Notes on Double A Paper

Whew! It's the end of a very busy month!

And as an added bonus: my pens came back after the CI treatment! :D

Let's celebrate with a short note on paper.

Today's post will talk about Double A paper! I bought a ream hearing that it was FP friendly, and boy, it did not disappoint!

Two pictures to show this:

Front of page

Back of page - slight showthrough

Friendly indeed!

Noodler's Pacific Dawn at the Golden Gate Review

They say the early bird catches the worm.

Well, I guess I was one today.

How early? How about first in Singapore early?

I am the first in the country to get my hands on this Pacific Dawn at the Golden Gate! ;)

This was launched at the 2016 San Francisco Pen Show that ran from 26-28 August. The Singapore launch was today (2 September)

The background story to this ink is this:

"Pacific Dawn refers to the same Sun starting its journey across the Pacific from San Francisco to Singapore. This ink is a distinct blue like the dark blue one sees in the ocean at Dawn. When dried, a few drops of water like the morning mist will show red at the borders as if dawn has arrived

Noodler's Pacific Dawn at The Golden Gate is the Straits Pen Exclusive for the San Francisco Pen Show. A Bulletproof Blue ink with the Halo of Dawn, this includes a double sided label of Fort Mason on one side and the Golden Gate Bridge on the reverse. (Note that the Blue is bulletproof but the red element is not)"

(Extracted from http://aws.straitspen.com/shop/inks/noodler-s-ink/noodler-s-pacific-dawn-at-the-golden-gate.html)

So my first thoughts, hmmm an interesting blue black (some call it a blue grey)... bulletproof somemore!

The first ink that popped into my mind for comparison was 54th Massachusetts. But that has green in it. Pity I don't have Bad Belted Kingfisher or Bad Blue Heron to compare it to.

It's definitely wetter than 54th though, which is a welcome. I found 54th too dry, which is why I don't use it despite the nice colour!

This picture shows the red halo (I got ink stains while I refilled my pen and lo and behold, the red stain)

Red halo? You betcha!

It's not a cut! That's the halo!

Lest you think it's only on the hand, I did get it on TR paper... Here are the pics!

Halo around the word 'fountain'.

Yes I know, it's the wrong spelling. It's late kay! ><

Here it's really obvious where the halo is....

The ink is used on three types of paper - 100gsm printer paper, Rhodia Grid and Tomoe River White

The first two is what I do my ink review on. The last showcases the halo (refer to previous two pictures).

So to the review proper...

Review sheet, 100gsm paper

Review sheet: Rhodia Grid

Strange, when it's wet it looks like a blue black to me, but once it dries, it's more of a blue grey...

Noodler's Pacific Dawn at the Golden Gate is exclusively available at Straits Pen and is priced at USD12.50/SGD18.

PS. It does cause quite a bit of nib creep though - just be diligent in wiping it!

Pelikan Edelstein Aquamarine Mini Review (Ink of the Year 2016)

As promised, the new post on my favourite brand!

This one is about IotY 2016 Aquamarine.

I would call this the ink version of Lamy 2000.

What do I mean? I mean Aquamarine wasn't love at first sight, but upon the continuous use of it... it just grew on me.

Love at second sight <3 <3 <3

I've put it in the Danitrio (refer to previous post for more info on the Dani). I find Aquamarine a good match for the body!

My personal choice for Aquamarine would be something a tad brighter than what Pelikan has produced. However, having said that, I still like this ink. It pushes me to explore a different shade from my usual repertoire of rich bright blues.

Here are the pics!

Short Review of Muji B5 Notebook

Well, technically it wouldn't be a review in the strictest sense, but rather just some thoughts after trying out this notebook.

Just a little background. These notebooks were bought because I wanted to give them as gifts to my friends who have April birthdays! (April is a good month, I have three friends who were born in April whee!)

So I went to Muji, knowing that (most of) its products were fountain pen friendly.

I ended up with a B5, 80 page notebook that was made of 58% recycled paper that cost me $4.30 a book.

Anyhow, after writing in it, I think they're great! Plus, it helps that they can be fully turned about 360 degrees (if you're into that kind of thing)

Without further ado, some pictures!

Pen used: Lamy 2000. Ink used: Pelikan Edelstein Tanzanite (not colour corrected)

Pen used: Pelikan Pharo. Ink used: Pelikan Edelstein Amethyst (not colour corrected)

Pen used: Pelikan M605. Ink used: Noodler's Liberty Elysium (not colour corrected)

Tag to look out for on the notebook!

I hope this was useful! I can't recommend it enough - great product that's affordable and durable!

Pelikan Edelstein Ruby and Sapphire Mini Review

It has been quite a journey, documenting the Edelstein series! Today I present the last pair: Ruby and Sapphire

Ruby is a typical red with little shading and a little water resistance. Could be used in marking since there is little threat or danger being conveyed (杀伤力). Good in a broad wet nib.

Contrary to what the picture shows, Sapphire is actually a blurple (purplish blue). Not my personal cup of tea, however there seems to be a market for it.

I hope you've enjoyed this series of reviews! Please leave a comment if you have any feedback. Until next time!

Pelikan Edelstein Jade and Aventurine Mini Review

Part 3 of the Edelstein series is up!


Today we talk about the two greens in the series - Jade and Aventurine.

Pelikan Edelstein Jade

Jade is a bright green, leaning towards a teal! I like that though, it brings some variety to the range of greens and spices up the life. One does not have to go for a boring and monotonous flora green, one can pick Jade!

