Octopus Fluids Write & Draw — Violet Giraffe — Ink Review #97

Octopus Fluids Write & Draw — Violet Giraffe

 

Ink Review # 97

 

Originally posted on FPN: Nov 16, 2023

 

Ink: Violet Giraffe
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), Conway Stewart 330 double oblique flex (very wet)

Description

I really enjoyed using this elegant, classy ink. It’s a gorgeous purple, very well-lubricated, and especially pleasant to write with.

However, it does not like copy paper. I went as far as inking a wet vintage pen and regretted it: the amount of ink it spewed out made it impossible to control the ink flow. So, I won’t recommend filling your Pelikan “firehose” with a triple B nib with this ink. 😜

As a test, I “forgot” the ink in my Lamy Safari for a week or so, letting evaporation do its thing. Still, the cleaning was surprisingly easy.

I was disappointed when I did the water test. The ink is water-resistant but not waterproof. 

In conclusion, I would recommend this ink for a well-sealed, dry-ish pen.

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

This ink is a snob. It does not like copy paper.

Rhodia

Midori

Tomoe River 68 gsm

Hammermill 20 lb

Photo

I have no ink that remotely approaches this one:

Comparison

Water Test

I was surprised and disappointed by the result. As you can see, the ink was partially removed under running water.

Artwork

General Giraffe.

Octopus W&D Violet Giraffe, J Herbin Ambre de Birmanie.

Ink Characteristics

·      What I liked: Elegant, classy colour, breathtaking will almost all nibs,
·      What I did not like: Not 100% waterproof, not a deal breaker, but I was expecting more from a pigment ink, longish dry times.
·      What some might not like: Longish dry times, hates copy paper…
·      Shading: Medium onwards
·      Ghosting: Yes, on copy paper
·      Bleed through: Yes, on copy paper
·      Flow Rate: Wet
·      Lubrication: Excellent.
·      Nib Dry-out: Not noticed.
·      Start-up: Not noticed.
·      Saturation: Delicious.
·      Shading Potential: I can’t see much.
·      Sheen: Faint with the very wet nib.
·      Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: Yes, on copy paper.
·      Nib Creep / “Crud”: Not noticed.
·      Staining (pen): No.
·      Clogging: No.
·      Cleaning: No.
·      Water resistance: Very good, but the excess ink washed off.

 

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

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