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’ve caught up with my skirmishes, but fell a wee bit behind with posting. But, here is the next set of skirmishes featuring Indian Captive by Louis Lenski.
NOTE: I had a lot of trouble with photographing and editing these colors, so most of them aren’t quite true-to-life. I’ve done the best I can, but I wouldn’t advise making a purchasing decision based on this post. Look at some other swatches, too.
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 got to change pens with the new book. These were a fun coordinating set.
Woodshed Pen Co standard model in Sparkly Green
Scriptorium Pens Idyll in Peacock Lava Explosion
October 13, Gluon and Sugar Kelp
First up are Colorverse Gluon (odd rows) and Birmingham Pen Co Sugar Kelp (even rows). Both are grungy yellowed greens.
These are just different enough that I want to keep them both. Gluon leans more green, while Sugar Kelp leans more gold.
October 14, Petrichor and Armada
Next, we have Troublemaker Petrichor (odd rows) and Vinta Armada (even rows). Both are slightly cool grays.
I’m keeping Petrichor from this skirmish. It’s a bit lighter, so when using it in broader or wetter nibs, I don’t need to wonder if it will be “off-black.”
October 15, Sydney Lavender and Summer Storm
We continue with Robert Oster Sydney Lavender (odd rows) and Robert Oster Summer Storm. Both inks are desaturated purples.
Normally, I would keep the lighter of the two inks, in this case, Summer Storm, but it’s so desaturated as to nearly be gray. At least Sydney Lavender is noticeably purple, so it gets to stay.
October 16, Luna Moth Green and 160
Next up are Anderillium Luna Moth Green (odd rows) and Sailor Ink Studio 160. Both are in the green/teal family, with Luna Moth Green leaning closer to green and 160 closer to turquoise.
I toyed with the idea of keeping both inks, but they really are very similar, and the point of this is to trim down my collection. So, I decided to keep Luna Moth Green, which is newer and doesn’t have the trademark “Sailor Smell.”
October 17, Fire on Fire on Fire and Apricot
Now we have Robert Oster x The Pen Addict Fire on Fire on Fire (odd rows) and Sailor Jentle Apricot (discontinued). These inks are virtually the same, and were this a single skirmish, I’d tag it as a dupe. Both are bright orange, and, while Fire on Fire on Fire has shimmer, I didn’t shake the bottle before filling my pen.
Brad will be happy, Fire on Fire on Fire stays. But, I’m still trying to decide if I keep or dispose of Apricot. On one hand, I don’t need two inks that are virtually identical. On the other, Apricot is now unobtanium, and I’m reluctant to get rid of it because of that. Someone convince me I don’t need to keep it.
October 18, Agave and Chichen Itza
The last skirmish for Indian Captive — the chapter is much longer, but this was a good place to stop — we have Sailor x Tinterías Agave (odd rows) and Diamine x Cult Pens Chichen Itza (even rows). Chichen Itza is much lighter in a fine nib than in a swatch (not necessarily surprising). Both, however, are desaturated blue inks, tending toward the blue-black range — or Chichen Itza would, if it wasn’t so pale.
I just can’t keep Chichen Itza, it’s so light as to be difficult to read in places.
Winner Recap
- Colorverse Gluon vs Sugar Kelp — Both stay
- Troublemaker Petrichor vs Vinta Armada — Petrichor
- Robert Oster Sydney Lavender vs Robert Oster Summer Storm — Sydney Lavender
- Anderillium Luna Moth Green vs Sailor Ink Studio 160 — Luna Moth Green
- Robert Oster Fire on Fire on Fire vs Sailor Jentle Apricot — Both stay (for now)
- Sailor Agave vs Diamine Chichen Itza — Agave
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.
Thanks for reading to the end, I hope you enjoyed my post. Make sure to subscribe to my blog or follow me on Instagram so you don’t miss any posts. I generally post at least once a week.
