Kwzi Violet #2

[white_lotus]

Perhaps everyone knows by now, but in case some do not, that there are wonderful inks coming out of Poland under the brand name KWZ Inks. They are really very well made, have good characteristics, and are well worth your consideration. Not many stores stock these inks, but Vanness does in the US and I think there is a store in Belgium perhaps. I think one can even order direct from KWZ online, but that may only be necessary if an existing supplier is out of stock. The prices are very reasonable, $12/60 ml bottle in the US.

 

I purchased this ink, the Violet #2, as part of the 3rd North American "group buy" in early 2015. It is part of the "water resistant" series of KWZ inks, which is only available direct from KWZ Inks. I imagine that stores don't see a reason to carry such an ink when you could buy an IG ink, but some of us don't need permanent inks, nor the extra pen care that goes with IG inks.

 

The Violet #2 is more of a muted purple compared with Violet #7 which is more of a red-violet.

 

I tested the ink on my usual papers: MvL=Mohawk via Linen, Hij=Hammermill 28lb inkjet, and TR=Tomoe River.

 

I apologize for my poor photo manipulation skills. They always show the ink as darker than it really is and often more saturated, so comparison with other reviews, as well as images on the sales sites and the reference images here on FPN done by Cyber6 for the full list of KWZ Inks (May 2015 edition) will prove valuable. I personally find the last being the most accurate representation of the inks.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/280869-kwzi-full-list-may-2015/?p=3215166

 

Color representation not bad, but too saturated.

 

 

Definitely darker and more saturated than how the ink on paper looks.

 

Much better...

 

A little dark, but about right.

 

[Tas]

Thank you !

[WildingLeather]

Sigh. I think once I get off my ink-making stint I'll be making a serious investment in some KWZ inks, especially the IGs. Thanks for such a lovely review! The chromatography and water test are both really pretty to me

 

Oh, and as to the inks only being available in Poland, rumor is that here in the US Vanness Pens carries them now!

[white_lotus]

Thanks for the comments.

 

I thought I mentioned that Vanness carries KWZ inks? But they don't seem to carry the water resistant inks, only the IG and Standard inks.

[lapis]

Thanks for the good review. Really my kind of purple; let's say "grape" or "plum". I too can only recommend these inks. As you say, very reasonble pices. Especially for me, and just around the coner, so to say, shipping was fast (slower to the US, I know, but for you folks too, maybe still "fast" as well (?).

 

Best wishes

Mike in Krautland

[white_lotus]

Definitely in the "grape" and "plum" category, which I like as well.

 

In the US, Vanness shipping is very fast. The Violet's I got through the 2015 Group Buy, so that was a major project. I imagine normal shipping to US is pretty reasonable.

[WildingLeather]

Thanks for the comments.

 

I thought I mentioned that Vanness carries KWZ inks? But they don't seem to carry the water resistant inks, only the IG and Standard inks.

I'm sorry, you certainly did! I misread your review. My apologies.

[white_lotus]

No problem, it was easy to miss!

[white_lotus]

UPDATE September 18, 2016

 

I have some sad news to report regarding this ink. It appears the blue dye used is quite fugitive to light, and the KWZ Violet #2 exhibits even more the green ghosting on the back sides of pages on Hammermill 28 lb inkjet paper.

 

Here you can see quite clearly the ghosting. On Tomoe River there is some effect as well, as some of the letters appear green on the back and some the same color as the front.

 

Here is a picture of the Tomoe River sheet as it appears today. You may compare it with the original above to see the drastic change.

 

 

My review notebooks were kept on my desk near the computer, so were exposed to light as there is a window nearby, and a lamp there as well. The last page was the KWZI Violet #2 and it is unchanged other than the green ghosting on the back. So light is one problem. I';ll have to store these in a different location such as a drawer or on a bookshelf.