Chelpark Permanent Blue-Black

[Sandy1]

☞ For convenient viewing of the images in all their inky goodness, you may wish to scroll to the menu at the very bottom of this window, then change the FPN Theme to http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/ecb8726d-1.jpg

 

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Grey Scale:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/b4a04182.jpg

 

~ △ ~

Figure 1.

Swabs & Swatch

Paper: HPJ1124 24 lb.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/0097531d.jpg

 

Figure 2.

NIB-ism ✑

Paper: HPJ1124.

Depicts nibs' line-width and pens' relative wetness.

IMG-thumb:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/th_439ca148.jpg

Pens: L ➠ R: Estie, 440, Parker, PPP, P99, Carene.

Figure 3.

Paper base tints:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Private%20Reserve%20Chocolate/86f3378c.jpg

L ➠ R: HPJ1124, Rhodia, G Lalo white, Royal, Staples 20 lb.

 

WRITTEN SAMPLES - Moby Dick

Ruling: 8mm.

 

Figure 4.

Paper: HPJ1124.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/ef8988ea.jpg

 

Figure 5.

Paper: Rhodia.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/a529092e.jpg

 

 

Figure 6.

Paper: G Lalo, Verge de France, white.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/671be930.jpg

 

 

Figure 7.

Paper: Royal - 25% rag.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/61d2781d.jpg

 

 

Figure 8.

Paper: Staples 20 lb. multi-use

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/dcb2f7df.jpg

 

 

Figure 9.

Grocery List

Paper: Pulp. One-a-Day calendar page.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/bf1f203f.jpg

 

 

OTHER STUFF

 

Figure 10.

Smear/Dry Times & Wet Tests. ☂

Pen: PPP.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/85dd90d4.jpg

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

 

Type:

• Dye-based fountain pen ink.*

Presentation:

• Bottle in a box.

Availability:

• Available when Topic posted.
• A gift hand-carried from India. ✈

Daily writer?

• Almost.

A go-to ink?

• When a resilient dye-based Blue-Black is desired.

* Includes the mystery ingredient 'Cleen-X', which I infer as being an additive that may act as a self-cleaning agent to maintain the pen in excellent working order between flushes.

USE

 

Business:

(From the office of Ms Blue-Black.)

• Well suited to all manner of correspondence, with a good balance of conviviality and gravitas to be considered an all-rounder. That balance can be tuned (within reason) by selecting density and line width.
• CBlBk may be limited by the odd Smear/Dry Time results, but that seems to be a matter of sampling under one's own conditions.
• Well suited to personal work product; and high readability is built-in.
• Could be pressed into service for editing and mark-up of Black-printed text, though a somewhat more eye-catching ink would be preferred.
• Delivered a sound performance on Staples 20lb, indicating that two-sided use on 'lowest-bidder' papers is a reasonable expectation from slightly dry pens.
• Not enough zap for error correction or grading.

Illustrations / Graphics:

• Seems to suit all manner of applicators; dry or wet brush seem suitable.
• Shows some potential for secondary figures, and as a transitional colour between Medium Blue to Black.
• If diluted, it could be used as a space-defining ground.
• The high water-resistance may be attractive for those who go over prior work with wet media, though some dye does come adrift, and line edges become less sharp.
• The S/DT appears a bit indeterminate, so I suggest running samples prior to using CBlBk when rapid reworking is required.
• Line quality is better than most on all papers used, so very narrow lines are possible, but propensity for shading makes use for diagrams or labels uncertain.

Students:

• Seems a contender.
• As there was no bleed- show-through on the Staples 20lb, two-sided use of 'lowest bidder' copy paper seems a reasonable expectation.
• The nib-tip dry-out might need one to modify their technique for stop-start note taking. (I am known to doodle when bored or disinterested, so my pen is at the ready.)
• The robust properties make CBlBk a possible pick for use where exposure to fluids is a possibility.
• Extended S/DTs might cause problematic smearing. (Use of blotter sheets is a likely fix.)

Personal:

• Right up my street.
• Definitely appeals to my taste for interesting inks whose colour is subtle, yet have a certain charisma. e.g. Montblanc Midnight Blue, Visconti Blue, tsuki-yo.
• A shoo-in for pro forma personal business writing when no stealth is required.
• Sufficiently robust for field use, and suits casual carry to a T.
• Choice of pen and paper are very much at the whim of the author; and those who enjoy supple tonal shading are quite likely to enjoy CBlBk.
• Whee!! (In a Blue-Black sort of way.)
• Billets doux?

PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE & CHARACTERISTICS

 

Flow Rate:

• Fair.
• A bit more would be welcome.

Nib Dry-out:

• Ink on the nib tip became dry sooner than usual.
• Ink in the feed was ready to go.

Start-up:

• Immediate.
• Less than total confidence due to nib tip dry-out, but there was no virga during preparation of the written samples.

Lubrication:

• OK.
• Felt a bit thin, which allowed feedback to be clearly conveyed.

Nib Creep:

• Not seen.

Staining (pen):

• Not seen.

Clogging:

• Not seen.

Bleed- Show-Through:

• Not seen.
• Two-sided use is possible on all papers sampled.
  

Feathering / Woolly Line:

• Not seen.

Aroma:

• Inky.

Hand oil sensitivity:

• Not seen.
• I would guard the writing surface from contamination.

Clean Up:

• A bit slower than usual.
• Thorough with plain water.

Mixing:

• No stated prohibitions.

Archival:

• Not claimed, though on the box is printed "Four permanent colours for records and documents . . ."

Smear/Dry Times & Water Resistance:

• As shown in Figure 10 above.

 

THE LOOK

 

Presence:

• Discretely classy.
• Supple.

Saturation:

• Low.

Shading:

• Oh yes!
• Even from the Estie's firm XF nib on HPJ1124, CBlBk delivered attractive shading.
• (See HiRes sample below.)

Variability:

• Pen+nib combos used:
  • Greater than expected.

  [*]Papers used:

  • Slightly less than expected.

  [*]Malleability:

  • Fairly high.
  • Driven to a great extent by choice of pen: wetness, and nib size and shape.
  • The ink does not misbehave when run at high density nor does it become 'sketchy' when at low density; the author has considerable opportunity to generate the desired appearance with low risk of an unacceptable result.
  • The relative consistency on a range of papers makes CBlBk worthy of consideration for a daily writer.

Hi-Res Scans:

Originals are 60x30mm.

 

As I do not wish to be known by the sobriquet बैंडविड्थ डाकुओं की रानी, these are IMG-thumbs only. To view as intended, kindly click the image.

 

Estie on HPJ1124

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/th_2c2a10cd.jpg

Parker on Rhodia

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/th_07d2b082.jpg

PPP on G Lalo

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/th_69144334.jpg

Carene on Royal

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/th_6da2a7c1.jpg

 

FIDELITY

 

Is the name appropriate?

• Yes.
• But perhaps 'Royal Blue-Black'?

 

OTHER INKS

 

Comparisons:

For the recent Blue-Black inks which I have reviewed, an effort was made to use several of the same pen+paper combos, and a format supporting side-by-side comparison through manipulation of browser windows. I hope this is sufficient to meet most ad hoc comparison requirements. If not, I welcome your request via PM. Additional scans may be produced, but the likelihood of additional inky work is rather low.

Swab Swami:

IMG-thumb:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/th_a40c63d3.jpg

Left ➠ Right: Pilot Blue-Black, R&K Salix, Lamy BlBk.

 

PAPERS

 

Lovely papers:

• Most.
• The ink ran well on all papers shown, but to keep its Look, I prefer wetter pens when the paper absorbency drops. (Am I impossibly fussy?)

Trip-wire Papers: ☠

• The textured non-absorbent G Lalo was OK, but I do not care for the slight Greenish cast that appears when that paper's base-tint combines with the ink's native colour.

Tinted Papers:

• Unless run at much higher densities than shown here, I would not be inclined to use CBlBk on tinted papers.

Pre-Printed Papers:

• Forms, etc.
  • Yes.
  • The colour and tone separate nicely from Black-printed text on white paper, and the ink's line quality should take FP-hostile paper in stride.

  [*]For charts & graphs:

  • Possible.

Is high-end paper 'worth it'?

• Performance on HPJ1124 was quite acceptable indeed.
• High-end papers may be considered should one choose to pursue shading and/or extremes of density.

OTHER THAN INK

 

⚠ Upon breaking the metal cap seal, beware of exposed sharp edges on cap and remnant collar on the bottle.

