Ink Flight #91 Reveal, August 2024

Contrary to the name, "Troublemaker Inks" are not difficult to use in fountain pens. Each color is 100% mixed, bottled, and packaged in the Philippines with love. This month's flight includes three new colors* released this past spring. We recommend using wetter nibs with the undersaturated, multi-shading colors.

The main trouble we encounter with Troublemaker is in obtaining these inks. We placed an order back in late April and they arrived two months later. We hope you'll feel they're worth the wait.

We've featured Troublemaker twice before on Ink Flight #33 and Ink Flight #68. Based on past experiences one can expect complex, multi-shading inks and, on the opposite end of the saturation spectrum, some sheeny hues. Let's see what this flight of inks has to offer.

August 2024 Ink Flight Box #91 Color Selection

Troublemaker Kelp Tea
This ink has an earthy, tan base color with high, multi-chromatic green and brown shading.

Troublemaker Hanging Rice
This medium-toned, olive-green ink has ample shading and good flow.

Troublemaker Rodeo*
New for 2024, this rosy beige ink has a light complexion with tones of golden brown and purple.

Troublemaker Golden Orchid*
This spring 2024 ink color is also lightly saturated with strong shading that ranges from purple to lilac with hints of gold.

Troublemaker Sepia Hour*
This 2024 ink seems to glow with its warm, golden peach hue.

Troublemaker Purple Yam
Inspired by the food staple also called "ube," this richly saturated blueish purple ink shades and sheens.

Troublemaker Freedom Park Rose
This deep magenta ink flows freely with an electric green sheen.

Tasting Notes:

Troublemaker usually does an amazing job creating distinct, multi-chromatic shading inks that stand out from the crowd. In previous Flights, we sampled "Milky Ocean," "Petrichor," "Foxglove," "Abalone," and "Moon River." This round, I was enticed by the three new shading inks "Rodeo," "Golden Orchid," and "Sepia Hour." All three of the new colors have a warm golden yellow undertone. I don't know whether they'll be as loved as the aforementioned multi-shading inks, but I feel that they aren't as impressive as a first impression.

Although I didn't have a fall theme in mind, I feel like many of the colors could be considered an early preview of autumn. Freedom Park Rose is a deep violet burgundy that shades and sheens. In honor of Purple Yam, I gave Japanese purple sweet potatoes from Trader Joe's a try. They're ... different. Not bad, but I'll stick to my orange-y sweet 'taters, thanks. Kelp Tea, Rodeo, and Sepia Hour look like the colors of leaves during the change in seasons.

Overall, I know Troublemaker isn't like a Colorverse, Sailor, or Wearingeul in the amount of new inks they produce every year. Yet, I do hope they will introduce at least 5 or 6 new colors a year (instead of only just 3) and that they can offer the pen and ink enthusiast a little more variety in terms of ink properties. 

August 2024 Box Extras: Logical Prime A6 Ringed Notebook, Lined 6mm, Kuretake Karappo Pen

Create quick lists, charts, graphs, or mini-planner pages with the unique dot/lined pages of the Logical Prime notebook. The pocketable A6 size and wire-bound design with sturdy covers make this a great "to-go" notebook for your everyday carry. Plus, the smooth Japanese-made paper is a pleasure for your nibs to glide across.

Instead of a nib, the Kuretake Karappo pen has a felt-tip ink delivery system similar to Tom's Studio Lumos pens. In this box, we included one of the assorted point sizes: Fine, Fine Brush, Extra-Fine, or Oblique. Follow the instructions on the packaging to fill the Karappo with your choice of bottled fountain pen ink (or sample).

Keep your place in a journal or current page-turning read with the wooden magnetic bookmark by May Craft Tribe of Toronto, Canada. The fun, illustrated fountain pen and ink bottle greet you each time you resume your reading or writing. Accent your notebook and "currently inked" pages with the fountain pen washi tape from Pixellette Studio (also based in Canada).

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If you're interested in joining our next Ink Flight box, go here to see if we have available spots open for next month's shipment. If we don't, please email us so we can add you to our wait list.

Also, it might be possible we have previous Ink Flight boxes available to purchase without committing to a subscription. 

If you'd like to check out the contents of previous Ink Flight boxes, check out the archive here.