Ink Review #1440: Lamy Charged Green

Lamy Charged Green was a limited edition ink that debuted in 2016 to match the Charged Green Al-star. You can find this ink still for sale at a few retailers including Vanness Pens (I think they only have samples and cartridges left).

The color:

Charged Green is a bright stomach acid green, almost a yellow.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks a bit more green than in writing.

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: Low

Feathering: None

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:

Charged Green is closest to PenBBS 113. Click here to see the Lamy inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M605 White Transparent with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow.

Overall, this ink is way too bright and I’m not a big fan of the color. It might work as a highlighter ink, but for me it’s even too bright for that. Usually I like the Lamy limited edition inks, but this one is a hard pass for me.

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 #1439: Lamy Neon Lime

Lamy Neon Lime was a limited edition ink that debuted in 2015. You can find this ink still for sale at a few retailers including Vanness Pens (I think they only have cartridges left).

The color:

Neon Lime is a fluorescent lime green.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink is super bright.

Writing samples:

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

Dry time: 10 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: None

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:

Neon Lime is much brighter than Diamine Jade Green. Click here to see the Lamy inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Franklin-Christoph 45 Vanness Blue with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow.

Overall, this ink is way too bright for me, definitely eye-searing. It’s also a little drier than I prefer, so this one’s a no for me.

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 #1438: Lamy Red

Lamy Red is from Lamy standard lineup. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Pen Chalet (aff. link) and Vanness Pens.

The color:

Lamy Red is a bright red-pink, not a true red.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more pink than red.

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: Low

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Lamy Red is closest to Sailor Ink Studio 730. Click here to see the Lamy inks together, and click here to see the red inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pelikan M205 Star Ruby with a fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I’m not a fan-it generally behaves well, but it’s way too pink for me.

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

Ink Review #1437: Lamy Blue

Lamy Blue is from Lamy standard lineup. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Pen Chalet (aff. link) and Vanness Pens.

The color:

Lamy Blue is a classic medium blue.

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: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Lamy Blue is close to Monteverde Malibu Blue. Click here to see the Lamy inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Montegrappa Elmo with a fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a good basic blue, but very similar to a lot of other brands’ standard blues.

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

Ink Review #1436: Lamy Black

Lamy Black is from Lamy standard lineup. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Pen Chalet (aff. link) and Vanness Pens.

The color:

Lamy Black is a basic black.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has a little bit of brown sheen (that doesn’t show up well in photos).

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: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Lamy Black is similar to Waterman Intense Black. Click here to see the Lamy inks together, and click here to see the black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Franklin-Christoph 45 Charcoal and Creme with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a slightly wet flow.

Overall, it’s just another black ink-nothing about it stands out from all the other black inks out there.

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

Ink Review #1435: Lamy Green

Lamy Green is an ink I’ve been meaning to review for a while so today’s the day! You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Pen Chalet (aff. link) and Vanness Pens.

The color:

Lamy Green is a medium green that leans toward blue.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks less blue-toned than it does on the previous swab.

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: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Lamy Green leans more blue than Cross Green, it’s closer to Robert Oster Emerald. Click here to see the Lamy inks together, and click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used an Esterbrook Estie Oversize Montana Sparkle with a broad nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a nice basic green but there’s nothing about it that stands out.

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

Adventures in Ink Mixing

I put a poll up on my Instagram stories a few weeks ago, asking what content you wanted to see in 2021 and I had a few requests for ink mixing. I decided to try a faux Lamy Dark Lilac first. Lamy Dark Lilac (pictured above) seems to be one of those unicorn inks-it was released in 2016 and many of the ink-obsessed have been looking for a dupe ever since.

I looked all over the internet for recipes for a Dark Lilac dupe and this one came up the most: Pilot Iroshizuku Yama-budo paired with Pilot Iroshizuku Shin-kai.

I mixed up three different testers:

• #1: 3 parts Yama-budo + 1 part Shin-kai

• #2 2 parts Yama-budo + 1 part Shin-kai

• #3 3 parts Yama-budo + 1 part Shin-kai + 1/2 part Robert Oster Fire & Ice

I tried out all three mixures but none lived up to Lamy Dark Lilac for me. I didn’t have any issues with the inks interacting together though, no funny consistencies or smells.

I still haven’t found the perfect recipe for mixing up a dupe, but there are a few inks out there that are similar already. Which one would you pick?

Disclaimer: All photos and opinions are my own. There are no affiliate links on this page and it is not sponsored in any way.

Ink Review #1353: Lamy Violet

A kind reader sent me a few Lamy Violet cartridges to try! I had forgotten about Lamy Violet. I prefer bottled inks and Lamy Violet (like Waterman Pink) is only available in cartridges. You can find this ink for sale at most retailers including Pen Chalet (aff. link).

The color:

Violet is exactly what it sounds like-a medium violet purple.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some interesting 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: Low

Feathering: Medium-there was some feathering on Rhodia and Leuchtturm.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-only on Leuchtturm.

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

In swabs Violet is closest to Montblanc Beatles but in writing it’s closer to Monteverde Purple Reign. Click here to see the Lamy inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Safari Violet with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow. The shading is a bit subtle but it’s there if you look for it.

Overall, this ink is a bit paper dependent. It does well on Tomoe River (as 99% of inks do), but feathers on Rhodia and feathers and bleeds on Leuchtturm. I really loved this ink on TR, but I don’t love it on any other papers.

Disclaimer: This ink was 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.

Ink Review #1147: Lamy Turmaline

I’ve gotten a lot of requests for a review of Lamy Turmaline, so today’s the day. I purchased my bottle of ink from Pen Chalet.

The color:

Turmaline is a saturated medium teal.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some pretty dark pink 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: Low

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Turmaline is a bit darker than Colorverse Morning Star, but not as dark as Troublemaker Bantayan Turquoise. Click here to see the Lamy inks together, and click here to see the teal inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Lamy Al-star Turmaline with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, I like this ink. It’s a gorgeous color and performs well. I was worried it might be too close to Lamy Pacific Blue, but after trying them both I think there’s a big enough difference that I need both.

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 #1140: Lamy Mango

Each time Lamy releases a new ink I get excited to try it out. They’ve had some hits and misses with their limited edition inks, so let’s take a look at the newest one: Lamy Mango. I purchased my bottle of ink from Vanness Pens.

The color:

Mango is right in-between yellow and orange. If I had to pick one I think it leans a bit more toward yellow.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more orange, and even shades to red.

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: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Mango is closer to the yellow inks I have rather than the oranges. It’s similar to Diamine Amber, Bungubox Sweet Potato Yellow and Diamine Sunshine Yellow, but much less saturated and with a bit more red in it. Click here to see the Lamy inks together, and click here to see the yellow inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Transparent Orange with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a dry flow. You can see that it’s darker in the first paragraph where the feed was more saturated and gets lighter as you continue writing and the dry flow is more apparent.

Overall, it’s a bit light and dry, so I would keep this ink in broad or flex nibs. I’m not in love with it by any means, but it’s one I think I would use occasionally.

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