 

• The ink is presented in bottle in a box that is 64x64x40mm.
• The bottle is shaped very much like that of Parker Quink; and has a sealed metal cap with a coated card stock liner of a quality that invites decanting.
• The box includes Chelpark contact details and packing month+year.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/th_59f5f1ec.jpg http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/th_93543121.jpg

 

ETC.

 

Majik:

• Bit of a stretch - CBlBk is sufficiently malleable to support significant conjuring, yet the colour is just a tad shy on charisma.

Personal Pen & Paper Pick:

• Parker on the HPJ1124.
• While I would not consider the nib to be a flexi, it is not rigid. (See pen 'C' in Figure 2.)
• The nib gives subtle variation of line width combined with enhanced range of tone which give the supple variation and flowing character which I find very attractive. (My hand writing needs it!)
• The HPJ1124 provides good absorbency, keeping the overall density high enough so the flowing line of the ink is positioned firmly on the page, and its white base-tint provides a bit of snap that acts as a subtle foil to the shading.

Yickity Yackity:

• For those who are attracted to the supple shading typical of I-G inks, but seek a low-maintenance ink, CBlBk might be considered.
• The next time I'm in Calangute for a pre-monsoon full moon, a 100ml Nalgene of this might find its way back in my beach bag.
• Ah kushbaby, yet another one trying to lure you away from your beloved LBlBk.

======

 

NUTS & BOLTS

 

Pens

IMG-thumb:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN_2012/Ink%20Review%20-%20Chelpark%20Blue-Black/th_d465a310.jpg

Written Samples:

• Esterbrook J + 9550 Posting steel XF nib.
• Sheaffer 440 + steel F nib.
• Parker USA Duofold button-filler + 14K nib.
• Platinum President Purist + 22K B nib.
• Pelikan P99 + steel B nib. (Wetter than the Blue P99.)
• Waterman Carene + factory stock 18K Stub nib.

Lines & labels:

• Visconti Green from a Pilot Penmanship + EF.

Papers:

• HPJ1124 24 lb. Laser Copy.
• Rhodia.
• G Lalo, Verge de France, white.
• Royal, 25% cotton rag.
• Staples 20 lb. multi-use.
• Pulp. One-a-Day calendar page.

Images

• Scans were made on an Epson V600 scanner; factory defaults were accepted.
• Figures shown were scanned at 200 dpi & 24 bit colour.
• HiRes Images linked were scanned at 300 dpi & 24 bit colour.
• Scans were not adjusted post-capture, other than dumb-down by Photo bucket and IP.Board s/w.

Densitometer Readings

(HPJ1124)

• Red 117
• Grn 154
• Blu 201
• Lum 156

Fine Print

The accuracy and relevance of this Review depends in great part upon consistency and reliability of matériel used.

Ink does not require labelling/notice to indicate (changes in) formulation, non-hazardous ingredients, batch ID, date of manufacture, etc.

As always, YMMV, not only from materials, methods, environment, etc., but also due to differences between the stuff I used, and that you may have.

Also, I entrust readers to separate opinion from fact; to evaluate inferences and conclusions as to their merit; and to be amused by whatever tickles your fancy.

 

-30-

Tags: Fountain Pen Ink Review Chelpark Blue-Black BlBk India Sandy1

Edited March 5, 2012 by Sandy1

[Owner of a Lonely Heart]

Thanks for the great review! Looks like I CAN avoid this BlBk being that it is very similar to some I already have, and it seems a bit on the light side...

[Sandy1]

Thanks for the great review! Looks like I CAN avoid this BlBk being that it is very similar to some I already have, and it seems a bit on the light side...

Hi,

 

You're welcome!

 

Yes indeed, even though CBlBk is quite a fine ink, if one has a similar ink on their shelves, the urge to acquire it may not be pressing, or result in nights of sleepless yearning or ink-filled dreams.

 

It does run rather light from pens of quite normal wetness, yet it can easily handle being put down from wet writers without misbehaving. It is rather like Lamy Blue-Black in that regard: it does fine at normal densities, but some authors will prefer it at higher densities. The samples from the rather wet Carene on the absorbent Royal give an idea of the Look at higher density.

 

Bye,

S1

[Ink Sandwich]

Thanks for another wonderful review. I just love to read the stuff you can write about ink

 

Seems they should have called it 'blue-white' instead though. - It would need a really really wet writer (really) to give at least a tiny bit of saturation.

