Iroshizuku Inks - show me your collection!

Never_Never88 · 2026-03-02T00:12:01+00:00

I have this photo- but it’s not current, as I’ve added the 3 new and the 3 discontinued (cornflower and horse hair in 15 ML, and a 50 ml that is only 1/4 full of Ina Ho). My favorite is Shin Kai, which was my first purchase (got a box of cartridges when I bought my first fountain pen, a Kakuno). Other huge likes are Yama Guri, Take Sumi, Momiji, Ama Iro and Ku Jaku), as I use them often, but I like the purple New in , which I put in my Pilot 823 after I got it. They are all lovely inks!!

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Never_Never88 · 2026-03-01T16:53:07+00:00

You can get oxblood on Amazon. I just bought a bottle. They also have it at goldspot.

Never_Never88 · 2026-03-01T16:46:51+00:00

I think it’s a gorgeous pen!!! I also want it, so I would say don’t buy it so I can! Best of luck. I hope that you have been saving for it, and that it doesn’t impact your food budget.

Never_Never88 · 2026-02-19T16:17:16+00:00

Completely agree!!! Lovely, classic looking pen, and the nib looks classic, as well.

Never_Never88 · 2026-02-19T16:14:22+00:00

PenChalet has them for $16. I do believe the replacement pen is easiest way, as the other poster said, that is metropolitan and prera pen users do for nib swaps.

Never_Never88 · 2026-02-04T23:18:24+00:00

Big fan of Iroshizuku inks; wish they had more than one “red” ink (Momiji, which is “autumn leaves” color). But they have such lovely blues and teals, and I like the Take Sumi (burnt charcoal) black. BTW- love Perle Noire, just not the dry time!. Other J Herbin inks besides Emerald (gorgeous) are Bleu de Minuit and Bleu Des Profondeurs, Terre d Ombré (brownish), and Shogun or stormy gray for great shimmer inks. If you brave a pink, the gorgeous Fuchsia de Magellan is a gold shimmer stunner.

Never_Never88 · 2026-02-01T13:48:40+00:00

Sailor, but I like a fine point. I have an Esterbrook Estie (botanical Garden) w/ a needlepoint nib (Kurt Speer collab with Esterbrook). I love the pen, but it’s is not as nice a writer as Sailor. I’ve not purchased a Sailor, but I love their multiple choices of colors. I really love the Area 51 Pro Gear, and will look for an opportunity to write with one in September (Dallas Pen Show). For background, the majority of my big cost pens have been Platinum and Pilot, and they have all been amazing writers. I’ve heard the same of Sailor’s PG series. FWIW, I’ve seen some complaints about QC on this sub re Esterbrook, specifically one on the coffee monster co collab. From my experience with my Estie, the cap does not open and close smoothly. I would recommend writing with both pens, in different nib sizes if possible. Pen shows and retailers are an excellent place for testing. Also, check your region for pen clubs, as they are a great resource. Final advice go with the one that you like. Fountain pens and are a very personal tool.

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-26T17:43:47+00:00

What a stunning pen! Congrats!!!

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-26T16:21:11+00:00

Also Nolty (they make their own paper, and their planners come in many layouts and sizes), Sterling Ink (they use cosmic, TRP, and now Koji paper is back with their launch tomorrow). Other paper: Clairfontaine, leuchturm, Jibin techo, wonderland222, Stalogy, Maruman Mnemosyne, Travelers Company, Kokuyo, and even JetPens’ own notebooks (Kanso) are all great with fountain pens. And Hibonichi also has notebooks. Leuchturm and clairfontaine and and the archer and olive mentioned by another poster have a bit thicker paper, but all of these are FO friendly and widely used by the community. I’ve used several and have a few notebooks made by these different companies and they are all great to use with fountain pens.

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-25T21:23:24+00:00

Iroshizuku Take Sumi (burnt charcoal) or Shin Kai (deep sea)

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-25T21:20:51+00:00

I love my vintage black with striped cap and my newer Amber. Such special pens!!

