Review: Kwzi Monarch

[TheGreatRoe]

5 years ago, if you'd asked me my favorite color I would have said blue. But after spending time collecting pens and inks, I can see myself slowly migrating to team orange and inks like KWZI Monarch are one the main reasons--actually blue still wins out for the actual pens, but for inks and shirts, orange is really taking over.

 

Although I love a searing, bright orange ink, sometimes they can be a bit harsh for long writing and reading. And while I like a nice shading, brown ink, sometimes their lack of color is just blah. But there's a few inks that live in that zone between orange and brown that are the perfect representation of the feeling of being warm. And even though I know this ink is named after the butterfly, it could just as easily be walled warmth.

Color: I kinda love the color. It's got some great shading, and can border on bright in a dry pen--but in a very wet pen the ink can be a darkish, complex brown. I haven't seen any sheening, but my good-sheen paper is on order.

Handling: I like the feel of this ink. It takes a while to dry, but both the pens I tested with are VERY wet writers so you should take that into consideration. I never had a problem with the flow, and the ink feels nice and wet as it goes down.

Durability: There's some water resistance, but don't count on it for that. After letting the ink dry I didn't have any smudging problems.

 

Notes: KWZI inks have a smell to them and this one is no different. I'm not going to call it an odor, because it's not objectionable--in fact it smells a little like a hot chocolate with some vanilla added.

Overall: I really like this ink, and even though it's a exclusive to Fontoplumo, I hope this ink doesn't go away any time soon.

 

[visvamitra]

Very nice review, thanks. I think this ink is fantastic.

[Cyber6]

I am so glad you finally got it on your eager little paws..

 

I do love this ink... and you should know, is not an LE is just an exclusive... meaning, Fontoplumo will keep this ink as long as they want.....

 

 

 

C.

[lgsoltek]

BTW the new Kyonooto ink looks kinda like Monarch.

[penwash]

 

Although I love a searing, bright orange ink, sometimes they can be a bit harsh for long writing and reading. And while I like a nice shading, brown ink, sometimes their lack of color is just blah. But there's a few inks that live in that zone between orange and brown that are the perfect representation of the feeling of being warm. And even though I know this ink is named after the butterfly, it could just as easily be walled warmth.

 

 

For exactly the same reason I mixed Chesterfield Fire Opal and Antique Raven, and this is what I got, barring any lighting difference, the similarity is striking:

 

[Cyber6]

BTW the new Kyonooto ink looks kinda like Monarch.

 

 

I need a bottle to compare....

[TheGreatRoe]

I am so glad you finally got it on your eager little paws..

 

I do love this ink... and you should know, is not an LE is just an exclusive... meaning, Fontoplumo will keep this ink as long as they want.....

 

 

 

C.

 

I'm happy, too. Happy that I got it, but also happy that it'll stick around.

[mehandiratta]

One of my favorites