Three Drops in One: April, May and June Ink Drops

For some reason, doing Ink Drop reviews seem to take forever. Maybe its because I have to dip and clean a pen five times. Then I get behind and have to dip and clean a pen TEN times. This time, I’m THREE months behind. So, hopefully, this was worth the wait.

Here’s the colors from the April, May and June Ink Drops:

 

April 2014: Islands in the Sun

• Diamine Beau Blue
• Diamine Coral
• Pilot Iroshizuku Ama-Iro
• Private Reserve Shoreline Gold
• Rohrer & Klingner Helianthus

Blue skies, blue oceans, sunny days and sandy beaches are captured with the inks in the April Ink Drop. The R&K Helianthus was surprisingly usable for a yellow ink with more orange-y undertones. Private Reserve Shoreline gold was a warm orange-y brown. Both the Diamine Beau Blue and the Pilot Iroshizuku Ama-Iro are turquoise-y blues and the Diamine Coral is actually a blisteringly fluorescent pink-y orange. Its not so pinky as to be bubblegum, more of a vivid geranium blossom red/pink. This is a super fun assortment and was a perfect antidote to rainy, cold, snowy April. I love both shades of blue and will probably have to flip a coin to choose one or the other to buy as a full bottle. The Diamine Coral is also a favorite. It’s a bit more orange-y red than the Platinum Cyclamen Pink. J. Herbin’s Rose Cyclamen and Rose Tendresse are much more purple in comparison.

May 2014: Garden Party

• De Atramentis Apple Blossom
• Pelikan Violet
• Pilot Iroshizuku Tsutsuji
• Platinum Mix-Free Leaf Green
• Private Reserve Buttercup

Garden Party lived up to its name with an array of reddish colors: DeAtramentis Apple Blossom (scented), Pilot Iroshizuku Tsutsuji and Pelikan Violet. The PI Tsutsuji is a tiny bit brighter, cleaner color than Pelikan Edelstein Turmaline. The DeAtramentis Apple Blossom is not overpoweringly scented but it has a fragrance in the bottle that is not noticeable when dry. The color is sort of mulberry reddish purple. Its actually a lovely color and probably my favorite in the bunch this month. Private Reserve Buttercup is super bright yellow but not a fluorescent. It has a hint of orange to it but not as orange-y as the R&K Heliathus from the April Ink Drop. Platinum Leaf Green is part of the mix-free line and is a truly kelly green — like a beautiful spring lawn. Not my lawn, but someone’s.

 

June 2014: Down to Earth

• Diamine Salamander
• Noodler’s Sequoia Green
• Pelikan Edelstein Aventurine
• Platinum Mix-Free Earth Brown
• Private Reserve Ebony Brown

When the June Ink Drop arrived, I was a little bit of a doubter that the earthy tones of the Down to Earth theme would be appealing to me in the bright June sun but both of the browns were really appealing and the greens will be given a good deal more consideration than I initially thought. Private Reserve Ebony Brown is a deep clean brown on the reddish side of brown, warm like 70% cacao chocolate. It’s almost a warm brown black. If I were to buy a bottle of brown ink, this would be it.  And the Platinum Mix-Free Earth Brown is a warm orange-y brown that is richer than Pelikan Brown. Diamine Salamander is an olive-y green black. It reminds me of the color of American currency — like the green on a dollar bill — feels historical. Noodler’s Sequoia Green has a true evergreen vibe, like pine needles. The Pelikan Edelstein Aventurine is a bit deeper green than the Platinum Leaf Green from the May Ink Drop but still a vivid kelly green, just a touch deeper, darker green with a tiny bit of a bluish cast.

Ink Drop is a monthly ink sampling service from Goulet Pens. Subscriptions are $10 per month (add $5 for international subscription), pre-paid or ongoing, and include five different colors of ink and discounts on purchases of full bottles of ink in the Ink Drops.

Swabs are done with a watercolor paint brush on Kyokuto Word Cards, writing samples are done on Rhodia No. 18 Uni-Blank pad using a soft bristle watercolor paint brush and a Pilot Prera with a Pilot Plumix 1.1mm Medium Calligraphy Nib.

Link Love: Four P’s and some I’s

Inks:

• Organics Studio Nickel Teal (via Pens! Paper! Pencils!)
• Akkerman Hague Brown (via A Fool With A Pen)
• Pilot Iroshizuku Tsuki-Yo (via Ed Jelley)

Pens:

• Kaweco AL Sport (EF Nib) (via The Pen Addict)
• Lamy AL-Star Blue-Green Broad (via Gourmet Pens)
• TWSBI 540 Amber Fountain Pen – F Nib (via The Clicky Post)
• Pilot Kakuno (via Alt.Haven)
• Kaweco Liliput Fountain Pen (via Ed Jelley)

Paper & Notebooks:

• Notes & Dabbles’ cloth-covered notebooks (via Notebook Stories)
• Davis Leatherworks Simple Notebook Cover (via I Laike Pens)
• Clairefontaine dot? Quo Vadis dot? (via Rhodia Drive)
• Maruman Mnemosyne Word Cards (via Ed Jelley)
• In Praise of the Original Field Notes (via The Gentleman Stationer)
• Unboxing a Midori Traveler Passport Notebook (via Seaweed Kisses)

Pencils:

• How Do You Test a Pencil (via Rhodia Drive)
• Palomino Blackwing (via Pens! Paper! Pencils!)

Penmanship:

• My Journey To Better Penmanship (via The Cramped)

Ink Review: Pilot Iroshizuku Ama Iro

I always think I’m not going to like blue ink. I think I expect blue to be pedestrian like those horrible blue ballpoints from school but then it would be inconceivable to compare PIlot Iroshizuku to a drugstore ballpoint. Ama Iro (Sky Blue) is a stunning blue like melted blue skies. The color is vibrant with a capital V.  It darkens ever-so-slightly when it dries but the color is still stunning.

I thought it had a little green in it like De Atramentis Pigeon Blue but Ama Iro is much more blue. I guess I like blue inks after all.

