Mike
@inkdependence.bsky.social
Stationery lover, youtuber, streamer, pet-keeper, k-pop lover, and philosophy teacher.
Pigmented inks are fine, but don’t use India inks in a fountain pen. It’s got lacquer in it, and that’ll really ruin a feed.
December 17, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Pigmented inks are fine, but don’t use India inks in a fountain pen. It’s got lacquer in it, and that’ll really ruin a feed.
Depends on what’s wrong, but licking is the least-good option. Room temp water, a little dish soap, and time will fix mist any dried up fountain pen. An ultrasonic (cold water!) is also super helpful.
December 17, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Depends on what’s wrong, but licking is the least-good option. Room temp water, a little dish soap, and time will fix mist any dried up fountain pen. An ultrasonic (cold water!) is also super helpful.
These are 3D printed, but it’s a real fancy one that prints them in a tank of some sort. The barrel feels like solid acrylic.
December 16, 2025 at 11:38 PM
These are 3D printed, but it’s a real fancy one that prints them in a tank of some sort. The barrel feels like solid acrylic.
I have a video on this one, and the DNA helix model I have was really easy to clean. Never had the gas-exchange issues that additive had, either. I used it from August through a week ago without issues.
December 16, 2025 at 11:36 PM
I have a video on this one, and the DNA helix model I have was really easy to clean. Never had the gas-exchange issues that additive had, either. I used it from August through a week ago without issues.
I’ve got several videos on my favorite browns, too there are SO many good ones out there.
December 14, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I’ve got several videos on my favorite browns, too there are SO many good ones out there.
Oh, no. Yeah, never put India ink in anything like a fountain pen. It’s got lacquer in it, and that’s real bad for fountain pens. Good luck with the rescue!
December 14, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Oh, no. Yeah, never put India ink in anything like a fountain pen. It’s got lacquer in it, and that’s real bad for fountain pens. Good luck with the rescue!
For the drama? That brand name plus things like “controversy” or “racism” or “antisemitism” will probably find the info you’re looking for. 😬
December 14, 2025 at 7:21 PM
For the drama? That brand name plus things like “controversy” or “racism” or “antisemitism” will probably find the info you’re looking for. 😬
Zero, though I’ve only used a typewriter a handful of times.
December 14, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Zero, though I’ve only used a typewriter a handful of times.
The Diamine Forever series of inks are also pigmented, and I think they’re waterproof, but I haven’t done a lot of testing with them yet.
December 14, 2025 at 5:07 PM
The Diamine Forever series of inks are also pigmented, and I think they’re waterproof, but I haven’t done a lot of testing with them yet.
PH Martin makes a series called “Ocean Inks” in red, blue, and black that are waterproof pigmented inks for fountain pens. I really liked them.
Bright, Bold, & Waterfast! Check out the fountain pen inks from Dr. Ph. Martin! Used for 8 months!
youtu.be/RVTn6I-lnm8
Bright, Bold, & Waterfast! Check out the fountain pen inks from Dr. Ph. Martin! Used for 8 months!
youtu.be/RVTn6I-lnm8
Bright, Bold, & Waterfast! Check out the fountain pen inks from Dr. Ph. Martin! Used for 8 months!
YouTube video by Mike Matteson
youtu.be
December 14, 2025 at 5:06 PM
PH Martin makes a series called “Ocean Inks” in red, blue, and black that are waterproof pigmented inks for fountain pens. I really liked them.
Bright, Bold, & Waterfast! Check out the fountain pen inks from Dr. Ph. Martin! Used for 8 months!
youtu.be/RVTn6I-lnm8
Bright, Bold, & Waterfast! Check out the fountain pen inks from Dr. Ph. Martin! Used for 8 months!
youtu.be/RVTn6I-lnm8
And some stores (like Yoseka in NY) sell the small bottles on their own.
December 14, 2025 at 5:04 PM
And some stores (like Yoseka in NY) sell the small bottles on their own.
These swatch cards look great! Is that a washi tape you’re using for the top/bottom?
December 13, 2025 at 8:28 PM
These swatch cards look great! Is that a washi tape you’re using for the top/bottom?
I use something like this. Not fancy. 😆
December 10, 2025 at 3:13 PM
I use something like this. Not fancy. 😆
I slip the blade in parallel against the side between bottle and plastic sleeve and just sort of pivot the blade so that it cuts the sleeve some. Then it comes off much more easily.
December 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
I slip the blade in parallel against the side between bottle and plastic sleeve and just sort of pivot the blade so that it cuts the sleeve some. Then it comes off much more easily.
I use a utility knife with one of those cat-claw blades, but anything works as long as I can slit the plastic a bit. It’s dang near impossible to do without a knife, tho.
December 10, 2025 at 2:55 PM
I use a utility knife with one of those cat-claw blades, but anything works as long as I can slit the plastic a bit. It’s dang near impossible to do without a knife, tho.
The chameleon part is the specific shimmer type. They aren’t all pink, but they’re bright and often show more than one color as they catch different lights.
December 10, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The chameleon part is the specific shimmer type. They aren’t all pink, but they’re bright and often show more than one color as they catch different lights.
Nah. The only trick is that you’ll want to use distilled water to clean it out of your pen. The particles in Chou Kuro will latch on to impurities in tap water and clump up a bit. It cleaned out really easily for me with distilled, though.
December 5, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Nah. The only trick is that you’ll want to use distilled water to clean it out of your pen. The particles in Chou Kuro will latch on to impurities in tap water and clump up a bit. It cleaned out really easily for me with distilled, though.
I’ve been loving them! The pigmented red is bright, and today’s doesn’t smell like patchouli to me, but I do love that scent, so it’d be okay if it did. It smells like a pipe tobacco store, I think.
December 4, 2025 at 3:04 PM
I’ve been loving them! The pigmented red is bright, and today’s doesn’t smell like patchouli to me, but I do love that scent, so it’d be okay if it did. It smells like a pipe tobacco store, I think.
Here are several! Platinum Chou Kuro is the darkest, hands down.
Mike's 5 Favorite Black Inks in 2023!
YouTube video by Mike Matteson
youtu.be
December 4, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Here are several! Platinum Chou Kuro is the darkest, hands down.
This is the right answer. Nothing is blacker than this ink.
December 4, 2025 at 2:56 PM
This is the right answer. Nothing is blacker than this ink.
$110!? That’s bonkers, Bungu! They’re sub $40 in the US when they’re (briefly) in stock.
December 2, 2025 at 3:48 PM
$110!? That’s bonkers, Bungu! They’re sub $40 in the US when they’re (briefly) in stock.