I recently got a Namiki blue graphite VP from RB. Thankfully I fell into the category of people who this pens design just seems to mold right into hand wise. Now I need to fill it with a color I can use daily and be joyous about doing so. Considering the color of the pen and my affinity with the color blue, I am looking for that just right color. I've done some searching on the board here and have discovered a strong attraction to Blue Black. However, I see too many comments below the OP saying "that's not what mine looked like", common complaints seem to be the colors often seem to lean toward grays or either straight blue or black.
So, what I need is something that is going to come as advertised, write like a dream, and dry quickly. Can anyone give me a definite answer for my requirements? Thanks in advance. P.S., using FN if that helps.
Full Version: Looking for a True Blue Black
I sure do like PR Black Magic Blue. I've just been using it a short time, but it's great so far.
Congratulations on your new pen! That you want a fast-drying and free-flowing ink are helpful details, could you give other specifics? I don't think you can get an absolute guarantee, ever, but someone with an F pt. VP and a specific ink you are thinking about could probably provide some helpful input. Can you describe your idea of the perfect blue-black and thus narrow down the field? Or refer to a scan that looks "perfect"? Everyone has different preferences and color perceptions. For instance, I like a non-true blue, but more blue than gray -- right now, that's Diamine Prussian Blue (shades and flows well and I haven't noticed drying problems, but I don't know if it's one of the variable ones or not, given its more watery color) and Namiki Pilot Blue Black. Others point out that blue black refers to ink that goes on blueish and then turns gray or blackish after a few days. I've read here that some refer to PR Midnight Blues as a blue black, while I think of it as a very dark blue. On the other hand, Noodler's Blue Black is way too much black and not enough blue -- for me. Was there a specific ink reviewed here that you liked, but were put off by the additional comments? Alas, I've had my share of "but it doesn't look like I expected" moments myself, batch variability, nib and monitor differences being what they are, but I suspect some colors might be more consistently predictable than others. Have fun with the VP!
edited because I didn't notice the subtitle at first
edited because I didn't notice the subtitle at first
My new favorite is Noodler's Legal Lapis. I feel like it's the color blue I have been looking for, but didn't realize it until I wrote with it. I could snail mail you a written sample if you like. Send me a PM.
For me, Platinum Blue-black fulfills your requirements.
On the mainstream side of ink, I find both Montblanc and Sheaffer on the darker side.
Sometimes, the blue-black in the Montblanc bottle can fool you (It looks black)!
I also like Lamy Blue-Black. I have any used it in cartridge form in my Safari.
Sometimes, the blue-black in the Montblanc bottle can fool you (It looks black)!
I also like Lamy Blue-Black. I have any used it in cartridge form in my Safari.
QUOTE(agill1970 @ Feb 13 2008, 10:54 AM) [snapback]512973[/snapback]
However, I see too many comments below the OP saying "that's not what mine looked like", common complaints seem to be the colors often seem to lean toward grays or either straight blue or black.
So, what I need is something that is going to come as advertised, write like a dream, and dry quickly. Can anyone give me a definite answer for my requirements? Thanks in advance. P.S., using FN if that helps.
So, what I need is something that is going to come as advertised, write like a dream, and dry quickly. Can anyone give me a definite answer for my requirements? Thanks in advance. P.S., using FN if that helps.
It does depend on what you want as a blue black. Right now I have 4- PR Midnight Blues, Lamy BB, Ellis Island BB & Swisher Blue Black. ...
Wait a minute-
go over to the ink reviews and look for my review of a dozen inks all of these inks are compared together 
That will give you a big chunk of the possilbe ones out there. If you'd like PM me and I might be able to whip up a comparison chart.
Kurt
QUOTE(Tournevis @ Feb 13 2008, 05:59 PM) [snapback]513060[/snapback]
For me, Platinum Blue-black fulfills your requirements.
Me too - it avoids the dirty grey problem that some blue-blacks have and the wishy-washy teal that others have, and dries fast. (I also like the colours of some of the dark PR blues, but they aren't fast drying.) Or, if you want a bit of grey and less blue, Sailor blue-black.
Simon
Check out Noodler's Manhattan Blue. It actually more a very dark blue or blue-black.
Sheaffer Skrip (either old or new formula).
Thanks guys. Of all the forums I've browsed over the years, you guys are by far and away the most helpful. A couple people asked me to give a better idea as far as what I am looking for. From what my monitor is displaying here is my feelings on some reviews I've seen.
