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Category: Ink

Fountain Pen Series + UpdatesInstagram 11-30-21
November 30, 2021
Rachel
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Fountain Pen Series + Updates

Posted in Fountain Pens, Ink, Paper, Pen Shows, Storage, and Stores

Since I finished my last Fountain Pen 301 post in October of 2018, I’ve written several updates to the different installments. To make life easier for those looking for a “one-stop-shop” I’m collecting all of the posts here. I’m also including some informational posts I’ve since written that aren’t updates to the original series. I hope it serves as a good resource for many.

I plan to keep this page updated if/when I write future updates or related posts. You can also access this page from the Fountain Pen Series link on my Tags by Category page.

My blog is not monetized, nor do I currently have any intention of monetizing it. So, point people here for information. To make it easier for you, I’ve shortened the page link for better sharing: https://bit.ly/fp-series-update. In the various installments, I link to resources from all over, including Goulet Pen Co, Jet Pens, Pentorium, Nibs.com, Vintage Pen, and quite a few more.

Now, enough preamble, time for the round up.

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Ink Catalog UpdateInstagram 11-26-21
November 26, 2021
Rachel
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Ink Catalog Update

Posted in Fountain Pens, and Ink

Surprisingly, I’ve got a short post for you today. I’ve written about my ink cataloging methods before. I’ve swabbed far too many inks at this point to change my system. That said, if I could go back in time, I wouldn’t choose my current system.

Having seen many methods, my favorite is the one used by many pen stores: pocket sleeves in a binder. Vanness Pens has a post on Instagram that shows one of their binders of swabs (take a look around the 4:38 mark). The biggest pro to that method — for me — is being able to reorganize the swabs. Beyond that, you can use any paper you want to. And the swabs are more easily portable/storable than the col-o-ring. You can easily use sticky notes or washi tape to note which inks you own, or want to buy.

Keep ReadingInk Catalog Update
My 10 Most-Used InksInstagram 11-9-21
November 9, 2021
Rachel
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My 10 Most-Used Inks

Posted in Ink

The other day, I was going through my inks, and I couldn’t help but wonder what inks I use most. So, me being me, I dug into my data, and pulled out my 10 most-used inks. To figure out which they were, I looked for which inks have been used in my last four notebooks (since I started tracking inks). Only 6 inks were used in all 4 notebooks. The remaining 4 were inks that I used for both regular rotation in 3 notebooks and had in always inked pens.

Honestly, I was rather surprised by the results, as these aren’t my favorite inks. At least, not the inks I think of when asked about favorites. Maybe I’ll cover those in another post.

Note: This list is in alphabetical order. I scanned my personal ink swabs from my ink notebook. I’ve done my best to make the inks look true-to-life, but I can’t account for everyone’s screen settings, only mine.

Keep ReadingMy 10 Most-Used Inks
An Underrated InkInstagram 10-1-21
October 5, 2021
Rachel
2 Comments

An Underrated Ink

Posted in Ink

Several years ago, as part of my Fountain Pen 101 Series, I wrote about inks. In that post, I mentioned how some “inks are considered “tried and true” in that they work well with virtually all pens and flow well.”I cited Diamine and Pilot Iroshizuku as two “tried and true” inks. I’ve since learned that Waterman inks have a similar reputation. However, in my own experience, I’ve discovered another ink brand that should have been on on that list: J(acques) Herbin.

Keep ReadingAn Underrated Ink
Ink Dupes #14: Maruzen and TacciaInstagram 9-3-21
September 3, 2021
Rachel
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Ink Dupes #14: Maruzen and Taccia

Posted in Ink

Wow, I didn’t really think I’d do another of these. They’re a bit time consuming. But, I came across this pair, and knew I had to share. I’ve decided to leave off the chromatography strips, as they take the longest, and don’t tell you anything about how the inks look coming out of your pen.

Jim found Maruzen Eternal Blue a while back when a local pen peep was selling off some ink. He fell in love with it, and went out of his way to find a second bottle on eBay. It’s pretty hard to get a hold of, so I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that one of Taccia’s new Jean inks is a near perfect dupe.

This one was trickier to scan, since there is some sheen, so I also took a photo.

The Inks

Maruzen Athena Inks Eternal Blue
Price: $40?
Bottle Size: 50ml
Price Per Ml: $0.80
Availability: Maruzen store in Japan or eBay

Taccia Navy Blue Jeans
Price: $18
Bottle Size: 40ml
Price Per Ml: $0.45
Availability: Readily Available

Keep ReadingInk Dupes #14: Maruzen and Taccia
December 27, 2019
Rachel
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25 Days of Dupes Wrap-Up

Posted in Ink

I hope you’ve enjoyed this series. If you were unable to purchase the Inkvent Calendar, then I hope this settled your mind about experiencing the colors. If you fell in love with a color (or a few) from the Inkvent Calendar, then I hope this freed you to use them since you can get color dupes.

I want to provide an easy reference post so you don’t have to click through 25 separate blog posts to find the dupe names. I’m only listing the ink that I feel is the best overall dupe. If you want to see the comparison swabs or the other dupe options, you can click through to the corresponding post.

Keep Reading25 Days of Dupes Wrap-Up
December 26, 2019
Rachel
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25 Days of Dupes – Day 25

Posted in Ink

This the last day of ink dupes, although I will include a wrap-up post tomorrow with suggestions I received through comments. I hope you’ve enjoyed 25 Days of Dupes. Share this page with your friends, to help them find some new inks.

Day 25 is Happy Holidays, a sheening and shimmer ink. Of the inks I swabbed, Blue Pearl is the best color dupe.

Comparative swatches for Inkvent Day 25 ink Happy Holidays

The photo below is provided to showcase the sheen.

Keep Reading25 Days of Dupes – Day 25
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