Pelikan Edelstein Aventurine

Aventurine is a true to earth, deep rich green. A saturated colour, it does conjure up images of grass, especially that of freshly-cut grass, its smells and its richness. A traditional green that will suit a Christmas card.

Noodler's Henry Hudson Blue Review

Noodler's Henry Hudson Blue is a Fountain Pen Hospital exclusive introduced back in 2009. I've finally gotten around to doing a review of it!

Sir Henry Hudson (died 1611) was an English sea explorer and navigator in the early 17th Century. He made two attempts to find a Northwest Passage to Cathay (modern day China) via a route above the Arctic Circle. Hudson explored the modern New York metropolitan area while in the employment of the Dutch East Indies Company, laying the foundation for Dutch colonisation in the region.

Without further ado, the pictures!

Footnotes:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Hudson

Pelikan Edelstein Onyx and Mandarin Mini Review

Part 2 of the Edelstein series review is up!

Pelikan Edelstein Onyx

Onyx is a black - not the darkest black out there, but certainly not a grey either. There is a hint of grey in it, yet it still stays true to being a black. It's on the hydrophobic side though, just put water far far far away from it.

Pelikan Edelstein Mandarin

Mandarin is a cheery orange - not bright like Diamine Pumpkin, or Sailor Apricot, but it has its position in the stable for when one wants a cheerful (but not eye-searing!) orange. A broader nib will suit it though.


Look out for Part 3 and 4 - coming soon!

Revisiting a Classic - Mont Tortoise Marine Blue

Marine Bleu - Oldie but goldie

Marine Blue conjures up images of the dark, dark sea. It draws us deep into its mystery, and has an mysterious allure that cannot be explained.

The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea. ~Isak Dinesen

Whenever I feel down, I cycle out towards the pier, taking in the sea breeze. Indeed, I find that few things match the beauty of the ocean. Yet this ink is so attractive that I find it worthy of being coupled with the ocean.

This is however, not an ink you'll find in stores. I had a friend who gave me this concoction. If people who are adept with nib work are called nib wizards, this friend of mine must be called the ink magician. He has such a good sense towards ink mixing and colours that were he to start making ink like Konrad of KWZI ink fame, I would be his first customer.

Why the name Marine Blue? He was trying to replicate the beauty of the Souverän M605 Marine Blue. I think he nailed it.

Without further ado, the short review.

Yes, it does have a long dry time. But hey, it makes up with its water resistance. This resembles Diamine Midnight Blue, or even Omas Blue... albeit with water resistance. In fact, I like it so much I might just put off using Edelstein Tanzanite on my next refill...

(Maybe I should get him to mix me a colour of my own hmmm...)

Short Review of Four Inks

I recently had the good fortune of a fellow FPNer sending me some ink samples! A shoutout to kpatters5274, thank you so much!

After trying them all out... I think Upper Ganges Blue is going on my "To Buy" list!

Without further ado, some pictures!

The inks gifted were Noodler's Antietam, Tiananmen, Upper Ganges Blue and Rohrer and Klinger Alt-Bordeaux.

First up, Noodler's Antietam

Then, we have Noodler's Tiananmen...

Then we have Upper Ganges Blue...

Last, but not least.... R&K Alt-Bordeaux

I hope this was useful! Thanks again to my fellow FPNer for the chance to try out these inks! Leave me a comment if you would like more information!

Pelikan Edelstein Tanzanite and Topaz Mini Review

This is the first of four posts in the Pelikan Edelstein series Mini Reviews!

Each post will be a Mini Review of a pair of Edelstein inks. Part 2 will feature Onyx and Mandarin, Part 3 will feature Jade and Aventurine, and Part 4 will feature Ruby and Sapphire.

Going first is my favourite of the eight - Tanzanite (blue black) and Topaz (bright blue).

Without further ado, the pictures!

Pelikan Edelstein Tanzanite

I like Tanzanite - it is a true blue black, unlike Pilot Blue Black which just looks blue, that doesn't fade, unlike Pelikan 4001 Blue Black which will turn grey in a matter of hours, and it dries fast enough.

Pelikan Edelstein Topaz

And Topaz? I just like bright blues! This isn't so bright that it blinds (yes Baystate Blue I'm looking at ya) and it dries relatively quick. Did I mention that it's easy to clean out too? Ticks all of the boxes!

I hope this was useful. Leave a comment if you have any questions!

Pelikan Edelstein Ink of the Year Series Review

Let's do a Edelstein Ink of the Year (IotY) series review to open October!

Essentially, what happens is Pelikan makes a colour each year and launches it around March. You'll have an entire year of this colour, then they stop making it. Each IotY is limited to one year only - if you want it after its run, you'll have to try eBay or FPN. Or if you're lucky, your local retailer might be able to get it for you. But why risk it? If you like the ink, go for it!

The IotY Series was kicked off with 2012's Turmaline (Plum), followed by Amber in 2013 (which coincided with Pelikan's 175th Anniversary), 2014's Garnet and with this year (2015)'s Amethyst.

I finally finished my IotY collection yesterday. So without further ado, here's some pictures and short reviews of them all!

BTW: Aquamarine is newly posted on the blog!

2012's Ink of the Year: Turmaline

First verse of Invictus in Turmaline

2013'S Ink of the Year: Amber

Second verse of Invictus in Amber

2014's Ink of the Year: Garnet

Third verse of Invictus in Garnet

2015's Ink of the Year: Amethyst

Last verse of Invictus in Amethyst

Full Invictus poem

Pelikan Pharo Mini Review

Figure 1: Full page mini review

Figure 2: Top half

Figure 3: Bottom half

Figure 4: Case the pen came in

Figure 5: Seller's note - pretty handwriting <3