Review: Diamine Damson Fountain Pen Ink

Diamine New Century Damson fountain pen ink tested in a lined off-white Paperblanks journal, with a fine nibbed Pelikan M200 fountain pen.

I'm still not sure what to make of this color. It's a dark purplish eggplant/aubergine and you really have to look close to see the color. At first glance, you might think it's black but upon closer inspection it's a purplish black, similar to Herbin's Possuire de Lune, but not as gray.

The flow is good, though not spectacular with this pen and I'm not really sure if it's because of the pen or the ink. I'm feeling like I have to push the pen a bit. I would call it a "dry" ink because this pen isn't typically a dry writer but one never knows....

I first noted that I wasn't sure if I liked the color, but after using it for a while, (because the M200 holds a ton of ink...) It's starting to grow on me. I must like it at least a little bit because I could have simply flushed it from the pen - but I didn't. I'll keep it around for a bit ans see what happens. I've moved on from the Possuire de Lune because I felt it to be too gray once dry. This color does seem to not really go in that direction which is why I might be liking it.

There is some shading but it's hard to see. I'd call the color a bit "flat" and I almost wish it was more vibrant.

You can see more of the purple in the sample (0n white Clairefontaine watercolor paper than when I wrote with it in the journal.

From the Diamine Website:

30ml Diamine Fountain Ink:

"Brand New Design PVC Bottle, Light weight and with an affordable price makes the full range of 60 colors very collectible, ideal for students or beginners still searching for their personal color of choice.

Damson is a "New Century" Fountain Pen Ink. Launched in January 2006, New Century Fountain Pen Ink is available in 30 vibrant shades also suitable for any fountain pen brand"

Buy Diamine Inks in the UK at The Writing Desk or directly from Diamine and in the US from The Pear Tree Pen Company Ink is sold in 80ml glass bottles, 30 ml plastic bottles, and selected colors are available in cartridge form.