Pure Pens already have a name for themselves when it comes to inks as they’re the only retailer that stocks Noodler’s in the UK. They have now added their own range of inks to their name. As a Welsh company proud of its identity, the inks have a Celtic theme to them. I have six to review, though it’s my understanding there are now 9, with a purple and two greens that have been added to the mix fairly recently. You can buy all 9 inks here.

This is an overview of the inks, but I shall do full reviews of them individually and add to them as and when they’re uploaded. They can be found here:

Porthcurno Cove

Porthcurno is found in the English county of Cornwall, something I hold dear to my heart as Cornwall has always been the family’s “domestic holiday spot”. Porthcurno is the most south-westerly point in Britain. The colour is a beautiful light-blue with some green elements to it, representing the water that you see at the cove. A very beautiful colour.

Cadwaladr

This has a very nice backstory to it, perhaps my favourite actually. Betsi Cadwaladr was a nurse from Wales, whom served in the Crimean war alongside another famous British nurse – Florence Nightingale. The red used is the national shade of Wales and has been dedicated to Miss Cadwaladr. The ink isn’t a blood red like Diamine Red Dragon, often my source of reference for red inks, but is slightly lighter and ‘softer’. A perfect “love letter” red, if I had to put it another way.

Pendine Sands

Betsi Cadwaladr was from the north of Wales – but down south you will find 7 miles of beach known as Pendine Sands, and has its history with motorcycle and car racing as a prime venue as the “finest natural speedway imaginable”. This ink aims to replicate the orange glow of the Sun setting over Wales. It’s a not too vibrant, but definitely not dull either, orange that you would hope to see in a sunset.

Celtic Sea

A blue-sea ink. The shading ranges from a lighter blue to a more saturated darker blue. A very good shader and a very beautiful ink. You know I love my blues! Of the lot, I think this has to be my favourite.

Llanberis Slate

Oddly enough, this ink isn’t the one I find hardest to pronounce (that would be Cadwaladr). I had a friend from Wales when I was 10 and, or so he told me anyway, to pronounce the double L sound, you place your tongue on the roof of your mouth and sort of blow outwards. Llanberis is a town in Wales based at the foot of the tallest mountain in Wales, Mount Snowdon. It’s a grey ink, representing the Llanberis slate mine. I quite like grey inks and this is definitely one with some character to it, without being just a straight up “pencil replica”.

Saltire Blue

Saltire Blue is named after the Scottish flag. The ink is vibrant and saturated and as a result you get a hint of red sheen from the ink. I have a feeling this one will be one of the most popular ones in the range.