Akkerman Garuda Red: A Brief First Impression

[dms525]

 

 

 

On Rhodia paper: No feathering. No bleed through. After 5 minutes, absolutely no smearing. Not tested for waterproofness.

 

I really like this ink. I think it would work for informal correspondence. The reader would not say, "Hmmm ... What's with the red ink?" It reminds me a lot of Noodlers Black Swan in English Roses.

 

 

'Scuse me. Gotto go write some more.

 

David

 

Errata: The Lamy Safari I filled with Garuda Red is fitted with a 1.5 mm italic nib.

Edited June 20, 2014 by dms525

[Sharkpie]

Hi dms525 - Love the M800 tortoise, the ink color & the shape of that bottle. Please forgive the newbie question, but where is Akkerman ink from and why is it (obviously) so cool?

[dms525]

Hi dms525 - Love the M800 tortoise, the ink color & the shape of that bottle. Please forgive the newbie question, but where is Akkerman ink from and why is it (obviously) so cool?

 

Akkerman ink is from the Akkerman pen shop in The Haugue, The Netherlands. In the USA, it is now carried by the Vanness pen shop in Little Rock, AK. While the bottle is its most distinctive feature, this line does include 30 colors of ink and is well thought of.

 

You can find a number of reviews by searching FPN for "Akkerman Ink."

 

David

[inkstainedruth]

Thanks for the review. I had considered this ink for one of my choices for the Akkerman group buy for DCSS; eventually decided against it in favor of the Roode Haags Pluchte, but they were kinda running neck and neck for a bit....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[visvamitra]

Nice, deep red. I like it a lot.

[Pentulant]

Nice!

Thank you for posting pictures of it!

[LuckyKate]

This is a beautiful ink--Thanks for the review. I have a question about reds in general and this beautiful red in particular. I have ordered a Nakaya (unpolished shu Naka Ai). Can I use red brown inks without staining? I generally use more conservative inks (brown, black, blue), but this brown red is lovely.

 

 

Katherine

[dms525]

This is a beautiful ink--Thanks for the review. I have a question about reds in general and this beautiful red in particular. I have ordered a Nakaya (unpolished shu Naka Ai). Can I use red brown inks without staining? I generally use more conservative inks (brown, black, blue), but this brown red is lovely.

 

 

Katherine

 

Kind of like this one, Katherine?

 

 

"LuckyKate," indeed! Congratulations!

 

Nakaya pens are C/C fillers. The only reason not to use an ink you like is if it can't be rinsed out, and I can't imagine this being a problem with Garuda Red. However, this is supposition. I have not yet tried changing from Garuda Red to another ink.

 

Now that you mention it, Garuda Red is so close to the color of Nakaya's shu-nurishuppanshi urushi, it looks like they were made for each other. Just be aware that these are handmade works of art. My Naka-ai un-polished shu is redder and less brown than the ones pictured on the CPI web site. Yours may differ differently. It's going to be beautiful in any case, I'm sure, and in the range that would be a great match with Garuda Red.

 

FYI, I have another Naka-ai in Aka-tamenuri. I like to fill that one with Diamine Oxblood.

 

Thanks for you question! Please let us see your Nakaya when you get it.

 

David

Edited June 22, 2014 by dms525

[LuckyKate]

David,

 

Thanks. I just missed out on ordering this (instead of an orange boven) with the DC pen group buy. So disappointed! Do you think Oxblood would work? I really like that the Garuda dries brown, but Oxblood also looks wonderful

 

Can't wait to get my pen. I'm traveling right now, so it will be delivered next week. I am really looking forward to it!

 

Katherine

[dms525]

David,

 

Thanks. I just missed out on ordering this (instead of an orange boven) with the DC pen group buy. So disappointed! Do you think Oxblood would work? I really like that the Garuda dries brown, but Oxblood also looks wonderful

 

Can't wait to get my pen. I'm traveling right now, so it will be delivered next week. I am really looking forward to it!

 

Katherine

 

Sure. Oxblood would work. It's a very different ink, though. It is wetter, more saturated. If you haven't done so already, look at my little review of some reddish-brown inks from a couple days ago. That may give you some other ideas.

 

Is this your first Nakaya?

 

David

[raging.dragon]

This is a beautiful ink--Thanks for the review. I have a question about reds in general and this beautiful red in particular. I have ordered a Nakaya (unpolished shu Naka Ai). Can I use red brown inks without staining? I generally use more conservative inks (brown, black, blue), but this brown red is lovely.

 

 

Katherine

 

I've used Garuda Rood in several pens, at least one of which had a clear ink window, and I haven't observed any staining, nor do I recall the ink being particularly difficult to clean.

