Ink Comparisons: The Summary

[@johnnyd.7998]

The dog is adorable! 😍

[@writerlywitterings]

I do quite agree!

[@kevinu.k.7042]

A very good round up. Thanks.

[@writerlywitterings]

Glad you enjoyed it - a lovely selection of inks!

[@francescobrasa8156]

On this channel the best comlarison of inks I have found Thanks a lot

[@writerlywitterings]

Thankyou, Francesco - I really appreciate all the positive comments, and I'm very grateful. Also, I'm very glad if the comparison is useful to you!

[@JBFire97]

A wonderful compendium and resource! Thank you, I have really enjoyed the series. Very inconsiderate of daughter director to go back to university.

[@writerlywitterings]

Yes, I don't understand how she could be so selfish. I'll pass on your views. Many thanks for the positive comments over the last number of videos, Paul. It's greatly appreciated!

[@hisham56hamilton50]

Now I know who of my neighbours to raid when I am short of Ink 😂 man you have ink shop their.

[@writerlywitterings]

Ah, it's reducing daily, sadly!

[@hisham56hamilton50]

@@writerlywitterings The ink maybe but not your wonderful energy.

[@humanfirst11]

thanks for the video!! I like your handwriting and also the presentation style as this gives a very good understanding of the color. My only point would be that if these were 1080p or higher, I would enjoy these even more 😊. I placed an order for Sargasso Sea!!

[@writerlywitterings]

Glad it was helpful! Unfortunately, there is something in KZbin that restricts the video quality, I think. All my videos are 1080 and HD, so I don't know why the quality sometimes seems lower! I hope the Sargasso Sea is appreciated!

[@0xss]

Thank you for the comparision. Dartmoor twilight , Akkerman's Zeeblauw look excellent!.

[@writerlywitterings]

They are definitely two of my favourite inks!

[@SatieSatie]

I enjoy your ink reviews so, so much. They're informative and effortlessly entertaining, and I hope you'll make more in the future.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thank you! Will do! Planning on one this week!

[@highamnj]

For a heavily sheening blue ink I recommend Pure Pens Westgate Hotel.

[@writerlywitterings]

That's interesting - I haven't tried that. I must confess, I like a little bit of sheen - I'm not mad keen on it. But a little glimmering is nice. I am really sold on KWZ Baltic Memories just now. Lovely colour with just a little bit of sheen!

[@EricBryan]

Great ink choices! I really like the Edelstein Sapphire. I picked up a bottle to pair with a pen I recently purchased, and for me, it is a winning combo. More subtle and enigmatic.

[@writerlywitterings]

I do agree - it's strange how seeing the colours side by side makes me get much more ... judgemental, I guess, about each of the different colours. When you see a page in one colour, you can appreciate it's qualities, rather than comparing them as I do here. But at least this project allowed me to talk about the various types of ink!

[@evybrowning]

I have LOVED this series. I'm rather taken by that Ancient Copper. The Majestic sheening (NO NO autocorrect I do not want shining) was beautifully visible - compliments to you the director. Playtime over....... back to my task lists for work tomorrow..... Thank you for such enjoyable & interesting minutiae that are so so important but not an awful lot of folks get excited about.

[@writerlywitterings]

Many thanks, Evelyn. I'll have to see whether I can produce more videos to appeal to inky viewers!

[@sicilianeye]

I've also enjoyed this series of yours and I have the videos saved in a separate file for easy referencing. Seriously, thank you. Also, I'm a former dog musher from Alaska and at one time my kennel had 52 dogs. I REALLY hate cutting dog toenails.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that. 52 brutes? Ye Gods. I was irritated with this latest, because I started clipping them when she was 6 months and didn't need it, but when she was 1, I had one little slip and ... well, you know how it is. Those dark claws are horrible, you cannot see where the quick is. And she doesn't trust me any more!

