Hukaiwen Ink Block Easyou Handmade Refined Pine Soot Ink Stick for Chinese Japanese Calligraphy and Painting 62g

I just tried it today and even rubbing a long time on my ink stone with a few ml of water produced a light gray ink. Even the first few seconds I could see a difference compared to my other sticks. I have used ink sticks successfully before and have taken classes in ink painting and Chinese calligraphy, so I am pretty sure it isn’t me. I haven’t had a new ink stick in a while, but I was rubbing long enough to get through any kind of coating it might have. The wooden box it comes in is nice. I feel like a got a low quality stick for a high price.

"Brave New World" refers to the fact that this ink stick is "handmade." I have never had a handmade ink stick before. This ink stick has a unique look and feel about it, different from all of my other ink sticks.During the two thousand years of dynastic China, there were celebrated individual ink makers, who were treated as superstars and whose ink sticks or ink cakes were in great demand, among the cultural elite.To my great surprise, instead of celebrated individual ink makers of yore, I discover, from Amazon, the existence the historic Hukaiwen ink factory in Huizhou, China, some of the ink sticks of which are "handmade", and seem to be the "Rolls Royce" of the ink sticks of "modern" China.Most of the ink sticks offered on Amazon are Hukaiwen, but not all Hukaiwen selections of are designated as "handmade."For more information on the Hukaiwen ink factory, google "hukaiwen," and you will find several articles on the Hukaiwen ink factory.One article on Google about the Hukawen ink factory states that Hukaiwen ink sticks made from pine soot are generally used for painting, whereas Hukaiwen ink sticks made from oil soot are blacker, and therefore are good for calligraphy.I have high expectations of this ink stick. Although I have always kept my new ink sticks for a period of years before I use them, I am very tempted to use one these intriguing new Hukaiwen ink sticks, to obtain an impression of what they are like - even if premature.I hope other customers will post informative "customer reviews" about this intriguing, handmade stick. I look forward to their insights.

This item arrived as promised and in perfect condition.

It's really good to use. Traditional Chinese ink to practice Chinese calligraphy.

Painting results were too light with this stick--/More of a dark gray than jet black which is the desired color. I purchased a different stick from another supplier and am happy with it. BUT-I love AMAZON - and wish NO ill will to the ink stick maker. Just giving my humble opinion.