Ink Review #1244: Penlux Mo Plum

A few months ago I tried my first Penlux ink and I knew I needed to get some more to try, starting with Penlux Mo Plum (aff. link). I purchased my bottle of ink from Pen Chalet. Penlux inks come in square 50ml glass bottles and are made by Sailor.

The color:

Plum is a dark red violet.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks more of a neutral purple with some 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: 5 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Low

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Plum has less red in it than Ferris Wheel Press Grape Ice Pop, but more red than Diamine Grape. Click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, I plan on using this ink thought the fall and winter seasons. I love the color and the wet flow, and it even has a little bit of shading.

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 #1220: KWZ Stay Home Purple

KWZ has created a St. Louis Pen Show exclusive ink for the last few years, but I didn’t think it would happen this year with all of the pen shows being cancelled. Instead of fully cancelling the St. Louis Pen Show, they have moved it online: The Pen Show that Wasn't, Virtual Maker Fair 2020. A few independent pen makers have made purple pens that match the show color. Each pen will come with a bottle of this year’s pen show ink: KWZ Meet Me in St. Louis 2020 “Stay Home Purple”. One of the show organizers was very kind and sent me a sample of the ink to try out! If there are any bottles of the ink left after all the pens are sold, then the bottles will be available for purchase (probably with a lottery system since there are so few bottles available).

The color:

Stay Home Purple is a vibrant dark violet.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks slightly cooler in tone than it does 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: 10 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

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

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Medium-there was quite a bit of bleeding on Rhodia and Leuchtturm paper, more than I was expecting.

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:

Stay Home Purple is closest to Colorverse Magnetosphere. It’s a little bit cooler in tone than Diamine Monboddo’s Hat and Robert Oster Deep Purple, but warmer than Colorverse Hayabusa and Waterman Tender Purple. Click here to see the KWZ inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used an Pelikan M600 Violet with a fine nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a slightly wet flow.

Overall, I love the color, but there is a fair amount of bleeding and feathering on most papers. I like it best on Tomoe River paper, where the color really shines.

Disclaimer: This ink was provided by the show organizers 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 #1210: Robert Oster Deep Purple

Robert Oster Deep Purple is an ink I’ve had for a while, but never got around to reviewing so today’s the day! I purchased my sample of ink from Pen Chalet (aff. link).

The color:

Deep Purple is a dark purple with some shading.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks less saturated.

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: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: low shading, tiny brown 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 in most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Deep Purple is closest to Sailor 50 States Colorado and Sailor Ink Studio 750. Click here to see the Robert Oster inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, it’s a lovely ink, well behaved and a nice color.

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 #1138: Diamine Lavender

Let’s take a look at one more Diamine ink before we move on to some new inks: Diamine Lavender. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens a while ago.

The color:

Lavender is just that-a medium lavender purple.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink looks a bit warmer toned than it does in the Col-o-ring swab. It has just a tiny bit of copper sheen, which is hard to capture in pictures.

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, tiny copper 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 in most nib sizes and a few dots of bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Lavender is a bit lighter and cooler toned than Diamine Majestic Purple. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, it’s a good color and pretty well behaved. This ink is a little bit different depending on what paper it’s on. It looks a bit warmer in large swabs on Tomoe River than it does in a fine nib on copy paper.

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.

Ink Review #1134: Diamine Imperial Purple

Today’s ink is Diamine Imperial Purple. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens a while ago.

The color:

Imperial Purple is a classic medium purple.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper there’s a little bit of shading and some fun gold 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: low shading, medium gold 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:

Imperial Purple is a little warmer than Diamine Majestic Purple, but not quite as warm as Montblanc Beatles. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Custom 74 Merlot with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, it’s a good solid purple ink, and affordable too.

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.

Ink Review #1133: Diamine Imperial Blue

Today’s ink is Diamine Imperial Blue. I purchased my bottle of ink from Cult Pens a few years ago.

The color:

Imperial Blue is a medium blue-violet, definitely not just blue.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper there’s a little bit of shading and some fun gold 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, medium gold 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:

Imperial Blue is a little bit more blue than Monteverde Charoite. Click here to see the Diamine inks together, and click here to see the purple inks together.

Longer writing:

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

Overall, I like everything about this ink except the name-it really is more “blurple” (blue-violet) than blue.

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.