Dakota Red - Private Reserve

[visvamitra]

Private Reserve Ink was founded by Terry W. Johnson and Susan Schube in the workroom of Avalon Jewelers/Gallery in Zionsville, IN, as an addition to the fountain pen department. Terry's vision was simple... "Why not have fountain pen ink in a rainbow of colors to expand the bounds of writing beyond standard black, blue, red and green."

That's what's written on their internet site. My experience with their inks is ambigous: I like most colors, but the inks I've tried weren't best behaved (Orange Crush, Shoreline Gold caused nib crud; Hor Bubble Gum is PINK and it stains everything).

I've received Dakota Red sample in a package I've received some time ago from Amberlea. I know other FPNers had added some samples for me, so thank you guys!

 

Dakota Red is nice medium red. I really like the color. However, as many PR inks, this one is not free from some issues. It's prone to smudging as you see on Tomoe River. I haven't done it on purpose od course, yet I've moved my hand and touched the text about twenty seconds after finishing it. Dry time, especially on Tomoe is crazy long. Also some people mentioned that Dakota Red may cause some pen clogging. I've put in in one of my cheap pens (Jinhao). I'll check the behaviour after one week of not using the pen. In Kaweco Sport used as eyedropper there was no such issues and flow was good.

Ink Splash

Drops of ink on kitchen towel

Software ID

Tomoe River, Kaweco Sport Classic, B

CIAK, Kaweco Sport Classic, B

Comparison

 

 

 

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[swanjun]

It really is such a pretty red, though!

[lgsoltek]

I remember when I was getting my first bottle of non-black ink, I hesitated between this one and Fiesta Red. I chose FR, so I never had the chance to try this one.

[inkstainedruth]

Thanks for the review. I had been wondering what both Dakota Red and Fiesta Red were like, but hadn't tried samples of either one yet.

I like some PR inks. Others, not so much. And a couple of them (DCSS Blue and DC Electric Blue) are really slow to dry, and can smudge up to a month later.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[lapis]

Thanks for this review. You hit the ink right on the head. I got a bottle about 5 years ago and I still like the colour but it dries too slowly and makes my writing and wanting to save any paper with it uncertain. Other PR inks are just as saturated IMO but still better to write with and maintain.

 

Mike

[pepsiplease69]

I went to Castle in the Air in Berkeley yesterday.

 

They didn't have Dakota Red in stock.. ratz!!

 

In their inventory it said they should have two, but the nice lady who helped me, she looked in the cabinets and didn't find any...

 

I've put my name in for getting notified when they get it back in stock.

 

I know I don't need any more ink but I want it sooo badly!

 

Want and need, not being exactly the same in this case...

[Joe in Seattle]

Hmmm. I have a bottle of this. I'd better get it out and try again. I don't recall it being that saturated & vibrant.

[lapis]

I know I don't need any more ink but I want it sooo badly!

 

Want and need, not being exactly the same in this case...

Don't worry, that's completely normal here. It keep you healthy, unwealthy, but wise.

 

Mike