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This is a review of SKB Ink-220, what I call "Sky Blue"

 

On my recent trip to Taiwan, I found a bottle of SKB Ink-220.

 

SKB is one of the historic fountain pen manufacturers in Taiwan. The company was established in 1959 and at one time was one of the top 3 Taiwanese fountain pen manufacturers. While not widely known here in the US, they manufacture a wide range of fountain pens. While I am not certain if SKB produces their own fountain pen ink, they market it under their name. The ink comes in a number of colors. I was only able to obtain one - Ink-220.

 

fpn_1528600885__skb_bottle_1_of_1_small.

SKB Ink 220 comes in a very nice square glass bottle with a heavy plastic screw on cap. The bottle opening is a standard size, similar to DeAtramentis or J. Herbin bottles. The bottle is fairly deep and holds 30 mL of ink. I purchased the bottle for right around $7.00.

 

According to one of my interpreters, SKB stands for: S = Smooth; K = Knowing; B = Beauty

 

Here is my written review of the ink. The paper used for this review is Cambridge Executive spiral notebook paper - a reasonably smooth, less absorbent paper similar to HP copier paper:

 

fpn_1528600104__skb_220_pg_1_1_of_1.jpg

fpn_1528600127__skb_220_pg_2_1_of_1.jpg

fpn_1528600150__skb_220_pg_3_1_of_1.jpg

fpn_1528600167__skb_220_water_resistance

Positives:

  • There is some water resistance, although the letters do spread as the paper dries. My sample was submerged for 5 minutes until the paper was fully saturated. The ink appears fairly resistant to water droplets or simple smearing.
  • The ink dries fairly fast - even with a wet nib on Tomoe River paper.
  • It cleans easily from the pen and converters without staining.

Negatives:

  • The color is too pale for EF nibs or possibly F nibs.
  • There is some bleedthrough with broad or stub nibs on more absorbent papers.

While SKB Ink 220 will likely not be in my regular rotation, it is well behaved, and will be an ink that I will use for special purposes.

"Today will be gone in less than 24 hours. When it is gone, it is gone. Be wise, but enjoy! - anonymous today

 

 

 

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Such a light blue! Lovely hue but this ink isn't easily legible for me.

fpn_1502425191__letter-mini.png

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Great review, thank you. I wonder if it stays as light after a while, I've learned to distrust my own tests as some inks seem to change dramatically even after a few days.

 

The name is quite something, made me think of spies and secret formulas.

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt."

 

B. Russell

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Such a light blue! Lovely hue but this ink isn't easily legible for me.

 

 

Thank you for the lovely comment. Yes, it is such a pretty color, just a bit too light.

"Today will be gone in less than 24 hours. When it is gone, it is gone. Be wise, but enjoy! - anonymous today

 

 

 

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Beautiful blue and beautiful review. Thanks for this input. Still, as said above, not all that legible (depending of course on the light available). Looks like a fair mix of South Seas Blue and Caribbean Sea.

Life is too short to drink bad wine (Goethe)

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Thank you for the review and the history lesson. I enjoyed the experience.

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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This is one I'd like to see side by side with vintage Skrip Peacock, or at least with Diamine Turquoise (which is the closest modern equivalent I've found so far for color and shading).

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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I didn't see any of these inks last time I was in Taiwan--must've been looking in the wrong places! This particular ink isn't a super exciting color, but I'll be on the lookout for their offerings the next time I visit.

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Beautiful blue and beautiful review. Thanks for this input. Still, as said above, not all that legible (depending of course on the light available). Looks like a fair mix of South Seas Blue and Caribbean Sea.

 

 

Thank you for the kind comments. I continue to use this ink, but only in a broader nib. I was hoping that if I left it in one of EFs, it might darken up. No such luck.

"Today will be gone in less than 24 hours. When it is gone, it is gone. Be wise, but enjoy! - anonymous today

 

 

 

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Thank you for the review and the history lesson. I enjoyed the experience.

 

You are very welcome! Thank you for saying so. It is always fun to find "new-to-me" inks.

"Today will be gone in less than 24 hours. When it is gone, it is gone. Be wise, but enjoy! - anonymous today

 

 

 

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I didn't see any of these inks last time I was in Taiwan--must've been looking in the wrong places! This particular ink isn't a super exciting color, but I'll be on the lookout for their offerings the next time I visit.

 

I purchased this at a store across from the Banana Pier in Kaohsiung City (southern part of Taiwan). I also saw this ink in one of the photos of the Ty Lee Pen Shop in Taipei. Ty Lee carries the whole line of SKB pens and inks.

"Today will be gone in less than 24 hours. When it is gone, it is gone. Be wise, but enjoy! - anonymous today

 

 

 

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This is one I'd like to see side by side with vintage Skrip Peacock, or at least with Diamine Turquoise (which is the closest modern equivalent I've found so far for color and shading).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

 

Hi Ruth,

 

Thank you for your comment. I do not have Skrip Peacock, but here is SKB 220 compared to Diamine Turquoise. Diamine Turquoise is darker with just a bit more blue.

 

fpn_1528836860__skb_220_vs_diamine_turqu

"Today will be gone in less than 24 hours. When it is gone, it is gone. Be wise, but enjoy! - anonymous today

 

 

 

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Thanks. That's my answer. I can pass on this ink.

But thanks for the review.

Ruth Morrissonaka 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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Thanks. That's my answer. I can pass on this ink.

But thanks for the review.

Ruth Morrissonaka inkstainedruth

 

 

Thanks for stopping by. I must say that I have been using this ink for highlighting all afternoon yesterday and all morning today, and it works very well for that purpose.

"Today will be gone in less than 24 hours. When it is gone, it is gone. Be wise, but enjoy! - anonymous today

 

 

 

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  • 6 months later...

Brief follow-up on this ink:

 

I have been using SKB 220 for the last few months as part of my regular rotation. In a fine or extra fine nib, it is way too light. But with a wet, medium nib or wider it is quite readable. I have also had fun with sketching with this ink and I find it quite nice, but it does have a bit more granularity to it that I would have expected.

 

Overall, I do like this ink for personal use. It flows well, does not clog my pens, and cleans up easily. It has the added benefit of a bit of water resistance and looks really nice on ivory paper.

"Today will be gone in less than 24 hours. When it is gone, it is gone. Be wise, but enjoy! - anonymous today

 

 

 

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  • 2 years later...

Just a quick update for everyone.  

 

The ink is not called "Sky Blue", it is actually called Bo Yun, which loosely translates to something like "Dial the Clouds".  SKB now has a website:  https://www.skb.com.tw/product/skb文明鋼筆【ink-220】彩墨集鋼筆墨水30ml11色/  

 

 

"Today will be gone in less than 24 hours. When it is gone, it is gone. Be wise, but enjoy! - anonymous today

 

 

 

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  • 1 year later...

Thanks for the review. I was curious about this ink I found at oomomo .Too expensive at 19 dollars for 25 ml. I can get Diamine or Noodlers for that price. Actually even sailor or Pilot iroshiku won't be that expensive. Taiwan inks are too expensive imo.

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