[raging.dragon]

David,

 

Thanks. I just missed out on ordering this (instead of an orange boven) with the DC pen group buy. So disappointed! Do you think Oxblood would work? I really like that the Garuda dries brown, but Oxblood also looks wonderful

 

Can't wait to get my pen. I'm traveling right now, so it will be delivered next week. I am really looking forward to it!

 

Katherine

 

I haven't tried Diamine Monaco Red, but the swabs and writing samples I've seen online look alot like Garuda Rood.

[LuckyKate]

 

Is this your first Nakaya?

 

David

 

Yes--so excited--but I can't decide between the Unpolished shu and the kuro-tameneuri. I know I want a naka ai. I've put a hold on my order until I can make up my mind. They are being very nice about it!

 

 

I've used Garuda Rood in several pens, at least one of which had a clear ink window, and I haven't observed any staining, nor do I recall the ink being particularly difficult to clean.

 

Raging Dragon this is good to know! I love brown reds so I am glad to hear they don't stain!

 

 

I haven't tried Diamine Monaco Red, but the swabs and writing samples I've seen online look alot like Garuda Rood

 

I will put a bottle of Monoco Red on my "want list." Thanks!

 

Katherine

Edited June 27, 2014 by LuckyKate

[dms525]

 

Yes--so excited--but I can't decide between the Unpolished shu and the kuro-tameneuri. I know I want a naka ai. I've put a hold on my order until I can make up my mind. They are being very nice about it!

<snip>

 

Katherine

 

Now, if you had to choose between shu and unpolished shu or between unpolished shu and aka-tamenuri, I'd say, "Gee. Thats hard." But unpolished shu and kuro-tamenuri seem so different from each other to me, I'd have to say, "You need both. Which one are you going to get first?" I mean, you wouldn't wear the same outfit to a funeral and a football game, right? It sounds like you're thinking you would want a serious, mostly black, pen for some occasions and a fun (but not too much fun) pen for other occasions.

 

Then, maybe you see them differently than I do.

 

David

[LuckyKate]

 

Now, if you had to choose between shu and unpolished shu or between unpolished shu and aka-tamenuri, I'd say, "Gee. Thats hard." But unpolished shu and kuro-tamenuri seem so different from each other to me, I'd have to say, "You need both. Which one are you going to get first?" I mean, you wouldn't wear the same outfit to a funeral and a football game, right? It sounds like you're thinking you would want a serious, mostly black, pen for some occasions and a fun (but not too much fun) pen for other occasions.

 

Then, maybe you see them differently than I do.

 

David

 

I'd been thinking, after the shu, my next pen (sometime in the next decade) would be a kuro tamenuri piccolo, which manages to be both blackish and quite fun. Then I thought why not just get a kuro tamenuri naka ai? But although this Nakaya will have to do some serious writing, I don't want a mournful or solemn pen.

 

Now I'm thinking how wonderful the aka tameneuri would be! So shu or aka tamenuri? I've probably gone off topic here so perhaps should move my question or make it ink related?

 

Your shu by the way is breathtaking David. Do you have an aka tamenuri? Which do you prefer?

Katherine

Edited June 27, 2014 by LuckyKate

[dms525]

 

I'd been thinking, after the shu, my next pen (sometime in the next decade) would be a kuro tamenuri piccolo, which manages to be both blackish and quite fun. Then I thought why not just get a kuro tamenuri naka ai? But although this Nakaya will have to do some serious writing, I don't want a mournful or solemn pen.

 

Now I'm thinking how wonderful the aka tameneuri would be! So shu or aka tamenuri? I've probably gone off topic here so perhaps should move my question or make it ink related?

 

Your shu by the way is breathtaking David. Do you have an aka tamenuri? Which do you prefer?

Katherine

 

It is off topic, but it's my topic, so it's okay.

 

I have an aka-tamenuri and an unpolished shu Naka-ai. I have a shu piccolo. Today, I would say I like the aka-tamenuri naka-ai best for appearance and for it's nib (a little smoother and broader than the unpolished shu's). The piccolo is the most practical, because it fits more easily in shirt breast pockets, which is where I care my pens of the day.

 

At some point, I would like to get a shiro-tamenuri, but I can't decide between another Naka-ai, another piccolo or a Decapod twist. (I have a heki-tamenuri decapod which I love, except I wish it were thicker, hence my interest in the Decapod twist.)

 

The truth is aesthetic tastes are very individual and highly subjective. If you could see a collection of Nakaya urushi pens at a pen show, you might just fall in love with some other finish that didn't get a second look in a photo online. I find the kuro-tamenuri less appealing than the other finishes, but others' taste differs.

