In praise of Robert Oster inks - Koala-ty in a bottle!

I don't really write ink reviews. So if you're looking for water tests, chromatic paper variations, wetness tests, viscosity et al; do not look here.

I do however, like USING inks; lots of them (although I maintain I'm not a collector, just an accumulator). 

For me, it's the colours, the shading and the sheen (OK, and occasionally the glitter) that draws me to an ink (pun intended). It is these factors that have lead Robert Oster Signature inks into my fountain pens and up to the top of my list of preferred ink manufacturers.


The label on at least one of my Robert Oster inks reads:

and enjoy we do! Firstly here in Australia, but now all over the world, all over social media, I read consistent and fervent desire and for and love of Oster inks colours, shades, sheens and variety.

It seems not so long ago, Robert Oster was chatting to a group of us on the Fountain Pens Australia (FPA) Facebook page about a few inks he had created. At that time I bought my first (and still favourite) Oster ink - Bondi Blue, and a few others (Australian Sky and Turquoise) that he sent in his fabulous gold foil, glitter paper together with a bonus Jinhao fountain pen. 

Now, there are something like 81 or more shades of Robert Oster Signature inks gracing the shelves and pens of quilliphyles across the globe! That's 81+ opportunities to excite! 

I said before that I was not an ink collector; and just to prove a point I have only 14 examples of this cornucopia of colour (although I DO wonder, just how many shades of blue do you really need?). Do I want more? Of course! But what is it that makes these inks so special? Well for me there are four things:

1. The variety. 81 plus colours. If you can't find a colour you      love here, you just don't like colour! 

2. Sheening. I just love sheening! What is sheening? It's the      appearance of a second colour in areas where the ink            pools up. Here is an example:

Not every Oster Ink sheens; but the ones that do are legendary! Bondi Blue, Fire and Ice, Peppermint, River of Fire are all examples of inks that ooze personality and surprise.

3. Robert Oster. Robert is not faceless manufacturer. He is      an active member of the fountain pen community.

Robert was contributing to conversations from almost the beginning of FPA. He provided free ink samples to the Melbourne Pen Show, he creates inks in response to questions and suggestions from individual users (the NG Special '16 and the FPA Kada Kada colours are great examples of this); and he remains active on major social media platforms and fountain pen hangouts (instagram, Facebook, etc) where he shows his inks, thanks people for their comments (whether positive or negative) and shares his views.

4. It's Australian! Yes I know, but it's difficult not to feel a touch of national pride when you live in a relatively small nation and one of your own starts to make a positive impact on a global stage (he's the Hugh Jackman of the Pen world!!)

Note the gold glitter from the packaging!

I don't love every Robert Oster ink; just as, unsurprisingly, I don't love every colour. 

Robert recently sent me a new ink of his: lipstick red, and, while it has a lipstick look, I have very little use for a red ink, and this one didn't really float my boat. But that is the joy of choice. In Oster inks there is truly something for everybody!

Lipstick Red

The quality and consistency of Oster inks is superb. They have filled and washed out of my pens with ease. The flow too has been perfect and, as I have said, the colours divine.

Which leads me finally to a brief showcase of my current favourites (understanding that there will be more; always more):

From top, left to right: Emerald (who needs MB Irsh Green?), Bondi Blue, Fire and Ice, Turquoise (more like a teal), Khaki, Australian sky, Peach and NG Special '16 (an alternate to Noodlers Apache Sunset?)
These samples were on Color-ring paper. I have found that this paper is true to colour; but not so effective at demonstrating sheen. See the next pic for a better idea of sheen in Bondi Blue.

NB. I have never met and do not know, or have any business dealings with Robert Oster. This is just the ramblings of an honestly ensnared admirer of his work.

Eclectidbits is now officially Quillidyllic!

I've taken my time, but finally I have to admit that the blog which started with the idea that I'd write a little bit about lots of bits and bobs (including fountain pens) is really a blog just about fountain pens (and the things that surround them). So today marks the beginning of the name change (and blog address change).

Eclectidbits is no more. So no more "eclectidbits.blogspot.com.au" either. I

Say hello to QUILLIDYLLIC...

Ad for Aurora Pens (sans surgeon general warning) 

Quillidyllic is a term I created some time back to describe the sensation of orgasmic harmony that a well-tuned nib, inked in a colour that most appeals to your innermost aesthete; and attached to a bewitchingly exquisite section and barrel; provides as it effortlessly glides across the surface of that particular paper that knows how best to turn your words into extraordinary works of wonder!

