Noodler's Baystate inks & a yellow Lamy Safari

[alexanderino]

Dear fellow FPNers,

 

the purpose of this post is to enlighten you about the issues involved with using Noodler's Baystate inks. Today, I came across a yellow Lamy Safari and all three Baystate inks: Blue, Concord Grape and Cranberry. Curiosity overcame me: I had to determine the staining issue first-hand.

 

After dipping a piece of tissue paper in Baystate Blue, I smeared a small area of the Safari's cap with it, waited 10 seconds, then attempted to remove it. I commenced with dry tissue, then wet tissue, then water, and finally diluted bleach. This was repeated with the other two inks. Here are the results:

 

 

A close-up. From L to R, Blue, Cranberry, Concord Grape:

 

You may notice 'Baystate Blue Stain' written on the Safari's barrel in the first image. This was done with a dip pen. As usual, I did not apply any pressure: the nib barely touched the plastic. Ten seconds later, I could not remove it, either.

 

So what can we conclude from this outing? Avoid using the Baystate line of inks in a yellow Lamy Safari unless you're indifferent to the staining issue. This could occur with other pens, so employ the inks judiciously.

 

As you may recall, SamCapote informed us of his less-than-pleasant experience with Baystate Blue and a yellow Lamy Safari. That thread did not end well. I request your co-operation in ensuring this one stays free of personal attacks and emotion-laden posts. Your personal experiences [especially with other pens] are most welcome.

[Garageboy]

Cool, tattoed pen

[John Cullen]

I am glad you did this. It occurred to me to try this but I did not have a Safari. If you still have the pen, it would be interesting to dab on a few other inks from other companies and see what the results are with "regular" inks on this plastic. Maybe soak the feed for a week in BSB and see if the plastic really weakens. Interesting. jc

[Possum Hill]

I am glad you did this. It occurred to me to try this but I did not have a Safari. If you still have the pen, it would be interesting to dab on a few other inks from other companies and see what the results are with "regular" inks on this plastic. Maybe soak the feed for a week in BSB and see if the plastic really weakens. Interesting. jc

I've had BSB in a Safari for a couple of weeks -- no problems.

[Possum Hill]

Dear fellow FPNers,

 

the purpose of this post is to enlighten you about the issues involved with using Noodler's Baystate inks. Today, I came across a yellow Lamy Safari and all three Baystate inks: Blue, Concord Grape and Cranberry. Curiosity overcame me: I had to determine the staining issue first-hand.

 

After dipping a piece of tissue paper in Baystate Blue, I smeared a small area of the Safari's cap with it, waited 10 seconds, then attempted to remove it. I commenced with dry tissue, then wet tissue, then water, and finally diluted bleach. This was repeated with the other two inks. Here are the results:

 

 

A close-up. From L to R, Blue, Cranberry, Concord Grape:

 

You may notice 'Baystate Blue Stain' written on the Safari's barrel in the first image. This was done with a dip pen. As usual, I did not apply any pressure: the nib barely touched the plastic. Ten seconds later, I could not remove it, either.

 

So what can we conclude from this outing? Avoid using the Baystate line of inks in a yellow Lamy Safari unless you're indifferent to the staining issue. This could occur with other pens, so employ the inks judiciously.

 

As you may recall, SamCapote informed us of his less-than-pleasant experience with Baystate Blue and a yellow Lamy Safari. That thread did not end well. I request your co-operation in ensuring this one stays free of personal attacks and emotion-laden posts. Your personal experiences [especially with other pens] are most welcome.

Apparently we have an ink that is permanent on that plastic. Have you tried it on any other plastics?

[John Cullen]

possum hill--- Interesting. I had no trouble accepting the staining story but the idea that the ink destroyed the plastic feed seems a different claim. j

[jdboucher]

now you should try to get it off the pen....we can find the best method to do so and solve these staining issues.

[Possum Hill]

possum hill--- Interesting. I had no trouble accepting the staining story but the idea that the ink destroyed the plastic feed seems a different claim. j

When I bought my third Safari I found I couldn't push the nib off the feed with my thumbnail and had to resort to the tape technique. Manufacturing variations may lead to some nibs applying much more pressure to those thin wings on the feed and that might lead to breakage.

[kiavonne]

Try some rubbing (Isopropyl) alchohol and some qtips. I had a red safari that I stained with BSB. I removed it with the rubbing alcohol. Alcohol won't affect the BSB on paper, but it did remove the stain from my pen - along with a little of the red pigment as well, and dulled the finish of the plastic slightly.

 

 

[succubus]

possum hill--- Interesting. I had no trouble accepting the staining story but the idea that the ink destroyed the plastic feed seems a different claim. j

 

I've been hearing less of the feed issue recently; perhaps something's changed?

[Shortie]

Nice demo!

 

Here's what I found as well: BSB and old style Pelikan M200. BSB stained the pen on the outside- there is a ring of blue where the cap meets the barrel. I just got done flushing the pen, which took a lot longer than usual, but I am afraid that the clear ink window has now a blue hue.

[Gawain]

Thank-you for the information and example.

[simonrob]

Your personal experiences [especially with other pens] are most welcome.

 

Same with Baystate Blue in a yellow Safari as yours. For that reason, and even more because of the feathering, I've not used it since in any pen. Interesting that the other two stain as well.

 

Simon

[satrap]

Cool, tattoed pen

==

 

Best idea yet. Think I'll buy a white safari and tattoo it with the Baystate inks I ordered.

 

NATHAN!!! Do a Bay State Orange, so I can do my hair

[Jimmy James]

I wonder how successful it would be to prepare a dilution of BSB and dip an entire yellow Safari in it. From what I have seen of the stains, I think I'd like the result.

[wiglaf]

I have been using BSB in a Taccia/Swisher for 3 months- initially, I managed to rub some ink into the intaglioed "Taccia/Swisher" on the barrel- took me three days to get it out- water, dish detergent and sweat. Hardly a Churchillian note, but it did come clean.

Love the color- and I will get to love the discipline the ink forces me to observe: no more sloppy fills, writing off the page, or filling on an oak table.

One of the few times I can claim to the youth- just do it-

alas------

Tony

 

 

 

[Iridium]

now you should try to get it off the pen....we can find the best method to do so and solve these staining issues.

 

Good idea. I would advise against using acetone, though, as it is known to dissolve ABS. Perhaps you could leave the pen in the sun for a while to see whether the stain fades before the pen's own color does; then again, this would probably take too long. I'm not sure what else to suggest besides the usual solvents. It might be interesting to see whether a different non-Safari-staining ink could help remove the Baystate inks.

[Deirdre]

NATHAN!!! Do a Bay State Orange, so I can do my hair

Ha! Now that you mention it, BSB-colored hair would be cool, except that it doesn't come off skin as easily as hair dye does.

[kiavonne]

I wonder how successful it would be to prepare a dilution of BSB and dip an entire yellow Safari in it. From what I have seen of the stains, I think I'd like the result.

 

You might end up with an interesting mottled green. Not sure I'd go that far for unique, though.

[skipwilliams]

Try some cleaner with bleach, like Fantastick. I found that it took off Baystate Blue with startling quickness.

 

The staining behavior of BB led me to to sell mine, it wasn't for me.

 

Skip