i n k l o d e

fountain pens, inks, paper and more

Posts in the ink category

Montblanc Leonardo Red Chalk

Montblanc Leonardo Red ChalkMontblanc Leonardo Red Chalk bottle

Montblanc Leonardo Red Chalk is a limited edition ink that pays homage to one of the most renowned figures of the Italian Renaissance. Some of his famous drawings were done in what appears to be a dusty red chalk and this ink is a nod to that. The color is a lovely, dusty red with hints of brown. There are many subtle qualities to the color of this ink that really appeal to me. I am a big fan of earth-tone colors, but I often find them muddy and unfulfilling as fountain pen inks. I think Montblanc have done a great job at keeping this ink from becoming dull and flat, but instead have created a color that is unassuming, yet possesses some of the timeless qualities of da Vinci’s original drawings.

At first, I was rather unmoved by the ink, but the more time I spent with it, the more I began to appreciate it. The ink is not waterproof in the slightest and becomes illegible when exposed to water. The shading can be quite nice in the right pen. Dry times are average, and I did experience quite a bit of railroading when flexing, but this may not be indicative of any flow issues as I had none in my non-flex pens.

It’s a lovely dusty reddish brown that I recommend picking up while you still can!

 

Montblanc Leonardo Red Chalk review

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J. Herbin Bouquet D’antan

J. Herbin Bouquet D'antanJ. Herbin Bouquet D'antan 10 oz bottle

J. Herbin’s Bouquet D’antan is a very soft, light pink color that has a bit of an antique nostalgia feel to it. The ink, in my opinion, is not dark or saturated enough for every day writing. It is very easy for writing to become illegible if you are using a pen that is a bit more fine. That being said, I was surprised at how saturated the color can get. The ink goes down on the page like water, but as it dries the color really starts to shine through. There is something about this pink color that feels distantly warm, like a cherished memory in the back of your mind. Parts of it have faded, and may not be entirely clear for those who were not there at its creation, but you remember it well.

 

Dry times are adequate, though when it smears you can barely tell anyway. This is definitely not a waterproof ink and it becomes barely visible when exposed to water. Writing with a flex nib and really laying down a lot of ink, you can get the color saturated enough to be quite legible. However, if you are looking for a pink ink for every day writing, I would suggest looking elsewhere. Still, if this ink is to be used for artistic purposes or in situations that calls for a lovely light pink color, Bouquet D’antan is an excellent choice.

 

JHerbin_Bouquet_Dantan_review

 

Noodler’s Air Corp Blue-Black

Noodler's Air Corp Blue-BlackNoodler's Air Corp Blue-Black bottle

Noodler’s Air Corp Blue-Black is a very dark blue-black ink that tends to lean towards the black end of things, but the blue that peeks through has a hint of green hue to it. The ink also belongs to the bulletproof line of Noodler’s inks and is very resistant to water. However, I did notice in my water tests that the blue tends to wash away leaving only the black hues of the ink in place. The flow is pretty good with only minor railroading in my Pilot Namiki Falcon if I push the flex. Small amounts of bleeding on Rhodia if you really pool the ink, but otherwise it’s not an issue. Interestingly, on the rare occasion that it does bleed, only the blue color seeps through while the black does not. Overall, I would say that this is a great ink that can be good for daily use as an alternative to a more traditional black, blue, or blue-black ink. The fact that it is also bulletproof definitely gives it an edge on many other blue-black inks on the market if you’re looking for staying power. I definitely recommend it!

Note: I apologize for putting the words “Air Corp” together in my review.

 

Noodler's Air Corp Blue-Black review

 

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Sailor Jentle Miruai

SWAB_sailor_miruaiSailor_Miruai_bottle

Sailor Miruai was released several years ago as a limited edition part of Sailor’s “Spring” line of inks. The color quickly gained popularity and was missed by many people when supplies were finally depleted. Thankfully, in early 2014, Sailor re-issued several of the most popular limited edition seasonal inks to be added as a part of the normal Jentle line-up. Sailor Miruai was among the most anticipated of the returning inks of the line.

Miruai means, “Seaside Pine Blue,” and the color definitely evokes such an image. Miruai has a cool tone to the green with a hint of blue that makes it a lovely blue-green ink. The behavior is on-par with the quality of the Sailor Jentle line and is well behaved with no bleeding or feathering on Rhodia. While the ink is not waterproof, it does exhibit some staying power after being exposed to water and retains a bit of legibility. The shading is subtle, but it transitions from a cool blue-green to a very dark green (almost black) color and the result is quite lovely. I find the ink to be calm and pensive. Along with the name of the ink, I envision a cool, early fall morning amidst the scattered pines along a rocky beach. The ocean breeze is chilly, but strangely comforting as you lose yourself in your thoughts.

Sailor Miruai review

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Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki

Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-pekiPilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki

 

The Pilot Iroshizuku line of inks are well known for their vibrant colors and all-around well-behavior. So it is no mystery that Kon-peki has found its way onto the shelves of many fountain pen users. This highly praised ink is a beautiful, bright blue color reminiscent of a warm summer sky. Water resistance is poor and the ink becomes barely legible when exposed to water. Like most of the Iroshizuku line of inks, Kon-peki flows well in most pens and puts down a lovely wet line. I get no bleed through on Rhodia paper, even with heavy flex writing. The lovely shading does well to give the ink a playful feel and the hint of a red sheen adds a little something special that makes this ink a must have for anyone who loves bright blue inks.

