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Inkistry 2025 – 7 January

Another pigmented ink today, which means it’s “Everlasting”. Chimney Soot is rocking my world, because I’ve always been fond of “black ink with stuff going on” (Van Dieman’s Route 66 is my favorite example in this category.) Chimney Soot is a terrific near black.
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Inkistry 2025 – 6 January

Meet Amaryllis! Despite the delicate-looking color, she’s no pushover, as this is a pigmented ink (unlike the dye-based inks used so far). In addition to being in the Keystone lineup, this ink is also part of Birmingham’s “Everlasting Formula”, meaning it’s water-resistant. I like it!
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Inkistry 2025 – 5 January

Ow that you’ve seen the experiments the last four days with two Birmingham recipes (Ohio River and Ice Rink), and how I intend to play either them this year, the game is afoot! It seems best at this point for you and me to get a solid handle on the Keystone Element Inks as standalone…
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Inkistry 2025 – 3 January

There are roughly 20 Keystone inks in my collection (I think I’m missing one or two that have been sold out), and from the Keystone Formula Inks on the Birmingham website, you can discover recipes for about 144 named inks made with varying amounts of Keystone inks. So Ohio River is a Birmingham color whose…
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1 July 2024 – Diamine Apple Glory
This is another Inkvent ink, though I’m not sure what “apple glory” has to do with the holidays. I’m not even sure what “apple glory” is. It this ink looks like an awesome Granny Smith. So it’s good by me 🙂
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30 June 2024 – Ancient Copper
I’m not sure I get a metallic copper sense, it this color is terrific no matter what it’s called, and it’s close enough to copper that I’ve no complaints. Write on!
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29 June 2024 – Diamine Amber
It’s not yellow (though there are yellow inks I actually like, though most are entirely illegible when used for writing). It’s amber, and it’s legible. Plus, when you add a little black ink pen to draw a bug, it really takes on the character of amber. Job well done, Diamine!
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28 June 2024 – Diamine Amazing Amethyst
It’s amethyst. Is it amazing? It’s pretty good. Saturated, bold, and well-behaved, and if it’s what you’re looking for, it’s probably amazing!
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27 June 2024 – Diamine Amaranth
Saturated, beautiful cranberry. can’t say anything negative about this ink. Solid. And you can get 30ml for about three bucks.
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26 June 2024 – Diamine A Toe in the Ocean
Another ink from the Cult Pens collaboration, and another ink I don’t need to put in my regular stable (want some?). Again, if people like soft-looking shades, this is perfect! It writes well; it’s just not my cup of High Tea.