"BLUE" ink that is resistant washing and fading?

[sidpost]

I am looking to get a bottle of blue ink that is durable against simple things like condensation from a cold beverage or intentional attempts to wash it off or fade it.  Basically, think check washing and similar things in addition to normal environmental things like sunshine exposure or a light rain.

 

For color, I need something that isn't Black or easily confused with black so, Black-Blue or Dark Navy are not good options.  I will likely use a Japanese Medium or Broad Nib to lay down a thick line that is "wet" to some extent.  Initially, I will likely use something like a Twisbi Sport or 580ALR.

 

What is good for this application in the USA or is easily sourced overseas?

[LizEF]

If you want something that will resist check washing, then you need a pigmented or otherwise permanent ink.  Noodler's inks are designed to resist a variety of "removal techniques" (including lasers; which techniques depend on the ink line - I can tell more, if you wish).  I've tested Sailor Souboku against a variety of solvents and none would remove it - it's my preferred permanent ink because Sailor inks behave so well.  I imagine Seiboku would behave as well or almost as well.

 

I've also tested the following for water resistance and lightfastness: Sailor Seiboku, Platinum Pigmented Blue, Montblanc Permanent Blue, and De Atramentis Document Blue.  All performed admirably.  I expect they would also hold up well to solvents.

 

In all cases, you want a pen that prevents evaporation so you don't get build-up in the feed.

[LizEF]

Decided to go ahead and post this.  Noodler's ratings from a spreadsheet Goulet used to have on their site, with links I pulled from Noodler's own website - links will show inks with the attribute.  The first four are what you want, with #3 being the most secure, I believe.  The page for each specific ink lists the attributes it has.

1. Bulletproof = "UV resistant, bleach resistant, etc."
2. Eternal = "Archival, fade- resistant"
3. Forgery-resistant = "Impervious to lasers, alcohols, solvents- ideal for security documents"
4. Water-resistant = "Partially or fully waterproof"
5. Fluorescent = "Glows under UV light"
6. Lubricated = "Lubricated inks for piston mechanism"
7. Freeze-resistant = "Resists freezing at extreme low temperatures"
8. Highlighting - this wasn't in the spreadsheet, so no explanation, but obvious.
9. Fast-drying - ditto

FWIW.

[inkstainedruth]

I have Souboku in my Pilot Falcon at the moment.  And while I love it, it isn't a "blue" ink, IMO -- it really is more of a blue-black.  

Trying to remember what actual blue inks I have that fit the OP's bill.  One of my favorite blue inks is Noodler's Baltimore Canyon, but don't recall offhand how "permanent" it is.    

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

                                                         

[Penguincollector]

  I have two bottles of blue ink that may work for you: Cross Archival blue ink and Monteverde Documental Blue.  I bought both through Amazon.
 

Documental Blue is top right

Luckily, I had a photo of the Cross ink previously posted: 

[Penguincollector]

Pilot Tsuwairo may also be of interest, although Pilot says that it is contraindicated for certain types of filling systems, Justus adjustable nibs, and urushi pens. 

[Sailor Kenshin]

Oddly enough I was using Monteverde Confidence and Ocean Noir today, testing glass dip pens.  Monteverde Doc. Blue won't easily wash out but it WILL stain pipettes and possibly converters.

[OCArt]

Noodler's Baltimore Canyon Blue has been my standard ink for a couple of years now. It's waterproof, archival and is a very intense blue color-- nearly rivaling Baystate Blue!  My review here

[sidpost]

7 hours ago, LizEF said:

If you want something that will resist check washing, then you need a pigmented or otherwise permanent ink.  Noodler's inks are designed to resist a variety of "removal techniques" (including lasers; which techniques depend on the ink line - I can tell more, if you wish).  I've tested Sailor Souboku against a variety of solvents and none would remove it - it's my preferred permanent ink because Sailor inks behave so well.  I imagine Seiboku would behave as well or almost as well.

 

I've also tested the following for water resistance and lightfastness: Sailor Seiboku, Platinum Pigmented Blue, Montblanc Permanent Blue, and De Atramentis Document Blue.  All performed admirably.  I expect they would also hold up well to solvents.

 

In all cases, you want a pen that prevents evaporation so you don't get build-up in the feed.