 

David

[Morbus Curiositas]

 

 

Very nice review david... Nice ink and lovely Pelikan.

 

 

I am a Dutchman and all the Akkerman Ink names sound familiar to me.

 

But Garuda has something extra special to me... Let me explain!

 

My father is Dutch but my mom is Indonesian. The Garuda bird is on the National Arms of Indonesia. Indonesia was a former dutch colony.

 

After Indonesia gained it's long deserved independance. The Dutch and the Indo's (Halfbloods part Dutch part Indonesian) repatriated to the Netherlands.

 

The Hague became sort of a capital for the repatriants. Even today their a large Indonesian Fair called The Pasar Malam Besar (Great evening Market) is organised every year in the Hague...

 

I will buy some Akkermans when I am in Holland (I live in Austria now)...

 

But the Garuda is a must have... For the Colour, the sentimental value and the historical touch of it (I love history)

 

Thanks for your great review David

 

Selamat Datang (have a nice day in Indonesian)

 

Peter

 

 

 

 

On Rhodia paper: No feathering. No bleed through. After 5 minutes, absolutely no smearing. Not tested for waterproofness.

 

I really like this ink. I think it would work for informal correspondence. The reader would not say, "Hmmm ... What's with the red ink?" It reminds me a lot of Noodlers Black Swan in English Roses.

 

 

'Scuse me. Gotto go write some more.

 

David

 

Errata: The Lamy Safari I filled with Garuda Red is fitted with a 1.5 mm italic nib.

[dms525]

 

 

 

Very nice review david... Nice ink and lovely Pelikan.

 

 

I am a Dutchman and all the Akkerman Ink names sound familiar to me.

 

But Garuda has something extra special to me... Let me explain!

 

My father is Dutch but my mom is Indonesian. The Garuda bird is on the National Arms of Indonesia. Indonesia was a former dutch colony.

 

After Indonesia gained it's long deserved independance. The Dutch and the Indo's (Halfbloods part Dutch part Indonesian) repatriated to the Netherlands.

 

The Hague became sort of a capital for the repatriants. Even today their a large Indonesian Fair called The Pasar Malam Besar (Great evening Market) is organised every year in the Hague...

 

I will buy some Akkermans when I am in Holland (I live in Austria now)...

 

But the Garuda is a must have... For the Colour, the sentimental value and the historical touch of it (I love history)

 

Thanks for your great review David

 

Selamat Datang (have a nice day in Indonesian)

 

Peter

 

 

Thank you, Peter, for your comments.

 

So, is there better Indonesian food in The Hague than in Amsterdam? My wife and I had an amazing rijsttafel in Amsterdam a few years ago at a place recommended by our hotel.

 

David

[entropydave]

 

Yes--so excited--but I can't decide between the Unpolished shu and the kuro-tameneuri. I know I want a naka ai. I've put a hold on my order until I can make up my mind. They are being very nice about it!

 

 

Raging Dragon this is good to know! I love brown reds so I am glad to hear they don't stain!

 

 

I will put a bottle of Monoco Red on my "want list." Thanks!

 

Katherine

 

Hi Kate

 

I would echo Raging Dragon's report on Garuda Rood as far as cleaning. I had no problems with it, or Akkerman's Roods Haag Pluche.

 

Diamine Monaco Red is my primary red ink (and red is my primary ink color by far), so I know it well. It is also easy to clean. I would say it was just a shade more ruddy, perhaps a touch more saturated by brown, than Garuda Rood. At least that is how it seems to me comparing samples side-by-side on 90gsm Quo Vadis ivory paper.

 

You might also consider Roods Haag Pluche, which is very close to Garuda Rood, but more red, less brown. However, it is still saturated and not at all garish like the Akkerman Chinatown Red.

 

David.

[LuckyKate]

 

Hi Kate

 

I would echo Raging Dragon's report on Garuda Rood as far as cleaning. I had no problems with it, or Akkerman's Roods Haag Pluche.

 

Diamine Monaco Red is my primary red ink (and red is my primary ink color by far), so I know it well. It is also easy to clean. I would say it was just a shade more ruddy, perhaps a touch more saturated by brown, than Garuda Rood. At least that is how it seems to me comparing samples side-by-side on 90gsm Quo Vadis ivory paper.

 

You might also consider Roods Haag Pluche, which is very close to Garuda Rood, but more red, less brown. However, it is still saturated and not at all garish like the Akkerman Chinatown Red.

 

David.

 

David,

 

Thanks so much for your informative comments! This thread has been so helpful in making me less afraid of exploring the world of brown-red ink!

 

Best,

 

Katherine