Best Blue Ink

[ericp]

Noob question. I recently got a Parker Urban (being my first fountain pen). I do not like how light the Parker blue ink dries, and am looking for a different brand of blue ink that is darker than the Parker, but still dries fairly quickly. Any help is greatly appreciated!

[mik86]

There are all different kinds of blue inks in different hues, shades, and intensities from many companies at all different prices. I would suggest looking at the ink samples from the gouletpens.com blue package, then order some dark blue samples. You should try before you buy. I have no affiliation with the goulet website, but can recommend them based on purchases I have made there.

 

Mike

[jkingrph]

Agree about the Goulet's, and their "Swab Shop" and you can use their interactive tool to "compare" different colors although I do not find it to be 100% accurate.

 

I used it some months back to pick out some of the Diamine Kensington Blue as an alternative to Noodlers Baystate Blue, and found when I get it to my eye it is more of a turquoise shade.

 

I know that there is a lot of controversy abuout Baystate Blue, but to me it's one of the prettiest, brightest blues out there.

[flashvictor]

+1 for Goulet samples

 

But to answer the question, Visconti blue is my favorite blue.

[Bhavna]

I have just received some Diamine inks (30ml) ASA and Majestic-blue, which I have fallen in love with. Again as suggested above, many good ink providers do have swatches (however do keep in mind transition from actual sample/ scan/ final image compared to actual hue..) But yes, samples are the best way forward.

 

Happy hunting!

Bhavna

[KCat]

so many choices. What are you looking for? Turquoise? Navy? Royal? True Blue? Dusky Blue? Midnight Blue?

 

(though most of the Midnight Blues are slow drying in my experience).

 

Try some samples if you can or look at the swabs and ask about them here and check out the reviews forum as well. Give us something to go on and we can offer a little more input.

[The Good Captain]

Diamine Midnight - wonderful!

[ericp]

so many choices. What are you looking for? Turquoise? Navy? Royal? True Blue? Dusky Blue? Midnight Blue?

 

(though most of the Midnight Blues are slow drying in my experience).

 

Try some samples if you can or look at the swabs and ask about them here and check out the reviews forum as well. Give us something to go on and we can offer a little more input.

I am checking out the swab shop, there are so many shades to choose from! I am looking for a blue that is not "purpleish". I don't like how some of the blues have a purple tint to them. I would like a blue that is fairly bright, but not to bright. Something fairly light, but not turquoise. I was interested in the Diamine Royal Blue and Florida Blue, Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki (Deep Cerulean Blue), and possibly the Noodler's Bluerase Waterase, all though I wasn't quite sure on that one. Have you tried any of the ones I have mentioned (do you know how long they take to dry)? By the way, how much are inks like this typically?

Edited April 22, 2012 by ericp

[UDog]

PaperSkater here on FPN has many samples, even the legendary Parker Penman Sapphire.

[mhosea]

I don't like how some of the blues have a purple tint to them. I would like a blue that is fairly bright, but not to bright. Something fairly light, but not turquoise. I was interested in the Diamine Royal Blue and Florida Blue, Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki (Deep Cerulean Blue), and possibly the Noodler's Bluerase Waterase, all though I wasn't quite sure on that one. Have you tried any of the ones I have mentioned (do you know how long they take to dry)?

 

Noodler's Bernanke Blue is a medium blue that is fast-drying. No hint of purple or turquoise there, but it may or may not be darker than you want. I find it difficult enough to pick a blue for myself that I think it's pretty hopeless trying to pick a blue for you. My favorites are Noodler's Blue and Namiki Blue, but I suspect Noodler's Bernanke Blue dries much faster than either of these.

[jasonditz]

Lamy blue isn't bad either

[MCN]

so many choices. What are you looking for? Turquoise? Navy? Royal? True Blue? Dusky Blue? Midnight Blue?

 

(though most of the Midnight Blues are slow drying in my experience).

 

Try some samples if you can or look at the swabs and ask about them here and check out the reviews forum as well. Give us something to go on and we can offer a little more input.

