Iroshizuku Kiri-same

[carpedavid]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4400449044_396f805e70_b.jpg

 

Iroshizuku Kiri-same (Misty Dark Gray) by Pilot is the essence of storm clouds in a bottle. It runs the gamut from light to dark gray, as it exhibits significant shading in wider nibs. In fine nibs, it tends to run very light – almost too light for normal use.

 

Like other Iroshizuku inks, it flows well, and I have had no issues using it across a variety of pens and nibs. The drying time for Kiri-same varies dramatically based on the paper used: 2 seconds on Moleskine and Ecosystem journals, and 8 seconds on 80g Rhodia paper. In the Moleskine, the ink exhibits some feathering, but minimal show- and bleed-though.

 

As mentioned, Kiri-same can be very light in a fine nib, which is what I typically use for my daily writing. As such, it has not occupied significant time in my ink rotation. I suspect that I will use it most often with a calligraphy nib, where the full spectrum of its dynamic range can be seen. I can also see using it with a brush, as it mimics the effects of a light wash.

 

As with the other Iroshizuku inks, Kiri-same comes in a beautiful, solid, 50 ml bottle that looks great on one's desk. The bottle has a depression in the base to allow for the last drops to be claimed with ease. The only minor drawback to this ink is the cost – for a comparable volume, Iroshizuku tends to run 50% to 100% more than other inks.

 

Kiri-same is a beautiful ink, but I can only recommend it for specialized purposes.

 

Review materials: For the wide strokes, I used a Lamy 1.1mm steel calligraphy nib on a Lamy Safari. For the fine strokes, I used a Lamy EF steel nib on a Lamy Safari. The paper was 80g Rhodia.

[lovemy51]

thanx for the review and welcome to FPN, CD! it looks a lot like gris nuage, at least on my screen. nice hand-writing!!

[Ed Ronax]

Great review, thanks.

[Triplet Mom]

Love your handwriting and review!! This is one of my favorite inks, especially in my flexible nibs with it's lovely shading properties. The only problem I have had with it was a bank teller not wanting to cash a check I wrote using this ink because she thought it was written in pencil...

 

Warm regards,

Lynne

[Michael R.]

Thank you for this nice review.

 

This is one of my favorite grey inks (cold hues).

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[Inka]

"Storm Clouds in a bottle" is a very fitting name for the color/contrasts it produces, looks just like the dark clouds I've seen when a squall-line was approaching, just before the sky goes black with darker clouds.

Thanks for the review, I was wondering what this ink would look like written out, definitely liking how it looks from a 1.1mm CI nib, would be great for hand-written invitations and hand-made greeting card messages.

[coco]

Love your ink reviews. Haven't purchased this brand yet, but want to, soon. The shading is lovely.

[Margana]

Nice review. It looks good for pale margin notes in addition to the uses mentioned.

[RitaCarbon]

Beautiful review. I like your calligraphy writing - great demonstration of ink intensity variations.

 

Thank you for posting.

[beelzebub23]

There is just something about greys that make my skin crawl when it comes out of a pen. I think I may be like that because of some experiences with black ink that sometimes turns grey for some reason. Not sure why I don't like it. Very good review though.

Edited March 3, 2010 by beelzebub23

[yoplaboum]

I just bought a bottle of this ink two days ago... This is, for me, the perfect grey tone, with wonderfull shading and grey variations. But it can be just too light with a dry pen (even if the nib is a B one). For example, I find it too clear with a Pilot 78G B nib. But I suppose that a too wet pen will give a darker look for this ink, and also in this case, a big part of the "dynamic" of the greys, of the shading will be lost... The balance is important, because the ink is so nice....

Nothing wrong with this grey, except for the price... Ouch !!! It hurts....

[ladyinthemists]

WOW! I'm really late responding to this but only just today we went over to Asheville, NC to my favorite pen shop of all time, Origami Ink, and I bought a bottle of this great ink. I have to say that I LOVE it, carpedavid, it's exactly the shade I hoped it would be....an amazing silvery grey which, for me, is perfect. Thanks for the great review (love the calligraphic handwriting, very good)....Pilot Iroshizuku inks are my favorites!

[Frank C]

I do like this ink. There just aren't too many occasions when gray ink is appropriate. Thanks for the review.

[Charles Skinner]

I like this ink, but wonder, being so "light," if it will fade over time. C. S.