January is a month of fresh beginnings, a time to set intentions, reflect on the past, and manifest the positive changes we want to see in our lives. Here in Norway, it’s also a month of cold, dark days—making cozy moments with a journal and a well-chosen ink even more special. Each month, I curate my fountain pen and ink choices to align with the stunning colors of the Sterling Ink Subscription Kit, ensuring a harmonious aesthetic throughout my planning and journaling.
My Top Ink Choice – Fountain Pen Ink Review!
This post is all about my Currently Inked for January 2025. Some of my pens are filled with classic black ink for practical writing, while others reflect the seasonal mood with rich, deep, and shimmering hues. If you’re searching for the best fountain pen inks for January, or simply enjoy seeing what others are using, I hope this inspires your own selections!
This Month’s Fountain Pen & Ink Combinations
Diamine, Twilight
Pen: TWSBI Eco 1.1 Stub Nib
Why This Pairing? The deep blue-green of Twilight perfectly captures the winter skies here in Norway, bringing a touch of mystery to my pages.
Writing Experience: Smooth flow, moderate shading, and a slight cool undertone make this an excellent choice for daily journaling.
How I Use It: Ideal for reflection pages and creative writing.
Robert Oster, African Gold
Pen: TWSBI Eco 1.1 Stub Nib
Why This Pairing? This ink adds a golden warmth to counteract the cold tones of winter, inspired by the subtle golden details in the Sterling Ink Subscription Kit.
Writing Experience: High shading and excellent flow make it a pleasure to use, though it takes a little longer to dry.
How I Use It: I reserve this ink for decorative headers and quotes in my planner.
Robert Oster, Rose Gold Antiqua
Pen: LAMY Calligraphy 1.1 Stub Nib
Why This Pairing? A soft, muted rose gold that reflects the delicate transition from winter into the early hints of spring.
Writing Experience: Beautiful shading and a slight shimmer, but works best on high-quality paper.
How I Use It: Perfect for adding elegant flourishes to journal pages and planner spreads.
Platinum, Carbon Black
Pen: Pilot Custom Medium & Fine Nib
Why This Pairing? A classic fountain pen ink review staple—deep, rich black that’s permanent and archival-safe.
Writing Experience: Smooth, deep black with fast drying time. A must-have for those who love a bold, professional look.
How I Use It: Everyday planning, note-taking, and important journal entries.
J. Herbin, Vert Empire
Pen: Pilot Kakuno Extra Fine Nib
Why This Pairing? A muted green that complements the Sterling Ink January collection beautifully.
Writing Experience: Smooth with moderate shading, though the extra fine nib can make the ink appear darker.
How I Use It: Perfect for fine detail work, small handwriting, and annotating notes.
Sailor Studio, 452
Pen: TWSBI Eco Extra Fine Nib
Why This Pairing? A complex blue-gray with subtle shifts in hue, mirroring the soft winter light.
Writing Experience: Excellent shading, smooth flow, and quick drying.
How I Use It: Ideal for contemplative journaling sessions and adding variation to my planner.
Monthly Reflections on My Ink Choices:
What Worked Best?
Sailor 452 was an unexpected delight! I loved using it as a sophisticated alternative to black in my journal spreads—it adds depth while keeping things elegant and versatile.
Any Surprises?
- The Carbon ink with an medium nib turned out to be much wetter than expected, even bleeding through on Hobonichi paper—a bit of a letdown for such a highly regarded ink.
- Rose Gold, unfortunately, didn’t live up to expectations due to clogging issues, which made it frustrating to use.
Favorite Ink and Pen Pairing of the Month?
African Gold with the TWSBI 1.1 stub nib—absolutely stunning! The rich shading and warm tone truly come to life with this nib, making every stroke feel expressive and dynamic.
Looking Ahead to Next Month’s Ink Selections
As January fades, I’m already considering the next color palette for February—perhaps something with softer, romantic hues or icy pastels?
What inks are you using this month? I’d love to hear your Currently Inked selections and why you picked them! Drop your favorites in the comments and let’s chat about the joy of fountain pen ink shading, flow, and best uses.
This post was all about my Currently Inked for January 2025—see you next month for another My Top Ink Choice – Fountain Pen Ink Review!