Ink Flight #43 Reveal, August 2020

This month, Ink Flight members took the jump across the pond to the UK to explore a collection of inks sold exclusively by the retailer Pure Pens. In 2018, the proud Welsh company developed a line of Celtic-themed, quality fountain pen inks. As purveyors of fountain pens and inks, they developed these colors to fill gaps in the market for particular hues that weren't available. Managing director Ross Adams helped pick the colorful variety of best-selling, fan-favorite inks contained in this month's box.

Shortlisted for a stationery award in 2020, this lineup of Pure Pens inks tells a story about the company and the region these inks were produced and bottled. For more information and a link on where to buy full bottles, please check out the descriptions below.

Here is a rundown of August 2020's Ink Flight colors - 

Pure Pens "Cotswolds"
This ochre ink takes its name from the honey-colored stone buildings of the English villages in this region. It's light in saturation and shades well with a broad, stub, or flex nib. Find out more or buy Cotswolds ink here.

Pure Pens "Pendine Sands"
This ink aims to replicate the evocative scene of the sun setting over West Wales and the warm orange light that blankets the beach's landscape. I noted a shifty reddish undertone that would change color from wet to dry. Similar to Colorverse Martian. Find out more or buy Pendine Sands ink here.

Pure Pens "Cadwaladr"
King Cadwaladr was the last King of Britain and boasted the famous red dragon on his coat of arms. A beautiful deep red ink that seems like an early favorite for the autumn season. Find out more or buy Cadwaladr ink here.

Pure Pens "Llanberis Slate"
This slate grey ink takes its name from the town of Llanberis with its mountain railway and slate mine. It may seem like a pretty boring grey at first, but it grows on you the more you write with it. Find out more or buy Llanberis Slate ink here.

Pure Pens "Cwm Idwal"
Cwm Idwal is a hanging valley in Snowdonia with a picturesque lake at its bed. This murky green has a bluish hue with a reddish sheen. Find out more or buy Cwm Idwal ink here.

Pure Pens "Celtic Sea"
Celtic Sea captures the fresh, wild, and untamed elements of Irish, Welsh and Scottish waters. A deeply-satisfying aqua blue color that shades well. Find out more or buy Celtic Sea ink here.

Pure Pens "Flower of Scotland"
This vibrant, rich purple ink takes its name from the Scottish Thistle - a symbol of Scotland's identity. Find out more or buy Flower of Scotland ink here.

Tasting Notes: I'm glad I ceded some control over the careful deliberation that goes into choosing this month's inks. The folks at Pure Pens know what they're doing when it comes to producing a quality ink that has a vibrant, satisfying color unique enough to delight a fountain pen enthusiast. I enjoyed the names (although I am having a difficult time pronouncing some of them) and feel the themes are well-executed in the choice of color. It might be the fact that back-to-school is coming up, but the selection had a playful quality - like a box of fresh crayons. 

Box Extras: Kokuyo A5 Soft Ring Biz Notebook & G. Lalo Straight-Edge Fold Over Card w/ Envelope 

Whether you're going back to school or working remotely, the flexible, versatile design of the Kokuyo Soft Ring Biz Notebook provides a canvas for all types of thoughts and ideas.

Have you ever struggled to write in a wire-bound notebook because the uncomfortable metal spiral would get in the way? The Kokuyo Soft Ring notebook replaces the offensive coil with pleasant, pliable, plastic rings.

The A5 size notebook contains 50 sheets of 6mm pages with a dot-lines format. Use the header and "edge title" to help segment the book by entry date or subject. The paper itself has a smooth feel with quality typical of Japanese stationery.

Send a friend or family member a handwritten note on top-notch stationery from G. Lalo. This month's box contained one straight-edge fold over card with envelope. This French-made card features a 300g laid finish with a whimsical watercolor illustration print. The tissue-lined envelope completes the impressive presentation for the recipient.

Let's chat about this Flight

We invite you to join hundreds of kindred spirits in the Ink Flight Lounge Facebook Group to talk about this month's Flight Box. Likes? Dislikes? Favorite pairings? We'd love to read what you thought about the contents of this box. If you don't have/do Facebook, please feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Previous Ink Flights (Ink Flight #1 - Noodler's, Ink Flight #2 - Robert Oster Signature, Ink Flight #3 - KWZ, Ink Flight #4 - J. Herbin, Ink Flight #5 - P.W. Akkerman, Ink Flight #6 - Papier Plume, Ink Flight #7 - Platinum Mix-Free, Ink Flight #8 - Franklin-Christoph, Ink Flight #9 - Organics Studio, Ink Flight #10 - Monteverde, Ink Flight #11 - Krishna, Ink Flight #12 - Caran d'Ache, Ink Flight #13 - Rohrer & Klingner, Ink Flight #14 - Blackstone, Ink Flight #15 - Colorverse, Ink Flight #16 - De Atramentis, Ink Flight #17 - Aurora & Montegrappa, Ink Flight #18 - Krishna, KWZ, Papier Plume, Ink Flight #19 - Diamine, Ink Flight #20 - J. Herbin, Ink Flight #21 - Robert Oster Signature 80's Collection, Ink Flight #22 - 3 Oysters, Ink Flight #23 - InkJournal Holiday Blend, Ink Flight #24 - Taccia, Ink Flight #25 - Kyoto TAG, Ink Flight #26 - Kaweco, Ink Flight #27 - April Fool's Surprise, Ink Flight #28 - Pelikan, Ink Flight #29 - Sailor, Ink Flight #30 - Straits Pen Honest Inks, Ink Flight #31 - Colorverse, Season 5, Ink Flight #32 - Inks by Vinta, Ink Flight #33 - Troublemaker, Ink Flight #34 - Monteverde Sweet Life, Ink Flight #35 - Taccia Inks Pt. 2, Ink Flight #36 - Sailor Manyo, Ink Flight #37 - P.W. Akkerman, Ink Flight #38 - Waterman, Ink Flight #39 - April Fool's Suprise II, Ink Flight #40 - Lamy, Ink Flight #41 - KWZ, Pt.2, Ink Flight #42 - Robert Oster, Pt. 3, )