Easyou Handmade Refined Pine Soot Ink Stick for Chinese Japanese Calligraphy and Painting 31g

At first I did not like the ink this block produced, but tried again using only 3 drops of distilled water on my stone and I ground it more slowly and longer until the ink was thicker than water. I then added a couple of more drops of water and mixed it all again with the ink stick. The results were a very black ink that worked well for western type calligraphy in my broad edge and pointed dip pens. The sides of the ink stick appear to have a sealant on them, and you have to grind a while before you get down to the actual ink. It requires patience, so I listen to music😁 The fragrance of the ink and box are wonderful.

Interesting, smoky smell. The stick grinds easily and the ink produced has a definite blue tone, very pleasing. When it dries upon the paper I noted a lustrous but basically matte surface. I have heard that at one time, all ink was made from burned pine trees. However, artists may desire a different effect from the one I describe. I'm very pleased.

At first it's going to take a bit of time to get the ink going when you first grind it, and I mean a lot of time. But after you break through it, it grinds very nicely, produces a very smooth black ink. However it's not very fragrant like the other quality inksticks I have, it just smells like a regular pine soot ink. But I guess the lack of fragrance doesn't mean it's cheap quality, it's just that it's usual for higher quality inks to be scented. But in any case, great ink, have not encountered any stray pieces of sand that could scratch the surface of my inkstone and inhibit rough grinding. The only downside is how resistant it is when you first use and new stick, but after you get past that it's smooth sailing.

Very nice ink stick combined with the same ink stone from the same seller. Beautiful smell and cannot wait to use it!

i enjoy once in a while , just grinding this block , and those old days sentiment , meditation like , feeling ,