Pelikan 4001 Blue - Black

[Sandy1]

Please take a moment to adjust your gear to accurately depict the Gray Scale below.

As the patches are neutral gray, that is what you should see.

Mac

http://www.wikihow.c...te-Your-Monitor

Wintel PC

http://www.calibrize.com/

Gray Scale.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/InkyThoughts2010/INK576.jpg

* For convenient viewing of the images, you may wish to scroll to the menu at the very bottom of this window, then change the FPN Theme to 'IP.Board Mobile'.

 

～|～||～|～

* Ten to twelve days elapsed between preparing the written samples and scanning.

 

Figure 1.

Swabs & Swatch

Paper: HPJ1124 24 lb. Laser Copy.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/69ab05f0.jpg

Figure 2.

NIB-ism ✑

Paper: HPJ1124.

Depicts nibs' down-stroke width and pens' relative wetness.

Link:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/th_9cfbbd35.jpg

Pens: L → R: Somiko, 440+XF, Estie, PPP, Slimfold & Carene.

WRITTEN SAMPLES - Moby Dick

 

Row height is 8mm.

 

Figure 3.

Paper: HPJ1124.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/0f26bad8.jpg

Figure 4.

Paper: Rhodia.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/eed48979.jpg

Figure 5.

Paper: G Lalo, Verge de France, white.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/10525e62.jpg

Figure 6.

Paper: Royal - 25% rag.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/706a2b15.jpg

Figure 7.

Paper: Staples 20 lb. multi use.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/9a26b747.jpg

Figure 8.

Paper: HPJ124.

Inept hand + flex nib combo.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/adbb0cb4.jpg

Figure 9.

Grocery List.

Paper: Pulp. One-a-Day calendar page.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/8fbedcc8.jpg

OTHER STUFF

 

Figure 10.

Smear/Dry Times.

Wet Tests.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/eaf6a137.jpg

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

 

Type:

• Dye-based fountain pen ink.

Daily writer?

• Yes.

A go-to ink?

• Without a doubt.
• When a reliable robust high-performance Blue-Black is required.

USE

 

Business:

(From the office of Ms Blue-Black.)

• PBlBk may be used for any business communication in all densities shown.
• For those working in a team / egalitarian organisation, one might seek a more convivial colour, such as a Dark Blue.
• For personal work product, I could use PBlBk without hesitation. (I am not always so convivial.)
• I do not consider PBlBk to have enough zip or zap for editing, mark-up, error correction, grading, etc.

Illustrations / Graphics:

• Not an animated vibrant colour, PBlBk could be used as a transitional colour between Black and medium Blue.
• It is a subtle foil to dark (Blue) inks with a Cyan-Green aspect. e.g. Diamine Twilight Blue.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/th_7c601d01.jpg

• Line quality is excellent, but only on smooth papers, so may be called upon when narrow tight lines are required. e.g. labels, crosshatching.
  

Students:

• Almost wonderful.
• PBlBk has a very readable appearance, so is a good pick for general notes.
• Having a high degree of water resistance, that which is written in PBlBk should endure all but the most reckless handling; and will withstand being laundered - even if the paper might not.
• Demonstrated excellent performance on all papers except the textured hard-surfaced G Lalo; so use of both sides of 'lowest bidder' copy paper is quite likely.
• For hand-written assignments, I would suggest a more animated 'bright bulb' Blue, more in the region of PR American Blue, Herbin Eclat de Saphir, Sailor Blue, etc.

Personal:

• A bit of care & consideration ...
• PBlBk can be used for distancing in personal correspondence; though some recipients may find it too business-like, hence off-putting. Yet if one generates a pale tone with sufficient shading, I believe the ink becomes considerably more personal.
• PBlBk suits pro forma writing to a T - if not pre-empted by another of the Forty-Aught-One cadre, the stealthy Royal Blue.
• Billets doux? Impossible - I don't care how nicely the shading ripples & flows.
• I find that I can use all but the driest writers & papers in my array with any size and shape of nib. The results have yet to be unacceptable, though some are clearly more to my taste (flavour of the day) than others.
• As PBlBk does demonstrate some shading with the narrow nibs, I am encouraged to spend more time writing with those nibs and this ink.

PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE & CHARACTERISTICS

 

Flow Rate:

• Dry.

Nib Dry-out:

• Not noticed.

Start-up:

• Prompt.
• Due to the dry nature of the ink, there is a temptation to 'nudge' the nib on the paper prior to writing. I find that unnecessary, but ...

Lubrication:

• Better than expected, but still no more than average.
• Quite acceptable on papers that have a smooth or toothy surface papers, even from the narrow nibs. But writing with an XF nib on the laid texture of G Lalo Verge de France was not very pleasurable.

Nib Creep:

• Not seen.

Staining:

• Not seen.

Clogging:

• Not seen.
• Seems unlikely.
  

Bleed- Show-Through:

• Not seen on papers used.

Feathering / Woolly Line:

• Not seen on papers used.
• Line width increased slightly on absorbent paper, but line quality remained crisp.

Smear/Dry Time:

• HPJ1124: 15 - 20 seconds.
• Rhodia: 15 - 20 seconds.
• 20lb.: 10 - 15 seconds.

Water Resistance: ☂

• ④ on the 4S Scale:
  • All legible, can be easily read and/or have light staining from re-deposit of soluble ink.
  • Use as-is for work papers & internal use.
  • Adjustments to a scanner may drop-out the stain.

  [*]See also: Comparison & Wet Tests with Montblanc Midnight Blue & Noodler's Legal Lapis. http://www.fountainp...90#entry1701290

Smell:

• Rather like pasteboard - perhaps the box confers more scent than the ink itself!

Hand oil sensitivity:

• Not seen.

Clean Up:

• Rapid and thorough with plain water.

Mixing:

• No prohibitions.
• I see no reason to mix into this ink, although a bit of surfactant may not be amiss.

Archival:

• Not claimed.

✍ Now that, dear readers, is yet another lovely performance profile. :clap1:

 

THE LOOK

 

Presence:

• Classic, yet not vintage.
• Stable, yet not fixed in place.
• Reminiscent of a business suit cut from heavy wool-silk with slightly narrow lapels.

Saturation:

• A bit on the low side.

Shading:

• Subtle, exquisite, persistent.
• Evident from all nib shapes and sizes used.
• With wet writers on absorbent papers, shading can be suppressed.

Variability:

• Pen+nib combos used:
  • A bit more than expected.
  • The wettest (narrow) nibs can increase the density to nearly submerge the colour.

  [*]Papers used:

  • A bit more than expected.
  • I did not expect the PPP on the G Lalo to fail completely; an iffy result was expected. There was a scintilla of temptation to increase pressure on the nib and slow my pace, but that would have given a 'fudged' result. I have nothing at stake, so I just depict what happens when a certain pen+paper+ink combo is used.

  [*]Malleability:

  • Quite useful.
  • If needing a daily writer ink for one pen, then a slightly wet writer should give the most even results across a wide range of papers.
  • PBlBk is sufficiently well-mannered that The Look can be changed considerably without encountering unacceptable performance.
  • The choice of pen and paper seem to have little effect on the perceived colour of the ink - certainly PBlBk is not a chameleon in the manner of Noodler's Apache Sunset, Caran d'Ache Saffron or the Sailor rikyu-cha. I would think that the twenty-four samples on six papers from seven pens should have detected at least a glimmer of that characteristic, although the materiél used is not exhaustive. I see a typical variation in density (light-dark) that comes with different writers and papers, in combination with variation from shading.

Hi-Res Scans:

 

Links:

 

Somiko on HPJ1124

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/th_52c6ea20.jpg

Estie on Rhodia

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/th_59a54b58.jpg

PPP on G Lalo

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/th_9d410b84.jpg

Carene on Royal

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/th_a96bf96f.jpg

Waterman's on HPJ1124

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/th_a485ded0.jpg

FIDELITY

 

Is the name appropriate?

