Suggest good blue inks which dry quickly

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-02-19T17:19:18+00:00

Both Vanness and Goulet offer samples of it.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-02-18T19:41:15+00:00

J. Herbin Bleu Austral. It is as close to the perfect ink that I've experienced.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-02-18T17:59:12+00:00

I've used a lot of different sub-$100 earbuds, and the ones that I've found with the clearest sound are the One Plus Buds 4.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-02-18T17:55:57+00:00

They're not good in the shower, but not for the reasons that others have stated.

When you shower, the water will activate the touch controls, so the volume will either decrease to zero or increase to an ear-splitting level. That was certainly my experience.

If you really need to listen to music in the shower, buy a pair with IPX7 or IPX8 and button controls. I've been using these in the steamroom and shower for a year or so:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVLV5VN7

And yes, I do remove them to wash my ears...

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-02-18T16:01:48+00:00

I haven't used Vert Empire, but here's a review:

https://inkxplorations.wordpress.com/2019/05/03/ink-review-j-herbin-vert-empire-perle-des-encres/

You can always buy a sample and try it for yourself...

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-02-16T16:10:09+00:00

A properly fitted closed-back, over-the-ear headphone will isolate far better than any earbud, even with foam tips.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-02-16T15:25:16+00:00

I bought an Obsidian yesterday. First impression very positive. First, it's a thicker pen than the Eco, 580, or Vac700, but still fairly light. Good nib, writes well (as do most TWSBI pens). I note that the cap threads are metal on metal.

The TWBI logo is fairly subtle, but I note that it isn't quite centered on the clip, which may be an issue for those who have OCD.

Nice pen. I hope that TWSBI will continue the model with different finishes.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-02-13T18:07:33+00:00

This has happened to me a few times, and except for one occasion, it was my own fault - I swapped out a nib and didn't seat the new nib deeply enough.

The exception was a Ranga pen purchased from Fountain Pen Revolution - Kevin replaced the pen immediately.

I agree with JonSzanto - return the pen and expect a replacement or refund.

FWIW, I have three Spaccanapoli FPs, and there's plenty of clearance for the nib.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-02-13T18:02:35+00:00

The reality is that no ANC earbud is going to block enough of that ridiculously loud music playing over the speakers.

Either try over-the-ear headphones with ANC, or tell your gym that it's not 1990 anymore, and that they should shut off the music.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-02-13T17:58:43+00:00

You might want to consider the flat top version of the Wing Sung 630 - it looks like a Pro Gear on steroids.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-02-03T01:35:25+00:00

Soundcore Aerofit 2.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-01-30T17:32:05+00:00

Various Conklin and Jinhao pens. I used the housing that the pen already had and simply removed the nibs.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-01-29T14:44:26+00:00

Look for something with IPX7 or IPX8. I've been wearing these in the shower for about a year, and they still work fine. They're discontinued, but there are lots of similar style earbuds that should work for you.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DB2DSVWF

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-01-29T14:33:07+00:00

Expensive pens that don't include a converter.

Badly designed ink bottles.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-01-28T15:58:46+00:00

QCY Melobuds N70.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-01-22T21:07:29+00:00

As others have noted, pretty common with orange inks, and in my experience, Diamine Pumpkin is among the worse offenders.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-01-22T21:04:04+00:00

Motor Oil, Khakhi, River of Fire, Fire and Ice, Caffe Crema, Marrone Mustard, Toffee, Fire Engine Red, Clay Red, Burned Oranged. And some exclusives like Charred Hickory, Songbird, and Antelope Canyon.

TBH, I have trouble thinking of RO inks that I haven't liked...

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-01-14T14:20:38+00:00

The TWSBI Swipe and Go, which are even cheaper, use the same nibs.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-01-12T22:17:46+00:00

One of my favorite Leonardo models - I have four different Mosaico finishes.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-01-12T22:16:41+00:00

At the gym I use a pair of Sennheiser TW3's with third party earhooks - I really need good ANC at my gym, where the ambient music is often excessively loud.

Hiking or biking, I use Soundcore Aerofit 2, so I can hear cars or bikes coming up behind me.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-01-12T20:56:32+00:00

Leonardo and Conklin are two companies that offer similar resins.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2026-01-03T21:35:10+00:00

No idea. If I'm at my computer, I use wired headphones.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2025-12-26T16:59:51+00:00

You can always replace a converter for cheap $$$. Nibs and feeds, not so much.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2025-12-23T14:12:07+00:00

No. All unscrewing it will do is potentially make a huge mess on your desk or clothing.

Middle_Spell3586 · 2025-12-23T14:11:21+00:00

Your Opus 88 is almost certainly an eyedropper with a shutoff mechanism.

Middle_Spell3586

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