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Category: Ink

24 Days of Dupes 2024 – Week 124 Days of Dupes 2024
December 5, 2024
Rachel
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24 Days of Dupes 2024 – Week 1

Posted in Ink

Hello, welcome to the first post of 24 Days of Dupes 2024. Below you’ll find the inks for days 1-4. If you have a suggestion for a possible dupe for any of these inks, let me know in the comments, and I’ll add it to the wrap-up post.

Some info:

  • You can click the swatch images to view them larger.
  • I swatched each ink with a small (#2) paintbrush and wrote with a Sailor Compass Hocoro Dip Pen.
  • All inks are swatched on Muji A5 loose leaf paper in dot grid ruling
  • While I try to edit the images so they look as close to real life as possible, I can’t guarantee that the color you see on your screen will be true to life. However, with all the dupes on the same page, you’ll see how the colors look in relation to each other, which is the main point of these posts.
  • I can’t fairly call any ink a perfect color match, as I’m not comparing them scientifically, I’m just using my eyes. Therefore, I won’t be going any further than calling an ink a “near-perfect color match.”
  • Reminder: I’m not attempting to dupe the special properties of the inks — sheen, shimmer, scent — only the base color.

Enjoy, and happy inking!

Keep Reading24 Days of Dupes 2024 – Week 1
2̶5̶ 24 Days of Dupes 2024 – Intro24 Days of Dupes 2024
December 1, 2024
Rachel
One Comment

2̶5̶ 24 Days of Dupes 2024 – Intro

Posted in Ink

We have a new calendar this year! Colorverse debuted their foray into the advent calendar world, Colorvent, and I snapped one up, because I love Colorverse ink. I’m considering duping the Inkvent Calendar sometime early next year, let me know if that’s something you’re interested in seeing. Of course, because it’s a completely different calendar, there will be some differences, but there will also be a lot of similarities.

What’s the Same?

As I have the past couple of years, I will be posting once a week with all of the inks from that week, with the day based on Christmas. Since Christmas is on Wednesday, my Colorvent posts will be on Thursdays. My first dupe post will be on the 5th, with the inks from December 1-4. My final dupe post will be on the 26th, with inks from December 19-24. And I’ll have a wrap-up/reference post on the 27th linking to the 4 dupe posts and listing the best dupe for each ink.

Changes

The biggest difference is the number of days. The Colorvent Calendar has 24 days to Inkvent’s 25. However, I don’t want to post on Christmas day, so the final weekly post, as I mentioned above, will still be on the day after Christmas.

Keep Reading2̶5̶ 24 Days of Dupes 2024 – Intro
Ink Battle: Pelikan and De AtramentisInk Battle
November 15, 2024
Rachel
2 Comments

Ink Battle: Pelikan and De Atramentis

Posted in Ink

This ink battle is between Pelikan Edelstein Golden Lapis and De Atramentis Cyan Blue Gold with a guest appearance by Wearingeul 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Golden Lapis and Cyan Blue Gold are both in a Benu Talisman fitted with an F nib. The ink splat battle is on Canson recycled bristol, the written battle is on Maruman Giuris Loose Leaf Paper.

Today’s ink battle is another bout of bottle versus sample(s), but there’s a twist. I received Golden Lapis at the annual Pelikan Hub. When I used it, I found that it wasn’t a particularly well-behaved ink, feathering and bleeding through Tomoe River paper. But, the color is pretty, and when I got samples that looked like they’d be similar, I decided to square them off against each other. Because of this, I’m also tagging this battle as an Ink Dupe.

For those unfamiliar with these inks, Golden Lapis is Pelikan’s 2024 ink of the year. Cyan Blue Gold is part of the Pearlescent line and is also available with copper, bronze, or silver shimmer. All three inks used for this post contain gold shimmer.

Reminder: You can find all of the ink battle posts on the tag page.

Keep ReadingInk Battle: Pelikan and De Atramentis
Ink Battle: Bungubox, Robert Oster, Sailor, and SailorInk Battle: Bungubox, Robert Oster, Sailor, and Sailor
October 18, 2024
Rachel
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Ink Battle: Bungubox, Robert Oster, Sailor, and Sailor

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This is a four-way ink battle is between Bungubox The Ink of Witch, Robert Oster Black Violet, Sailor Ink Studio 752, and Sailor x Tinterías Blue Corn. The ink splat battle is on Canson recycled bristol and the water battle is on Fluid hot press watercolor paper.

Today, while it’s a battle between four inks, it’s a traditional ink battle. I own a bottle of all four inks. When writing, and in my ink swatch book, they look similar enough to be considered dupes, and I wanted to test that.