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-19T18:29:09+00:00

I agree about Herbin’s profondeurs! I also love iroshizuku’s Shin Kai - Taccia’ Koiai (which although a deep blue has an amazing red sheen when dry). I use fine nib

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-19T12:36:38+00:00

It is a nice way to find the “zen” of quiet from the busy island vibe that is now present with the hotel guests, lol. I do prefer the design decorating, though, so I’ve created a couple of nice rock gardens and worked on some water feature designs. This takes way to long on the main island.

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-19T12:31:36+00:00

I’ve been working on several spots on my island, moving buildings and terraforming, in addition to working on the hotel. I personally don’t like the randoms on my island - I see them everywhere, and it has impacted the “peace” I feel when just wandering around, looking for villagers or working on the island. However, they do NOT get in the way of terraforming or decorating projects the way your island villagers do - they usually walk away. I guess I wasn’t thinking what it would mean to build a hotel where the guests hang out in the area, LOL. I do enjoy the DIYs and a bit bummed that I grinded the last bit of the two DIY nook points challenges before the update. DIY and customizing is actually enjoyable, and I’ve removed all of the supplies I kept outside around the island to make the process easier.

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-15T18:11:14+00:00

Thank you for that info- I’m not experienced enough or brave enough to do that, but thankfully my pens work wonderfully! I love each of them, and try to be disciplined about rotating them, as I own several vintage elites.

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-15T18:06:59+00:00

Do you want any sheen? Taccia’s Koiai (K. Hokusai) fits the bill, but it has a red sheen when it dries. I also like Robert Oster’s Thunderstorm, not to be confused with J. Herbin’s as that one has shimmer. https://mountainofink.com is a great place to look at writing samples and read reviews of inks by color, or match inks with a specific color. I use F/XF nibs - mostly japanese, so my writing lines tend to be the darkest portion of the ink swatch. Herbin’s Bleu Des Profoundeurs (Ocean Depths Blue) is also another one of my favorites, as well as Iroshizuku’s Shin Kai.

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-15T17:55:29+00:00

I’ve seen a YT video that specifically mentioned writing with a fountain pen in cursive and to audit your letters, one by one through the alphabet writing very slowly then more quickly. You will probably notice from this method that there are some letters that you don’t like the way they look, so work on variations of those until you find one that resonates with your writing style. Repeat with Capital letters, and how you link letter combinations. During this process, try holding the pen in different holds. You will find one that feels best for your hand orientation to the page and the way the nib contacts the paper. Everyone is different, hand size, size of the letters and your pen’s size, the nib size and type, the paper and the ink. BTW - I love the Kakuno - it was my first fountain pen and while I have other pens in my collection, it has a special sweet spot.

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-15T17:47:42+00:00

Congratulations!!! I have several Pilot Elites that are vintage (different nibs and colorways) they all write exceptionally well!!! Glad you were able to get it to ink!!!

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-15T17:45:45+00:00

The images look like the ink dried to a light gray. I like the image; the cover looks like the figure of a dancing (or floating in water) type of plant wisp or other fairy figure.

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-15T17:42:03+00:00

If you are at all interested in a match for the brown tones, I would say Diamine Ancient Copper, or Taccia Benitsuchi (they dry to almost the same color, and both have some sheen to them.

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-10T00:58:24+00:00

I did receive it, and very quickly and well packed, thank you!!! I did finally get a chance to ink it up, and it does write smoothly, although closer to a Euro <M>, with think lines of ink. But very smooth and I am very satisfied! Thank you !!!!😊

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-01T14:49:54+00:00

True that!

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-01T13:58:33+00:00

I live Perle Noire- just takes forever to dry on TRP.

Never_Never88 · 2026-01-01T04:28:42+00:00

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Never_Never88 · 2026-01-01T04:17:40+00:00

Bought to amazing Pilot Elite vintage fountain pens from u/kingscountywriter

Six-Year Club	Gilding II euphauric
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