Deciding On A Bb Ink

[Tiuri van Rossum]

Hi,

 

Lately I have been reading some old notes I made about a year ago and, I stored the notebooks in a dark closet, but some of the notes really started to fade. So I'm looking for a more permanent ink for my 'note taker' Lamy 2000!

 

I'm looking for a permanent blue black, but I can't decide between Lamy BB and Mont Blanc BB (midnight blue).

 

Can anyone of you tell me the differences between the inks (except the price), in the reviews they are (IMO) almost the same!

 

Thanks!

[GavH]

I've not used either, but as we wait for a proper answer, I can say that the various MB inks that I currently use are all significantly drier than the Lamy ink I also have. I also find that the Lamy inks tends to creep inside the piston on at least two of my pens that I've used it in. I like the quite contemporary Lamy bottles but not as much as the more stylish MB bottle.

[Tiuri van Rossum]

Well I actually like both the bottles. Both are innovative in design, maybe the lamy a little more than the MB. But both the bottles are designed in a way you can use the ink untill the last drop!

 

I've looked again and again at the reviews of these inks, but it seems that the colors are almost the same. So actually we are looking for the differences in behavior of the inks.

[Randal6393]

Have used both inks -- either one should meet your needs for permanency. Yes, both are ferro-sulfate based inks, more commonly called iron-gall. Both go on somewhat blue and blacken over the next day or two. And both are permanent. Recommend taking care with flushing your pen every so often -- monthly, quarterly, whatever. Like most iron-gall inks, they run a little drier than many inks. But don't feather much and definitely are capable of excellent hairlines. Very classic inks.

 

The only other inks that are as water-resistant that I know of are the Noodler's Bulletproof. Noodler's is cellulose-reactive rather than based on a ferrite reaction and has much different characteristics. But you may, at some point, want to give this class of inks a try. I use much more Noodler's than iron-gall.

 

Enjoy,

 

PS: Have used all three inks in my standby Lamy 2000 with excellent performance from all three. Recommend going with the cheapest, that would be the Lamy BB (bottle cost) or the Noodler's Bulletproof Black (volume cost).

Edited December 8, 2010 by Randal6393

[FrankB]

I also like both Lamy BB and Mont Blanc BB inks. My own preference is the MB BB. It is indeed a drier ink, which characteristic I like, even prefer. The MB has flowed well for me from a wide variety of pens. The iron gall properties of the ink should not be a problem. Just take the time to flush your pen every seven to ten days and you should be fine.

[jsonewald]

The Lamy BB appears pale and washed out next to MB Midnight Blue to me, but the MB also has a distinct purplish cast. I can't speak for longevity, but overall the MB is much easier to read at the time it is written.

 

Diamine Registrar's is an option if you like the traditional ink and look.

 

Noodler's inks have been pretty reliable for me. I don't have a blue-black, but Polar Blue, Polar Black, and Heart of Darkness are among my go to inks.

Edited December 8, 2010 by jsonewald

[lapis]

Couple o' notes.

 

 

 

- MB's bb is wetter than Lamy's but both are still rather dry inks.

 

- This may be due to the fact that Lamy's is a bit more saturated than MB's, at least a tick more water insoluble.

 

- Lamy's is somewhat bluer than MB's. MB's is also darker; maybe even a hint of purple in there.

 

- Don't forget that both of these iron-galls are only to be had in their bottles, not their cartridges.

 

 

 

Mike

 

 

[JEBennett]

I've been alternating between a bottle of Lamy BlBlk and a bottle of MB BlBlk (though not the new formula) for about seven months now, and the two inks come reaaaal close to each other for me. I find myself enjoying the MB ever so slightly more only because they dye component is a little stronger; as others have said, it is a darker toned ink. Of course, you could always find a fairly acidic black ink to mix and get the darker cast that way, given how much cheaper the Lamy bottle is.

[gillyohan]

They are so close and the Lamy BB is almost a third of the price. That's why I choose Lamy BB.

[wallylynn]

The Lamy BB appears pale and washed out next to MB Midnight Blue to me, but the MB also has a distinct purplish cast. I can't speak for longevity, but overall the MB is much easier to read at the time it is written.

That matches my experience. I find Lamy BB to be a bit pale and somewhat difficult to read. I add a dash more blue (Manhattan Blue) to it to brighten it up and make writing a bit smoother. The MB-MB I also found to be much darker, wetter than the Lamy. And to my eyes is a purple-black, not blue-black. I was surprised that my sweaty thumb smeared the MB, but not the Lamy. The Lamy doesn't work well in the window (haven't tested MB), but both are fine in my journal after a year.

 

Get both just for the bottles. I did. MB is too expensive for a 2nd bottle though. I'm quite happy with my tinted Lamy BB.

[DanielB]

You might like to consider also Pelikan Blue-Black. It seems to have some iron-gall in it (although it is not marketed as such). It feels wetter than Lamy BB, for instance, and has more blue to it. But I can still use it on bad quality paper. As a general rule, these dry iron-gall inks will work best with generously wet pens. I guess your Lamy 2000 is a good candidate for this.

[Tiuri van Rossum]

Hmm I didn't thought of pelikan BB, is it waterproof?

[DanielB]

There are several reviews and tests at the Ink Reviews forum.

Just picked up this one. Hope it helps.

Edited December 8, 2010 by DanielB

[Sandy1]

 

The only other inks that are as water-resistant that I know of are the Noodler's Bulletproof.

Hi,

 

A short time ago, I included the Pelikan Bl-Bk in a wet test sampling which included MBMBl and Noodler's Legal Lapis.

