Vinta - Sikatuna Sandugo

Vinta Inks - Sikatuna Sandugo - Ink Drop

This is Vinta’s Sikatuna Sandugo, a true super sheener! Vinta make some strong sheening inks, but this may be one of their most aggressive. The name refers to a blood pact (sandugo) made between Datu Sikatuna and Spain’s Miguel Lopez de Ligazpi in Bohol in 1565. The green sheen was inspired by Bohol’s lush landscape. Fitting that an ink so aggressive was inspired by an agreement sealed in blood!

Vinta Inks - Sikatuna Sandugo - Ink Swatch Card Colors

Sikatuna Sandugo is a gorgeous powerhouse that begins with a deep, rich, brick red-orange. Ton coated papers, the red is largely eclipsed by an intense eruption of green-gold sheen. On uncoated papers, you get to enjoy more of the beautiful slightly pinkish, red-orange. It’s a really attractive, very unusual color in my opinion. Don’t expect much in shading, but on many papers, strokes are edged in a thick band of the gold-green sheen.

Vinta Inks - Sikatuna Sandugo - Ink Swatch Card Sheen

In writing, this is a wet, syrupy ink that glides across the page. It’s very comfortable in that way. As you would expect, drying was longer than average on coated papers, but not so bad on uncoated. When sheening is heavy, this ink does smear easily. I recommend using this in pens that aren’t at risk of staining. I haven’t had any problems, but I suspect it’s likely.

Vinta Sikatuna Sandugo is a real beauty if you like drama and sheen. It’s a powerful ink, and it requires respect and caution. I both love it and fear it.