Pilot Iroshizuku Ama Iro is $28 per 50 ml bottle

 

Link Love: Official Mascot and more catch-up

First, I’d like you to all admire my new and fully customized Link mascot thanks to my pal and co-worker Adan who, clearly, is a fabulous illustrator. I think I need Link on a t-shirt!

Now, on to the links:

Paper:

• Leuchtturm 1917 soft cover notebook review (via Pen Addict)
• “Stone” Paper (Da Vinci Notebook) (via That One Pen)
• An Obsessive’s Guide to Field Notes COLORS Editions (via Field Notes)
• PaperForFountainPens.com Tomoe River Products (via The Pen Habit)
• Brügge Notebooks Review (via Notebook Stories)
• Rhodia Webnotebook (A5, lined) notebook review (via Pens@ Paper! Pencils!)
• Monsieur Dot Grid Notebook (via Informal Scribble)
• JAWNS No. 1 Notebook Review (via The Pen Addict)

Pens:

• Comparison of D1 Refills (Part one) (via Pens! Paper! Pencils!)
• Visconti Rembrandt Fountain Pen Review (via Write To Me Often)
• Karas Kustoms Copper Bolt (via No Pen Intended)
• Esterbrook #2442 Fine Stub (via Fountain Pen Quest)
• Uni-ball Signo UM-151 Revisiting an Old Favorite (via Office Supply Geek)
• How Do You Clip Your Pens (via A Penchant For Paper)
• Pelikan M205 and Levenger Shiraz Ink (via From The Pen Cup)
• Muji Hexagonal Gel Pen – Orange, 0.4mm Review (via Ed Jelley)
• The Curious Case of the Moldy Sheaffer (via No Pen Intended)
• Retro 51 Tornado Lincoln Copper Fountain Pen Review (via The Unroyal Warrant)
• Lamy Dialog 3 Fountain Pen – Fine Nib – Black Body (via No Pen Intended)
• Pilot Vanishing Point Matte Black Body (via No Pen Intended)
• Caran d’Ache Ballpoint with Rolex Branding (via Economy Pens)

Inks:

• Montblanc Jonathan Swift Seaweed Green (via Fountain Pen Quest)
• Rohrer & Klingner Salix Ink Review (via Ed Jelley)
• Currently Inked (via Write To Me Often)
• Diamine Prussian Blue Ink Review (via Ink Of Me Fondly)
• Graf von Faber-Castell Moss Green (via Fountain Pen Quest)
• Kaweco Royal Blue ink (via A Fool With a Pen)
• Caran d’Ache Chromatics Vibrant Green (via The Pen Habit)
• Akkerman Trêves-Turquoise (via A Fool With A Pen)

Pencils:

• Palomino Golden Bear #2 Wood Cased Pencil (via The Clicky Post)
• Palomino Blackwing Pearl (via My Pencil Draws Worlds)
• New Palomino Pencil Finish (via Pencil Revolution)
• The Koh-I-Noor Triograph: The Sharpie of pencils (via Woodclinched)
• Faber-Castell Blackwing 602 (via My Pencil Draws Worlds)

Misc:

• Dudek Modern Goods Custom “Groove” Review (via The Writing Arsenal)
• Quirky Align Stapler (via Office Supply geek)

 

Ink Review: Noodler’s Bad Green Gator

I was so excited to get a bottle of Noodler’s Bad Green Gater ($12.50 for a 3 oz. bottle). A bulletproof green? This should be a win-win for me. But I have to confess that I was severely underwhelmed by this ink. Yes, it is waterproof. Yes, it is green. But the color is very flat and dull. It lacks a richness or a pizazz. When its wet, it has more depth and  zing so I had such high hopes. When its dry, its just BLAH. The hunt for the perfect green ink continues.

This ink was tested with a hacked Pilot Prera with a Plumix calligraphy nib on Rhodia plain paper pad.

Ink Review: J. Herbin Rose Cyclamen

As the weather warms up and I’m seeing the first peeks flowers and trees budding, I decided it was time to get out some brighter inks. I had this J. Herbin Rose Cyclamen ($9 for a 30ml bottle) from the massive ink haul I won last year from Julie B over at Pens Paper Inks … Whatever. I’m not normally inclined to purchase pink inks, Pelikan Edelstein Turmaline Color of the Year not included, but I was getting the itch to use an ink that wasn’t blue-black. So the J. Herbin Cyclamen found its way into circulation and, boy, am I glad it did.

I painted the title with a paintbrush and then wrote the writing sample using the Pilot Plumix calligraphy nib currently residing on my “spare” lime green Pilot Prera. Following the nib hack a couple weeks ago, a reader (Denis) mentioned that this hack also worked with Preras. Since I had a Prera with a too-fine-for-me F nib, this seemed like a great way to make it useful again. Besides, the pink ink in the lime green pen made me think of Lilly Pulitzer summer resort dresses.

It’s a very purple-y pink, more raspberry than a fuchsia or hot pink. It really is the color of a Cyclamen flower.

(via Wikipedia)

The ink has a little shading but not much and its not as noticeable once the ink is dry either. But overall, J. Herbin ink is very reasonably priced and offers vivid colors that brighten my day.

For comparison, here are some swatches of other pinks I had on hand. From left to right, Diamine Deep Magenta, J. Herbin Rose Cyclamen, J. Herbin Rose Tendresse, DeAtramentis Dianthus, Platinum Cyclamen Pink (actually neon which was hard to capture in a photograph), Diamine Hope Pink (also neon bright) and Pelikan Edelstein Turmaline (no longer available).

To be honest, I found very little difference between the J. Herbin Rose Cyclamen and Rose Tendresse. I find the Cyclamen a tiny bit deeper and a little more complex and the Tendresse a tiny bit brighter. I think the Tendresse looks like it would shade a bit more. The De Atramentis Dianthus is very similar in hue, maybe a tiny bit brighter and it is a scented ink. I could only smell it slightly when it was wet and was lightly floral. When dry, there is no scent. The only other color close (in my collection) was the Diamine Deep Magenta which was more of a deep, dirty pink not as raspberry purple as the other three mentioned. The Platinum Cyclamen, Diamine Hope Pink are much pinker and neon when wet. They both dry to a vibrant pinky-red. The Pelikan Edelstein Turmaline is the most subdued as a deep, complex red/pink/brown.

