Sailor Basic Blue Black

[bokaba]

Sailor Basic Blue Black (50ml Square Bottle) in Wing Sung 699 F

 

Flow: very wet to wet, great for dry pens

 

Saturation: high for this type of ink

 

Dry time: fast, less than 5 seconds

 

Lubrication: no

 

Waterproof: no

 

Other notes: ink has a very strong chemical odor (probably biocide). The bottle is also very nice and has a plastic cone insert for filling. I would say it is similar in color to Pelikan 4001 Blue Black, but perhaps a bit darker.

 

Edited March 12, 2020 by bokaba

[Intensity]

Mine is moderately lubricated and has some water resistance. Not completely waterproof as some of the ink lifts off, but a readable line stays behind.

[lapis]

Is this the same as and/or how does it compare to the Sailor Jentle Blue-Black? (In the flat, round bottle where the ink also has that green-gray touch.)

[bokaba]

Is this the same as and/or how does it compare to the Sailor Jentle Blue-Black? (In the flat, round bottle where the ink also has that green-gray touch.)

 

From what I understand, the Jentle line became the Basic line, though it the ink could have been reformulated.

[lapis]

Great and thanks. Exactly my thoughts. New bottle and labeling for sure, new formulation possible. (Your color on my screen look like my ink on my paper....)

[bokaba]

Great and thanks. Exactly my thoughts. New bottle and labeling for sure, new formulation possible. (Your color on my screen look like my ink on my paper....)

 

Looking at it in person there is a slight green/teal hue, but very slight. Nothing like Waterman or Diamine Blue Black.

[TheDutchGuy]

I adore Sailor inks, but this particular one doesn’t inspire me so I reach for inks like P4001 BB or iroshizuku shin-kai instead.

[bokaba]

My overall feeling is that Sailor BB is a great color (albeit boring perhaps) and a very wet ink suitable for fine Japanese nibs. I really like it. It is a bit pricey compared to others like Pilot, Pelikan 4001, etc.

[cgreenberg19]

Great review!

[Michael F]

Good review. I think this is a decent blue black but not the first I'd reach for. At least for me, it seemed rather grey. Overall performance was good though, and color-wise it is more neutral and professional-looking than something like Waterman Mysterious Blue or Sailor Sei-Boku which are too teal in my opinion.

[bokaba]

If I didn't already have it, I would get with Pelikan 4001 Blue Black. It is very similar albeit perhaps a bit lighter and grayer. I didn't find Sailor BB gray at all (perhaps a very light teal tinge).