Diamine Blue Black

September 2, 2012

Thank you! Definitely love the new shade. My wish list at the Goulet's is getting longer :embarrassed_smile:

September 2, 2012

BUT - here are the originals, as it were.
And just for reference, until SUNDAY...

That is great, thank you!
I have braved the elements and here's something new.

Doesn't that look just mighty fine! So, what do you think of the reformulated version?!

I think it is the best blue-black - non iron gall - ink that I've come across, own and used. When Denim came out I'd hope that would fit in nicely, getting away from the 'teal brigade' of Waterman/Quink (and to an extent, the existing/original Diamine!); the grey of Sheaffer and Monteverde and the blue-grey of Pelikan 4001 Blue-Black. That particular ink has other qualities and will remain one of my all-time favourites. So will the Edelstein Tanzanite too - a richer-looking 4001 in my opinion.

However, this new R2 just tops the rest and is perfect. It's great on all the papers I use (Clairefontaine, Rhodia, Leuchtturm AND Moleskine). To my eyes, and I'm talking about ink on paper in front of me not scans, it is a blue-black: in some light, there might be a touch of teal/green, especially on ivory papers, but it's not just a very dark blue, like Denim.

I like Midnight, which is a good dark blue, as well and Twilight, a dark blue-green-black (but R&K Verdigris has the edge on that colour combination for me). Noodler's Blue-Black is a fabulous ink, and its qualities certainly outweigh the green 'cast'; similarly Prime of the Commons.

Note the first part of my opening sentence: non iron-gall and that I've used etc. There are other inks out there that I've not had the pleasure of, as it were, so I'm not saying that R2 is the best.

Just that it's the best I've got and see no reason to change that opinion.

And it's British!