Kyo-no-oto Nurebairo

I've reviewed a couple of the inks from the TAG shop in Kyoto before, but none from this line. There are two lines of inks that they make (Kyo-Iro and Kyo-no-oto), and this is the first from the Kyo-no-oto line that I've tried. It's a somewhat deceptive ink, actually, and I've been using it off and on since about January of this year. In fact, I've used up just about every drop of this sample that Anderson Pens was kind enough to send out to me.

I've got it in three pens right now, and it's only really working well in one of them. They're all fine once they get going, but this ink has a habit of drying out in the nib if you pause in your writing for too long. More details below, but I think this is an ink that is best used in a broader, wetter nib.

Written Review

This ink has been in the 3776 for the longest. I kept trying to like it, but I just don't think I do. It's a little dry and it gives me hard starts even in the Platinum. That's pretty unusual. Weirdly, every time I'd go to give up on it, wash it out, and move on with my life I would hit a stretch where it's working well and the color/sheen combo is really rad.

It's better in the bigger nibs, but it's only really been reliable from the music nib.

The biggest issue with this one is that it's really expensive at $28 for 40mls. Combined with the sketchy performance, I don't think this one will be making it into my collection.

Close-Ups

This is a pretty deep black (or at least it looks like one), but it's also got a good amount of sheen when you get it in the right light. And the sheen is a really neat color, too. Sort of a bronze or something.

20lb Copy Paper Test

It's really good on the copy paper, and even from the music nib.

Inky Fingers Currently Inked Journal

InkJournal Tomoe River

Chromatography

Huh. It's blue??


Col-o-ring Card

Sheen! Neat bronze sheen.

Water Test

No water resistance on this one. Keep it away from possible spills and don't address a letter with it. The water really brings out the blue in the ink, though.

Video Review
 

A slew of paper reviews!

Hi-ya, Loyal Blog Readers!

I've been busy checking out papers over on the YouTubes. I'll probably post some short reviews here on the blog, as well, but I haven't gotten around to that yet.

So, until then, check out the videos below and don't forget to join me, live, on my YouTube channel for a beer and a chat on Fridays at 4pm Eastern.

Best,
Mike

J. Herbin Lierre Sauvage

I've said a couple of times that I'm not a huge fan of J. Herbin's regular line of inks. Their glittery editions are usually pretty cool, but the regular line tends towards being undersaturated and dry. Those aren't things that I'm into.

(In fact, looking back, I think that the last time I reviewed a standard Herbin ink was back in 2014 when I declared that Bleu Pervenche was "fine.")

This ink, though, is going to be one of my favorite greens. It's a great color, it writes really nicely, and it behaves fairly well on bad office paper. It's not perfect, but I've been liking it a lot. So much so, that the little bottle is almost drained.

I can't remember where I picked this up, but I'm pretty sure I got it at the Philly Pen Show, so it was probably Anderson Pens.  Maybe? Could have been JetPens? They seem to have the little bottles. Anyway, you should definitely check out this ink.

 Check out the ink below, and let me know what you think. What's your favorite green?

Close-Ups!

 Inky Fingers Wheat Straw Paper
 Find them here.

InkJournal Tomoe River Paper
 Find it here.

Staples 20lb Copy Paper

This is the only place where this ink falls a little short. It's not great on bad paper. Still, it's not bad, and you won't really notice the issues if you're not looking for them. It's great on better papers.

Chromatography

Video Review

Water Test

Bottle and Review Pens

Color Comparisons

Papier Plume's Chicago Inks: 2018 Edition

Provided for review by Papier Plume!

**Okay, I put this post together before the Chicago Pen Show, and I forgot to hit the "Publish" button. I'm a dumb. Or maybe I was just too busy to think straight at the end of the semester. Anyway, enjoy!**

These two inks are made specially for the Chicago Pen Show this year. Last year, they used the ivy from Wrigley Field and the turquoise of Lake Michigan.This year, we've got the Bears and wine (inspired by this article).

I'm pretty sure that I like the burgundy a bit more than Da Blue, but both of these are pretty cool colors. Both of them are fairly well-behaved, but they do bleed a little bit on 20lb office papers. That's not unusual, but it's worth noting.


These are a part of a limited edition that will be made available at the Pen Show, and thereafter (while supplies last) on their website. Check them out below, and let me know which one you like best.

The Written Reviews

Close-Ups!

The Bottles

Copy Paper Test

Inky Fingers Wheat Straw Paper

Ink Journal Tomoe River Journal

Water Test!

Video Review

Color Comparisons!