Ink Review #1638: Cross Black

We recently finished looking at Waterman inks, so now we are going to look at six black inks, starting with Cross Black. This ink is available in 62.5ml bottles at most retailers, including Vanness Pens. Thanks to the reader that sent this sample in for review!

The color:

Cross Black is a good basic Black.

*For my swab cards I use a Col-o-ring by Skylab Letterpress, a medium Pilot Vanishing Point and a Mabie Todd Swan.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has a little bit of 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:

• EF, F, M, and B Pilot Vanishing Points

• Vintage Mabie Todd Swan (flex nib)

• Rhodia Goalbook

• Taroko Enigma notebooks (68gsm TR)

• Leuchtturm A5

• Pen & Gear Paper from Walmart

Dry time: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On 20 lb copy paper there was a lot of bleeding and feathering.

Comparison Swabs:

Cross Black is closest to TWSBI Black. Click here to see the black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M805 Stresemann with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a nice wet flow.

Overall, this ink is a really underrated ink! It has a great dark color, nice wet flow, and well behaved too! I have a full bottle on my wish list!

Disclaimer: This ink sample 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.

Ink Review #1626: Cross Blue Black

We are starting Blue Black ink week with Cross Blue Black! Blue Black is from Cross’s standard collection and is available in 2 oz bottles. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Blue Black is a neutral blue black.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has a little bit of bronze 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: 40 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Blue Black is a little bit lighter than Kobe Kaikyou Blue. Click here to see the Cross inks together, and click here to see the blue black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Kaweco Al-sport Petrol with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I really enjoyed this ink! I actually love it so much I put a full bottle of it on my wishlist. It would be a great everyday, office appropriate ink!

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

Ink Review #1465: Cross Red

Aurora Red is from Cross’s standard collection and is available in 2 oz bottles. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Red is a classic bright teacher red.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks less saturated than it does on the Col-o-ring swab above.

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 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Cross Red is a little more orange than Sailor Jentle Irori. Click here to see the Cross inks together, and click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, this is a nice classic red but there isn’t anything about it that wows me-no shading or sheen. It’s a good basic but not an ink I have a need for.

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

Ink Review #1432: Cross Green

Cross Green was sent in by a reader quite a while ago, and green ink week is the perfect time to finally review it! Thanks to the reader who sent this ink in for review. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Cross Green is a bright shamrock green.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks cooler-toned.

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 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Cross Green is a little darker than Diamine Apple Glory. Click here to see the Cross inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, it’s well-behaved but very average. There’s nothing about it that jumps out at me, just a good basic green.

Disclaimer: 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 #1357: Cross Violet

I purchased a bottle of Cross Violet from a local pen friend a while ago, but never got around to reviewing it so today’s the day. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Violet is a medium saturated violet.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some bright 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: 30 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Violet has a little more blue in it than Montblanc Beatles but not as much blue as 3 Oysters Violet. Click here to see the Cross inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Platinum 3776 Nice Lavande with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a gorgeous color with a little bit of fun shading and sheen. I enjoy using this ink but it tends to get drowned out by all the new shading and sheening inks.

Disclaimer: 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 #821: Cross Blue

Every once in a while a reader will send me an ink to try, which allows me to play with some new ink. Recently a reader sent me Cross Blue to play with. You can find this ink at Vanness Pens.

The color:

Blue is a medium blue that has just a bit of a purple undertone.

Swabs:

In large swabs the ink looks so much prettier than it does in writing. A little bit of bronzy sheen and a pretty purple shade.

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 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

On Staples 24 lb copy paper the ink feathered and bled in all nib sizes.

Comparison Swabs:

Cross Blue is pretty similar to Thornton’s Blue and Private Reserve Cosmic Cobalt. Click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer Writing:

I used a Pelikan M600 Turquoise with a broad nib on Tomoe River paper. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I think it’s a nice basic blue ink. I like the color, but it is similar to some other inks I already own.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink as provided by a reader for the purpose of this review. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does contain affiliate links, but this post is not sponsored in any way.