in the Pool and A Toe in the Ocean.

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: All four inks had medium shading.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Caribbean Green is darker than Pen Saijiki Kazahana.

Lime Ice Lolly is paler than Tono & Lims Hyogo: True Story.

A Dip in the Pool is a bit darker than Diamine Beau Blue.

A Toe in the Ocean is lighter than Pilot Iroshizuku Jurojin.

All the inks had a dry flow.

Overall, just like the first four, I love the colors but the flow is way too dry for me. The colors seem more appropriate for spring rather than summer.

Disclaimer: This product was provided by Cult Pens for the purpose of this review. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links, and is not sponsored in any way.

Diamine Summer 2022, Part 1

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Cult Pens recently teamed up with Diamine to create 8 summer inks. Let’s look at the first four today: Grey Skies, Sand Between Your Toes, A Jug of Sangria and Summer Sunset. Thanks to Cult Pens for sending these inks over for review!

Swabs:

Left to right: Grey Skies, Sand Between Your Toes, A Jug of Sangria and Summer Sunset.

Writing samples:

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

Dry Time: 40-60 seconds

Water Resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: All four inks had medium shading.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Grey Skies is lighter than Pilot Iroshizuku Kiri-same.

Sand Between Your Toes is closest to Colorverse Dust Storm.

Sangria is similar to Ferris Wheel Press Lady Rose.

Summer Sunset is closest to Pennonia Copper.

All the inks had a dry flow.

Overall, I love the colors but the flow is way too dry for me. The colors seem more appropriate for spring rather than summer.

Disclaimer: This product was provided by Cult Pens for the purpose of this review. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links, and is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1906: Vinta Sea Star

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Vinta Tabuan Purple Sea Star 2022 is an Enigma Blanks exclusive ink. Thanks to Enigma Blanks for sending this ink over for review!

The color:

Sea Star is a pale blue violet.

*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: 40 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 the ink had some feathering and a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Sea Star is lighter than Robert Oster Go Go. Click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, this is a lovely ink. It can be rather pale in the smaller nib sizes, so I prefer this ink in medium and broad nibs.

Disclaimer: This product was provided by Enigma Blanks 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 #1905: Troublemaker Grand River Sunset

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Troublemaker Grand River Sunset is a Phidon Pens exclusive ink. Thanks to Phidon Pens for sending this ink over for review!

The color:

Grand River Sunset is such an interesting color. In swabs it’s more green with brown and pink shading, and it looks different on each paper.

*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 purpley pink than green.

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 (my bad-I forgot to do the water test before taking the photo)

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper the ink had some feathering and a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Grand River is closest to Troublemaker Sea Glass. Click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Mini Rose Gold with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a slightly dry flow.

Overall, this is such an interesting ink. I love the shading but the flow is a bit dry for me.

Disclaimer: This product was provided by Phidon 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.

1900 Inks!

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We have surpassed 1900 ink reviews so it’s time for another favorites post! We are almost into fall so today let’s focus on my favorite fall colors.

Reds:

There are so many good fall reds! Robert Oster Australian Shiraz is one I reach for over and over.

Pinks:

I don’t love pinks in the fall, but Diamine Raspberry Rose is a good one!

Oranges:

Like reds, there are so many good fall oranges! You can’t go wrong with almost any orange inks.

Yellows:

KWZ Honey is a sneaky ink. The first time I used it I didn’t really love it-it just never clicked for me at first. Now it’s one I reach for often.

Greens:

I love olive greens in the fall. R&K Alt-Goldgrun is a must-try for every ink lover.

Teals:

Robert Oster Monsoon Sky is a more recent interest, but it’s such a good ink.

Blues:

In the fall I reach more for blue-black inks rather than traditional blues, but Diamine Oxford Blue is always in season.

Purples:

Pillars of Creation is possibly my favorite purple right now. It’s so good.

What are your favorite autumn inks? Let me know in the comments below!

Disclaimer: All photos and opinions are my own. There are no affiliate links on this page and this post is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1904: Monarca Cenote

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Monarca Cenote is from the Monarca Caribe collection. Thanks to Monarca for sending this ink over for review!

The color:

Cenote is a deep blue with lots of 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 there is some pretty sheen and lots 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: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: low shading, high pink sheen, and blue shimmer.

On 20 lb copy paper the ink had some feathering and a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Cenote is closest to Diamine Blue Pearl. 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 an average flow.

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

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.

Ink Review #1903: Monarca Cielo Cruel

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Monarca Cielo Cruel is from the Monarca Semideserto collection. Thanks to Monarca for sending this ink over for review!

The color:

Cielo Cruel is a dusky 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 there is 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: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper the ink had some feathering and a bit of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Cielo Cruel is duskier than Aurora Blue. Click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Laban Ocean with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this is a nice ink. It’s well behaved and I like the color.

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.