I remember the fervor and excitement when Vinta released their first inks. The colors were some of the first multi-chromatic inks and the colors were unusual, complex and relatively inexpensive. One of my favorites from the first release was Vinta Aegan Armada 1944 ($14 for a 30ml bottle). The color is a steely blue grey…
Welcome to Inkmas Day 10! I recently started revisiting older ink lines and fell in love with the bright blue of Montegrappa Sapphire. The color is very close to Birmingham Pen’s Polar Bear and KWZ Walk Over Vistula. Both of those blues also have a beautiful red sheen which is also present in Sapphire. On…
Robert Oster No Fixed Address ($26 for a 50ml bottle) is an unusual ink. It was originally created as a charity project. Oster donates to a charity for families in need that provides four meals for each bottle sold. It is a red ink with a blue iridescent shimmer which is truly unexpected. This ink…
Let’s just get it out of the way right now. This is not the first time I’ve waxed poetic about Monteverde Birthday Cake this year. I don’t know what happened but something clicked with me and this ink in 2023. I used an entire 30ml bottle of Monteverde Sweet Life Birthday Cake ($12) and then…
Next on my list of inks to audition for holiday cards was a really good green. In past years I’ve gone dark (think Yoseka x Ink Institute No. 1 Origin Ink), but this time I wanted something bright and cheerful so I selected Pennonia Almazold/Apple Green (60mL for $16). And boy was this one apple…
How holiday-centric is an ink with a name like (Winter Garden) Snowflake by Birmingham Pen Co. ($17 for 60ml bottle)? Pretty dang holiday, I say! It is currently being bottled as just “Snowflake” so don’t be confused by the label on my bottle. Snowflake has a lovely reddish sheen over a cool blue aqua/turquoise. When…
Welcome to Inkmas Day 4! I recently found a gorgeous new color from Kobe – City Museum Gray. The ink looks like a warm mug of hot chocolate – not just in the swatch, but in writing as well. Depending on your paper, your nib, and the lighting, this ink can appear anywhere from a…
