Ink Review #1225: Sailor Jentle Rikyu-cha

Sailor Jentle Rikyu-cha was released in the 2016 Four Seasons collection. It used to be available in the round 50ml bottles, but recently Sailor changed it to the 20ml Shikiori bottles. Thanks to the reader that sent a sample in for review! You can find this ink for sale at most fountain pen retailers including Vanness Pens.

The color:

Rikyu-cha is in-between a dark olive green and a dark brown.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more of a dark teal than green.

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 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low-there was some feathering in the larger nib sizes on Rhodia and Leuchtturm.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: medium shading, tiny red sheen, and no shimmer. The sheen is only visible in large swabs on Tomoe River paper.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering and bleeding in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Rikyu-cha is much browner than either Sailor Jentle Epinard or Tokiwa-matsu. Click here to see the Sailor inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy 2000 Black Amber with a fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I really enjoyed this ink. It makes me think of late autumn, it has a lovely wet flow and is well behaved. I need to add a full bottle to my wish list!

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by a reader 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 in any way.

Ink Review #1209: Sailor 50 States Colorado

A few days ago I reviewed the Sailor 50 States California, so let’s take a look at the other ink in the collection so far: Sailor 50 States Colorado. I purchased my bottle of ink from Pen Chalet (aff. link).

The color:

Colorado is a pretty dark purple.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks darker and has some pretty green sheen.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 15 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low-there was some feathering in the larger nib sizes on Rhodia and Leuchtturm.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-there was some bleeding in the larger nib sizes on Leuchtturm.

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes and just a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Colorado is closest to Sailor Ink Studio 950 and Robert Oster Deep Purple. Click here to see the Sailor inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Vanishing Point Twilight with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, it’s a lovely ink but I’m still a bit shocked at the price-1$ per ml is a bit too steep. Sailor Ink Studio 950 (also expensive) and Robert Oster Deep Purple are good alternatives.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself, and all photos and opinions are my own. This page does contain affiliate links but this post is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1207: Sailor 50 States California

Sailor recently announced a new collection of ink called 50 States, one ink for each state. So far they have only released two inks: California and Colorado, so let’s start with California today. I purchased my bottle of ink from Pen Chalet (aff. link).

The color:

California is a dark teal.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks darker and has some pretty black sheen.

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 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering in most nib sizes and just a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

California is closest to Diamine Smoke on the Water. Click here to see the Sailor inks together, and click here to see the teal inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, I really like this ink. It’s well behaved, has a wet flow and is a pretty color. The only downside is the high price-$1/ml is quite a steep price for ink.

Disclaimer: I purchased this ink myself, and all photos and opinions are my own. This page does contain affiliate links but this post is not sponsored in any way.