Noodlers Blue-Black - Lacks the eye catching color or variations I am looking for.
Diamine Blue-Black - Closer. Nice variants, but it looks a tad greenish to me. Is this the case?
Caran d'Ache Blue Night - Very nice. A darker blue, not a true Blue-Black, but very nice indeed.
Parker Super Chrome Blue-Black - Lacks that eye grabbing variant or oomph.
Noodler's Midnight Blue - Now this is very nice. Nice shades, dark and yet electric at the same time.
Platinum Blue-Black - The best yet. Has all of the traits as the one listed above yet a bit more eye catching.
Stipula Deep Blue - Another eye pleaser. Not a true Blue Black but these darker midnight tones are close enough and many very pleasing to the eye.
Parker Blue-Black - Sadly lacking in the darker electric blue black tones I am looking for, but it is still nice, and no doubt comes in a cartridge I could use as well.
Diamine Prussian Blue - Wow... Glad I stumbled over this one. The color is very nice and seems more blue-black than a lot of the ones that actually claim blue-black.
Sailor Blue-Black - Another winner that may very well find itself into my pen. A little conservative, but it is as advertised and is very pleasing.
Ultimately I would like cartridges as I can carry a couple for on the go as I am always, on the go. However, it seems I went and purchased a pen that requires cartridges from Pilot only? Not sure if this is the case, please clear up for me if you know the answer. However, I am willing to just fill it up when I can for the right color. I am not always writing on friendly FP paper. A lot of what I write on is printed documents for work, and the faster the ink would dry the better as it is either being handed off to a customer, an employee, faxed, or folder away right after my writing.
Noodlers Blue-Black - Lacks the eye catching color or variations I am looking for.
Diamine Blue-Black - Closer. Nice variants, but it looks a tad greenish to me. Is this the case?
Caran d'Ache Blue Night - Very nice. A darker blue, not a true Blue-Black, but very nice indeed.
Parker Super Chrome Blue-Black - Lacks that eye grabbing variant or oomph.
Noodler's Midnight Blue - Now this is very nice. Nice shades, dark and yet electric at the same time.
Platinum Blue-Black - The best yet. Has all of the traits as the one listed above yet a bit more eye catching.
Stipula Deep Blue - Another eye pleaser. Not a true Blue Black but these darker midnight tones are close enough and many very pleasing to the eye.
Parker Blue-Black - Sadly lacking in the darker electric blue black tones I am looking for, but it is still nice, and no doubt comes in a cartridge I could use as well.
Diamine Prussian Blue - Wow... Glad I stumbled over this one. The color is very nice and seems more blue-black than a lot of the ones that actually claim blue-black.
Sailor Blue-Black - Another winner that may very well find itself into my pen. A little conservative, but it is as advertised and is very pleasing.
Ultimately I would like cartridges as I can carry a couple for on the go as I am always, on the go. However, it seems I went and purchased a pen that requires cartridges from Pilot only? Not sure if this is the case, please clear up for me if you know the answer. However, I am willing to just fill it up when I can for the right color. I am not always writing on friendly FP paper. A lot of what I write on is printed documents for work, and the faster the ink would dry the better as it is either being handed off to a customer, an employee, faxed, or folder away right after my writing.
I just got a Blue Black Preppy and have fallen in love with Platinum Blue Black, it looks almost the same as Pelikan Royal Blue or Waterman Bleu Effaçable (the English name does not make any sense) when wet but dries to a very nice color on the blue end of the blue black spectrium.
Your summary is pretty complete. Most of the available blue black inks are either too green (Waterman, Diamine, Noodlers), too gray (Pelikan, Sheaffer, Parker), too purple (PR Black Magic Blue), too blue (Platinum, Stipula), or are iron gall inks (Montblanc, Lamy).
Legal Lapis and Manhatten Blue both have elements of green in them.
The only blue blacks that appeal to me are PR Midnight Blue, Sailor, and Dupont. Unfortunately, the PR dries slowly and smears, the Dupont is only sold in France, and the Sailor is expensive and the least attractive of these three colors, as it has some gray in it.
Legal Lapis and Manhatten Blue both have elements of green in them.
The only blue blacks that appeal to me are PR Midnight Blue, Sailor, and Dupont. Unfortunately, the PR dries slowly and smears, the Dupont is only sold in France, and the Sailor is expensive and the least attractive of these three colors, as it has some gray in it.
[snip]
Diamine Blue-Black - Closer. Nice variants, but it looks a tad greenish to me. Is this the case?
