Kala — Nostalgia Gemstone Scapolite — Ink Review #42

Kala — Nostalgia Gemstone Scapolite

 

Ink Review # 42

 

Originally posted on FPN: Jan 21, 2023

 

Ink: Scapolite
Series: Nostalgia Gemstone
Type: Pigment ink
Brand: Kala
Country: Taiwan
Availability: 30 ml bottles
Pens Used: Lamy Safari (F, M, B), Pilot Kakuno (M), Kanwrite ultra-flex, TWSBI Go stub

Description

Kala is based in Taiwan and makes mostly pigment inks: the Gemstone (variations on grey), Abstraction (variations on Khaki, Grey and Purple) and Tribute to Neon (highlighter inks). As of 2023, Kala also had three series of dye-based inks.

This is my first pigment ink from this brand.


According to https://geology.com/minerals/scapolite.shtml:

"Scapolite is a name used for a group of aluminosilicate minerals that includes meionite, marialite, and silvialite"

No comment. 😄

I am not a fan of pale pencil-greys or grey-blacks. Initially I thought I should have bought a paler green-grey, yet I’ve been refilling my Lamy Safari constantly. I really like writing and sketching with it.

I had to use a pen cleaner for the Safari. Observe the dye after half a day of soaking in water. Ironically, the Pilot didn't need that much cleaning.

Note on pigment inks: Pigmented fountain pen inks are best used in well-sealed pens that are easy to dismantle. Regular cleaning is advisable, and pen flush may be needed if water alone is not enough.

Chroma

Writing Samples

Rhodia

Midori

Tomoe River 68 gsm

Note: Tomoe River used here is 68 gsm, not the thinner 52 gsm version commonly referenced in reviews.


Maruman Mnemosyne

Cheap Paper 

Photo

Tomoe River 68 gsm

 

Comparison

Water Test

This ink is water-resistant but not 100% waterproof. Rubbing or washing it will spread the green dye, which makes it perfect for washes.

Artwork

A simple wash on Canson Watercolor paper:

Inktober 2023 Shadows

Ink Characteristics

·      Shading: Only with a fude nib.
·      Ghosting: Yes, on cheap paper.
·      Bleed through: Same as above.
·      Flow Rate: Very wet.
·      Lubrication: Great. I enjoyed reverse-writing with a Japanese M.
·      Nib Dry-out: Not noticed.
·      Start-up: No problem.
·      Saturation: Dark.
·      Sheen: Faint.
·      Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: Not noticed.
·      Nib Creep / “Crud”: No.
·      Staining (pen): No.
·      Clogging: No.
·      Cleaning: Lamy Safari needed a pen cleaner.
·      Water resistance: See note above. 

 

Feel free to share your experience, feedback, or any other comments. The more the merrier. 😊

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