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Diamine New Shimmer Inks - The Latest Releases


The Good Captain

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I've just completed my simple review of the latest twelve new inks in the Shimmer range, from Diamine. Six with gold particles and six with silver. Although I don't like 'particle' inks, per se, this new release is actually superb. Let's be honest though; it's purely my opinion and I don't really think that any judgement should be made before trying them out for yourselves. As with any ink/pen/paper combination. But, we should all know and respect that...

 

There are a dozen new colours as I mentioned and I will just post a simple scan of my test. I've recently had to get a new phone but it has a rather better camera than my last one, so pictures, rather than scans, will follow tomorrow. However I will say, that the particular distribution shows up with this batch, better than the first one, even with a flat-bed scan, so I think there has been a real improvement.

 

I decided to use the Sailor Sapporo B nib for the tests, as before, and have to say that there was NO problem in cleaning out the pen between inks. After each fill I used the converter to rinse out the nib section eight times, under a running tap - not TOO much due to the water meter! - and even before the end of that cycle, there wasn't a hint of any metallic particles. I then just checked the converter, and gave it a flush. Then I used a rubber bulb to flush through the nib and section. Only after all twelve inks, did I finally take the section apart and there wasn't a hint of metallic or dye residue at all.

 

I'm impressed.

 

So now to the colours. All I have to add to my comments, is that I may have made different notes to the writing of a particular ink. The differences are purely due to distractions - there are no differences with any of these colours. They all perform very well with the pen and paper I used for the tests.

 

First, the gold particle inks.

 

fpn_1475100311__pink_glitz-shimmer_2_gol

 

 

 

fpn_1475100331__inferno_orange-shimmer_2fpn_1475100343__cocoa_shimmer-shimmer_2_fpn_1475100358__caramel_sparkle-shimmer_

 

fpn_1475100374__blue_flame-shimmer_2_gol

 

<img src='https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/uploads/imgs/fpn_1475100387__golden_oasisshimmer_2_gold_0006.jpg' alt='Golden Oasisshimmer 2 gold_0006.jpg' />

 

And now the silver particles!

 

fpn_1475100422__moon_dust-shimmer_2_silv

 

fpn_1475100457__enchanted_ocean-shimmer_

 

fpn_1475100470__tropical_glow-shimmer_2_

 

fpn_1475100484__lilac_satin-shimmer_2_si

 

fpn_1475100497__magenta_flash-shimmer_2_

 

fpn_1475100510__fire_strom_red-shimmer_2

 

I will post pictures of some of these, to try to show the particles but, in the meantime; enjoy!

Edited by The Good Captain

The Good Captain

"Meddler's 'Salamander' - almost as good as the real thing!"

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Thanks for the review.

I think I will try 'Enchanted Ocean' asap, it looks really beautiful. 'Cocoa Shimmer' and 'Inferno Orange' are really nice too.

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The pink and magenta look nicer than I expected, from the blobs we first saw. I'm having trouble with the image for Golden Oasis, though, which is one I was really looking forward to seeing.

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I wait for new standard colors from Diamine :) Glittering ones aren't for me.

I'll see what I can do...!

The Good Captain

"Meddler's 'Salamander' - almost as good as the real thing!"

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It may be my screen but I cannot actually see any benefit in using these inks based on the writing samples you have given, perhaps in reality there is more effect, if that is what you want.

 

I see that you fill the pen and then wash it out immediately after one page of use, this might not be real world use for many and having had poor experience of other Diamine products then this range is not for me.

 

Here is hoping that others enjoy the range and follow Good Captains example of rinsing the pen after every use - sounds like a good ploy for more sales!

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And as promised, photos of the inks which I hope will be acceptable.

 

fpn_1475145480__img_20160929_085828.jpg

 

fpn_1475145495__img_20160929_085836.jpg

 

fpn_1475145508__img_20160929_085853.jpg

 

fpn_1475145577__img_20160929_085857.jpg

 

fpn_1475145592__img_20160929_085918.jpg

 

fpn_1475145603__img_20160929_085921.jpg

 

fpn_1475145618__img_20160929_085941.jpg

 

fpn_1475145635__img_20160929_085949.jpg

 

I have to say - again - these inks all write very well but will probably suit a wider nib than one might normally prefer, just to get the full sparkle/shimmer effect. I can see one or two from both issues being somewhere in my rotation.

