Comparison of 6 Blue-Black Inks

[MDI]

Here is a comparison of 6 Blue-Black Inks:

 

http://queenmargot.com/blueblacks_andrew.jpg

 

Note that Private Reserve Ebony Blue appears greenish and Waterman Blue-Black is nearly blue. The Montblanc Blue-Black is from the cartridge. At a future point, I would like to include the bottled version. The similarity between Pelikan and MB/cartridge is not a scanner trick, it is similar in real life, but there is difference: MB is a bit more toward gray.

 

Here are a few close-ups:

 

http://queenmargot.com/blueblacks_andrew2.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/blueblacks_andrew3.jpg

 

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[Federalist Pens]

Nice comparison MDI, Thanks!

 

MB Blue-black is one of my favorite BB inks. This is what BB should be IMHO!

[jmscholtz]

Thanks MDI. These are really useful. The side-by-sides are great.

 

~Marty

[Peter from Sherwood Park]

Thank you for these scans -- it gives me something to think about. To my eye, the Pelikan is the closest to a blue-black, with PR Sonic Blue a close second. How do other people see it?

[bphollin]

Thanks for the really nice comparison scans. I use and love W'man and Pelikan BB and these look dead on to me. I've been thinking about MB and Skrip since they are available at a local shop, but now I'm thinking about Sonic Blue instead :hmm1:

[QM2]

I just want to add that the colours MDI posted look extremely accurate on my computer screen.

 

Ebony Blue is one of my favourite "blue-blacks," even though it is more of a teal.

 

I've been thinking about MB and Skrip since they are available at a local shop, but now I'm thinking about Sonic Blue instead :hmm1:

 

Sonic Blue is a surprisingly mild and well-behaved ink; it behaves more like Pelikan and Skrip than like a PR ink. I posted a review here that should give you an idea of what it is like.

[CharlieB]

Thanks for your scan. I love looking at these comparisons.

 

I'm thinking that you must have scanned your page very soon after the inks were dry, because the Waterman Blue Black looks surprisingly blue. In my experience, it often looks blue when wet, or when recently applied, but it turns to a less-attractive teal color within the next 24 hours.

 

Your Pelikan Blue Black also looks fairly blue. Others have found this ink to be gray, more like the Sheaffer Skrip Blue Black.

 

My favorite blue black inks these days are Pilot Blue Black and Sailor Blue Black, with Pilot having the slight edge.

 

I really wish Dupont would resume production of their former blue black ink, as that was a really nice color, somewhat similar to PR Midnight Blues. I can't use the PR inks, because they dry too slowly.

[PenTieRun]

Ah, beautiful blue-black. The Ebony Blue looks startling. Weird green hue. I wish I could've made my Waterman BB look this good. Thanks for the scan.

[MDI]

Maybe I have an unusual bottle of Waterman Blue-Black, but the now 1-day old paper looks similar. I shall wait for a longer period of time and re-scan to compare with the original swatches.

[Juan in Andalucia]

Thank you for these scans -- it gives me something to think about. To my eye, the Pelikan is the closest to a blue-black, with PR Sonic Blue a close second. How do other people see it?

 

Same as you, or almost; Pelikan would be the close second.

 

Juan

 

[Gran]

Thanks very much. This is most helpful!

Edited January 5, 2009 by Gran

[Penache]

Thanks for this comparison. I've been struggling for days trying to decide which blue-black inks to order and this has helped me make up my mind.

I see PR Ebony Blue, PR Sonic Blue and Pelikan Blue-Black in my, hopefully immediate, future.

[MiniMaupassant]

Really great comparison; I too have been wondering which B/B to get, and think that Pelikan could be it.