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International - Cooperative - Unobtainable - (I C U) Ink Review - Blue Amber

amberleadavis

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canibanoglu Extremely Rare

canibanoglu

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OK then, here goes the typed version of the review. I'm sorry for my handwriting, I know that it is sometimes illegible to people other than me, but believe my I'm working on it!

 

First Impressions

  • The flow seems to be just right, not too wet, not too dry.
  • There is some shading to be had, but this one doesn't come close to my best shading inks.
  • I can't discern much sheen, maybe at letter borders when writing with a wet nib. (This is where I made the arrow to write "Left the water on the page too long, so it seeped from the other side.)
  • No feathering at all on this paper. (Rhodia DotPad)
  • The writing experience is great, the color is very purplish when the ink is wet, but dries to a blue.
  • As for the color itself, I have mixed opinions. It is a nice blue, a bit on the blacker side but the color seems a bit washed out to me, like it was a much vibrant color but it's been left out in the sun and faded a little bit.
  • Would I but it? The answer is: It depends. (Keep in mind that these are my first impressions.) I can't say that it had the "I HAVE to have it!" effect on me but at the right price, I wouldn't hesitate a moment to buy it.
  • Now, this is a first! Up until now, I have always liked ink colors better when they were coming out of a B nib that is very wet. But tat is not the case here, I like it better in this 1.1 stub. The color looks a lot less washed out, and that makes the color pop.

Full Review

  • Pen Information: Lamy Safari Neon Coral with pretty much all the stock nib size Lamy offers (1)
  • Drying Times: 10s one actually is pretty acceptable, I made those with the B nib, which is an absolute firehose and the smeared part had a *lot* of ink.
  • The quote is from Marcel Proust, my absolute favorite author! I plan to use a different quote from him for each of my reviews. I hope I can get someone to read his works.
  • Dryness/Wetness: After using this ink for about a week, I stand by my initial impression, it is neither too dry, nor too wet, a.k.a just right. Personally, I would want it to be a bit wetter, but that's because I adore the sight of a lot of ink on the page.
  • Shading: Well, you can be the judge on that. For myself, Id say this ink has a moderate amount of shading. Especially with wet nibs, but I didn't really like the color with wet nibs (more on that later).
  • Sheen: Sadly, none. Tried a lot of different papers, but even with the most absorbant papers, I couldn't discern any sheen.
  • Feathering: None on this paper and surprisingly well behaved on cheaper papers.
  • Bleedthrough: Again, none on this paper but it does bleed on cheaper paper, even with the EF nib I used above.

 

Other Stuff

 

  1. This ink is a first, in that I don't quite like the way it looks in wet nibs. Take a look at the writing sample with the B nib, lighter colored areas look kinda washed out.
  2. Mixed opinions on the color itself. I like inks that pop off the page when they're dry and this ink underwhelmed me in that department. It is a nice color but not an ink that would make me go "OOO, I just HAVE to have this ink."
  3. The ink has a very fun characteristic, it changes color dramatically while it's drying. When it's wet it is very purplish but as it dries, it assumes the blue/black color you see. And yes, I would call this a blue/black ink, in my opinion it has too much black in it to be called blue.
  4. Would I but it? Depends... I like the ink but I don't see myself doing unreasonable things to obtain it. (Yes, I do a lot of unreasonable things if I really want something (I'm looking at you Homo Sapiens Crystal)). The price is going to be a huge factor for me. I believe this will be in sold in powdered form and that, I think, will help lower the shipping cost to my neck of the woods significantly (shipping is pretty much the reason why I can't even try/buy Noodler's and Private Reserve inks). I would pat around $15 USD for this shipped, probably buying the other 9 colors to reduce shipping cost per ink color.
  5. I don't normally care for water resistance so I'm probably not the person to evaluate this convincingly but my impression on this ink's water resistance capabilities is that it is great. The color does get dissipated but the writing doesn't get illegible at all. (Check the First Impressions sheet to see what I mean)
  6. I haven't yet exhausted my fill of this ink, so I can't comment on cleaning yet, will give an update as soon as I run out of my ink, right here:
  7. Personally, I don't care for nib creep at all but I know there are people out there who dislike nib creep. I'm sorry to say that this ink is the most nib creeping ink I have ever used. See the photos.

 

Notes

  1. I opted to do my reviews with a Safari because of ease of changing nibs. I believe I'll do all my reviews like this.
  2. This ink is Diamine Sunset in a TWSBI Vac 700 with a medium nib.
  3. This ink is Pelikan Edelstein Amber in a Pelikan M1000 with a medium nib, that rather writes like a B nib.

 

 

I would like to express my huge gratitude to SUSEMAI, Amberlea and Sinistral in giving me a chance to review this ink. I had a LOT of fun and the fact that I HAD to do a review stopped my procrastination! Thank you very much.

 

This was my first review ever, if I have forgotten something or could have done something better, please let me know. Thanks a lot for reading!

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

Posted
  • Author
Posted

OK then, here goes the typed version of the review. I'm sorry for my handwriting, I know that it is sometimes illegible to people other than me, but believe my I'm working on it!

