Pelikan Blue-Black, Black And Four Others - Water Test

[WJM]

I read diffrent opinions about Pelikan 4001 Blue-Black's water resistance so I decided to just test it on my own. To make it a bit more interesting I also threw in other Pelikan inks I currently have.

1. Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black
2. Pelikan 4001 Blue-Black
3. Pelikan 4001 Dark Green
4. Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Brown
5. Pelikan 4001 Turquoise
6. Pelikan 4001 Royal Blue (cartriges)

The samples were made with:
- Plumix B 0,7 mm stub put in a Lingmo Lorelei (Black),
- Wing Sung 698 F (Blue-Black),
- Pelikan Stola III (Royal Blue)
and the rest were just some dip nibs.

The paper is just some cheap copy paper. The mess with the Turquoise was unintentional but it doesn't really matter.

So here we go.

The samples before any water treatment (upper one is a scan, lower one is a photo):

After a cup of water spilled (a photo):




After a few cups of water spilled (a photo):




After soaking in water for about 30 minutes and drying for anohter 30 minutes (a scan):



Conclusions.

Blue-Black and Brilliant Black are the winners with a very good water resistance. After all this watering they're still very clearly readible. Blue-Black seems to be a little more resistant (courtesy of iron gall I suppose) but the Black is not far behind.

Suprisingly Dark Green and Brilliant Brown are still somewhat readible also, although not nearly as well as the previous two. Brilliant Brown, interestingly, turned completely blue.

Turquoise and Royal Blue mostly dissappeared.

Edited November 11, 2017 by WJM

[lapis]

Excellent comparison! Thanks!! Especially your inclusion (which is also a good "comparison" all of its own) of a scan and a photo!!!

[The Good Captain]

As people know, 4001 Blue-Black is probably my favourite ink of all time. I've got almost the whole range as well. A great comparative review.

[Qoan]

This is a wonderful test. Pelikan Royal Blue has been my basic everyday ink from the moment I started writing with fountain pens (a couple of decades ago). Where I live I'd say this is the staple blue ink you'll find in any stationery shop (in competition maybe with Inoxcrom Royal Blue).

 

I also have most of the rage, so I now know that I should change to Blue-Black if I ever move to a more watery environment!