Inky T O D - Ink Review Series - In The Beginning - How Do You Pick The Ink To Review?

[amberleadavis]

In the last few weeks, I've been asked about how to do ink reviews. I must confess that I'm far less knowledgeable than our very own Saskia_Madding, Visvamitra, Sandy1 and LGSoltek to name but a few who are on the first page of Ink Reviews.

 

So, every day (or every few) days, a new topic will post so we can talk about ink reviews. Your actual ink reviews still go in the Ink Review forum, these topics are for us to Ponder the Peculiarities and Think about Ink.

 

Today, let's talk, how do you choose which ink to review?

[lgsoltek]

Good question. For me I don't exactly have a certain rule to choose which inks to review. I normally do a review of an ink that I'm currently using and which I like. I don't ink up a pen just for the sake of doing a review. I think I prefer to review inks that are not widely owned like those Bung Box and Kingdom Note.

I might review inks I don't like but that doesn't happen often. When I do they would be inks that are lesser-known and not much reviewed by others. Like the new Sailor STORiA inks I've recently acquired and I shall try to do a review of each so as to give an idea how they are.

Visvamitra may have other ideas. I think he's trying to review every ink of every brand! LOL

[amberleadavis]

Vis is certainly on a quest.

[saskia_madding]

I basically just review inks as I ink them, and I ink them as I buy them. I'll splurge and get the entire set from some Sailor store, then wait until all 12 pens are empty, refill with all new inks, and then do reviews for them all. I succeed about 80% of the time. Sometimes the ink is so boring I can't bring myself to do a review immediately, at then the review is shunted to the back burner for the next time I ink it up (Hougado Deep Darks is a good example of this). Which often takes a looooooooooooong time.

 

The real question is, how do I decide when to take pictures? I've got tons of reviews that haven't been photographed, mainly because over the winter, sun can sometimes be hard to come by.

[visvamitra]

Well, I used to have a lot of samples of different inks. Sometimes I reviewed them by brands, sometimes by colors. Lately when I receive new samples I just draw one vial / pipette and make a review. There are inks that looks nice to me and if that's the case I put the rest of the sample to other pens tham my review work horse (Kaweco Classic Sport, little, ugly pen with fantasticnib, easy to clean and refill). If I dislike the ink I just throw remaining 1 ml away or send it to others who are willing to make reviews.

 

When I buy ink I usually use it for few weeks before making a review. This way I can see whether it causes any nib creep/crud or other misbehaviour. On the other hand at the moment I rarely buy new inks. And if I do, they have to be special in a way or other.

 

And I agree with Saskia - the hard part is to make scans / take pictures. I too have quite a lot of reviews to scan. Some of them make me clench my teeth, I would do them other way today, but the sample's long gone

 

@Lgsoltek - basically you're right. I wouldn't mind trying and reviewing them all Since it still makes me relax and chill to play with inks I find ink testing pleasant And I still have some brands to discover (Abraxas, Omas, Platinum etc).

Edited April 28, 2015 by visvamitra

[mmg122]

As a newbie to ink reviews, I checked out the Ink Review Index that you've compiled to see if I owned any inks that haven't been reviewed yet. I also checked out the thread that lists inks the members have requested be reviewed.

Working on my first two reviews now and much trickier than I had anticipated. Gives me renewed respect for our members that are so prolific.

[musicman123]

These days, I do a review of every single ink I ever get, whether sample or bottle. I find that not only do I post to FPN, it also helps me pick a color to ink later.

[amberleadavis]

I decided to review every ink that Shawndo sent me .... oh my ... I've been sharing those and recruiting others to help me. At one point, I couldn't face a blue ink.

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

It seems I have no particular method, and that at some time or other I've chosen to contribute an IR for any of the reasons other Members have mentioned. Certainly my choice of which inks to review is narrowed by my choice of inks that I'm likely to use.

