Noodler's Baystate Blue

[withoutink]

You can find the full review on my blog, here is a direct link to the full review: Noodler's Baystate Blue Ink Review

 

I love this ink.

I hate this ink.

I still use this ink...

 

Noodler's Baystate Blue Ink has been reviewed on FPN more than any other ink (as far as the official list goes). Why is that? Is it the color, the waterpoof quality, the mystery, intensity, rumors & urban legends? I don't know for certain.

 

This is all just my opinion... But Being human provides us with some strange qualities. For example. Rubberneckers (people who look at accidents on the highway) we all do it, don't lie. I know you do. Its the raw inquisitive nature of us. Its something primal in us that makes us do it. So, is our desire for Baystate Blue. There is an instinct that causes us to think about it. Because its shockingly vivid, beautiful, and dangerous all at the same time. The ink that is...

 

Well, when I first bought the ink I loaded it into a Platinum Preppy. I used it for about 1hr, came back two days later. No more Platinum Preppy. The nib solidified with gunk. Why? I suspect it was because the pen wasn't cleaned well enough. This stuff is more alkaline than most other inks. It cannot be mixed with other inks.

 

Bad ju-ju will come to you if you do... If you use this ink - respect it. Clean those pens / nibs thoroughly!

 

 

BSB is waterproof, stains like mad, shows through and bleeds through paper as well. I recently loaded it into my Waterman Phileas (which now is permanently my BSB pen). I found the ink bold and beautiful. But I had skipping issues and dry-outs. You can see it in the image below, specifically on the downstrokes. On my next fill I will dilute 1:1 with water. The color is astonishing, I can't imagine what this would do in a wet noodle. Sadly, I wont sacrifice one to find out. If it was not such a darn PITA to deal with, it would be my primary ink for daily use.

 

I love the stuff, but it is so high maintenance... it's a love triangle!

 

Anyway, feel free to read the whole review on my blog... But I think you get the idea.

 

 

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4799894049_91c9009f8b_b.jpg

 

This ink, was purchased from - my friends at Pear Tree Pens. Just a happy customer - no affiliation.

Edited July 17, 2010 by withoutink

[Lloyd]

Get a Dollar demo and use it to your heart's content. I've carried a Dollar with BSB clipped to the top of a t-shirt in ~100 deg F weather without any issue (aside from water condensation). I've carried in AC at work, too. It always writes without a hitch. These pens completely dismantle for cleaning, are very smooth, hold a lot of ink, and are cheap.

[watch_art]

i diluted my bsb 50/50 with water. flows better for me. no more 'dryness' and no more clogging.

[Joe in Seattle]

I hear you. I had a bottle &traded it due to problems with stains. Recently got another in trade &can't wait to use it.

[withoutink]

I think this morning Ill add a little water to the mix, and see if it helps with the lube & flow. Might find an inexpensive broad FP. Id love to see wider lines using this ink.

[Glenn-SC]

I gave my bottle away!

 

Too bad that there are such issues with this ink, it is such a beautiful color!

[Truppi327]

Get a Dollar demo and use it to your heart's content. I've carried a Dollar with BSB clipped to the top of a t-shirt in ~100 deg F weather without any issue (aside from water condensation). I've carried in AC at work, too. It always writes without a hitch. These pens completely dismantle for cleaning, are very smooth, hold a lot of ink, and are cheap.

 

+1 on all of Lloyd's observations. Another perfect pairing for BSB is the Noodler's piston filler pen. I have a blue one that is my exclusive BSB pen. No troubles and only an occasional slow start if I leave it unused for too long, but that rarely happens.

[eslemexe]

Get a Dollar demo and use it to your heart's content. I've carried a Dollar with BSB clipped to the top of a t-shirt in ~100 deg F weather without any issue (aside from water condensation). I've carried in AC at work, too. It always writes without a hitch. These pens completely dismantle for cleaning, are very smooth, hold a lot of ink, and are cheap.

 

+1 on all of Lloyd's observations. Another perfect pairing for BSB is the Noodler's piston filler pen. I have a blue one that is my exclusive BSB pen. No troubles and only an occasional slow start if I leave it unused for too long, but that rarely happens.

 

++1

 

I wanted to try this ink but I was afraid because all the urban legends around it. But I read that Noodler's Pen works perfectly with this so when I ordered my BSB it came with a Noodler's FP which I suppose it would be exclusive for this ink, maybe not, but I'm sure I not gonna put this one on my Lamy's

[Orange25]

I use it in my Pelikano. Writes superbly all the time, very smooth and no problems on start up. Occasionally, I'll clean the nib with some tissue paper. Wonderfully vibrant colour.

