Ink Review: Pelikan 4001 Blue/Black

Here is my review of Pelikan Blue/Black. Looking at the smear tests, it appears to take a lot longer than I am used to with Pelikan inks. This could be due to my nib. Normally I use my Lamys for testing, but the Vista is still loaded with Diamine Sargasso Sea and my Al-Star with Denim. My Pelikan nib has a bit of flex, and the Lamys have zero, so I think the ink is going down heavier. Enjoy.

Thanks to Doug (not Dog ) for the sample.

FYI, this ink is no longer available in the US -- it was discontinued about two years ago due to TSCA Regulations.

Another nice review, Owen.

nemo said:

FYI, this ink is no longer available in the US -- it was discontinued about two years ago due to TSCA Regulations.

Another nice review, Owen.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Andrew (I think) sent me a link to where it could be had.

Cult Pens will ship it across the pond. Decently priced, too.

Love, love, love this ink!

Excellent review as usual, Owen! Thanks for the the international-flair enabling

SmoovD said:

Cult Pens will ship it across the pond. Decently priced, too.

Love, love, love this ink!

Click to expand...

Thanks.

the_edski said:

Excellent review as usual, Owen! Thanks for the the international-flair enabling

Click to expand...

i am forming a new company- Prestige Worldwide.


Let's see how many catch that reference.

Like a combination of Fergie and Jesus.

oc_in_fw said:

i am forming a new company- Prestige Worldwide.

Click to expand...

Nice review, Owen! You can indeed still get it in the US (I think), but it may be cheaper to order it from Cult Pens.

-Andy

the_edski said:

Like a combination of Fergie and Jesus.

Click to expand...

+1. I know, deep down, that Will Ferrell movies are stupid, but I cannot stay away.

I like this inkt. It is an old-fashioned blue/black, with a nice greyish shade. Together with MB blue/black, this is one of my favorites.

I have this ink and I kinda hate it. It's not blue enough and it's not black enough for me. It just comes out as washed out to me.

Lol Jason so your saying you don't like it ?


Nice review Owen... you ge a bonus point if bottles start showing up in the acquisitions thread

rearviewmirror said:

I have this ink and I kinda hate it. It's not blue enough and it's not black enough for me. It just comes out as washed out to me.

Click to expand...

Well, actually this is how the European blue/blacks looked in the past. They had a greyish look on paper, except the real iron gall inks; they were dark brownish. So I'd say that this Pelikan ink is historically correct.

johant1968 said:

Well, actually this is how the European blue/blacks looked in the past. They had a greyish look on paper, except the real iron gall inks; they were dark brownish. So I'd say that this Pelikan ink is historically correct.

Click to expand...

The color is growing on me.

Simulated ink and finger accident test (patent pending)_. I dipped my finger in for 5 seconds, then wiped with a rag (1st pic). Second pic is after washing the spot for 20 second with the generic liquid hand soap we have at work. This ink cleans up easy.

An update- I have been using this primarily since I did the review. Dry time during normal writing does not appear any different that other 4001 offerings. I don't know what happened when I did my review.

I think this ink looks a lot like Mont Blanc midnight blue.

RichieRich3902 said:

I think this ink looks a lot like Mont Blanc midnight blue.

Click to expand...

More grey though -- not as dark -- and of course without the iron gall.

I have a bottle, and rarely use it, because to me, it writes very dry, and just didn't flow very well in the couple pens I tried it in. Nice color though.