Brainfarts (with or without the smell)

I decided to purchase some more inks because it appears that I haven't yet found what I'm looking for. At the same time I decided to purchase a Rhodia Webbie notebooks in sizes A5 and A6 so I could compare them to my current notebook. First the inks: The inks are Diamine Grey, Saddle Brown, Prussian Blue, Blue/Black and Presidential Blue. After testing they all appear to be very well behaving inks and I'll make a few posts later of the inks I have purchased. Now the paper comparison. My current Sorrento notebook is in the lower left corner and Rhodia cover the rest of the photo. The lining is the same, Sorrento has more visible lines and the creamy paper is slightly darker than the ivory in Rhodia. The Clairefontaine paper of the Rhodia is more slippery than in Sorrento, which is slightly rougher. Next a quick writing test with the Rhodia: The dots of i's were wet and smeared whereas on Sorrento the ink would have dried almost instant...

I received my new fountain pen yesterday and today I had some time to test it. The pen is Cross Bailey with an "M" nib and cost roughly 35 euros from  Pen Heaven  from UK. In addition to the pen I bough also the screw-in converter which is essential in my opinion. I have still one shipment on the way to my address from Pen Heaven and the arriving pen is a bit more expensive with an F-nib but it is another story that you'll hear (read) later. I loaded the pen with Diamine Sherwood Green ink and tested it on my Leuchtturm 1917 notebook. M-size nib appears to be too braod for me but on the other hand notebook has 5mm dots so the text is written too tight. Also the paper of Leuchtturm is not what I think a fountain pen friendly notebook has but I can compare the papers after the next Pen Heaven shipment which includes a fountain pen friendly notebook. This ink dries in 5-10 seconds unles it is a wet spot which dries longer, naturally. I really like the color and ...