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Today I'm reviewing Diamine Majestic Blue A medium to dark blue ink from the standard range, Diamine Majestic Blue seems to be discussed more frequently than most other Diamine inks. Many love it's strong blue colour and red sheen, while some report problems like it stains hands and pens. I must admit I haven't written with it for ages and am guilty of letting my half full, old style 80ml bottle, sit around, unused, in a box. I took it out and examined it carefully. First I tipped it upside down and can report there was no sign of any sludge in the bottom of the bottle. Then I turned it up and removed the cap. No signs of any sludge there either. I filled my Lamy Al-star converter with it. Then left it on my table for a few days. When I went back to the pen, it started writing straight away. No hard start. It didn't skip once, nor did it blob anywhere. It was neither particularly wet nor dry, and it felt smooth and lubricated on my Xerox smooth Colour/Mono laser 100gsm paper. It's very attractive red sheen was really obvious, as was it's saturated blue colour. Don’t have any concerns about not being able to get Parker Penman Sapphire ink. Diamine Majestic Blue is just as good! I will take a photo to show the red sheen, and will report back on whether or not the converter is stained when the pen is emptied. Flow Rate: Good. Neither particularly wet nor dry in the pen & paper combinations I used.Lubrication: Good with all 3 Lamy nibs I used.Nib Dry-out: Not noticed.Start-up: Immediate.Saturation: Very saturated.Shading Potential: Some seen.Sheen: Red sheen noticeable.Show-Through:Clairefontaine Crokbook Paper.Hobonichi Techo paper.Oxford paper.Midori paper.Field Notes.Cheaper generic 80 & 90gsm printer papers & lined pads.Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: Not seen even on Field Notes.Nib Creep / “Crud”: Not seen, even after over 1 week in the penStaining (pen): Not seen after several days - easy clean-upStaining (hands): Two washes with bar soap. More required with liquid soap.Clogging: Not seen. Seems unlikely.Water resistance: Not sold as waterproof, but shows a little water resistance.Availability: Available from Diamine Inks web-site and many other outlets.

I have been on a perennial search for a PPS replacement & have tried so many inks and recipes to duplicate it. Some are close, but not close enough. But I think my search is finally over! Ordered a bottle of Sailor's BungBox Sapphire from VanNess and am running it in two pens. It is amazing! I have writing samples, as well as a small stash remaining of PPS, so I have compared them. Virtually indistinguishable. The only thing missing is the occasional sheen, but I need to try it on better paper and in a wetter nib. It was a pricey bottle, but worth it, to me. Sadiemagic