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Which Pelikan Blue-Black?


truthpil

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Hi All,

 

Recently I purchased a NOS Pelikan cartridge pen made in "W. Germany" that had the original blue-black ink cartridge inside.

Of course the cartridge didn't say anything other than "Pelikan" on it, so I'm assuming it was 4001 Blue-black.

The color of the ink was much darker than the current manifestation of Pelikan 4001 Blue-black. It was so dark that you'd have to shine some light on the paper to discern the blue...I loved it!

 

Does anyone have an idea what ink this was and if it's possible to get a hold of it today?

I'm hoping I don't have to hunt for 1980s cartridges.

 

I'm also wondering if the cartridge ink is darker than the bottled ink in general.

 

Thanks for any help!

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Probably an old 4001 Blue-Black cartridge that was somewhat evaporated and oxidized.

 

If you're looking for Pelikan cartridges, give Edelstein Tanzanite a try. It's pretty dark without being totally black.

Rationalizing pen and ink purchases since 1967.

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Thanks for the suggestion.

I'm wondering if it was some old IG blue-black that had oxidized to get darker.

Flow was perfect on it as well.

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I would wager (only small amounts and not online) that it was the IG ink. The IG was richer in my opinion, but in addition it probably was a little dehydrated. You might be able to order the IG in bottles from the EU do not buy the bottles that are exported to the US since they do not have the IG.

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I didn't know that Pelikan was exporting a non-IG blue-black to the US. Occasionally one will see a dealer with a few bottles of 4001 blue-black--I always assumed that this was European IG stock that was smuggled in. None of the "mainstream" Pelikan dealers offer 4001 blue-black. To me it is so dry that I would use it only in the wettest pens. I prefer Edelstein Tanzanite, which has excellent flow and color.

Rationalizing pen and ink purchases since 1967.

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The IG version is actually really nice. (and wet)

Fountain pens are my preferred COLOR DELIVERY SYSTEM (in part because crayons melt in Las Vegas).

Create a Ghostly Avatar and I'll send you a letter. Check out some Ink comparisons: The Great PPS Comparison 

Don't know where to start?  Look at the Inky Topics O'day.  Then, see inks sorted by color: Blue Purple Brown Red Green Dark Green Orange Black Pinks Yellows Blue-Blacks Grey/Gray UVInks Turquoise/Teal MURKY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Thanks for the idea Amber!

I'll try to hunt down some of the old IG Pelikan Blue-black.

 

I have a bottle of the current 4001 Blue-black (which I read here is not available in the US for some legal reasons), but it's not nearly as dark, though still lovely in my opinion and one of my favorites.

 

The cartridge I had was definitely wet and had wonderful flow.
It reminds me of the rich blue-black that Pilot puts in the Petit cartridges, but was even a little darker than that.

 

Here in China a lot of the Pelikan 4001 bottles are available with the previous dark blue label (as opposed to the current silver one). Is that the older IG mix or just an older bottle design with the same ink as in current bottles?

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I think so Phil.

My '90's Pelikan cartridges are all 2/3's evaporated. I had to fill them to the little line on top with water.

I once found a boat load in a flea market and only bought a few...in I didn't have any Cartridge pens, or didn't care for them. I should have stocked up...if not for me for others. The orange was good, the two different grays. I've not done Rose or Lilac. ( ;) I know someone who needs some!!! :thumbup: ) I can do my good deed of the decade year. :bunny01:

 

The reason the US is not imported is the US government drowned some rats in Pelikan BB. An in the US is just a nitch market Pelikan had no reason to change it's ink for six people using it in the US. Changing to meet Euro norms didn't cross the pond.

 

The years of secret, the people have no right to know about TIPX or how ever it was called might have allowed it's importation to the States.....but I think TIPX has been canceled. Well Canadian/Mexican Tipx has been canceled. Personally from my more German point of view....I hope it is canceled. We don't need gene manipulated food nor hormone treated beef.

 

The Jungle is a 1906 novel written by the American journalist and novelist Upton Sinclair. It tore open the scandal of the meat packing where the food was tainted. The Jungle 2.0 needs to be written. Or Ralf Nader should write 'Unsafe with every Bite'. When I was a child, the Pure food and drug act, had a meaning....or so I thought.

 

Pelikan BB, many do order it shipped by German mail and it gets through US customs. German mail is dirt cheap vs US mail.

Or one can order if for lots more from Canada.

In reference to P. T. Barnum; to advise for free is foolish, ........busybodies are ill liked by both factions.

 

 

The cheapest lessons are from those who learned expensive lessons. Ignorance is best for learning expensive lessons.

 

 

 

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Since I can't find any vintage cartridges, do you think I can create the same effect by getting a vintage bottle and decanting a little of the ink in a separate container until it oxidizes to the darkness I like?

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Since I can't find any vintage cartridges, do you think I can create the same effect by getting a vintage bottle and decanting a little of the ink in a separate container until it oxidizes to the darkness I like?

 

That would probably make it lose water.

Have you tried a search on amazon.de and ebay.de?

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Since I can't find any vintage cartridges, do you think I can create the same effect by getting a vintage bottle and decanting a little of the ink in a separate container until it oxidizes to the darkness I like?

 

 

If you have a dehumidifier, run it on high in a room with the door closed. Put the ink close to the humidifier, keep it loosely capped or uncapped (careful of stuff floating into it). Check on it every couple hours. Should evaporate some.

 

Don't over do it. The ink might get overloaded with dye, humectants, and surfactants and possibly not dry properly. Though Pelikan is pretty light so you should be good to let a little evaporate.

Edited by ink-syringe

Looking for a cap for a Sheaffer Touchdown Sentinel Deluxe Fat version

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That would probably make it lose water.

Have you tried a search on amazon.de and ebay.de?

 

No such luck on those. There does seem to be plenty vintage 4001 violet for sale though.

 

 

 

If you have a dehumidifier, run it on high in a room with the door closed. Put the ink close to the humidifier, keep it loosely capped or uncapped (careful of stuff floating into it). Check on it every couple hours. Should evaporate some.

 

Don't over do it. The ink might get overloaded with dye, humectants, and surfactants and possibly not dry properly. Though Pelikan is pretty light so you should be good to let a little evaporate.

 

That's an interesting idea! If I end up getting the bottle, I'll probably just pour a little into a 5ml sample vial and leave it with the cap unscrewed overnight and see what happens. I've overblown my ink & pen budget for this month, so maybe next month. :P

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