My 12 Favorite Inks of All Time

[@ot7stan207]

I work in a tech company and asked 1400 people if they liked fountain pens. Got about nine responses. That’s enough to start a pen pal club!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Yes that would be really a great number to start a pen club -- and so much fun!!!!

[@rahulshah1408]

@@ot7stan207 as a lark, to start up conversation with my friend’s wife, I started talking about my new pen hobby. She got interested. I just gifted a Lamy Al star with a converter and she is in love. It’s surprising who has your hobby and who will jump at it. :)

[@smokeyoak]

"I'm not gonna feel guilty for finding my best way to feel positive here" love it

[@lanesniderchannel]

You're a delightful person. Thanks for being so cheerful and for providing a small respite from this awful week!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Lane! Thank you for being here! :)

[@richardsimms251]

Another very, very enjoyable and fun video. Thank you. RS. Canada

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Richard! So many of these still stand as favorites in color categories -- I may revisit the topic as I have just a few new inks that have captured top spots. :)

[@cristinam10]

Oh Chris, such a joy to watch your excitement about these inks. Nothing wrong with a lot of favorites, I am the joke of my family “here it goes the favorite for the day” I have no idea how many times a day I say this and that is my favorite 😂

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Cristinam10 -- thank you! LOL my favorites shift slowly but I have to admit new inks really call out to me often!!!! :)

[@quaxenleaf]

Wholeheartedly agree with ink and pens being a sanctuary - especially now. Great presentation and you’re a pleasure to watch.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Quaxenleaf -- thank you! :)

[@viviwiththefrills]

Your swatches are so nice! and I really liked your point about using and enjoying your ink, I was in a camp of trying not to burn through fav inks too quickly but you're absolutely right, it might spill or maybe get moldy all of the sudden, so best to enjoy it now :)

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Vivi -- I realized after I did the video that I was very back and forth about hoarding or using up that ink lol. But it would be a shame not to enjoy it as much as possible. :)

[@pinkpolly88]

Oh I'm so happy to see Waterman Tender Purple made the cut! Out of all the expensive and fancy inks you could have chosen, it's so heartening to see this inexpensive workhorse get some love. It's my favourite ink, and I really have to stop myself from inking up with it every time! Great video.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Lara -- I've been so happy with Waterman Tender Purple -- so many people recommended it and I just love it!

[@pinkpolly88]

@@ChrisSaenz13 - it's fabulous to see! I'm loving your videos - they are so informative. Thank you!

[@neilpiper9889]

I don't buy pens anymore because of financial restraints. I am cosmetically restoring some old film cameras at the moment, a Yashica fxd quartz is on the desk having its leatherette body covering replaced. I did find a 45 year old Papermate biro in a thrift store and managed to find a refill by Schneider. Lovely to look at and write with. I use a biro for writing envelopes because of water resistance. Diamine inks are great. I love Ancient Copper. Great shading. That Steven Brown got me into fountain pens along with Goulet pens. On my desk at the moment is a 1980s Schaeffer Prelude in beautiful dark blue, with nice gold nib and trim with its original box and instructions. I have Pilot Blue-Black in it at the moment. I am giving it to my Canadian friend for her birthday. I have given her a green Pilot 78g with a fine nib which she loves. I am using a plum coloured Sailor Lecoule fountain pen at the moment with Sailor Blue Black cartridge. The nib has come up really smooth now, great. I have Waterman's Tender Purple bottled ink in the cheapest pen I own, my Jinhao X750 Lava Red finish with its original medium nib. Good to hear and see you again. Love from Blighty

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Neil!!! Restoring old cameras sounds fun!!! I have a collection of cameras combined with some Manuel had. Mine were mostly my grandfathers and great grandfathers cameras plus my 35 mm I used in the Air Force and some cool old stuff like a light meter. I was just thinking about needing to really seriously dust them off and maybe put them in a closed glass cabinet ... dust being as bad as it is. Did you have to smooth your Jinhao X750 nib? I have several of those nibs in my nib case becasue it seems I was lazy and ordered Goulet nibs back when money was growing on trees I guess. I have 3 pens with no nib on them (#6) but all those Jinhao #6 nibs from the X750s and 159s just sitting in the box. I guess I really need to see if I can work on them -- also when I was "new" I might have had a different impression of them. Glad I didn't throw them out!!!!!! Happy New Year!!!!!!

[@richardsimms251]

Nice presentation. Thank you. RS.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Richard - you are welcome!

[@geslinam9703]

My favorite inks are Diamine Prussian Blue and Jack Frost, Iroshizuku Shin Kai, jHerbin Cacao du Bresil, Sailor Ink Studio 280, and JHerbin Bleu Ocean mixed with Emerald of Chivor.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Geslina -- those are some beautiful inks! Sounds interesting mixing Bleu Ocean and Emerald of Chivor!

[@geslinam9703]

@@ChrisSaenz13 it’s clearly labeled on the Jherbin shimmer ink bottles not to mix…I had Emeral in a pen and didn’t clean it before adding Bleu Ocean and got this sort of teal denim blue that is just gorgeous. Now I mix them all the time. If some weird chemical reaction ruins my pen, so be it. I like living on the edge.