Yes. (Noodler's Navy is essentially the same colour but probably dries slower.)
Stipula Deep Blue - Another eye pleaser. Not a true Blue Black but these darker midnight tones are close enough and many very pleasing to the eye.
Agree - just ordered a bottle for myself.
Parker Blue-Black - Sadly lacking in the darker electric blue black tones I am looking for, but it is still nice, and no doubt comes in a cartridge I could use as well.
If the Diamine is too green for you, you probably won't want this either (or Waterman or Yard-o-lead, which look much the same); not only is it greenish, it strikes me as nowhere near dark enough to qualify as blue-black unless you use a pen that's so wet it makes anything look dark....
Diamine Prussian Blue - Wow... Glad I stumbled over this one. The color is very nice and seems more blue-black than a lot of the ones that actually claim blue-black.
[snip]
True; it's a lovely colour, but it does have a noticeable grey component - just like the colour of Prussian military uniforms.
Simon
Diamine Blue-Black - Closer. Nice variants, but it looks a tad greenish to me. Is this the case?
Yes. (Noodler's Navy is essentially the same colour but probably dries slower.)
Stipula Deep Blue - Another eye pleaser. Not a true Blue Black but these darker midnight tones are close enough and many very pleasing to the eye.
Agree - just ordered a bottle for myself.
Parker Blue-Black - Sadly lacking in the darker electric blue black tones I am looking for, but it is still nice, and no doubt comes in a cartridge I could use as well.
If the Diamine is too green for you, you probably won't want this either (or Waterman or Yard-o-lead, which look much the same); not only is it greenish, it strikes me as nowhere near dark enough to qualify as blue-black unless you use a pen that's so wet it makes anything look dark....
Diamine Prussian Blue - Wow... Glad I stumbled over this one. The color is very nice and seems more blue-black than a lot of the ones that actually claim blue-black.
[snip]
True; it's a lovely colour, but it does have a noticeable grey component - just like the colour of Prussian military uniforms.
Simon
I find Prussian Blue to have a distinctly greenish tinge to it. In fact, it reminds me of Waterman Blue Black.
QUOTE(agill1970 @ Feb 13 2008, 06:37 PM) [snapback]513320[/snapback]
Diamine Blue-Black - Closer. Nice variants, but it looks a tad greenish to me. Is this the case?
Caran d'Ache Blue Night - Very nice. A darker blue, not a true Blue-Black, but very nice indeed.
Diamine Prussian Blue - Wow... Glad I stumbled over this one. The color is very nice and seems more blue-black than a lot of the ones that actually claim blue-black.
Ultimately I would like cartridges as I can carry a couple for on the go as I am always, on the go. However, it seems I went and purchased a pen that requires cartridges from Pilot only? Not sure if this is the case, please clear up for me if you know the answer. However, I am willing to just fill it up when I can for the right color. I am not always writing on friendly FP paper. A lot of what I write on is printed documents for work, and the faster the ink would dry the better as it is either being handed off to a customer, an employee, faxed, or folder away right after my writing.
Caran d'Ache Blue Night - Very nice. A darker blue, not a true Blue-Black, but very nice indeed.
Diamine Prussian Blue - Wow... Glad I stumbled over this one. The color is very nice and seems more blue-black than a lot of the ones that actually claim blue-black.
Ultimately I would like cartridges as I can carry a couple for on the go as I am always, on the go. However, it seems I went and purchased a pen that requires cartridges from Pilot only? Not sure if this is the case, please clear up for me if you know the answer. However, I am willing to just fill it up when I can for the right color. I am not always writing on friendly FP paper. A lot of what I write on is printed documents for work, and the faster the ink would dry the better as it is either being handed off to a customer, an employee, faxed, or folder away right after my writing.
My last Pear Tree Pens sampler included Diamine Blue Black. At first I really liked it. It was dark yet definitely not black. But you are right, at least to my eye it ended up too greenish for me. The Caran d'Ache Blue Night is indeed a very nice color. It flowed well and dried fine. As you know from the reviews, the real bottle doesn't hold that much ink, but that hasn't stopped me from using Storm. I love my Diamine Prusssian Blue, but others prefer Diamine Indigo. It's hard to tell from conflicting comments, but it may be a little grayer and perhaps a tad lighter than the Prussian Blue? The Prussian Blue isn't a dark blue, as KCat's additional comments after her review make clear -- unless it sits in the pen awhile. And it does have a grayish tinge to it. I like it. Some of the other inks you mentioned appeal to me, too, but I can't comment because I haven't tried them yet. With Legal Lapis, you do get nib creep and it's free-flowing and, yes, has a touch of green. I like it and use it, but the Diamine is often a bit darker in my pens, certainly bluer, and doesn't creep.