Do you ever use pink ink? What’s your favorite?

Ink Drop: March 2014 Lasting Impressions

This month’s Ink Drop featured five inks known for their stay-put properties and titled the collection Lasting Impressions. These inks are all designed to be permanent or very water-proof. The colors featured were Rohrer & Klingner Salix and Scabiosa, Platinum Carbon Black (that dark sheen spot is dry ink though if I rub it with my finger, it smudges like charcoal), Noodler’s Bad Green Gator and Upper Ganges Blue.

I was delighted that, when presenting permanent inks, Goulet Pens didn’t send just black and blue inks. I had wanted to see Scabiosa in person for a long time because I do like a deeper, more complex color and it really is unique. Its a deep plum, almost purple black.

In my swash test, I really liked the woodsy green of Bad Green Gator but I’ll have a full review of the color later this week. Noodler’s Upper Gange blue is a deep blue on the edge of a blue-black while the R&K Salix is more of a denim-y blue.

As mentioned, the Platinum Carbon Black left a shiny deposit in my swash test when dry and when I ran my finger over it, it smudged like charcoal pencil. The swash had been sitting for almost 24 hours when I smudged it. Keeping in mind, this was not a writing sample but it is definitely a black ink that is going to stick around.

Overall, these colors seem more sedated and subdued than their less-permanent, more-vibrant brethren. Not that subdued is a bad thing at all. I find their muted colors to be pleasing.

Both of the R&K colors are iron gall inks and I know a lot of people are concerned with potential damage to their pens as a result of these inks. I don’t know much about caring for pens with iron gall inks or other permanent inks but I think if you change your inks at least monthly, it shouldn’t be much of an issue. If concerned that any of these permanent inks might stain or clog your favorite pen, I recommend trying it first in a cheaper pen (maybe a Plaltinum Preppy or a Pilot Metropolitan) before trying it in your top-dollar or vintage pen.

 

Word Cards + Ink Drop = Ink Organization

I picked up this stack of Kyokuto Word Cards at Maido in San Francisco. They are small cards measuring just 1.5″ x 3.5″ (3.7 x 9 cm) and contain 100 sheets. I paid $2.75 for them. They are hole punched  at the narrow end and held together on a clamp ring making them perfect to store and collect ink sample swabs. Because the clamp ring is easy to open, ink samples can be rearranged by color or manufacturer on a whim.

I’ve started using them to have swab references of the Ink Drop colors I receive. I plan to go back and do all the previous color swabs so that I can get all OCD and mix and match them by color, which ones I’ve purchased and manufacturer at a whim.  The paper quality seems good, only one ink swab of the ten I tried showed any bleeding or feathering. Its bright white and my printer husband estimates the paper weight between 60 lb and 80 lb cardstock. Think of the card stock used for magazine blow-ins (those subscription cards that fall out the first time to open it) for a comparable weight. The cards are very smooth paper, there is little-to-no texture.

The nice thing about this set (or any of these mini-flash-cards-on-a-ring) is the ability to add more cards as needed. If they exceed the ring capacity, larger rings are available in most office supply stores or I can split the colors between multiple rings or divide them into smaller rings — all the reds, all the blues, all the blue-blacks, etc. I just love how easy it is to review, sort and be as anal about my ink collection as I want to be.

The closest product I could find online is the Maruman Mnemosyne Word Cards which measure 4.1 x 2.1″ (5.4 x 10.5 cm) with 100 sheets for $4.95. For more about the Maruman Mnemosyne Word Cards, check out the review on The Pen Addict. Have fun and nerd out with your new ink cards!

Link Love of Epic Proportions!

Clampersand (via Domesticated Desk)

Pens:

• Review: ACME Studio Rollerball and Fountain Pen (via J Robert Lennon)
• Zebra Prefill 3 Color Mutli-Pen (via No Pen Intended)
• Buying a Grail Pen (via Ed Jelley)
• What’s your favorite pen? (via Gizmodo)
• Pentel Energel Multiple Pen Review (via That One Pen)
• It’s all about the money boys #2: sub £20 pens (via A Fool With a Pen)
• It’s all about the money boys #3: Pens between £20-£75 (via A Fool With a Pen)
• Platinum #3776 Sai fountain pen review (via Pens! Paper! Pencils!)
• TWSBI Vac 700 Fountain Pen (via The Pencil Case Blog)
• Poppin Main Attraction Silver Pen with Magnetic Cap (via Gourmet Pens)
• A review of the Kaweco Elite (via A Fool With A Pen)
• Lamy’s CP1 Matte Black Fountain Pen (via From The Pen Cup)
• Nib Notes: Esterbrook #1551 Firm Medium School Nib (via Fountain Pen Quest)
• Nib Notes: Esterbrook #1550 Firm Extra Fine (via Fountain Pen Quest)
• Kustom Karas Retrakt Hack (via That One Pen)
• Sailor Reglus Fountain Pen Review (via The Pen Addict)
• Pen Review: TWSBI Diamond 580 (Rose Gold) (via The Pen Habit)
• Faber-Castell Ondoro Smoked Oak Fountain Pen (via The Pencil Case Blog)
• Lamy Al-Star Blue-Green 2014 (via Write To Me Often)

Ink:

• Better Off Red: A Comparison of Three Diamine Reds (via A Fool With A Pen)
• Iroshizuku Kon-Peki Ink (via Inkophile)
• Review: OrganicsStudio Pendleton’s Purpillusion (via Gourmet Pens)
• The Beginning of my Ink Collection (via Inkdependence)

Life Imitates Art: Vector Pencil Art (via Woodclinched)

Pencils:

