Ink bottles were on my mind last month. Two bottles came into my possession that were extra attractive: a Graf von Faber-Castell and a J. Herbin 1670. At the same time I got three new Sailor inks, reminding me that Sailor bottles could make a saint curse. I needed no reminding that I am not a saint.
I’ve never been one to prioritize the aesthetics of an ink bottle. For me the main point is the ink inside. However, I try to use up my inks, so I do care how useful and practical a bottle is.
So, I’m going to play “date, marry or kill” with a few ink bottles. The first is a bottle everyone hates, except me. The next two are bottles everyone loves, but I am on the fence about. The last is a bottle that I loathe.
Join me, then, as I play ink bottle bachelorette. But it’s just for fun. No ink bottle design seems to stop me from buying the ink. It just lets me perfect my cursing.
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Fountain Pen Follies 
I have about ten empty ink bottles, some of which I “used up” all of the ink and some that I bought as “empty ink bottles.” I have them all filled with different “food coloring” and have them placed in a really wide window seal in our back room. Beautiful! —– And, I have some of my inks that I am using now over on that window seal too, being careful not to have the sun shine directly on them. C. Skinner
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I think those plastic vials were made with sailor pens in mind. For my pro gear at least, the entire nib doesn’t need to be submerged for it to fill. The same goes for Pilot Custom heritage, some Montblancs and even an Esterbrook I have had the hole in the feed by the nib tip so you don’t have to submerge half the pen.
I rather enjoy this and find it much easier to fill if it’s one of those pens. If not I took some art clay and made a little filling chair that holds the bottle at an angle while I fill it.
That said Sailors faceted vase bottles are my favorite for beauty, form and function. I haven’t tried Akkerman’s yet though.
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Sailor bottles, or rather jars as I consider them: more suited to cold cream. Aesthetically pleasing but useless.
I do like the 30ml Diamine bottles. You can store a lot of them in a small space, and the name of the ink is on the cap.
There’s a reason to keep empty bottles like Pelikan, or especially Waterman: the latter is in my opinion the most practical with its many facets, and looks nice on the desk. But as said above, the Akkerman bottle is of course the ne plus ultra of ink containers.
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Thanks for raising a smile. One can only assume that whoever designed these bottles doesn’t actually use a fountain pen and has no concept of what is required. Nothing like the triumph of style over substance!
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That’s a hilarious topic, Laura. I’m only recently branching out into other makes of ink. While I agree the Sailor bottles are a chore, I decant a bit into a sample vial. For me it’s all about the ink… but the bottle design can be a niggle.
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Great post, Laura! That was a fun read, with your always excellent pictures.
I like the Edelstein bottles but dislike the ink.
I hate the Sailor bottles but love the ink.
The best part about the Diamine Anniversary bottles (beside the ink inside) is that the set of 8 makes a great display.
If I were looking for an ink bottle with which I could happily share the rest of my life, it would certainly be the Akkerman bottle,
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I really enjoyed your thoughts about ink bottles! Thanks
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