Replacement for Noodler's Baystate Blue Ink

[GAP]

Hello All

I know that there is no replacement to Noodler's Baystate Blue. I have used BSB and I don't have problem with its staining properties. Its just that it feathers a lot. I am looking for something similar to same shade but with low feathering properties. Any suggestion..?

[LizEF]

Visconti Blue is frequently recommended.  Also, find a picture that you think represents BSB well, pick up the hex code of the color, and put that in InkSwatch.com and it will give you inks close to that color.

 

OK, used JetPens' swatch and got this: https://inkswatch.com/choice.html?hexColorChoice=3928D0

[amberleadavis]

Check out the blue thread in the signature below.  The closest you can get to BSB is a blue sharpie.  There is no other ink as vibrant as BSB.  BTW the spider is BSB the others are inks you could consider.  Levenger Skies of Blue (like other inks_ looks different depending on the pen.  Levenger Cobalt is also a wonderful ink.

 

[arcfide]

All the above are good recommendations. You could also look at just straight up Noodler's Blue. On the Japanese side, there are some bright blues from Sailor (Ink Studio 740) and Pilot (Iroshizuku Kon-peki) that might be worth a look. Both of them will show more shading than BSB, though, if that matters to you. If you're using finer nibs that are a little drier, then Jacques Herbin Bleu de Minuit has quite a bright intensity; when you layer it on heavier and broader, it will be darker in shade than BSB, but with a suitably drier and finer nib (M or below, IME), then the color comes out quite cobalty like Visconti Blue above. 

 

[LizEF]

5 minutes ago, arcfide said:

Iroshizuku Kon-peki

Or Asa-gao, maybe.

[amberleadavis]

[amberleadavis]

8 minutes ago, LizEF said:

Or Asa-gao, maybe.

 

 

I know I have several Asa-gao samples, but I don't seem to have put them up yet.  I also should have more Kon Peki samples but I didn't find them yet either.

[txomsy]

I like Montblanc Permanent Blue, which I find somewhat close to BSB.

 

OTOH, in the inky recipes subforum there are several reports that diluting BSB down to 50:50 in water makes it not to feather while still maintaining the color.

 

I've gone down to 75 BSB: 35 water and am waiting for the mix I did to finish before trying the stronger dilution. 3/4 BSB 1/4 Water does not affect the tone but doesn't provide sufficient (for me) improvement.

 

You could try that with a small amount and see what happens, maybe that will solve your problem.

[vtgt]

My sample of BSB only feathers when laying a lot of ink down. This can be avoided by using a finer nib, drier writer, or change of paper. It's not necessary to abandon the ink entirely. Just be more clever about how you use it.

[MoriartyR]

Isn’t it just better to go to the hardware store and buy a can of electric blue paint? Won’t feather at all and probably no worse for your pens than using Baystate Blue ink.

 

[sciumbasci]

I was told Monteverde Horizon Blue is a close match

[ErrantSmudge]

8 hours ago, sciumbasci said:

I was told Monteverde Horizon Blue is a close match

 

I think Monteverde Sapphire is a better match for BSB.  Sapphire has a purple tinge similar to BSB, and is also vivid (though not as vivid as BSB, nothing is).

[amberleadavis]

1 hour ago, ErrantSmudge said:

 

I think Monteverde Sapphire is a better match for BSB.  Sapphire has a purple tinge similar to BSB, and is also vivid (though not as vivid as BSB, nothing is).

 

I think you. have a set of comparisons of the Blues somewhere around here.... hint hint can you post that picture here?

[amberleadavis]

Some of the KWZI blues are amazing and retina searing like BSB.

[ErrantSmudge]

On 4/29/2021 at 2:46 PM, amberleadavis said:

 

I think you. have a set of comparisons of the Blues somewhere around here.... hint hint can you post that picture here?

 

My old scanner was really bad at capturing the differences between blues; I should try to make a new sample pic.  In the meantime, these were all done with the same scanner on Clairefontaine paper.

 

 

[Honeybadgers]

Noodlers Liberty's Elysium is the closest I could possibly compare. less violet, but an INTENSE, VERY PURE blue. Only available through goulet, but highly recommend. Well behaved, no shading, stupidly blue.

[inkstainedruth]

I'd say to have a look at Noodler's Baltimore Canyon Blue.  It's brighter and more waterproof than Liberty's Elysium (which I also really like).  

For ink that are a little more purple leaning a blue, (but of course isn't nearly as water resistant as BSB, you might have a look at J Herbin Eclat de Saphir.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[amberleadavis]

@ErrantSmudge WOW WOW WOW

Do you have that uploaded to the Blue thread?  Even if you did before, you should add it again.  WOW WOW WO

[GAP]

I tried all the inks suggested here and I will admit - there is no replacement for Baystate blue..!!

[amberleadavis]

 

I can't believe that I iddn't add BSB.