Is Pilot Iroshizuku Fountain Pen Ink worth the money?

[notebookeresq]

I'm a newcomer to fountain pens, and I'm finding that one of my big problems is patience . . . I want to try everything RIGHT NOW. And I'm also drawn to the aesthetically pleasing even when it doesn't make sense.

 

Case in point: Pilot Iroshizuku Fountain Pen Ink. The bottles are stunning (which shouldn't matter, I know, especially if I do as Richard Binder recommends and keep my ink in a box or drawer), as are some of the colors (to the extent I can trust my monitor). But this is expensive stuff! $22.50 for a 50ml bottle is steep.

 

So:

 

1. What qualities does this brand of ink supposedly have that others don't?

2. As a beginner, is it likely I will appreciate the difference from inks I'm using so far (Sailor Jentle Black and J. Herbin Eclat de Saphir), especially in my inexpensive steel-nibbed pens (Lamy Safari w/EF nib and Lamy AL-Star with M nib)?

 

I appreciate any input.

 

Cheers,

 

Note Booker, Esq.

[bluemagister]

The main quality of Iroshizuku is that it is expensive and not really water resistant, but offers some unusual and pretty colors. In my opinion, it's not really worth the cost, especially when you can get J. Herbin inks cheaper and in more colors with the same amount of water resistance. Sailor Jentle Black is a nice black and you won't see any real benefits over it with more expensive inks. It might be best to try PearTreePens's ink samples to see what's out there before you commit to expensive inks.

[avlisyar]

The main quality of Iroshizuku is that it is expensive and not really water resistant, but offers some unusual and pretty colors.  In my opinion, it's not really worth the cost, especially when you can get J. Herbin inks cheaper and in more colors with the same amount of water resistance.  Sailor Jentle Black is a nice black and you won't see any real benefits over it with more expensive inks.  It might be best to try PearTreePens's ink samples to see what's out there before you commit to expensive inks.

+1 on Pear Tree Pens Ink Samplers. It's a great way to tryfour inks to make sure that you like what you see. They offera great assortment of inks to try and dealing with Ryan and Jimis great! (No affiliation, just one happy customer)

[orangos]

To my mind they have the best lubrication of any ink I've tried, and turn a smooth-writing pen into an exceptional one. And some of the colours are drop-dead gorgeous -- Tsuki-Yo is my absolute favourite ink colour.

 

All this is wasted on a shopping list or a Post-It note, but it's dandy for letters, journals, etc.

[Feanor]

I haven't seen any of them in person, but I wouldn't buy one til they come down in price a great deal. Get two or three Pelikan 4001s for the same price, I've been very happy with Pelikan inks.

[foxtail1]

Gorgeous bottles, gorgeous colors, well-behaved inks. As you can see from my pen list below, most of my inked pens are filled with Iroshizuku. My favorites are Yama-budo and Yu-yake.

 

But +1 on Pear Tree ink samplers. It's a great way to get a feel for the inks that you like without ending with many bottles sitting unused in that ink storage drawer. (Note to self: sell ink in marketplace)

 

Kristi

Edited March 19, 2010 by foxtail1

[Siv]

Ink, much like everything in this fountain pen obsession, is an itch that you will have to scratch at some point. I would try varieties of cheaper inks first (Noodlers etc) and get youself some pen variety before trying the more expensive inks. While they are worth it, you get better value for money with cheaper inks and that's where you should start. As they say, you can't appreciate the smooth if you have never experienced the rough!

[CRB]

As for storing the ink out of sunlight, each Iroshizuku bottle comes in a striking textured silver foil package that you could almost call a box; that's where mine stay until I fill a pen with them, (or use them to mix my own shades) at which time I keep the bottle out to enjoy looking at for a day or two. Besides there's enjoyment in even filling from such a beautiful object.

 

Just to clarify, you can get samples of other brands of ink through Pear Tree Pens' sample kit, not Iroshizuku.

[Cedar]

It depends. I passed on it for a long time because of the price. But a couple colors came along that were not like any other color in any other brand. I use those more than anything else. I just don't know any way around your dilemma. Eventually, you have to try them for yourself or learn to live without it. No one can determine if it's "worth it" or not. I only say this because I asked the same questions to try to avoid wasting money. Unfortuntely, people's opinions and perceptions differ and may or may not match your tastes.

I must have upwards of 80 inks. The PR and Noodler's are going to be sold. I still like the Herbin's, Diamine and de Atramentis inks but if I had to get down to 10 inks, I think the Iroshizuku would take 5 of those 10 spots.

 

Cedar

[dagnypup]

Cedar,

 

Could you please say which of the Iroshizuku inks are unlike any other brands? I have been interested in these inks for a while and cannot come up with any other excuse to purchase other than the cool bottle (I'm a sucker for nice packaging!).

 

Cheers!

Dagny

[professionaldilettante]

They are wonderfully smooth and nicely colored. I do love using them, but only for special occasions now, as they are expensive, but it's worth every dime. It's like the quote from Oscar Wilde: The only way to get rids of a temptation is to yield to it.

 

Don't worry young grasshopper. There will be time to try everything, just have to be patient. If you try everything now, you're going to end up with many dead ends of things you don't like. Start slow, and this will last you a lifetime.

[Sandy1]

Hi,

This topic seems to come up from time to time, and for once my opinion remains essentially unchanged, so please pardon the repetition.

The Subject inks offer unique colours, and have extraordinary manners & performance.

Pricing: something is worth what people will pay for it. Plain & simple.

