Diamine Twilight – Expanded Format

[corniche]

Greetings all,

 

Diamine Twilight has not only become my Signature Color for signatures; it is quickly becoming my favorite blue-black ink, period- even rivaling the vaulted masterpieces known as Quink and Waterman. It is a deep blue based blue-black; however, Dt has a depth and dimension that ordinary blue-blacks do not have- mainly due to its deep blue-green hue that is clearly perceptible but not overpowering. It makes for a unique yet still impressive presentation on any type of paper.

 

Dt’s only real flaw is it is not suitable for people who use notebook style paper and wish to use both sides; so very few students will find this ink an asset. That said; it performs very well across the board on all business grade papers, including the economy grades. I will let my review speak for itself; now that I have employed this expanded format, my ink reviews need little extra narration. However, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to state them.

 

Just one point: I forgot to fill in the score for Dt’s “flushability” from pens; 4.5- very easy clean-up – it flushes from your pens easier than from your skin!

 

All the best,

 

Sean

 

 

Diamine Twilight Review, Page 1/3:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/quinkkid/DiamineTwilightR1.jpg

 

Diamine Twilight Review, Page 2/3:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/quinkkid/DiamineTwilightR2.jpg

 

Diamine Twilight Review, Page 3/3:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/quinkkid/DiamineTwilightR3.jpg

 

Diamine Shadow & Bleed-Through on Mead Standard Grade NB Paper:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/quinkkid/DiamineTwilightShadow.jpg

 

Diamine Twilight on Staples 25% cotton Premium Laser Paper:

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/quinkkid/DiamineTwilightS1.jpg

 

Diamine Twilight on Southworth 100% Cotton Rag, Ivory, (Connoisseur Series):

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/quinkkid/DiamineTwilightS2.jpg

[ThirdeYe]

Sean

 

Great thorough review. It does indeed have a bit of green to it, doesn't it? Looks almost like a "teal-black"

 

Derek

[SheilaM]

Wow! Thank you for the very thorough review! I'm not a big fan of blues or blue/blacks, but I really like this ink's depth and complexity of color. There's a hint of teal to it that makes it interesting.

[Zenas]

Just as I was getting settled on Waterman Blue Black you have to go and tempt me with this. Well, you did a magnificent review and I will probably have to give this a go as well.:clap1:

[jandrese]

Ignition. I love it. Thanks for the nice review. Have not yot warmed up to my sample of this ink.

[Thornton]

Thanks, S.P. This has become one of my favorite blue-blacks over the past few months. The color is similar to Noodler's Legal Lapis, but I find Twilight to be a better behaved ink.

[lws]

Thanks, S.P. This has become one of my favorite blue-blacks over the past few months. The color is similar to Noodler's Legal Lapis, but I find Twilight to be a better behaved ink.

 

Thornton; You might also like Noodler's Coral Sea Blue, which is a similar to Legal Lapis but lighter - my untrained eye judges it to look quite close to Diamine Twilight. It's bulletproof and shades wonderfully, but it's an Australian exclusive.

 

S.P. Colfer: Diamine Twilight is on my "list of inks to buy very soon". I plan to avail myself of the $4/30mL bottles of Diamine from Nordic Pen Imports - such value can't be beat!

 

- Lewis.

[corniche]

Hello Derek,

Yes, “teal black” is not a bad way of putting it, at all. Thanks for chiming in.

 

Hello SheilaM,

Thank you very much and you’re welcome. Yes, Dt is a very nuanced color with deep teal undertones, that is why I chose it as a Signature Color; I like its depth. Think about getting a sample and playing around with it- you may surprise yourself and like it.

 

Hello Zenas,

Thank you and I’m sorry if I threw a wrench in your works by pulling you back into the ink fray. I know; WMbb had been my staple ink for many years.

 

Hello Jandrese,

Thank you; I try to be a little original by using terms like “ignition” and “shadow” instead of “start-up” and “show-through.” I’ve been trying to think of a more elegant replacement for “bleed-through,” but haven’t come up with a good one yet. Keep playing with this ink- with some people; it may be an acquired taste. If, after a little while longer, you still don’t care for it- no problem- except that your ink hunt must continue.

 

Hello Patrick,

Yes, Dt is a beautifully behaved ink; excellent flow, reasonable lubrication, quick drying time. . . the whole 9 yards- EXCEPT for its shadow/bleed-through problem on NB papers. Oh well, I guess you can never have everything you want these days.

 

Hello Lewis,

That sounds like a good deal; I went for the 80 ml bottle straight away because I loved the sample; however, the 30ml bottle is a great way to acquaint yourself with Dt- and the best part is it never f-a-d-e-s. . . a--w--a---y. . . . . . (like that other ink that shall remain nameless).

 

All the best,

 

Sean

Edited February 6, 2011 by S. P. Colfer

[Sandy1]

Hello,

 

Many thanks for the fine review!

 

I admit that I have trouble accepting this ink as a 'Blue-Black', when it has soooo much Green / Teal. I believe it is one of those inks which are a viable alternative to a BlBk, that still have a strong Blue component. (And certainly not a Blurple!)

 

I have continued to use the same bottle when the DTB first came onto the market, and it appears from your Review that Diamine has not reformulated DTB to improve the performance on lesser papers. That really is unfortunate - I think that such colours would be a boon to students in particular - it has a certain 'calm but firm' aspect, though I still find it rather distant for personal correspondence.

