New ink subscription service from Cult Pens! My initial thoughts. 

Glad to see a new posting. Will be looking for the new reviews.

Great to see you back, Rob. I've really missed your level-headed videos and dry sense of humour. I am also drowning in ink and so have no need for samples. When I first had an e-mail about it I just thought that it seemed too much money for such a small number of samples. I have never had much luck with mystery boxes either. I have bought a couple of mystery boxes from craft retailers and although the items were cheaper than they would have been separately they weren't anything that I wanted to use. I think some companies use them to get rid of the stuff no-one wants to buy!

Hi Rob! Best regards and I'm glad you'll be back with new reviews. I have always found your reviews elegant and meaningful, full of reflection and experience. See you soon!

Great to see you back Rob, I was concerned that you had quit the hobby.

Hi Rob. Nice to see you again. Yeah I got the email from Cult Pens about the ink subscription service. Not for me either for two reasons: one, I don't like paying for 'mystery' goods that have not been chosen by me and two, I would be concerned they might send me inks that I've already got. That said, I'm sure it will be a lot of fun for some people who like surprises!

As others have said, really good to hear your voice again and hope we get to see more of you. I wasn't aware of this new subscription and the Cult Pens link is 404 error so can't look it up - but generally as someone who isn't a fan of shimmer or high sheening/smudgy inks, I am always a bit reluctant. I'll watch some unboxing's though!

Oy! Glad to see you posting again, Rob!

Ay up Rob! Good to see you back!

Thanks for the post. It’s a treat!

Hi, Rob. I've never seen the point of buying mystery anything, to be honest. I much prefer to choose and buy exactly what I want. If I were to subscribe to this thing, however, in the same spirit I'd be tempted to pay for it by sending them a big bag of mixed currency. There would perhaps be a few Chinese Yen in there or maybe a few Russian Roubles. Who knows? They couldn't really complain, though. 🙃 Nice to see you back. All the best

Like you I started my pen and ink journey quite a few years ago and I too would have jumped at the chance at a subscription box. I'm intrigued to see what they contain and hope that they will include a good range of ink brands and a generous amount too.

I've never been one to go for mystery boxes. I always seem to get things I never would have wanted anyway. I feel it's a great way for a retail establishment to get rid of stock that has been hanging around too long.

I went on the Cult Pens website for the first time in while a few days ago, and noticed the ink subscription. I had no idea it was this new. They have a spoiler link for each box and I'm sad to say... no fountain pen in the boxes.... Not sure how 'mini' the 'mini samples' are, but not sure if the boxes are worth it.

I was curious so subscribed for the 3 months to see what it contained. I really miss Pure Pens ink samples and I used to get the random samples sometimes to try inks I don't naturally gravitate to. The samples are all 5 ml, some definitely a cheaper brand but some higher end. I've already got one of them but it's a colour I like so I'm not mad. I actually quite liked the extra item, I didnt know about it at all so will have fun using it. We shall see how it goes over the next couple of months... I wasnt disappointed - but Im only about 5 years into exploring pens and inks and try not to go mad with buying ink in bottles without trying them first so it works for me 🤷‍♀️

Eh, im disappointed with mine. Diamines that are available in 30ml was a shock. 2nd time round a better selection but one is a dip only ink which is random, lucky i checked, i could've ruined a nice FP. Fortunately it's like paint so it was obviously something weird but if you were a newbie... My main issue is the effin stupid bottles they've used. I can barely open them and you have to find a container to use if you want to dip or fill a piston pen. Why not use standard vials?!

Have you tried Pure Pens in Wales, or the probably more warehouse Online Pen Company? They might actually appreciate the mention more than the more ubiquitous Cult Pens, and be more open to giving you a discount. Living in the US, there are several ink subscription services, that I've never been interested in, because samples just aren't my cup of tea. I've managed to acquire a sizable amount of bottles on my own. 😁 Yes, probably a fountain pen. The one I've seen the most of, from Truphae, it's almost always a pen. THAT would be the draw for me. 😉 Of course, your experience may vary. Would I do it, if I used more ink? Certainly. Just not whilst I have enough washable blues to float an aircraft carrier. (I've developed an interest in vintage inks. Comparing to modern, mostly. And like a Biro, its usually black and blue that is available. I just completed the range of Parker Quink from WWII, and surprisingly the washable blue was hardest to come by.)

Hello! Well this is almost word by word monolog I did myself this morning trying to stop myself subscribing for this. I wouldn’t mind exploring more expensive inks but included stationary item actually makes me think that either ink samples will be 2 ml or cheaper brands like Diamine where 30 ml bottle is under 3£.. also being 20£ what stationary item that would be ink related could it be? Best case scenario I would expect some fancier paperclip or couple sheets of fountain pen friendly paper samples.. worst case scenario something nothing to do with ink and fountain pens lol and I would expect second option to be more likely. There is just not enough information provided about how much (ml?) and what stationary as examples could you expect to get your money. Another thing is does that include shipping? They have raised shipping threshold to 40£ just couple days ago-will they charge monthly extra for shipping too? Also as cancellation doesn’t look like to be an option I dont think I want to bet 60£ on something so shady at the moment. If Pure pens would be selling more than 7-8 ink samples I would be placing orders constantly but rotation of those is very slow on their website. But the price for the ones they sell is great. I envy USA guys where they have every ink they could think off in sample option. Lucky lol