Versus
Pilot Iroshizuku vs Diamine
The two ink lines everyone ends up owning: Japanese refinement by the 50 ml flacon, or a Midlands catalog of 300+ colors at working prices.
Option A
Pilot Iroshizuku
Pick Iroshizuku for flawless behavior — lubricated flow, gorgeous muted palettes, bottles that belong on a desk. The premium is real but so is the polish.
Option B
Diamine
Pick Diamine for range and value — triple the ink per dollar, a color for every idea including the sheen monsters, and workhorse behavior.
The decision table
| Pilot Iroshizuku | Diamine | |
|---|---|---|
| Price/ml | Premium (~$0.45–0.60) | Value (~$0.15–0.20 in 80 ml) |
| Range | ~50 curated, nature-named | 300+ colors, constant editions |
| Behavior | Wet, lubricated, exceptionally consistent | Reliably good; varies by formula |
| Sheen/shading | Subtle, tasteful | From none to outrageous (Chrome ranges) |
| Bottle | Sculptural glass with ink well | Functional glass/plastic |
| Best for | Gifts, signature colors | Daily fills, ink wardrobes |
The bottom line
Not rivals so much as a sequence: Diamine builds the wardrobe, Iroshizuku supplies the favorites. The mini gift set is the correct first Iroshizuku purchase.
Read the full Pilot Iroshizuku vs Diamine breakdown →
The specimen press
Original nib & ink art, made to order.
The first pull is on the press.
Ink-swatch charts, nib-anatomy plates, and the “Piston Fill” cutaway are being lettered now. Join the desk letter to hear when they land.