Parker Blue-Black Ink

May 9, 2013

I fancied a change to the Parker Black I had been using for a few years in my Parker 45, so re-filled with Parker Blue-Black, which I had used a few years earlier. However, in my current Letts diary, it seemed too blue compared to when I earlier used it, and a look at earlier diaries proved me right. I then tried the same pen and ink in a Lechtturm notebook, and it was the same shade as in the old diaries, noticeably darker. I also tried it in an old exercise book, it was OK in that as well. So, anyone know why it's lighter in my current diary? I am somewhat perplexed, and cannot think of any reason for this. Your replies will be appreciated, thank you.

May 9, 2013

Hi,

Parker Quink Blue-Black does not have a high dye-load, so the value (light to dark) will change according to the absorbency of the paper: when less ink absorbed, the value will be lighter.

Also, with low dye-load inks, when more ink is absorbed, the value becomes darker, so the perceived colour (hue) of the ink can also change - the hue is 'submerged'; and in the case of low-chroma inks, such as Blue-Black, they can come quite close to Black, to the extent that the underlying hue becomes indeterminate.

(When the hue is submerged too much, some practitioners will dilute the ink.

e.g. https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/240697-dilution-noodlers-f-p-n-van-gogh-starry-night-blue)

You may wish to take a shufti at my wee Review of PQBlBk in the Ink Review Forum. That shows changes of appearance when used with an array of pens & papers; and in the Replies we have discussion & examples of stability on different papers and over time.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/244621-parker-quink-blue-black

Bye,

S1

May 9, 2013

Still, my scan of a swab of this ink -- in comparison with swabs of other blue-blacks on the same paper -- definitely has a huge hue of green in it. A charge issued about 6-8 years ago.

Mike