EDIT:After all the controversy with Baystate Blue and the lack of an Upper Ganges Blue review, I thought I'd do a combined review. Though, in the couple of days I have been waiting to finish the review, an Upper Ganges comparison popped up.

I used a Pilot VP F nib, which in most cases is my testing pen. It has a fine nib, but the blue inks I have tested almost spill over the page.

UPPER GANGES BLUE-bulletproof, pendemonium.com exclusive Indian market ink
The Upper Ganges(UG) part was done first and I thought the ink was alright. Kind of on the dull side and just not that exciting. The ink has purple hints to it. It had variable feathering (not so much on HP #32 premium laser paper and a lot on an Apica journal). Using this ink to draw was pretty sloppy.

BAYSTATE BLUE-waterproof, higher PH than normal Noodler's inks, possibly an LE ink
The Baystate Blue was ordered because of the color. I didn't really care that it had the potential to stain. After handling this ink, I know that I will not keep it. The color is nice. It's one of the brighter most saturated blues I've seen. The color is similar to UG, but much more saturated. Though, the ink handled very poorly. It was annoyingly wet in the Pilot VP and even feathered on the HP paper. I have not seen any other ink feather on this paper. I also tried the ink in a Platinum Preppy fountain pen (that came with Heart of Darkness ink). Feathering and flow were just as bad. The barrel of the pen as a noticeable blue hue to it. I can't get the ink out of the feed part of the pen. Using this ink to write and draw was sloppy and I actually resorted to using the back of the nib (because it is finer). This did not help much.

Conclusions:
Upper Ganges Blue is a usable ink, though there is not much exciting about it. It behaves well and doesn't stain.
Baystate Blue has great color, but I don't want to spend more time trying to clean out a pen or my skin than I do writing or drawing. Therefore, this ink is unusable to me.

This is no knock against Noodler's inks. I use Noodler's almost exclusively. I just won't be using Baystate Blue because it seems inconvenient and behaves poorly. I don't think I'll use Upper Ganges Blue either. I think next I'll try Legal Lapis.

Absolutely gorgeous review!! Thanks for taking all that time. I wish I had drawing talent like that!

Baystate Blue looks much darker than the other scans, except in the windows of the building. I suppose it has to do with the wetness and width of the line. I ordered a bottle and I'm really hoping to get the bright blue line, so it looks like I might have some playing to do. Perhaps my big Pelikan (a wet, M-to-B nib) might give me what I crave.

Excellent, unbiased, beautiful review. Many thanks.

Thank you for addressing the performance of the ink rather than just the color. VERY helpful to me in deciding usage.

Edit - Where are my manners?! I forgot to say how much I enjoyed your art!

C,

Another awesome review! Love the art (as always) and think you gave a fair and reasonable assessment of both inks.

Keep 'em coming.

John

I'm not sure why this "REVIEW" was moved to comparison. Am I missing something?

Seems to happen if you put 2 or more items in a review. And if you include a picture, it seems to migrate here for "scans."

I enjoy your reviews, as usual. Vivid and to the point. And your artwork is really superb.

I have a different opinion of Baystate's flow and use, but it's to my tastes and pens, so I'm happy. I did have to use Amodex when I got it on my skin instead of a mild cleanser I normally use for my inky hands, but it seemed to wash out of a pen I used easily enough.

My once-white sink is now multicolored, so not just the Baystate has left its mark. My sink is a really old (circa 1961) porcelain over cast iron, and its beginning to rust out anyway, so I don't mind right now. When I finally replace it, well I might have to worry a little more, with all my inks.

I so admired your beautiful artwork, the reviews seemed insignificant !!! I can only draw at "stick-figure" level. LOL!

Also it is always helpful to contrast inks against each other to get variations in features like you did. Thanks for a unique and wonderful review.

Excellent and beautiful review, indeed! Thank you!

Me, too, Sam! I keep trying to convince my wife my stick cartoons will be a treasured and highly valued art someday... She's not biting, though.

Thanks everyone for your kindness about my drawings, but this kind of stuff is only the tip of the iceberg (in terms of skill anyway). The drawings are very basic and quite difficult for me because I am much more used to highly detailed art. I'm glad people are enjoying them!

Just a head's up. Baystate Blue and Upper Ganges Blue will be making it to the marketplace, but if anyone wants it PM me. Probably will look for a trade for something else (Noodlers).

very informative. thanks

Mike

I had a similar problem when I first opened my Baystate blue. Used a dip pen, and rinsed it in the sink. This was the first ink that ever stained a porcelain sink. Anyway, a little bit of about 15% clorox bleach in water and a green scrubbie removed the blue stain with no fuss. Nathan mentioned the bleach solution in his post.

I like the color, but I think I'll reserve it for a pen where staining isn't an issue. I suspect that the bleach solution would clean most pens.

Still while there are rants and raves about the ink's staining properties, I'm simply pleased to know about the issue. Thank you Fountain Pen Network and the other subscribers!!

Many thanks, again, for the great review and inspiring art! I've been using Bulletproof Luxury Blue--I really like it, but I wish it was a bit more saturated. Waterproofness is important to me, and there just aren't too many choices. I'm interested in Legal Lapis... can't wait to read your thoughts! Looks even less deep and saturated than Luxury, though. Also I wish Pendemonium had the Upper Ganges in, headed to India this summer, but not counting on finding any. There are some other possibilities as well, have you tried Pasternak? It looks more purple, but hard to tell. Thanks again! Cheers~