Sailor Kobe #13 Nunobiki Emerald

May 7, 2013

This is one of the Sailor Kobe inks that I got from the amazing cool-japan on ebay that I am absolutely IN LOVE with.

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af97/Saskia_Madding/Ink%20reviews/Sailor/Kobe/DSC09647_zps59f1603f.jpg

It's definitely more green than Caran d'Ache Caribbean Sea, but it's got the same *feel* to it. It's a rich blue-green with shifting undertones that is really gorgeous to look at.

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af97/Saskia_Madding/Ink%20reviews/Sailor/Kobe/DSC09650_zps7fe2c11d.jpg

It looks great on all papers ...

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af97/Saskia_Madding/Ink%20reviews/Sailor/Kobe/DSC09649_zps883abe22.jpg

My one and only beef with this ink is that I had hoped it would have super mega shading, and it doesn't. It has normal, regular shading. Oh well! Still, I love this ink and will use it a lot once my final bottle of Caran d'Ache Caribbean Sea runs out.

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af97/Saskia_Madding/Ink%20reviews/Sailor/Kobe/DSC09653_zps71c0d017.jpg

Many more photos in my review album here.

May 7, 2013

Now that is a color that I like! It reminds me a little of Noodler Navaho Turquoise.

May 9, 2013

lovely color thanks for sharing

May 13, 2013

Great review! I, too, am looking for a replacement for Caran d'Ache Caribbean, my OCD ink. I *think* I was able to get a lifetime supply of it. I loved the greenish hues lent to the color. Is it possible to see a side-by-side comparison with CA Caribbean?

May 13, 2013

I think I have to try this ink, I wish more sellers had them. Also does the bottle come with the little plastic cone like the other Sailor inks?

May 14, 2013

How many bottles is a lifetime supply? I think I only managed to get 6 and I'm really sad about that.

I'll do a comparison tonight and take pictures and upload it tomorrow (when it's sunny).

May 14, 2013

Thanks in advance for your efforts on my special request. That is VERY kind of you! BTW--what is the notebook you are using for your ink reviews?

Well, "lifetime" as in I'll use it sparingly. I managed to get 8 bottles, but was aiming for at least a dozen. I'm devastated. This was my very first ink buy and it was love at first sight. Truly, no matter the nib or paper, the color just makes me happy! (I would never guess nor confess such an emotional outburst over ink, but ya'll understand.) This was "the" ink for me.

I'm not expecting a perfect substitute for CA Caribbean. Only as you described it--a happy, lively, truly "caribbean" color. There are a few imposters like Diamine Marine that can pretend to "be" CA Caribbean with certain pen/paper/dilution combos, but that's not the point is it? It isn't that tropical, breezy color for all occasions and that is what I'm looking for. More like a turquoisey green/greenish turquoise shifting color.

May 15, 2013

I was actually shocked to see how different Caribbean Sea and Kobe #13 are. See my comparison shots here.

The Kobe ink is definitely more green, but in person it has the same shifting, complicated feel. Having said that, Aqua Lagoon is clearly a closer match, but it lacks a bit of the green undertones of Caribbean Sea.

My new brainstorm is to add a few drops of the Emerald to Aqua Lagoon and see if I can get something closer to Caribbean Sea. I'll keep you posted.

http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af97/Saskia_Madding/FPN%20comparison%20shots/DSC09729_zps836de1d4.jpg?t=1368635574

May 17, 2013

Thanks for the comparison. Very helpful. Keep us posted.

June 3, 2013

I wish there was a option to click on a person's post to thank them for helping someone else find an awesome ink . Could the mods invent one for you so I could click it here...