Choosing between fountain pen inks can be surprisingly specific: the right pick depends on the color you want to sample, not on a universal winner. Van Dieman's Last Light and Troublemaker Abalone are closely matched in format and listed attributes, so the decision comes down to their named colors first, with price as a secondary tie-breaker.
Quick verdict
Choose Van Dieman's Last Light when the phrase "Last Light" is the color you want to explore. Choose Troublemaker Abalone when Abalone is the intended shade. The listed price spread is just $0.06, making the color names the clearest way to decide.
Listed-price and attribute comparison
| Detail | Van Dieman's Last Light | Troublemaker Abalone |
|---|---|---|
| Listed price | USD 3.75 | USD 3.69 |
| Named ink color | Last Light | Abalone |
| Container | 3mL mini plastic bottle | 3mL mini plastic bottle |
| Condition / country | New; Canada | New; Canada |
Where each product wins
- Van Dieman's Last Light wins for a shopper whose target is the Last Light color name. The title makes that choice direct and easy to identify.
- Troublemaker Abalone wins for a shopper seeking Abalone specifically. Its listed price also gives it the lower-priced position in this comparison.
The shared container, condition, and country do not separate the pair. Use the named color as the primary tie-breaker, then consider the small price difference.
Product notes
Van Dieman's Last Light
Van Dieman's Last Light makes sense for a shopper who wants the color phrase "Last Light" specifically. The title gives the sample a clear identity, which is useful when the shade itself is the reason for buying. That direct color naming is the concrete reason to choose it. The main limitation is visual uncertainty: the color can vary slightly with lighting and screen differences, so an on-screen impression may not match the final appearance exactly. For a color-led sampler purchase, Van Dieman's Last Light offers a straightforward choice based on the name rather than an assumed writing result. Select it when "Last Light" is the shade you want to put into your fountain pen.
Troublemaker Abalone
Troublemaker Abalone is the natural pick when "Abalone" is the color name you want to sample. Its title makes the color-led decision straightforward, giving the purchase a concrete reason without requiring a performance claim. The limitation is the same display caveat: lighting and screen differences can make the color appear slightly different from what you expect. That matters most when the shade itself is the main reason for choosing a sample. Troublemaker Abalone is also the lower-priced choice in the pair, which can settle a close call after the color preference is clear. Choose it when Abalone is your intended shade, or when its listed price helps break an otherwise even decision.
Final choice by use case
- Choose Van Dieman's Last Light for a Last Light color match. The title phrase is the decisive reason to select it.
- Choose Troublemaker Abalone for an Abalone color match. Its named shade leads the decision, with USD 3.69 as the lower listed price.
- Choose by format: either sample uses the same listed 3mL mini plastic bottle format, so the container does not settle the comparison.
- When the colors are equally appealing: Troublemaker Abalone has the lower listed price, while Van Dieman's Last Light remains the direct choice for the Last Light name.
