Helen’s Creations Single Pen Kimono Sleeve Giveaway

I love cool pen storage options, and these Pen Kimono Sleeves from Helen’s Creations are right up my alley. I picked up a few at the recent Philadelphia Pen Show, and have the Single Pen Kimono pictured above to give away to one winner this week. Read the rules below and enter away!

Posted on February 4, 2025 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Giveaways.

Sailor Manyo Uri Fountain Pen Ink Review

I think the most important thing to tackle right from the start is “what color is Sailor Manyo Uri?”

Is it Brown? Is it Green? Is it Gold? Is it Grey? I think Uri is a “yes to all” situation, especially when that situation calls for this fascinating ink to be used on several different paper types.

According to the description of the Sailor Manyo Ink Collection, these inks were inspired by the “Man'yōshū,” Japan’s oldest poetry collection. Specifically, the foods and culinary traditions of the Heian period. Uri represents a Melon-Cucumber shade … does that help narrow down what color it is on the page?

I’ll go on record that I see it as Brown-Green. On most of my pages, Brown is at the forefront, with Green appearing in undertones. There are a mixture of other shades contained within, such as Gold, and even a hint of Reddish-Purple where the edge of the ink pools. It’s legit wild, and your mileage may vary.

*Bungubox Mikkabi Mandarin Orange Mini Fountain Pen, Sailor Manyo Uri ink lines, Pennonia Niagara Peach dots. So fruity!*

On non-absorbent papers, Green takes the visual lead. The lines above were drawn in a Yoseka notebook, and I would bet this is the shade you would see on papers like Cosmo Air Light and Iroful, especially with inky applications.

Sailor Manyo Uri Paper Comparison — *Yoseka Notebook, top, Midori Cotton, bottom.*

When writing with a traditional nib - in this case a Japanese Fine - on papers like Life and Midori Cotton, the Brown comes out. I think it looks fantastic, even though I wouldn’t consider myself a Light Brown ink fan. That this ink has so many other things going for it color-wise has me wanting to use it for everything.

If you are not familiar with Sailor inks as a whole, I consider them one of the top brands on the market. They are consistent performers, even across product lines. And wow, are there product lines. This specific Manyo series is a Limited Edition, and they join a range of existing Manyo inks that make up a regular edition. Yes, it’s confusing, but even a Limited series like this set of five inks can be found in stock at most retailers.

At $24 for a 50 ml bottle, Uri, and the rest of the Manyo ink lineup, is priced well, comparatively speaking. A quick glance at all of Sailor’s different pricing will make your head spin, but these bottles are in the sweet spot, I think.

Uri is in that sweet spot for me as well. I love traditional fountain pen ink colors like Blue Black, but odd colors like this one are seeing more and more use from me over the past year, and I’m here for it. Strange inks here we come.

(This bottle of ink was sent to me by a friend. Thanks Lisa!)

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Posted on February 3, 2025 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Sailor, Ink Reviews.

Misfill, Unicorn Brain Edition

Each week in Refill, the Pen Addict Members newsletter, I publish Ink Links as part of the additional content you receive for being a member. And each week, after 10 to 15 links, plus my added commentary on each, I'm left with many great items I want to share. Enter Misfill. Here are this weeks links:

— Unicorns on the Brain: A Mother’s Journey Down the Rainbow Rabbit Hole (Messy Messy Chic)

— Impractical? Maybe. Awesome? Absolutely! Extra Broad Nib Roundup (fudefan)

— Hinze Kolbenfüller (Figboot on Pens)

— A new month, a new plan. (Fountain pen blog)

— Vinta Elysium Green (Kayangan 1967) (Inkcredible Colours)

— Stationery at a music festival (Bleistift)

— Video Tour: Mike’s Everyday Sketchnotes (The Cramped)

— They're Groovy! Tactile Turn's Winter 2025 Seasonal is here! (Inkdependence)

— Letting Notebooks Be What They Want to Be (Dime Novel Raven)

— Bottega Obscura Notebook Review 4K (BLAKE'S BROADCAST)

— Pen Rotation Changes (Rachel's Reflections)

— Welcome to the world of enchanting book paper. (Mai-bun)