The much awaited Pilot Iroshizuku Asa Gao Review

[Bill Smith]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1053/3173331823_446d30a4f8_b.jpg

 

 

Note:

The scan is actually not bad showing close to the actual shade of Asa Gao.

 

 

[Peter from Sherwood Park]

That is a beautiful blue -- thank you for letting us know.

[Lloyd]

Can you please do a water-resistance test?

[Bill Smith]

Iroshizuku inks are not water resistant at all. If I wanted a waterproof blue, that is where Noodlers Polare and the much maligned Baystate Blue come in.

[fjf]

Looks pretty much like the baystate blue!. Nice!.

[Lloyd]

Iroshizuku inks are not water resistant at all. If I wanted a waterproof blue, that is where Noodlers Polare and the much maligned Baystate Blue come in.

I find my Kirisame to have quite good water-resistance; not Bulletproof but I would (and have) used it on envelopes.

[Aslan]

Bill, fjf above suggested that it looks a lot like Bay State Blue. On my monitor is does, as well. Does is resemble BSB in "real life?"

[MYU]

Actually, the Iroshizuku inks have some water resistance. Definitely not like Noodler's Bulletproof, but certainly better than your usual water soluble Waterman and Lamy inks. You can see some of these tests in other Iroshizuku ink reviews. I have to imagine the formulation must be pretty consistent across all of the colors.

Edited January 6, 2009 by MYU

[Bill Smith]

I usually write the addresses on envelops and signatures on cheques with Baystate Blue or Polar blue.

[Goodwhiskers]

That is a great color! Thanks for the review and sample.

 

I've seen a water test of several Iroshizuku blue-range colors here. All of them had at least one dye (a light sky blue or turquoise) that resisted plain water fairly well.

 

I don't know how similar the Iroshizuku formulae are to Pilot/Namiki's standard blue, blue-black, and black, which all resist plain water enough for duty in envelope addresses (especially the Blue) but do not resist soap (good news for stained clothing, bad news for checks and other important documents).

[dannzeman]

Thats a great looking blue. I've found a color to add to my ink exchange want list.

[StephY]

Hi Bill - great review!

 

It's late here, so it may be my eyes deceiving me, but is it very close to J. Herbin Eclat de Saphir?

[Jimmy James]

Thanks for the review. I have a bottle on order from JetPens.

 

If time permits (which may be February), I should be able to do a nice Baystate versus Eclat versus Diamine Sapphire versus Asa Gao comparison and at least report on my findings.

[CharlieB]

Nice looking ink!

[youstruckgold]

Agree it's a nice looking ink (just as well, as I've just ordered some from Jet pens); but I'm having trouble reading your review - it looks good, I just can't read it! :bonk:

[MiniMaupassant]

really beautiful colour!

[Bill Smith]

Thanks for the review. I have a bottle on order from JetPens.

 

If time permits (which may be February), I should be able to do a nice Baystate versus Eclat versus Diamine Sapphire versus Asa Gao comparison and at least report on my findings.

 

That would be a cool comparison, save for the Eclat, I love all the previously mentioned inks.

 

 

[SamCapote]

Beautiful blue! Thanks! Now I have to find other Iroshizuku reviews.

 

Edit: Man that is way different from Immoteus review here.

Edited January 8, 2009 by SamCapote

[Jimmy James]

Edit: Man that is way different from Immoteus review here.

 

My guess would be it's just a function of different nibs and different scanners. That's the type of variance I expect in reviews.

 

My bottle got here today. I didn't have a pen ready for it quite so quickly. Jetpens impressed me with the speed of the shipping. I have to remember to take another pen to work so I can play with it in court tomorrow.

[techman]

I just received bottles of asa gao and tsuki yo. I can't wait to try them. When I fill my pen with asa gao I will do a review too, using my safari vista fine nib.Jetpens does ship their product very fast.

Edited January 8, 2009 by techman