[@marymurphy8353]

I can relate so much. I enjoy and share your excitement about inks an$ colors

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Mary!!!

[@andrewcamacho4092]

I have Black Swan and Alexander Hamilton. Such beautiful colors! In the last few months I have been using Diamine Arctic Blue. This has moved into my top 10.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Andrew -- I remember Artic Blue from an Ink Flight -- it was a gorgeous shimmer ink!!! :)

[@andrewcamacho4092]

I used Arctic Blue in some Christmas cards and got complements!

[@YvonneRaphaelWriter]

Hi Chris! I so enjoyed your list. I love when people share their favorites because they are likely the best to try first over the thousands there are to choose from. I hope all challenges turn out fine. Sending you good thoughts!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Yvonne -- thank you! I really appreciate it!

[@bikkies]

This was a really pleasant video to watch, almost in the style of a fireside chat rather than being scripted to excess. I've never seen your videos before and will definitely subscribe. I think your choices of ink are also positive, bright and diverse in a way that suits and complements how you come across on camera. My own inks of choice tend to be darker, more office-formal and in terms of daily drivers, probably boring. My vision is not great so I need more contrast than most, so some of my go-to choices could be Rohrer+Klingner Verdigris, J Herbin Éclat de Saphir (though it can be a little bright) and a new love in my life, DeAtramentis Dokument Green. I'm completely with you on Purple Reign and in fact I like most of their large-bottle offerings. I also don't use my Waterman inks as often as I should, considering their utility for the price. I don't have any KWZ or Colourverse (yet). I'm quite top heavy with Diamine which makes up about 90 of my total of 274 different inks. (Fun fact, I'm from Liverpool which I believe to be where Diamine originated, but that's not why I love them. It's about their price and 30ml convenience of their bottle form factor for storage, as well as a huge range of colours from which I'm forever torn to select.) Back to your video, i love how you do your tiles - what is your card stock of choice for those? They seem to showcase the ink very well. Finally I've also taken to filling my pens from sample vials and keeping the bottles in storage, partly because I've had too many ink accidents in my one year within this hobby, but also if I pollute the supply by refilling from the wrong vial, which I've done more than once, I don't taint the whole stock. There are some of my pens not really suited to vial filling, but not many, and it works well for me. In closing, i wish you the best from the UK in these near-impossible local, regional and global times. Keep upbeat (there's still plenty to be cheerful for), keep enjoying your pastimes and keep safe. -Graham

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Graham -- I can totally understand the need for darker inks -- my Mom likes for me to write to her with the very saturated inks due to her vision. For the 3x3 ink tiles I use watercolor paper and I actually did a video to show how I make them because I teamed up with Matt who did a great website for us to compare ink colors -- here's the ink tile video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4jRqWhtqtOMeJY And here's the website in case you are interested in comparing some ink colors: inkswatch.com/

[@bikkies]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Many thanks. I'll check those out.

[@Desdemicaos]

I am a sucker for brown inks. So much fun this video! You’re inspiring!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi!!!! I have been looking at Sailor 50 states Texas ink -- it's a beautiful brown. I just can't justify the price though. :)

[@rahulshah1408]

I’ve been to corpus. With your humidity, I’d do the same thing on the ink. When we chose a warmer temperature in the hotel, everything got damp. Turns out when the ac wasn’t compressing, it was bringing in fresh air. The floor squished. Lesson learned.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

You ought to see us in the fall and winter ... honestly ... life blasts back into us and we can't be found indoors lol. Just about the time my Vermont relatives are having freezing treacherous weather ... we're out hiking and doing active things! :) That said, I still wish we'd have more moderate summer weather.

[@rahulshah1408]

@@ChrisSaenz13 I live in Houston. After Abu Dhabi, I quit complaining. I’ll be coming to CC back soon. It felt like I escaped to somewhere exotic for a weekend.

[@thomasvn]

Great video. 30 minutes flew by. Maybe it would be interesting do something similar for color groups or per brand. Not necessarily a top list, but discussing favorites for a color group and compare them. Or have a brand as a topic and discuss what you like about them. Haha, I realize I am just making up excuses to get to see more videos on inks.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Thomas -- I have this one color series in mind -- I've been holding back on it but really it's something I want to do and as soon as I figure out the logistics I plan to start. Splitting the video from desk view to face to face discussion. :)

[@MattJWoz]

Always great to see your videos! I'm right there with you on using pens, inks, watching reviews, etc. as a way to escape and relax. It has certainly been a crazy few days. I hope that all of the things you're dealing with personally are resolved soon and that your friend will be better soon too!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Matt!!! Thank you!!!!! It has been crazy. There is just nothing quite like the soothing ink and pen time for relieving my mind of all the pressing concerns!!! Even when my back was really bad I remember splattering ink made me feel so much better. Take care and stay safe!