[@jamesaritchie1]

Diamine Wild Strawberry is my favorite red ink because I once sold a short story to Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine with the title "Wild Strawberries. Then, when I stumbled across Diamine Wild Strawberry, I couldn't resist. Seemed like an omen. I love green and purple, but the only ones I've found that are perfect for me are Diamine Imperial Purple, and Noodler's Forest Green. For my own use, I lighten both with distilled water until I get my favorite shade. It takes about thirty to thirty-five percent of distilled water, depending on the ink batch. As is, Noodler's Forest Green is dark enough to use for business, at least with my wetter pens. But as much as I don't care about black, either, I have what seems like gallows of Noodler's Heart of Darkness sitting around. It does everything I need a black ink to do. I write using Noodler's Black Swan In English Roses very often. I love it. I've found only two brown inks I like. One is Waterman Absolute Brown, which is, well, just brown. But that's what I wanted. The other, my favorite brown in, in Montblanc Walnut. It shades wonderfully. I don't usually like inks that shade very much, but this own is different. The shading make sit look like real walnut, at least to my eyes. I often use a dip pen for my writing. Whenever I have plenty of time alone and in my office. Oddly, I find many of the ink colors I use look very differently with my dip pens. Noodler's Navajo Turquoise is a prime example. It's too bright and a bit pale for my taste out of all my regular fountain pens, but darkens and stabilizes to a beautiful blue with mt dip pens. Anyway, great summary. And great reviews. I've really enjoyed these videos.

[@writerlywitterings]

Strange you should say that about dip pens - I have the same. I think it must be that the ink is laid down much more thickly. I love dip pens specifically for sketching and drawing. I really love all my pens, but the dippers just seem to make sketching more fun. And since I use Indian ink, I can watercolour afterwards when I want. I am very glad you liked the ink reviews. I had enormous fun making them, and I'm looking forward to a bunch of new inks now. Thanks and best wishes

[@AlanDeStraya]

Fantastic resource, watched the whole series and liked them all. I plan on buying Diamine exclusively because I want all my bottles the same and theirs are square, simple, and well designed. Also I like their colours, and this was very helpful to see as I plan my purchases. Thank you for putting in all this effort. I've shared a link to this video on Reddit/r/fountainpens, I imagine many others would enjoy seeing your work. :)

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi, Alan, I'm really glad you enjoyed the videos. It was quite a long undertaking, but worthwhile, I think. The variety of colour, shade, tint and outline with Diamine is just staggering, and you could concentrate on Diamine for life without ever regretting it. I love them! Thanks for sharing the series with your friends - I really appreciate it! It's so hard to get videos to be viewed, with so many to choose from! Keep safe!

[@caomhan84]

Someone who has managed to collect all the Sailor Kobe inks should send him a box full of samples now. Hahahahaha! But really, this was a fun video series. I got to see tons of inks in use that I only previously knew by name.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks so much (especially for that excellent Sailor suggestion!) - that was very much my idea when I started this as a project, to show off colours and tones that people wouldn't usually see, and compare them with the colours people are used to. I'm just delighted that so many people seem to have appreciated my efforts!

[@johnbunyan5834]

I started watching this as I was doing my fortnightly refill of Red Dragon and Sapphire Blue, into my pair of Platinum PTL-5000 M pens. These small pens are kept in my shirt breast-pockets for instant use. Small pens, because I have small hands and having spent my early years using pencils, I am comfortable with these pens. I dislike blue-black ink, probably because that was the smelly stuff that our teacher used to pour into our desk inkwells , at junior school. Using dip-pens, of course, we got it over our fingers. Maybe that is also the reason that I like Sapphire Blue, Mediterranean Blue and Havasu Turquoise. Thanks for your Herculean effort ploughing through all those inks. Ah, yes, I also like Graphite.

[@writerlywitterings]

Just now I always keep two Kaweco Sports in my shirt pocket - one Alt Gold-Grun and the other (today) Raw Sienna. Life's too short for blue or black every day!

[@vlades5190]

It seems it was cloudy that day. And because of that light was a bit on a cold side.

[@writerlywitterings]

Could well be right. I've invested in a new lamp only this week. I may do an update on the ink colours before too long - partly to show them under a better light, but also to see if they've faded over time. Thanks for the comment, Vlad.

[@vlades5190]

@@writerlywitterings oh. that would be nice

[@writerlywitterings]

@@vlades5190 I'll see what I can do!

[@alliedomingo18]

Thank you so much for doing this, Sir. I've been watching your Diamine ink comparisons series for a month now and this is a great way to start the day and continue doing my school works. Have you seen and tried Diamine's Flower and Music Set? I think it would be a lovely addition to your collection :D

[@writerlywitterings]

You're very welcome - I'm really glad you enjoyed the video. I don't have the Flower or Music sets, I'm afraid, but I may try to get some samples. Best wishes for your studying!

