KWZ Maroon. This is an ink with great color and shading, that has particular presence in a very fine nib.
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Author: Laura
One Minute Ink Review: Diamine Mozart
Diamine Mozart. It’s January 27, 2016, which is the 260th anniversary of Mozart’s birth. Diamine’s excellent Music Set includes a Mozart ink, which is a lovely, dark reddish brown with great shading. Diamine Mozart is a wetter ink, but I still like it in a wet pen
An everyday ink? It could be, for me. And today is a good day for it.
Pen of the Day: Aurora Optima Blue Auroloide
Aurora Optima Blue/Chrome with fine nib. I filled this Optima for two reasons. First, it seemed like a perfect match for the color of KWZ Azure #3 ink, which I wanted to try. Second, Aurora has announced a forthcoming blue and green Optima 365 limited edition. And I’m tempted. So it’s time to appreciate what I already have.
First, the ink, which is a knockout. Not much shading; great color.
Second, this is such a beautiful pen. So I think that’s that. Phew.
Ink Review: KWZ Dark Brown
KWZ Dark Brown. This is an ink that is so very dark brown it’s essentially black, to me. But it’s not only an attractive lighter black ink, it’s also an astonishingly well-behaved black ink. Even on very poor papers, and with wide nibs, I could not make it feather even a little.
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One Minute Ink Review: Diamine Carnation
Diamine Carnation. The January “birth flower” is the carnation, and today happens to be the twelfth birthday of Tara, a beloved family member, albeit of the Labrador Retriever persuasion. Diamine Carnation is a great ink to bring birthday cheer, being a sprightly pink that’s surprisingly legible and unsurprisingly happy.
An everyday ink? I suspect that if we all used Diamine Carnation daily, the world would be a better place.
Happy National Handwriting Day, from Someone with Bad Handwriting
January 23 is National Handwriting Day?!
What the what? Who knew, right?
Since I do like to write by hand, I’ll join in with good wishes.
I hear from a lot of people that they are embarrassed by their handwriting and that’s why they don’t write more. To be honest, sometimes I wish our pediatrician felt that way — he’s the best doctor ever, but I cannot decipher his scrawl. Pharmacists must take handwriting analysis classes.
And I have terrible handwriting myself. As you can see above. Sometimes I blame school. I had to take so many notes, so quickly, that my writing just became terrible. And it never improved. In fact, I have rotator cuff tendinitis, so it’s gotten worse over the years.
But you know what? I don’t get overly upset by having terrible handwriting. People have different talents, and good handwriting isn’t mine. I still write by hand.
Not writing because my handwriting isn’t very good wouldn’t make any more sense to me than not singing because I’m not a good singer. In fact, I’m not a good singer, but I love music. So I sing anyway.
I just figure it’s the same with anything: have fun. Join the party.
So, let’s all write something today by hand. It’s a red letter day. (Look at the photo. Groan at the bad pun.)
Pen of the Day: Lamy Al-Star Dark Purple
Lamy Al-Star Dark Purple with medium nib. Ah, the power of a name. I have always slightly disapproved of this pen because Lamy called it “purple,” and it’s just not my idea of purple. But I like it as a maroon or burgundy pen.
Anyway I’m using it to test KWZ Maroon, a very nice ink.
I’ve never really like the Al-Star as much as the Safari. But it’s starting to grow on me. Aluminum is neat.
Montblanc Agatha Christie
Is this my nicest pen? It is the only one that people keep asking about. It definitely cost the most. And it is a dream to have it. So I guess so.
I’m not sure a review of a limited edition pen from 1993 is in any way helpful, so I’ll just post some photos of the pen and write down a few thoughts about it.
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Ink Review: KWZ Foggy Green
Pen of the Day: Edison Hakumin Urushi Mina
Edison Hakumin Urushi Mina with extra-fine nib. This is a custom urushi pen from Brian Gray at Edison Pens and Ernest Shin at Hakumin Urushi Kobo. I am very lucky.
The pen is just gorgeous. The finish is Ki-tamenuri, which has a brown finishing coat and a yellow under-layer, which is easiest to see on the section threads.
The wonderful nib was customized as well. Brian sent it off to Mike Masuyama to be ground extra-fine. I asked for the equivalent of a Sailor fine.
KWZ Maroon is the ink. Also wonderful.
Fountain Pen Follies 