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Hi all! I've been lurking on the forums for a while, but I finally decided to create an accout. This is a mixture I discovered not too long ago. Salix and Sky High are two of my favorite blue inks, but they each possess a couple drawbacks that kept me from using them as much as I would like. Salix has great shading and performance, but it is quite dry and can be a bit too pale for my taste. Sky High, on the other hand, is a wonderfully vivid sky blue with a cool sheen, but its extreme wetness ruined the effect with most pen and paper combinations. So, one day I had the wild idea to mix them, 50/50, and thus was born the ink I have taken to calling "Magic Blue" for its ability to seamlessly combine the best characteristics of two very different inks. The only mediocre property I've noticed is its slow-ish (but by no means terrible) drying time. Also, the component inks may be a bit pricey and/or difficult to source for some people. US buyers can get both at a good price from iSellPens.com (no affiliation). The mixture is stable; I have kept a sample vial on my desk for almost a month, and it's still as silky-smooth as any standard ink. Anyway, enough talk - here are the pictures: http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t331/InkandPaper88/Magic%20Blue/Review_zps98a2518e.jpg http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t331/InkandPaper88/Magic%20Blue/Compare_zpscf1421b1.jpg http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t331/InkandPaper88/Magic%20Blue/Sample1_zps59146b85.jpg (note the hint of sheen the darker spots; it is much more apparent in-person) http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t331/InkandPaper88/Magic%20Blue/Sample2closeup_zps714353dc.jpg http://i513.photobucket.com/albums/t331/InkandPaper88/Magic%20Blue/Swabs_zps9db16245.jpg

I happened to have these three similar coloured inks so I did a quick comparison showing you some writing samples, sheen shots, and colour density. I hope it is helpful. My conclusion: 1. Sky High and Souten are very similar in regular writing, but I can see more reddish dye in Sky High which shows up as more sheen. 2. Sky High and Souten flows from the nib just about the same. 3. Kon-Peki is slightly greener than the other two, leaning more cerulean in colour. Difference is noticeable in regular writing. 4. Kon-Peki feels more fluid/watery coming out of the nib. As it is an Iroshizuku ink, known for their extraordinary flow characteristics, I consider it in line with other Iro inks in the great flow. This doesn't mean the two sailor inks (Sky High and Souten) are less flowy, they are well lubricated and has good flow but it's just that Kon-peki has more watery flow. Now on to the photos: Writing sample shows Kon-peki is lighter and slightly greener in colour. Writing sample from a different angle. Painted with watercolour brush, thin lines, thick lines, and words with flexy nib. 2 drops of ink from syringe spread out with blunt needle to roughly 2.5cm (1 inch) diameter. Words are in Noodler's Bulletproof Black. Photo is taken straight on. Same as above, but photo is taken from shallower angle to enhance the appearance of sheen.