• UPDATE: Dixon Ticonderoga Laddie Review (via The Daily Carry)
• How To Sharpen Pencils: The Documentary (via Pencil REvolution)
• Refreshed Palomino design at Pencils.com (via Woodclinched)
• Faber-Castell Grip 2001 Pencil Review (via The Pen Addict)
• Staedtler Pencil Holder 900 25 (via My Pencil Draws Worlds)
• Ink Notes: Graf von Faber-Castell Stone Grey (via Fountain Pen Quest)
• The Humble Eraser (via Rhodia Drive)

Writing & Letter-Writing:

• Journaling lessons learned (via Plannerisms)
• InCoWriMo is Over (via My Pen Needs Ink)
• How I Learned to Stop worrying and Write A Letter (via Pen Envy)

Paper & Notebooks:

• Fold an origami paper heart (via How About Orange)
• Staples are killing your document (via Strikethrough)
• Staples Arc and Levenger Circa Compatible Accessories (via Office Supply Geek)
• Baron Fig Notebook: Worth The Hype? (via Woodclinched)
• Apica CD Notebook Review (via The Pen Addict)
• 30% Off Moleskine Star Wars, Pac Man, & LEGO! (via European Paper)
• Paperblanks Mini Reporter Notebook in Grolier – Review (via Ed Jelley)

Link Love: Instagrammatical & TWSBIs (made-up words!)

Image credits (clockwise from top left: Noyolajose, Mary Kate McDevitt, Tuesday Next [that’s me!], FPGeeks, Rad And Hungry, MyCoffeePot, Rad And Hungry, Elltbr, and GouletPens)

Yeah for awesome Instagram friends! If you’re not following the folks in the photo collage above, I highly recommend them for wonderful office accoutrement photo yummies.

In other news:

Paper and Notebooks:

• I May Never Buy a New Moleskine Again (via Notebooks Stories)
• Fountain Pen Friendly Paper (via Rhodia Drive)
• New from Palomino : Fabio Ricci Goran Hard Cover Notebooks (via European Paper)
• Grandluxe Notebook Review and Giveaway (via Notebook Stories)
• What to do when you hate your planner (via Plannerisms)
• Semikolon Il Creativo Medium Notebook Review (via The Unroyal Warrant)

Pens and Ink:

• Budget Fountain Pens: Mini Reviews (via My Pen Needs Ink)
• Kaweco Dia2 Fountain Pen review (via The Pencil Case Blog)
• TWSBI Mini Fountain Pen in Classic Review (via Ed Jelley)
• TWSBI Classic 1.1 Stub – Pen Review (via Clicky Post)
• Lifesaver: Monteverde Artista Crystal Wild Stripe Fountain Pen (via From The Pen Cup)
• TWSBI 580 Review (via That One Pen)
• Sailor Jentle Limited Edition Autumn 2010 Oku Yama Maroon Ink Review (via The Pen Addict)
• Falling in love with an old friend (via Inkophile)
• Pentel TRF100 Tradio Fountain Pen – Black Pearl Body – M nib (via No Pen Intended)
• Video Pen Review: Parker 51 Special (via The Pen Habit)
• Cheat Sheet for the Japanese Big-3 Fountain-Pen Makers (via Yihogyun)
• How to clean cartridge pens? (via Write To Me Often)
• Montblanc Oyster Grey ink review (via A Fool With A Pen)
• Sailor Regulus Fountain Pen Review (via Pens! Paper! Pencils!)

Pencils:

• Pencil Review: Sanford Design Drawing 3800 6B (via A Penchant for Paper)
• Bent Pencils? (via Rhodia Drive)

For Valentine’s Day:

Download the hi-rez file at  Creatively Curated

• US Postal Service Customizes Valentine Postmarks (via Turn to 23)
• Make a Valentine’s Pen Bouquet (via Jet Pens Blog)
• Valentine’s Day Gift Guide (via Office Supply Geek)

Ink as Watercolor

Watercolor lettering sample (via Well-Appointed Desk)

Following the post this morning about painting with ink, I started thinking of other ways ink could be used. Its very much like watercolor paints so I thought I might share some fun ways to use watercolors that might inspire you to play and experiment with all those bottles of ink and ink samples you’ve accumulated. I wouldn’t recommend trying these with bulletproof or other waterproof inks but most fountain pen inks should play nicely.

Leslie Shewring experiments with ocean inspired blue watercolors (via Decor8 and A Creative Mint)

Just brushing ink on paper, like you would with watercolors, can inspire and inform you. You can see the undertones of an ink color easily as well as the range of lights and darks of a color.  Add a little water to ink in a dish or bowl to create color washes.

Watercolor quote by Rocketrictic (via Flickr)

Try blending two colors and drawing your favorite quote in ink.

Ink dipped ediging on doilies to decorate gifts (via Decor8)

The inks can be used to tint other papers, create tissue puffs, coffee filter hydrangeas or something else entirely!

Liquid Masking Fluid demo (via Comic Tools)

Use masking fluid to block out areas on your page. Let it dry and then paint over it with your inks. Then peel the latex away to create a fun, colorful piece.

While any paper should work, a heavyweight watercolor paper will give texture and will be less inclined to curl or distort. I’ve been using an Aquabee Super Deluxe 9×12 wirebound sketchbook for playing with watercolor and ink. It is textured (cold pressed) on the front and smooth (hot pressed) on the back. If you’re searching the internet for watercolor paper, think hot is like ironed (smooth) and cold is wrinkly (textured) if that helps to remember the difference.

Hope these ideas inspire you. Drop me a link if you try any of these. I’d love to see what you create.

Ask The Desk: That’s not a pen!

I received an actual letter from Leah a week or so ago. She asked lots of different questions about pens and tools so I thought I’d include some of my answers here as well as in a letter to her.

She asked:

What pen/nib did you use for the titles of your 12 Days of Inkmas?

The secret is that I didn’t use a pen at all. I used a brush!

I got the idea to use a brush from seeing some ink “swabs” on European Paper. They were using a brush to create a lovely little ink swab. I like that a brush was easy to clean and I wasn’t creating a landfill full of q-tips in sampling inks each month.