• Yes.

Are swatches accurate?

• Swatches on the bottle & box are reasonably accurate.
• On Pelikan.com, the colour is shown in a range of densities:
  • http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/th_cc1bc10c.jpg

DIS-SIMILAR COLOURS

 

We have swabs of Parker Quink Blue Black [sic] and Skrip Blue Black interlaced with PBlBk at densities from three, two and one passes.

LINK:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/th_bedc89f6.jpg

• Rows 1, 3 & 5: PBlBk.
• Rows 2, 4 & 6: Left, PQBlBk; Right, SSBlBk.

COMPARISONS

• Quite recently there was a ripple of interest in some Blue-Black inks. To support ad hoc comparisons by the readers, I have endeavoured to provide consistency in the format of the Written Samples, scan specs, papers and several pens. Hopefully this will make separate Comparison Posts unnecessary, but if you really must see a particular aspect presented in the same scan, please do not hesitate to send a PM. (A three-way with Pelikan, Lamy & Montblanc inks was previously requested.)

☛ Please Note: The Sheaffer 440 used here was fitted with an

XF

nib.

SELF-COMPARISON - GENERAL

 

• PBlBk purchased in Europe, the Magrheb, and stateside over several years gave results that, for all intents and purposes, were visually equivalent and pulled no pranks.
• I think it unlikely that a bad batches occur: not only because Pelikan is likely to have good QA-QC, but that a bad batch would have been wide-spread and obvious, hence coming to the notice of FPN Members, such as SamCapote, who would have documented such an event in microscopic detail.
• Yet there are persistent reports & documentation of PBlBk with a Blue-Grey appearance. So it is not a legend such as the Loch Ness Monster or Yeti.
  • I can only speculate that the Blue-Gray depicted and discussed in some prior Reviews is a result of apparently random contamination or decay.
  • I suggest that upon encountering such ink, one should create & post a swab sample, seal the bottle, then contact Pelikan about sending it to them for examination.

SELF-COMPARISON - ELAPSED TIME

I was curious about the change of colour and density reported by some Members. As mentioned above, there is the pen giving the ink to the paper, whereupon some change occurs. There-after, do things become calm quite quickly? Or is it a tempestuous honeymoon?

 

hh:mm

00:00

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Pelikan%20BlBk%20-%20Elapsed%20Time/661f390f.jpg

00:15

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Pelikan%20BlBk%20-%20Elapsed%20Time/29960a3c.jpg

00:53

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Pelikan%20BlBk%20-%20Elapsed%20Time/fcd5ea9a.jpg

03:44

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Pelikan%20BlBk%20-%20Elapsed%20Time/b8c23900.jpg

35:05

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Pelikan%20BlBk%20-%20Elapsed%20Time/0a99e092-1.jpg

Yes - calm indeed; boring beyond belief.

(The keystone partner for a major 3D IMAX film on ink drying withdrew at the last minute, citing 'artistic differences' - even though Morgan & Uma were already in rehearsal. So perhaps with the Cirque in Vegas, yes?)

PAPERS

 

Lovely papers:

• White.
• Pure crisp white - acres of the good stuff.
• Runs well on papers that are sufficiently absorbent; displayed shading on all papers used.
• PBlBk will wrestle dirty whites into submission.

Trip-wire Papers: ☠

• Papers with a hard textured surface.

Tinted Papers:

• Most reasonable tints.
• Seems OK to be used on warm tints into the rosy reds.
• Those tinted papers not suited to Blue.
• To compensate for the low-ish saturation of PBlBk, and minimise show-through, a wet writer may be preferred.
• If running samples, kindly delay final selection until the ink is stable on the page.

Pre-Printed Papers:

• Forms, etc.
  • Of course, but if the form is printed in Black ink, one might keep the density light enough to set it apart from the form text.

