Sailor's Full Ink Lines Including Shop Exclusives Compiled In A Post?

[Pensei]

I think many of us are aware of most non-Japanese ink makers and, in fact, have them. Sailor aside, my inventory houses 15 or 16 ink brands. None of the non-Japanese brands are had in the quantity of Sailor inks, but I have more non-Sailor than Sailor inks. I have brands that provide a lush color range and one that writes more smoothly than Sailor (Franklin-Christoph Inks!), but no other brand, to date, marries color to writing experience the way this Japanese ink producer does. Since most of the thread's participants seem to have a focus inks, I feel, because of this, there's a greater appreciation for Sailor inks in general.

 

I agree, there's nothing magical about the process of creating inks--it's all chemistry. However, Sailor has only one ink master that produces all shop exclusive inks but BungBox and Kobe (up until last year). This gentleman has an eye for color, a fantastic understanding of chemistry (refined by experience)--with this comes a level of intuition that's imperative to making the inks we all adore. For me, no other ink maker has come close to Sailor's ink master, though, none have yet to commit the years that he has to his craft. In time (lots, and lots of time), I imagine they will come close.

 

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I agree with Mew about the privilege we have in buying shop exclusive inks, considering, at times, locals have not had a chance to buy when some of us have. Staying mindful of this, I never buy more than 1 bottle of any shop exclusive color. I don't buy entire sets to "complete a collection" and typically buy after discussing with another ink enthusiast about the inks. I NEVER sell a bottle for more that it's original value, though I typically resell for much less. I'm not knocking others that don't do what I do, as they typically are generous with their inks and bottles and will oft have dry-spells in buying new Sailors--that's their approach to the issue and I respect that.

 

I'm thankful Sailor creates the inks that they do, both standard line and shop exclusive; it's made this hobby of ink, pen and paper such a joy. To think that it all started with a bottle of Sailor Tokiwa-matsu.

Pardon me if I'm being dense, but can you help me understand what you mean by the phrase I have bolded: "up until last year"? Is it still possible to know that certain shops have what might be called small-batch colors that can be assumed to come from the hand of the master, or is that no longer the case? Or, to put it another way, can you expand on what changed last year, please? I realize that it may be a mystery to anyone but company people, and in the current frenzy, Sailor might have a business interest in maintaining a level of uncertainty, but I would love to know anything that can be known about the distinctions among BB, Kobe, and the inks associated with the other shops such as KN and P&M. Also, a fairly straightforward question that might be of interest to many is whether "the" ink master is behind all Sailor colors, but they are just made in larger amounts, or if there is a different process of creation for the less exclusive colors. Thanks in advance for any insights, and apologies in advance for any questions that have already been answered or are inappropriate.

[white_lotus]

From what I remember being stated here was the standard line of inks and the Kobe inks (originally all the "jar" bottled ink) was produced on their ink production line. The various store-exclusive inks (originally in "jewel" bottles) were mixed by the ink-master himself, one bottle at a time. There's a picture buried in this thread that shows the setup for mixing an ink at an "ink clinic" held at stores on some occasions.

 

What happens now with the production of store-exclusive inks is unknown, whether they are hand mixed by the ink-master or not. I presume yes, but that is an assumption/speculation.

 

I don't think Sailor will ever reveal actually how their inks are made. No other ink producer does so. It's all proprietary and they have every right to keep it secret.

[Pensei]

Thanks for the remarks. I agree that they have every right to be obscure about it. But obviously the existence of the ink-master is a fact, and I can't help being curious about how close it is possible to get to his direct work.

[Sinistral1]

I think it's safe to say if you have a bottle with a hand written label then you have a bottle of ink mixed by the master himself.

[haruka337]

Pardon me if I'm being dense, but can you help me understand what you mean by the phrase I have bolded: "up until last year"?.

 

[...]

 

 

 

Nagasawa Kobe and Bungbox, to my knowlage, are the only two shop exclusive lines not hand-made, but where prior.

 

What changed? Demand increased for shop exclusives and the ink master is only one person, however, that's conjecture only on my part.