I’ve used several different brushes that I’ve accumulated over the years to not only create “swabs” but also to create a more interesting header for the 12 Days of Inkmas. I’ve tried to keep up the habit for future ink samples and reviews as I can see the range of shading with the inks this way.

EDIT: The word “Wide Strokes” was done with the Scharff FINELINE 3000 #3, not the #6. Oops!

From left to right: Robert Simmons #2 red Kolinsky hair and synthetic filaments round brush, A. Langnickel 670 #5 Red Sable script brush, Scharff Kolinsky red sable FINELINE 3000 #3 round and #6, and a Silverwhite synthetic 1500S #2 Round.

I’ve acquired brushes over the years from friends, yard sales and various art supply stores. I’m stunned to see how expensive the Scharff #6 brush is ($67)! I’ll definitely take better care of it. I’m confident that any good quality round brush recommended for watercolor, acrylic or oil would make a perfect tool for “swabs” and ink tests. Visit your local art supply or craft shop to pick up a couple.

Just remember to wash out your brushes in water, squeeze dry and reshape the tip to dry. Don’t scrub them and make the bristles flair out  or you risk breaking the fibers and/or hairs. Always dry your brushes with the tip up and don’t leave them sit indefinitely in your wash water or the bristles will bend at a weird angle. If you let them cake with inks or paints, try The Masters brush cleaner. It will save just about all your brushes!

Link Love: The Good, The Bad & The Postal Rate Increase

Shades of Lime (via A Penchant For Paper)

Pens & Ink:

• Kaweco Sport Luxe Fountain Pen (via The Pencil Case Blog)
• Vintage Pen Review: ca. 1929 Parker Lady Duofold “Lucky Curve” (via Pen Habit)
• The Airfoil by Masterstroke – Aviation Inspired Kickstarter Pen (via Clicky Post)
• Retro 51 Tornado Black Acrylic Fountain Pen Review (via The Pen Addict)
• ACME “Eames Chairs” Rollerball (via From The Pen Cup)
• rOtring Lava Multipen Review (via The Clicky Post)
• Bic Duo Ballpoint & Highlighter (via No Pen Intended)
• From The Archive: Pens (via A Penchant For Paper)
• Yasutomo Y&C Stylist Gel Ink Pen Review (via The Pen Addict)
• A Survey of Browns (via Inkdependence)
• Sailor Jentle Sky High Blue Ink (via Ink of Me Fondly)

Pencils:

• Start With A Pencil (via Woodclinched)
• Golden Bear #2 HB Pencil Review (via The Daily Carry)

Paper:

• Tomoe River Paper (via Inkophile)
• Black n’ Red Notebook Review (via The Pen Addict)
• bRead Notebook in White, Wheat, & Whole Wheat (via No Pen Intended)

US Postal Rate Increases (illustration by Donovan Beeson via Letter Writers Alliance)

Misc:

• Stationery Travel Kit (via East, West, Everywhere)
• Philadelphia Pen Show Recap (via That One Pen)
• Do You Keep Your Pen Boxes (via My Pen Needs Ink)

Link Love: Puns and Paper

(Ironic artwork)

Paper:

• World War 2 Diaries Found in Attic (via Notebook Stories)
• Pocket Notebooks: What does Fountain Pen Friendly really mean? (via Ed Jelley)
• Paperblanks Journals (via Inkophile)
• Moleskine Cahier Pocket Notebook (vi Ink of Me Fondly)

Pens and Ink:

• Esterbrook #1461 Rigid Fine (via Fountain Pen Quest)
• Kaweco Carribean Turquoise Ink (via The Pencil Case Blog)
• Kaweco Allrounder Fountain Pen (via Office Supply Geek)
• Delta Fusion 82 Fountain Pen Review (via From The Pen Cup)
• Friends don’t let friends let the ink dry up in their fountain pens (via Rhodia Drive)
• Pilot Razor Point Marker Stick Pen 0.5MM Review (via The Royal Warrant)

50 Shades of Grey: Mechanical Pencils (via Wired)

Pencils:

• Forest Choice Pencil by Palomino (via The Daily Carry)
• Tombow 2558 B (via Economy Pens)

Misc:

• US Postal Rate Increases (via Letter Writers Alliance)
• Printable Calendars (via Paper Pastries)
• Inspiring Mousepads (via Domesticatd Desk)

Ink Drop: November 2013

I am so sorry I completely missed/forgot/skipped the Goulet Pens Ink Drop for November 2013. It was filled with colors that could be used for Christmas, unless, of course, you’re me and use green all year long. I also quite like reds so let’s call this my January Ink Drop and move on.

The inks included were Pilot Iroshizuku Shin-Ryoku which is a green with a blue undertone like a blue conifer. The Diamine Kelly Green is in my sweet spot: a green with yellowish undertones. And the De Atramentis Pine Green with is a deep green black. Maybe its the cold bleak weather but the Pine Green was my least favorite in this assortment.

In the reds is Diamine Crimson which is a wicked, vampish red and De Atramentis Poppy Red which is a brighter red with a slight orange undertone.

At some point, I’ll probably purchase bottle of the Shin-Ryoku as its such a unique green and the Crimson which would be perfect for Valentine’s Day or my first vampire novel.

All the writing samples were done with a dip flexible nib which are a bit more prone to bleeding then a fountain pen but so much easier to test and clean quickly.

Link Love: The Deja Vu Edition

A lot of topics I’ve mentioned in the past, have made appearances on other blogs this week. I thought I’d start with those…

Note: In this section, the first link is my original post and the links in parentheses are the posts from other bloggers.