[Sandy1]

Thanks for another wonderful review. I just love to read the stuff you can write about ink

 

Seems they should have called it 'blue-white' instead though. - It would need a really really wet writer (really) to give at least a tiny bit of saturation.

Hi,

 

You're welcome!

 

As usual, the ink-on-paper originals have more 'presence' than I can depict from a scan. Yet, there should be no confusion that CBlBk is not a dark BlBk, but one of the pale ones - rather like Pilot BlBk. (Review Link).

 

My Personal Pen & Paper Pick was the Duofold, with a relatively wet line of M-ish width on the HPJ1124 of 'normal' absorbency, at which density allows the shading to be more evident than from a dryer writer giving a pale line. (See NIB-ism - Figure 2, and HiRes images.)

 

Bye,

S1

[Uncle Red]

Thanks Sandy, I'd been wondering about this ink. It reminds me of Sheaffer Blue Black except more blue and less grey. The water resistance is impressive, it even stayed blue.

I notice that Fountain Pen Revolution has this ink for $5.00 for 60ml

 

http://www.fountainpenrevolution.com/inks.html

[hari317]

This is the latest dye based avatar of this ink. In the past the formulation was ferrogallic with 0.1% iron content conforming to BIS standard IS220.

[Sandy1]

Thanks Sandy, I'd been wondering about this ink. It reminds me of Sheaffer Blue Black except more blue and less grey. The water resistance is impressive, it even stayed blue.

I notice that Fountain Pen Revolution has this ink for $5.00 for 60ml

 

http://www.fountainp...n.com/inks.html

Hi,

 

You're welcome!

 

I'm glad to have given some shape to your wondering.

 

The Sheaffer BlBk is certainly much more Grey - to the point that I consider it a Blue-Grey-Black.

(The only written samples of SSBlBk that I have posted to date appear a comparison with Caran d'Ache Blue Night, LINK.)

 

Thanks for adding the link to an online Vendor.

 

Bye,

S1

Edited March 6, 2012 by Sandy1

[The Good Captain]

A great review of course and as ever but I don't think I'll pack up my 4001 just yet!

[Sandy1]

This is the latest dye based avatar of this ink. In the past the formulation was ferrogallic with 0.1% iron content conforming to BIS standard IS220.

Hi,

 

Thank-you for letting us know about the previous I-G version - but no teasing!

 

Even though this ink is not an I-G formulation it has many of the features I find attractive in an I-G ink: water resistance, ability to perform well at a range of densities, low likelihood of bleed- show-through, etc.

 

To confirm: the ink packaging makes no mention of compliance with BIS standard/s.

 

Could you please tell us how this ink is regarded in its home country?

 

Bye,

S1

[Bijesh]

This is the latest dye based avatar of this ink. In the past the formulation was ferrogallic with 0.1% iron content conforming to BIS standard IS220.

Hi,

 

Thank-you for letting us know about the previous I-G version - but no teasing!

 

Even though this ink is not an I-G formulation it has many of the features I find attractive in an I-G ink: water resistance, ability to perform well at a range of densities, low likelihood of bleed- show-through, etc.

 

To confirm: the ink packaging makes no mention of compliance with BIS standard/s.

 

Could you please tell us how this ink is regarded in its home country?

 

Bye,

S1

 

This used to be the ink used for writing the lab records in my college. This ink was mandatory probably because of its water resistance. Had a pen dedicated for this ink during my college days and I used to really like it. It was real blue black and not teal.

 

Earlier it was BIS standards, now it is ISI - http://www.bis.org.in/

 

I tried to get this ink when I went to India last month without success. Nobody had heard about inks other than blue or black. I was able to find a green ink in a book store near a mosque though! The ink is cheap (18Rs - 0.35USD) compared to the inks available here in US.

[Sandy1]

This is the latest dye based avatar of this ink. In the past the formulation was ferrogallic with 0.1% iron content conforming to BIS standard IS220.

Hi,

. . .

Could you please tell us how this ink is regarded in its home country?

 

Bye,

S1

 

This used to be the ink used for writing the lab records in my college. This ink was mandatory probably because of its water resistance. Had a pen dedicated for this ink during my college days and I used to really like it. It was real blue black and not teal.

