Review: Diamine Damson Ink

[biffybeans]

Click here for full review with pictures

 

Diamine New Century Damson fountain pen ink tested in a lined off-white Paperblanks journal, with a fine nibbed Pelikan M200 fountain pen.

 

I'm still not sure what to make of this color. It's a dark purplish eggplant/aubergine and you really have to look close to see the color. At first glance, you might think it's black but upon closer inspection it's a purplish black, similar to Herbin's Possuire de Lune, but not as gray.

 

The flow is good, though not spectacular with this pen and I'm not really sure if it's because of the pen or the ink. I'm feeling like I have to push the pen a bit. I would call it a "dry" ink because this pen isn't typically a dry writer but one never knows....

 

I first noted that I wasn't sure if I liked the color, but after using it for a while, (because the M200 holds a ton of ink...) It's starting to grow on me. I must like it at least a little bit because I could have simply flushed it from the pen - but I didn't. I'll keep it around for a bit ans see what happens. I've moved on from the Possuire de Lune because I felt it to be too gray once dry. This color does seem to not really go in that direction which is why I might be liking it.

 

There is some shading but it's hard to see. I'd call the color a bit "flat" and I almost wish it was more vibrant.

 

You can see more of the purple in the sample (0n white Clairefontaine watercolor paper than when I wrote with it in the journal.)

 

From the Diamine Website:

 

30ml Diamine Fountain Ink:

 

"Brand New Design PVC Bottle, Light weight and with an affordable price makes the full range of 60 colors very collectible, ideal for students or beginners still searching for their personal color of choice.

 

Damson is a "New Century" Fountain Pen Ink. Launched in January 2006, New Century Fountain Pen Ink is available in 30 vibrant shades also suitable for any fountain pen brand"

 

Buy Diamine Inks in the UK at The Writing Desk or directly from Diamine and in the US from The Pear Tree Pen Company Ink is sold in 80ml glass bottles, 30 ml plastic bottles, and selected colors are available in cartridge form.

[rickyriz]

...It's a dark purplish eggplant/aubergine and you really have to look close to see the color. At first glance, you might think it's black but upon closer inspection it's a purplish black, similar to Herbin's Possuire de Lune, but not as gray...

I second you...I like the darkness of this ink.

 

...I wasn't sure if I liked the color, but after using it for a while, (because the M200 holds a ton of ink...) It's starting to grow on me. I must like it at least a little bit because I could have simply flushed it from the pen - but I didn't. I'll keep it around for a bit ans see what happens.

 

I was very curious about your impressions on this ink. I'm happy to ear that although you're not so convinced you decide to wait to flush it...I lived the same experience: it's the third time I end and refill my new Optima with Damson..and all the times I can't find another one to replace it!! It's my only bottle of Diamine and I really love it..I consider it a subtle choice as color is not so evident..and it has become my daily all-around ink..formal and unusual at the same time, seeming black and in truth a dusty dark bordeaux!

thank you very much for this review!!!

 

ps: can you post a closer shot in order to show the real color? Thank you!

[Will]

This is definitely my favourite purple. I love the dark colour of it - if anything I might want it a touch darker. It is also Damson in colour (Damson jam is my favourite!) unlike some of the other Diamine names (such as dark brown which is not!). Like all inks, what I like about it might just be what you hate about it. Thanks for the review

[MiniMaupassant]

I have scanned a quick review taken from my notebook. Click here!

The colour looks a bit dark on the scan, but I had just filled the pen, so may need to revisit again.

To me, this colour is a darker version of CdA Storm, with more depth. It is also similar to Poussiere de Lune, but again darker.

It also lubricates the nib really well, which is my favourite characteristic of this ink. (I see that me and BiffyBeans disagree on this matter, but it is all subjective!)

Edited June 24, 2009 by MiniMaupassant

[GeeTee]

This is one of my favorite Diamine inks (along with teal and majestic blue). Very nice and dark especially with a fine nib.

[dizzypen]

If I didn't already have Noodler's Purple Wampum and MB Violet I'd definitely get this ink. I love the color!

[biffybeans]

It could just be that pen.... My one M200 acts strange sometimes...

 

I tried Storm long ago. Liked the color but it was sooooo thin. I like my inks to be more saturated.

 

It also lubricates the nib really well, which is my favourite characteristic of this ink. (I see that me and BiffyBeans disagree on this matter, but it is all subjective!)

 

[MiniMaupassant]

I tried Storm long ago. Liked the color but it was sooooo thin. I like my inks to be more saturated.

 

Yeah me too, which is why I definitely prefer the Damson.

[Ondina]

This is an ink that came to me as a gift (thank you, misterh) and almost never made it after the first dip. Then, it immediately capture my heart by its flow and properties first, and then by the color. A typical "is growing on me by the minute". Is permanently inked in my best nib pen and I just don't know what I'll do when the bottle runs dry (Diamine's inks are not easy to get where I live).

This ink exhibits properties only second to Waterman's inks, is a beautiful, subtle and elegant shade of dark aubergine that as mentioned could pass as well by black with a purple hue in fine nibbed pens, and can be used both for personal and business purposes with elegant panache. Diamine is certainly making unique, high quality inks, remarkable for a new manufacturer. Damsom is more than recommended.

[Tricia]

Where's the best place to get this ink in the US? Some Diamine sources don't carry this color and it's too beautiful not to have.

 

 

[Raiche58]

I went to the Diamine website and the Damson sample is similar to Private Reserve's Ebony Purple which is one of my favorites. Maybe I'll get to see this with my own eyes at the DC pen show this summer to know for sure.

 

Thanks for the review!

[MiniMaupassant]

This is an ink that came to me as a gift (thank you, misterh) and almost never made it after the first dip. Then, it immediately capture my heart by its flow and properties first, and then by the color. A typical "is growing on me by the minute". Is permanently inked in my best nib pen and I just don't know what I'll do when the bottle runs dry (Diamine's inks are not easy to get where I live).

This ink exhibits properties only second to Waterman's inks, is a beautiful, subtle and elegant shade of dark aubergine that as mentioned could pass as well by black with a purple hue in fine nibbed pens, and can be used both for personal and business purposes with elegant panache. Diamine is certainly making unique, high quality inks, remarkable for a new manufacturer. Damsom is more than recommended.

 

Beautifully put!