There's a big variation in the ink color of these open stock pens compared to the pens from the original sets and the color chart on Faber Castell site. Not expected from such expensive pens. Faber Castell takes no responsibility for the pale ink in these pens - they blame it on 1. Expiry of the pens shelf life and 2. Pens having been stored vertically for a long time before purchase. No help to the customer who is stuck with under performing expensive products.