Noodler's Ottoman Azure—A Handwritten Review

[mhphoto]

Here's a saturated blue that's sadly not unique enough to strike my fancy. While its behavior on copy paper leaves me disappointed, it's very good on Rhodia, if a bit unremarkable. Being the sheen junkie that I am I'd rather find a comparable color with lots of sheen from Diamine than spend the money on Ottoman Azure.

 

Still, there are far worse inks you could get.

 

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/18/fdnx.jpg

 

Please remember to vote on this ink in the poll!

[Mesu]

Beautiful color.. definitely a yes

[Ursus]

I think that it would be better if it were slightly diluted (a little less than on the least diluted example above). That might increase the shading effect too. It also makes the price even more favourable...

[lapis]

Nice review, thanks. Reminds me too a bit of N's Blue, although Ottoman is of course darker while the Blue tends to look more like the long-gone Parker Penman Sapphire. One advantage of the Ottoman here is that it dries a lot faster than the Blue.

Mike

[Alexandra]

I don't see a red sheen but I do get good shading. This is one of the nicest blues I own and one of my standards. It also flows well from every pen I have. I definitely give it a YES.

[iveyman]

I like this ink. I use it daily. The only issue I have with it is - the drying time is too long.

[redbike]

One of my favorite inks. Almost always have a pen inked with it.

[Gloucesterman]

Reminds me of PR Naple Blue, which I am currently using in an old Wearever recently purchased on eBay for $6.01. It had a new sac and only needed the nib and feed cleaned. it's a fun pen, especially for that kind of money.

[FreemanHerbs]

I'm a big enough fan of this ink to end my period of "lurkerdom" and make my first post in its defense. It may show-through a little too much on cheaper paper and it *is* a touch dry but, all in all, it's a very lovely shade of blue that rarely fails to garner attention when someone sees my notes. (Plus, it's always fun to answer queries of "What colour is that?" with "It's the colour of the tiles in the Sultan's six minarets!" It's amazing how often that generates the reply "That's pretty specific.")

[mikehodgman]

One of my first inks and a favorite of mine. LOVE Ottoman Azure.

[thadjudkins]

I love this ink. My main two blues are PR DC Supershow Blue and this one. I've sample'd Asa-Gao and that might pop onto the list if I buy a full bottle, but for now this is one of my favorites.

[Sholom]

Ottoman Azure is my #1 blue by which all others are judged. The others that are allowed in my pens are Eel Blue and DCSS. Of course I also have (too) many blue-blacks.

[Fabienne]

thank you for an honest review!

[estie1948]

An excellent review. Thank you for posting it. I learned something.

 

-David.

[ell107]

Thoughts on comparison of this ink to Diamine Majestic Blue?

[Alexandra]

Thoughts on comparison of this ink to Diamine Majestic Blue?

No comparison. While they're in the same color family DMB is much darker and doesn't vary much in appearance from pen to pen. NOA, on the other hand, looks and behaves very differently from pen to pen and from paper to paper. In a dry nib it's almost a turquoise. In a wetter nib it's very rich. In some pens there is little shading; in others it's a shade lovers dream.

[PolarMoonman]

I agree it is a basic blue, nice color but as you stated unremarkable. Probably would choose Noodlers Blue over this one.

[NomadSteve]

I LOVE Ottoman Azure. My absolute favorite blue. These days I always have a pen with me inked up with this stuff.

[JLukeW]

I LOVE Ottoman Azure. My absolute favorite blue. These days I always have a pen with me inked up with this stuff.

 

Exactly this. The only bottle of ink I have come even close to using up in my Ottoman Azure. I prefer it in a mixture of about 10-15% water to improve shading and dry time. Without question, this is my favorite ink.

Edited May 16, 2014 by JLukeW

[lehrer07]

This ink is fantastic. Beautiful and one of the few Noodler's Inks I reach for more than once a month when refilling.