Blue/Black Ink Recommendations: With Qualifications

**The Nid Hog** · 06-29-2012, 08:17 AM

I'm looking for a new blue/black ink. I don't want any Noodler's: I'm perfectly happy with BBB and want to try something different. The challenge that has been set before me is to find one I like that is made by a company that also makes pens. So that rules out PR too. Any suggestions?

**Taipei Personality** · 06-29-2012, 08:20 AM

I'm guessing you've already tried Lamy, Parker, Sheaffer, Pelikan, et al?

**csmorris** · 06-29-2012, 08:46 AM

Waterman Blue-Black.

**oc_in_fw** · 06-29-2012, 09:15 AM

I would recommend the Lamy, just for the bottle.

**the_edski** · 06-29-2012, 09:16 AM

+1

Originally Posted by oc_in_fw

I would recommend the Lamy, just for the bottle.

**nemo** · 06-29-2012, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by csmorris

Waterman Blue-Black.

Nice ink but not really blue-black in my opinion -- too much green.

I like Mont Blanc (recently changed name to Midnight Blue), Lamy, Pelikan (no longer sold in US), and Platinum (great price, also more bluish).

Nid, did you get some of Akkerman's BB when you ordered? I'm curious about that stuff.

**Bill Smith** · 06-29-2012, 10:39 AM

Diamine Blue Black?

**strop** · 06-29-2012, 10:56 AM

Diamine Denim is a really nice blue-black, IMO. Different than others because it trends more toward black than blue.

**cvac** · 06-29-2012, 12:02 PM

My vote goes to Lamy blue/black.

The stuff I got from Amazon recently is definitely the Iron Gall formula and waterproof. If you get the I.G. formula keep in mind that you'll have to clean your pen more often.

MB's Midnight Blue sounds really interesting, but I haven't tried it yet.

Waterman makes good ink but I don't see the point of a blue/black that's not waterproof.

Diamine does not make pens...I have their Registrar's blue/black repackaged under the Chesterfield label...it feels a bit drier than the Lamy stuff and oxidizes to pure black much faster.

Ordered ESSRI blue/black but it hasn't arrived yet...they don't make pens either.

If you don't care about the oxidizing to black aspect of the blue/black, get some Pilot Blue/Namiki Blue (not the Irozshizuku stuff)...the regular old Pilot/Namiki blue is very water-resistant, looks great and holds up very well to water too.

**superbleu** · 06-29-2012, 12:05 PM

I think Pilot/Namiki makes a blue black, also sailor does too.

**Slivovitz** · 06-29-2012, 12:12 PM

Depends on how blackish it needs to be. I'm partial to Namiki (Pilot) Blue which comes out as a very dark blue in the pens that I use it in, although I've seen color swatches on line that make it look much lighter. Good water-resistance, too.

Waterman Blue-Black is a shade I like, but not water-resistant, unfortunately.

I've got a Kaweco Blue-Black cartridge in a Junior-K. Nice enough shade, more toward the blackish end. Not even close to water resistant. Runs off the page if you even say the word water. And it's a cartridge.

**SmoovD** · 06-29-2012, 12:45 PM

Check out the Diamine line....their blues are awesome. Are you averse to iron-gall inks? If not, R&K Salix is great. As is ESSRI. Diamine Registrar's Ink is sold under the monker Chesterfield by Xfountainpendotcom so you can save a little bit.

**dgturner** · 06-29-2012, 12:55 PM

+1 Sailor Jentle BB
+1 Lamy BB (I agree that the bottle alone is worth it...)
+1 Sheaffer BB
+1 Waterman BB

**Doc4** · 06-29-2012, 01:27 PM

Sailor Sei-Boku?

A very nice BB, and I think Sailor might make the odd pen now and again ...

**Dave258** · 06-29-2012, 02:03 PM

I recently bought a bottle of Sailor Jentle Blue Black, and like it a lot! Looks great with the 1911 Music Nib!

**dspeers58** · 06-29-2012, 03:23 PM

Pilot Blue Black is good. So is Sailor. I do really like the Mont Blanc Midnight Blue!

**Doc4** · 06-29-2012, 03:25 PM

"Seventy-two tiny vials of ink samples"

**The Nid Hog** · 06-29-2012, 09:09 PM

Thanks for all the nice suggestions and sorry for the late reply. I was driving all day today.

Originally Posted by nemo

Nid, did you get some of Akkerman's BB when you ordered? I'm curious about that stuff.

No, I got the Shocking Blue. Which I like a lot (you have that one too, don't you?).

I was disappointed to see that Pelikan blue-black isn't generally available in the US. Does anybody know of a vendor who carries it?

**Artimid** · 06-30-2012, 01:01 AM

http://www.inknouveau.com/2011/05/pe...-black-is.html

Sorry. They have the http://www.gouletpens.com/Ink_Sample...is-p339226.htm which is blueish-black? Good luck on your quest though! I eagerly await a example of what you find acceptable, since I most likely will also pick up a sample. :)