Yes, you are restricted to Pilot Namiki cartridges if you want to keep some carts around for emergencies. I actually like the Pilot Namiki blue black, though.
QUOTE
Your summary is pretty complete. Most of the available blue black inks are either too green (Waterman, Diamine, Noodlers), too gray (Pelikan, Sheaffer, Parker), too purple (PR Black Magic Blue), too blue (Platinum, Stipula), or are iron gall inks (Montblanc, Lamy).
The only blue blacks that appeal to me are PR Midnight Blue, Sailor, and Dupont. Unfortunately, the PR dries slowly and smears, the Dupont is only sold in France, and the Sailor is expensive and the least attractive of these three colors.
The only blue blacks that appeal to me are PR Midnight Blue, Sailor, and Dupont. Unfortunately, the PR dries slowly and smears, the Dupont is only sold in France, and the Sailor is expensive and the least attractive of these three colors.
CharlieB mentions PR Midnight Blues, which is dark blue, like Noodler's Midnight Blue. There's the new fast-drying formula out. A recent review said it feathered, though. I have a sample of the PR classic version, thanks to a generous FPNer, and it's very nice, but yes, it's a little slow to dry.
I've been using Sailor Blue-Black for a week in my Carene medium nib. It's very nice! To my eyes it looks very close to Noodlers Laegal Lapis.
I do like Noodlers Midnight Blue but have not tried it
I do like Noodlers Midnight Blue but have not tried it
I don't see any green in my Legal Lapis and I'm glad I don't because that would ruin it.
From most fountain pens with fine points, the blue in the grayish blue-black inks is hard to see at all. They look good from broad nibs and "generous" medium nibs only.
Here's another hearty endorsement for Namiki/Pilot Blue-Black: more blue than gray but still dark, no trace of green before or after drying, good behavior in the pen, good behavior on mediocre and good paper (one-sided only on bad paper). The big box of cartridges is actually a reasonable deal in money per milliliter, as the prices of brand-proprietary cartridges go.
Before loading a VP with a waterproof Noodler's color, I'd recommend HDoug's technique for preventing creep beyond the nib: applying car wax to the working unit close to where the nib comes out of it.
Cartridge vs. converter: If you use the clear plastic converter with the piston inside, you'll have to settle for small loads. Also, some inks form too much surface tension with that clear plastic (a problem in the clear converters of many brands). You can get big loads and better flow behavior in the VP squeeze converter (squeeze bar on one side, black rubber sac) or by refilling a cartridge with the ink of your choice.
Inserting and removing the cartridges and converters: Push them straight in, and carefully pull them straight out.
Enjoy!
Here's another hearty endorsement for Namiki/Pilot Blue-Black: more blue than gray but still dark, no trace of green before or after drying, good behavior in the pen, good behavior on mediocre and good paper (one-sided only on bad paper). The big box of cartridges is actually a reasonable deal in money per milliliter, as the prices of brand-proprietary cartridges go.
Before loading a VP with a waterproof Noodler's color, I'd recommend HDoug's technique for preventing creep beyond the nib: applying car wax to the working unit close to where the nib comes out of it.
Cartridge vs. converter: If you use the clear plastic converter with the piston inside, you'll have to settle for small loads. Also, some inks form too much surface tension with that clear plastic (a problem in the clear converters of many brands). You can get big loads and better flow behavior in the VP squeeze converter (squeeze bar on one side, black rubber sac) or by refilling a cartridge with the ink of your choice.
Inserting and removing the cartridges and converters: Push them straight in, and carefully pull them straight out.
Enjoy!
Hi,
I'd like to second (third?) the others who mentioned Namiki/Pilot blue-black. It is ONLY available in carts, but I find that in my VP the carts work far better than the converter and I really like the ink. It is not super dark, sort of a real dark blue but has no green in as far am old eyes can detect. It behaves wonderfully on most all papers and in my VP. So its the only ink the VP (Decimo) gets now.
Tom
I'd like to second (third?) the others who mentioned Namiki/Pilot blue-black. It is ONLY available in carts, but I find that in my VP the carts work far better than the converter and I really like the ink. It is not super dark, sort of a real dark blue but has no green in as far am old eyes can detect. It behaves wonderfully on most all papers and in my VP. So its the only ink the VP (Decimo) gets now.
