For most Christmases that I can remember, I’ve always clamoured to receive the brightest, shiniest and newest products for the year. This year however, I’m in more of a reflective mood. This Christmas, I thought it might fun to take a walk down memory lane and look at the stuff that could have been and honor the inks that have been made unavailable (either declared as a limited edition, or being put out of production).
I found 5 inks that fit the bill, along with their alternative that are available in the market that we should treasure. Let’s begin!
1. Sailor Jentle Apricot
Do you see the sheen?
Who could forget this beautiful ink? Sailor recently discontinued the old Jentle line in mid 2014, leaving a trail of disappointed fans in its wake. With their new release of the Four Seasons series, there was no orange in the series to replace Apricot, as with some of the other colours in the older series. Apricot is a bright yelllow-orange which would accurately depict its name, and a subtle orange sheen to go with it.
Here are some suggested replacements:
2. Montblanc Alfred Hitchcock
Source: Glenn’s Pens
This is one of my favourite inks of all time, albeit only for special occasions. Montblanc’s Alfred Hitchcock ink was released in 2012 to accompany the LE Alfred Hitchcock pen. A dark, bloody red of its own calibre, similar inks that are currently available doesn’t come close to its fantastic colour and low-maintenance qualities. Personally, i’d love to see Montblanc reintroduce this ink in their regular lineup!
Here are some inks that are similar:
- Noodler’s Black Swans in English Roses
- R&K Alt-Bordeaux
- Diamine Red Dragon
- Diamine Matador
- Diamine Oxblood
3. Pelikan Edelstein Amber
Source: The Pelikan’s Perch
We’re getting down to the exciting one now. Amber was introduced as Pelikan’s 2013 Ink Of The Year and as its name implies, it is a perfect representative of the colour. Amber has the right amounts of yellow and orange, and also has beautiful shading and sheen. It is certainly sad that it is extremely hard to find now, given its qualities. I still liken its sheen to a halo, with it surrounding the borders of the line written.
Source: Zegarki i Piora
Source: Zegarki i Piora
To be truthfully honest , there is no alternative to this ink, so here are some inks that are close in colour:
4. Pelikan Edelstein Turmaline
Source: Jetpens
Another of Pelikan’s Ink Of The Year (IOTY), Turmaline was the IOTY for 2012. As with the Edelstein series, these inks are formulated to mimic the gems’ colours to their own depiction of the gem (some gems come in different colours!). Turmaline is a highly saturated pink, with a touch of magenta to it. To me, it’s not too bright, to the point where its eye-searing.
Source: Fountain Pen Follies
Source: She Is My Lawyer
Similar inks :
- Iroshizuku Tsutsuji
- Diamine Claret
- Diamine Deep Magenta
- R&K Magenta
- P.W. Akkerman #12 Mauritshuis Magenta
5. Caran d’Ache Colours of the Earth: Blue Night
Source: Kadmium
Source: Girlieg33k
First, what I’d like to say is, isn’t that label everything? Maybe it’s just me, but I really like galaxies a lot. The Colours of the Earth series by Caran D’Ache was discontinued in early 2013 and has since been replaced by the new Chromatics Inkredibles series. This ink is one of the truer blue-blacks I’ve seen (in my opinion), with no green nor greyish undertones. I really like this colour, but the price tag on the Caran D’Ache inks are left to be desired.
Luckily, there are inks currently available that can match up to this ink and have a much lower price point. Here are some of these inks:
- Sailor Bungbox 4B
- Montblanc Midnight Blue
- Montblanc LE 2015 Blue Hour
To each his own, and I’m sure that many of you have your own favourite discontinued ink but here are 5 that you might have seen before. Those who still own these discontinued inks, would you consider using them for card-writing this Christmas? I’d love to hear your opinions down below! If you have any questions to ask, please do feel free and ask in the comments section below as well.
Till next time, keep writing!
I am the founder of this website.
Chemist by day, slacker by night, fanatic of stationery all the time.
I write with my left hand, but can also do the same with my right hand – it just won’t look very pretty.
The best alternative for Montblanc Hitchcock is Diamine Burgundy Rose from the Flowers gift set. Now available in 30ml plastic refill bottles
Great review.. thanks.. of the suggestions I have replacements for the Jentle Apricot and Alfred Hitchcock … which puts me on a hunt for the other options!