[@kandywestmoreland5164]

Id love to see how you make your swatch cards. Great selections. And nice video.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Kandy -- here is a video I made: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4jRqWhtqtOMeJY

[@queenbuzybee4074]

Thank you! Lots of new inspirations there. I love pens, inks and paper. It‘s my second rabbit hole. My first is flavors. I consider myself a hobby mixologist with a flavor library of over 700 flavors.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Queen BuzyBee -- you're welcome! Oh wow sounds interesting -- the flavor mixing! :)

[@Karan-iy5mz]

very nice collection.. wish i had a friend like you whose into fountain pens.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Karan - I often think how nice it would be to have a local pen club near where I live. I hear all the time about people sharing inks and swapping things ... sounds really fun. So expensive to do thru mail these days!!!! Anyway, I think of everyone on this channel as pen friends and learn as much from the comments ... more even than I learn on my own!!! :)

[@InkyRocks]

Wow! What a cool way to use the Ink Book! That is so creative Chris--I'm so impressed with what the community comes up with. I need to tell the guy that makes these books.

[@InkyRocks]

Also, I totally get the "overplayed song" comparison. I think I do that with songs and ink too. The labels come off the bottles easily if you prefer them that way. And I totally agree with you that messing with my inks/pens is a nice respite from the nuttiness of the world. Take care.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Alesa! I just love it - the ink book and the little bottles! The inks will be safe from sunlight!!!! My next fun project is filling the little bottles with the chosen 12. I'm going to peel off the labels and label each so I know which ink is in which bottle. LOL I plan to enjoy my glass pens and Serendipity's with the small portion/bottles!!! Ah so the over played song analogy made sense. I just was so shocked when it happened with Black Swan in Australian Roses because that ink was my top favorite for a LONG time! I think it will come back around in favor again eventually!!!

[@audreycaldeira-hankey2951]

Another cheerful refreshingly joyous video. Thank you so much. I have recently discovered water resistant inks for labelling my envelopes. I especially love to use very broad nibs when addressing parcels and not have to worry about address smudging in the post :-)

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Audrey! That's great about the water resistant ink for envelopes/parcels. It's something I need to get organized about too!

[@Kindlelover88]

Sanctuary for me too! You really picked some beautiful inks Chris. I just broke down today - stress, and bought three Hippo Noto inks, ugh. Love this video, thank you.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Cocominga! Those Hippo Noto inks are quite amazing! I've been afraid I'd "shop" but I just keep delving into what I already have here and that stops me. For how long I'm not sure. :)

[@flparkermdpc]

Chris is the only person to mention being careful about cleanliness to avoid fungus and mold. Both Monteverde and deAtramentis are reported to have bottles contaminated from the factory. Monteverde has responded decicively, both to me personally, replacing three nearly full bottles, and through working with the Goulet people who affirmed Monteverde's changing their cleaning and production procedures. I have emails into deAtramentis but have no responses so far. Be careful!!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Frank! I live in a real moldy climate lol. Plus, I remember something about this from my grandfather but I don't know for sure what he said ... it's just something I seem to remember so I decided to use just my sample vials for filling pens. I also like the Ink Miser gismo they sell that is really helpful too for wider pens. I hope you can get word back and replacements from DeAtramentis. I have yet to have this happen but I know there are cases where it's from the factory and I'm glad to learn Monteverde stands behind their inks!!!!! :)

[@marilyngardner4269]

Thanks, Chris! I really enjoyed seeing your top 12 inks. It would be a fun exercise to try this for myself. Please take care!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Marilyn! Thank you! It was just so much fun! :) Stay safe!

[@blackletter2591]

I too am finding BSiAR a bit sticky, where it didn't use to be. They reformulated it a few years back when they did something weird with the colour ; maybe that is the problem. I like all your selections except the grey, and I'd have to leave a roost for Emerald of Chicken. Stay safe and healthy.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Dragonize -- oh yes Emerald of Chivor lol I love that ink!!!! I always expect it to be more greenish than blue but it's just so beautiful. I have only 3 shimmer inks and that is one I almost purchased in bottle form but felt like I have too much ink at this time. LOL

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

I want to try tender purple. I really like Mysterious Blue from them. These are all so beautiful 😄

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Johnathan!!! I need to dig out my sample of mysterious blue. For awhile I had looked at and tested so many blue inks I got tired of them but that was because I did a whole #30inks30days with blue inks. :) It will be fun to try out Mysterious Blue.

[@pauliepipes2593]

Thanks for sharing you special inks with us. I was on the hunt for a purple and bought a sample of Sailor Shikori Fuji-sugata. I ended up purchasing TWISBI Royal purple and and Monteverde Rose Noir, and also Monteverde Amethyst. None were as pleasing to my eye than the Sailor. I just went ahead and purchased it. I love it! Glad I got it and can''t figure out why I was trying to get something as good or better. If you get an opportunity, try to get the Sailor. Highly recommended.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Paulie -- I forgot to mention how close Sailor Grenade was to making the list! Thanks for mentioning the purple Sailor ink. So many beautiful inks ... it's just mind blowing!!!!! :)

[@njc9911]

I adore all my KWZ inks. Glad to see them getting some love

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Nathanial - they really are great inks!!! :)

[@aliciapoloylaborda8627]

Hi Chris. Thanks for your video. You have a nice ink selection and you can never have enough purple. My favorites at the moment are diamond imperial purple (for the color and sheen)and iroshusuku murasaki (for the color and that ir performs the same across different papers).

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Alicia -- oh an ink performing the same across different papers is a truly great thing! I know what you mean! Whenever that happens I tend to notice and I really enjoy it when I can write in my Leuchtturm bullet journal notebooks with an ink!!!!!