[@alliedomingo18]

@@writerlywitterings thank you so much, Sir! I'll be on a look out for your ink comparisons of those ☺️

[@darkchocolate4643]

Here is my suggestion, since you like blue inks about as much as I do, it seems: Sailor (basic) Blue, formerly known as Sailor Jentle Blue. It's very reasonable in price (about 15€ for a 50 ml bottle on my side of the pond), it's a beautiful, classic, safe-for-business dark blue, but (on decent paper) it has a subtle red sheen, even when used in fine nibs. It's also a fairly wet and very well-behaved ink; I use it as my baseline ink to try out new pens. PS: Spot on pronunciation of "Zeeblauw"! :)

[@writerlywitterings]

First - thanks for the pronunciation comment! It's always slightly nerve-wracking trying to get it right for different products from different countries! Sailor Blue - that's not something I've tried. I'll get a bottle with my next order and have a look. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@martinmcconigley5583]

Useful and very entertaining. I enjoyed this series and this is a neat conclusion. Thank You.

[@writerlywitterings]

Cheers, Martin - I'm very glad you liked it!

[@alisonjones3057]

My fave is diamine oxblood . Will have to buy some . Thanks for the review 😃

[@writerlywitterings]

My pleasure, Alison - glad you liked it!

[@thedandymod]

You fulfilled the upload of the video. Great analysis ... thanks for give it to us!

[@thedandymod]

I love your lovely "lil' dog"

[@writerlywitterings]

She is a little darling!

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that, Antonio! Glad you liked it!

[@thedandymod]

@@writerlywitterings not at all!

[@blazel462]

Very much enjoy your vids and appreciate your time. Well done! Cheers

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks so much, Brian. It makes it worthwhile to hear from people who enjoyed the videos!

[@XHobbiesPrime]

I'm loving the Red Dragon. I currently have it inked up in my Lamy Scala with a Lamy Aion Broad nib. Very smooth, lovely color. The Diamine Steel Blue is one of my favorite new inks. I'm intrigued by the Ancient Copper and the Deep Dark Red.

[@writerlywitterings]

Thanks for that - the second vote for Red Dragon today! Steel Blue is a gorgeous ink, isn't it? Have to admit I'm still smitten with Diamine China Blue and Rohrer & Klingner's Blu Mare and Alt-Bordeaux just now. Gorgeous inks.

[@XHobbiesPrime]

@@writerlywitterings I don't know any of those other inks. I will have to look them up.

[@sachakahn2052]

I use autumn oak and majestic blue all the time. I like these inks a lot. Also, I must endorse your dog's opinion on the garish inks you haven't reviewed so far. She obviously doesn't like them already.

[@writerlywitterings]

I can easily understand getting hooked on Autumn Oak - although I have to admit that Majestic Blue doesn't quite do it for me - a little too bright on the page. I love that sheen, though!

[@apontutul]

Thank you so much for your time and effort. This was very helpful

[@writerlywitterings]

Glad it was helpful! I think my inky comparisons have been my most popular videos!

[@apontutul]

@@writerlywitterings I'm new into fountain pens. Long after leaving school when I first got to use it, 25yrs ago. Lot of things have changed since then, companies and technologies. Found the diamine inks to be great yet affordable. Hence your review was particularly useful. Thanks again. BTW could you please tell me if that custom made sheening Twilight ink could be anyway made available in India?

[@writerlywitterings]

@@apontutul Hi, Rajdeep, I'm really sorry - the ink was made by a Polish friend who was determined that it would be a one-off just for me, and so far as I know, it isn't going to be made commercially. I don't know if that's because he's not actually an ink manufacturer, but only made this for fun, or for some other reason. I am with you on Diamine. Really good inks, and very good prices compared with the stellar prices charged by so many other manufacturers worldwide. I just cannot get over the range of colours that they have managed to create over the years! Still, it's good to come back to fountain pens, isn't it, when there is so much wonderful variety of manufacturer of pens and inks. Many thanks for the comments. I really appreciate the fact that so many people seem to get a lot of pleasure from my rather daft wittering! Take care, my friend, and keep safe.

[@apontutul]

@@writerlywitterings thanks for your replies. You too stay safe. And keep reviewing more inks!

[@rebeccawhite2582]

Mike, your dogs are beautiful. I enjoyed your review a lot. I am looking for an orange, Big fan of the University of Texas! Their color is burnt orange.

[@writerlywitterings]

Go for it - but you might like to see the oranges in this, too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWHGm6SiYrWDj7c

[@angbane]

Such beautiful colours. Diamine Dartmoor is particularly delicious.