  [*]For charts & graphs:

  • Easily.
  • A welcome replacement for Black.

Is high-end paper 'worth it'?

• Doubtful.
• Once again, paper is very much a matter of preference over performance.
• PBlBk remains quite attractive and very much itself within its performance envelope.
  

OTHER THAN INK

 

Presentation:

• 30ml bottle in a box.

• No HazMat warnings.

Country of origin:

• Germany.

Container:

• A clear glass broad-shouldered bottle; with a maximum width of 57mm, capped height of 55mm, and 33mm deep. When ink level is low, the shape of the bottle allows it to be tipped to draw more of the remaining ink.
• The centred round opening is a roomy 24mm ∅.
• Single tank, no sediment collector. Tsk ... tsk.
• The bottle label does not include the word 'ink'.
• The hard plastic screw cap has adequate grip, and is a good height for an easy grip.
• The cap seal seems to be a bit of plastic foam.
• The cap is not child-proof.

Box:

• 57x60x36mm
• Lightly coated card stock.
• The box has five swatch-like dots on all but the bottom side.
• Ink name is written on those five sides in German and English languages; and once in eight languages. (Take note PR.)

Eco-Green:

• OK.
• All should be recyclable or benign.

Availability:

• Very high.
• Also available in the 62.5 ml size, which is scaled-up to 70x65x37mm with the same 24mm∅ opening; and cartridges.
• Seems ubiquitous as the Pelikan 4001 Royal Blue.
• Commonly available from stationers and pen shops, and has been seen hanging out in book stores, art supply shops, and retailers devoted to scrapbooking and arts & crafts.
• One may well support local B&M shops, hence avoiding the cost, carbon footprint, lag time, and exposure to risk of loss/damage associated with shipping.

ETC.

 

Majik:

• While capable of routine marvels, majik lies just beyond the grasp of PBlBk.

Personal Pen & Paper Pick:

• The PPP on the HPJ1124 gets the nod.
• The cool white of the paper supports the coverage of the rounded Asian B nib.
• The density and width of the line combine to show-off the subtle shading of PBlBk.

Yickity Yackity:

• When you're out of PBlBk, you're out of ink.
• PBlBk does find its way into my off-duty carry pens for casual use, especially if water resistance may be beneficial. But it is totally unwelcome to tag along in my beach bag.
• While I am washing it out of a pen, I think it should be used more often; too often I realise another pen is still inked with PBlBk. Blonde enough?
• Ah kushbaby, why do I think you have open small bottle open, and a large one in reserve?

||.:..:...|...:..:.|.:..:...|...:..:.|::|.:..:...|...:..:.|.:..:...|...:..:.||

 

MATERIEL USED:

 

To be relevant to most members, I make an effort to use papers, pens & nibs that are readily available. Pens are factory stock - not customised.

 

Pens:

Link:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Pelikan%204001%20Blue%20Black/th_1c5dbce8.jpg

• Written Samples:
  • Sailor Somiko + TIGP F nib.
  • Sheaffer 440 + steel XF nib.
  • Esterbrook J + steel 9668 M nib.
  • Platinum President Purist + 22K B nib.
  • Parker UK Slimfold + a bodacious 14K 5_ _8 nib.
  • Waterman Carene + 18K factory stub nib.
  • Cameo appearance by a daunting overachiever, the Waterman's BCHR 52 1/2 V + № 2 nib.

  [*]For lines & labels:

  • Noodler's Burgundy from Pilot 78G+F nib.

On these papers:

• HPJ1124 24 lb. Laser Copy.
• Rhodia.
• G Lalo, Verge de France, white.
• Royal, 25% cotton rag.
• Staples 20lb. multi use.
• Pulp. One-a-Day Calendar page.