• Write Notepads (via Pencil Revolution and My Pen Needs Ink)
• Standard Memorandum (review via Ed Jelley and Unroyal Warrant)
• Hobonichi Planner (review from Notebook Stories)
• Plants in the workplace (via Fast Company)

(via Pelikan Edelstein)

And now back to our regularly scheduled Link Love:

Paper:

• Arc Customizable Notebook System (via Office Supply Geek)
• Notebooks (via Put This On)
• Ink Samples in a Maruman Mnemosyne Word Book (via Pen Addict)

Pencils, Pens & Ink:

• TWSBI Vac 700 (via That One Pen)
• Fountain Pen Experts Share Their Favorite Pen (via Best Fountain Pen)
• Kaweco Art Sport in Alabaster (via Clicky Post)
• Weekly Loadout: Mike Dudek (via Ed Jelley)
• TWSBI Classic (via That One Pen)
• Kickstarter: Hands-On with the Masterstoke Airfoil Ballpoint Pen (via Ed Jelley)
• Esterbrook #1314 Flexible Stub (via Fountain Pen Quest)
• Tombow Mono 100 Review (via Pencil Revolution)
• Diamine Registrar’s Ink (via Ed Jelley)

Misc:

• Accidental Early Review of the Nock Co. Brasstown (via The Daily Carry)
• Colored Staples That Actually Work (via Office Supply Geek)
• Good Stuff on my Desk (via Inkophile)

Ask The Desk: Clogged Fountain Pens

Tom asks:

Several of my fountain pens seem to be clogged.  Certainly the ink does not flow as freely as it did when they were new.

The tried and true cures – such as soaking in a bowl of warm water with two drops of ammonia – do not seem to work.

What is the approved 21st Century approach?

Many thanks,
Tom

I have not had a lot of clogging issues myself. I have purchased several old pens that needed cleaning and I just let them soak in warm water for several days, changing the water every day and then flushing the pen completely with good success.

Since it sound like you have more serious issues, I put a call out to some of the folks out on Twitter and here are there responses:

1. Azizah from Gourmet Pens: Can you disassemble it? Soak it in 10% ammonia and 90% water (section and nib) and flush it out with water.. Should clear it.
2. Inktronics says: Time for a total tear down and getting the toothbrush out.
3. FPGeeks says: After Azizah’s advice, next step would be to use ultrasonic cleaner.
4. Anderson Pens says: How long did they let it soak? Overnight at least if no ultrasonic or use a bulb to force water through the feed.

I would also wonder about the ink that you are using if you are continuing to have clogging issues. You may want to try a new, different ink once you get your pen cleaned out to see if the issue was a result of gritty ink.

I hope these tips help. Let us all know if you have any luck.

Link Love: Boxing Day Edition

Fabulous video of a hand-writing automaton boy built over 240 years ago (via Letter Writers Alliance)

Paper & Notebooks:

• Studio Ghibli Moleskine (not for sale) (via Notebook Stories)
• Overview of the Word Standard Memorandum (via East, West, Everywhere)
• Doane Flap Jotter Notepad Review (via Ed Jelley)
• Scout Books Mega DIY Notebooks (via Design Concussion)
• Nock Co. Hobonichi Planner Cover Review (via The Pen Addict)
• Hobonichi Planner Review (via Unroyal Warrant)
• Gift Suggestions for Pen Pals (via Letter Writers Alliance)

Pen Pal Interview with Josh Scruggs (via Jet Pens Blog and 26symbols)

Pens and Ink:

• Designing the Karas Kustoms Ink fountain pen (via Design Concussion)
• Ink Fountain Pen reviews (via From the Pen Cup and Clicky Post)
• Esterbrook J Fountain Pen Review with Gregg Shorthand 9556 nib (via The Pen Addict)
• Listening While You Write (via My Pen Needs Ink)
• Pilot Kakuno Fountain Pen Review (via The Pen Addict)
• Montblanc Toffee Brown (via The Pencil Case Blog)
• Private Reserve Orange Crush (via Ink of Me Fondly)
• Kaweco Sepia Brown (via Ed Jelley)
• “Expensive” Fountain Pens Just 30 or Under (via No Pen Intended)

Misc:

• Origami Santas (via How About Orange)
• Foldio Kickstarter: Paper foldable portable photo light box (via Design Work Life)
• Doxie portable scanner review (via Notebook Stories)

12 Days of Inkmas: De Atramentis Pigeon Blue

On the last day of Inkmas, my true pen was inked with De Atramentis Pigeon Blue! Not as romantic as a partridge in a pear tree but its my favorite ink (at the moment) so I thought it was worthy of being the last ink of the first annual Inkmas.

Initially, I ordered a sample of  this ink because I loved the name. I used the sample up immediately and decided I needed a whole bottle but Goulet was sold out. A friend sent me another sample to hold me over until they restocked. The bottle I purchased is already half-used. That’s a true testament to how much I like this ink.

It’s not a true blue but rather a slightly grey turquoise blue. I’d almost call it a teal. There’s enough black in the ink to keep it from being garish but its still a beautiful color.  In general, de Atramentis inks are super easy-flow, and Pigeon Blue is no exception. It makes the inks good options for fine nib pens and also quick drying which means I don’t track wet ink all over my paper.

The swab shows the range of color variation that makes for great shading in wider nib pens. Pigeon Blue is not waterproof or even water resistant all that much but it will hold up to the occasional slosh of coffee and pat drying.

 

I tried to find a comparable color in my collection but nothing I could find was all that similar. Diamine Aqua Lagoon 80ml ($12.50) was close but its a much more vivid, jewel-tone  blue-green. Sheaffer Skrip Turquoise 50ml ($9)  in much bluer overall and Diamine Soft Mint 80ml ($12.50) is much more of a green ink with blue undertones.

De Atramentis Pigeon Blue is available in 35ml bottles for $12.50.

I hope you’ve enjoyed Inkmas as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing all these wonderful ink colors with you. Happy holidays to everyone and please send your comments and recommendations for other inks I should try.

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The samples above were written with my Lamy Studio brushed stainless steel with 1.1mm nib in the Quo Vadis Habana bright white, blank notebook. Dry times will vary depending on paper stock. Comparison samples were written using a steel dip nib with a bit of flex which causes some of the more liquidy inks, like De Atramentis, to run a bit. They are included for color comparison. Best efforts were made to achieve color accuracy but the limitations of camera, lighting and individual monitor calibrations may alter the final look. For best results, order a sample of the ink color you like best and try it before you invest in a whole bottle.