Tom
I'm obsessive about just the right blue black. After trying a number of those listed I decided that a custom mix was the only way to go. I love the color, flow, lubricity and general good manner of both Aurora black and Aurora blue. So my current favorite blue black is two parts Aurora blue to one part Aurora black. Writes like a dream in all ways.
I'm sure somebody has taken a poll on the topic, but I'm sure more than a few people here ultimately mix their own because we can't find just what we want in an ink. After a while you end up spending way too much chasing the perfect ink from the manufacturers.
Cheap bottles and large gauge syringe work wonders for the color obsessed.
I'm sure somebody has taken a poll on the topic, but I'm sure more than a few people here ultimately mix their own because we can't find just what we want in an ink. After a while you end up spending way too much chasing the perfect ink from the manufacturers.
Cheap bottles and large gauge syringe work wonders for the color obsessed.
PR Midnight Blues is my favorite blue black.
pmormack....
That... right there... sounds like a winner to me. I too am looking for a great blue/black. I have been on an ink buying binge (please shoot me!!!)... and to close it out I was seeking the perfect b/b. Since both Aurora inks are "top box rated" it makes sense that a mixture of the two would have good pedegree and perform very well.
I think I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the suggestion!
Peter
That... right there... sounds like a winner to me. I too am looking for a great blue/black. I have been on an ink buying binge (please shoot me!!!)... and to close it out I was seeking the perfect b/b. Since both Aurora inks are "top box rated" it makes sense that a mixture of the two would have good pedegree and perform very well.
I think I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the suggestion!
Peter
QUOTE(tomw @ Feb 14 2008, 09:18 AM) [snapback]514137[/snapback]
Hi,
I'd like to second (third?) the others who mentioned Namiki/Pilot blue-black. It is ONLY available in carts, but I find that in my VP the carts work far better than the converter and I really like the ink. It is not super dark, sort of a real dark blue but has no green in as far am old eyes can detect. It behaves wonderfully on most all papers and in my VP. So its the only ink the VP (Decimo) gets now.
Tom
I'd like to second (third?) the others who mentioned Namiki/Pilot blue-black. It is ONLY available in carts, but I find that in my VP the carts work far better than the converter and I really like the ink. It is not super dark, sort of a real dark blue but has no green in as far am old eyes can detect. It behaves wonderfully on most all papers and in my VP. So its the only ink the VP (Decimo) gets now.
Tom
Pilot BBK is available from Ujuku if you are willing to pay the shipping from Japan. They also sell on eBay as ujuku123. IME the bottled ink is a little darker than the ink in carts but YMMV.
QUOTE(pmormack @ Feb 15 2008, 06:14 PM) [snapback]515493[/snapback]
I'm obsessive about just the right blue black. After trying a number of those listed I decided that a custom mix was the only way to go. I love the color, flow, lubricity and general good manner of both Aurora black and Aurora blue. So my current favorite blue black is two parts Aurora blue to one part Aurora black. Writes like a dream in all ways.
I'm sure somebody has taken a poll on the topic, but I'm sure more than a few people here ultimately mix their own because we can't find just what we want in an ink. After a while you end up spending way too much chasing the perfect ink from the manufacturers.
Cheap bottles and large gauge syringe work wonders for the color obsessed.
I'm sure somebody has taken a poll on the topic, but I'm sure more than a few people here ultimately mix their own because we can't find just what we want in an ink. After a while you end up spending way too much chasing the perfect ink from the manufacturers.
Cheap bottles and large gauge syringe work wonders for the color obsessed.
I belong in the same camp. I've not been able to find a true vintage looking BB to my liking, so I've begun to mix my own versions from Aurora, Cartier, Dupont, Lamy, Omas, Pilot, Platinum, and Sailor. I picked those brands for my own particular reasons. For instance, with Aurora, Cartier, and Omas -- they don't offer a BB colour; with Dupont, good luck sourcing Dupont BB in the US -- so I've begun to mix my own version. I mix my own Lamy BB because the original BB is iron-gall. I've begun to mix Pilot, Platinum, and Sailor because though I happen to like all their existing BB offerings, I wanted to create my own version that has either more blue in it (Sailor and Pilot) or a much darker version (Platinum). Sailor, Pilot, and Platinum also offer more water resistance.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.