Efnir: Pilot Blue

[LizEF]

Extra Fine Nib Ink Review: Pilot Blue

 

This is review #51 in my series. Here's the YouTube video:

 

Post-recording notes: Easy cleaning with plain water.

 

The remainder of this ink went into my Pilot Metropolitan, F nib. It's much nicer there, feels smoother, writes a darker blue. I think this ink is better suited for Japanese F and larger, or wetter nibs.

 

And here is a screen of the final result, for those not interested in the video:

Scan of Completed Review:

 

Zoomed in photo:

Absorbent Paper Closeup (puzzle paper like thick newsprint):

 

Screenshots also available on Instagram: @zilxodarap

 

Previous Review: Diamine Regency Blue.

 

Want to influence the inky sequence? Take the "next ink" poll.

 

Hope you enjoy. Comments appreciated!

[XYZZY]

I'm not fond of this color either. I have a 70ml bottle that I wasn't expecting (it came with the pen, and for some reason I assumed it would be Blue Black), and I was just shocked at how light the color is. I was expecting a royal blue, or something. I was also surprised when I did finally get to Blue Black: it's closer to what I would expect for "blue", but with just a hint of black.

 

However, I _am_ fond of that quote. Not really sure you needed to writing prompt, though: just about every flame war on the internet proves that Mr Wilde was right, millions of times daily.

Edited October 20, 2020 by XYZZY

[yazeh]

Love the quote Liz. And don't tell me this time, there's no unifying theme.

The adventures of the fifth wizard and the masked zucchini

The ink, reminds me of ball point.....

I remember someone had let the ink evaporate by half and had managed to create a lovely sheening ink.....

[LizEF]

I'm not fond of this color either. I have a 70ml bottle that I wasn't expecting (it came with the pen, and for some reason I assumed it would be Blue Black), and I was just shocked at how light the color is. I was expecting a royal blue, or something. I was also surprised when I did finally get to Blue Black: it's closer to what I would expect for "blue", but with just a hint of black.

 

However, I _am_ fond of that quote. Not really sure you needed to writing prompt, though: just about every flame war on the internet proves that Mr Wilde was right, millions of times daily.

Apparently the fine nib on my Pilot Metropolitan is much wetter than this nib. The ink is considerably darker there than it was here - matching the very darkest colors in the zoom photo. But I still don't like it - to rollerbally.

 

I'm not sure flame wars have much to do with the truth, though the "mask" of the internet certainly brings out the worst in many people. Truth is often painful or embarrassing, so it's not really a wonder that people will speak it more easily with a mask on. The trick is to be trustworthy enough that those you love don't need a mask to tell you the truth.

[LizEF]

Love the quote Liz. And don't tell me this time, there's no unifying theme.

The adventures of the fifth wizard and the masked zucchini

The ink, reminds me of ball point.....

I remember someone had let the ink evaporate by half and had managed to create a lovely sheening ink.....

I'll be sure to tell Oscar you liked his quote.

 

Yes, the fifth wizard has been having some adventures.

 

And exactly right on the ink - ballpoint or rollerball color. Yawn.

 

I think it was Pilot Blue-Black they let evaporate. But both that and Pilot Blue will sheen from a very wet nib (without evaporation).

[NeverTapOut]

I'm not fond of this color either. I have a 70ml bottle that I wasn't expecting (it came with the pen, and for some reason I assumed it would be Blue Black), and I was just shocked at how light the color is. I was expecting a royal blue, or something. I was also surprised when I did finally get to Blue Black: it's closer to what I would expect for "blue", but with just a hint of black.

 

However, I _am_ fond of that quote. Not really sure you needed to writing prompt, though: just about every flame war on the internet proves that Mr Wilde was right, millions of times daily.

For the same reason as XYZZY stated above...I found the color too light. When I had a bottle I often wondered if my scanner would pick up my handwriting when converting documents to pdfs. I like the water resistance of the ink. I forgot is Blue Black water resistant was well. If so, I may pick up a bottle.

[LizEF]

For the same reason as XYZZY stated above...I found the color too light. When I had a bottle I often wondered if my scanner would pick up my handwriting when converting documents to pdfs. I like the water resistance of the ink. I forgot is Blue Black water resistant was well. If so, I may pick up a bottle.