12 Days of Inkmas: Diamine Graphite

Today is one of those gray, winter days so I thought maybe I’d choose an ink that reflected the gray days for the eleventh day of Inkmas. Its called Diamine Graphite. I expected it to be a neutral grey-black. What I got instead was a very unusual grey-green. My first thought was that it reminded me of the wash water for Noodler’s Zhivago possibly.

Diamine Graphite has a ton of shading in a wide nib fountain pen but looks much darker when used with a crow quill dip nib. Even with the B nib on my Kaweco Art Sport, the ink was dry quickly which is a very nice trait considering the mess I made at the top of the page because the brush lettering wasn’t quite dry. Ah, the trouble with lefties!

Overall, I find a lot of interest in Graphite. Its not altogether grey but its not green either. It shades like crazy in my fountain pen but dips to a deep dark grey. Just like a gray winter day, there are still wonders and interest to be found.

I did compare Diamine Graphite to Noodler’s Zhivago 3oz/88ml ($12.50) and, at its full concentration, Zhivago is much more of a black than a grey but it was worth a shot. De Atramentis Silver Grey 35ml ($12.50) is close in overall color tone but Silver Grey is much more of a blue-grey than Graphite. I really couldn’t find a good ink match in my collection to Graphite so its definitely a unique ink.

Diamine Graphite is available in a 80ml bottle for $12.75.

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The samples above were written with a Kaweco Art Sport with a B nib (review coming soon!) in the Quo Vadis Habana bright white, blank notebook. Dry times will vary depending on paper stock. Comparison samples were written using a steel dip nib with a bit of flex which causes some of the more liquidy inks, like De Atramentis, to run a bit. They are included for color comparison. Best efforts were made to achieve color accuracy but the limitations of camera, lighting and individual monitor calibrations may alter the final look. For best results, order a sample of the ink color you like best and try it before you invest in a whole bottle.

Shout out to Karen P. for sending me a sample of Diamine Graphite as well as the Diamine Salamander and De Atramentis Cement Gray. Much appreciated!

12 Days of Inkmas: Rohrer & Klingner Verdigris

Today is the tenth day of the first ever Inkmas and today’s offering is Rohrer & Klingner Verdigris. I have a little experience with French but not much with German so my first instinct was to think Verdigris would be a green-grey, vert gris. Totally wrong! It’s actually a blue-black. Yep. Jet Pens does not include swabs or samples with the R&K inks so I went on name alone when I selected it. Not that I mind a good blue-black (see the Inkmas Private Reserve Ebony Blue ink review for details), because I quite like them. But I was surprised that the name is 100% misleading.

I tested the ink with a very special pen I just received (more about that later this week) which sports a wider nib than I usually use so dry times were a tiny bit longer but not too bad. Its a deeply pigmented color so I did not see a lot of shading in the writing which gives a consistent look to the writing.

Rohrer & Klingner Verdigris is not a waterproof ink but it can withstand a bit of water without completely vanishing. In the swab, the Verdigris has a blue undertone with a tiny hint of violet but its very subtle.

I think this will be the last time I use the J. Herbin glass pen for my ink comparisons as its scratchy and inconsistent, ranging from super dry to bloopy with no warning.  Of the inks in my collection, The Noodler’s 54th Massachusetts and the Private Reserve Ebony Blue are the closest in color to the Verdigris though the 54th Massachusetts has a bit of a brownish undertone when dry and the Ebony Blue is a bit more turquoise with that unusual hint of burgundy when you get it in just the right light.

Rohrer & Klingner Verdigris is available in a 50ml for $12.

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The samples above were written with a prototype Karas Kustoms INK fountain pen with a M nib (review coming soon!) in the Quo Vadis Habana bright white, blank notebook. Dry times will vary depending on paper stock. Comparison samples were written using a J. Herbin glass pen which causes some of the more liquidy inks, like De Atramentis, to run a bit. They are included for color comparison. Best efforts were made to achieve color accuracy but the limitations of camera, lighting and individual monitor calibrations may alter the final look. For best results, order a sample of the ink color you like best and try it before you invest in a whole bottle.

DISCLAIMER: This item was sent to me free of charge by Jet Pens for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

12 Days of Inkmas: Diamine Red Dragon

Today’s Inkmas offering is Diamine Red Dragon. It’s a dramatic red-brown. I say red-brown because it is not at all pinkish though there is a cast of a deep burgundy. It’s a good holiday red for sure but its also a solidly-spirited red ink, good for use all year long. Diamine inks have impressed me with how well they stand up on paper. Generally, Diamine inks seem less inclined to bleed than other inks though they may have a longer dry time. I notice this phenomena when using dip nibs particularly.

Once again, I forgot to do a water test but its not a water resistant or water proof ink so if that’s a concern, skip this ink.

You can see the range of hue in the swab above. Red Dragon can appear dark reddish brown down to a clear, bright red in the shaded areas. There’s some nice shading, if you like that kind of thing.

When compared with other inks in my collection, De Atramentis Oriental Red 35ml ($12.50) was probably the closest in color. R&K Morinda 50ml ($12) has more of an orange cast, Pilot Iroshizuku Yama-Budo 50ml ($28) is much more of a purple and the others were all more of a burgundy/brown. (The bloops are a result of trying to use fountain pen inks with dip pens. Its not always a successful venture.)

Diamine Red Dragon is available in 80ml bottles for $12.50, quite a value.

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The samples above were written with a Kaweco Art Sport with a B nib (review coming soon!) in theQuo Vadis Habana bright white, blank notebook. Dry times will vary depending on paper stock. Comparison samples were written using a J. Herbin glass pen which causes some of the more liquidy inks, like De Atramentis, to run a bit. They are included for color comparison. Best efforts were made to achieve color accuracy but the limitations of camera, lighting and individual monitor calibrations may alter the final look. For best results, order a sample of the ink color you like best and try it before you invest in a whole bottle.