[@aliciapoloylaborda8627]

@@ChrisSaenz13 hi Chris. What about a video of your best performing purple inks across papers? Wouldn’t it be fun?

[@anneh3185]

Hello Chris, thank you for the video. I also like Waterman inks as I find them safe to use and lovely colours they are not expensive and still good quality, Serenity Blue is a favourite and the Tender Purple is currently inked in to my Twisbi Vac 700 Iris and that makes a great combination. I hope that you are okay with such difficult things going on and stay safe.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Anne -- I think I will try Tender Purple next in the Vac 700R Iris ... I think that ink will flow better. :) Things are good ... just heavy concern in some areas. I'm so grateful for this hobby and for pen friends at times like these!

[@liamers]

your videos radiate joy, thank you!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi liamers -- thank you -- it means so much to me whenever I can inspire or lift anyone even for a few minutes!

[@ichirofakename]

2 years later and I find myself doing "two-tone" drawings, with two different color inks. My favorite pair is Sailor Ink studio 453 (dark violet) and Sailor Storia Spotlight (yellow). Only working with brushes, I'm enjoying Sailor Manyo Haha and Nekoyanagi (near-identical pale blue-purple).

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Ichiro! Your two-tone drawings sound fun -- I have a lot of brushes I was going thru them the other day and thinking about using some ink by making a bit of art!!!

[@ichirofakename]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Good idea. All you need is a nice piece of paper, maybe bristol board or watercolor.

[@adbeelkarin]

It’s clear your favorite color is purple nyo!💜 so good the way you’re coping with problems... my favorites are Ferris Wheel Press 2020 Spring Collection Strawberry Macaron... I love pastel pink nyo!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Adbeel!!! Oh yes purple makes my world go around! Yet, I love so many other colors too!!! LOL

[@orlaogradydesignstudio226]

kHz monarch is fantastic! I have it in my Black Russian sailor pro gear slim with fine nib and the shading is beautiful. It’s also a wonderful colour.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Orla! I just super love the color, flow and shading of KWZ Monarch!!! It was one of those inks that I just instantly fell for!!! :)

[@kurtgeisinger2012]

I'm glad you mentioned putting the ink into vials to avoid cross-contamination. I was thinking about doing that this evening while refilling some of my fountain pens and using my glass dip pen. I buy empty ink bottles every now and then, clean them with a 10% ammonia solution in distilled water, label the bottle with a sticker and add a bit of fresh ink from the original bottle.

[@marmeemarch7080]

Thank you for sharing that!

[@stampinsan]

Thanks for this wonderful diversion! Loved all of you favorite inks! Two of my favs are Bougainvillea Purple and Tender PURPLE!! Oh - and Stone Greay!!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Sandy! There are just so many beautiful inks! It is mind boggling!

[@stampinsan]

Hi Chris! One more ink I just love is Jacques Herbin Gris de houle - another beautiful grey that is well behaved! I keep it in my Birmingham 6th Avenue Gold Seam always. Again, love your ink choices and appreciate your videos so much. Take care - Sandy

[@PickwickTurtle]

Well we managed to have 5 good days in 2021! Anyway this was a fun exercise!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Ms Turtle!!! Right!!!! Thank goodness for this hobby and especially for pen friends! I'm excited about the next phase of this color experiment because I am starting to fill the little bottles which will give me a chance to use my glass dip pens and my Serendipity pens without worrying about contaminating my big bottles. :) Must have fun everyday to even come close to decontaminating our minds!!!!!!

[@kuvira44]

It's great to see more ink enthusiasts! they're all gorgeous, I want them all 😂🧡 specially the turquoise 😍

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Thank you Lourdes Ortega! I'm certainly an ink monster! LOL

[@thebluebell89]

I love so many of these inks. I also like to decant my ink for fills to keep my ink bottles clean. Keep being you!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi thebluebell89 - ah I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who fills from somewhere other than the original bottle!!!!! :)

[@Whodidthis12345]

Thanks for the video! There are so many great choices and videos like this are super helpful to choose.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Andrew - you're very welcome!!!!

[@lizcolton9936]

Wow - what a great collection of inks you have! Monteverde Purple Reign is on the top of my list too.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Liz -- Monteverde Purple Reign is such a nice shader! I just looked at my bottle when I was looking for another ink and realized how low that bottle is getting. I use it a lot and I love it in eyedropper pens since I never get sick of the color!!!!

[@lizcolton9936]

@@ChrisSaenz13 I have about 5 empty bottles of that color....so far!

[@amazingbeezbuzin]

Tender purple was one of the first samples I had when I first started and it was so beautiful its still in my mind....that and intense black. Its in my ink bottle list

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Ann -- Tender Purple once I got the sample I realized why so many people had recommended it!!!!

[@Richard_Barnes]

Hey Chris 😃 I hope you’re doing better in your back. 👍🏻 Some nice inks in this one, great colours. Pens, ink and writing is my ‘out’ for everything right now and I’m gonna enjoy it too 🙂 keep bringing your enthusiasm Chris, it’s brilliant.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Richard! Thank you! Yes I am so much better thank God. Happy writing!!!

