This week we are focusing on Octopus Fluids inks, starting with Barock Umbra Brown from the Barock Series. My sample of ink came from Vanness Pens.

*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 is much darker than 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, as well as cheap copy paper.

*For my writing samples I use:

Dry time: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

On 20 lb copy paper the ink had some bleeding and feathering in the larger nib sizes.

Barock Umbra is lighter than KWZ Hunter Green. Click here to see the brown inks together.

I used a Montegrappa Copper Mule with a fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink has an average flow. This combo was okay, but not great.

Overall, I could take or leave this ink. It’s okay but I don’t love it. I’m glad I tried it, but I don’t need a full bottle.

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