Substitutes for Parker Penman Sapphire

[tonybelding]

I bought a bottle of Parker Penman Sapphire (PPS) back in the days when it was still in regular production. That bottle is long gone now, but I remember loving the stuff. I thought it was beautiful, it was striking. It seems now that it's been discontinued for a while, PPS has become something of a notorious ink -- both feared and coveted by fountain pen fanatics.

 

I decided to do a little research to answer a few questions, for my own enlightenment. . . Did PPS have any special magical quality that other inks lack? What's the closest substitute available today, and how close is it? (By the way, I'm aware that some have tried to mix various inks and concoct their own recipe for fake Sapphire, but I didn't want to get into that. Give me something off-the-shelf, please!)

 

I don't think it's possible to fairly analyze PPS without first looking at the difference in times between then and now. When I bought my bottle the main inks I was already familiar with were the ubiquitous Sheaffer Skrip and Parker Quink. They were old-fashioned inks with drab, faded, watery-looking colors. Private Reserve hadn't come into existence yet, and neither had Noodler's. As far as I'm aware, Parker was first to introduce a premium ink line, which was separate from their regular inks. That explains a lot of its impact at the time. It foretold the rise of premium inks and the highly saturated, vivid colors that would soon come into fashion. Penman ink also came in a lovely bottle, which I still think is among the most convenient and attractive that I've seen.

 

Penman ink had a dark side, as it developed a reputation for staining and clogging pens. It was a problem ink, and that is most likely why it was withdrawn from the market.

 

Incidentally, I found an entry on Wikipedia claiming that Parker Penman ink was withdrawn from the market after new EU regulations had forced Parker to reveal that it included uranium compounds, and therefore was slightly radioactive. I haven't been able to confirm that, so I'm counting it as an urban legend for now.

 

I've ran a Google search to find out what inks have been suggested as a close match for Sapphire. Several have been mentioned, but Noodler's Blue and Private Reserve DC Supershow Blue (and its virtually identical twin, Private Reserve American Blue) raised the most flags. Anecdotally, DC Supershow Blue was said to be deliberately formulated as a color match for PPS.

 

One person mentioned Levenger Cobalt Blue, which left me scratching my head in puzzlement. I tried Levenger's ink back when it first was introduced, and I thought their blue at the time was distinctly unappealing, with a dark purple tint, and nothing like PPS.

 

One person mentioned Noodler's Luxury Blue as being the waterproof ink that most resembles PPS. I took that as a weak recommendation, as there are very few waterproof blue inks to choose from. I was curious to try it anyhow, as a waterproof blue sounded like a good idea.

 

In order to perform my own comparison, I took an old PPS cartridge, drained it using a syringe, and injected the ink into a couple of pens: a Sheaffer Balance II with a broad stub nib, and a Pelikan M205 demonstrator with a fine nib. I then made a large number of writing samples on a couple of dissimilar, but high-quality, papers: Brazilian "whiter-than-white" notebook paper, and Texas Bond. The plan was to approach the subject methodically: to collect several blue inks, load them into the same pens, and write samples on the same paper, side-by-side with the PPS samples.

 

Sapphire truly is an attractive ink, by the way, even by today's standards.

 

Noodler's Blue American Eel, which I already had a bottle of, is very close in color to PPS. When scribbling my signature with Blue Eel, my first impression was, "It's the same thing!" I'm not sure whether it's worth trying to get a bottle of the regular, non-lubricating blue for an additional comparison. After closer examination, what I can say is that Blue Eel is just ever-so-slightly lighter, or less saturated, than PPS, but the difference is barely detectable with a wet-writing pen like the Balance II. The drier-writing Pelikan made the difference noticeable -- at least when the samples were side by side.

 

A careful comparison of the different samples on various papers led me to conclude that there is some kind of precipitate or residue (dare I say "pigment?") that accumulates on the paper surface as Penman ink dries. It makes Penman slightly more opaque than other inks, and it creates a greater variation in density. By that I mean, PPS can go from pure "blue jean" blue to deep midnight blue within the span of a single letter. Other inks (including Blue Eel) exhibit density variation, but it is somewhat exaggerated in the Penman inks. This gives the writing a richer and more vibrant appearance. My sample of Parker Penman Ruby -- a truly unnattractive red-brown color that reminds me of dried blood -- exhibited the same residue effect.

 

I have to speculate that this residue, whatever it may be, is also the cause of the many staining and clogging problems that plagued users of Penman inks. (I never experienced those problems myself. My personal nightmare ink was Private Reserve Candy Apple Red.)

