I’m a little under the weather here, so I’m just going to post a few photos of my new favorite ink. This is KWZ Ink’s Iron Gall Blue #5. I’ll hope to get a full review up tomorrow. I love the hue and the shading, and I’m even seeing some sheen potential.
It’s such a lovely, classic color, too, that I’ve been comparing it to a bouquet of other blues. But Iron Gall Blue #5 stands apart. It has vivacity but without any stridency or harshness.
Pelikan M605 Marine Blue with extra-fine nib. This is a recent Pelikan special edition. It’s not a demonstrator, but a stunning dark blue translucent plastic.
The trim is plated with palladium, and the nib is rhodanized. This one has Pelikan’s usual generous extra-fine nib.
The ink is KWZ Iron Gall #5, which has gorgeous deep color, beautiful shading and generous flow. I’m going to be reviewing it in depth, but I think it’s a wonderful ink.
I asked my friend Chris what inks she had purchased in 2015. I was tickled, and relieved, that not only did she buy the same number of inks as I did, but she enjoyed some of the same brands. Here is her report.
I decided I had plenty of ink when 2015 began. Enough ink to last me another two lifetimes. I made a resolution that I wouldn’t buy more ink until I emptied at least one bottle. That resolution was never going to work. I’ve never completely emptied a bottle of ink in forty years, so why would I think I might do that now?
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My friend Chris knows more about fountain pen ink than anyone I know, and she also bought good amount of ink last year, making me feel more “normal.”
I’m going to publish Chris’s 2015 ink purchase highlights soon. But before that, I asked her a few questions about last year’s inks.
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Boy, 2015 turned out to be a fun year. What’s ahead for 2016?
I’ve got an amazing envelope chock full of samples from Konrad & Agnieszka at KWZ Ink. I’ve swabbed them all. They all look great, and I’m super excited to use and report on these inks. We’ve got iron gall and regular. Some blues, reds and greens and interesting browns. They all look fantastic.
A few people have asked for a post about the pen that’s pictured in the blog’s banner, a Montblanc Agatha Christie. I can do that! It’s just a killer pen. No pun intended.
I’ve also got some Kaweco inks to review. I’ve really enjoyed using these excellent inks. I’d like to see more attention paid to small companies like KWZ and Kaweco that are putting out really great products at a great price.
I’ve got some more fun nib grinds to show off. One of my favorite things is to try something new. These are pretty great.
I entered 2015 with the firm determination to hold off buying new ink bottles until I used up ink I already owned. Excellent, sensible resolution. And how did I do?
Very badly.
When I went through my inks, I realized that I had purchased thirty new bottles of ink this year. Plus a box of ink cartridges. Too many bottles to fit in one photograph.
Yes, I did use up some bottles of ink. And I sold many. But, still, adding thirty new bottles is not what I wanted. Time for the walk of shame.
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On this twelfth and last day of Holiday Ink, it’s time for silver and gold together, and a little grown-up shimmer
Diamine Shimmertastic Night Sky is a black with silver particles that looks sleek and sophisticated.
Sparkling Shadows is softer and warmer, a gray with gold particles.
Together, they’ll round out the holiday season and bring us into what I hope is a sparkling New Year for everyone.
On the eleventh day of Holiday Ink, it’s time for some sun and shimmer, I think. So today’s ink is Diamine Shimmertastic Golden Sands. Warm and wonderful, it’s like liquid gold. I should have asked for a bottle from Santa.
Fountain Pen Follies 