Ink Review #1978: Van Dieman's Bay of Fires

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Van Dieman’s Bay of Fires is from the Colours of Tasmania Collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens. (This is the original version, not the reformulation).

The color:

Bay of Fires is a bright red, almost an 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 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: 10 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Medium

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Bay of Fires is similar to Esterbrook Scarlet. Click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, I’m not a fan. The color is a bit too orange for me and there’s too much bleeding and feathering.

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

Ink Review #1977: Van Dieman's Firetail Finch

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Van Dieman’s Firetail Finch is from the Wilderness Collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens. (This is the original version of the ink, not the reformulation.)

The color:

Firetail Finch is a bright fire-engine 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 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: 15 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: High

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Medium

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Firetail is brighter than Diamine Flowers Tulip. 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 Enigma notebook. The ink had a slightly dry flow.

Overall, I don’t like this ink. The color is a bit too bright for me and there’s way too much feathering and bleeding.

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

Ink Review #1976: Kobe Myodani Cosmos Red

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Our next red ink this week is Kobe Myodani Cosmos Red. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Cosmos Red is a medium plum 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 more purple than red.

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, medium green sheen, and no shimmer.

On 20 lb copy paper the ink had some feathering but no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Cosmos Red is darker than Monteverde Napa Burgundy. Click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Kaweco Al-sport Rose Gold with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this is a really great ink. The color is pretty, it’s well-behaved and writes smoothly.

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

Ink Review #1975: Kobe Nankinmachi Fortune Red

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Let’s take a look at some red inks this week, starting with Kobe Nankinmachi Fortune Red. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Fortune Red is a bright vibrant 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 has some green 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: medium shading, medium green sheen, and no shimmer.

On 20 lb copy paper the ink had some feathering but no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Fortune Red is close to Vinta Silab. Click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, I love this ink. It’s a great color, well behaved and writes smoothly.

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

Diamine Inkvent 2022 Days 1-5

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We are well into December now, which means it’s time to take a look at the first five inks from the Diamine Inkvent 2022 Calendar. You can find the Inkvent Calendar for sale at a few different places, including Goldspot Pens.

Swabs:

Left to right: Bliss, Yule Log, Solar Storm, Spruce, and Spiced Apple.

Writing samples:

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

Dry Time: 30-60 seconds

Water Resistance: Low-Medium

Feathering: Spruce had high feathering

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Spruce had medium bleeding.

Other properties: Bliss and Spruce have low shading, Spiced Apple had medium shading, Solar Storm had medium bronze sheen and Spiced Apple had medium green sheen. Yule Log had brown shimmer, Solar Storm and Spiced Apple had mixed metallic shimmer.

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

Comparison Swabs:

Bliss is similar to L’artisan Pastillier Turquoise.

Yule Log is lighter than Diamine Winter Spice.

Solar Storm is darker than Diamine Storm.

Spruce is darker than Diplomat Moss Green.

Spiced Apple is a little more orange than Diamine Dragon Blood.

All the inks had an average flow except Spruce which had a wet flow.

Overall, I think Yule Log and Solar Storm are my favorite out of the five. Spruce has too much bleeding and feathering for me.

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

December Christmas Ink Palettes

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Christmas is coming! Christmas is my favorite time of year, I can’t wait to do all of the holiday things. I make a lot of cookies this time of year, and Graf von Faber-Castell Cognac Brown is such a good cookie brown.

I love metallics for wrapping presents! Diamine Brandy Snap is a great golden brown.

My tree is full of metallic glass ornaments. Monarca Arena Blanca is the closest ink I have to a metallic white.

I love all five of these colors together! Diamine Ocher matches almost anything.

I love all five of these inks individually, you can’t go wrong with any of them. Let me know what inks you’re using for December in the comments below!

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. This post is not sponsored.

Ink Review #1969: Inkebara Crimson

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Inkebara Crimson is from the Standard collection. This ink is available in 60ml bottles. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Crimson is a pastel red, almost a dark pink.

*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 pink.

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 the ink had some feathering but no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Crimson is closest to Diamine Maroon. Click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Pink with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

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

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

Ink Review #1968: Inkebara Sand

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Inkebara Sand is from the Dual Shaders collection. This ink is available in 60ml bottles. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Sand is a yellow-brown with a 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 looks more brown than it does on the Col-o-ring 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: 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 but no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Sand is closest to Pilot Iroshizuku Ina-ho. Click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M200 Gold Marbled with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this ink is an unusual brown color, almost yellow but not quite. The color is rather pale, so I would stick to medium and broad nibs to keep it legible.

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

Ink Review #1967: Inkebara Earth

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Inkebara Earth is from the Dual Shaders collection. This ink is available in 60ml bottles. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Earth is a pale brown with a 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 looks much darker.

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 but no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Earth is closest to PenBBS La Libert e Guidant. Click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Schon Design Ultem with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, this ink is well-behaved but it is rather light. I would stick to medium and broad nibs to keep it legible.

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

Ink Review #1966: Robert Oster Kansas City

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Robert Oster Kansas City is from the Cities of America collection. This ink is available in 50ml bottles. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Kansas City is a medium sepia brown.

*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 darker, and more cool-toned.

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 few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Kansas City is a bit darker than Diamine Golden Brown. Click here to see the brown inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, this is a lovely ink. It’s a nice 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.