With the exception of Blue Corn, which is a limited edition of 300 bottles, these are all part of their respective brand’s standard ink lineup.

Between myself and Jim buying inks, we own far too many. This means I have some inks that are incredibly similar in color. And, because of that, I need to figure out which inks to keep and which to dispose of. Sometimes, I have samples of two or more similar inks that I'm trying to decide which to buy, or if I should buy one ink when I already own a bottle of a similar one.

Enter ink battles. I put the similar inks into pens with the same nibs (two Jowo #6 M, two TWSBI F, etc.), or I create ink splats and doodles, to test them out to see which I like better. Or, I may find out that they’re sufficiently different to keep.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. I may find, when using the inks side-by-side, that there are performance differences, but the point of the battle is to choose a favorite ink, a "winner". These choices are often subjective, and you may disagree with me.

An ink battle — unlike ink dupes — is between inks I like. I enjoy using them enough to have them in my "for use" ink collection — as opposed to my repository of inks for testing dupes. If an ink performed poorly or caused problems, I wouldn’t keep it. And, if that were the case, an ink battle would be unnecessary.

Reminder: You can find all of the ink battle posts on the tag page.

Keep ReadingInk Battle: Bungubox, Robert Oster, Sailor, and Sailor
Ink Battle: Diamine and DiamineInk Battle
October 4, 2024
Rachel
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Ink Battle: Diamine and Diamine

Posted in Ink

This ink battle is between Diamine One More Sleep and Diamine x Cult Pens Platinum Jubilee. The inks weren’t in any pens, but I did use a Sailor Hocoro dip pen with an F nib. The paper is Canson recycled bristol.

For those unfamiliar with these inks, One More Sleep is an ink from Diamine’s Inkvent Green edition (2022). Platinum Jubilee is a Cult Pens exclusive developed for — as the name implies — Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee in 2022. It has shimmer, but Diamine shimmers settle completely, which I let happen for this battle so I can just compare the colors.

Today’s ink battle is definitely also an ink dupe. So, I decided to have fun with another battle inspired by Azizah‘s Inky Messes and Candace‘s Doodling with Fountain Pens classes.

Between myself and Jim buying inks, we own far too many. This means I have some inks that are incredibly similar in color. And, because of that, I need to figure out which inks to keep and which to dispose of. Sometimes, I have samples of two or more similar inks that I'm trying to decide which to buy, or if I should buy one ink when I already own a bottle of a similar one.

Enter ink battles. I put the similar inks into pens with the same nibs (two Jowo #6 M, two TWSBI F, etc.), or I create ink splats and doodles, to test them out to see which I like better. Or, I may find out that they’re sufficiently different to keep.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. I may find, when using the inks side-by-side, that there are performance differences, but the point of the battle is to choose a favorite ink, a "winner". These choices are often subjective, and you may disagree with me.

An ink battle — unlike ink dupes — is between inks I like. I enjoy using them enough to have them in my "for use" ink collection — as opposed to my repository of inks for testing dupes. If an ink performed poorly or caused problems, I wouldn’t keep it. And, if that were the case, an ink battle would be unnecessary.

Reminder: You can find all of the ink battle posts on the tag page.

Keep ReadingInk Battle: Diamine and Diamine
Am I a Weirdo?Am I a weirdo
October 2, 2024
Rachel
2 Comments

Am I a Weirdo?

Posted in Fountain Pens, Ink, and Stationery

Well, yes, definitely, but perhaps I should explain better.

I’ve had this post on my “idea list” for quite a while. It was time to buckle down and finally write it. I know I think differently than many others. I get reminded of that fairly often. That’s what inspired this post. I’m curious to see if I’m basically alone in these feelings, opinions, and actions, or if others agree and/or do the same.

Pen Care

Cleaning pens each week

Let’s start with an easy one. I know there are people out there who do this.

With rare exceptions, I clean out my pens within a week of finishing their rotation. And I ALWAYS clean my pens before putting them away. I also don’t mind cleaning out my pens. It’s not the best part of pen ownership, but it’s not onerous.

Keep ReadingAm I a Weirdo?
Ink Battle: Robert Oster and LamyInk Battle
September 13, 2024
Rachel
3 Comments

Ink Battle: Robert Oster and Lamy

Posted in Ink

This ink battle is between Robert Oster Velvet Storm and Lamy Petrol — Lamy’s Safari-matching ink from 2017. The inks weren’t in any pens, but I did use a Sailor Hocoro dip pen with an F nib. The paper is Kokuyo KB loose leaf.

