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Author Archives: Christine (Pentulant)
REVIEW: Pilot Iroshizuku Mini Boxed Set
I love Pilot Iroshizuku. The brand writes amazingly well for me and I’m fond of nearly all the colors. Big love, for sure.
This Pilot Iroshizuku Mini Boxed Set came to me courtesy of Goulet Pens. They made me promise to give my honest opinion in exchange.
I had mixed feelings about reviewing this item – I knew I would love at least two of the inks (I already did), but would I love the packaging? You know, probably not – it was most likely just a throwaway. How wrong I was.
Let’s dive in . . .
Removing the thick white paper/cardboard protective sleeve reveals a hard plastic hinged case. The case has a satin finish, beveled edges, and is very sturdy and well-constructed. I’m immediately impressed.
Even though Goulet Pens sent the Boxed Set as a freebie, I still got a sucker pop. Score!
Flipping the lid reveals the three 15ml Pilot Iroshizuku Inks – Kon-peki, Yama-budo, and Tsukushi.
And, again, I’m impressed with the box design and padding. The bottom custom-cut hard foam holds the ink securely in place and the padding on top adds extra protection for the thick glass Pilot Iroshizuku bottles.
A wonderful variety of colors.
The case is wonderful, but what about the inks?
Kon-peki is a beautiful beautiful bright blue. It was one the first inks I reviewed and then I did a fun comparison of it and Pilot Iroshizuku Tsuyu-kusa.
Yama-budo is a delicious grape purple ink. I use it regularly and compared it to Noodler’s Black Swan in Australian Roses in this review. It’s become a favorite.
Almost two years ago, I reviewed Tsukushi. I loved the performance, but not the brown color. I swabbed it earlier this year and didn’t think it was so bad, after all. Keep an eye on my Instagram feed this week, I plan to try it again – third time’s the charm?
This Boxed Set would make an amazing and thoughtful gift for any fountain pen user. If you’re considering this for yourself, it would definitely protect your bottles while traveling.
Are you concerned that 15ml won’t be enough ink? If you’ve found your perfect dream ink, 15ml will never be enough. If you’re like me and change inks as often as you change your nail polish, it could be plenty. 15ml should give you enough ink for at least eight fills – depending on your pen/converter.
Let’s talk money for a moment. This set sells for $32 at Goulet Pens. They don’t sell the 15ml bottles individually, but I’ve seen those on other sites for $14 each. Easy math.
Full-size (50ml) bottles of Pilot Iroshizuku sell for $28 each at Goulet Pens. That amounts to $.56 per ml. For the 45ml of ink we’re getting in this set, we’re paying $.71 per ml – and we’re getting three different inks – and we’re getting the fancy case.
You’ll decide for yourself, of course, but I think this is a good value for the set and the money.
Everything Pilot Iroshizuku is high-quality and this set is no exception. If you love (or want to try) the colors or are looking for the perfect gift, this set is for you.
I paid nothing for this set from Goulet Pens and the opinions are all mine, always.
INK SWAB 218: Private Reserve Chocolat
A nice brown with a bit of red, Private Reserve Chocolat is an ink that I reviewed way back in 2013. Even though I said at the time that I would be putting it into heavy use, I don’t think I’ve had it in a pen since. Maybe it’s time to give it another go.
INK SWAB 217: Noodler’s Dragon Catfish Pink (HL)
Noodler’s Dragon Catfish Pink was created to be used as a highlighting ink. Because I’ve had some of these specialty inks turn to goo in the sample bottle, I would not put them in a fountain pen.
I use these inks in Preppy Refillable Highlighters – I also buy the converter because it seems to keep things a little more simple for me. Honestly, I’m not sure I’d buy it again because there are so many wonderful highlighting pens out there already.
What do you think?
INK SWAB 216: Waterman Inspired Blue
INK SWAB 215: L’Artisan Pastellier Callifolio Baikal
One of my newer ink samples, I’ve not yet tried this beautiful deep blue. Do you have experience with L’Artisan Pastellier inks? You can get full-sized bottle from Vanness Pens.
I’m a very satisfied customer of Vanness Pens. I’m not compensated to mention them or their products. Even if I was, though, I’d still give you my honest opinions.
INK SWAB 214: Pilot Iroshizuku Ina-ho
INK SWAB 213: Noodler’s Cayenne
INK SWAB 212: De Atramentis Document Yellow
FOUNTAIN PEN REVIEW: Jinhao 159
The Jinhao 159 is a Chinese-made pen that is available from a variety of sources at pretty incredible prices. I tossed one in my Goulet Pens cart earlier this year as an impulse purchase. Let’s dive in . . .
The Jinhao 159 is BIG. Big, shiny, and big.
The body is painted metal. The trim is chrome. The nib is steel. It weighs a whopping 50g. The Lamy Al-Star weighs in at 22g. Did I mentioned the Jinhao 159 is big?
I didn’t have high expectations.
I was pleasantly surprised.
It started right up and wrote like a champ. The nib is smooth with no scratchiness and just a bit of pleasant feedback. The cap posts deep and securely.
Given the Jinhao’s heft, it’s not an every day pen for me. Someone with larger hands, however, could enjoy it on the regular.
The Jinhao 150 comes with a converter and will also accept standard international cartridges.
If bright orange isn’t your thing, this pen comes in a multitude of other colors at Goulet Pens.
I bought and paid for this pen with my own hard-earned pennies – though even if I hadn’t, I’d still give you my honest opinions.