Fountain Pen Review: Kaweco Special FP

Fountain Pen Review: Kaweco Special FP

There aren’t a lot of fountain pens on the market, within a certain price range (under $200) that, if I like them, I haven’t purchased at some point. That said, when I saw the new Kaweco Special Fountain Pen in Collectors Edition Blue ($97.50), I was reminded that I have never purchased this particular pen…

Alternative Ink Tools: Hits & Misses

Alternative Ink Tools: Hits & Misses

I’ve been spending a lot of time swabbing inks recently. Maybe it’s because it’s a good creative break from writing my dissertation or because I’ve been inspired by InkyRocks videos about the “ink swamp” or “ink fever” phenomenon in Japan. Maybe it’s because there are some new nib stamps on the block that I can’t…

Ink Line Review: Van Dieman’s Wilderness Series

Ink Line Review: Van Dieman’s Wilderness Series

By Jessica Coles Earlier in October, I kicked off the first review of a new ink line (at least to the Well-Appointed Desk group!), Van Dieman’s. These inks come from far away Australia with colors that are inspired by various aspects of the region. There are so many inks from Van Dieman’s! Ana and I…

Ink Review: ColorVerse Purple Cosmo and NASA Blue

Ink Review: ColorVerse Purple Cosmo and NASA Blue

By Jessica Coles New inks are exciting; surprise new inks are even better! I received a package recently from Dromgoole’s that contained two new, surprise inks by ColorVerse – Purple Cosmo and NASA Blue. These inks are both Dromgoole’s exclusive inks that are available now at $15 for 30mL each either online or at their…

Ink Review: Papier Plume Iron Lace (New Orleans Collection)

Ink Review: Papier Plume Iron Lace (New Orleans Collection)

When Papier Plume sent me the newest edition to their New Orleans Collection of ink, Iron Lace ($10 for 30ml bottle), (“a not-so-basic black”, it says on the bottle), they included a note that it was a “subversive black alternative”. Yes, please. Like all Papier Plume inks, the bottle is topped with the melted red…

Ink Review: Robert Oster Frankly Fifth (Federalist Pens 5th Anniversary Ed)

Ink Review: Robert Oster Frankly Fifth (Federalist Pens 5th Anniversary Ed)

I’ve gone around over the years about my feelings regarding the size and shape of the Robert Oster 50ml ink bottles and, while they are not the most romantic, elegant bottles, they really are pretty easy to use once you get the hang of them. The plastic is a standard #2 plastic making them recyclable…

Ink Overview: Cross Inks

Ink Overview: Cross Inks

Cross Inks are one of the classic “staple inks” that are often recommended. Over the years, the “archival” attributes of the ink have often mistakenly been assumed to also be waterproof. “Archival” simply means that the inks have been formulated to resist fading over time and have a pH level that is neutral and acid-free.…