I phoned up Levenger yesterday to see about getting a converter for an old green True-Writer. While I was on the phone with them I found out that I have a $45 credit with them after returning a rOtring and forgetting all about it. So, I got my converter for free and a bottle of cobalt blue ink. I still have $37.95 to spend and am thinking about ordering some more ink.

I am strictly a blue ink man. So, I was wondering if any of you have tried the Levenger "Blue Bahama" or "Skies of Blue" and what you thought of them.

Oddly enough, Levenger doesn't seem to carry bottles of Waterman Blue-Black, which was going to be my next ink purchase. And they have some cartridges and stuff from Pelikan and Waterman and others, but I love my bottled inks.

So, your input please, gang? Anybody tried the Notabilia notebooks? They're $16.95 for two of the letter-size. I got money to spend! Y'all help me out.

Hi Rex,

What about a nice pen case for 3 or more pens?

Kind regards, Wim

Thanks for the suggestion, Wim, although I have enough cases and ways to transport my pens. I want something to use directly in writing. That would give me the most bang for my buck, I think.

:bunny1:

Hi Rex,

Another suggestion may be some calligraphy pen and nibs, with an inkwell to match...

What about that?

Warm regards, Wim

Another excellent suggestion, except that I don't do calligraphy or even customized nibs. I am a picky bastard I guess.

Have you tried any of their inks? I was wondering if the "Blue Bahama" is an obnoxious turquoise or a nicer, darker aqua. Waterman South Seas Blue is nice, but just a little too bright for comfortable reading, in my opinion.

But keep those suggestions coming!!

Hi Rex,

Ok, now I have been browsing Levenger´s first .

What about a Mercator Journal? Looks really neat.

Alternatively, be brave and get a Levenger six-pack of ink, either
the Classical

• Cardinal Red
• Amethyst
• Gemstone Green
• Raven Black
• Cocoa
• Cobalt Blue

or, even better, the Slightly Wild Colors

• Fireball - orange red
• Smokey - dove gray
• Blue Bahama - has a shot of turquoise
• Always Greener - as green as grass
• Skies of Blue - the blue of a spring sky
• Pinkly

They don´t seem to have calligraphy nibs anyway .

Warm regards, Wim

I have tried many of the colors. I didn't care for blue bahama but then I'm not much of a turquiose ink fan. Most turquoise inks (BB included) are too light for my tastes. Haven't tried Skies of Blue. Cobalt is my favorite Levenger ink and one of my favorite blues in general. Someone said that Levenger was going to change manufacturer of these inks - if you really loooove cobalt, you might want to get more than one bottle.

or not.

I have two things of theirs that I have found indespensible:

1) International pocket briefcase. I love this thing and it is basically my daily wallet. it won't hold a checkbook but I rarely use one these days except for paying bills. So it's great for carrying cash, a few cards, license and plenty of 3x5 cards for to-do lists and quick reminders. Their 3x5s are IMO, hands-down the best out there. I've tried other brands and they feather or are just not as smooth. And when bought in bulk, the price is really quite good compared to buying little packs of 100 at office supply stores.

2) a Junior size Circa notebook. Though I was very lucky to get mine on sale at a ridiculously low price. I probably would replace it at full cost if I had to though. It goes everywhere with me for more extensive notes. I use my own paper though - I found the circa paper a bit flimsy for my heavy inks in free-flowing nibs.

the other Pocket Briefcases are just as nice I'm sure. All depends on your needs. If I were working I'd probably just use the Shirt Pocket Briefcase.

Some people love the Notabilia. As far as I know, they're decent notebooks if a little overpriced given what they are.

I don't recommend the Stanley as a journal. The paper is a bit thin for FP ink. I do have the small Stanley with agenda insert though and I like that. But I don't work full-time so I don't need a large agenda. Just something to keep track of my days. The leather on the Stanleys is very sturdy. Still - up to you as to what sounds best. I guess if it were me with what I already have - I'd try the notabilia or Circa. IMO, for writers these are the most practical Levenger products.

oh.. their notepads are very nice but you need to have a use for all that margin space. sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. I'm still looking for a replacement to what used to be fully ruled Levenger notepads.

PS - if you confirm the Cobalt thing - please let us know.

I went the total ink route with Levenger, today. I ordered a second bottle of Cobalt Blue, although when I asked, the oh-so-nice Customer Service guy said he knew nothing about any possible change in manufacturer for any of their inks. And he seemed to know what he was talking about. So, in addition to the bottle of Cobalt and True-Writer Converter I had coming, I now have another bottle of Cobalt, a bottle of "Skies of Blue" and a bottle of "Blue Bahama" on the way.

I'm not crazy about the super-bright turquoise inks, either, but I figure if I mix it with some Cobalt, it might make a really nice dark turquoise, and that would be cool. I'll let you all know the results.

Now it's just about the waiting, which is the WORST. And apparently Cobalt Blue is back-ordered, so it'll ship whenever it comes available. Sigh.

I wrote to Levenger CS about this and have not heard from them yet.

this is the thread - but it will likely scroll off soon.
http://members2.boardhost.com/pentrace/msg/415990.html

In short - Joe said that he went by the store, they were all out of the Cobalt and told him that they were changing manufacturers.

Somebody should phone up their customer service line. Okay, I'll do it. I'm in the middle of a bunch of paperwork at work, here, but I will do it within the hour and post what I come up with.

Rex

1.800.667.8034
(Levenger Customer Service)

Here's the word from Levenger:

"Yes, we have changed manufacturers, but the recipe used for the ink has remained exactly the same. Cobalt Blue Ink is one of our most successful products, so we have no intentions of monkeying around with the formula. The next shipment should arrive no later than April 20th."

So, make of that what you will.

Thanks Rex!

Good to have a definitive word.

Let's hope that the recipe really does hold up. Whatever others think of the ink, I love it. I'm glad to hear that it is big on their list.

Skies of Blue is a nice ink. Some color as parker quink but not as washed out.