A recent topic led to a long dispute about the corrosive character of Noodler's ink. I don't intend to reawaken the dispute yet I do want to change to another brand, and I need advice.

Noodler's Eel American Blue has been my absolute favorite blue ink for more than a year. Wonderful rich blue color and flow.

A curious thing happened some time after I used the ink in my Townsend. When I threaded the barrel off, a blueish-white powder appeared all over the converter and section threads. It had the appearance of brass oxide, and I could see corrosion beginning inside the barrel. Now I admit that I have rinsed the barrel with water before, and dried it with kleenex. But water shouldn't make brass corrode -- not leaving a dusting of powder behind.

So since I used American Blue in all my pens, Pelikans included, I decided -- for the sake of safety -- to find a substitute.

I just received a bottle of Aurora Blue and was saddened to see that it really isn't much darker than Pelikan Royal Blue although it does have more purple. I'm not a fan of purple. I'd rather see black in my blue than purple.

So I'm wondering if I should try Pelikan Blue-Black or Diamine Prussian Blue. I want a dark, rich color. An antique appearance is okay, even welcomed. I like blues because (1) they stand out against black print and (2) they are dark enough to photocopy as black.

Can anyone recommend a substitute for the darkness of American Blue?

Thank you in advance. [Note: I work weekends; my replies may not be as prompt as your posts, but I will reply.]

First, unless the ink has been leaking into the barrel, it's not the source of your "corrosion", which may not be corrosion at all. It might be mineral deposits from your water, or worse, real corrosion from stuff in the air.

I seriously doubt any other inks are going to be less corrosive than Noodler's Eel inks -- Pelikan Royal Blue in particular has a quite low pH, but won't touch any thing but nib, feed, and converter if the pen doesn't leak.

I understand your concern about the corrosion, this isn't a good thing at all, but I really don't think it's due to the ink UNLESS you have a leak allowing ink into the barrel. If there is bare brass in there, yes, it will corrode if ink gets on it, but water will do the same thing, and if you have hard water, more so!.

If you are still wanting to change inks, try Private Reserve American Blue or DC Supershow blue, both are quite nice (and totally non-water resistant). I've also gotten a bottle of Manuscript Calligraphy Foutain Pen Ink at Hobby Lobby, which is a nice blue and somewhat to quite water resistant, depending on how much it penetrates into the paper. On absorbant papers, it barely changes when wet, on papers were it ink stays on top and dries there, a good deal will wash off, but whatever penetrated into the fibers stays put.

Peter

I have no experience with Eel Blue so I don't know its exact color. However, if you're looking for a dark blue, do try Private Reserve DC Supershow Blue as suggested above. If that's too dark, try American Blue. Another one to try is Visconti Blue but it is lighter than either of the first two. Finally, you might try Waterman Florida Blue.

Sounds like a Pear Tree Sampler is in order!

I agree with Peter that it's probably not the ink per se but rather the water in the ink (or the water you're using to flush your pen) that's causing the oxidation.

That said, if you're seeking an alternative to Eel Blue, I'd give serious consideration to Visconti Blue. It's a gorgeous color, and has a tad more water-resistance than the two PR inks mentioned -- which, as blues go, I agree, are nonpareil.


Definitely. I just received my first 4-ink sampler -- it's a great way to try out inks without breaking the bank.

Thanks for the information.

I forgot to mention that two old (green) converters failed while in the Townsend and leaked Noodler's American Blue into the barrel interior. That's when the corrosion began. So it made me wonder............ I've never seen so much corrosion. It never occurred in my Classic Century nor in my Century II ... and I never used Noodler's in them.

It's a mystery...

I've researched blues for a few hours and have a list of perhaps 15-20 candidates, including one mix. So many choices!! So many pretty blues!

So change with the seasons.