Stipula Calamo - Seven Italians

[visvamitra]

Here we go - this tine I'll try to present Stipula Calamo line. I must say I like these inks.

To be honest I don't really like Stipula fountain pens design. I've tried Passaporto and it wasn't good fountain pen. However their inks are really nice and they all have good properties.

I like the bottle

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/3034/Ws4ABZ.jpg

and I like the content

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/5260/9ZSFuj.jpg

I hope you'll enjoy my presentation. So the contestants are:

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/7866/6drCov.jpghttp://imageshack.com/a/img911/2522/ugskBa.jpg

BLU DELLA ROBBIA (Deep Blue): subtle and delicate shade of blue. Normally I enjoy heavily saturated inks but I like this one.

http://imageshack.com/a/img906/4742/rDd3IS.jpg

BORGOGNA (Dark Red): decent red, not really original or unique but nice nevertheless.

http://imageshack.com/a/img912/3300/8xLx6W.jpg

NERO (Black): black wanna-be but it's not black. More of dark blue-black. I hate black ink so it's not surprising I don't like Nero

http://imageshack.com/a/img537/8326/es3nxU.jpg

ROSSO FIORENTINO: nice but not exciting

http://imageshack.com/a/img905/5397/9RMSEA.jpg

TERRA DI SIENA (Sepia): one of nicest browns I know. Love it.

http://imageshack.com/a/img905/4092/eR1bln.jpg

VERDE MUSCHIATO (Musk Green): most interesting Stipula ink. It has unique color. Of course it can be compared to Burma Road Brown, Hakodate Gagome or Join or Die Sepia but it's not really the same. It rocks.

http://imageshack.com/a/img904/6276/mNA6Ht.jpg

ZAFFERANO (Saffron): my personal favourite. Unhappily it's not really good ink. You have to choose good and pen to enjoy it. In most pens it looks boring and weak.

Ok, let's check some scans and photos.

SWABS (MONDI 90G)

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/6057/bFqWI8.jpg

INK ON KITCHEN TOWEL

http://imageshack.com/a/img743/7972/NObegQ.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img538/2772/fbMM7L.jpg

CALENDAR

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/521/QEhPZV.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/153/bxboC0.jpg

OXFORD PAPER

http://imageshack.com/a/img536/8983/PgIqvW.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img631/4647/YrHU7q.jpg

RHODIA

http://imageshack.com/a/img904/5035/cVbM18.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/7233/kOBrvJ.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img539/2888/dixF9W.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/918/ht5c1c.jpg

[visvamitra]

PILOT 78 G

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/2037/n9tTqD.jpg

DIP PEN

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/6797/iy8K9A.jpg

LYRECO

(it's polish pangram, something like "the quick...")

http://imageshack.com/a/img661/3189/iQ6wJq.jpghttp://imageshack.com/a/img536/3706/ZVupRZ.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img674/701/MYDkGn.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img746/2052/LJr8Bk.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img631/4647/YrHU7q.jpg

DRY TIME

http://imageshack.com/a/img906/5610/Z5IseI.jpg

WATERPROOFNESS

http://imageshack.com/a/img633/1157/fVOGks.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img909/7061/5G1HEp.jpg

These are nice but it wouldn't be fun without full immersion, would it? http://www.piorawieczneforum.pl/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png

Floating

http://imageshack.com/a/img539/4659/lJZL3q.jpg

After immersion

http://imageshack.com/a/img910/2552/965hKf.jpg

After one minute

http://imageshack.com/a/img540/2175/H29fAM.jpg

FADE TEST

I'm going to cut it in two parts. One hald will stay in casy drawer, the other on windowsill. I'll scan them in one month to see the result.

http://imageshack.com/a/img907/9927/OKJY8x.jpg

http://imageshack.com/a/img536/9344/cSPUV2.jpg

SUMMARY

I enjoy these inks. I almost used the samples. I won't buy full bottles of all of them but I think about getting Zafferano, Terra di Siena and Verde Muschiato (these italian names are really cool, sorry to say that but they sound much better than their polish or english translations )

I've read somewhere Stipula was about to release grey ink, I would like to check this one too.

What's your opinion? You can choose few inks from the poll.

My next comparison will be of Pelikan Edelstein inks. In the future I'd like to make the same thing for

Caran d'Ache Colors of the Earth (at the moment I have AMAZON, CARBON, SAFFRON, GRAND CANYON, STORM).

If someone here has the other colors I'm willing to trade or exchange samples

[dannyboy]

This is a fantastic review, a model for all others. You've given us detailed information so that we can see for ourselves how these inks look from several aspects. I've used Verde Muschiato for years now and really love that color and the way that particular ink behaves. Thank you for this great review.

[Ceramicist]

Nice comparison. Thank you. I have two favorite inks from this line although I don't own them- yet.

I love Stipula pens. I have two- one made for Levenger in the 90s and a Stipula Gladiator.

[RMN]

Interesting, now where to find these in the Netherlands.....

 

 

Oh, do you also have a "Rorschach" splash on the Zafferano? Would make it complete...

 

Thanks for an interesting and thorough test.

 

D.ick

[doggonecarl]

You are right, Stipula inks do not get their due recognition. Probably because they are not widely available, at least in the US.