 

A few times I've purposely compiled a series of popular/common inks, such as the OOTT series.* Those explore each ink in much the same manner, and support on-the-level comparisons of those inks. Hopefully those have allowed other Members to choose wisely amongst the vast and changing array of inks.

 

At times I've come across artisanal inks that caught my fancy. Those who craft and share their own ink can be given the same recognition as the major ink producers, and we'll be the better for it. Even if they don't achieve global presence, their local market profile can be given a boost, hence they'll produce more/better inks as a going concern.

 

I've purposely reviewed some inks that somehow acquired a reputation for being naughty, just to see for myself and to get an idea if they can be redeemed - which may be useful to those who purchased those inks but stowed them under the stairs. That can also check for changes over time - perhaps the ink was reformulated but marketed under the same name. (Not that I have too much of a thing for bad boys & tearaway angels.)

 

I've also posted as a result of other reviews. Sometimes I think an ink was not given a fair go, needs more exploration, my results differ, etc.

 

And then there's the clamour that comes from the ink shelves when the inks want to strut their stuff on FPN: 'Pick me' 'Pick me!' 'My turn!' 'Over here!' 'Me Me! Me!!'.

 

Bye,

S1

 

__ __

* OOTT Summary https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/196998-one-of-the-ten-blue-inks/

Edited April 29, 2015 by Sandy1

[amberleadavis]

Sandy, it's okay when the ink talks to you, it's a little more iffy when you talk back.

 

BTW, post number

• 19,919 posts

[HalloweenHJB]

I start with the name, and see if it suggests something to me to doodle. Then I go from there. I try to use different papers and try to include something cheap (like a 3 x 5 notecard), something slick and non absorbent (like tracing paper), and something more high quality (like Rhodia paper). Then I write down my impressions about the color, if it has a noticeable sheen or shading, etc. And then adorn with Q-Tip swab washes. Not very scientific, but I have fun with it...

[amberleadavis]

So, which paper will you pick?

[Chrissy]

When I have a sample of a particular ink I have done a review of it.

 

My paper is something that I bought at a local store, so I'm just using that.

[amberleadavis]

Do you always buy samples before buying a bottle? If not, do you sample your bottles too?

[HalloweenHJB]

I hate the way that it'll sound, but I figure that I'm the least bit interested in an ink, I want a full bottle of it. Samples seem to tease me too much ( ), so I just go ahead and get the who darn thing. That way, if I love it, I've got a good supply; and if I don't love it, I can use it to send to others or make mixtures. Either way, I (we?) win.

 

Speaking of which, I may have some inks to share for the "Midsummer Night's Inky Dream Share-Off."

[amberleadavis]

Since I've been the recipient of your inky castoffs, I love that method.

[Tessy Moon]

I have no system for this one. My choice is entirely left to whatever my whimsical fancy is at the moment! Or whatever happens to be in my pen!

 

If I am doing a co-razy review, I will try to use a similar color if I have one.

[Tessy Moon]

I try to always try a sample of ink before I buy a bottle just because of my personal economy; I am not made of money, lol. Besides which I hate waste, and so do not like the idea of having something I don't like or won't use. I have traded, sold, and given away bottles of ink, but would rather know what I am getting before purchasing a bottle. Anytime I buy an ink bottle without testing first it is a risk to me and I don't like risks. Most of the time I end up disappointed. A couple times it worked out well though. I hate being disappointed, it is no fun.

A recent example: I just got a 30 ml bottle of Diamine Syrah thinking I would like it based on reviews and pictures and I don't like it at all. There is no pink!!!! All red. Boo. I am probably going to give it away to a friend of mine who is getting started in fountain pens. She likes red.

 

If I love an ink sample I will consider buying a bottle. It just depends on a lot of things; if I have a similar color already, if there is something special I am saving up for, etc. If I really want it I will probably get it, but my collection has grown so much over the last year and a half that I have seriously slowed down my ink consumption, lol. I have most of the colors I really want and need, so I know anything else has to be really special to earn a place in my collection. I also would rather buy a small bottle vs a large bottle.