QUILLIDYLLIC

The new blog address is, unsurprisingly: quillidyllic.blogspot.com.au.

If you have read this far, you are either a fellow Quillophyle; intrigued to see just how silly I can really be; bored with nothing better to do; or a masochist. In all cases, thankyou.

If you are indeed a fellow Quillophyle, thankyou too for your contribution to the Quillosphere.

I leave this first Quillidyllic blog endeavour with a few photographs from my Instagram account to set the mood, and challenge the future.

Until next tine....

OMAS (my brand of choice) a few choice pens in my accumulation

Montegrappa Miya Argento - love that celluloid!

A few things here: Sailor King of Pen in ebonite, Karas Kustoms Cube, Robert Oster Ink

Another OMAS: the Paragon Fashion. Here with OMAS Orange ink (of course!)

Every Good Pen Deserves NOCK (Nock cases are fabulous). Here are an Aurora Europa (on the top), a Kaweco al sport Raw, Wancher Demonstrator (orange finial), Montegrappa, OMAS (the all orange one), a Conklin Word guage (hidden a little) and a TWSBI 580 AL Orange (Fieldnotes Sweet tooth edition fits in there too!)

On top of my TOPO Quick pack bag : OMAS Fashion (again) and Lamy Safari Alstar

I took up Bullet note journalling in the last month. Here is the Leuchtturm Bullet journal in Emerald (looks more like teal to me) with my Chatterley Pens Delta Turchese Meraviglia Stantuffo.

Another shot of my OMAS pens with the Arco just gleaming (taken by Jonathan Deans)

Sailor Ujuku LE yellow - pens and breakfast always work well.

Pilot Vanishing Point (or capless) LE 2008. Not everyone loves them... but I do!

Travelling tools: Field notes notebook in a One Star leather cover, Stipula Saturno Crescent filler, Lamy Safari Alstar, OMAS Paragon Fashion

A mix: Wancher Crystal Demonstrator, Twsbi 580AL Orange, Lamy Safari Alstars in Green and Copper, Nakaya Decapod Twist

Wancher Crystal Double Compact Demonstrator (eyedropper, cartridge coverter all in one) with Robert Oster NG Special Ink (great colour and shading!)

OMAS Revelations with Montblanc Balzac ink

Robert Oster ink shading (mmmm)

Obligatory artistic shot! 

Visconti

Visconti Ragtime 

Who says Packaging isn't important??? Wahl Eversharp Skyscraper

Conway Stewart Churchill with KWZ Honey ink.

OHTO Dude with Pelikan Violet ink.

The desk..perhaps a little crowded?

The Desk again; this time with a little focus: cube 1: Lamy Safari alstar copper, OMAS Paragon Fashion orange, Lamy Safari Alstar Green, Wancher Demonstrator, Montblanc Heritage 1912, TWSBI 580Al. Cube 2: Pilot VP 2008 LE, Nakaya Decapod Twist, Desiderata, and two Pelikan Go's. Front: Lamy Pico orange, Midori brass pen and pencil and Huckleberry Woodchuck pencil.

It's not always fountain pens. I'm not a big pencil guy; but if I must use one, these ones work for me

Washi tape

Conid Cappuccino - more than just froth!

I am from Melbourne: the coffee capital of Australia; so when I heard that there was a coffee themed fountain pen brewing, naturally I wanted to be in on the act before it was too latte! 

The Pelikan Cafe Creme, the Lamy AlStar in coffee, the Mocha Brown Sailor Progear are all samples of other coffee-linked pens; but none of them quite perked me up until this one... the Conid Cappuccino.

Now sometimes the boast of pen manufacturers are all froth; but not this time. Here, in a limited run of only 36, lay my opportunity (if I got my order in, in time) to purchase the cream of Conid's fountain pen offerings. I took the plung (er), and took whatever beans necessary to make this pen mine.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Being excited about the arrival of a new pen is something that can turn any Quillophyle a quiver. 

Will it live up to expectations? 

Will it look as good as the photographs ? (Unless you're near a brick and mortar store, this is always a risk - sort of like on-line dating, only you're pretty much stuck with this one forever) 

Will it write straight away?

Well there was no need for me to feel despresso; the Conid Cappuccino impressed from the beginning.

