I'd like to get a waterproof blue ink, and I might order one from Swisher to get one of the SwishMix varieties.

I think I've narrowed it down to three Noodler's inks:

- Gulf Stream Blue
- Tahitian Pearl
- Glacier Blue

Now I'm trying to narrow it down to one for me to buy.

I really like Waterman Blue-Black, so I'm hoping to find something similar to that. From the on-screen samples, it looks like Gulf Stream Blue or Tahitian Pearl might be close since they have a darker appearance to them. Overall, based on the screen shots, I'm leaning toward Tahitian Pearl as a color I might like.

I did run across a few things in the Ink Review forum, but I didn't see anything that included them all together. Does anyone have experience with all three of these inks, or even just both Gulf Stream and Tahitian Pearl? I'd love to hear any opinions or see any side-by-side scans.


--Stephen

I think you might like Tahitian Pearl. It's a blue-gray-green kind of mix. I bought Gulfstream Blue but it was dull and chalky like all the other permanent Noodler's blues I've tried.

Thanks, Dr. Grace; that definitely helps to confirm some of the thoughts I had when looking at the screen shots. I think I'll probably go with Tahitian Pearl.

--Stephen

I have Glacier. It's Blue... not dark.
A discussion of Legal Lapis indicated Tahitian Pearl is similar. Reading about LL might help you determine if it is close to Waterman BB. My impression from what I've read, could well be.

Give us a report when you get it.

Tahitian Pearl, hands down. I've got all three here, and Gulfstream and Glacier look really chalky on most papers. Between Glacier and Gulfstream--I don't know which is the darker one, but whichever one that is, that's the one I prefer. (I think it's Gulfstream).

There is no such thing as a good permanent plain blue that I know of. Lloyd likes Namiki blue, but Nathan's are better, if you ask me.

Gulfstream and Glacier both look much, much better to me on cheap HP All in One paper. They look almost as good as Noodler's Standard Blue or a PR blue on cheap paper.

If you're doing an order from Swisher's, you might also consider Swishmix Burgundy, which is my favorite permanent ink, after Noodler's Black.

I like it but it's far from my ideal. That's why I combine it:
10 Namiki blue:10 Levenger Cobalt:1 Noodlers Black

Thanks for the great input! I placed my order tonight and ended up choosing Tahitian Pearl. I'll try to post my thoughts when it arrives next week. If I actually get some free time next week, I might even do little side-by-side sample using the very small handful of blue inks I have... which would be Waterman Blue-Black, Sheaffer Blue-Black, Sheaffer Blue, PR American Blue.

--Stephen