So ever since my friend Lisa over at Olive Octopus came up with this #21penquestions-inspired challenge, I've been thinking on my answers. Hopefully my responses add a bit of a different perspective, since I'm primarily a pen-and-paper-focused enthusiast. Sure, I use a lot of ink everyday, but it tends to be straightforward “pen company” ink without special properties or truly wild colors. Where possible I’ve tried to link to the products I reference or past reviews I’ve written. Enjoy!
What was your first (memorable) ink? This one is pretty easy: the Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock limited edition from the early 2010s. (I think it was released in 2012?) I have a limited amount of this ink remaining, and it remains one of my favorite shades of dark red, almost red black. While other companies have brought many similar shades to market in recent years, none have nailed the exact same tone. This is the only ink I've ever "hoarded" (3 bottles). I consider a dark red-black to be my "signature color" and I'm always looking for a true Hitchcock replacement. I hope I never find it because the search is most of the fun!
What is your favorite ink bottle design, and which bottle (or cartridge) is your favorite to use? I love Lamy and Iroshizuku ink bottles, both of which are deep and wide enough to fill almost any pen, and which have a small depression/indentation in the bottom to accommodate the nib. It's helpful to be able to get as much ink as you can out of the bottle before having to decant the ink or use a syringe. Both of these ink bottles also feature an interesting visual design that's a good conversation piece.
What's an ink you love or find useful, but would not use for everyday writing? My response to this is identical to R.B.'s over at A Gathering of Curiosities: If I can't use an ink for everyday writing, I move it along. I nearly exclusively use my pens for writing so anything I can't use for that person doesn't stick in the collection.
How do you discover new inks? Mainly word of mouth. I honestly don't buy many inks since I have most colors in my collection already. I don't even try to follow all the "ink release" news since there are so many inks being released on an almost daily basis, and I typically rely on people telling me about inks they think I would enjoy or discovering ink serendipitously at pen club or a pen show.
Do you use inks for anything other than writing? Occasionally drawing or sketching, but I don't buy inks specifically for any purpose other than writing.
What's an ink that's worth hoarding (whether you actually do or not)? These days I'm opposed to hoarding stationery in general, and especially ink. There are so many different inks out there that you’re always going to be able to find a replacement that’s close to a specific color, and that’s if you ever actually finish the bottle of ink that you’re looking to replace.
How do you choose which ink goes into a pen? Do they have to match? Do you always use the same ink in a particular pen? I go through phases. Sometimes I'll match pens to inks randomly; other times I'll choose colors that are complementary to the pen. More frequently, what affects my pen/ink pairing is the nib: Some inks look better on paper in a broader nib, as lighter colors in a fine or extra-fine present legibility issues.
Do you use ink samples? If so, is your goal to find an ink to buy a bottle, or just get a smaller amount of ink to use? I typically purchase bottles. I don't buy enough ink (maybe 5 bottles per year?) to have to worry about storage space, since I regularly sell off what I'm not using. If I do purchase a sample it's because someone has recommended an ink that I'm curious about and I want to try a smaller amount.
Is there a popular ink that's just not for you? What underhyped ink would you like to see more people try? I've never been a fan of the super-saturated boutique inks with special properties (waterproof inks, colorfast inks, etc.). While these appeal to many for different reasons, I've found these inks to be higher maintenance and finicky in terms of things like slow dry time and smearing. Since most of my everyday writing is work-related, I dislike having to think too much about the ink part. Relatedly, in terms of underhyped inks, I always recommend that people who are focused on writing with their pens use more basic "pen company" inks such as Waterman, Pilot Iroshizuku, Lamy, Caran d'Ache, etc. You can typically find any color you want and you can use the inks in your pens without worrying about whether they will cause performance issues.
What do you do with any unused ink when you clean a pen? I flush it down the sink. Ink is relatively inexpensive. That said, most times I will write a pen dry or mostly dry before cleaning an re-inking.
What is the most unique ink you've used or seen? The entire Vinta line. Vinta inks have a more muted color palette that I really enjoy, and they come up with unique color combinations and shades that you don't see elsewhere - something that's difficult in a market that's oversaturated. (Pun very much intended.)
How do you catalog, swatch, track, and store your ink? I don't. I have a Fountain Pen Companion account that I need to finish building out and be better about using, but at the same time I find that I enjoy the spontaneity of digging through my ink cabinet and pulling out a handful of bottles that I haven't used in a while. If I can't make it to a pen show or a physical pen store, to me it scratches that itch of "shopping" for a new color.
What is your favorite ink color/color family? Dark Reds and Dark Blue-Greens, but I have favorite inks in all the color families that I rotate through.
What ink-related tool or accessory can you not live without? A syringe for refilling cartridges, and my Kakimori metal dip nib for sampling bottles and comparing colors. I've come to really enjoy the Kakimori nib because it allows me to quickly compare inks if I'm having trouble deciding which one to ink - especially when I'm filling a higher-capacity pen like a Pilot Custom 823 or an Opus 88 eyedropper that will remain inked for a long time.
Have you ever mixed inks or used shimmer additives? I've never used shimmer additives, but I have used the Platinum Mix-Free ink mixing kit and had a lot of fun with it, especially when I’ve tried to create “replacements” for favorite discontinued inks! I've also mixed Waterman inks to create some fun combinations.
What is your favorite ink delivery system (cartridges, type of filling system for bottled ink, etc.)? I don't really have a favorite and use them all. Honestly, for most purposes, I'm happy with the standard cartridge/converter filling system, because it's so easy to clean. I wrote a post a while back walking through the pros and cons of the various filling systems.
What ink(s) are you excited about right now? Pilot Iroshizuku Sui-Gyoku. It's one of the new Iroshizuku inks that Pilot released last year, and it's a beautiful bright teal. I currently have it inked in 4-5 pens but it’s time for a break. :)
If you missed them, you can check out my responses to #21penquestions and #5morepenquestions here.
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