Five Kwz Azures

[white_lotus]

I made a set of comparisons of the five KWZ Azures 1 through 5 on three different papers, Rhodia, Mohawk via Linen, and Hammermill 28lb inkjet, and in two different pens: one with a fine nib and another with a medium nib. Some writing with KWZ Northern Twilight LE appears at the bottom of each sheet for comparison, and two sheets have writing using Iroshizuku Kon-peki.

 

The first three images are of the whole sheets so you can get an overview. Then there are close-ups.

 

KWZ Azure #1 is more like what you get in like Pelikan 4001 Royal Blue, Waterman Blue, those kinds of inks.

KWZ Azure #4 has the most green in it, and like a supercharged, dark version of Akkerman #24 Zuiderpark Gröen (kind of).

KWZ Azure #3 tries to be more of a middle blue. It can look quite different depending on the pen and paper. It also seems closest to what might be called "ballpoint blue". I know many inks might take that as a slur, but it's just the way that ink looks.

KWZ Azure #2 seems to be the most greyed blue of the bunch, but it's definitely not a grey ink. Just a less pure color than the others.

KWZ Azure #5 is closest to Azure #2, but a more pure, more rich and dark color. It seems like this one was the hardest to fully clean from the converter, I think because it is so saturated an ink.

 

KWZ Azure #4 and #5 seem to have the best shading on Rhodia and MvL. Azure #2 had some shading across all papers in the wetter pen. Azure #1 and #3 didn't seem to shade much. Sorry, but I forgot to include a sheet of Tomoe River in the testing.

 

My apologies to member bstnyc for borrowing his format for comparing inks.

 

The KWZ Northern Twilight seems to have been determined to be "black" by the camera, but it is not. It is a very rich, dark blue-green.

 

 

 

 

Close-ups on Rhodia.

 

 

Close-ups on MvL.

 

 

Close-ups on Hij.

Edited December 13, 2016 by white_lotus

[antichresis]

Thank you for this comparison!

 

Do you see any green in the Azure #5?

[mhguda]

Thanks for these comparisons. Now I find I need five new blue inks. Soon...

[white_lotus]

 

Do you see any green in the Azure #5?

 

Hm, I'm not really seeing it, but it's a fairly dark blue. #4 is the only one that truly shows green. None of these are "blurples" (blue-violet). If you're concerned about it I'd suggest ordering a sample first.

[antichresis]

 

Hm, I'm not really seeing it, but it's a fairly dark blue. #4 is the only one that truly shows green. None of these are "blurples" (blue-violet). If you're concerned about it I'd suggest ordering a sample first.

Thanks for the clarification. The #4 is the one that shows sone green. I just wanted to check what the #5 looks like in front of you.

 

Unfortunately, KWZ isn't available in sample vials from where I live so it is a bit of a leap when you get inks. Reviews like these help a lot. 👍

[lapis]

Excellent work! It's about time that somebody compared this treasure chest!!

[Cyber6]

Thanks for the clarification. The #4 is the one that shows sone green. I just wanted to check what the #5 looks like in front of you.

 

Unfortunately, KWZ isn't available in sample vials from where I live so it is a bit of a leap when you get inks. Reviews like these help a lot.

 

 

Azure #5 is one of my favorite blues... (The other favorites being.. in no order: BlackStone Barrister Blue, Robert Oster Blue Sea/School Blue, Parker Penman Sapphire, MB Tolstoy)

 

 

On Tomoe River.. Sheen and shading is AMAZING!!!..

 

http://www.bauerinks.ca/uploads/8/7/0/7/87070276/azure503_orig.jpg

[Pensei]

Thanks for the work. I like KWZ inks a lot and the differences are subtle, so this is helpful.

[ca49reber]

Thank you for this comparison. I found I need 2 inks that I hadn't considered before seeing this.

[amberleadavis]

GREAT comparison. Thank you, White_Lotus.