Ink Review: "Romeo & Juliet" by Robert Oster Inks

provincialmills
Jul 24
3 min read

A pale teal-blue ink with a cool, crisp character, reminiscent of glacial waters and wintry skies.

🖋 Core Properties

Features: (This is just a description of the ink properties)

⬜ Sheen

⬜ Glitter/Shimmer

⬜ Scented

⬜ Unique Properties

✅ Standard Fountain Pen Ink

⬜ Waterproof/Permanent Ink

Ink Review: "Romeo & Juliet" by Robert Oster Inks

This ink features a beautiful blue tone with gentle shading that adds character to every stroke. It flows smoothly, with no issues starting up—even after breaks in use. We tested it with both a Bock 1.1 mm stub and a Bock fine nib, and it performed flawlessly on high-quality Clairefontaine Triomphe 90g paper. On lower-grade paper, there was noticeable feathering, especially in areas with heavier ink coverage.

To bring the review to life, I’ve included a series of photographs that demonstrate the ink’s behavior under real writing conditions. These images highlight everything from smudge resistance and drying time intervals to the flow characteristics observed during extended writing. You are seeing my authentic comments penned using the ink itself, offering a direct glimpse into its consistency, saturation, and personality of the ink. These snapshots serve not just as proof, but as part of the ink’s narrative—capturing its strengths, quirks, and overall impression.

**Please note that our reviews may differ significantly from what you typically see from other individuals or companies. This is more than just a review—it's an ink test conducted for both our benefit and yours. We use each ink for one and a half to two weeks to gather as much information as possible. During this time, we test a range of nib sizes to evaluate how the ink performs across different writing styles. Some inks are tested with everything from a fine nib to a 1.1 mm stub, while shimmer inks may only be used with broad and stub nibs, as we generally advise against using shimmer inks with fine or extra-fine nibs.

This isn’t a “sit down, open a bottle, and write a review in 15 minutes” kind of approach. Instead, we aim to offer insights based on real-world tests and extended daily use. Keep in mind, every pen writes a little differently, and ink performance can vary from one to another. We also conduct several tests on various types of paper. Most of the time, we use Clairefontaine Triomphe 90g paper as our high-quality benchmark, and Pen+Gear 20lb copy paper as a lower-quality comparison.**

Performance Factors

Saturation & Depth - (How rich and bold the ink appears)

3 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✧✧) – Well-saturated. A nice balance between bold and soft.

Shading / Sheen / Shimmer - (How the ink performs against other inks in this category)

4 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✧) – Beautiful shading/sheen/shimmer! Ink has depth and personality.

Consistency & Flow -(Is is smooth & reliable while writing?)

4 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✧) – Smooth & steady. Reliable, no skips, great ink performance.

Feathering & Bleed-through - (How much the ink spread/bleed on different paper types)

4 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✧) – Excellent! No feathering on quality paper.

Drying Time - (How fast the ink dries on paper?)

3 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✧✧) – Moderate. Dries in 13-20 seconds, decent for daily use.

Smudging & Smear Resistance - (How well the ink resists smudging)

5 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️) – Smudge-proof! Once dry, it won’t budge at all.

Water Resistance - (How well the ink holds up against moisture)

2 Nibs (✒️✒️✧✧✧) – Mostly dissolves. Some traces remain, but not legible.

Cleaning - (How easy it is to flush ink from a fountain pen?)

5 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️) – Effortless! Practically rinses out with just water—pen is spotless!

Staining – (Does the Ink Leave a Mark Where It Shouldn't after cleaning?)

⬜5 Nibs (✒️✒️✒️✒️✒️) - Leaves no visible residue anywhere - no need for fuss or special cleaning rituals.

Final Overall Rating

This is not simply an average of the individual performance factors—it's a holistic reflection of how the ink feels in hand, behaves on paper, and inspires expression. Whether sketching, journaling, or crafting letters, this rating speaks to whether the ink fulfills its promise and earns a permanent place in your collection.

This ink is a pleasure to use. Beautiful color, good flow, and just enough uniqueness to elevate your writing. Not quite perfect, but it rewards regular use and offers a refined experience without fuss.

✒️✒️✒️✒️✧