Noodler's Eel Blue

[dizzypen]

This review along with all my others can be found at The Dizzy Pen.

 

I happened upon this ink when I was looking for an ink to improve the flow of my Pilot Custom 823. I have to tell you I was pleasantly surprised by this ink. Not only is the flow magnificent, but the lubrication is out of this world! It is SMOOOOOOOOOOOTH. It's quite easily the smoothest ink I've ever used. This smoothness is the result of additional lubricants that are added to Noodler's American Eel Inks. You can find Nathan Tardiff's (founder and maker of Noodler's Ink) write up for the American Eel Series here (just scroll down past the Legal Lapis stuff). I don't have any pens with stiff seals, so I can't comment on whether or not Nathan's claims are true, but I can confirm that slick/smooth feeling.

 

Here's the details:

• No feathering or bleed through.
• The flow and lubrication are magnificent.
• The drying time is average to slow at about 10 seconds.
• There is some shading. If you are a printer you'll notice this more.
• There is absolutely no waterproof-ness to this ink.

I really just wanted an eel ink, and since I use blue inks the most I figured blue would make the most sense, but let me tell you, I was more than pleasantly surprised with this color. It has some turquoise undertones to it that make it more than just your standard blue. I really really like it! So, I not only have an eel ink to improve flow and lubrication, but I've also added a very appealing blue to my ink collection. I love it when things like this happen.

 

(click to enlarge this image)

 

http://dizzypen.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/nd-eel-blue-card.jpg

 

No Affil.

[777]

Great review! That ink looks like noodlers navajo turquoise. I've never tried any eel inks before so this might be the first

[AtomicLeo]

I own both the black and blue from the American Eel series and love both inks. Much better than the standard BP black and blue. Well behaved in all of my pens. Some nib creep with the black but not as much as Noodler's Walnut or BP Black. The blue just jumps out on a page. I think it's just as bright as Baystate Blue without all the headaches.

[ehebert]

I love the Eel inks. I have Navajo Turquoise, Cactus Fruit, Gruene Cactus & Rattler Red. All of the colors are rich & free-flowing. I'm going to get a bottle of this ink as well, as soon as I use up my Lamy blue cartridges.

 

Also, Dizzypen, I like how you included a close up of the index card. It's great to see a detailed view of the ink on paper.

[tonybelding]

I tried Blue American Eel a couple of years ago. I loved the color, it was a very pure blue. I liked the lubrication too. Mine showed more feathering more than I liked -- but it was probably just another of those batch variations that we keep running into with Noodler's. (I also hadn't yet caught onto the trick of dilution that helps some Noodler's inks behave better.)

[fabrimedeiros]

This is my second best blue (first: Noodler's Baystate Blue), but FIRST in terms of behavior. The only regret is that Eel Blue is not waterproof as I wish, which is essential for my job. Although, when I work at home, it's not necessary, and I can enjoy this great blue color. I've been using it in my two Montblanc 146, that need a special care with their piston system, in order to assure their always smoothess. Both were stiff piston fillers, but, after 1 or 2 months using EB, they became quite smooth. I hope Nathan doesn't change its formulation, as hapened to Polar Blue, that was changed and became horrible.

 

Fabricio

Edited July 28, 2010 by fabrimedeiros

[dizzypen]

I love the Eel inks. I have Navajo Turquoise, Cactus Fruit, Gruene Cactus & Rattler Red. All of the colors are rich & free-flowing. I'm going to get a bottle of this ink as well, as soon as I use up my Lamy blue cartridges.

 

Also, Dizzypen, I like how you included a close up of the index card. It's great to see a detailed view of the ink on paper.

 

I'm glad you like it! I'm running out of room on my flickr account, so I'm hosting my pictures on my blog now. Seems to be working out pretty well. I also like the close-up feature.

[jniforat]

great review!!! this is one of the inks a few people suggested to use instead of BSB. I think the "Print" really brings out the blue!

[Big Turtle]

Somehow I bought a bottle of this a few months ago. I CAN'T STAND THE COLOR. Its not really blue or black but some kind of dull blue. Writes well in all of my (inexpensive to cheap) pens. No smearing or feathering on the cheap paper that I write on (Moleskin knock offs).