Today’s ink battle is also an ink dupe with two “off-black” inks. Since they’re so dark, I decided to play with them so you can truly see their potential. Inspired by Azizah‘s Inky Messes and Candace‘s Doodling with Fountain Pens classes, I have a truly inky battle.

Between myself and Jim buying inks, we own far too many. This means I have some inks that are incredibly similar in color. And, because of that, I need to figure out which inks to keep and which to dispose of. Sometimes, I have samples of two or more similar inks that I'm trying to decide which to buy, or if I should buy one ink when I already own a bottle of a similar one.

Enter ink battles. I put the similar inks into pens with the same nibs (two Jowo #6 M, two TWSBI F, etc.), or I create ink splats and doodles, to test them out to see which I like better. Or, I may find out that they’re sufficiently different to keep.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. I may find, when using the inks side-by-side, that there are performance differences, but the point of the battle is to choose a favorite ink, a "winner". These choices are often subjective, and you may disagree with me.

An ink battle — unlike ink dupes — is between inks I like. I enjoy using them enough to have them in my "for use" ink collection — as opposed to my repository of inks for testing dupes. If an ink performed poorly or caused problems, I wouldn’t keep it. And, if that were the case, an ink battle would be unnecessary.

Reminder: You can find all of the ink battle posts on the tag page.

Keep ReadingInk Battle: Robert Oster and Lamy
Ink Battle: Kyo No Oto and ColorverseInk Battle
August 30, 2024
Rachel
7 Comments

Ink Battle: Kyo No Oto and Colorverse

Posted in Ink

This ink battle is between Kyo No Oto Yamabukiiro and Colorverse Adobe. Both inks are in a pen fitted with a #6 Jowo M nib. The paper is Muji loose leaf plain.

Today’s ink battle is another bout of bottle versus sample. It determined if I keep my sample of Yamabukiiro in use, or relegate it to the “for dupes” baskets. If I keep it and go through the whole sample, then I’ll consider getting a bottle.

Between myself and Jim buying inks, we own far too many. This means I have some inks that are incredibly similar in color. And, because of that, I need to figure out which inks to keep and which to dispose of. Sometimes, I have samples of two or more similar inks that I'm trying to decide which to buy, or if I should buy one ink when I already own a bottle of a similar one.

Enter ink battles. I put the similar inks into pens with the same nibs (two Jowo #6 M, two TWSBI F, etc.), or I create ink splats and doodles, to test them out to see which I like better. Or, I may find out that they’re sufficiently different to keep.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. I may find, when using the inks side-by-side, that there are performance differences, but the point of the battle is to choose a favorite ink, a "winner". These choices are often subjective, and you may disagree with me.

An ink battle — unlike ink dupes — is between inks I like. I enjoy using them enough to have them in my "for use" ink collection — as opposed to my repository of inks for testing dupes. If an ink performed poorly or caused problems, I wouldn’t keep it. And, if that were the case, an ink battle would be unnecessary.

Reminder: You can find all of the ink battle posts on the tag page.

Keep ReadingInk Battle: Kyo No Oto and Colorverse
Ink Battle: Diamine and DiamineInk Battle
July 12, 2024
Rachel
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Ink Battle: Diamine and Diamine

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This ink battle is between Diamine Wistful Watermelon and Diamine Sailors Warning. Both inks are in a TWSBI 580 with a F nib. The paper is Muji loose leaf plain.

Today’s ink battle is another bout of bottle versus sample. It determined if I buy a bottle of Sailors Warning, or relegate the sample to the “for dupes” baskets. I tend to prefer to buy bottles of shimmer ink, since the samples are often light on the shimmer.

For those unfamiliar with these inks, Wistful Watermelon is part of the Cult Pens exclusive Fresh Fruit series and Sailors Warning is one of two colors chosen by members of the fountainpens Subreddit in 2022 or 2023. Sailors Warning has been rebranded as Red Sky with some retailers and has a very interesting shimmer that looks either blue, silver, or pink depending on the light. I’m assuming it’s a multichrome shimmer, but I can’t find anything online to support that. For this battle, I shook the sample, but then let it mostly settle.

Between myself and Jim buying inks, we own far too many. This means I have some inks that are incredibly similar in color. And, because of that, I need to figure out which inks to keep and which to dispose of. Sometimes, I have samples of two or more similar inks that I'm trying to decide which to buy, or if I should buy one ink when I already own a bottle of a similar one.