 

Thank you!  A great post.

[sidpost]

6 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

I have Souboku in my Pilot Falcon at the moment.  And while I love it, it isn't a "blue" ink, IMO -- it really is more of a blue-black.  

Trying to remember what actual blue inks I have that fit the OP's bill.  One of my favorite blue inks is Noodler's Baltimore Canyon, but don't recall offhand how "permanent" it is.    

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

                                                         

Thanks!

[sidpost]

6 hours ago, Penguincollector said:

  I have two bottles of blue ink that may work for you: Cross Archival blue ink and Monteverde Documental Blue.  I bought both through Amazon.
 

Documental Blue is top right

Luckily, I had a photo of the Cross ink previously posted: 

Nice!  Thanks for posting.

[sidpost]

5 hours ago, Sailor Kenshin said:

Oddly enough I was using Monteverde Confidence and Ocean Noir today, testing glass dip pens.  Monteverde Doc. Blue won't easily wash out but it WILL stain pipettes and possibly converters.

 

I plan on using it in a pen of modest cost so, staining and related issues would be of minimal concern.

[sidpost]

25 minutes ago, OCArt said:

Noodler's Baltimore Canyon Blue has been my standard ink for a couple of years now. It's waterproof, archival and is a very intense blue color-- nearly rivaling Baystate Blue!  My review here

 

🥳 That review looks really good.  THANKS!

[kestrel]

Noodler's Bad Belted Kingfisher has been my dedicated ink for signatures and other official stuff for more than 20 years.  It's in a Pelikan 800 with a Binder Italifine nib.  BBK has a very wet flow and it is a high maintenance ink so I do a water flush combined with sixty seconds in an ultrasonic every four or five fills to keep the feed happy.  Bad Blue Heron, also a warden ink, is lighter, more of a true blue than BBK.  I haven't tried the latter.

[sidpost]

16 hours ago, inkstainedruth said:

One of my favorite blue inks is Noodler's Baltimore Canyon, but don't recall offhand how "permanent" it is.    

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

                                                         

I really like that one.  It has a very nice color.

[sidpost]

9 hours ago, kestrel said:

Noodler's Bad Belted Kingfisher has been my dedicated ink for signatures and other official stuff for more than 20 years.  It's in a Pelikan 800 with a Binder Italifine nib.  BBK has a very wet flow and it is a high maintenance ink so I do a water flush combined with sixty seconds in an ultrasonic every four or five fills to keep the feed happy.  Bad Blue Heron, also a warden ink, is lighter, more of a true blue than BBK.  I haven't tried the latter.

 

The Noodler inks are water resistant which is a big plus for me but, I don't believe they claim any tamper-resistance properties.

[AndyYNWA]

Seems like Sailor Sei-boku is the ink you are looking for.

[sidpost]

A deeper dive into Noodler's website yielded the following:

• 19048 Baystate Blue
  • Properties: 3oz, Forge Resistant, Water Resistant
• 19086 Legal Blue
  • Properties: 3oz, Archival, Bullet Proof, Forge Resistant, Water Resistant
• 19102 Baltimore Canyon
  • Properties: 3oz, Archival, Permanent, Sheening, Water Proof
• 19804 Lex Gray 
  • Properties: 4.5 oz, Archival, Bullet Proof, Forge Resistant, Water Resistant

[OCArt]

5 hours ago, sidpost said:

A deeper dive into Noodler's website yielded the following:

• 19048 Baystate Blue
  • Properties: 3oz, Forge Resistant, Water Resistant
• 19086 Legal Blue
  • Properties: 3oz, Archival, Bullet Proof, Forge Resistant, Water Resistant
• 19102 Baltimore Canyon
  • Properties: 3oz, Archival, Permanent, Sheening, Water Proof
• 19804 Lex Gray 
  • Properties: 4.5 oz, Archival, Bullet Proof, Forge Resistant, Water Resistant

Baystate Blue is water and forge resistant but NOT light fast, it fades quite rapidly.

[kestrel]

Noodler's Bad Belted Kingfisher 19062 is listed on the Noodler's website as, "Archival, Bullet Proof, Forge Resistant, Water Resistant."

 

Bad Blue Heron 19060 is listed as, "Archival, Bullet Proof, Forge Resistant, Water Resistant."