Sailor Jentle Kin-Mokusei

Following its previous ink releasing pattern, in 2016 Sailor “resurrected” limited edition from years before. When I caught a glimpse of orange in the rotation, I immediately thought Sailor has brought back the coveted and beloved Apricot. Since Sailor ink priced a bit lower overseas (a little over 10 USD versus 18 USD in the

Ink Comparison: J. Herbin Diabolo Menthe v. Caran d’Ache Carribean Blue

Human memory is often faulty.  This time, I made a wrong color association.  While trying out J. Herbin Diabolo Menthe, I kept thinking about Caran d’Ache Carribean Blue.  Once I inked the dip pen, well, was I wrong!  Both colors remind me of ocean (as to which one, it is entirely debatable).  Diabolo Menthe is

Ink Comparison: Caran d’Ache Sunset and Sailor Grenade

While tidying up my ink sample stash, I cannot help to mesmerize over Caran d’Ache Sunset and Sailor Grenade; hence inspired this comparison.  In person, Sunset looks more like a cranberry red, while Grende is a dark crimson.  Excerpt of Karin Boye’s “Of course it hurts”Caran d’Ache Sunset on the left; Sailor Grenade on the

Ink Review: J. Herbin Bleu Pervenche (Periwinkle Blue)

I have a change of mind on J. Herbin, a good one as well.  Thanks to JetPens‘ generous sponsorship, I have the chance to rectify the injustice that I have been done to the ink.  Though it might not be as saturated compared to other inks, Bleu Pervenche has a sense of translucence that shows

Pelikan Turmaline v. R&K Solferino

My friend Gentian commented that Turmaline reminded her of R&K Solferino, which prompted me thinking about their similarities.  To my eyes, they are both in the red-violet family.  Turmaline is more pink/ magenta, while Solferino leans toward reddish cassis. Turmaline v. Solferino.Lyrics of “Nach Haus” by a German band named Silbermond.

Ink Review: Rohrer & Klingner Smaragdgrün (Emerald Green)

It is odd that I succumb to any shades of green by R&K, though I already have many bottles of green inks.  Though I purposely skip green while browsing, I somehow got Smaragdgrün (Smaragd= emerald; grün= green).  Blame the trigger finger.   I have to say that the photos on the ink label is a bit

Ink Review: Sailor Jentle Shigure (時雨)

I have tried many purple inks and you would think I would stop mesmerizing over any shade of it.  To my defense, for all the purple inks I have reviewed thus far, there is not one that I would say, “oh, that is purple.”  Thanks to Gentian‘s generous offering, I got a chance to try

Ink Review: Iroshizuku Ku-jaku

While tidying up my bottles of ink, I also discovered that I had plenty of ink samples.  One of my goals before I purchased another full-size bottle was to use up some of the samples I have accumulated.  Ever since my pleasant experience with Caran d’Ache’s Caribbean Blue, I wanted to look for another shade

Postscript: Scabiosa and Poussiere de lune

The problem with buying ink color based on color preference is that one might end up with many similar colors.  Given that purple is my weak point, I choose gingerly when I consider purchasing a shade of purple.  My first unofficial ink review was on Poussière de Lune, Dust of Moon, was a smoky purple.

Ink Review: Sailor Jentle Grenade

Have you ever have such a good experience with a product that you just want to tell your friends about it?  I was working on my thesis, and I filled up my Visconti with Sailor Jentle Grenade.  The moment I started writing, I felt compelled to write a review.  I guess that is considered an