Good Bright Royal Blue Ink

[Nellie]

I haven't been on these forums in a long time, and although I've still been using my pens every time I hand-write anything, my stash of inks is still lasting (big Noodler's bottles ).

I'm looking for a royal blue ink for a friend, though, and would appreciate any help you can give me. It should be bright and relatively saturated (but still reasonably fast-drying). I remember that Aurora's, Waterman's and Visconti's blues were quite good and some of the Diamines. At first I thought Private Reserve American or Supershow Blue, but I looked at some old notes written in those inks and they're not as bright as I remember the inks to be (A.B. seems a bit greenish). I also remember that the Supershow feathered quite badly on bad paper. So I'm thinking Diamine Sapphire Blue at the moment. Is there anything new /better that I should consider?

(Inks like Baystate Blue are out, as my friend is not a pen-fiend who would appreciate "special" inks. Any "normal" ink that is not washed-out would be fine.)

Edited November 22, 2015 by Nellie

[perfaddict]

Rohrer & Klingner's Königsblau is a reasoably saturated royal blue. My first impression when i sampled it on paper was that it reminded me of Baystate Blue. I don't think i was that far off the mark.

 

Edited November 22, 2015 by perfaddict

[ac12]

One thing to be aware of is the paper. I've used Cross/Pelikan blue/royal blue and it looked great...until it dried. The paper that I used, absorbed the ink...and the dyes, so the ink left on the paper looked faded and washed out. IOW, if the paper will suck in the ink, you will loose a bunch of the ink color.

 

Another problem is that FP ink will not behave the same on ALL paper. So you and your friend will have to learn to buy paper that is fountain pen friendly. And that does not mean it has to be EXPENSIVE paper. I use inexpensive paper, but I did search to find the one that was FP friendly.

Edited November 22, 2015 by ac12

[Randal6393]

I would say R & K Konigsblau would be an excellent choice. If it isn't too hard to get, Montblanc Royal Blue might be another possible. Both inks are well-behaved and smooth, write well, with enough color and darkness to show up well.

 

If your friend is an old-time fountain pen user, Noodler's Liberty Elysium might be a good choice. Almost as bright as BSB but with fewer problems. It's a great everyday ink for someone who uses a lot of blue.

 

Enjoy,

[Notgatherox]

Diamine Sapphire Blue isn't a royal blue, it's a blurple (purplish blue)

 

I would put my money on R&K Königsblau like the few above me.

 

 

~Epic

[Nellie]

Thank you, perfaddict - that looks great! And it should be comparatively easy to get here , just like the Montblanc, Randal6393. I've always thought the latter was just one of those typical washed out European standard blues, though. Am I wrong?

Er, I've been using fountain pens for about 35 years, ac12, so I know. But yes, I'd prefer a blue that's not eradicable, simply for this reason. I've found that the typical blues made for school use are the inks that fade fastest on low quality paper. (Apparently I asked about this in one of the R&K Königsblau review threads 3 years ago, but no one answered.)

Thank you, Lord Epic!

[lapis]

Diamine's new Blue Velvet is nice. Or if you're in the states, try Noodler's "Blue".

 

Mike

[OCArt]

Private Reserve DC Super Show Blue. It is very bright and saturated.

http://www.gouletpens.com/files/s8588/1/IS-PR23DCB.jpg

[Amberjack]

For an inexpensive but excellent and FP friendly paper, look to Neenah Classic Laid. Available in white and ivory and marvelous for correspondence.

 

I find Liberty's Elysium a very bright blue, but too bright for me. You might even look at Sheaffer Scrip, for a low cost/high quality blue.

 

Good luck!

 

Jack

[tinta]

A vote for Montblanc Royal Blue.

Used to be a favourite blue ink till I discovered the joys of blue blacks.

[Nellie]

Thanks, everyone!

I've just looked at reviews of the Montblanc and it's not really what I am looking for. Sheaffer Scrip is also too washed out for my taste (though I love their pens). Noodler's Blue is nice, but not really a royal blue IMO. Liberty's Elysium looks nice but will be hard to get in time. Supershow was one of my first ideas. Diamine Blue Velvet looks nice. I wonder if someone has done a comparison to the R&K Royal Blue.

[dcwaites]

Pelikan 4001 Royal Blue.

Same hue as the R & K Konigsblau, but a bit more intense. It also behaves very well on poor quality paper,

 

It is also very washable. Depending on your friend's needs, that may or may not be a plus.