 

First Impressions

  • The flow seems to be just right, not too wet, not too dry.
  • There is some shading to be had, but this one doesn't come close to my best shading inks.
  • I can't discern much sheen, maybe at letter borders when writing with a wet nib. (This is where I made the arrow to write "Left the water on the page too long, so it seeped from the other side.)
  • No feathering at all on this paper. (Rhodia DotPad)
  • The writing experience is great, the color is very purplish when the ink is wet, but dries to a blue.
  • As for the color itself, I have mixed opinions. It is a nice blue, a bit on the blacker side but the color seems a bit washed out to me, like it was a much vibrant color but it's been left out in the sun and faded a little bit.
  • Would I but it? The answer is: It depends. (Keep in mind that these are my first impressions.) I can't say that it had the "I HAVE to have it!" effect on me but at the right price, I wouldn't hesitate a moment to buy it.
  • Now, this is a first! Up until now, I have always liked ink colors better when they were coming out of a B nib that is very wet. But tat is not the case here, I like it better in this 1.1 stub. The color looks a lot less washed out, and that makes the color pop.

Full Review

  • Pen Information: Lamy Safari Neon Coral with pretty much all the stock nib size Lamy offers (1)
  • Drying Times: 10s one actually is pretty acceptable, I made those with the B nib, which is an absolute firehose and the smeared part had a *lot* of ink.
  • The quote is from Marcel Proust, my absolute favorite author! I plan to use a different quote from him for each of my reviews. I hope I can get someone to read his works.
  • Dryness/Wetness: After using this ink for about a week, I stand by my initial impression, it is neither too dry, nor too wet, a.k.a just right. Personally, I would want it to be a bit wetter, but that's because I adore the sight of a lot of ink on the page.
  • Shading: Well, you can be the judge on that. For myself, Id say this ink has a moderate amount of shading. Especially with wet nibs, but I didn't really like the color with wet nibs (more on that later).
  • Sheen: Sadly, none. Tried a lot of different papers, but even with the most absorbant papers, I couldn't discern any sheen.
  • Feathering: None on this paper and surprisingly well behaved on cheaper papers.
  • Bleedthrough: Again, none on this paper but it does bleed on cheaper paper, even with the EF nib I used above.

 

Other Stuff

 

  1. This ink is a first, in that I don't quite like the way it looks in wet nibs. Take a look at the writing sample with the B nib, lighter colored areas look kinda washed out.
  2. Mixed opinions on the color itself. I like inks that pop off the page when they're dry and this ink underwhelmed me in that department. It is a nice color but not an ink that would make me go "OOO, I just HAVE to have this ink."
  3. The ink has a very fun characteristic, it changes color dramatically while it's drying. When it's wet it is very purplish but as it dries, it assumes the blue/black color you see. And yes, I would call this a blue/black ink, in my opinion it has too much black in it to be called blue.
  4. Would I but it? Depends... I like the ink but I don't see myself doing unreasonable things to obtain it. (Yes, I do a lot of unreasonable things if I really want something (I'm looking at you Homo Sapiens Crystal)). The price is going to be a huge factor for me. I believe this will be in sold in powdered form and that, I think, will help lower the shipping cost to my neck of the woods significantly (shipping is pretty much the reason why I can't even try/buy Noodler's and Private Reserve inks). I would pat around $15 USD for this shipped, probably buying the other 9 colors to reduce shipping cost per ink color.
  5. I don't normally care for water resistance so I'm probably not the person to evaluate this convincingly but my impression on this ink's water resistance capabilities is that it is great. The color does get dissipated but the writing doesn't get illegible at all. (Check the First Impressions sheet to see what I mean)
  6. I haven't yet exhausted my fill of this ink, so I can't comment on cleaning yet, will give an update as soon as I run out of my ink, right here:
  7. Personally, I don't care for nib creep at all but I know there are people out there who dislike nib creep. I'm sorry to say that this ink is the most nib creeping ink I have ever used. See the photos.

 

Notes

  1. I opted to do my reviews with a Safari because of ease of changing nibs. I believe I'll do all my reviews like this.
  2. This ink is Diamine Sunset in a TWSBI Vac 700 with a medium nib.
  3. This ink is Pelikan Edelstein Amber in a Pelikan M1000 with a medium nib, that rather writes like a B nib.

 

 

I would like to express my huge gratitude to SUSEMAI, Amberlea and Sinistral in giving me a chance to review this ink. I had a LOT of fun and the fact that I HAD to do a review stopped my procrastination! Thank you very much.

 

This was my first review ever, if I have forgotten something or could have done something better, please let me know. Thanks a lot for reading!

 

WOW WOW WOW

 

Great job.

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

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http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_894.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

Posted
  • Author
Posted

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_893.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

Posted
  • Author
Posted

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_892.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

Posted
  • Author
Posted

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_891.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

Posted
  • Author
Posted

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_890.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

Posted
  • Author
Posted

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_889.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

Posted
  • Author
Posted

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_870.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

Posted
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Posted

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_868.jpghttp://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_868b.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

Posted
  • Author
Posted

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_869.jpghttp://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_869b.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

Posted
  • Author
Posted

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_867.jpghttp://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_867b.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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canibanoglu Extremely Rare

canibanoglu

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Susemai can't ask for more than that. Top review!

WOW WOW WOW

 

Great job.

Thank you both for the very kind words, now I'm psyched to do more reviews!
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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

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SuSeMai is creating an inky journal and described these as works of art!

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sinistral1 Antique

Sinistral1

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A few more Fab 50 tester spots are available - come, join the fun!! Send me or Amber a PM if you want in on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!!

Breathe. Take one step at a time. Don't sweat the small stuff. You're not getting older, you are only moving through time. Be calm and positive.

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

Posted
  • Author
Posted

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_1057.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

Posted
  • Author
Posted

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_1056.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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amberleadavis Pen Dust

amberleadavis

Posted
  • Author
Posted

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2014-Inklings/slides/2014-Ink_1051.jpg

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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