(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)
It's always exciting to discover new ink brands, even after all these years of trying new things. No matter what it is or how seemingly similar it is to something you already have, the unique take from a different person or brand is interesting and worth checking out. This week, I'm trying out an ink from a new-to-me ink maker called Vinta Inks.
Based in the Philippines, Vinta Inks is passionate about creating unique, high-quality fountain pen inks that we can all enjoy, but their mission goes deeper than just the ink they sell. They also partner with Teach for the Philippines to donate part of each sale to the betterment of their fellow Filipinos. It's a worthy cause, and you get great ink as a bonus!
The first ink I'm trying from Vinta is called Azure Maharlika, and it's a deep azure blue with light shading characteristics and a beautiful pink/red sheen that glistens on top of the ink once it's dried. In most scenarios, this looks like a typical dark blue when writing with a standard fountain nib (anything broad and smaller), but it really shines when paired with a larger nib. In areas where the ink pools, you'll notice a pink or red sheen after the ink dries. It's a beautiful effect, and I really can't get enough of it.
I'm a sucker for inks that have a good deal of shading, but this one just doesn't quite do it for me. There is some shading, but it's minimal and difficult to notice when writing. It comes out more in wider nibs, but I typically write with nibs that fall between EF and M. With those size nibs, it's difficult to see any shading, but it's there even though it's subtle.
Writing with this ink has been a pleasure. It behaves very well in my pens and I haven't had any complaints so far. The ink flows immediately and smoothly, and the lines it creates are crisp and deeply saturated. The dark blue color looks great on paper, and it could even pass in more professional settings due to how dark it is. I wouldn't call it a blue-black; it's definitely a blue ink, so don't expect anything darker than a deep blue.
Dry time is a little difficult to describe with this ink. The majority of a stroke is dry enough to resist smudging after just a few seconds, but any areas of pooled ink can take up to 30 seconds to fully dry. If you're using a small nib, you'll notice that the ink is smudge-resistant after 10-15 seconds. Larger nibs require more dry time, but only for small spots where the ink has pooled a bit. Based on how quickly you write and what pen/nib you are using, this could be sufficient for quick-drying requirements. It's not quick enough or consistent enough to recommend as a good leftie ink, but it does a better job than most.
What really sets this ink apart for me is the lovely sheen that appears shortly after the ink dries. It's a beautiful red/pink color that pairs so well with the dark blue. I just wish it showed up more in smaller lines. This just gives me a reason to use my larger nibs more often!
Vinta Maharlika is available from Vanness Pens for $14.50 for a 30ml bottle. And if you're not sure you want a whole bottle, you can also pick up a small sample vial. I really appreciate Vinta Ink's mission and look forward to supporting them in the future. If all of their inks perform like this one, I'm excited to try more colors!
(Vanness Pens provided this product at a discount to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)
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