Aurora Black. A standard black ink that has unadvertised water resistance, flows a little wet and is a dark black color. This is an excellent ink, and for good reason has become a lot of people’s favorite black ink.
An everyday ink? Yes.
Category: Ink
Pen of the Day: Pelikan M600 Ruby Red
Pelikan M600 Ruby Red with fine nib. The M600 is the perfect size for me, and red is a favorite color, so this special edition Pelikan from a few years ago sees frequent use. The cap is the most translucently beautiful part of the pen.
The ink is Pelikan Edelstein Turmaline, ink of the year for 2012, a very cheery pink. It will be the perfect match for Pelikan’s forthcoming pink-striped M600. Pink-o-phobes, I apologize.
One Minute Ink Review: Pelikan Edelstein Ruby
Pelikan Edelstein Ruby. A red ink that’s on the quiet side, Pelikan Edelstein Ruby has unusual qualities for a red. It may not appeal to those who want brightness and high saturation, but it’s that rare red that could be described as pretty. Definitely not the “You Got an F” traditional red ink of student nightmares. It’s also easier to clean out of a pen than most reds.
An everyday ink? If I used red ink every day, Pelikan Edelstein Ruby would be one of my choices.
One Minute Ink Review: Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock
Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock Ink. Montblanc’s Alfred Hitchcock ink is a gorgeous burgundy with more vivacity and cheer than might be guessed from the matching pen’s allusion to the movie Psycho. This limited edition ink from 2012 is no longer made and commands high prices on the secondary market — for good reason.
An everyday ink? Alas, only if you are a multimillionaire.
Pen of the Day: Parker 51 Plum
Parker 51 Plum with fine nib. This particular Parker 51 is the color Plum, which was produced only for about a year or so. No, you can’t tell by looking at the photograph, which is how I chanced upon mine. The color is so dark it tends to look black, brown or burgundy in photographs. It was entirely by accident, then, that I bought this on eBay. Even in real life, however, the Plum color isn’t particularly noticeable. However, I’ve always liked writing with the 51’s straight-forward, business-like fine nib, no matter the pen’s color.
I’m using Pelikan Edelstein Amethyst, Pelikan’s 2015 ink of the year. It’s a red-leaning purple with a soft, friendly look and beautiful shading. It seems to clean up easily for a purple ink. I’m smitten. Because it’s a limited edition ink, it won’t be around forever, and I’m sorely tempted to buy a bottle.
One Minute Ink Review: Waterman Serenity Blue
Waterman Serenity Blue (formerly known as Florida Blue): A standard blue ink of medium saturation, Waterman Serenity Blue will not wow, like more showy blues, but it is a workhorse that has stood the test of time. Washable, not water-resistant.
An everyday ink? Yes.
(Here begins an occasional exercise, the brief review. I got the idea from a friend who thinks that most reviews could be four sentences or less. While I naturally gravitate to Dickensian length, I thought it would be fun to try.)
How Much Ink Does That Pen Hold?
How do you know how much ink a pen holds? The easiest quick-and-dirty way for me is to fill the pen completely with water, then empty the water into an empty ink vial.
This is how much ink an Aurora Optima holds.
Pen of the Day: Omas Extra Lucens
Omas Extra Lucens Limited Edition with extra-fine 18k nib. This gorgeous pen is black, gold and transparent celluloid. Writing with an Omas is special, and a bit different. The pen rests lightly in the hand, and the nib asks for only the most delicate touch, so you find yourself skimming over the paper as effortlessly as possible.
The ink is Stipula Calamo Ebony Black, which is a lighter, slightly gray black ink with a hint of shading. When I write with it, I think of the shades of Sumi-e, Japanese black ink painting.
Ink Review: Montblanc Meisterstück Blue Hour Twilight Blue
Okay, confusing name. And so long. I actually owned this ink for more than two months before I figured out I had been using the wrong shorthand name for it. I had been calling it Montblanc Blue Hour. Which I think would have been an excellent name, by the way. And the box does say “Meisterstück Blue Hour.” But that seems intended to identify the ink as part of a Blue Hour limited edition collection. Because underneath that, Montblanc adds “Twilight Blue.” And the Montblanc USA website calls it “Montblanc Meisterstück Blue Hour, Twilight Blue. So. Okay. I will call it by its correct name now.
Blue Hour Twilight Blue costs $16 in the US and comes in Montblanc’s standard 30 ml square bottle for limited edition inks other than Writers Edition inks. I actually bought mine in May from the Netherlands, so I have been using it for a few months now.
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Mystery Ink No. 10 Report – Pelikan Edelstein Topaz and Diamine Blue Velvet
These Mystery Inks have long since been revealed to the actual participants. So I’m going to make it easier on blog readers by now saying that “Carli” is Pelikan Edelstein Topaz, and “Lloyd” is Diamine Blue Velvet.
I’ve been doing something on FPGeeks Forum called Mystery Ink, where people volunteer to try an ink they know nothing about and then report back on it. The idea is to elicit a pure reaction to an ink, uninfluenced by any expectations created by brand, price, photos or the ink’s online reputation. It’s been a blast and very educational for me.
The tenth installment of Mystery Ink, known as MI-10, is running on FPG now. You can find the thread here. To celebrate Mystery Ink reaching double digits, MI-10 for the first time comprises two inks, one labeled “Carli” and the other “Lloyd,” in honor of Carli Lloyd, who wears Number 10 for the US Women’s National Soccer Team.
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Fountain Pen Follies 