Welcome back to Inktober Skirmishes. As a reminder, I’m using Inktober to work on my resolution to get rid of some inks. The goal is to remove one ink from my collection for each skirmish, but if the two inks are different enough, I’m open to keeping them both.
Skirmishes are similar to Ink Battles, but without scoring, just final judgment. I am writing out the first chapter, one skirmish at a time, of as many of my favorite books as necessary to get through the 31 days of Inktober.
I’m running a bit behind with these as I’m working on them around a lot of Halloween crochet projects. I should be fully caught up by the end of today and back to doing one a day, like I planned. Still, here is the next set of skirmishes featuring Little Women.
I’m using F Jowo nibs because I want to make sure that whatever inks I use are dark/saturated enough to actually show up with the nibs I use most often. The paper is lined Maruman loose leaf.
Now, on to the skirmishes!
The Pens
I stuck with the below pens because I was going to change pens each week, but then decided I’d change pens each book.
Skogsy Cholla Brown Micarta
Esterbrook Estie Sunflower
October 6, Moon Beam and Half Moon with Dimmed Light
First we have Diamine Moon Beam (odd rows) and Wearingeul Half Moon with Dimmed Light (even rows). Both are gray inks with light blue shimmer.
Initially, I planned to give Moon Beam the boot, since it’s darker. But, the more I think about it, the less convinced I am that it will appear black in broader nibs. I’m going to test it later before making my decision on whether or not it stays. Half Moon with Dimmed Light definitely gets to stay.
October 7, Adobe and Yamabukiiro
Next we have Colorverse Adobe (odd rows) and Kyo-No-Oto Yamabukiiro (even rows). Both are green-leaning yellows.
I feel like I should get rid of Adobe because it’s not great in fine nibs. But, I love the color and use it frequently, so it stays. And Yamabukiiro is different enough that I don’t feel I have to get rid of it as a dupe. No eliminations here.
October 8, Asa-Gao and Azul Frida
We continue with Pilot Iroshizuku Asa-Gao (odd rows) and Amarillo Stationery x Pennonia Azul Frida. Both inks are bright royal blues. I’m tempted to tag this post as an ink dupe for this battle.
These two are virtually identical, so I’m keeping Azul Frida both for the name and the bottle size — I have a mini bottle of Asa-Gao.
October 9, Velvet Storm and Hera Dark Green
Next we have Robert Oster Velvet Storm (odd rows) and Laban Hera Dark Green. While the values are different, they’re the same dark teal hue.
This was an easy decision. Velvet Storm is an “off-black” ink, even in a fine nib. Technically, it was Jim’s ink, but he hasn’t used it in quite a while and OK’d getting rid of it.
October 10, Macassar and Demeter Brown
Now we have Diamine Macassar (odd rows) and Laban Demeter Brown. Like the previous skirmish, the values are different, but they’re the same chocolate brown hue.
Another easy decision. I originally got Macassar because I wanted a chocolate brown ink, but it’s really an “off black” ink, so away it goes.
October 11, Deep Dark Orange and Blood Orange
Almost done — with Little Women — we have Diamine Deep Dark Orange (odd rows) and Diamine Blood Orange. In person, I can see a very slight difference between the two; Deep Dark Orange is a bit more brown while Blood Orange is a bit more red. But, I find it annoying that a store exclusive and a 150th anniversary ink are so similar.
With such similar inks, it came down to bottle size. I have a small bottle of Deep Dark Orange, so I’m keeping Blood Orange.
October 12, Tinsel and Dahlia
Finally, we come to Diamine Tinsel (odd rows) and Endless Pens x NibsAndFlourishes x Pennonia Dahlia. These two are much more different when writing than in my swatches. Tinsel is a red with pink shimmer — which I let settle. Dahlia is a less vibrant pinkish-red.
Since these are more different than I realized, I’m keeping both.
Winner Recap
- Diamine Moon Beam vs Wearingeul Halm Moon with Dimmed Light — Both stay (for now)
- Colorverse Adobe vs Kyo-No-Oto Yamabukiiro — Both stay
- Pilot Iroshizuku Asa-Gao vs Pennonia Azul Frida — Azul Frida
- Robert Oster Velvet Storm vs Laban Hera Dark Green — Hera Dark Green
- Diamine Macassar vs Laban Demeter Brown — Demeter Brown
- Diamine Deep Dark Orange vs Diamine Blood Orange — Blood Orange
- Diamine Tinsel vs Pennonia Dahlia — Both stay
What do you think of Ink Skirmishes? Do you agree with my choices? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.
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