Stipula Blue della Robbia revisited

[Michael R.]

Many thanks for Margana who has sent me a sample me another sample of Stipula Blu della Robbia.

 

http://freenet-homepage.de/pensninks/StipulaBlu.jpg

 

The difference is not as huge as I was expecting from some of the other reviews but there definitely is a difference.

 

My version of this ink is much more faded and grey while Margana's version has more blue tones and better intensity; this especially becomes obvious in the ink patches rather than the writing.

 

 

Cheers

 

Michael

[Margana]

Thanks for making the comparison, Michael. I wonder which is currently offered. The difference might be subtle but I like the bluer version better. It is quite unique compared to my other blue-blacks and I am really enjoying it.

[Michael R.]

The difference might be subtle but I like the bluer version better.

 

 

The difference is not too subtle! "Your" version definitely looks like a blue black on paper while "my" verision can be easiely mistaken for a grey.

 

I think your version even has more purple tones; mine writes more like a turquoise-grey but dries to a purplish grey.

 

While both inks show some shading "my" version has more as it seems more "watered down" (???) giving it a slightly washed out look.

 

I need to compare those inks on different papers though.

 

Also I need to check your version compared to Caran d'Ache Blue Night - it looks similar from what I have in mind...

 

 

Many thanks for sending me the sample; this was fun :-) ...and it's being used in my Parker Duofold Centennial Chocolate Pinstripe right now

 

Michael

 

 

[MYU]

I've found several sources of this ink:

Pendemonium - $14 per bottle

The Ink Flow - $12 per bottle

Madison Art Shop - $14 per bottle (free shipping)

the Gifts 4U - $10.75 per bottle

 

If you're getting just one bottle, Madison Art Shop is the place (they charge tax, but basically you're looking at $15 shipped). The Ink Flow charges UPS shipping at cost for orders below $20, but they tack on $3.50 handling above $20. Otherwise, Gifts 4U is a pretty good deal (shipping is $6.95, no tax), except their selection doesn't include the Borgogna (dark red).

[simonrob]

For whatever it's worth, mine looks like Michael's; very little blue. While I was at the DC pen show I sampled the bottle at the ink table; if anything, it was greyer and paler still. Perhaps they should consider changing the name (or, preferably, the formula)....

 

Simon

[StephY]

My bottle is like Michael's, but maybe just a shade more gray. I am very much on the fence about it. I want to like it, I really do, but . . . it's just not blue enough. Maybe I should mix a little darker blue in it so those tones show up a little more.