Do you have an ink dependence? I can help...

Image Slider

Kala Nostalgia Mongolian Sandstorm

4/26/20

Another Kala ink! The last one looked like several of the other inks in the Kala Nostalgia range, and this one doesn't. It's a dusty sort of purple. Most of the time.

On one particular paper, it's really different. I have no idea why. Check out the way it pops when you put on Tomoe River. Weird, right?

Anyway, if you're looking for a dusty violet-grey ink with good flow and exceptional water resistance, then you should check out this weirdly named sandstorm.

I bought this ink at JetPens, and it's recently come into stock at Shigure Inks, as well. If you order something because you saw it on a blog, let the vendor know who helped you out!


Written Review


Close-Ups





Bottle and Col-o-Dex



Copy Paper (the bad stuff)


You get a bit of bleed here and there, but it's nothing major and this is some really bad paper.


Tomoe River Inkjournal

This the one that's kinda wild. The color is totally different


Inky Fingers Currently Inked


Chromatography


Water Drop Test

Is this the before or the after? It's the after. This ink doesn't care about water.


Video Review



Color Comparisons







**I bought this ink. Thanks Patrons!**

Kala Nostalgia Blue Lagoon Vapor

4/8/20

Okay, so, this is a new ink brand for me. I've been using Kala pigmented inks over the last couple of months, and I'm a big fan. They flow well in all sorts of nibs, the colors aren't like anything else, and they are extremely water-fast. The performance is really darn good even on bad papers, too. After I tried the first one, I bought another. After I used that second one, I bought the other 4. So....I've got all of them. Well, all of the ones I can buy here in the USA.

The only thing here is that several of the colors in this Kala Nostalgia line are pretty similar. You don't need all of them. I'll be reviewing these over the next few weeks, and you should pick the ones you like best. But, really, don't sleep on these.

They're pigmented, so they are a bit on the matte side, and they change color as they dry. Don't worry about them stopping up your pen, though. None of mine have over the last few months, and I haven't had any dodgy starts or anything. And the price is right.

I bought mine at JetPens. That's the only place I know to find them, stateside.

Written Review



Close-Ups





Bottle and Col-o-Dex


Copy Paper Test


I can see a few feathers and a few spots of bleed-through in these close-up shots. Keep in mind, though, that this paper is really weak sauce. It's fine for your office copier, but it's crap for writing on with anything more than a ballpoint.


InkJournal Tomoe River


Inky Fingers Wheat Straw Paper


Chromatography



Water Test

Is this the before or the after picture? Don't worry about it. This ink doesn't shift under water.Well, okay, there's a slight smudge. That's it.


Video Review



Color Comparisons








**I bought this from JetPens. Thanks goes to my Patrons!**

KWZ Grey Plum

4/2/20

 This ink was given to me for review by Dromgoole's, and I wasn't sure what to expect from it. The swatch on the box was clearly a dark purple, but you never know what you'll get from the nib. Well, I guess I kinda did, actually. I got a dark, dusky purple that is so dark you could mistake it for a black in some nibs. I like an ink like this. It gives you something that is formal enough to fit in at a serious meeting where you don't want to rock an orange, but you know that it's not a regular black, and that's cool.

Additionally, this ink flows really nicely and it performs pretty well even on bad paper.

Check it out below and let me know what you think in the comments. Or an email. Or whatever. You know.

Oh, and if you want to get this ink, head over to Dromgoole's and let them know that I sent ya. That sort of thing is always nice for a vendor to know.

 Written Review


Close-Ups!





Copy Paper Test


You can see some mild feathering and a little bleeding on this 20lb paper, but keep in mind that this is some poor paper. You can see the inconsistencies in the fiber even in these pictures.


Inkjournal Tomoe River Edition

That's a good paper, right there. You can see some shine on the ink, here, but it's not a sheen. Just sort of a shine. The purple peeks through more strongly, though.


Inky Fingers Wheat Straw Paper


This is a good paper, and you can see the difference in how this ink looks from a wider and a narrower version of the medium nib. I like it both ways, really. 


Water Test
 Not bad. Not bad.


Chromatography


Video Review



Color Comparisons











Disclaimer: Dromgoole's gave me this bottle of ink for review. All I promise is an honest review, and I don't think that free ink sways me in one way or another. Your mileage may vary, etc, etc.