 

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I suppose Sailor could simply automate the ink making process for all shop exclusives, but that wouldn't make much sense. Inks don't rake in the big dough for the company nor small pen shops compared to other products. Shop exclusives act as one of many incentives to visit a shop (in person and online) and purchase other items along with the ink.

 

Sailor's ink master use to mix any color requested when attending a mixing event help at various pen and stationary shops, including existing shop exclusive colors. This practice stopped when ink speculating got out of hand. Now, if a shop exclusive color is asked for, he will only mix a color close to it, but still decidedly different.

[Tinjapan]

Not sure where this fits in, but KN inks were also hand blended but I believe these too are now mixed in the ink plant. I know that was what KN was trying to arrange when they suddenly ran out of ink and could not get more.

[Sinistral1]

It's sad that greed has apparently destroyed an artisan's work. I speak only for myself, but I feel I played a small part in what has happened and as an artist myself, feel bad. Hopefully after the craziness stops things can go back to the way they were, for everyone who enjoys the art and not just making money.

[lovelytofu358]

Looks like shop exclusives are gradually coming back.

 

 

 

https://twitter.com/Sankodo_PenShop

 

P.S Pilot Iroshizuku Tokyo Limited is back again. First batch was sold out in two days at Itoya last weekend.

The second batch will come out in November. :)

[Tinjapan]

Ain't just Sailor, Itoya has three LE Pilot Iroshizuku inks to celebrate the pen section moving to the 3rd floor of the main building. They went on sale Saturday and came in the standard 50ml bottles and sets of the minis. All but a handfull of the gray were sold out by this (Monday) afternoon. I was told that I could place an order and said I would like do so. When the clerck returned with an order form, the amount was already written in, "1". When I asked if more could be ordered, the atmosphere became down right cold. The clerk said yes but not too many and that it may not be possible to get more thsn one set when they do come in. She was all smiles until I asked if I could buy more than one set.

[swanjun]

Ain't just Sailor, Itoya has three LE Pilot Iroshizuku inks to celebrate the pen section moving to the 3rd floor of the main building. They went on sale Saturday and came in the standard 50ml bottles and sets of the minis. All but a handfull of the gray were sold out by this (Monday) afternoon. I was told that I could place an order and said I would like do so. When the clerck returned with an order form, the amount was already written in, "1". When I asked if more could be ordered, the atmosphere became down right cold. The clerk said yes but not too many and that it may not be possible to get more thsn one set when they do come in. She was all smiles until I asked if I could buy more than one set.

 

Ooh. I will have to try to get the mini set!

[Mew]

I don't know. Iroshizuku is nice, but writing experience isn't as smooth with them as sailor, especially with my finer nibs. :|

I am already almost regretting the Papier Plume Mardi Gras ink that I purchased.

Edited September 12, 2016 by Mew

[haruka337]

Ooh. I will have to try to get the mini set!

I've realized that the 15ml bottles is, realistically, all I need from Iroshizuku.

[swanjun]

I've realized that the 15ml bottles is, realistically, all I need from Iroshizuku.

 

Yeah, really I just want to try them and have a small amount around for future use. It's not like the colors are crazy unique or anything. Plus, I'm good at rationing.

[lovelytofu358]

Two new colours from Styledee

 

Orange: http://shop.styledee.jp/?pid=107283149

Purple: http://shop.styledee.jp/?pid=107283166

[haruka337]

The orange looks like Edelstein Amber--I'm curious. The purple doesn't appear to be bad either.

[Pensei]

Will Styledee interact with American patrons?

[Tinjapan]

Will Styledee interact with American patrons?

I don't think your question is what you are wanting to ask.

[Pensei]

I just meant that the shop site as linked was all in Japanese, which usually, albeit in my limited experience, means no direct shipping to the US. And more to the point, I don't read Japanese. Sorry if I'm off the mark.

[Tinjapan]

I don't think they care about a patron's nationality, location may be another matter. I am an American and they sent my order to me in Japan, no problem. If they do not send to the US, they would not send to Japanese living there.

 

I will try to find out if they ship to the US for you.

[Pensei]

Thanks.