[@manoloyloles]

Very good video and great channel. You show a real passion for these inks. I am sure you know your surname is Spanish, from Castile, and the "correct" original writing is with an accent on the "a" (which English does not have): Sáenz, a very common surname in Spain. Keep up the good work!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Parma! Thank you and Welcome! My husband's family pronounces the name like "Signs" so that's so interesting!!!! :) A lot of other people over the years particularly when I was in the Air Force - put the accent on the "a".

[@AshleyRebecca]

I just found your channel and I found this video and you so enjoyable! I’m new to fountain pens and inks. I just ordered some sample vials and can’t wait to finish swatching them all. I’m so drawn to sheening inks so far! Hope you are loving and enjoying your collection 🤍

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Ashley! I'm so glad you enjoyed this -- these are my top 12 inks --- I've tried hundreds in sample form but these I go back to over and over and I just love them!!!!

[@AshleyRebecca]

@@ChrisSaenz13 I think I’m understanding your love of the purple ink! Hope you have a wonderful evening 🤍

[@MissMarilynDarling]

I love the J herbin inks they are so cooperative to wash out of pens especially for all the little shimmer that it has.. I have kyanite du nepal in my fpr himalaya with the fpr ultraflex nib and It is the only ink that is cooperative in that pen so thats its dedicated pen

[@ChrisSaenz13]

They are just so well behaved!!! And I just love the little bottles J Herbin sells of so many of their inks! 10 ml is such a nice amount of ink!!!! And not overwhelming!

[@YogaBetter]

Howdy from Houston! Maybe bump into you at Dromgooles sometime.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Yoga! I'd sure love to make it up to Dromgoole's someday!!! They have such an amazing store which I have shopped online and really enjoy since they ship quickly and items arrive fast since we live just a few hours South.

[@jefftaylor4707]

Thank you very much for your selection.Im looking to get at least two of your favourites now as I need a nice purple and a bright shady blue,so its a bottle of Bungubox L'amant and a Diamine aqua lagoon for me,just got today a bottle of Diamine Ancient copper to help cheer me up as 2021 has come in like the bad brother of 2020🙁...stay safe and sane and thanks for the tip offs.Regards from across the pond.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Jeff -- you are welcome!!! I hope you like your new ink purchases! I have to agree 2021 seems to be a close relative of 2020 but hopefully will redeem itself soon. Stay safe and enjoy your inks and pens!!!!

[@sentient.ball.of.stardust]

I am the exact same with limited editions, so much so that i never buy any. It's hard, i'm telling you, but i just refuse to. I wonder if you tried the Diamine Frosted Orchid? I love it so much, i find it much more shinnier than the J Herbin one.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Pastel Dustbringer -- I have not tried Diamine Frosted Orchid. It looks pretty ... I just googled it! Yes, the limited edition inks and pens -- that really bugs me. I've missed out on several that I would have liked because I just won't buy unless I have the cash to buy and the rush to beat sold out limited editions is the worst unacceptable feeling ever. :)

[@audreycaldeira-hankey2951]

I totally agree about the shineyness of Frosted Orchid one of my favourites too.. I was really surprised it outshone the more expensive ink J Herbin!!

[@Desdemicaos]

Here another biiig fan of Diamine Frosted Orchid. I always have it ready in one of my Jinhaos!

[@jamesaritchie1]

I've been working on my twelve inks since you put this video up. There are eight non-purple or green inks that I absolutely love, but if I'm being brutally honest, seven of my top twelve inks are purple, and four are green. The only non-purple/green ink I can definitely put in the top twelve is Montblanc James Purdey and Sons Single Malt. It's funny. I own an enormous number of inks, but the seven true love inks outside the top twelve are all common inks, I think. They come from Noodler's, Diamine, J. Herbin, Pilot Iroshizuku, and De Atramentis. None from the really fancy, high priced brands. Interesting topic. It did make me realize my favorite brands are De Atramentis and Iroshizuku, though I can't decide which comes first.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi James! It has been really fun to think about so many inks and which ones are my true favorites. Oh I bet Montblanc James Purdey and Sons Single Malt is very pretty ink! DeAtramentis inks are so awesome -- I've sampled MANY but only have one bottle.

[@cynthiarichter792]

Chris, I am new to the hobby and need some help on how to choose inks. I have several pens with all three sizes of nibs. How do you know which inks are "dry" and which are "wet" and how do you choose? Really appreciate your videos and all the info you share. You make my days fun and cheery. Thanks.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Cynthia -- I (with rare exception) always get an ink sample to try out inks in the pens I most like to use ... which are normally TWSBI, Lamy and Jinhao in Broad nibs .... but that being said ... it is very hard to generalize about inks being dry or wet .... I've heard people do that but I think it so much depends upon the nib and paper choice that I would be very hesitant to do that. Brian Goulet addresses the concept in a video which I will try to link here ... he has so much experience with so many ink and pen brands and nib sizes. His video helped me so much! Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2PTn2irdq2SoLc I have found that Monteverde inks seem to be nice and flowy and I am comfortable generalizing about that. But you'll see in Brian's video he recommends several and talks about some specifics!

[@cynthiarichter792]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Thanks so much !

[@msandigail]

Ahhhh, i think our taste in colour is so similar, you have a new subscriber!!