Yes, blue-black has the same water resistance - and is a much better color.

[Tas]

[LizEF]

[XYZZY]

For the same reason as XYZZY stated above...I found the color too light. When I had a bottle I often wondered if my scanner would pick up my handwriting when converting documents to pdfs. I like the water resistance of the ink. I forgot is Blue Black water resistant was well. If so, I may pick up a bottle.

 

Crónicas Estilográficas has some neat history and water resistance for Pilot Blue Black in the Vintage Inks blog post.

[yazeh]

I'll be sure to tell Oscar you liked his quote.

 

Yes, the fifth wizard has been having some adventures.

 

And exactly right on the ink - ballpoint or rollerball color. Yawn.

 

I think it was Pilot Blue-Black they let evaporate. But both that and Pilot Blue will sheen from a very wet nib (without evaporation).

Quintus, the fifth wizard of inky order and his faithful assistant, Courgette, the masked zucchini of M.E.V.O (most exemplary vegetable order), disappointed by LizEF and her loyal followers' disappointment in "yawn, ballpointy" colour, simmered overnight in their crafty cauldron a ratatouille of pilot blue. After some mishaps, when Courgette nearly joined in the concoction and was saved in extremis by Quintus, they decided it's best to wait for Friday

[yazeh]

 

Crónicas Estilográficas has some neat history and water resistance for Pilot Blue Black in the Vintage Inks blog post.

Thanks. Much interesting and appreciated..

[LizEF]

Quintus, the fifth wizard of inky order and his faithful assistant, Courgette, the masked zucchini of M.E.V.O (most exemplary vegetable order), disappointed by LizEF and her loyal followers' disappointment in "yawn, ballpointy" colour, simmered overnight in their crafty cauldron a ratatouille of pilot blue. After some mishaps, when Courgette nearly joined in the concoction and was saved in extremis by Quintus, they decided it's best to wait for Friday

:lticaptd:

[NeverTapOut]

 

Crónicas Estilográficas has some neat history and water resistance for Pilot Blue Black in the Vintage Inks blog post.

XYZZY...

Excellent read. I like his blog.

I wonder why IG inks have decreased in favor of cellulose reacting inks.

Pilot Blue Black is a workhorse professional ink and it is reasonably priced. I need to change it up. To bad MontBlanc Royal Blue (my workhorse ink) isn't water resistant. One 350ml bottle of Pilot Blue Black with shipping from Japan costs the same as 100ml of MB Royal Blue Ink.

Thank You.

David

[Sailor Kenshin]

Haz. Likes.

 

Tippety-tap, moo, growl. Great review. Thanks.

[LizEF]

Haz. Likes.

 

Tippety-tap, moo, growl. Great review. Thanks.

Thank you! And you're welcome.

[bone215]

I have experienced this ink to be nice and blue in some pens and as noted, lighter than expected in others.

[Tas]

I've only gone and bought some 😇

I LOVE it. "Goldilocks" blue . . . not too bright, not too dark, not too wet, not too dry, not too blue, not too purple . . .  just right. It's taken over from China Blue as my favourite blue blue.

 

Thank you.

[LizEF]

16 minutes ago, Tas said:

I've only gone and bought some 😇

Really!?  Never had a cartridge come with a Pilot pen?

 

16 minutes ago, Tas said:

I LOVE it.

I don't particularly like the color, but the behavior of this ink in a Pilot pen is perfection.

 

17 minutes ago, Tas said:

"Goldilocks" blue . . . not too bright, not too dark, not too wet, not too dry, not too blue, not too purple . . .  just right. It's taken over from China Blue as my favourite blue blue.

 

Thank you.

Well said.  I don't know about the UK, but over here, the price is also more than fair.  So glad you like it.  You're very welcome.

[IlikeInksandIcannotlie]

1 hour ago, LizEF said:

I don't particularly like the color, but the behavior of this ink in a Pilot pen is perfection.

I agree with that, the lubrication and flow is just right, when used in a Pilot. A little sad that it is prone to feathering, and the colour is a little light for me.