Wetness/flow: Iroshizuku Konpeki Vs. Edelstein Topaz

[jonathan7007]

How do these two blues compare in flow and wetness?

 

Thank you to all of wonderful reviews and examples posted here of the characteristics of these two bright blues. I have read many of the posts going back some years but cannot find a direct answer to the choice I have to make.

 

I lean toward the *slight* advantage in color and saturation of Topaz. But I am chasing another effect. Recently I found my FPR superflex #5 nib in the original Himalaya acrylic wrote WAY more consistently and quickly with some Iroshizuku tsuki-yo. That flow made the pen what it was supposed to be. Monteverde lubrication has not been able to deliver the same consistent benefit, for example. Diamine inks (which I like as a whole) are not consistent although Red Dragon seems to be good - a recent purchase.

 

I found an new appreciation for the slightly greeny, less saturated blue of tsuki-yo, and because the bottle is low despite my having moved to other inks, I am going to buy another 50ml.

 

But first something "bright". Comments show that many people find these Pilot colors (in this sub-brand) are formulated to flow well. But I need to know if I can get the same easy, wet, flow in the Edelstein Topaz. I write quickly and use this informal kind of flex for every day notes *and* letters, postcards. I don't write on the nice papers many of the FPN community keep at hand. I need that ink to nearly gush on cotton stationery, and even postcards. (It's a fine line between blorp (feed failure) - document ruined - and punchy, saturated color in letterforms that are consistent.) That "Superflex" nib in #5 and #6 is fussy.

 

So, any thoughts about the flow comparison between Konpeki and Topaz?

Edited October 14, 2020 by jonathan7007

[aurore]

Konpeki is quite a bit wetter. And lightfast.

[Intensity]

Pilot Iroshizuku are on the wet and runny and lubricated end of the ink spectrum. Pelikan Edelstein inks are generally the opposite: drier or very dry, and low to negative (I'm looking at you, Aquamarine) lubrication.

[jonathan7007]

Thank you, Intensity and Aurore.

 

Exactly what I needed before pushing the "take my money" button. I need the predisposition to fast, easy, flow to make non-standard combinations of nib and feed work and even in some factory-spec rigs.

[RJS]

There's a thread here on the most "lubricating" inks where one of the Edelstein inks, Tanzenite, is listed as exceptional in that regard. I bought a bottle after reading that and wasn't disappointed. I'd judge their inks individually, rather than writing them all off in their entirety, which I did for a while. I don't own Topaz, mainly because of the worry that the whole line would be dry.

[RJS]

Various reviews describe this particular ink as medium-to-wet, and the first review I stumbled upon called it a "rather wet and lubricating ink". http://www.clumsypenman.com/ink-review/pelikan-edelstein-topaz/

[jonathan7007]

RJS, I saw that review, too, and it's what piqued my interest in the color as an alternative.

 

Given the apparently *wider* agreement about the flow qualities of kon-peki, I'll order that instead. I am trying to make cheap pens write interesting lines and the ink has to be my ally. Won't always fix the problem but be willing to try!

[RJS]

Pilot inks are excellent and flow well even in my trickier pens. You can't go wrong.

[MsRedpen]

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/308761-ink-shoot-out-pelikan-edelstein-topaz-vs-pilot-iroshizuku-kon-peki/?do=findComment&comment=3632120

 

Here is one super helpful comparison - and I opted for Topaz for my wet Pelikan pens.

[eciton]

I have always found Topaz to be a good ink for flow — not oily like some Sailor or KWZ, more of the runny wet like Herbin. I'd agree with the comment above to judge the Edelstein inks individually.

[inkstainedruth]

Interesting to see Topaz compared to Kon-peki, since I have both inks. But I see them as different colors, with Topaz leaning a little more turquoise, and Kon-peki more of a bright blue without any green/turquoise to it.

What I found to be a much more interesting comparison is Topaz vs. Diamine Havasu Turquoise, because -- side by side -- they appear identical (and I'm the one who sees really subtle nuances between inks on a regular basis). I was even trying to do a comparison using each ink in two different pens for an absolute side by side (until I lost one of the pens... ). The ONLY difference was that I thought that Topaz had a little better flow than Havasu Turquoise; otherwise it would have been a no-brainer of "buy the less expensive ink". I actually ended up buying a small bottle of Havasu Turquoise, but have a preference for Topaz (which is weird because I ended up buying a bottle of the old PR Rose Rage because it was so similar to Iroshizuku Kosumosu (for a fraction of the price).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth