Since early this year, I've been compiling a sample of pens + inks that have come across my desk. Every time I have a new fountain pen combination, I'd write down the pen name and ink in my
Moleskine journal. It is very true what folks say about Moleskine paper and fountain pens. Some pen & ink combinations bleed right through the page like an extra-thick Sharpie marker would. Finer points fare significantly better in this test.


It is also interesting to see how the same ink shows up using a pen from a different brand nib. For example, the
Parker Premier and the
Edison Herald using the same
Noodler's Standard Brown. The
Pelikan m215 vs the
Montegrappa Miya using the same
Pelikan Turquoise ink is also a helpful comparison.
What can you learn from this sample? Moleskine works best (and has the least bleedthrough) when you use a fine or extra-fine point and a lighter ink color (turquoise, light green or light orange). If you have a Moleskine, what pen & ink combinations work the best for you? The worst?