[@writerlywitterings]

AH, I think you mean the Dartmoor Twilight? Absolutely stunning ink, with incredible sheen. It's my joint favourite with Akkermann's Israels Zeeblauw, I think. Beautiful, both of them.

[@angbane]

@@writerlywitterings yes lol- so many colours & shades!

[@rivermoon9953]

Hi Mike, thank you for the video, I really enjoyed it！ Just a question, I can’t find anywhere to buy Diamine Dartmoor Twilight ink which looks amazing. Could you please share the information？ Thanks a lot! It’s Christmas Eve and I wish you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

[@writerlywitterings]

Dear Milly - this question has popped up and I have responded to it already, but KZbin seems to want me to reply again! I'm afraid that the Dartmoor Twilight is a one-off made for me by a friend, Peter. It's not a Diamine ink, but a single sample, which is absolutely lovely, but not available commercially. Sorry!

[@muditsood2814]

Thanks for this video Mike! As someone who is a full-time writer like you, what makes you choose a brand that largely sells washable inks? I get the point Diamine makes some wonderful colors and they may even be easily available in the U.K, but shouldn't water resistance be high priority for you? What's your take on this?

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi, Mudit, Well, I am not bothered about the notes and ideas I put down. Mainly because they stay, mostly, in the house, and aren't going to be threatened by rain; but also because they are only notes and ideas. All my actual work is written straight to computer. So I choose inks that flow well, that make a pleasing colour on my paper when I do use them. And Diamine has a wonderful range. I should also say that I dislike the idea of stronger inks that would be more water proof, because they are more likely to stain or block the pens I use. Yes, I know that people say they are fine nowadays, but I am not that trusting! Thanks for the question, my friend!

[@muditsood2814]

@@writerlywitterings Thank you Mike for sharing your perspective. Diamine has a wonderful range indeed and thanks for making this video series as it has introduced me to wonderful colors! The best part is the entire range is available where I live unlike most other brands.

[@martinstewart4290]

interesting and informative as usual, you do notice lack of daughter/director though

[@writerlywitterings]

She'll be delighted to hear you say that, Martin (and unsurprised!)

[@billcrabtree8700]

Diamine actually makes an ink called “Twilight”, which is quite nice.

[@writerlywitterings]

Yes, that was on the first page, top left! A really good colour, sort of a dark Prussian Blue to my eye!

[@musicianbookbug1540]

Really thank you for this ink comparison videos. Can you tell me please if I ink up a teal-blue ebonite pen, which ink will be a good match? Thanks. Can I get the still pictures of the writing at Instagram?

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi, Saikat, If you're using a Teal blue colour, I'd think Diamine's Teal may be good - I can't really tell, because all manufacturers of pens have their own colour charts, I think, and it depends what batch of ebonite they had that week. As to the writing at Instagram - a very good point, my friend. I think it'll be there, but it'd take you years to get to it. I've put up a lot of photos in the last few years. What I'll do is take a series of new photos for you and put them up in the next few days. It'll take a little time to work out the best way, but look my up @MichaelJecks on Instagram, and I'll get to it soon. Hope that helps!

[@musicianbookbug1540]

@@writerlywitterings I am following you sir, already on Instagram. I will love to see the photos. Thank you sir for your time and reply.

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi, Saikat, Just so you know (and apologies for taking so long, but I've been having computer problems), I decided that the photos wouldn't go too well on Instagram and other sites, since most of my fountain pen information is here on KZbin. So I've put up the current 20 photos (which means about 40 pages of ink testing with 3 to a page) here on KZbin as a series of blog posts. Do please let me know if you find it difficult to find them!

[@musicianbookbug1540]

@@writerlywitterings So nice of you sir. Let me try to find them, if I find it difficult then I will let you know.

[@musicianbookbug1540]

@@writerlywitterings Can you please share a link of the blog post you mentioned here. I could not find the pics. Sorry to bother you.

[@sentient.ball.of.stardust]

I've just finished watching this series and i believe i'll start it over again. You sir earned a new subscriber. Diamine is my favourite ink brand, it's easily accesible here in UK, it's affordable, very good quality and such variety! But i wouldn't mind watching you do this for different brands, or even other Diamine inks. I really hope you'll do another series like this!

[@writerlywitterings]

Hi, Luna, and many thanks! I'd love to continue, but it would be hard to find another supplier prepared to hand over one of all of their inks for a simple KZbinr to compare with others. Still, I'll be trying to! Thanks for the very positive comments. It makes the work worthwhile when people tell me they enjoy it!