Blackstone Australian Bush

[Jamerelbe]

A couple of weeks ago I received some ink samples from Kevin at JustWrite Pen Co, from a new line of inks he was developing - with a request for feedback on what I thought. At the time, Kevin asked me to hold off on publishing any reviews - but as of 1 April, the word is out: the Blackstone 'Scents of Australia' line will soon be available for purchase (see the announcement at https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/321002-new-blackstone-scented-inks/).

 

Kevin has given me permission to publish a review (an advance preview?) of one of the inks I received - Blackstone Australian Bush. Though the ink sample was provided free, the review is my own initiative - and I hope a fairly impartial one, although it's hard to be impartial about inks I really enjoy using!

 

I may be able to publish a second in the near future - though I understand the scent of the second ink (Brown Boronia) has been changed from the prototype formulation I received. Both inks perform really well, and to my eyes, both are really attractive colours (and shades) that don't quite match anything I have in my collection.

 

Without further ado, here's the review sheet - which will be followed by some additional shots on other papers:

 

http://i.imgur.com/tMRtpkX.jpg

 

The ink really is what it says on the box: a kind of 'gum tree green'. A dark, intense, green-with-a-hint-of yellow kind of eucalypt / gum tree green, that comes out significantly darker in broader nibs and lighter in F/EF nibs.

 

Here's an 'action shot' of the water test - which shows significant amounts of ink lifting from the page:

 

http://i.imgur.com/sDFpu0s.jpg

 

Here's a series of comparisons with my other green inks, on Rhodia paper - I initially thought it was a reasonable match for Rohrer und Klingner Alt-Goldgrun, but it's quite a bit darker, and leans a lot greener (though that khaki / yellow tinge is still there):

 

http://i.imgur.com/s3iiR56.jpg

 

Finally, here's a "day after" shot of Australian Bush on creamy Tomoe River paper - I tried to lay the ink on fairly thick with a 1.5mm stub nib. No sheening, as such, but the 'pooled' areas are almost green-black:

 

http://i.imgur.com/szI2SYF.jpg

 

Needless to say, I really really like this ink - it's a unique (in my collection) shade of green, and the eucalyptus scent is an added bonus. The moment I uncap a pen containing this ink, the refreshing aroma catches my nose - even though I don't have a particularly good sense of smell.

 

I'm looking forward to buying a bottle of this ink, as soon as it becomes available - in the meantime, I'm grateful for the sample provided, which will hopefully tide me over. Thanks to Kevin and JustWrite Pens for sending this to me!

[visvamitra]

Looks fine.

[Jamerelbe]

Thanks @visvamitra - it may not have come across in the review, but I *reallllly* like this ink!

[lgsoltek]

Oooh given how I love the wet and smooth flow of all the Blackstone inks I have, I'm sure I'm going to get this one as well!

[Jamerelbe]

Oooh given how I love the wet and smooth flow of all the Blackstone inks I have, I'm sure I'm going to get this one as well!

 

Apart from the added scent, I understand these inks are made from the same 'ingredients' as the Colours of Australia range (not the u in Colour - we're cultured down under!). And certainly that's been my experience with the ink samples: they write very freely and smoothly, with good saturation.

[RedScarves]

Ooo that is one fascinating ink! Plus I love eucalyptus ! Definitely interested.

 

btw How does it compare to sailor tokiwa matsu and/or l'artisan olivestre would you say? If you have seen those two inks....

[Jamerelbe]

Ooo that is one fascinating ink! Plus I love eucalyptus ! Definitely interested.

 

btw How does it compare to sailor tokiwa matsu and/or l'artisan olivestre would you say? If you have seen those two inks....

Unfortunately I don't have either ink - I cracked out all but one or two of my inks in the comparisons above. I wonder how close it would be to J. Herbin Vert Olive or to Private Reserve Avacado - but I don't have those inks either...

[amberleadavis]

OOO I love it.

[dcwaites]

I, too, have some of this. Full review to follow.

 

Basic points - wettish, but well behaved. Better behaved than Iroshizuku Asa-Gao on Lihit Lab paper and Modena notebook.

 

Shades, depending on pen 'n' paper.

 

Reflects the colour of Aussie temperate rainforest (which is a little bit more olive green) rather than the brighter green of the tropical rainforest of Daintree green.

 

The scent is a mild eucalyptus, about the intensity of a crushed rosemary leaf, and is a pure and unadulterated scent. The real Aussie bush, however, contains notes of old bushfires and possum pee*.

 

 

 

 

*Marketing these scents, though, may be a bit of a challenge...

[Jamerelbe]

I, too, have some of this. Full review to follow.

 

Basic points - wettish, but well behaved. Better behaved than Iroshizuku Asa-Gao on Lihit Lab paper and Modena notebook.

 

Shades, depending on pen 'n' paper.

 

Reflects the colour of Aussie temperate rainforest (which is a little bit more olive green) rather than the brighter green of the tropical rainforest of Daintree green.

 

The scent is a mild eucalyptus, about the intensity of a crushed rosemary leaf, and is a pure and unadulterated scent. The real Aussie bush, however, contains notes of old bushfires and possum pee*.

 

 

*Marketing these scents, though, may be a bit of a challenge...

 

@DCWaites, appreciate your input - will look forward to seeing your review. Speaking personally, I'm grateful the ink's scent only captures *some* of the scents of the Australian bush...

[ac12]

oooo sounds like a nice green.

[AmandaW]

Wow. Any update on when this might be available?

[Jamerelbe]

Wow. Any update on when this might be available?

 

Supposed to be released in May - but I haven't heard received any updates from the manufacturer in the past few weeks, so please don't hold me to that!

[ManofKent]

Looks a nice colour - thanks for sharing.

[Cyber6]

 

Apart from the added scent, I understand these inks are made from the same 'ingredients' as the Colours of Australia range (note the u in Colour - we're cultured down under!). And certainly that's been my experience with the ink samples: they write very freely and smoothly, with good saturation.

 

 

LOL... Same here in Canada... In fact, my iPhone will scream at me if I ever misspell Colour without the "u"... lol ...

 

 

C.

[lgsoltek]

For me who learnt the British pronunciation and spelling of English in school, yes it's coloUr!

[Jamerelbe]

 

 

LOL... Same here in Canada... In fact, my iPhone will scream at me if I ever misspell Colour without the "u"... lol ...

 

 

C.

 

 

For me who learnt the British pronunciation and spelling of English in school, yes it's coloUr!

 

Next question - toMAHto or toMAYto?