I included both Vinta and Ferris Wheel Press in my year-end review as favorite ink lines that I discovered in 2021. This was somewhat unusual for me - typically I avoid boutique inks, particularly those from non-pen manufacturers that focus on special properties such as sheen, shading, and shimmer. Not that these inks are dangerous to use in your pens - they hardly ever are - it’s just that they don’t usually work well for everyday writing, and I value inks that dry quickly and perform decently on cheap paper given the demands of my day job. Vinta seems to have found a sweet spot in their formulation, however, because nearly all of the inks I’ve tried not only work well in most fountain pens and on most papers, but they dry fairly quickly and, with respect to the “shaders”, remain legible even in extra-fine (and ultra extra-fine) nibs.
Vinta Aegean Armada
After avoiding the color family for the better part of my pen “career,” I’ve developed a bit of a thing for grey inks over the past six months. Currently, my two favorites are Scribo Grigio and the ink pictured here, Vinta Aegean Armada 1944. Inspired by the Battle of Leyte, the largest naval engagement in military history, Armada was designed to mimic the color of a fleet of ships reflected onto the sea, “which can transform its color from grey to blue to everything in between.” Armada shades beautifully - in finer nibs it will appear as a darker grey, and with broader nibs you will see some double shading that includes steel blue and even faint pink hues. Armada behaves very well on most papers, even cheap office paper as long as you use a finer nib.
Vinta Aegean Armada was one of the most difficult inks to photograph accurately - it’s hard to show the pinkish/reddish double shading that comes through as the ink dries, but you can sort of see it here.
If I had to pick an ink to which I could compare Armada, it would be Iroshizuku Fuyu-Syogun, only darker and with slightly more depth to keep it interesting. I’ve tried to love Fuyu-Syogun (“Old Man Winter”), but it’s just not quite legible enough for me to use in everyday writing.
All writing samples shown here (and in most of my recent ink reviews) are on Write Notepads bright white paper. The Leyte Sea Kelp writing sample was done with a JoWo No. 6 18k Gold Nib (in a Kasama Una fountain pen), and the Aegean Armada writing sample was done with a Lamy AL-Star medium steel nib.
Vinta Leyte Sea Kelp
In another nod to Philippines history, Vinta’s Leyte “Sea Kelp” green pays tribute to not only the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944, but the area’s kelp industry. Leyte green is intended to evoke “the color of kelp as it floats in the bright clear seawaters of Leyte.” I’ve been looking for a solid mid-tone green ink, and this one perfectly fills that gap in the collection.
Vinta Leyte undergoes a bit of a color shift as it dries. In the first picture, it appears darker when wet, but as the ink dries it takes on a slightly more yellow-olive hue.
Takeaways and Where to Buy
Count me in as a big fan of Vinta Inks. I have three bottles in my current collection, as well as a handful of samples, so look for more reviews to come. Vinta regularly releases new colors and store collaborations, so keep an eye on their website and social media for updates.
I love the design of the Vinta Inks bottle and packaging.
You can purchase Vinta Inks directly from the manufacturer, located in the Philippines, or from authorized retailers around the world. Our friends at Vanness Pens stock the entire Vinta lineup, which is where I acquired the inks pictured here. Vinta Inks come in 30ml amber glass bottles, priced at $12.50, placing Vinta in the lower-middle price segment. In my opinion, they’re excellent value given the combination of quality and unique colors and properties they offer.
I purchased the inks featured in this review at Vanness Pens, with my own funds for my own use, though I did receive a discount on the purchase. This post does not contain paid third-party affiliate links, and I was not otherwise compensated for this review. The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program.