 

I think that answers my first question about PPS. Does it have some unique and "magical" quality? Yes, but it's subtle and surely not worth the hassles that it has caused. I'm certain most people would glance at the PPS and Blue Eel samples and see no readily apparent difference. You have to look close. (Incidentally, I found the "American Eel" lubricating ink lives up to its advertising as being noticeably smoother-writing.)

 

I also got some Noodler's Luxury Blue, but it was a disappointment. It's a somewhat faded color that more resembles the old Sheaffer Skrip. It also feathers badly, even feathering and mottling slightly on my Texas Bond paper. If you want a true blue permanent and waterproof ink, it might be the best available, but that's not saying much. (I'd suggest Noodler's Legal Lapis as a more practical waterproof and tamper-resistant "blue" ink, even though it's blue-black rather than true blue. I find that diluting it with water helps it look more blue than black.)

 

Next I got a bottle of Private Reserve American Blue. I loaded up the Balance II with it and started writing. My first impression was: "This is too dark!" It was definitely darker and (to me) less attractive than Sapphire.

 

I loaded the Pelikan and got a real surprise. Remember, this is a drier-writing pen. . . Out of the Pelikan, Sapphire and American Blue looked identical. I would be hard pressed to tell them apart even with close examination of side-by-side samples.

 

I had a hunch that diluting American Blue would bring it to a closer match in the Balance II. I first tried 2:1 (two parts ink, one part water), but found I had overshot the mark and made it a bit too light. I next tried a mix of 3:1 and found it came out looking practically identical to PPS.

 

Why the disparity between pens? I suspect it comes back to PPS being a bit more opaque than other inks. If there is some opaque residue settling on the surface of the paper, it colors the paper in a different manner from dye soaking into it.

 

I think I've fairly well answered my second question now. Noodlers and Private Reserve both have very close matches to PPS. The color tone of both inks was a perfect match, to my eyes. The difference is only in density, and that's pretty darn subtle too, and is really dependent on your pen. It's hard to see how anybody who liked PPS could be unhappy using either of these inks as a replacement.

 

For those who want scans. . . .

http://zobeid.zapto.org/image/pens/B2_BRAZ.jpeg

http://zobeid.zapto.org/image/pens/B2_TEXB.jpeg

http://zobeid.zapto.org/image/pens/M205_BRAZ.jpeg

http://zobeid.zapto.org/image/pens/M205_TEXB.jpeg

[Gran]

Very interesting report and scans. Thank you very much for posting them!

[Trom]

Nice work!

Nevertheless I prefer my Parker Penman Sapphire

[MJ Vesuvius]

dcwaites did some similar research a while back and came up with this recipe for PPS.

 

Also, I was wondering, did you test PR Supershow Blue? What did you think?

 

There are several inks and mixes that seem to get the hue just right. But the one thing lacking is PPS's

purpley (radioactive?) sludge that accumulates here and there. This toxic grime gave letters

character and dimension, but also made the ink a disaster in some pens. (I never had a problem

but I only used it in a robust Parker Duofold and never let it sit idle too long).

 

Thanks for continuing the quest! I never get tired of these explorations, and the fantasy that one day

Parker will ... no they probably won't. But I can dream...

 

– MJ

 

 

Edited to add question mark ... the "radioactive" thing is, as you note, still a (delightful) legend.

Edited November 23, 2009 by MJ Vesuvius

[wiseshark]

So many thanks for your effort - and for the scanned examples. Having been completely 'hooked' on Penman Sapphire, I've long experimented with alternatives, thinking sometime, somewhere ther'll be a true replacement. I've tried so many, with "close" results, and now look forwarding to trying the inks you used. I too note a difference depending on the type of pen (wetness of line, etc.).

 

Just wanted to say "thanks" - for the lovely gift of your research! Laura

[JonB55198]

Great test and review! I've also heard Monteverde Horizon is pretty close and Akkerman Shocking blue when diluted 1:1 (1 part water, 1 part ink = 50% concentration)

[lapis]

Thanks for this excellent and very interesting text.

The ink I first thought of was DC's (i.e. Waites') substitutes and I've tried out the whole handful. But as you say, for off-the-shelf goodies, I can't get off Noodler's Blue. Good name for an excellent substitute but I still refrain from that (a bit) just because I'm off Noodler's. This is a good site to save.

 

Mike

[EGdaTarHeel]

Bungubox Sapphire is supposedly PPS reversed engineered...think I have at least 8 bottles and will buy 2 more the next time they show up on massdrop.

