Private Reserve American Blue Ink

[TheNobleSavage]

This here is one of my favorite inks. This Noodlers Black and PR DC Blue are my most used inks. I normally buy several bottles at a time due to the fact that I go through at least 3 or 4 bottles of each ink within a month. That a lot of ink and a lot of writing too!!! One of these days I am going to figure how many gallons of ink I go through in a calander year.

 

TNS

 

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[wimg]

Hi TNS,

 

Thanks again for another lovely review. I do have DC Blue, and I agree that it is a lovely ink, be it a little problematic with drying times occasionally. Personally, I use it a lot in my VP with M nib, a blue carbonesque of course . And it looks like I do have to give this colour a try too. I get my PR inks from PW Akkerman in the Hague, these days, so next time I visit the shop...

 

And I think it is great to see longer pieces written with these inks. it just gives a much better impression of variation in colour, shading, etc. Thanks!

 

Warm regards, Wim

[southpaw]

TNS - wonderful review. Looks like a great blue, but I've heard bad things about PR inks and lefties, so I don't have any. I've always been told that they are slow-drying and very smear prone. Would you and others agree?

[TheNobleSavage]

IM not a lefty so I cannot comment. As for problematic, hmmm, It takes a bit longer to dry but It depends on the paper, and nib width. I use broads and broad stubs and yes it is wet but I dont find it much worse than other inks on the market. I find eel inks even worse at drying times and smearing than DC Blue. If I am in a rush, Ill use a blotter and that solves the problem rather quickly!!

 

TNS

[tzmcneill]

I use PR American Blue and it does have a longer drying time than Noodler's Black or even Legal Lapis, and does smudge a bit if you are not careful, this is comming out of a Dani with a soft-flex fine nib. If I were a lefty, I would certainly have to be careful with it. But it sure is pretty.

 

tom.

[Stephen-I-am]

I think it's well named. The shade is a close match for the blue found in the American flag.

 

Stephen

[TheNobleSavage]

Thats a big reason why I love that color along with PR DC SS Blue. DC Blue seems to be a bit darker than American Blue. But as far as I am concerned, DC Blue, American Blue and Noodlers Blue are the ultimate blue ink on the market today IMHO

 

I am sure there will be a lot that will disagree but thats my own personal Opinion!!!

A majority of the time like nice saturated inks but then again, there are times where I like classic inks such as Quink, Diamine and waterman. A lot of it depends on my mood and what pens I am using. I do not use highly saturated inks in vintage pens, they just dont write well for me at all. Modern pens on the other hand seem to do extremely well with saturated inks and I normally like Broader nibs. Broader nibs usually flow extremely well and they seem to handle highly saturated inks much better than some vintage pens and also pen with extremely narrow nibs such as an Extra fine and fine. Again that is only my Opinion!!!

 

TNS

[HesNot]

Nice review and timely since I just ordered a bottle of PR American Blue and Noodlers black! The PR American Blue is to fill a slot about to be voided by my almost empty bottle of Waterman Florida Blue. I do notice that in my one broad nib pen my PR Midnight Blues is almost too dark and wet - otherwise in my mediums and fines it flows really nicely. I'll be anxious to see how it performs in my Parker 21 with a broad nib.

[TheNobleSavage]

I am sure you will really love the color. It looks really fantastic in person. And since the flow is quite generous, it makes a nice wet line, not flood. Let us know what you think when you use it.

 

 

TNS

[Stephen-I-am]

I just filled out a form tonight (unfortunately a hospital admission form for our cat) with American blue. I handed it in, and the receptionist said "ooh, what nice handwriting. Is that a calligraphy pen?" I was using an oblique italic VP from Richard Binder. I said that it was, actually.

 

First time I've ever been complimented on my handwriting. I guess "Write Now" is paying off ...

 

Stephen

[Goodwhiskers]

Yet another helpful, enjoyable review !