The Pelikan did very well indeed. https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/169954-wet-tests-pelikan-blueblack-legal-lapis-m-b-midnight-blue/page__st__15

 

If a person wanted to alter the colour of the i-g inks, then they may choose the Pelikan BlBk, which should not rinse away.

 

The Pilot/Namiki Blue is also quite water resistant, but is a lighter tone than the Pelikan BlBk. I haven't tried to mix that into the i-g inks, but it may well serve to lighten the tone of the i-g BlBk inks to avoid them appearing too dark (near Black) from a wet writer on an absorbent paper.

 

Presently I am away from my ink array. If you wish, I could offer a sample of P/NBl + MBMBl after being reunited with the array.

 

Bye,

S1

[DanielB]

The only other inks that are as water-resistant that I know of are the Noodler's Bulletproof.

Hi,

 

A short time ago, I included the Pelikan Bl-Bk in a wet test sampling which included MBMBl and Noodler's Legal Lapis.

The Pelikan did very well indeed. http://www.fountainp...ue/page__st__15

 

If a person wanted to alter the colour of the i-g inks, then they may choose the Pelikan BlBk, which should not rinse away.

 

The Pilot/Namiki Blue is also quite water resistant, but is a lighter tone than the Pelikan BlBk. I haven't tried to mix that into the i-g inks, but it may well serve to lighten the tone of the i-g BlBk inks to avoid them appearing too dark (near Black) from a wet writer on an absorbent paper.

 

Presently I am away from my ink array. If you wish, I could offer a sample of P/NBl + MBMBl after being reunited with the array.

 

Bye,

S1

 

Sorry. Your review indeed. Very helpful btw.

[Tiuri van Rossum]

Wow didn't see your review Sandy1!

 

Well I think I go for the pelikan! (is also the cheapest :clap1:)

 

Thanks!

[mstone]

I personally prefer the Diamine Registrar's over the other iron galls.

[skribbler]

Have used both inks -- either one should meet your needs for permanency. Yes, both are ferro-sulfate based inks, more commonly called iron-gall. Both go on somewhat blue and blacken over the next day or two. And both are permanent. Recommend taking care with flushing your pen every so often -- monthly, quarterly, whatever. Like most iron-gall inks, they run a little drier than many inks. But don't feather much and definitely are capable of excellent hairlines. Very classic inks.

 

The only other inks that are as water-resistant that I know of are the Noodler's Bulletproof. Noodler's is cellulose-reactive rather than based on a ferrite reaction and has much different characteristics. But you may, at some point, want to give this class of inks a try. I use much more Noodler's than iron-gall.

 

Enjoy,

 

PS: Have used all three inks in my standby Lamy 2000 with excellent performance from all three. Recommend going with the cheapest, that would be the Lamy BB (bottle cost) or the Noodler's Bulletproof Black (volume cost).

 

 

Hi. New here, but have a question regarding permanent inks -Noodler's Bulletproof Black to be more specific, and thought it a good idea to put my question in this ongoing thread. If this seems improper in any way, please apologize my newbies fault.

 

I bought both the Noodler's BP Black, as well as the Noddler's Navy, to feel amd see the difference.

My experiences so far are, being in need for a totally permanent ink, thet the BP Black is - well bulletproof and absolutely waterproof. Nothing was washed away, whatsoever. The Navy seems to be quite waterproof as well, but the turqouis colour component seems to be washed away under water before it leaves the letters quite permanent.

 

I need to get used to a black ink, as I still belong to those who thinks a FP should write in blue or blueblack, to let the writing stand out as original (not copied). I could do with some help to free my mind from this idea, as well!

 

To the point: I have so far used the black BP in a Pelikan 215 (F) and two Lamy Safari (M)/(EF) w/converter. The Pelikan writes not too well with this ink - just does not flow well, and creeps on the nib. The Lamys - who are very comfortable in the hand - does not hold this ink in any way. The ink feels quite "thick" and is a pleasure to write with, especially in the M version, but the converter has been leaking every time I get the actual pen out from my briefcase. It also seems there is building up some kind of vacuum inside the converter, as it needs to be held tip-up from time to time to keep the ink flowing. This is too bad, because the Lamy M writes quite comfortably with this super tough ink - as long as it feeds the nib with fresh ink.

 

So, if anyone has a tip for how to deal with these problems, or maybe even better, recommend the best pen(s) for daily use with this ink. iwrite preferably with a fine nib, but have seen different inks leaves different lines with the same pen. But I don't like broad writing, unless I need to try it out and change my way of writing for a better esult.

 

Anders

[physicsgirl]

I thought this was a topic for picking an ink for a BB nib, not a BlBk ink. :roflmho: I was all set to over imagining all the suggestions.

 

I guess I should contribute something on topic: I'll go with Sandy1's suggestion of Pelikan BlBk.

[tnmike1]

Here's an entirely different take on this:

 

In 1944--when my mother was pregnant with me--she started a journal on her pregnancy, her gifts, etc. She always used Skrip Blue Black and used it for years thereafter. Those diary pages are still as fresh as if she had just written them yesterday. I know because I often pull this journal out to share with my sons who can't believe how people lived in those days of food rationing, gas rationing, no car per family, etc. (and remember this was during WWII)

 

So recently I found a bottle of the original Skrip Blue Black on ebay, NOS and never opened. BOught it and I must say it brings back floods of memories. But most importantly, shades like crazy, totally waterproof and hopefully as enduring as the ink my mother used over 60 years ago

 

Also got a bottle of Waterman's Blue Black from the early 50s in ebay and same thing: a little more gray, but shades like crazy and is waterproof.

 

SO these two BB are my primary users, along with Legal Lapis which as many others have stated is not really blue but rather green