 

Great color. Dries fast, minimal bleeding, just an overall great ink. Only complaint is that it is not easy to clean and requires a bit of work at time.

[white_lotus]

This has all been heavily analyzed and tested in so many threads within the last year or two. You folks are simply rehashing the same old stuff. Sorry, but zombie threads are annoying when they don't really contribute anything.

[SamCapote]

Plus there is really no substitute for the real PPS that covers all of its features. It is pretty much the grail ink.

[tonybelding]

Plus there is really no substitute for the real PPS that covers all of its features. It is pretty much the grail ink.

 

 

It was good in its day, but calling it "the grail ink" is a bit much. There are several inks on the market today that are similar, and very few will ever notice the difference without an A/B comparison and a loupe.

 

Private Reserve Invincible Black (original formula) is more what I'd think of as a grail ink.

 

Noodler's Iraqi Indigo / Violet Vote might be a grail ink.

 

Noodler's Texas Blue Bonnet would definitely be a grail ink if it went out of production. However, it seems like we never really appreciate an ink until we can't get it anymore.

[bemon]

This has all been heavily analyzed and tested in so many threads within the last year or two. You folks are simply rehashing the same old stuff. Sorry, but zombie threads are annoying when they don't really contribute anything.

I'd say as a first time visitor to this thread, this contributed to my own knowledge of the topic.

[ErrantSmudge]

And there are new developments all the time.

 

Recently I wrote a review of Monteverde Horizon Blue. In the comments, dcwaites compared it to PPS and discovered the two inks are virtually indistinguishable from one another:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/320014-ink-review-monteverde-horizon-blue/?p=3863742

 

What's even better is that Monteverde Horizon Blue is a very good performing ink, and it is very attractively priced.

Edited November 15, 2017 by ErrantSmudge

[JonB55198]

I have also heard that the new special edition Diamine Blue Velvet is similar. Tho it doesn't behave as well as the Monteverde Horizon Blue.

[JonB55198]

Noodler's Iraqi Indigo / Violet Vote might be a grail ink.

 

Noodler's Texas Blue Bonnet would definitely be a grail ink if it went out of production. However, it seems like we never really appreciate an ink until we can't get it anymore.

 

I almost got a bottle of Violet Vote. I'm happy with the concorde grape for now tho. The texas blue bonnet is pretty awesome. You got me into that and I got a bottle based on your recommendation. Still one of my favorites!

[ErrantSmudge]

I have also heard that the new special edition Diamine Blue Velvet is similar. Tho it doesn't behave as well as the Monteverde Horizon Blue.

 

I have both. Blue Velvet is indeed very similar to Horizon Blue - there are comparisons in the Horizon Blue review I linked earlier.

 

I find myself filling pens with Horizon Blue, while Blue Velvet sits on the shelf. Unfortunately I discovered Horizon Blue right after ordering the bottle of Blue Velvet.

 

That said, Blue Velvet is still a very nice ink. If you are looking for a PPS workalike and Blue Velvet is easier to obtain, get it.

Edited November 17, 2017 by ErrantSmudge

[JonB55198]

Unfortunately I discovered Horizon Blue right after ordering the bottle of Blue Velvet.

 

Same here. I bought the blue velvet because i was buying some of the special edition colors from Diamine. Later a friend told me that Monteverde Horizon was pretty close. At a peen meeting we compared PPS and Horizon and I really thought it was very very close. I might get a bottle of MV Horizon if I can find one for a reasonable price.

[bemon]

I have also heard that the new special edition Diamine Blue Velvet is similar. Tho it doesn't behave as well as the Monteverde Horizon Blue.

I can confirm the Blue Velvet is just a fairly standard blue. A little more character than your fresh out of the pen box complimentary blue cart, but generally pretty standard.

[JonB55198]

I can confirm the Blue Velvet is just a fairly standard blue. A little more character than your fresh out of the pen box complimentary blue cart, but generally pretty standard.

 

Which blue do you favor most? I tend to gravitate toward turquoise inks because I like shading. But as for blue, my favorite would probably be Diamine Majestic Blue or Possibly PR American Blue.

[bemon]

 

Which blue do you favor most? I tend to gravitate toward turquoise inks because I like shading. But as for blue, my favorite would probably be Diamine Majestic Blue or Possibly PR American Blue.

Hands down my favorite is KWZ Azure # 4. If you like teal inks and haven't look into it I recommend it. In terms of business blues though I tend to use to Diamine Sargasso Sea the most.

 

I just received a sample of Majestic Blue today. I'm excited to give it a shot, and maybe it'll change my mind!