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.
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.
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.
To many, the Lamy Safari is one of the quintessential “starter” pens for those seeking to step into the wide world fountain pens. It is affordable, well constructed, and has a relatively high availability in most countries. My own Lamy Safari is a bit weathered (well, at least the nib is), but it is still going strong!
The Lamy Safari comes in a wide variety of colors. Some of those colors are actually limited editions made for one specific year (though some of those colors are repeated in later years), but the simple format of the pen itself never changes. There is also a clear (demonstrator) version of this pen which is often referred to as the Lamy Vista. My personal color of choice was the charcoal gray with matching trim. The body is made of a hard resin that has been given a textured surface (note: most Safari models are not textured but rather smooth plastic) which helps you keep a good grip on the pen and also adds a bit of character to it as well. Along the sides of the pen is an open-air ink window on either side, and the words, “LAMY” on one side. The pen is light, but it does not feel cheap. When posted, the pen feels a bit back-heavy and I find it more comfortable to write without the cap. The resin feels strong and does not flex if you squeeze it. Unlike some of the cheap knockoffs, the Lamy Safari feels like a pen that is built to take some abuse.
The nib is made of steel and can be very smooth if you find the sweet spot. Deviate too much, though, and it can give a lot of feedback depending on the type of paper you are writing on. There is really no flex to the nib at all, and it definitely was not meant to be flexed. One of the great features of these pens is how incredibly easy it is to switch nibs. Simply grip the nib from both sides and give it a gentle tug away from the pen and it slips right off. Lamy sells replacement nibs in Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, 1.1 mm, 1.5 mm, and 1.9 mm.
One of the more polarizing aspects of the pen, for some people, is the grip section. The grip section is molded to aid in keeping a proper writing grip on the pen. Some people like it, others do not (personally, I don’t like it). However, overall the Lamy Safari has made quite a name for itself and it continues to be among the first pens suggested to beginning fountain pen users (for good reason). I think it is a great pen and a stepping stone into a larger world.
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.
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.
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.
After much deliberation, I decided to purchase the TWSBI 580 Diamond with a 1.1mm stub nib. TWSBI is known for having good quality pens at affordable prices, and despite the numerous reports of quality control issues and breaking parts (of which I have had none), I am really enjoying this pen. The body is a crystal clear plastic with a sort of angled diamond pattern to the barrel. This gives it an almost prismatic effect which becomes virtually invisible when filled with ink. The piston filling mechanism works well, and the pen can hold almost 2 ml of ink, which is very rare at this price range. TWSBI sells different nibs for this pen separately and they are easily swapped out with their modular nib/feed system. TWSBI even sells special ink bottles that allow you to fill the pen without getting the nib covered in ink.
The 1.1mm stub nib can be a bit finicky about the angle at which it is held to the paper, but when you get the hang of it the nib is a very smooth writer and lays down a fat wet line. If you’d like to see additional writing samples, see any of my reviews posted before (and probably after) this post. I am very happy with this purchase, and I was actually a bit surprised at how nice the build quality of the pen felt. I can see why this pen is so often recommended to people looking to move away from the baseline entry-level pens. Recommended!
Nib material: Steel
Cap: Screw
Filling mechanism: Piston
Overall length: 142mm
1.1mm stub nib
1.1mm stub nib
Cap
Etched pen model
1.1mm stub
Left to right: Lamy Safari, Pilot Custom 742, Noodler’s Ahab, TWSBI Diamond 580
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!
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.