 

Earlier it was BIS standards, now it is ISI - http://www.bis.org.in/

 

I tried to get this ink when I went to India last month without success. Nobody had heard about inks other than blue or black. I was able to find a green ink in a book store near a mosque though! The ink is cheap (18Rs - 0.35USD) compared to the inks available here in US.

Hi,

 

Thank-you for telling us more about this ink.

 

I had not realised this ink was so thin on the ground!

I don't know if you were using the dye-based ink or the previous I-G version in your college days, but I think that either ink would be suitable, not only for water resistance but also for its resistance to erasure. Also interesting that the use of fountain pens is/was mandated at the college level.

 

When going to to India, I usually take some nice BPs as small gifts, usually Parkers with Fisher Space Pen refills; so if I return, I may consider taking some FPs!

 

Bye,

S1

Edited March 7, 2012 by Sandy1

[Sandy1]

A great review of course and as ever but I don't think I'll pack up my 4001 just yet!

Hi,

 

Thanks for the compliment!

 

There is a considerable difference between the BlBk inks from Chelpark and Pelikan!

 

And with CBlBk we have yet another ink from which to choose

 

Bye,

S1

 

- - -

 

Pelikan BlBk Review: LINK

[hari317]

Hi,

 

Thank-you for letting us know about the previous I-G version - but no teasing!

 

Even though this ink is not an I-G formulation it has many of the features I find attractive in an I-G ink: water resistance, ability to perform well at a range of densities, low likelihood of bleed- show-through, etc.

 

To confirm: the ink packaging makes no mention of compliance with BIS standard/s.

 

Could you please tell us how this ink is regarded in its home country?

 

Bye,

S1

 

It used to be a well regarded ink brand, it has an interesting story behind it. Read it here. Actually the inks sold under the Chelpark brand today are manufactured by some other company whose name escapes me at the moment, but it is mentioned there on the carton.

 

I will take a picture of one of the old bottles of Chelpark B/B with the ISI mark and post here.

 

Best

Hari

[hari317]

Chelpark Blue Black, Old Vs somewhat new:

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Chelpark%20BB/IMG_6823.jpg

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Chelpark%20BB/IMG_6824.jpg

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Chelpark%20BB/IMG_6826.jpg

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Chelpark%20BB/IMG_6827.jpg

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Chelpark%20BB/IMG_6828.jpg

 

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn307/hari-b/Chelpark%20BB/IMG_6830.jpg

 

Best

Hari

[Sandy1]

Thanks Hari!

 

[pbhat]

My experience with this ink is very bad. The flow is awful and colour dull when written with a decent wet writer. I do not know whether it is a quality problem. The bottle is like what Hari has marked as new (2008 produce). To be frank I have discarded the bottle.

By the way Chelpark's Crimson Purple is a good ink though washable with a bit girlish almost pink colour.

pbhat

[hari317]

pbhat, by any chance was your ink made by the new fangled pgstationery? which now seems to own the Chelpark brandname...

[Sandy1]

My experience with this ink is very bad. The flow is awful and colour dull when written with a decent wet writer. I do not know whether it is a quality problem. The bottle is like what Hari has marked as new (2008 produce). To be frank I have discarded the bottle.

By the way Chelpark's Crimson Purple is a good ink though washable with a bit girlish almost pink colour.

pbhat

Hi,

 

Many thanks for sharing your experience with this ink - - even if it was "very bad"!

 

Perhaps there is batch variance, or some bad bottles reached the market. I have previously suggested that should bad ink be encountered, the Vendor and Manufacturer be contacted, and samples sent to them - with the expectation that an bad batches/bottles can be identified; and steps taken to lower the risk exposure to re-occurrence. It is a good thing that the ink is marked with a Packaging Date to support those activities.

 

You mention the colour being "dull". Well, Blue-Black is not really a vibrant colour.

BUT - when inks' native colour is dull, it is difficult to judge if an ink is 'off' by description alone.

 

As our experience with this ink is very different, I hope other Members chime-in with their experience so a wider survey can lead to an overall impression.

 

Bye,

S1

[Bijesh]

My experience with this ink has been pretty good. I still have my university lab records (20 years old) written with these and even though the paper has turned yellow, the ink has not faded much. And, it's pretty dark.

 

Good luck with the customer service. You may never get a response.