Tag Kyoto - Kyo-Iro - Soft Snow Of Ohara

[Jarod]

... [sailor] Zoom nib that even writes upside down like a dream...

I love Soft Snow of Ohara, and even though quite a few inks come close to the color, there are no dopplegängers: they are just too purple, too blue or too grey.

 

As far as the 14kt Zoom nib is concerned, can you actually use it upside down for long writing sessions? I'm looking for a nib to write and underline chapter titles in a broad line, and the rest in a fine line, so the Zoom seems ideal. What is your experience with this nib?

 

Danke!

 

ETA: Diamine 150th Lilac Night is on its way. Maybe that one will be very similar, but a bit less watery, than SSofO.

Edited August 5, 2020 by Jarod

[inkstainedruth]

I tried a sample of this a couple of years ago, as part of my search to find a better-behaved replacement for Noodler's Kung Te Cheng. But it wasn't the color match I was hoping for. And the ink itself, while interesting, didn't really wow me.

But thanks for the review. I always love your artwork, namrehsnoom.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[JulieParadise]

As far as the 14kt Zoom nib is concerned, can you actually use it upside down for long writing sessions? I'm looking for a nib to write and underline chapter titles in a broad line, and the rest in a fine line, so the Zoom seems ideal. What is your experience with this nib?

 

Danke!

 

I do use this nib on three sides regularly, although the point where it turns into a MF when used at an angle between 70 to 90 degrees is harder to maintain for more than some lines.

 

Upside down I had no problems for several pages, as with my Sailor 14k-music nib.

 

If a nib is too dry for that going through the slit with the little plastic sheet Pilot included in to packaging of their Parallel Pens or something similar might do the trick. Also, if the reverse side is somewhat scratchy, some round of the softest & smoothest side of a polishing (not the much more abrasive normal) nail file helps.

[Jarod]

 

Upside down I had no problems for several pages, as with my Sailor 14k-music nib.

 

Does the Sailor Music nib do that well in reverse writing? Between the Zoom and the Music, which one would you choose if you only had to use it in reverse?

 

I have some brass sheets to floss the tines, but if I do that, the reverse might become OK, but then the nib held in the traditional way might be too wet.

 

As far as polishing the nibs, I wouldn't want to smooth them out because I don't know what I'm doing! I leave that to the nibmeisters. I am also considering custom double grinds: the Zoom seems appropriate for that because of the huge tipping!

[JulieParadise]

Hhhm, difficult ... if I absolutely had to choose I would probably take the Zoom nib first, as the fine line the reverse produces it more suitable for everyday writing, whereas the upside of the (my) Music nib is comparable to a 0.8-1 mm stub.

[Jarod]

Hhhm, difficult ... if I absolutely had to choose I would probably take the Zoom nib first, as the fine line the reverse produces it more suitable for everyday writing, whereas the upside of the (my) Music nib is comparable to a 0.8-1 mm stub.

Not difficult at all for me!

Zoom it will be, because I don't like the reverse to lay down too thick of a line.

Thank you!

[A Smug Dill]

I'm looking for a nib to write and underline chapter titles in a broad line, and the rest in a fine line, so the Zoom seems ideal.

 

The Naginata Concord nib is probably even better for that. Or Naginata Fude de Mannen nib, although I prefer the Concord nib because its default, i.e. writing with the pen and nib held in normal orientation, is a fine line, and reverse-writing delivers broader lines of controllable variety.

 

(Sorry for the off-topic comment.)

Edited August 6, 2020 by A Smug Dill

[JulieParadise]

Yeah, a Naginata would be even better, but try getting one for the 100€ you get the 14k zoom nib for ...

[Newjelan]

Thanks for such a fabulous review of a beautiful ink. I bought this ink at Tag in Kyoto when I was there in December 2019. (Oh my, it seems so long ago .) It’s a wonderful, understated ink and the story behind it (and the others in this series) serve to add to the romance and mystic of these beautiful inks. Thanks again.