De Atramentis Steel Blue Lookalikes?

[shinryu]

While I was looking through past threads I found a couple of writing samples using DA Steel Blue and just knew I had to have it. Unfortunately this particular colour seems to be quite elusive in the UK and ordering directly from DA invokes a rather scary shipping cost of over 13 Euros.

 

Is there an ink that looks very similar to DA Steel Blue (note that it's completely different from Diamine's Steel Blue) ? I wouldn't mind too much if it's slightly darker but I do want that delicate balance between blue and teal. Currently the closest one I can find is Robert Oster Blue Denim but it seems to have a tiny bit more green compared to DASB. If there's a better match out there please let me know.

[LizEF]

Steel Blue is sold under four names. Are you able to find it under one of the other names?

 

https://www.de-atramentis.com/advanced_search_result.php?categories_id=0&keywords=steel+blue&inc_subcat=1

 

You're right that Blue Denim is a little more green. I have both inks. Colorverse Ham #65 is similar, but darker.

 

Just from comparing swabs, here are some options:

• Diamine Asa Blue
• Diamine Pelham Blue (a new color, I believe)

...those seem closest.

[shinryu]

Steel Blue is sold under four names. Are you able to find it under one of the other names?

 

https://www.de-atramentis.com/advanced_search_result.php?categories_id=0&keywords=steel+blue&inc_subcat=1

 

You're right that Blue Denim is a little more green. I have both inks. Colorverse Ham #65 is similar, but darker.

 

Just from comparing swabs, here are some options:

• Diamine Asa Blue
• Diamine Pelham Blue (a new color, I believe)

...those seem closest.

 

The page won't open but if you mean Elizabeth Parker, Frederick William and Henry Ford yes they're all mostly unavailable here

 

Asa Blue and Pelham Blue are actually my two most recent purchases but they're quite different from the pictures I've seen of Steel Blue. They're both more of a blue+cyan and you can't really see any green. They're more similar to RO School Blue or Carbon Fire, with Pelham being the slightly darker and dustier of the two.

[DrDebG]

DA Steel Blue is also one of my favorite inks. You may also want to look at Blackstone Barrier Reef Blue or perhaps Sydney Harbor Blue which is much darker so you may want to dilute a bit. They are similar, and quite nice inks.

[LizEF]

The page won't open but if you mean Elizabeth Parker, Frederick William and Henry Ford yes they're all mostly unavailable here

 

Yeah, those were the other names in the search results. (Sorry about the link.)

 

I'm out of ideas. Blue Denim is one of my favorite colors, well-behaved, sheens and shades - in case you want don't find anything better.

[shinryu]

Just tried diluting Sydney Harbour Blue, actually looks a darker Fire & Ice now. Interesting. Is this what Steel Blue actually looks like?

 

Come to think of it would you guys consider RO Blue Denim to be work appropriate? The reason I'm drooling over Steel Blue is because it looks like a blue that edges slightly towards the green side of the spectrum without raising eyebrows at work (I work in a lab). I mean I love inks like RO Tranquility and Diamine Aurora Borealis but just can't imagine writing reports and lab books with them. If Blue Denim can fill that role I'll probably be happy with it.

[LizEF]

Steel Blue is in the same family as Fire & Ice, Blue Denim, Ham #65 and other "blues that lean turquoise". But I'd say it's more "normal" than the others - will pass as a normal blue. That said, I think Blue Denim is probably OK for work, at least in a pen that leaves a darker line (i.e. wetter).

[DrDebG]

I am probably not the best judge of what would be considered "work appropriate" since I just don't really worry about it. Yes, for more formal occasions I used professional looking blues, including D'ASB, but I also don't hesitate using my Montblanc Unicef Blue (actually a turquoise) for meeting notes, memos, etc. But then again, I also use Pilot Iro. Yama-budo for those as well.

 

I do like Blackstone Sydney Harbor Blue and usually dilute it a bit. it does produce a nice dark line. It seems to have a bit more water resistance than D'ASB.

[Intensity]

Just tried diluting Sydney Harbour Blue, actually looks a darker Fire & Ice now. Interesting. Is this what Steel Blue actually looks like?

 

Come to think of it would you guys consider RO Blue Denim to be work appropriate? The reason I'm drooling over Steel Blue is because it looks like a blue that edges slightly towards the green side of the spectrum without raising eyebrows at work (I work in a lab). I mean I love inks like RO Tranquility and Diamine Aurora Borealis but just can't imagine writing reports and lab books with them. If Blue Denim can fill that role I'll probably be happy with it.

 

Maybe what you really need is KWZ Walk Over Vistula It's a beautiful darker blue with a dash of teal to it and a good amount of vibrancy. But it still looks professional enough. Walk Over Vistula reminds me of Robert Oster Fire & Ice, but it's darker and less toward teal.

Edited March 7, 2019 by Intensity

[shinryu]

I actually have a sample of Walk Over Vistula, its a great ink but just a bit concerned about the monster shading capacity. I will compare it with Blue Denim to see which ones more calm and composed

[LizEF]

I actually have a sample of Walk Over Vistula, its a great ink but just a bit concerned about the monster shading capacity. I will compare it with Blue Denim to see which ones more calm and composed

 

Uh, Blue Denim shades like crazy. It also sheens. So if you're worried about these features at work, they're probably not the right ink for you.