 

What I'm looking for is a match to the blue of a "sharpie" pen blue. Any suggestions? Going to try Private Reserve American blue and DC penshow blue.

 

John

[Big Turtle]

Somehow I bought a bottle of this a few months ago. I CAN'T STAND THE COLOR. Its not really blue or black but some kind of dull blue. Writes well in all of my (inexpensive to cheap) pens. No smearing or feathering on the cheap paper that I write on (Moleskin knock offs).

 

What I'm looking for is a match to the blue of a "sharpie" pen blue. Any suggestions? Going to try Private Reserve American blue and DC penshow blue.

 

John

[The Classicist]

[...]The only regret is that Eel Blue is not waterproof as I wish, which is essential for my job. Although, when I work at home, it's not necessary, and I can enjoy this great blue color. [...] I hope Nathan doesn't change its formulation, as hapened to Polar Blue, that was changed and became horrible.

 

Fabricio

 

 

I agree with the waterproof qualities being completely necessary, but how was the first iteration of Polar Blue different from the current one?

[corniche]

Somehow I bought a bottle of this a few months ago. I CAN'T STAND THE COLOR. Its not really blue or black but some kind of dull blue. Writes well in all of my (inexpensive to cheap) pens. No smearing or feathering on the cheap paper that I write on (Moleskin knock offs).

 

What I'm looking for is a match to the blue of a "sharpie" pen blue. Any suggestions? Going to try Private Reserve American blue and DC penshow blue.

 

John

 

Greetings John,

 

If you're looking for a brilliant Sharpie like blue; try Quink Permanent Blue, Aurora Blue or PR DC Blue.

 

All the best,

 

Sean

[Charles Skinner]

I do not have the ability to write a full review, but I will say that this is a great blue ink. It is "bright blue," to my eyes, and it really reminds me of an ink I love, but can not find these days for some reason. I am talking about Toucan Bright Blue ink. This Noodler's Blue is very, very close. I love it. C. Skinner

[Bill P]

The Noodlers EEL Blue IS a wonderful color with excellent characteristics..

 

Another good one is Liberty Elysium (Noodlers for Goulet Pens)

[Charles Skinner]

​My Pilot Custom Heritage 92 developed a strange sound coming from the piston at a certain place when being moved up and down. I would not dare try to take the pen apart to lube the spot, so I read about Noodler's American Blue Eel Ink, and thought I would give it a try. Wow! When only one fill, the noise has completely gone away! Saved me "right smart" over having to send it to a repairman!

 

If you are of a certain age, and grew up in "The South," you likely understand and use the expression ---- "right smart!"

 

Write on into that beautiful sunset, ---- where pens never run dry,---- where ink never gets on your fingers, ---- where inks that really, really "show through" are banished for the fountain pen world, --- where children are taught to use real fountain pens BEFORE being taught to ride a bike ---- and where wives always give their husbands a new fountain pen each Christmas!

 

 

 

[CraigR]

​My Pilot Custom Heritage 92 developed a strange sound coming from the piston at a certain place when being moved up and down. I would not dare try to take the pen apart to lube the spot, so I read about Noodler's American Blue Eel Ink, and thought I would give it a try. Wow! When only one fill, the noise has completely gone away! Saved me "right smart" over having to send it to a repairman!

 

If you are of a certain age, and grew up in "The South," you likely understand and use the expression ---- "right smart!"

 

Write on into that beautiful sunset, ---- where pens never run dry,---- where ink never gets on your fingers, ---- where inks that really, really "show through" are banished for the fountain pen world, --- where children are taught to use real fountain pens BEFORE being taught to ride a bike ---- and where wives always give their husbands a new fountain pen each Christmas!

 

 

 

 

I laughed at your last paragraph. Maybe you should do a series like Garrison Keller's Lake Woebegone, only about a pen community.

Edited August 8, 2018 by CraigR

[pen_master]

Blue Eel is a great mixer for colour experimentations. Found no problems when mixing with Diamine inks to make other colours more cheaply than purchasing. I never use it on its own because I do find the colour a bit plain.