 

Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki Review

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Pelikan Edelstein Wood Box Ink Set

Pelikan_Edelstein_box_set_01

I was looking to purchase a few Pelikan Edelstein inks when I noticed that the stores in my area were selling a “Limited Edition” wood box gift set of the inks. Considering the price of the individual ink bottles, the added cost of the box itself was negligible so I decided to go for it and pick it up.

Pelikan_Edelstein_box_set_02

 

Upon further inquiry, the box itself is not actually an official product sold by Pelikan, but rather a limited edition packaged set sold by certain retailers in Asia. My local shop informed me that the box itself is manufactured in China before being shipped to select retailers for packaging the inks. Regardless of its origin, the construction of the box was surprisingly high quality. The box itself is sturdy and the foam inserts are stiff and protective. I feel confident that this box will be more than sufficient for storing and protecting my Edelstein inks.

 

Pelikan_Edelstein_box_set_05

The boxed set came with an (almost) complete collection of the Edelstein ink line.

The inks included are:

  • Onyx
  • Sapphire
  • Topaz
  • Jade
  • Aventurine
  • Mandarin
  • Ruby
  • Pelikan Brilliant Black 4001

 

Pelikan_Edelstein_box_set_03

Pelikan_Edelstein_box_set_04

I personally think that the packaging is very fitting for the renowned beauty of the Edelstein bottles. My only lament is that there is no slot for Tanzanite which was presumably released after the creation of this packaged set. However, it is still a lovely way to store my Edelstein inks and I am very happy to have it as a part of my collection!

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Waterman Intense Black

Waterman Intense BlackWaterman Intense Black bottle

 

Though I was surprised by how dark this ink can actually get, normal writing with this ink tends to lean towards the gray side. The ink is well behaved and is a good solid black, but if you are seeking an ink that is truly intense and unwavering, this is probably not your black ink. It is not very water resistant so I would be hesitant to use it on important documents, but it is definitely reliable in many other ways, and I could see it being used for every day writing for notes and the like. This cooler toned black has no outstanding qualities, but is nonetheless a decent black ink.

Waterman Intense Black Review

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Montblanc Lavender Purple

Montblanc Lavender PurpleMontblanc Lavender Purple bottle

 

 

Montblanc Lavender Purple went through a bit of an ordeal in late 2013 as it was pulled from shelves, much to the consumers confusion. Reports and speculations poured in and many incongruous theories popped up as to why it was disappearing. Some said they heard it was a viscosity issue, other reports said the formula was being altered for color sustainability, and some even heard the ink was going to be discontinued. Regardless of the reason, the loss of Lavender Purple left many Montblanc ink users disappointed. Then in early 2014, Montblanc quietly re-released the Lavender Purple ink and it started to work its way back into the stocks of suppliers. The ink made its return as if nothing had happened, much to the joy of those who love a delicious, warm purple ink.

Although I find the name of “lavender” to be a bit misleading, the ink is a very beautiful and juicy shade of purple. It reminds me of the juice from blueberries or a deep grape color. The color is warm and inviting and it lays down on the paper with some lovely shading. Lavender Purple is very well behaved like most Montblanc inks, and I did not get any bleeding with normal writing on Rhodia or copy paper. The dry time is surprisingly fast, but exposure to water pretty much obliterated the ink from the page. Overall, I would definitely recommend this ink if you are looking for a reliable, warm purple ink.

Montblanc_Lavender_Purple_review

 

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Diamine Oxblood

Diamine OxbloodDiamine Oxblood

 

Diamine Oxblood is one of the company’s best selling inks in the world to the point where it can be downright difficult to get your hands on. The color is a dense red that is reminiscent of its namesake. Since the ink is so saturated, it bleeds like crazy on cheap paper, but there is almost no bleeding on Rhodia unless you are really trying to get it to bleed. The ink exhibits some lovely shading in broader nibs and is a very matte tone. I have noticed that even when dry, patches where a lot of ink has been deposited can still smear. The ink is not waterproof and is barely legible when exposed to water. It is a very wet ink, so dry times are quite long, even with fine nibs, and it looks much darker on more absorbent paper. But if you’re looking for a deep, blood red, then look no further. This ink met my expectations and more. One of the most often recommended dark red inks, Oxblood is a happy addition to any ink arsenal!

Diamine Oxblood review
 
Diamine Oxblood water test
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Sailor Jentle Epinard

Sailor Epinard (세일러 에피나르)  has made a bit of a name for itself as a well received green ink, and I am inclined to agree. In my opinion, it has certainly earned its popularity. The ink has all of the good behavior of a Sailor Jentle ink and it brings a lovely shade of spinach green with a subtle red sheen. It is not a waterproof ink, but the writing was still legible after being exposed to water. No bleeding for feathering on Rhodia paper, even with flex. Some people comment on the “chemical” smell of Sailor inks, but it really doesn’t bother me at all. I only really notice it if I put my nose right up to the open bottle. Epinard is a wonderful green ink and certainly a contender for one of my favorite green inks.

epinard_driptest

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