Blackstone Lights Blue

[Jamerelbe]

A couple of weeks ago, while trawling the internet for pens and inks, I discovered that Blackstone Inks have come out with a new range of inks. Their "Colours of Australia" and "Scents of Australia" collections feature intensely coloured, highly saturated inks, some of which (mostly the blues!) produce a fair degree of sheening. The "Lights" range is designed to cater to the tastes of those who prefer their inks to be less saturated - but with smooth flow and reliable performance.

 

 

I immediately placed an order for four of the colours (Blue, Green, Orange and Red) - and Kevin, the brains behind Blackstone, very kindly included the other two colours (Black and Violet) for me to try out. I've received free inks from Kevin in the past, but as always, my opinions are my own.

 

The first cab off the rank in this multi-part review is Blackstone Lights Blue - which I have to say has become an instant favourite. It reminds me of Toucan Bright Blue (I understand the ink is made using dyes provided by the manufacturer of Toucan - so perhaps that shouldn't be a surprise!) - but the colour saturation factor is higher, and the ink flow is much wetter and smoother. Overall it's a delight to write with.

 

The following photo was taken in full (late spring) sunlight with my Samsung Note 8 and, apart from cropping, has not been colour-adjusted.

 

 

The AU$7 plus postage I shelled out for this ink was worth it - I'm looking forward to using up the bottle! [Which won't take all that long, sadly, as I lost more than half of it in an accidental spill.... ]

 

[amberleadavis]

THANK YOU for sharing!!!

[bass1193]

Thank you for this! I've been transfixed by Daintree since I received it, and I've been looking to expand in the Blackstone direction. It's really cool that they're making mid-saturation inks! And, of course, I weep for your spill 😔

[Jamerelbe]

Thank you for this! I've been transfixed by Daintree since I received it, and I've been looking to expand in the Blackstone direction. It's really cool that they're making mid-saturation inks! And, of course, I weep for your spill

 

Thanks for your comment! The dyes used to create the Blackstone Lights range have a different source from their other ranges - they're made by Tintex (Dye Manufacturers of Australia), who have their own range of 'Technical Drawing' inks. That probably explains the different colour palette - but the Blackstone inks are specifically for fountain pens, and that's reflected in their smoother, wetter flow.

 

Not sure which Blackstone ink is my favourite - I like the saturation and sheen of Sydney Harbour Blue, Barrier Reef Blue, and Blue Gum, but this lighter (non-sheening) ink is going to give them a run for their money!

[Jamerelbe]

THANK YOU for sharing!!!

 

My pleasure!

[bass1193]

Thanks for your comment! The dyes used to create the Blackstone Lights range have a different source from their other ranges - they're made by Tintex (Dye Manufacturers of Australia), who have their own range of 'Technical Drawing' inks. That probably explains the different colour palette - but the Blackstone inks are specifically for fountain pens, and that's reflected in their smoother, wetter flow.

 

Not sure which Blackstone ink is my favourite - I like the saturation and sheen of Sydney Harbour Blue, Barrier Reef Blue, and Blue Gum, but this lighter (non-sheening) ink is going to give them a run for their money!

Great info, thanks! I was definitely looking at Blue Gum, since it's so different from any of the other blues I have. And it would be interesting to experience a scented ink, beyond the delightfully ineffably inky smell of all of my vintage ones

[Jamerelbe]

Great info, thanks! I was definitely looking at Blue Gum, since it's so different from any of the other blues I have. And it would be interesting to experience a scented ink, beyond the delightfully ineffably inky smell of all of my vintage ones

 

Hard to go wrong with Blue Gum - beautiful colour (if you like blues that lean a little green), and pleasantly aromatic. The smell does fade as the ink dries, though!

[bass1193]

Hard to go wrong with Blue Gum - beautiful colour (if you like blues that lean a little green), and pleasantly aromatic. The smell does fade as the ink dries, though!

I do love all of the blue-green mashups 😍 and Blue Gum is probably the most distinctively unique ink in that category I've seen! And, I'd honestly be fine with only me (the writer) being able to enjoy the scent. Otherwise it brings to mind the old trope of someone spraying a letter with perfume right before mailing which I find banal to a silly degree 😅

[Jamerelbe]

I do love all of the blue-green mashups and Blue Gum is probably the most distinctively unique ink in that category I've seen! And, I'd honestly be fine with only me (the writer) being able to enjoy the scent. Otherwise it brings to mind the old trope of someone spraying a letter with perfume right before mailing which I find banal to a silly degree

 

My sentiments too: I enjoy the smell of these inks as I write with them, but would feel a bit self-conscious if the recipients of a letter written with them could smell the bouquet...