Octopus Write & Draw Green Squirrel — Ink Review #76

Octopus Write & Draw Green Squirrel

 

Ink Review # 76

 

Originally posted on FPN: Aug 23, 2023

 

Ink: Green Squirrel

Series: Write & Draw

Brand: Octopus

Country: Germany

Type: Pigment ink

Availability: 50 ml bottles.

Pens Used: Pilot Kakuno EF, Lamy Safari (EF, F, M, B, 1.1), Osmiroid Copperplate nib

 

Description

This is my first review of an ink made by Octopus Fluids, and I have been pleasantly surprised. 

This is one lovely ink, and while it doesn't like copy paper, it's been a pleasure to use. It’s a lovely grey-olive green, the type I never get tired of.

It's wet, well-lubricated with lovely shading. 

Note on Octopus Write & Draw inks: These are pigmented fountain pen inks, so they are best used in well-sealed pens that are easy to dismantle. Octopus describes them as waterproof and lightfast. Some colors clean out easily, while others may need pen flush if water alone is not enough. Octopus lists a two-year shelf life and notes ISO 12757-2 / DIN ISO 14145-2 compliance.

Chroma

Writing Samples

The elegance of this ink shines in writing.

Rhodia

Midori

Tomoe River 68 gsm

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

Hammermill 20 lb

As you can see there's ghosting and bleed through on thin copy paper.

Close-up

Paper Mnemosyne, Osmiroid Copperplate

Comparison

If you prefer a lighter color, Octopus Green Crane or De Atramentis Green Grey are other excellent choices.

Water Test

Nothing budges.

Artwork

I did a quick little sketch to showcase the ink's range. 

Ink Characteristics

What I liked: I loved almost everything about this ink: It's wet and so well-lubricated that I could reverse-write with a Lamy EF nib. Beautiful shading. It looks lovely in all nibs.
What I did not like: Nothing much.
What some might not like: 30s dry time on Japanese paper, if you are allergic to wet inks 😝, or are forced to use copy paper.
Shading: Yes.
Ghosting: Yes, on cheap paper
Bleed through: Yes, on cheap paper
Flow Rate: Wet.
Lubrication: Excellent.
Nib Dry-out: Nope.
Start-up: None.
Saturation: No.
Shading Potential: Excellent.
Sheen: None.
Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: If the pen is wet, primed and you insist writing on copy paper.
Nib Creep / “Crud”: None.
Staining (pen): None.
Clogging: No.
Cleaning: Surprisingly very easy.
Water resistance: Excellent.
Availability: 50 ml

 

Please don't hesitate to share your experience, writing samples or any other comments. The more the merrier.  😊

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