[@gristlevonraben]

lovely colors, have a blessed day too!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Gristle! Thank you!!!

[@johnmenchey9520]

Hooray for DeAtramentis Alexander Hamilton ink, and thank you for giving it an honorable mention! It's an unsung hero, in my mind!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi John -- I expect as I get to write with it more it will reach the top 12 list becasue I don't always want shimmer and I do love a dark purple that flows super smooth. Plus with some water resistance it really is a great ink!!!!!

[@wendyholiday2021]

They're beautiful inks. Thank you.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Thank you Wendy!

[@fsdfsdgvdfsgsdfg7075]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Beautiful inks for sure but not as beautiful as Chris Saenz .

[@MissMarilynDarling]

I am so grateful for that tiny bottle that you sent me I love it so much thank you it is my number 1 favorite teal/green ish inks

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Marilyn! I'm so glad you like it!!!

[@robbinallan3767]

Chris, thank you for the fun and informative video. I have a question about a former favorite, black swan in Australian Roses...do you have trouble with getting it to dry? I bought a bottle a couple years ago. Every time I use it, it makes a smudgy mess. I have figured out how to lubricate dry inks but not how to fix this one. A bit of water maybe?

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Robbin -- in some pens I did have drying issues with Black Swan in Australian Roses -- what I normally do is let it dry some and then blot with a full sized (whatever page I'm writing - normally A5) blotter paper. It was the only way I could use it in my Noodler's Ahab. But it's such a beautiful ink!!!!!! I have not tried adding water ... ? I have used it in my Lamy 1.1 stub and it seems to love that nib. Maybe mine is a tad dry but it works so good with the really wet flowy Noodler's inks I'm not going to try to make that nib a wetter writer!

[@robbinallan3767]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Thank you so much for the advice Chris. I'll try a drier nib and a blotter.

[@viewer3147]

Thank you! Nice and informative video.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Thank you Viewer #3 :)

[@tiantuatara]

This was fun. Thanks for the good distraction. Now I want to figure out my top 12 or 10 or whatever. I will try to limit myself to one teal but I'm not sure that is possible :-)

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Terri -- I even did a spread in my ink journal so that I can look back years from now (I hope) on my favorites as of Jan/2021. :)

[@thomasvn]

Yeah limited editions suck. I am boycotting Lamy because I missed Dark Lilac, even though I wasn't in the hobby yet then.

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

I really wish they would re-release it. It's so beautiful. I wish more people had access to it.

[@soignee5821]

Diamine's 'pansy' is a good alternative. 98% close, I'd say. Not perfect, but the closest on the market. I only have one cartridge left of Dark Lilac; 2020 was the year I starting the hobby more seriously, and I'm annoyed with myself for not stocking up.

[@thomasvn]

@@soignee5821 Thank you. I bought a bottle of Pansy a few weeks ago, for that reason.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Thomas -- it's so interesting too if you study color and ink creation - I'm under the understanding now that some of the dyes are not that easy to come by. Apparently that's why Noodler's only releases King Philip (the purple/magenta/fuschia ink) every so often. I wonder if Lamy has trouble getting the pigmented color goodness enough too. Because they'd have to be crazy to forgo all the sales of Lamy Dark Lilac they could be making. I almost believe that in that case, they can't produce enough or something. :)

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Soignee -- I agree Diamine Pansy is so pretty and so close to Dark Lilac!!!!!

[@yobo93]

Yes! I love ink reviews! Hope yall are staying safe! I agree about the refuge of the hobby. I feel the same way :)

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi yobo!!! I just recently found your channel thru Manda B!!! :)

[@yobo93]

@@ChrisSaenz13 woohoo! My rambles!

[@GustavoAlves-iq5pc]

Lovely review ! The J.Herbin is great, I left my Parallel Pen for weeks without using it, and it had any issue starting. I'm still afraid of filling my Noodler's Ahab wih flex nib.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Gustavo -- I just recently purchased Noodler's non-flex nibs for my 2 Ahab's and I've been enjoying them. They are labeled Medium but to me they write very wet like a M/B almost Broad nib. I had high hopes for the flex nib but I'm not used to it yet so in the meantime I like using the regular nibs. That's pretty amazing the Parallel stayed good with the shimmer ink!!!! :)

[@GustavoAlves-iq5pc]

@@ChrisSaenz13 I'll give it a try, the J.Herbin must really have a special performance under it's formula. Thanks for sharing your thoughts :)

[@tezzcan1]

Loved watching this Chris as I don’t have any of the ones you choose. Here’s hoping that everything that is causing you stress gets sorted out soon. Hugs from the UK.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi tezzcan1 -- thank you! Take care and stay happy and safe!!!!

[@RaggedPoet]

Good for you, we have to find the Joy where we can and zap the guilt trips big time... Love

[@unjuanequis6336]

Hi Chris. I hope that any event (wink wink) that has caused you distress has passed. Meanwhile, on a brighter note I'm also in the process of cataloging all my inks. In my case I'm more interested in how they look in writing, so I'm using a notebook with pages filled according to color (more or less). I've discovered that I have a thing for orange inks with good shading, right now I have Monteverde Fireopal, Monteverde Copper Noir and Kaweco Sunrise Orange on the same page. I've also found that not all blues are on the same family and that what I thought as 'purple' is not a single color, not even a single family but in fact could be as many as 4 different colors of varying shades.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Unjuan -- oh that's so true about color families! I keep expanding my shell boxes to break down blues for instance into: turquoise, blue black, Teal and bright blue. And I could even get more refined with that and with Purple. :) Enjoy your ink cataloging!!!! It sounds really fun!