Converters that have open ends, eg Sailor, International etc would be best. Lamy has a grommet at the end and I did find some of the metal particles difficult to completely remove, when I was testing the first batch.

Also, Sailor nibs, at least from the Sapporo I used, are particularly easy to take apart for full cleaning, but I really didn't find it necessary while doing these tests.

Enjoy!

The Good Captain

"Meddler's 'Salamander' - almost as good as the real thing!"

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It may be my screen but I cannot actually see any benefit in using these inks based on the writing samples you have given, perhaps in reality there is more effect, if that is what you want.

 

I see that you fill the pen and then wash it out immediately after one page of use, this might not be real world use for many and having had poor experience of other Diamine products then this range is not for me.

 

Here is hoping that others enjoy the range and follow Good Captains example of rinsing the pen after every use - sounds like a good ploy for more sales!

I have to clean out the pen after each ink's test. It's the 'broadest' I have and therefore it should be a clean as possible before using a new colour. If I were to pick a colour of any ink in any pen, then that would usually stay in that pen until depleted or until I got bored of it.

If you have had bad experiences of other Diamine products - tell them! I'm sure they'll be happy to work out the issues.

The Good Captain

"Meddler's 'Salamander' - almost as good as the real thing!"

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Thank you for this Good Captain, I use inks pretty much as you do, fill my pen and then use it until the pen is empty.

 

I have used Shimmer inks in a number of pens and found the flow was poor and in one case the pen was blocked completely, I sent it to MB for service and they were very critical of Diamine inks and suggested that I make contact with Diamine and reject the inks with the US agent. Diamine say that they were aware that Shimmer inks blocked pen feeds, there only suggestion was to wash the pen after every use and do not refill the pen until it is to be used again.

 

Poor advice if your choice of pen is a Vacumatic or a P61, and I see that your preferred pen for this ink is a broad nibbed pen with strong flow. By implication would you agree that there is a potential problem for pen users who prefer fine or medium nibs with normal flow?

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The pink, magenta and lilac ones have definitely whetted my appetite....

Thanks for posting. And not....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

"It's very nice, but frankly, when I signed that list for a P-51, what I had in mind was a fountain pen."

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Thank you for this Good Captain, I use inks pretty much as you do, fill my pen and then use it until the pen is empty.

 

I have used Shimmer inks in a number of pens and found the flow was poor and in one case the pen was blocked completely, I sent it to MB for service and they were very critical of Diamine inks and suggested that I make contact with Diamine and reject the inks with the US agent. Diamine say that they were aware that Shimmer inks blocked pen feeds, there only suggestion was to wash the pen after every use and do not refill the pen until it is to be used again.

 

Poor advice if your choice of pen is a Vacumatic or a P61, and I see that your preferred pen for this ink is a broad nibbed pen with strong flow. By implication would you agree that there is a potential problem for pen users who prefer fine or medium nibs with normal flow?

With respect to MB, they have always seemed to be critical of every product that isn't MB. In my opinion, of course.

I have never had any issues with Diamine products, with the Possible exception of Majestic Blue, which just never seems to dry totally. Akkerman's Shocking Blue has the same red sheen as Majestic - they are NOT the same ink - but it dries and is much less prone to smearing.

Personally, I would suggest that these shimmer inks have a particular purpose: not necessarily just the 'novelty' value. With that in mind, a pen with a wider nib than might be normally used by anyone, could be worth considering. My Sailor just happened to fit the bill and as I mentioned, is very easy to clean. Before the new batch, I had Shimmering Seas in it for ages, almost to the point of drying out, and there were no problems whatsoever.

So, yes, I would suggest a wet-writing, wider nib is a good starting point.

The Good Captain

"Meddler's 'Salamander' - almost as good as the real thing!"

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  • 2 weeks later...

Nice! May have to try the Coco Shimmer!

PAKMAN

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Need a sample of Moon Dust... I love grey inks and will be happy to give this one a try. Thanks for sharing.

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." -Pablo Picasso


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Great review, thank you :)

 

 

Very soon - November 2016 :)

 

 

We look forward to the new inks.

Edited by Kenlowe
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Thank you!

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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