Enter ink battles. I put the similar inks into pens with the same nibs (two Jowo #6 M, two TWSBI F, etc.), or I create ink splats and doodles, to test them out to see which I like better. Or, I may find out that they’re sufficiently different to keep.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. I may find, when using the inks side-by-side, that there are performance differences, but the point of the battle is to choose a favorite ink, a "winner". These choices are often subjective, and you may disagree with me.

An ink battle — unlike ink dupes — is between inks I like. I enjoy using them enough to have them in my "for use" ink collection — as opposed to my repository of inks for testing dupes. If an ink performed poorly or caused problems, I wouldn’t keep it. And, if that were the case, an ink battle would be unnecessary.

Reminder: You can find all of the ink battle posts on the tag page.

Keep ReadingInk Battle: Diamine and Diamine
Ink Battle: Van Dieman’s and SailorInk Battle
June 28, 2024
Rachel
3 Comments

Ink Battle: Van Dieman’s and Sailor

Posted in Ink

This ink battle is between Van Dieman’s Kitten Paws and Sailor Ink Studio 273. Both inks are in a pen fitted with a Jowo #6 M nib. The paper is Kokuyo A5 Campus Loose Leaf, plain.

Today’s ink battle determined if I keep my sample of Kitten Paws in use, or relegate it to the “for dupes” baskets. If I keep it and go through the whole sample, then I’d consider getting a bottle.

Between myself and Jim buying inks, we own far too many. This means I have some inks that are incredibly similar in color. And, because of that, I need to figure out which inks to keep and which to dispose of. Sometimes, I have samples of two or more similar inks that I'm trying to decide which to buy, or if I should buy one ink when I already own a bottle of a similar one.

Enter ink battles. I put the similar inks into pens with the same nibs (two Jowo #6 M, two TWSBI F, etc.), or I create ink splats and doodles, to test them out to see which I like better. Or, I may find out that they’re sufficiently different to keep.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. I may find, when using the inks side-by-side, that there are performance differences, but the point of the battle is to choose a favorite ink, a "winner". These choices are often subjective, and you may disagree with me.

An ink battle — unlike ink dupes — is between inks I like. I enjoy using them enough to have them in my "for use" ink collection — as opposed to my repository of inks for testing dupes. If an ink performed poorly or caused problems, I wouldn’t keep it. And, if that were the case, an ink battle would be unnecessary.

Reminder: You can find all of the ink battle posts on the tag page.

Keep ReadingInk Battle: Van Dieman’s and Sailor
Ink Battle: Wearingeul and DiamineInk Battle
June 7, 2024
Rachel
2 Comments

Ink Battle: Wearingeul and Diamine

Posted in Ink

This ink battle is between Wearingeul Jane Eyre and Diamine Memory Lane. Both inks are in a pen fitted with a Jowo #6 M nib. The paper is Kokuyo A5 Campus Loose Leaf, plain.

We’re back to a traditional Ink Battle. I own a bottle of both Jane Eyre and Memory Lane. I noticed that they look rather similar and wanted to see how similar. For those unfamiliar with these inks, Memory Lane is a shimmer ink from the 2022 (Green) Inkvent calendar. However, Diamine shimmers settle completely, which I let happen for this battle so I can just compare the colors.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. The point of the battle is to choose a winner of the two colors. I use a pair of similar inks in pens with the same nib, then test them out to see which I like better. Generally, I’m trying to decide which ink to keep, but sometimes I’m trying to decide which to buy, or if I should buy one ink when I already have a similar one.

I may find out that, when used with the same nib, they’re sufficiently different to own them both. Depending on how these battles turn out, I may tag some of the posts as ink dupes as well. You can find all of the ink battles posts on the tag page.

Keep ReadingInk Battle: Wearingeul and Diamine
Inkvent Inks I’ve PurchasedThe Inkvent Calendar inks I've purchased
June 4, 2024
Rachel
2 Comments

Inkvent Inks I’ve Purchased

Posted in Ink

It’s a little odd writing about Inkvent in June, but with the 2023 inks releasing, it seemed a good time for this post. I’ve been meaning to write it for a while, but other posts have taken precedence.

To start, this needs a caveat. If I’d purchased the calendar each year, I probably wouldn’t have purchased any of the inks. My ink collection is massive (hence the need for ink battles), and it takes forever to go through even tiny bottles (or samples). Since I gave away my 2019 Inkvent — foolishly, in retrospect — and didn’t buy the 2021 or 2022 calendars, there were inks I wanted to — and did — buy.