[@tobymulder196]

Really enjoyed this. Thanks. Have you ever tried Krishna Jungle Volcano? It’s been my favorite since it came out.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Toby! I have yet to try Krishna Jungle Volcano -- I just goggled it and it's very unique - the sheen is amazing. Fun!!!! :)

[@emmbowe5948]

What do you think about shimmering inks, like Sailor shikori or Kwz scheen machine (both are my favourites), dark blue with a gentle red shine. They tend to dry much faster than regular inks but this red shine shine is amazing. Greets.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Emm -- I like sheen if it is not too overpowering ... in other words if it does not appear like a zebra on the page. If the sheen is subtle I like it. Shimmer I like when the ink flows nicely and doesn't get clogged up. :)

[@eggscelsior]

If there's ever an ink color that you adore but the flow turns you off of it, get a bottle of White Lightning Ink Additive from Vanness, it makes dry inks flow BEAUTIFULLY

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi egglorru -- I've been meaning to try some of that!

[@spike7a611]

Great video! Thank you!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Thank you spike7a!

[@penthevision4706]

Great video. Thank you

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Pen The Vision -- thank you! I need to revisit and see if any new inks have bumped one or two of these. They all remain in use and loved but I have a few more now. :)

[@susanbeckett9347]

What a great video. Thanks so much. I’m buying a bottle of lake of fire, tomorrow!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Susan! I hope you love it - it is such a beautiful ink!!!!

[@SharonH11100]

Wow! I just found you and I’m so happy!!! We share the same color hair and I’m a fountain pen/ink fan almost from day one (75 years ago). Thanks for a great vid and I look forward to following you ~

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Sharon! Welcome!!!! :) It's awesome that you found us!!!!

[@rockfitclub]

tnx

[@lexbrunov]

I've just discovered the channel. Honestly, I wish Chris was my relative :)

[@ChrisSaenz13]

LOL Hi Bruno!

[@lexbrunov]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Hi Chris! Thank you for being you and putting out these videos 😊 Have a great day!

[@jaygoodwin8833]

Had a feeling Noodler's King Philip Requiem would be mentioned!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Jay - I think I would have chosen it (King Philip Requiem) for one of the little bottles had I trusted it wouldn't stain the bottle permanently. I guess too the aggressiveness of the ink ... probably just barely nudged it off the 12 list. I still love it and write with it often. :)

[@jaygoodwin8833]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Glad you got to enjoy that giant bottle anyway. I want to thank you for your intermittent fasting video. After starting antidepressants and being at my heaviest, you've motivated me to change :)

[@knifenoob5411]

Total noob here, just ordered a pen from China, looking to get ink samples. How many times could I fill my pen wang sung 3008 with ink from a sample. Where best place to get samples. Thx for vid.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Knife Noob - the wing sung 3008 has a big capacity for ink = about 1.5 ml ... so in a 6 ml full ink vial you could fill 4 times but I sometimes prefer to pour the ink into an ink miser plastic tapered thingy to fill my piston fillers since it is a bit easier. I still use ink from the sample vials just fill from the miser. In the USA you can get samples so many places I prefer Vanness because they offer 4 ml samples. I also like to order samples from Goulet Pens & Pen Chalet & Anderson Pens.

[@manifestationmeditationmus2909]

Thanks for the video.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Ganesh!

[@manifestationmeditationmus2909]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Hey Chris.

[@knifenoob5411]

Nothing bad about feeling good as long no harm to others. I value your opinion, doesn’t mean I agree but value non the less, thx for vid

[@knifenoob5411]

I know it may be very hard and time consuming but could you do a top 10 or how evermany of inks you love that are easily available?

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Good idea! I know it is genuinely one of my biggest pet peeves that inks and pens are often limited edition ... it's the whole reason started doing my ink comparison panels and reviews. There were at least 5 inks I just couldn't get and I was on all these quests to find comparable inks!

[@matthewbeddow3278]

Thank you, Chris. I love KWZ Thiefs red, I have put it on my birthday list, which is now only a week away, so hopefully ill get a bottle from someone, I also love Tender Purple it has been a favourite of mine forever. Have you come across Diamine ~Monboddos Hat? It a really wonderful purple if you don't have a sample I'll send you one with my next letter if you please. I hope things get less stressful for you really soon. Stay safe and best wishes

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Matthew -- yes I have a 30 ml bottle of Diamine Monboddos Hat. Oh wow happy birthday in advance!!! Hope you have a great day -- best possible that one can have in "stay home" mode!!!!! I kind of wonder how we will be when it's safe to go out again. I'm beginning to feel rather wild/untame. LOL

[@matthewbeddow3278]

@@ChrisSaenz13 yeah Ive not been out in ages and my birthday will just be me on my own , but i dont mind i can facetime my family and they have sent presents so im excited to see what inks i get , yay. Its the 21st , we have a lot of family birthdays in january my youngest is on the 3rd , my Dad the 4th and my late grandad on my Dads side 31st.

