Diamine 150th Anniversary ink: Lilac Night (40 mL)

A friend sent me a sample of this ink. I’m glad he did! This is a lovely, muted grey-purple which leans blue. As I’ve written in my review of TAG Kyo-Iro Soft Snow of Ohara, these inks could be twins; they have similar characteristics (shading and saturation), with Lilac Night being more saturated and feeling thicker under the nib. I think I see some silver sheen in highly saturated areas where in pools, but only under certain conditions: I have to look at it in daylight, I need to use a loupe and I have to squint—like really squint!

I enjoy using Lilac Night in all my Sailor 1911 L and S pens, with all nib sizes from H-EF to H-B, even in my 1911S 21kt H-M, which is a dry writer, and my least favourite pen; actually, it’s not my least favourite, because it would have to be in the “favourite” category to begin with: I dislike this pen, but using it with Lilac Night offered a nice writing experience.

The ink dries rather quickly, even on TR paper. This ink is readable and easy on the eyes. Like Soft Snow of Ohara, I think Lilac Night is an office-appropriate ink, offering a nice change from traditional blue, blue-black and black.

I have observed no feathering or bleedthrough; just the usual ghosting on thinner papers. I will eventually get a bottle of this one!