never pick a fight ink by the barrel

3 min read 30-11-2024

Meta Description: Dive into Ink By the Barrel's captivating "Never Pick a Fight" ink! This detailed review explores its unique characteristics, shading, sheen, and overall performance, comparing it to similar inks and offering practical advice on its use. Discover if this stunning ink is the perfect addition to your collection. Learn about its color, properties, and more!

Introduction: Unboxing "Never Pick a Fight"

Ink By the Barrel's "Never Pick a Fight" isn't just an ink; it's an experience. This captivating, deep teal ink commands attention with its subtle complexities and stunning performance. But is the hype real? This comprehensive review delves into the nuances of "Never Pick a Fight," exploring its color, shading, sheen, and more. We'll compare it to similar inks and provide practical advice for getting the most from this unique offering. Let's discover if "Never Pick a Fight" truly lives up to its name—and to its stunning visual appeal.

Exploring the Color: A Deep Teal Treasure

"Never Pick a Fight" presents a rich, deep teal, reminiscent of a calm ocean on a twilight evening. It's far from a simple teal; there are hints of subtle blues and greens dancing within its depths, making every stroke a visually interesting journey. The color is striking yet versatile, suitable for both everyday journaling and more formal writing. It's a color that manages to be both sophisticated and approachable.

Comparing to Similar Inks

While many teals exist, "Never Pick a Fight" stands apart. Compared to Robert Oster's "Australian Teal," it's noticeably darker and less vibrant. Diamine's "Teal" is lighter and leans more towards a true teal without the same depth. "Never Pick a Fight" occupies a unique space, offering a sophisticated and more nuanced teal experience.

Shading and Sheen: Where the Magic Happens

One of "Never Pick a Fight"'s most captivating features is its pronounced shading. Broad strokes reveal the rich depth of the ink, showcasing its subtle color variations. This shading enhances the visual impact of your writing, making even simple notes appear elegant.

The sheen is another highlight. While not as overtly sparkly as some inks with high sheen, "Never Pick a Fight" exhibits a subtle, almost ethereal sheen under the right light. This subtle shimmer adds an extra layer of visual interest, elevating the writing experience.

How to Maximize Sheen and Shading

To truly appreciate the shading and sheen of "Never Pick a Fight," use a pen with a broad nib or a stub nib. These nibs allow for the ink to flow more freely, maximizing the opportunity to reveal its color variations and subtle shimmer. Using fountain pen friendly paper, with its higher absorbency, can further enhance the ink’s properties.

Flow and Feathering: A Smooth Writing Experience

The ink boasts a consistent and smooth flow. This makes writing a pleasure, whether you're jotting down quick notes or creating elaborate works of art. There's minimal feathering, even on moderately absorbent paper, ensuring clean lines and legible writing.

Paper Considerations

While "Never Pick a Fight" performs well on most fountain pen-friendly papers, it’s always recommended to test on your preferred paper type before committing to larger projects. This ensures you avoid any unexpected issues with feathering or bleed-through.

Water Resistance and Permanence: A Practical Consideration

"Never Pick a Fight" isn't designed for archival purposes. It’s not highly water-resistant. While the ink is reasonably permanent, prolonged exposure to water may cause some fading. Consider this factor when choosing this ink for important documents or artwork you wish to preserve.

Is "Never Pick a Fight" Right for You?

Ink By the Barrel's "Never Pick a Fight" is a compelling ink for those who appreciate subtle complexities. The rich teal, pronounced shading, and subtle sheen make it a joy to use. It’s a perfect choice for everyday writing, journaling, or artistic projects where visual appeal is a priority. If you seek a vibrant, intensely shimmering ink, this might not be the best fit. However, if you appreciate a more subdued elegance, "Never Pick a Fight" will likely become a favorite in your collection.

Conclusion: A Final Verdict on "Never Pick a Fight"

Ink By the Barrel's "Never Pick a Fight" delivers on its promise of a visually stunning and enjoyable writing experience. Its unique teal color, shading, and subtle sheen combine to create an ink that's both elegant and versatile. Though not highly water-resistant, its smooth flow and minimal feathering make it ideal for everyday use. Consider this ink if you are searching for a captivating and sophisticated addition to your fountain pen ink collection. It's an ink you won't want to miss.