[@ichirofakename]

1. Pretty inks. 2. I think I'm going to avoid bright colors in ink drawings, saving them for watercolor. I'm sticking with dark colors for all future purchases. Baystates, etc., go the the BACK of the drawer!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Ichiro! Happy drawing!!!!!

[@CraftingVicky]

Love your video thank you for sharing these with us! New subbie

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Vicky and welcome!!!!! :)

[@nauci]

I've been dealing with the 😤😱 by writing my angst into my journal, which magically transforms the 🤬 thoughts into OOOO PRETTY INK feelings instead.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Eleine! Oh yes it is so nice how writing and seeing the pretty ink can raise the mood!!!!! :)

[@alexmood6407]

Platinum Blue Black, Pelikan 4001 Blue Black and Parker Quink Black are best inks ever. If we only look at the ink properties and not just on the colour. Artisan inks, special editions and so on don’t come even close. But the colours are nicer in these fancy inks so it’s a bit of a trade off.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Alex -- there are so many inks I've yet to try ... it's almost unbelievable how many there are. I liked Pelikan 4001 Violet so much I expect I'd like the blue black too!!!!

[@czesiek09]

Any of those inks are waterproof?

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Graf Von Faber Casteel has some good water resistance but no these are all fairly typical fountain pen inks ... for some reason other than Noodler's Lexington Grey I am not too fond of waterproof inks maybe because when I want that I have this (hideous) habit of picking up a black ball point pen. :) I know I'm weird.

[@silverjinglebobspur1]

This was enjoyable, but I feel that I'm too much of an old codger. I find what works, and venture no further. I've tried other inks, and colors, but something keeps pulling me back to parker Quink, black. I guess I'm a pretty boring fellow.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Charlie -- I'd like the peace of not chasing after all the new inks ... at this point I am developing definite favorites and I'm no longer getting quite so many samples ... thank goodness! Your kind of ink peace doesn't sound boring it sounds wise and relaxed!!!! The writing is the main thing and often I get distracted by all the "new" stuff.

[@silverjinglebobspur1]

@@ChrisSaenz13 Yes Chris. You are absolutely correct. There was a time, when I felt that every color was needed, something to suit the mood. And with that, came so many gadgets and new things. I live in a cabin, in the extension of the Daniel Boone National Forest. I decided that crowding myself out, getting frustrated with when and where, which item might come to use, I put things in my bag, and took a trip. Not one thing was needed, while sitting on the banks of the Ganga during Lunch Mela. Just my pen and notebook. The color of ink, mattered little. Then came the alleys of Chennai, and finding an elderly fellow, standing in front of a shrine, his arms lifted to greet the sun, and to simple whisper his thank you, over seeing a new day. His task, to carve a pen, make it as neat as possible, hammer out a nib, and hopefully sell it, and receive enough money to buy he and his family some rice. The pen was bought, and was treasured. It was the most frustrating thing. I was, and still is, an eyedropper, but all of the oddities added to the frustration. I was learned that to a large degree, the pens are often fashioned to accommodate the predominant ink. In this case there was Camlin and Chelpatk (Indian version of Parker Quink). Okay. The adventure began. Camlin was a bit too dry, like writing with a dull pencil. And Chelpatk, well. It seemed to do the trick. I wept, literally. Then came the magic. As the tears fell, landing on my notebook, words that had been written with the Chelpark, began to run. It was as if they were weeping with me, something of a rejoicing over having given in, the great namah, to my frustrations, accepting what is, and seeing that black Quink or Chelpark was not running down the page, rather various degrees of blue, yellow, green and red. I was writing with a rainbow. It was then that I learned the word, carved into the side of my pen, Gama, embrace the light of heaven. The first and simple duty of that elder, each morning. Now, the adventure continues with a Pineider Traveling inkwell. Me, my notebook, hand carved pen, and a bit of ink, can find the most beautiful things to write about while sitting in Walker's Grill, enjoying a grilled cheese and fries, and a cup of tea. Blessings to you on your adventure.

[@TheHutjemoos]

One ink in, and I've ordered a pen online 😅💸

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Fountain pen and ink videos should have warning labels right!!!! LOL

[@jacobus57]

Sent you an email. You said you don't check out as often as you should, so I wanted to let you know here!

[@ot7stan207]

Hello!

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi!!!!

[@foxclockhat]

idk why i feel like a older person would know better

[@TheRealJanKafka]

I lost interest when you mispronounced 'KWZ'. If you can't be bothered to learn about the items you are discussing/promoting, why should anyone bother listening to you?

[@ChrisSaenz13]

Hi Jan -- I've watched hundreds of fountain pen ink reviews and yet I had no idea KWZ was pronounced differently until today - upon reading your comment. So, I can learn but learning usually occurs when one is looking for information that they don't know. When we assume we know how to pronounce letters and when everyone is pronouncing them similarly in English - there is an ignorance of ones mistake.

[@marmeemarch7080]

​@@ChrisSaenz13what a gracious response, thank you!

[@marmeemarch7080]

What's the proper way to say it, and why do you care? Sincere question, not being salty.