INK REVIEWS
Omas
Colours: Royal Blue. Blue-black. Gray, Green, Violet, Amerigo
Vespucci Red, Permanent Black, Saffron Yellow, Sepia, Roma 2000 Blue (1999/2000)*,
Hong Kong Red (1997)*, Triratna Saffron (1998)*, Green Italia 90* * Limited Time Span Production
The
large octagon-shaped bottle, has been in use since it was first introduced
in the 1930s. It looks great on a desk, however, it is a pain to get into a briefcase!
While I personally think that the violet, gray
and green are too light in colour when compared to some other brands, I am
always reminded that there are a range of tastes! Others have written to
note the colours provide good shading... especially the gray.
Recently the ink was updated in terms of formula.
- Vespucci Red - good density and flow.
The red is often used as a comparison to judge other colours. The colour has now been discontinued. When I
look back at meeting notes taken years later the colour of this ink stands the test of
time.
- Hong Kong Red - made in 1997 for that
year only, leans on the weaker tone side of inks.
- Roma 2000 Blue - deep rich royal blue
with a light touch of ultramarine. Dense and free-flowing. Dries fast,
no colour shift. A very popular ink. It is reported that OMAS is continuing
production of Roma 2000. The company produces special colours for set time
frame. Some report that the Omas 2000 Blue shows staining of the plastic
body of converters. Keep that in mind with translucent pens. Bill Ripel
gives a great review of the Omas Roma 2000 ink in the February edition
of Stylophiles. Bill described the Blue as a useful "day to
day ink, one that has become an instant favorite for me." He says
it is a little "down" in colour from previously available Penman
Sapphire. It is a darker and deeper in tone than Aurora or Waterman blue.
Good flow, good colour.
- Black - some users report problems with
clogging. This is a rich black but not as rich in tone as the Pelikan Brilliant
Black, Private Reserve Velvet Black, Bexley Midnight Black or the Aurora
Black (R Ragner). I always seem to pick up a bottle of Omas Black on my trips to Italy. I use it for my travel journal. Good colour tone.
- Green (Italia 90) - limited edition run
made for 1990. Green colour of the Italian flag. I found it a bit light.
Okay in a medium nib, but too light with a Broad. Looks good on cream-colour
paper.
- Triratna - orange but a little on the
weak and watery side. Less intense than the near fluorescent Private Reserve
Tangerine Dream, but more orange than the Private Reserve Orange Crush
- which leans towards a burnt orange with red and brown tones to the colour.
(R Ragner)
- Violet - lighter than the Pelikan Violet
and significantly lighter than the Waterman Purple (R Ragner). I found it light and bright.
- Sepia - so for your browns, this one
is a little darker than the Private Reserve Copper Burst or the Bexley
Mocha, and also darker than the Waterman Havana. (R Ragner)
- Blue - you will only be able to find the "new" blue now in stores. This is another colour that I always seem to pick up when in Italy. It just looks great on the desk. The blue has too much violet in it for my liking.
- Grey - I bought a bottle of this thinking it would be stunning on cream paper, but I found the ink too light.