Moon Palace Sumi Ink

I jumped from fountain pens to dip pen with this Sumi ink and was shocked by the strong smell. It's not unpleasant, just smells strongly of burnt pine (which is what it is, pine charcoal). The ink is lovely, deep black and a great thickness. I use it with my dip pen for Calligraphy practice. The spout makes it easy to pour as much as you want without spilling. I've also tried Sumi Sticks, and while they have a much more mild smell it takes a really long time to grind. This is far more convenient, and such a large bottle will last me a long time.

This is the first ink I’ve used that doesn’t get all over the place when I put it into a little container. I love the side facing squirt top. The ink is average to above average, and the price was reasonable, too.

It's black and shiny, it has texture, and you can thin it with water. It also scans great. What's not to love!

My new favorite black ink! Flows smoothly off the nib, retains delicate thin lines, and has a rich, satisfying opacity.

Love it

being a beginner in calligraphy. Found myself haveing used Moon Palace and then Yasutomo sumi ink. Had problems with Yasutomo that I didnt experiance with Moon Palace. Lesson learned not all inks are created equal. Will stick with Moon Palace

Will continue to use John Neal Books.

Wonderful ink! Smooth as silk.

I have been using Sumi Ink for years for my calligraphy. ( I do only a handful of weddings a year). For the second time a bride has sent envelopes with a pearlized sheen. When erasing my lines a slight bit of moisture from somewhere drug across a letter leaving an impressive smear. I was startled because it had dried for a day. I went back and tested several other envelopes on my stack of boo boos. They all smeared! Yikes. I raced here for product info as John Neal has always been my supplier. Waterproof. I then pulled out old samples (5 to 1 year old) of older weddings. The not coated envelopes did not smudge but I was shocked to see that a giant wedding I did in 2015 for former President G. W. Bush's niece was on these pearlized envelopes and smudged 5 years later!! Fortunately I had no complaints and must have been graced by dry delivery days. I still love the ink in general but will now attempt a quick fixative spray over this job.Does everyone know this about envelopes like this but me? The ink goes on beautifully all the same.

This is the best of the sumi inks. Some people don't like its fragrance, but I find it pleasant.