Kwz Ink Sheen Machine

[lgsoltek]

Sheen Machine is the latest release from KWZI. As the name suggests, it's one of those heavily saturated red-sheened blue inks. Arguably KWZI jumped on the sheeny bandwagon a bit late. Diamine, for example, seems to have tons of them already under with different "exclusive" labels (Maureen for Cult Pens, Skull & Roses for German market, and another one for the Philippines, etc.). But as can be expected from KWZI this is a very smooth and wet ink. It's a pleasure to write with.

Such sheen-heavy inks tend to dry very slowly and smear badly. I'm glad to report that the KWZI dries reasonably fast, even though in the splash it looks like a blob of wet ink - but it's totally dried. And it doesn't smear at all with a dry finger when the ink has totally dried.

The only fault I can find in this ink is that it tends to dry out on the nib uncapped. Merely 20 seconds suffice to cause hard-starting, although it's not difficult to make it start again.

Splash

(Col-o-ring card)

Writing sample

(Rhodia)

(Tomoe River)

This writing sample has been rubbed on with a dry finger multiple times. No smearing observed.

Sheen

(under sunlight: Rhodia)

(under sunlight: Tomoe River)

(under sunlight: Col-o-ring)

Dry-out and hardstarting

(Clairefontaine 80g copy paper)

Comparison

(Maruman looseleaf)

Sheen Machine is greener than the two sheeny Diamines.

Miscellaneous

(Tomoe River)

[bobje]

Your close-up photography and personal experiences with the ink are so detailed and helpful. Thank you.

[Uncial]

I really like it, but found that it took 2 minutes and 30 seconds to dry fully on Leuchtturm paper (didn't test it on others but it seemed to be a slow dryer on Tomoe) and found it didn't give nib dry out issues (although it is in a very wet Visconti nib at present). It did bleed quite a bit on the Leuchttrum paper, but not on Tomoe, although there is quite significant show through, but no actual bleed.

[lgsoltek]

I really like it, but found that it took 2 minutes and 30 seconds to dry fully on Leuchtturm paper (didn't test it on others but it seemed to be a slow dryer on Tomoe) and found it didn't give nib dry out issues (although it is in a very wet Visconti nib at present). It did bleed quite a bit on the Leuchttrum paper, but not on Tomoe, although there is quite significant show through, but no actual bleed.

 

I think dry time and dry-out on nib have to do with humidity. It's very dry here currently. I imagine it would dry more slowly and have less dry-out on the nib in a more humid place.

[Uncial]

Good point, it's been very, very humid here for the last week and a half.

I think it may also be the Visconti nib too - it's seriously wet.

Edited August 31, 2019 by Uncial

[Methanius]

I immediately knew your review would be here, when you posted the ink on Instagram! Nice review, and while massive sheen does not make me want to compromise on ink properties, it does seem Konrad has yet another good ink on his hands, even if not one for me. Your comparisons however have me wanting to try out J Herbin Bleu de Profondeurs and KWZ Blueblack!

[lgsoltek]

I immediately knew your review would be here, when you posted the ink on Instagram! Nice review, and while massive sheen does not make me want to compromise on ink properties, it does seem Konrad has yet another good ink on his hands, even if not one for me. Your comparisons however have me wanting to try out J Herbin Bleu de Profondeurs and KWZ Blueblack!

 

Oh Bleu des Profondeurs is definitely worth trying. KWZIBB is still in testing.

[fireofspring]

Thank you for the review and dry-time tests!

[eharriett]

Any idea how this compares to Organics Studio Thoreau Walden Pond? I saw this at Vanness. Wasn't sure if I wanted or not. Its KWZ so I might be interested. Is this part of the regular lineup?

[lgsoltek]

Any idea how this compares to Organics Studio Thoreau Walden Pond? I saw this at Vanness. Wasn't sure if I wanted or not. Its KWZ so I might be interested. Is this part of the regular lineup?

 

I believe it is part of the regular lineup. I have no idea about the OS. I’ve never used any OS inks.

[Uncial]

Walden Pond is a much more beautiful colour and the sheen is somewhat stronger but the nib dryout is painful and frustrating.

[Cassotto]

Is this easy to clean from the pen?

[amberleadavis]

Great review!  I especially love the comparisons.