Diamine Holly: Fountain Pen Ink Review

Diamine Holly Fountain Pen Ink writing sample, and swabs, along with the bottle and pinecones on a wooden desk background

Diamine Holly initially launched as part of the 2019 Diamine InkVent calendar. It quickly became a favorite, and is now a part of the regular Diamine Blue Edition collection. This Holly green fountain pen ink features a red sheen that's perfect for any special occasion. Read more to see how we liked it!

Diamine Holly Fountain Pen Ink writing sample on white dot grid paper

Diamine Holly Fountain Pen Ink writing sample on white blank paper

Diamine Holly Fountain Pen Ink writing sample on cream dot grid paper

Ink Review

Supplies Used:

LAMY with medium steel nib
Rhodia No. 16 dot pad, 80g white paper
Tomoé River 52 gsm white paper
Leuchtturm1917 80g notebook

Smear Test (Dry Time):

30+ seconds – This ink was still very wet after 30 seconds, so don't use this ink if you're going to be writing on the go. It will most likely smear.

Drip Test (Water Resistance):

Low – While the ink breaks down into a lovely teal green color when it gets wet, it is not at all water-resistant.

Saturation:

High – Essentially all the swabs look the same. The only real difference is how much sheen you might see, but that's also subject to paper and other factors.

Ease of Cleaning:

Medium – This ink cleaned out of the pen very easily, but it did stain my fingers for a little while.

Shading:

Medium – This would be primarily dependant upon the nib size used. With a Stub or Broad nib you'll most likely see a decent amount of shading. With more fine nibs, you'll see less, but it will still be present.

Flow:

Medium – This ink is a smidge more wet that most Diamine Inks, but it's not going to flow too fast or be super wet.

If you're interested in similar colors, check out our Swab Shop where you can compare colors side by side.

Summary:

Overall, Diamine Holly is a fun holiday themed ink that can be used for many special occasions! The slightly teal undertone is an unexpected pop, and the red sheen is great to add something extra to your writing. As specialty inks go, this one is a great one to try out.