Ink Review - New KWZ 'All that Glitters' Ink!
Last month, KWZ launched four new glitter inks as part of the 'All that Glitters' line, a project that Konrad, the owner and creator of KWZ Inks, has been diligently developing over the years. The new colors introduced by KWZ include Fields of Barley (green with gold), Stardust Blue (blue with silver), Firecracker (orange with gold), and Jurassic Treasure (green gold with gold).
KWZ provided information indicating that the glitter pigment particles in these inks exhibit a slower settling rate than typical shimmer inks due to a unique stabilization process and the size of the glitter pigment particles. This innovative approach ensures a consistent writing experience with evenly dispersed glitter throughout.
In mid-July, we received the entire range of All that Glitters inks and conducted thorough testing over a few weeks. While we appreciate glitter/shimmer inks, we are also aware of the additional maintenance they require. These inks can be challenging for new fountain pen users and those unfamiliar with this type of ink. Understanding that shimmer inks behave differently from standard fountain pen inks, we took all these factors into account for our review of the new KWZ All that Glitters inks.
**Our review and testing of these inks took approximately two weeks. We utilized our pens, Bock nibs, Rhodia paper, and low quality copy paper during the tests.
Observations, thoughts, and opinions:
The All that Glitters inks come in 30ml bottles.
We observed some settling of the glitter particles at the bottom of the jars, but with one to two shakes the particles mixed fully within the ink. The jar was allowed to sit undisturbed to observe the resettling of the particles. After approximately 7-10 minutes we could observe a small amount of the particles start to settle at the bottom, but when the jar was inverted one time the particles were fully mixed again.
We checked the dry time of the inks, which ranged between 12 and 15 seconds. During our tests we used Bock nibs and we used fine tip, medium tip, broad tip, and stub tip. The ink performed very well with all of the sizes of nibs.
The flow and feel of these inks is similar to the standard KWZ inks. Even when using a fine tip nib, we did not experience any blockage of the glitter particles.
Upon writing two pages of notes with the Firecracker ink we noticed there was consistent glitter throughout all two pages. No areas of the writing throughout the two pages appeared to loose or have less of a shimmer.
When we sell shimmer inks, we often encourage the buyer to use the ink with broad tip nibs so the shimmer will show in their writing. When using a fine tip nib with the KWZ ink, we still saw a large amount of shimmer to the writing, which was unusual (and exciting). We also advise customers that shimmer inks sometimes work better on high quality paper such as Rhodia or Clairefontaine. So, we tried the Jurassic Treasure on low quality copy paper and it looked perfect! Even on the lower quality paper we got a ton of sheen to the writing and it looked very metallic. Below is a photo of the Fields of Barley with flow and glitter consistency.
After allowing the pens to sit overnight, we rotated the pen a couple of times to get the glitter particles mixed in the converter. The pen had no problems starting up right away. It took the shimmer approximately two words to start showing consistently, once again.
Colors
The colors are very nice. The constant glitter in the inks gives them a metallic look.
Firecracker is a nice bright orange with gold glitter. The gold mixes in nice with the orange giving it a nice pop in color.
The Stardust blue has silver glitter. From one angle you will see a deep blue with hints of silver glitter throughout your writing and from other angles you will see silver writing highlighted with blue.
Fields of Barley mixes a wonderful green with gold which lends to the name. The gold goes so well with the green and you get a lot of green to gold coloring throughout the words and sentences.
Jurassic Treasure is a little harder to explain. It has hints of gold, green, and brown mixed with gold glitter. Of all the inks we would consider 'Old Gold,' this may be the winner! The glitter mixes so well with the color of ink that it looks like you are writing with gold and you can really see the metallic look.
The downside: There are only four colors! These inks are so wonderful to write with that we wanted more! more colors, please!
Cleaning
Shimmer inks often cause problems when the glitter particles start clogging up in the feed and nib areas of your fountain pen. So we looked at the cleanup process and how much of the glitter particles are left in the feed area after several days of use. We pulled the feed on the KWZ ink and another brand to compare. There was evidence of glitter particles on both feeds. When the feeds were submerged in water and then wiped with a paper towel, the amount of glitter that came off of the feed with KWZ ink was substantially less. This made for quick and easy cleanup, but it also showed evidence the glitter particles were not clogging up on the feed as much as expected. Below are two photos of the feeds after they have been dipped in water and cleaned with a paper towel.
Our Overall Thoughts:
Having tested and used the ink for personal purposes over a period of two weeks, we are delighted with the outcomes. We wholeheartedly endorse this ink to individuals seeking a shimmer ink, particularly those who are new to using such products. For any inquiries regarding this ink, please reach out to us at ProvincialMills@outlook.com.
New Product: Bortoletti Inkwell
We have recently introduced a new inkwell to our store. The Bortoletti inkwell features a glass body with a bronze hinged cap that was hand-chiseled. It has a capacity of up to 30ml of ink. This inkwell is our inaugural model with a hinged cap. If you have an interest in history, calligraphy, and items that evoke the past, do take a look at this unique inkwell.
The Colorado Pen Show
The upcoming Colorado Pen Show in Denver, Co. scheduled for October 11, 12, and 13, is an event we eagerly anticipate. This particular show holds a special place in our hearts, as it never fails to deliver a delightful and enriching experience for pen enthusiasts (and it's our home state). To ensure that our customers are well-informed and prepared, we are providing postcards containing all the essential details about the Colorado Pen Show. If you wish to receive one of these postcards as a friendly reminder about the show, simply reach out to us through our contact form available at the following link: https://www.provincialmills.com/contact.
Furthermore, by creating a login on our website, you will unlock the opportunity to accumulate loyalty points that can be redeemed for exciting rewards on your future purchases. The Colorado Pen Show serves as a perfect platform to connect, explore, and indulge in the shared love for fine writing instruments. Join us on this captivating journey and let's celebrate the art of penmanship together at the Colorado Pen Show!
If that isn't enough to get you to the show, keep in mind that Provincial Mills is one of the show sponsors, and will be providing pens, inks and more to be given away in raffles throughout the three days.
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