The packaging was impressive without being too over the top: 

• a small, black, hinged, metallic box simply marked "Conid" and the edition number (see below); 
• an opaque pen stand, 
• a Conid drink coaster (weird addition, but I guess it's consistent with a coffee theme)
• a Conid branded cleaning cloth
• a few other cards and notes (examples of the tests to ensure my cursive italic titanium nib is tuned as required); and
• the pen.

9/10

APPEARANCE AND DESIGN

The Conid Cappuccino has a relatively simple design. It's not extraordinary; and yet... The luscious warmth and flow of the resin (I presume) coffee and milk swirls immediately fill the senses with a shot of excitement.

One of the reasons I haven't bought a Conid earlier, is that I have been somewhat underwhelmed by their design. There has been nothing wrong with it; it's just a little more utilitarian than a shallow "ooo, look at all the pretty colours" guy like me is attracted to. This time however, Conid have managed to include some pretty colours and swirls and suddenly I can no longer mocha them! (Oh dear, just how many coffee puns can I do?). 

While we're on "Appearance and Design" I should also mention briefly the filling system (so there, I've mentioned it. It is a major design highlight; but I'll let that percolate a little for now and talk more about it later).

Other design features include the ink window; and the clever black and white touch on the finial (the top of the cap) which is a design representing the clever piston-turning mechanism that is unique to Conid Bulkfillers (not sure I love that name - sounds like a body builder's diet regime prior to a major competition).

8.5/10

WEIGHT AND DIMENSIONS

The Cappuccino measures about 135mm in length capped, and 127mm uncapped. It also posts securely (if you like to post - and I do); and that takes the length to around 165mm. 

Width is pretty standard (around 12mm).

I find the Cappuccino a lovely weighted pen; and an ideal size. Posted it is a touch top heavy; but not ridiculously so.

8/10

NIB AND PERFORMANCE

Conid uses Bock nibs and this was an area I ummed and ahhed in while making my choices. You can choose steel, gold or titanium and I just wasn't sure which way to go. In the end I decided that I didn't have all that many titanium nibs so I would give that a go. Just to sweeten the deal, I also decided to get a cursive italic "grind".

I was very happy with my decision.

This nib wrote perfectly right out of the box. No skipping, no hard-starting and fabulous line variation and bounce. 

In my experience, titanium nibs are not necessarily flex nibs (although I have found the Stipula titanium nibs to have some pleasant flex in them). Nevertheless, this Bock nib (Bock are a nib manufacturer for those who are wondering what on earth I'm talking about) has a fabulous feel to it that makes the pen a pleasure to write with.

8/10

FILLING SYSTEM

Conid's filling system is unique. It is one of the reasons I have always wanted to try a Conid. Essentially, the Cappuccino "Bulkfiller" is a piston filler. But the way it fills somewhat resembles a French Press: somewhere between a piston filler and the Visconti and Pilot power fillers. 

Describing how the filling mechanism works is extremely difficult; so I would recommend you look at how it's done by watching Matt Armstrong of "The Pen Habit" doing a fantastic job of detailing the engineering of this pen. You check out his Conid review on YouTube here: Conid Bulkfiller on the Pen Habit. 

What makes this filling mechanism unique is that Conid have engineered a system that maximises the amount of ink you take into the barrell by essentially engaging and disengaging the piston mechanism with a plunger. Like a French Press in reverse. Cleaning the pen is the same in reverse; but 150% easier and more effective than Visconti Power fillers and the Pilot Custom 823. I would go so far as to say that the Conid system is the easiest of all my pens to completely flush out of ink.

The only caveat I would add to this praise is that because it is so unique, (or I'm just so damn old) I have forgotten a few times how to engage the mechanism and had to play around a few times to remember. Once my head is back into gear however, it's as simple as can be.

9/10

COST AND VALUE

One of the other reasons I haven't bought a Conid before has been cost. These pens are not cheap. And when you find a limited edition of only 36, well....

Nevertheless, the Conid Cappuccino has bean superbly engineered, is a great looking pen and has a fabulous nib. You get what you pay for.

8/10

 

CONCLUSION

This was a brand it has taken me some time to add to my collection; but now it's here, I am happy to say that the Cappuccino, is a really... wait for it... BREWtiful pen!

84/100

00-50	To be avoided at all costs
51-60	It’s cheap and you don’t really care
61-70	A nice pen with the makings of something better (just don’t spend too much)
71-80	A better than average pen with just a few flaws that stop it from being really good.
81-90	A good pen, a keeper, only a few minor places off being great
91-95	Now THIS is a pen! If you can get it: keep it, love it, cherish it, and keep it away from the dog
96-100	GRAIL