_________________________

 

IMAGES:

• Scans were made on an Epson V600 scanner; factory defaults were accepted.
• Figures shown were scanned at 200 dpi & 24 bit colour.
• HiRes Images linked were scanned at 300 dpi & 24 bit colour.
• Scans were not adjusted, so went straight to Photobouquet.

_________________________

 

Densitometer Readings (FWIW):

• Red 93
• Grn 104
• Blu 148
• Lum 110

_________________________

 

FINE PRINT

The accuracy and relevance of this Review depends in great part upon consistency and reliability of materiél used. Ink does not require labelling/notice to indicate (changes in) formulation, non-hazardous ingredients, batch ID, date of manufacture, etc.

As always, YMMV, not only from materials, methods, environment, etc., but also due to differences between the stuff in the bottle I used, and that in bottle/s you may have.

Also, I entrust readers to separate opinion from fact; to evaluate inferences and conclusions as to their merit; and to be amused by whatever tickles your fancy.

-30-

Tags: FPN Ink Review Pelikan Blue Black BlBk Sandy1

Edited April 14, 2011 by Sandy1

[delphi303]

Many thanks for another tremendously comprehensive/informative/entertaining review!

 

My favorite blue-black ink that is not iron-gall (that would be the Lamy, with Salix running second).

 

With drier writers/less-absorbent papers, PBlBk, at least for me, looks more grey-blue than blue-black, but with wetter writers/more-absorbent papers, it can run almost dark navy.

 

A really nice ink with the added bonus of excellent water-resistance.

 

Thanks again!

[Sandy1]

Many thanks for another tremendously comprehensive/informative/entertaining review!

 

My favorite blue-black ink that is not iron-gall (that would be the Lamy, with Salix running second).

 

With drier writers/less-absorbent papers, PBlBk, at least for me, looks more grey-blue than blue-black, but with wetter writers/more-absorbent papers, it can run almost dark navy.

 

A really nice ink with the added bonus of excellent water-resistance.

 

Thanks again!

Hi,

 

You're welcome!

 

Thank-you for sharing your other favourite BlBk inks. I gave the Lamy some play years ago, but didn't replace the first bottle when empty - I was swept away by the MBBlBk. And PBlBk has remained a staple, which I always have on hand.

 

Bye,

S1

[andybiotic]

Please take a moment to adjust your gear to accurately depict the Gray Scale below.

As the patches are neutral gray, that is what you should see.

..... and to be amused by whatever tickles your fancy.

 

 

 

Thanks

 

I recently purchase a new old stock bottle of Pelikan 4001 Blue-black but there is something wrong with it I am sure... The colour is completely different and you don't need to adjust your screen to see that! Would be nice if you can come by to my page below and have a look at the writing example using the faulty ink:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/192803-what-is-wrong-with-my-pelikan-blue-black/

 

I need some comments, thanks!

Edited April 14, 2011 by andybiotic

[Sandy1]

✃ snip ✁

Thanks

 

I recently purchase a new old stock bottle of Pelikan 4001 Blue-black but there is something wrong with it I am sure... The colour is completely different and you don't need to adjust your screen to see that! Would be nice if you can come by to my page below and have a look at the writing example using the faulty ink:

 

http://www.fountainp...kan-blue-black/

 

I need some comments, thanks!

... As mentioned ...

• Yet there are persistent reports & documentation of PBlBk with a Blue-Grey appearance. So it is not a legend such as the Loch Ness Monster or Yeti.
  • I can only speculate that the Blue-Gray depicted and discussed in some prior Reviews is a result of apparently random contamination or decay.
  • I suggest that upon encountering such ink, one should create & post a swab sample, seal the bottle, then contact Pelikan about sending it to them for examination.

Edited April 14, 2011 by Sandy1

[andybiotic]

✃ snip ✁

Thanks

 

I recently purchase a new old stock bottle of Pelikan 4001 Blue-black but there is something wrong with it I am sure... The colour is completely different and you don't need to adjust your screen to see that! Would be nice if you can come by to my page below and have a look at the writing example using the faulty ink:

 

http://www.fountainp...kan-blue-black/

 

I need some comments, thanks!