 

I recently picked up Nero, or ebony black. I like that it is not quite "black" black. On a damp paper towel, it diffuses to purple and turquoise components. And I like the subtle shading that this ink delivers.

[visvamitra]

ZAFFERANO ink splash (I don't know how I've missed it, it's so nice)

 

http://imageshack.com/a/img536/9607/2pOwQq.jpg

[RMN]

Thanks, I agree, I'll add it to my poll: Zaffrano, Sienna and Verde.

 

 

D.ick

[Fabienne]

Amazing over the top review. I adore Verde Muschiatto. I was so tempted to say,"is that IT? Aren't you going to give them the radioactivity test, the snow test, the freezing test, and the 10w-40/10w-35/10w-30 motor oil tests? Huh?" Then I decided not to, seeing that you had gone through so much trouble for us lazy little demanding spectators (while not being paid for having done so and doing it out of the kindness of your heart and love of all things inky). Thank you for your time, effort, and great results.

[kazoolaw]

What a well done, and thorough, comparison.

 

I would suggest you try other Stipula pens, as I have found them to be excellent. The Etruria is one of their standouts, and has many reviews here at FPN.

 

Thanks again,

 

gary

Edited August 9, 2014 by gary

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

Many thanks for the sampling!

 

I've only used the Terra di Siena (aka Sepia) and the Verde Muschiato, and have found them to be very fine inks. I'm glad they come in generous 70ml bottles!

 

One aspect that appeals to me is that those two inks have a rather generous performance profile, which makes them suitable for a good range of pen+paper combos; and they are malleable, so the appearance can be changed by choice of pen or paper.

 

Even though I do not use Black FP ink, I am interested in the underlying hue of Nero - I wonder if it would become an attractive Blue-Black if diluted to perhaps 75% concentration. That approach worked well for Noodler's 54^th Massachusetts, so I wonder if it would work for Nero. Hmmm...

 

Bye,

S1

 

__

My Review of Stipula Calamo Sepia : https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/225487-stipula-calamo-sepia/

[visvamitra]

@Sandy1 - I've read your review before I ordered the samples It's helped to take this decision

[77kath]

I did a quick test with all the blues I have. Needed something sort of water resistant. Had a sample of Calamo Blue, which won my little contest. I love it in my Pelican. I'll be getting more! stipula inks, for sure. Actually, I have six or seven Stipula pens, too. Bet they do well with their own inks!

[Scriptorium Pens]

What a fabulous and painstakingly prepared review. Thank you! Verde Muschiato is one of my staples, and the Terra de Sienna is one of my browns that rotates in every now and then. I wanted the Zaffareno to be darker so it could be a daily use gold, but it's too light. It makes a great highlighter, though. I might have to check out the blue, now.

[EFP]

I like the "reds" but in the end my vote goes to Tierra di Siena ~ love sepia.

[Sandy1]

@Sandy1 - I've read your review before I ordered the samples It's helped to take this decision

 

Hi,

 

I'm always gratified when I can enable inky enjoyment.

 

I hadn't anticipated that my IR of a single Stipula ink would cause one to purchase their entire range. But I'm certainly glad you did, and took the time & effort to share with us. That's serious enabling.

 

Wheee!

 

Bye,

S1

[doggonecarl]

 

Even though I do not use Black FP ink, I am interested in the underlying hue of Nero - I wonder if it would become an attractive Blue-Black if diluted to perhaps 75% concentration. That approach worked well for Noodler's 54^th Massachusetts, so I wonder if it would work for Nero. Hmmm...

 

I gave it a try, mixing Stipula Nero 3 to 1 in a Jinhao 159. And it does start morphing into a dark blue black. Or rather, a dark black-blue. The closest it compares to with the B-Bs I own is Montblanc Midnight Blue, the old formulation.

 

Moving beyond the inks I own, the diluted Stipula looks a lot like the ink swab on the Goulet's site for Rohrer & Klingner Leipziger Schwarz.

[Sandy1]

I gave it a try, mixing Stipula Nero 3 to 1 in a Jinhao 159. And it does start morphing into a dark blue black. Or rather, a dark black-blue. The closest it compares to with the B-Bs I own is Montblanc Midnight Blue, the old formulation.

 

Moving beyond the inks I own, the diluted Stipula looks a lot like the ink swab on the Goulet's site for Rohrer & Klingner Leipziger Schwarz.

 

Hi,

 

Many thanks for trying the diluted Nero and sharing the results.

 

Ye olde MB Blue-Black with iron-gall remains my favourite ink, so a pot of Nero may be considered when/if I ever return to my ink pots.

 

Bye,

S1

[jrobert6]

This is a fantastic review, a model for all others. You've given us detailed information so that we can see for ourselves how these inks look from several aspects. I've used Verde Muschiato for years now and really love that color and the way that particular ink behaves. Thank you for this great review.

+1. Thanks for this wonderful public service! I'll have to add one or more of these to my wish list!

[rfgates]

I really enjoy writing with Stipula Calamo Nero ink. I have two of my pens inked with it on a regular basis. I like the matte finish rather than the wet finish of some other black inks.