Keep ReadingInkvent Inks I’ve Purchased
Ink Battle: Vinta and VintaInk Battle
May 17, 2024
Rachel
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Ink Battle: Vinta and Vinta

Posted in Ink

This ink battle is between Vinta Inks Ibid (Sailfin Green) and Vinta Inks Sirena. Both inks are in a pen fitted with a #6 Jowo M nib. The paper is Muji plain loose leaf refill.

This is another battle of bottle versus sample. I didn’t realize that these two are so similar. For those unfamiliar with these inks, Ibid has shimmer, but I let it settle since Vinta shimmer settles almost completely.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. The point of the battle is to choose a winner of the two colors. I use a pair of similar inks in pens with the same nib, then test them out to see which I like better. Generally, I’m trying to decide which ink to keep, but sometimes I’m trying to decide which to buy, or if I should buy one ink when I already have a similar one.

I may find out that, when used with the same nib, they’re sufficiently different to own them both. Depending on how these battles turn out, I may tag some of the posts as ink dupes as well. You can find all of the ink battles posts on the tag page.

Keep ReadingInk Battle: Vinta and Vinta
Ink Battle: Troublemaker and DiamineInk Battle
May 3, 2024
Rachel
One Comment

Ink Battle: Troublemaker and Diamine

Posted in Ink

This ink battle is between Troublemaker Butterfly Dream and Diamine Classic Green. Both inks are in a pen fitted with a #6 Jowo EF nib. The paper is Muji plain loose leaf refill.

This is another battle where I own a bottle of one color (Butterfly Dream) and a sample of the other. I like Classic Green, but wasn’t sure it made sense to buy a bottle.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. The point of the battle is to choose a winner of the two colors. I use a pair of similar inks in pens with the same nib, then test them out to see which I like better. Generally, I’m trying to decide which ink to keep, but sometimes I’m trying to decide which to buy, or if I should buy one ink when I already have a similar one.

I may find out that, when used with the same nib, they’re sufficiently different to own them both. Depending on how these battles turn out, I may tag some of the posts as ink dupes as well. You can find all of the ink battles posts on the tag page.

Keep ReadingInk Battle: Troublemaker and Diamine
Ink Battle: Diamine and ColorverseInk Battle
April 5, 2024
Rachel
2 Comments

Ink Battle: Diamine and Colorverse

Posted in Ink

I’ve expanded ink battles to include inks that I’m considering buying, and this is what you’ll find this time.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. The point of the battle is to choose a winner of the two colors. I use a pair of similar inks in pens with the same nib, then test them out to see which I like better. Generally, I’m trying to decide which ink to keep, but sometimes I’m trying to decide which to buy, or if I should buy one ink when I already have a similar one.

I may find out that, when used with the same nib, they’re sufficiently different to own them both. Depending on how these battles turn out, I may tag some of the posts as ink dupes as well. You can find all of the ink battles posts on the tag page.

Keep ReadingInk Battle: Diamine and Colorverse
Ink Battle: Colorverse and ColorverseInk Battle
February 16, 2024
Rachel
4 Comments

Ink Battle: Colorverse and Colorverse

Posted in Ink

This ink battle is between Colorverse Monkeyhead Nebula and Colorverse Mystic Mountain. In the first battle, both inks are in pens with a medium Jowo nib. In the second, they are in a TWSBI 580 with a fine nib. Both battles are fought on white Rhodia Goalbook paper.

For this particular Ink Battle, I’m comparing two ink samples, trying to decide which to purchase. Monkeyhead Nebula and Mystic Mountain are both desaturated blues with rose gold shimmer.

Unfortunately, because I’m working from samples for both inks, the shimmer distribution is lacking. It’s nearly impossible to see the shimmer in the first battle, and difficult in the second. But, looking for silver linings, it means I can truly compare the ink colors.

You can find all of the ink battles posts on the tag page.

Keep ReadingInk Battle: Colorverse and Colorverse
Ink Battle: Sailor and SailorInk Battle
January 19, 2024
Rachel
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Ink Battle: Sailor and Sailor

Posted in Ink

No matter how much I try to sample or test an ink before buying it, sometimes that isn’t possible. Because of this, I have some inks that are incredibly similar in color. That’s where “ink battles” come in.

You can assume I have no problems with any ink that appears in an ink battle. I may decide, when using the inks side-by-side, that one performs better, but the point of the battle is to choose a favorite color. I use a pair of similar inks in pens with the same nib, then test them out to see which I like better.

Or, I may find out that, when used with the same nib, they’re sufficiently different to keep them both. Depending on how these “battles” turn out, I may tag some of the posts as ink dupes as well. You can find all of the ink battles posts on the tag page.

Keep ReadingInk Battle: Sailor and Sailor