thINKthursday
Waterman Tender Purple

 Spring into vibrant hues with Waterman Tender Purple.

thINKthursday – Waterman Tender Purple

We’ve long cherished Waterman ink for their beautiful colors, safety, and consistency. Waterman Tender Purple is a regal violet that boasts of some stellar sheen. Waterman ink comes in a 50ml geometric glass bottle that is meant to be tipped on its side when the ink starts to get low to allow for easier filling. This review was done with a Pilot Metropolitan F, Lamy AL-Star B and on Rhodia blank No.18 paper.

Whenever someone asks us what ink to use with their vintage pen, the answer is always the same: Waterman. We’ve never had an issue with any Waterman ink, and it is the safest brand to use with your vintage pens. That said, Tender Purple has good flow with no feathering or bleedthrough on Rhodia paper. The ink is moderately saturated with good dry times at 15-30 seconds. While the ink is not water resistant, it is super easy to clean up.

Tender Purple is a true violet color that doesn’t lean much towards either blue or red. The inks shades moderately, showing off a nice range of hues. At its lightest, the ink is a pastel iris purple. From there, it shades to a true violet and then ends as a rich eggplant. With a broad nib, the ink displays some lovely green sheen.

Waterman inks are as close to ‘classic’ fountain pen ink as they come. Tender Purple is the color I think of when someone says purple. It’s great to write with, looks great on the page, and will probably still be around in another 50 years. If you’re looking for a purple ink, Tender Purple should be the place where you start.

As with any ink review, the pen, paper, and person doing the writing will influence the way the ink looks. If you’re not sure about a color, try a sample to see if it’s the one for you.

Ink it Up!
Chris

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