 

And I have not stumbled upon a pen+paper combo that generates appreciable shading.

 

Cheers!

S1

[corniche]

Hello Sandy,

 

You’re welcome.

 

Yes, this color is slightly difficult to classify; however, I believe in the general sense, it lends itself more to the blue-black genus; albeit not the species. Classic blue-blacks would be the versions from Pelikan, Sheaffer, Monteverde, Waterman, Everflo and Quink, (among a few others); whereas most other inks classified as a blue-black are basically just dark blue; however, they are classified as a blue-black for the sake of communicative simplicity. That would also be the case with Dtb.

 

Yes, unfortunately, Dtb is still a profuse bleeder. However, from a purely selfish perspective, I am just as pleased they haven’t “monkeyed” with the formula because I love the color and the performance- now, if Diamine could solve tb’s shadow and bleed-through issues while maintaining its fabulous color and excellent overall performance; I’d be all for it. If not, I say leave it alone and let students make do with the many alternatives that currently exist. Since I use it primarily on business grade papers and stationery; the shadow and bleed-through issues with Dtb are not issues for me.

 

I find it a good color for personal correspondence; however, keep in mind that I am a “old school” man; I think Dtb has a nice solid, somewhat masculine, (but not exclusively so), yet still approachable appearance. I think Dtb is perfectly appropriate for personal correspondence between men as well as female acquaintances. Perhaps some women and more modern types will find it say, unromantic; however, that is not my problem, since I have no intentions of using it for love letters.

 

Yes, shading is another issue with Dtb; which is why I gave it a low score, (perhaps I should have given it a 1.0 instead of a 2.0 ). Your best bet of getting ANY shading from this ink is to use broad nibbed pens on finished papers; such as premium laser printer papers that have an ultra smooth, satin finish.

 

Thanks for your feedback.

 

All the best,

 

Sean

 

 

*Edit, fixed a couple of typos.

Edited February 6, 2011 by S. P. Colfer

[Signum1]

WOW! Talk about a detailed review. Certainly no paper, no pens, or no Diamine Twilight ink spared for this expanded ink review. Thank you for adding this review.

 

I see ONE flaw! You mention this was your signature ink. Yet, you forgot to sign the ink review with your signature. (-5 marks) :roflmho:The signature does not have to be your real signature just a doodle would be sufficient. lol Overall, I like the term Ignition that you coined.

Edited February 6, 2011 by Signum1

[corniche]

WOW! Talk about a detailed review. Certainly no paper, no pens, or no Diamine Twilight ink spared for this expanded ink review. Thank you for adding this review.

 

I see ONE flaw! You mention this was your signature ink. Yet, you forgot to sign the ink review with your signature. (-5 marks) :roflmho:The signature does not have to be your real signature just a doodle would be sufficient. lol Overall, I like the term Ignition that you coined.

 

Hello Signum1,

 

Thank you and you're welcome!

 

Here is the correction to the flaw, (I was going to make this my FPN signature, but it is too big, so I'll have to work on it when I have more time.

 

All the best,

 

Sean

 

http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff449/quinkkid/FPNSignature.jpg

[alexander_k]

Somehow I had missed this review but thankfully Halden's brought me here. Great review, in particular through the use of so many pens. It's always interesting to see how an ink can match one pen better than another.

[SamCapote]

Sean, that was an extraordinary review. Very detailed and readable. I never thought anyone could challenge Sandy1's reviews in terms of showing so many aspects of an ink, but this has done it. Everything I could think of wanting to know ! I can imagine how long this took to do. Again, many thanks for the contribution and showing a very nice ink.

[greencobra]

Detailed review, very nice, on a color I wasn't aware of. I bought Twilight last week and received it yesterday after I saw this. I lean towards darker colors and this has a place in my ink stash. Good job, Sean.

[corniche]

Sean, that was an extraordinary review. Very detailed and readable. I never thought anyone could challenge Sandy1's reviews in terms of showing so many aspects of an ink, but this has done it. Everything I could think of wanting to know ! I can imagine how long this took to do. Again, many thanks for the contribution and showing a very nice ink.

 

Hello Sam, Thank you sincerely. I have my doubts if higher praise than this is possible. Thank you.

 

Hello GreenCobra, Thank you very much for your kind words. I'm glad my review prompted you try a bottle of this ink- it's great stuff. Enjoy!

 

All the best,

 

Sean http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/ribbons/black2.gif

[Sailor Kenshin]

Amazing review. I actually look for greeny-black inks (so far, Sheaffer BB comes close) so I might need to get a sample of this. And now you've made me want that Everflo BB!

[corniche]

Hello Sailor,

 

Thank you for your kind words. Sorry to be putting a strain on your ink budget; however, I think you'll enjoy both inks- the Diamine Twilight Blue and the EverFlo Blue-Black. The former has a beautiful nuanced blue-black color and the latter looks just like WMbb but without the color shift- it stays true.

 

All the best,

 

Sean http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/ribbons/black2.gif

Edited February 17, 2011 by S. P. Colfer

[Penache]

Thanks for this detailed review, Sean. You've certainly pushed Diamine Twilight to the top of my buy list.

[corniche]

Thanks for this detailed review, Sean. You've certainly pushed Diamine Twilight to the top of my buy list.

 

Hello Manisha,

 

You're welcome. I'm glad, because this is a great little ink- I hope you like it half as much as I do.

 

All the best,

 

Sean http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/ribbons/black2.gif