DISCLAIMER: This item was sent to me free of charge by Jet Pens for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

12 Days of Inkmas: Pilot Blue

On this, the ninth day of Inkmas, I give you a tried-and-true classic, Pilot Blue. This is not the fancy-pants Iroshizuku version but the back-to-basics, loyal-like-a-labrador Pilot Blue.

It comes in a gorgeous, classic bottle with a pedestal base that will look nice on your desk and last for ages. The bottle has an ingenious little plastic tube in the middle. When the ink level in the bottle starts to drop, just cap the bottle, flip it over and then right it and open it. The plastic tube will be filled with ink and you can easily fill your pen.

Pilot Blue has a bit of a strong smell in the bottle but once its loaded in my pen, I don’t notice it. There’s lots of shading details in my writing sample from a crystal sky blue to a deep indigo. The dry time was pretty reasonable. I was using a wider nib than I normally do and didn’t have any smudging issues. It stood up pretty well to water. While it is not waterproof, there is a bit of water resistance which is nice.

When compared with other blues in my arsenal, Diamine Washable Blue 80ml ($12.75) was the closest in color. De Atramentis U. S. Constitution 35ml ($12.50) (besides being extremely bloopy in my dip pen) is a bit more of a smoky blue. Private Reserve American Blue 50ml ($8.80) is more of a royal blue and leans much darker when applied in heavy strokes.

Pilot Blue comes in a 70ml bottle for $16.50. If you’re looking for the best value for the volume, Pilot Blue might not be the favored option but the easy-to-use bottle adds a benefit some of the other inks don’t offer.

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The samples above were written with a vintage Esterbrook outfitted with a #2442 falcon stub in the Quo Vadis Habana bright white, blank notebook. Dry times will vary depending on paper stock. Comparison samples were written using a steel dip nib with a bit of flex which causes some of the more liquidy inks, like De Atramentis, to run a bit. They are included for color comparison. Best efforts were made to achieve color accuracy but the limitations of camera, lighting and individual monitor calibrations may alter the final look. For best results, order a sample of the ink color you like best and try it before you invest in a whole bottle.

Ask The Desk: Smudge-Free Writing (of particular concern to Lefties)

Reader Jorge asks:

I was wondering whether you had come across any ‘solutions’ to stop left handed writers from smudging their writing as they/we rub across our hand.

I love ink and fountain pens but I remember I used to make an incredible mess of my work – the only solution was to crook my wrist to avoid the rubbing of the side of my palm.

There are a few solutions for lefties and ink drag. The first is quick-drying inks. Noodler’s Bernanke series is designed to dry quickly. I think Private Reserve has a few quick-dry versions of their inks as well. I find that finer nibs  help since they don’t tend to put down as much ink at one time.

Paper can be a factor as well. High quality papers like Rhodia and Tomoe River let the ink stand up on the paper keeping the inks from feathering or bleeding but making dry times much longer. I am less inclined to reccomend these papers to leftie for this reason.  Seek out a good mid-range paper. I like the paper in the Piccadilly notebooks for being a sweet spot between too thin (bleed and show through) and too fancy (takes forever to dry). They are also quite inexpensive so if I can only use one side of the paper, I don’t feel as bad about it. There are other options for paper as well. I find Moleskine too absorbent and the Clairefontaine (Rhodia, Quo Vadis, etc) paper takes too long to dry for me. I’m sure every writer will have slightly different criteria and you may find the a notebook from a big box office supply store is the perfect one for you.

And sadly, the last option is to try to alter your writing position so that your hand is below your writing. As an overhanded left-hander, I find this option awkward and uncomfortable. But there are many folks who claim this is the best option. If you have left-handed children just learning to write, you may want to try to get them to write in the under writer position to spare them from the challenges that we over-writers have had to face. The UK-based Anything Left-Handed site has a lot of resources for writing left-handed and so many other things!

Above is what over-writing looks like. It looks wonky but it is how I learned to write and so its comfortable to me.

This is what under-writing looks like. It looks more like the position that right handed writers use. While it looks more graceful, I find it awkward but many lefties employ this technique and it eliminates a lot of smearing issues.

I hope this helps.

12 Days of Inkmas: Black Velvet

Inspired by Kenouni Renoshin‘s suggestion that I do more ink reviews, I give to you the first day of the 12 Days of Inkmas. Cheers!

I must confess, of the eight inks I received this month from the December Ink Drop,in honor of Private Reserve founder Terry Johnson, I waited to do Private Reserve Black Velvet last. Partially because I find it hard to say much about black ink. I love fountain pens because I don’t have to use black. But I know lots of people like using black inks or need to use black for professional reasons. So, for you, lovers of the black inks, this is my review of Black Velvet. Let’s start by admitting that I love the name and find it quite fitting for the holiday season.

I found the Black Velvet to be a fairly neutral black. In the water test, there is a slight undertone of red but overall its a very neutral black. In writing, it seems to be a solid black with slight shading. Black Velvet is not a waterproof or even water resistant ink but it does leave evidence on the paper after water which means it could stain clothes or surfaces if spilled.

Black Velvet is a wet ink and flowed easily out of my EF TWSBI mini. If I felt compelled to use a black, this is not a bad option.

When compared to other black inks in my collection, I’d say its most comparable to Lamy Black. Noodler’s Zhivago ($12.50)and El Lawrence ($18.50) both are 3 oz/ 88ml bottles and  both have more of a green undertone.  Monteverde Black 90 ml ($12.50) has a clear red undertone making it look a little purply, even in my samples.

Private Reserve Black Velvet is sold in 50ml bottles for $8.80.

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The samples above were written with a TWSBI Mini EF fountain pen in the Quo Vadis Habana bright white, blank notebook. Dry times will vary depending on paper stock. Comparison samples were written using a steel dip nib with a bit of flex which causes some of the more liquidy inks, like De Atramentis, to run a bit. They are included for color comparison. Best efforts were made to achieve color accuracy but the limitations of camera, lighting and individual monitor calibrations may alter the final look. For best results, order a sample of the ink color you like best and try it before you invest in a whole bottle.