 

Otherwise, Noodler's Blue, still not waterproof, but more resistant than the Pelikan. If dry time is a problem, then it can be diluted with 20% ~ 40% water and still not lose much intensity.

 

Koh-i-noor Document Blue is a nice blue that dries to something like the R & K Konigsblau, but once it has dried and set is absolutely waterproof. It is also one of the cheapest inks available in Europe.

[tmenyc]

Akkerman Royal Akkermanblauw?

[Abner C. Kemp]

Thanks, everyone!

I've just looked at reviews of the Montblanc and it's not really what I am looking for. Sheaffer Scrip is also too washed out for my taste (though I love their pens). Noodler's Blue is nice, but not really a royal blue IMO. Liberty's Elysium looks nice but will be hard to get in time. Supershow was one of my first ideas. Diamine Blue Velvet looks nice. I wonder if someone has done a comparison to the R&K Royal Blue.

 

Montblanc or Akkerman Royal Blue are about the brightest true Royal Blues that I know of. Liberty's Elysium isn't really what I would call a Royal Blue, it's more of a true blue. Royal Blue inks, by nature, seem to usually be a bit more washed out and are certainly not going to be as bright as something like Liberty's Elysium. If you like the look of Liberty's Elysium, perhaps Sailor Souten would be worth consideration. It's a very nice medium blue with some sheen and is a bit darker than Liberty's Elysium.

[ac12]

Sheaffer Skrip blue, like Pelikan Blue depends very much on the pen, and how wet/dry it is. It will benefit from a wet pen.

I have Sheaffer Skrip blue in one pen now, and it does NOT look washed, but a very good medium blue. I have used in another pen where it did look washed out. So use it in a wetter pen, like a Pelikan and it should do fine. I used it in a vintage Wearever.

Edited November 23, 2015 by ac12

[Amberjack]

Sheaffer Skrip blue, like Pelikan Blue depends very much on the pen, and how wet/dry it is. It will benefit from a wet pen.

I have Sheaffer Skrip blue in one pen now, and it does NOT look washed, but a very good medium blue. I have used in another pen where it did look washed out. So use it in a wetter pen, like a Pelikan and it should do fine. I used it in a vintage Wearever.

Agreed, Skrip definitely benefits from a wet pen. I have a bottle of vintage Skrip Royal Blue incoming by post that I will be reviewing along with some more modern blues.

 

Nellie, if you wish I would be pleased to send you a quantity of Liberty's Elysium for you to try. As I mentioned above, it's a bit too electric for me but you may love it. Just send me a PM and I will post it directly to you.

 

Jack

Edited November 23, 2015 by Amberjack

[Nellie]

Thank you for this generous offer, Jack. I have sent you a PM.

I've found out that the R&K Königsblau is eradicable, so that ink is out for me. At the moment I'm considering either PR Supershow or Diamine Majestic or Imperial Blue or Diamine Blue Velvet (I prefer the look of the regular Diamine bottle, however). All of these are fairly easily available to me, not eradicable as far as I know, and relatively unproblematic, right? My friend does not own any wet writers and she does write on low quality paper. I'm not going to change that. Actually, like anyone here who uses fountain pens all the time and for everything, I use low quality paper myself, as soon as I fill in forms or the like.

Something like Koh-i-noor Document Blue sure is interesting, but not for this purpose (present). Maybe I'll order some for myself at some point.

Sooo, which of the four inks should I get: PR Supershow or Diamine Majestic or Imperial Blue or Diamine Blue Velvet? The ink should have a nice, saturated colour that sets it apart from the likes of Scrip and Pelikan Blue, but it should be well behaved and fuss-free.

Edited November 23, 2015 by Nellie

[Fabienne]

Eclat de Safir is a great bright blue well behaved and comes in a nifty bottle. I would also like to put in a good word for Chesterfield Capri, it's a not too well known ink but shades very well and is a very appealing color of blue.

[ajlmarques]

Another vote for Diamine Blue Velvet. Also, have you looked at Iroshizuku Asa gao?

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

I'm rather glad the field has narrowed to four inks.

 

Of those mentioned, Diamine Imperial Blue seems to meet the criteria for hue and saturation. It does well on lesser papers, though there still may be bleed- show-through from a wet pen / heavy hand. Water resistance is quite alright too. The dye-load is high enough that if DIBl appears too dark or lacking 'snap', especially on absorbent papers, it can withstand modest dilution.

 

Bye,

S1