... Cross-posted

As mentioned ...

• Yet there are persistent reports & documentation of PBlBk with a Blue-Grey appearance. So it is not a legend such as the Loch Ness Monster or Yeti.
  • I can only speculate that the Blue-Gray depicted and discussed in some prior Reviews is a result of apparently random contamination or decay.
  • I suggest that upon encountering such ink, one should create & post a swab sample, seal the bottle, then contact Pelikan about sending it to them for examination.

 

 

Sorry about the cross posting... I didn't think you are so quick in replying to my post! Yep, I learnt my lesson, I will give second thoughts on buying old ink when it is labelled as "new old stock"... not even for a cheaper price...

[bossy]

My bottle's contents needed a sopping wet nib, else it was almost to light to see. Yes, it was shaken before using.

[Sandy1]

My bottle's contents needed a sopping wet nib, else it was almost to light to see. Yes, it was shaken before using.

Hi,

 

Thank you for sharing your experience. Could you please mention the type of paper you were using, that required such a wet nib.

 

PBlBk is definitely a dry ink. On a paper such as the HPJ1124, which is fairly absorbent, I would start with a wet-ish writer. If I wanted to use a paper such as Clairefontaine Triomphe, I would definitely reach for a wet writer, such as the Safari I used in the One Of The Ten suite of Blue inks, or the Relief used in the Noodler's Burgundy review.

 

I find that many of the narrow nib pens are a bit dry, (which helps keep the line narrow), so if a person typically uses such a writer, then they may want to use a more absorbent paper.

 

As mentioned, some of the same pens were used with other BlBk inks, so that may give a sense of the relative dryness of PBlBk. Here is a link to two: Comparison - Montblanc Blue-Black 50ml Bottle :: Cartridge https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/189912-comparison-montblanc-blue-black-50ml-bottle-cartridge/page__view__findpost__p__1917837.

 

Also, I list the pens used, so those are searchable. e.g. To find all Reviews with the Estie and the 9668 nib, just search for 'Esterbrook 9668', then troll for my content.

 

Bye,

S1

[RockFL]

Thanks for another great review. I really enjoy reading these.

 

Pity about the IMAX project falling through. Now THAT would have been entertainment.

[M@rtin]

WOW...very complete review!.Here is very difficult to get a bottle :embarrassed_smile:

[Ink Sandwich]

• When you're out of PBlBk, you're out of ink.

 

 

Thank you for the great review Sandy! I really love the way you do your reviews.

 

PBlBk has somehow managed to become one of my absolute favorite colors - sort of the standard (maybe unfairly?) by which all other blue-blacks are judged. I would agree to everything you wrote in your review.

 

For me, I need to use it with a wet pen to make it look good - if the pen is too dry, the ink starts to look washed out / dirty gray pretty fast, so I would confirm these observations of other users. I'd say it's not a fault in the ink per se though - if it works, I actually think it's a lovely and quite interesting color.

Edited April 15, 2011 by Ink Sandwich

[Sandy1]

Thanks for another great review. I really enjoy reading these.

 

Pity about the IMAX project falling through. Now THAT would have been entertainment.

Hi,

 

You're welcome! I paid a little bit of extra attention to this one - it seemed worth a bit more detail, this being what I consider a cornerstone ink to have in one's array.

 

Yeah, the IMAX project would've been a blockbuster alright. Next time, yes?

 

Bye,

S1

[Sandy1]

WOW...very complete review!.Here is very difficult to get a bottle :embarrassed_smile:

Hi,

 

I tried not to leave too much out of this Review.

 

I will be looking at a few other Blue-Black inks, so perhaps there will be something you like that is more readily available.

 

Bye,

S1

Edited April 15, 2011 by Sandy1

[Sandy1]

• When you're out of PBlBk, you're out of ink.

 

 

Thank you for the great review Sandy! I really love the way you do your reviews.