 

Only issues with the ink are some feathering on cheaper paper, and long dry times on more expensive paper.

[reprieve]

I've been using Baystate Blue in a Pelikan M205 blue demonstrator (which I bought to use exclusively with the Baystate inks). No issues thus far except for occasional feathering on cheap paper. The color and waterproof-ness makes this ink worth the hassle; I use it to address envelopes and sign documents.

[Moore]

++1

 

I wanted to try this ink but I was afraid because all the urban legends around it. But I read that Noodler's Pen works perfectly with this so when I ordered my BSB it came with a Noodler's FP which I suppose it would be exclusive for this ink, maybe not, but I'm sure I not gonna put this one on my Lamy's

 

What urban legends? I really want to try this ink but now you have me worried...

[Truppi327]

++1I wanted to try this ink but I was afraid because all the urban legends around it. But I read that Noodler's Pen works perfectly with this so when I ordered my BSB it came with a Noodler's FP which I suppose it would be exclusive for this ink, maybe not, but I'm sure I not gonna put this one on my Lamy's

What urban legends? I really want to try this ink but now you have me worried...

 

There are a vast number of threads concerning "problems" with this ink. Most common trouble, IMO is staining, which can usually be remedied with an ammonia solution. You can find a lot of info about BSB on FPN both good and bad.

 

It is a good idea to see what pens people have had good luck with and remember to NEVER mix it with a non-baystate ink.

 

Check out the Noodler's site to see what Nathan has to say about his inks, he knows them better than anyone else.

 

YMMV, but you should investigate on your own rather than taking any one opinion about this ink.

[ehebert]

I also had trouble using BSB in my Preppies. I now use it in a Hero 616 with no problems. Maybe the hooded nib keeps it from drying out? I’ve had mine inked with BSB since December. Every once in a while, I have rinsed it with water between refills. Needless to say, I don’t plan on using any other ink in that pen. I like the Hero b/c of the fine line. Yes, I’ve heard that BSB has melted some people’s Heros, so I bought a few spares.

 

I tried BSB with success in a Pelikan Pelikano as well. It always started up and didn’t dry out like it did in the Preppy. I got a fine nib, but it is very wet & broad. The line is thicker than my 78G medium. BSB in a wide line is truly striking, but I prefer writing with a thinner line. Long story short, if you want a cheap broad nibbed pen for BSB, try a Pelikano fine or medium.

[tonybelding]

BSB has a purple tinge that doesn't seem to come through in scans, and which I don't find appealing. Plus, the color is so vibrant it's almost harsh on the eyes. I prefer a more relaxed blue.

 

I used my BSB in my Reform Czar, my Sheaffer Intrigue, and my yellow Lamy Safari. It did stain the Safari, but it cleaned up with household bleach. All three pens wrote well. I did learn to dilute two parts ink with one part water for better behavior.

 

I don't think BSB will ever be one of my mainstay inks. However, I found it works better than any other ink I've tried with my dip pens. For some reason it clings to the nib and meters down to the tip very consistently. (The diluted ink worked just as well with them, too.)

[majorworks]

I've had BSB in a medium-nib Preppy for months. Sometimes it sits, unused, nib up for a week or even two. Starts right up for me every time.

[withoutink]

I've had BSB in a medium-nib Preppy for months. Sometimes it sits, unused, nib up for a week or even two. Starts right up for me every time.

 

I must have been unlucky... as always YMMV

[777]

Thanks for the review. I have yet to try this ink...

[Felix1]

I haven't had any problem with it in a Pelikan dedicated to BSB. Can sit for days and start right up. Probably wouldn't put it in a demonstrator though unless that was the only ink I ever wanted to use in it.

 

Absolutely gorgeous color.

[Silvermink]

I've only had BSB for a little while, but yeah, it's the quintessential love it/hate it ink. The color's brilliant, and I'm glad I bought it, but damn, is it ever a pain to work with.

[kwpalzang]

Shockingly bright, it seems. But the whisperings of evil on this forum keep me reluctant... Seriously though, whether the feed-melting, permanent pen staining stories are true or not doesn't make a huge difference when you have people contradicting each other, and you have no real life basis on what to believe. The real question is: What/who to believe on the Noodler's debates?!! One person is supreme in that aspect: Nathan. But I digress... Nice review. Shading with Baystate Blue? Must be the pen+ink+paper combo.