Ink Review #1922: Esterbrook Ebony

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Esterbrook Ebony is from the Esterbrook Standard collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Ebony is a deep black.

*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 bleeding and feathering.

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: High

Feathering: High

Show through: High

Bleeding: High

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

On 20 lb copy paper the ink had lots of feathering and bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Ebony is similar to Colorverse Selectron. Click here to see the black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Safari Petrol with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, this ink dries quickly and is water resistant, but it also comes with lots of issues: high feathering and bleeding, even on Tomoe River paper and the ink spreads so a medium nib feels more like a broad or double broad. I wouldn’t recommend this ink to anyone.

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

Ink Review Colorverse Electron & Selectron

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Colorverse 31 Electron comes in a boxed set with 32 Selectron and belongs to the Multiverse collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Electron is a medium red orange.

The color:

Selectron is a deep black.

*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 Electron has some 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: 30-40 seconds

Water resistance: Low-High

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper the inks had some feathering and bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Selectron is deeper than these other black inks. Click here to see the black inks together.

Electron is closest to Pilot Iroshizuku Fuyu-gaki.

Longer writing:

I used a Taroko Enigma notebook. The both inks had a wet flow.

Overall, I enjoyed both of these. They’re well behaved and have a nice 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 #1919: Van Dieman's Black Truffle

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Van Dieman’s Black Truffle is from the Tassie/Seasons collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Black Truffle is a deep brown-black.

*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: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

Other properties: no shading, tiny black sheen, and no shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Black Truffle isn’t super close to any of the other black inks I have since it has that brown undertone. Click here to see the black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Visconti Homo Sapiens with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow.

Overall, I don’t love this ink-it has a dry flow and a little more feathering and bleeding than I like to see.

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

Ink Review #1918: Kobe 24 Nakayamate Black

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This week we are going to take a look at black inks, starting with Kobe 24 Nakayamate Black. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Nakayamate Black is a medium standard black.

*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: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Nakayamate Black isn’t super close to any of the other black inks I have. Click here to see the black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Vanishing Point Crossed Lines with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, this is a nice black ink. I enjoyed the wet flow and the little bit of sheen.

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

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.