Equivalent To Mb Jfk?

[Abner C. Kemp]

I took a look through my swabs and didn't find anything too close. The issue seems to be that JFK is a blue-black but it doesn't have much grey in it, yet it's still not really a true navy either (even though that's what they call it). I think Diamine Blue Blacks might be your best bet. Though I don't have the swabs of them in front of me, based on the Goulet website, Diamine Denim and Diamine Midnight look pretty darn close. Denim seems closer in color but alas both might be a bit too blue. If you really like the ink, I'd try to stock up while the bottles are still available. It's not the best "deal" in the world but if you like the ink I'd go for it, plus you will have a bunch of those crystal inkwells to put on your desk and enjoy!!

Edited January 17, 2016 by Abner C. Kemp

[ink-syringe]

I love JFK's color.

 

I also like the Platinum and Pilot (non-iro) Blue-Black but neither looks quite as nice. curiously, was not knocked out by Sailor's BBK as Sailor is usually my default for ink.

 

I'll follow this thread with great interest. heh.

 

(flow could be better on JFK and it is sensitive to hand oil so the properties of the ink are so-so, but the color!)

Edited January 16, 2016 by ink-syringe

[ahtzib]

Fair point about the flow - I tried JFK in a Pilot Falcon and had some trouble. However, I've had good results in other pens and really like the color. If there was an equivalent color with improved flow, that would be perfect. I'm still optimistic, and looking forward to seeing Abner's post tomorrow.

Edited January 16, 2016 by ahtzib

[migo984]

Seitz-Kreuznach Navy Blue may be a contender. I'll do a comparison later.

[mmg122]

I am also a fan of MB JFK ink, but certainly not willing to pay inflated prices currently seen on EBay. I would suggest Cult Pens Deep Dark Blue, as made by Diamine for

Cult Pens in the UK. Both well saturated, well behaved inks.

 

As Illustrated...Photo Credit Pen, Pencil, Paper. Tumbler.

[migo984]

Seitz-Kreuznach Navy Blue may be a contender. I'll do a comparison later.

They're pretty close. Little bit more sheen on the S-K.

 

 

[Chrissy]

Kaweco Midnight Blue is another very good alternative.

[65North]

Ahtzib, De Atramentis Giuseppe Verdi and Ferdinand von Zeppelin are visually similar to JFK - it might be worth obtaining samples to see how they behave on paper.

[Boniface]

I've wanted to try the JFK ink, but the cost was always a bit high for me. However, I really enjoy the Seitz-Kreuznach Navy Blue. It's worth trying in its own right. It looks really good it a wet stub nib.

[Chrissy]

I'm pleased I bought JFK when it was issued. There's a fine line between luscious dark blue inks and those that are blue-black, and that's what gives JFK it's edge.

[dcwaites]

Looking through the various threads on MB JFK Ink, it seems that it is a blend of a black ink and a royal blue ink. That means you could probably make a nice equivalent with blending in a little of a black ink with a lot of a royal blue.

 

If you are a MB ink fan, then I would suggest 1 drop of MB Black with 10 drops of MB Blue. Then add more of one or the other until you get the colour you want.

 

Me, being a cheapskate, would start with equivalent amounts of Pelikan 4001 Black and 4001 Blue, or Noodler's Black and Noodler's Blue, or Diamine Jet Black and Diamine Royal Blue.

 

If you wanted a Document Certified Permanent equivalent, then perhaps Koh-i-noor Document Black and Document Blue.

 

However, if you don't want to fiddle with blending, then mention has been made of J.Herbin Bleu Nuit, De Atramentis Atlantic Blue and Cult Pens Deep Dark Blue (above). I don't think that the Seitz-Kreuznach Navy (also above) would be blue enough, if you look at Cyber6's scans elsewhere on the FPN. I don't have any of the inks mentioned in this paragraph, so take my comments with a very large grain of salt.

Actually, not true, I have Bleu Nuit, but, depending on what images I look at, it might be a fair match. As with any ink, the colour you get depends on your pen, and sometimes your paper.

[Chrissy]

I reviewed J Herbin Bleu Nuit on here and my bottle wasn't anywhere near as dark a blue as JFK.

 

I have also thought of Diamine Midnight which is a very dark blue with not too much black in it. So is Diamine Regency Blue.

[ahtzib]

Thanks for the ideas, dcwaites. I don't have any experience with CP's Deep Dark Blue or SK's Navy, but Bleu Nuit -- also a great ink! -- is much bluer and much less saturated than JFK.

 

While I may eventually resort to mixing up something myself, I'm still hoping that there's a ready-made formulation somewhere out there. Looks like a some other possibilities suggested in recent posts - I really appreciate the comparative images, mmg122 and migo984. Thanks for those!

[ahtzib]

Hi Chrissy - I thought the same thing!

 

I actually bought a 30ml bottle of Midnight Blue from Goulet earlier this fall in hopes that it would be an off-the-shelf replacement. Though it's a very dark, saturated color, it's actually much bluer than JFK and lacks the subtle shading of the latter. I do like some aspects of Midnight - the flow is very smooth and the line is very even - but I was less enthusiastic about the color than I hoped I would be.

Edited January 16, 2016 by ahtzib

[ahtzib]

EUREKA!

 

Rohrer & Klingner "Salix"

[mmg122]

Another suggestion.

 

To my eye, Conway Stewart Tavy and JFK Navy are a close match. The small swab is the CS Tavy.

[grainweevil]

fwiw, there's strong evidence that Tavy is Diamine Denim, which may be easier to acquire. It's so difficult to judge via 'puter images - some of them look a dead ringer, others not even close.

[mmg122]

fwiw, there's strong evidence that Tavy is Diamine Denim, which may be easier to acquire. It's so difficult to judge via 'puter images - some of them look a dead ringer, others not even close.

Agree, grainweevil. Good to know that Diamine Denim is cloned since CS Tavy is now discontinued.

 

Mary

[ink-syringe]

Bumping this to see if any other contenders have arisen. JFK is gorgeous. With one bottle down and another with a good dent in it. I am starting to wonder if we can get closer.

[Dragonmaster Lou]

Maybe Tekker inks can reproduce the color? I'm just guessing, but I remember a Pen Habit episode where he talked about seeing if they can reproduce various favorite discontinued ink colors of Matt's.