I consider the cost of ink negligible, especially for personal use when one pays for their own stationery, postage, pen/s, etc. Consequently, I use the most appropriate ink colour, and the brand of ink that will maximise the pleasure of writing and of reading my boring missives. (If they look good enough, maybe people won't realise just how profoundly boring they are indeed.)

So, bottom line: Buy a pot, then see how you like it. Oh, I suggest getting a colour you use a lot and are familiar with a few inks. e.g. If you use Herbin 'Eclat de Saphir' and Visconti 'Blue', (both outstanding inks IMHO), then try 'tsuyu-kusa'. Ignore the cost & the packaging, just write! As they say about the NT in Oz, 'You'll never ever know if you never ever go.'

Enjoy!!

Bye,

S1

 

P.S. You can store the ink in the dark, but have the box in view.

[notebookeresq]

Wow, this sure is a friendly place! Nearly a dozen replies in less than two hours, and most of it very wise advice. Slow down. Try other inks first. Build pen variety before going for expensive inks. Be patient. Enjoy the journey.

 

I truly appreciate it! And, it really makes sense.

 

Too bad I didn't see any of that advice until tonight. I barely managed to hold out until lunchtime before ordering a bottle of Tsukushi Field Horsetail Brown (Reddish Dark Brown). In fact, today was ink day. I also ordered a bottle of Noodler's Warden's Ink in Bad Belted Kingfisher (which looks to be a rather blue blue-black) and one almost as exciting as the Iroshizuku: a bottle of Private Reserve Copper Burst. I saw that last one at Flax a couple of weeks ago and immediately loved it, but I was limiting myself to one bottle that day. (Richard Binder says the Private Reserve inks tend to be hugh maintenance, but . . . man, is that a beautiful color!

 

I now own five bottles oh ink and only two converter adapted pens! So, now it's on to expanding my pen collection before buying any more inks. One or two more inexpensive pens, them a pricier one. And I promise, I'll try to slow down!

[Yuki Onitsura]

It's quite addictive isn't it? Whenever I get bored or upset or in the mood to celebrate something, I tend to go and get a bottle of ink. Like everyone else has said, play around with the inks and pens that you already have. heck, if you're feeling a little adventurous, why not try mixing the inks you already own and seeing what comes out of it?

 

Welcome to the nuthouse =)

 

Yuki

[joelchan]

I have 2 bottles, the Yama - budo and the Yama - guri

I paid abt USD21/ bottle.. felt it's worth every dropfor the

 

1) bottle

2) volume

3) ink color, behavior

[Penman222]

I ordered the Syo-ro (Pine Tree Dew) at about $21 per bottle the same time I ordered a bottle of Pelikan 4001 Violet for about $6.50 for the 60 ml bottle. I am not sure if the Iroshizuku is three times better than the Pelikan (which is exceptional by the way), but the flow, color, and smoothness of the Syo-ro has impressed me very much. The ink is bluish when wet but dries to a more greenish color.

 

Will I order another bottle of Iroshizuku? Maybe.

[Cedar]

It's quite addictive isn't it? Whenever I get bored or upset or in the mood to celebrate something, I tend to go and get a bottle of ink. Like everyone else has said, play around with the inks and pens that you already have. heck, if you're feeling a little adventurous, why not try mixing the inks you already own and seeing what comes out of it?

 

Welcome to the nuthouse =)

 

Yuki

 

ha! Exactly! A pen/ink/paper treat can be a real pick-me-up. I'm kind of burned out on pens. Got enough paper but the inks! Oh, those inks! Still offer something to tantalize!

 

Cedar

[Cedar]

Cedar,

 

Could you please say which of the Iroshizuku inks are unlike any other brands? I have been interested in these inks for a while and cannot come up with any other excuse to purchase other than the cool bottle (I'm a sucker for nice packaging!).

 

Cheers!

Dagny

 

The two that are near gray. Fuyu-syogun and Kiri-same. And they are different than the grays I have in Diamine, PR, Noodlers, de Atramentis, Sailor or Herbin. There are so many different blues, one should be able to find a close match but there are not so many gray inks. In my opinion, of course.

I, also, bought yama-budo but it is close to Diamine Claret, thought it may be a bit smoother.

 

Cedar

[churl]

... I barely managed to hold out until lunchtime before ordering a bottle of Tsukushi Field Horsetail Brown (Reddish Dark Brown). In fact, today was ink day. I also ordered a bottle of Noodler's Warden's Ink in Bad Belted Kingfisher (which looks to be a rather blue blue-black) and one almost as exciting as the Iroshizuku: a bottle of Private Reserve Copper Burst. I saw that last one at Flax a couple of weeks ago and immediately loved it, but I was limiting myself to one bottle that day. (Richard Binder says the Private Reserve inks tend to be hugh maintenance, but . . . man, is that a beautiful color! ...

Congrats on the ink purchase!

 

[Warning: unpopular opinions ahead] As far as PR and Noodlers go, I do agree with Binder that PR and Noodlers are often highly saturated and can be high maintenance, but I don't think that Richard is the authority on ink. Case in point is Waterman Blue-Black which gets high marks from him, but is probably the least loved Blue-Black on this board. [/warning]

 

If you find that the PR is too saturated and has poor drying time, a little water can fix it nicely.I dilute all my PR inks at 7:1 ink to water. Also, if you are liking colors, check out Diamine and Herbin.

[ladyambrosia]

Welcome to the nut house. Nothing wrong with enjoying inks. I have a nice selection of inks. I have one PR ink so far and enjoy it. As for the price on the Iroshizuku..it is a bit much for me.