 

PBlBk has somehow managed to become one of my absolute favorite colors - sort of the standard (maybe unfairly?) by which all other blue-blacks are judged. I would agree to everything you wrote in your review.

 

For me, I need to use it with a wet pen to make it look good - if the pen is too dry, the ink starts to look washed out / dirty gray pretty fast, so I would confirm these observations of other users. I'd say it's not a fault in the ink per se though - if it works, I actually think it's a lovely and quite interesting color.

 

Hi,

 

You're welcome. I'm glad you like the review!

 

I can easily see how this could be a favourite. And yes indeed, one must compensate for the dryness of the ink. Personally, I would rather work with a dry-ish ink, rather than try to squelch one which can be too wet. That does seem contrary to current fashion of a great wet line.

 

I am a bit concerned that you've adopted PBlBk as a standard, yet you are encountering that odd grey thingy. Hmm. I prefer a standard that does not exhibit off-beat behaviour, and is very consistent and predictable. For example, I use Waterman Florida Blue as a standard ink to create exemplars of my pens: line shape, wetness, etc. But I actually write very little with WFB. Yet having any standard may be better than having none at all!

 

As mentioned, I plan to look at a few more BlBk inks in the coming months, so perhaps you may find a new standard.

 

Bye,

S1

[P.A.R.]

I hate to bring threads back from the dead, but this is the most recent review thread on this ink. Based on the other reviews I've seen, this looks like it would be a nice ink to get again if I used it in a wetter pen (I think I only used it in a Safari before...) However, one of the things I didn't like about the last bottle was that it faded and lost almost all of its "blue-ness" after a week or so. Is this still the case with a wet writing pen?

 

EDIT

 

Never mind, it's not at the local art store any more

Edited February 4, 2012 by P.A.R.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Looked at the review. I now have some better papers...so will have to remove this ink from Cobweb corner.

Poor paper can make you ink blind.

[The Good Captain]

I think that this is still one of my all-time favourites and I usually have one pen filled with it all the time - at present, a Pelikan M420. When I got back 'into' fountain pens a year ago, it was THE ink of choice for Moleskine use and that's still true but of course it's been joined by others.

Having said all that, my ESSRI arrived in the post this morning so I'll be doing some comparison scans later, I hope.

[Sandy1]

Looked at the review. I now have some better papers...so will have to remove this ink from Cobweb corner.

Poor paper can make you ink blind.

Hi,

 

I agree that if one of the three aspects of FP use, (ink+pen+paper), does not meet a certain minimum, then one can not enjoy the choices that the other two aspects offer. I think we encounter that too often, especially with typical office/copy papers - the FP-friendliness dropping during difficult economic times, or from 'green' initiatives.

 

Bye,

S1

[Sandy1]

I think that this is still one of my all-time favourites and I usually have one pen filled with it all the time - at present, a Pelikan M420. When I got back 'into' fountain pens a year ago, it was THE ink of choice for Moleskine use and that's still true but of course it's been joined by others.

Having said all that, my ESSRI arrived in the post this morning so I'll be doing some comparison scans later, I hope.

Hi,

 

This remains a staple in my ink array. I cannot imagine being without it, and sympathise with those in North America who are running low. A simply excellent low-maintenance high-performance classy ink. Suits me fine!

 

Ah - no fair to compare with ESSRI: two totally different inks.

 

Bye,

S1

[Sandy1]

HOUSEKEEPING

 

As this Topic has become current, I take this opportunity to add links to two Topics:

 

Discontinuation of PBlBk in the North American market:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/196276-pelikan-blue-black-discontinued-in-the-u-s/

 

Comparison - Pelikan Blue-Black : Montblanc Midnight Blue (I-G) : Lamy Blue-Black (I-G)

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/214219-comparison-pelikan-bl-bk-montblanc-midnight-blue-lamy-bl-bk/page__pid__2242649#entry2242649

 

Bye,

S1