Ink Review #74: Robert Oster Black Violet
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Robert Oster Black Violet is the Robert Oster ink that debuted at the 2017 DC Pen Show. The bottle is 50 ml of ink-I purchased my bottle from Vanness Pens. Side note about Robert Oster inks: while Robert Oster debuts an ink at a pen show, the ink is not usually exclusive to the show. I hate not being able to get an ink because I couldn't attend the show, and I love that I can still get Robert Oster inks after the show has come and gone. Gold star for Robert Oster.
The color...
Black Violet is a really really dark violet purple, almost black, so the name is a great fit. Seasonally, I would probably use this ink in the fall.
The color is pretty unique, you don't see a lot of inks this color. I do think this ink would be office appropriate.
The sheen on these ink drops is swoon worthy. I hate that the sheen doesn't show in writing, because it looks amazing.
Dry time: Black Violet dried in about 32 seconds (on Rhodia paper in a medium nib).
Water Resistance: This ink is not water resistant.
Feathering: Black Violet only feathered on Baron Fig paper, but did great on the other papers.
Show through: Black Violet had medium show through on all of the papers.
Bleeding: Black Violet only bled on Baron Fig paper, but did great on the other papers.
Other properties: Black Violet had medium-low shading and a tiny bit of reddish sheen. I wish there was just a bit more shading, and that the sheen would show up in writing. It has a little bit less shading than most Robert Oster inks do.
Ink swabs for comparison, left to right (or top to bottom for RSS): Diamine Onyx Black, Robert Oster Black Violet, and Diamine Eclipse. Onyx Black has a purple undertone, but it is more black than Black Violet is. To see all of the Robert Oster ink swabs together, click here.
Papier Plume Mardi Gras Indian Purple, Diamine Bilberry, and Diamine Cult Pens Deep Dark Purple. All three of these have a lot more purple than Black Violet does. To see all of the purple ink swabs together, click here.
Longer writing:
I used a broad nib on Tomoe River paper. The ink felt pretty wet while I was writing, and I didn't have any flow issues.
Overall, I think this ink is unique, and well behaved. I think it's office appropriate and a great ink for fall as well. Robert Oster does it again.
Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself, and all photos and opinions are my own. There are no affiliate links in this post.