Diamine Graphite — Ink Review #206

 

Diamine Graphite

 

Ink Review # 206

 

Originally posted on FPN: Oct 05, 2025

 

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🧾 Description

 

Ink: Diamine Graphite

Available: 30/80 ml bottles from most vendors.

Pens Used: Pilot Kakuno EF, Lamy (EF/F/M/B/ stub 1.1), Karas Vertex with an ultra-flex Bock nib from FPNibs.

 

Diamine Graphite is wet, dark grey color with green undertones. Shading is minimal, only with M/B nibs. 

Color is most intriguing with a Stub nib as the green comes through. 

 

But with other nibs it was good, i.e. even with the Japanese EF Pilot Elite.  ;) 

 

Ink behaves well in general, but there might be some ghosting. Bleed-through will happen if you use a very wet pen. 

 

I kept the inks for a month in my pens, so in the end I resorted to cleaning solution and pen jacuzzi to clean the pen. :bath: 

 

I most enjoyed this ink for drawing. As a writing ink I enjoyed it most with a very wet flex pen. 

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 🧪 Chroma

 

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 ✍️ Writing Samples (scan)

 

JEF stands for Japanese EF nib.

Rhodia / Iroful

 


Midori /Tomoe River 68gsm

 

Hammermill 20lb

 

 📸 Photo

 

Rhodia/ Iroful

 

Midori / Tomoe River 68 gsm

 

Hammermill 20 lb

 

 🔍 Comparison

 

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 💧 Water Test


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 🎨 Artwork

 

One can appreciate Diamine Graphite’s impressive tonal range, shifting from deep black to pale greenish blue in art.

 

Inktober 2025 - Day 4 - Murky

 

Inspired by film noir’s murky, moody aesthetics. It was inspired by a scene from the Third Man (1949). 

 

It also shows off the dynamic range of Diamine Graphite. 

 

Karas Customs Vertex with FPnibs ultra-flex, Pilot Kakuno, Water brush, Talens Mixed Media Sketchbook.

 


Inktober 2025 - Day3 - Crown

 

Now who is the king?

 

Diamine Graphite, Tintenlabor Schokolade, Pebeo gold marker, Talens Mixed Media Square Pocket Book

 

Inktober challenge 2025: Day 5: Deer

 

Diamine Graphite, Hosia Ink Studio Gardenia, Talens Mixed Media Square pocket.

 


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- What I Liked: Color for artwork, wetness, 

- What I Did Not Like: I was surprised by the low lubrication with EF/F European nibs. 

- What Some Might Not Like: Not much shading, lack of water resistance.

- Writing Experience: Good with most nibs. The dark grey makes it legible, 

- Pros: Price, colour, artwork. 

- Cons: Low lubrication with EF/F nibs. 

 

 🧷 Ink Characteristics

 

- Shading: Minimal. 

- Ghosting: With some nibs. 

- Bleed Through: Same as above. 

- Flow Rate: Wet

- Lubrication: Low with EF/F Safari

- Nib Dry-out: Did not notice. 

- Start-up: Great. 

- Saturation:  Dark Grey

- Sheen: No

- Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line:  Did not notice.

- Nib Creep / Crud: Did not notice.

- Staining (Pen): No. 

- Clogging: No.

- Cleaning: It’s best using an ammonia-based cleaning solution. 

- Water Resistance: Meh! 

 

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 💬 Closing

 

I really enjoy working with this dark grey, complex with green undertones for the 2025 Inktober challenge.  As a writing ink, it’s fun for those who must use black inks, but need to rebel.  :D 

 

No fountain pens were hurt in preparing this review.  😉

 

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

 

 

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