I am checking out the swab shop, there are so many shades to choose from! I am looking for a blue that is not "purpleish". I don't like how some of the blues have a purple tint to them. I would like a blue that is fairly bright, but not to bright. Something fairly light, but not turquoise. I was interested in the Diamine Royal Blue and Florida Blue, Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki (Deep Cerulean Blue), and possibly the Noodler's Bluerase Waterase, all though I wasn't quite sure on that one. Have you tried any of the ones I have mentioned (do you know how long they take to dry)? By the way, how much are inks like this typically?

 

Based on what you're looking for, I think you will like the Royal Blue, but I think you will find the kon-peki to be more turquoise than you might prefer. Check out the tsuyu-kusa though.

[Ignatian]

Waterman Florida Blue might fit the bill. Either that or Lamy Blue. Pelikan Royal Blue might also be an option.

 

Goulet samples are the way to go. Sometimes an ink will surprise you!

 

Also check out Sandy1's excellent review series on blue inks. It's entitled "One of the Ten" or "OOTT."

 

Happy hunting, but I warn you....the search for the perfect blue is a lifelong pursuit.

 

Jim

[JPZ]

I like Diamine Sapphire Blue. However, I would like something a bit brighter and bolder.

[lapis]

MB's and S.T. Dupont's Royalties.

 

Mike

[mongrelnomad]

I love Iroshizuku Asa-Gao. Lovely rich deep blue...

[torstar]

I prefer the "green" shades of blue:

 

Parker Penman Sapphire (good luck)

 

Private Reserve DC 2004 Supershow

 

Private Reserve American Blue (most used colour)

 

Noodler's American Eel Blue

[welch]

Noob question. I recently got a Parker Urban (being my first fountain pen). I do not like how light the Parker blue ink dries, and am looking for a different brand of blue ink that is darker than the Parker, but still dries fairly quickly. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

I suspect you've been writing with Parker Washable Blue. Their Permanent Blue dries to a dark purple blue; washable blue is washed out.

 

Unfortunately, Parker does not sell Permanent Blue to shops in the US -- no idea why.

 

- Waterman Blue (used to be "Florida Blue, but might now be called "Serenity Blue") is much like Parker Permanent, but less purple. One of the benchmark inks: "If the pen won't write with Waterman, then it won't write".

 

- Diamine Sapphire is a great, easy-to-handle, blue that dries to a nicely readable darkness. Good flow.

 

- Visconti Blue is darker than Diamine Sapphire, and I see some extra color shades in it. Good flow.

 

- Iroshizuku Asa-gao is a bright purple blue, a luxury ink that does everything right. About twice as expensive as "ordinary" inks...but nobody uses all that much ink in a year.

 

- Aurora Blue is another benchmark blue. Handy for someone with a Parker pen because Aurora is the only other ink-maker that puts their ink into Parker-format cartridges.

 

And these are just a few of my favorites. Note my taste: I dislike ink I can't wash off. I like blues that have some purple in them. I've used enough "saturated" inks to be unimpressed. I like "shading", but choose first for color and convenience.

 

There are about a hundred times more good blue inks now than when I learned to write in the late '50s. Then we had a choice of blue, black, or blue-black, from Sheaffer or Parker. Now? Dazzling choices.

[Sandy1]

Hi,

 

While I think the 'Best Blue' is in the pen the the beholder, I consider choosing an ink to be a bit of an iterative process.

 

While looking at general samples, such as those from Goulet or the branded sites such as Herbin, R&K, Diamine is a great way to start, that will only show colour and tone, which is good way to generate a 'long list'. I suggest looking at the entries in the Ink Review Forum to ensure that he performance of an ink is such that it qualifies as a 'short list' ink.

 

I support the inclusion of samples in the selection process, and is likely the way to go at this time. But be aware that numerous inks are not available as samples, so those go onto the Wish List.

 

I suggest getting samples of about 5ml so that you can use each ink over some time - not just a few dozen pages. Also try each ink on the different papers that you encounter. Keep all samples if possible. The Ink Review Forum offers templates / forms for compiling essential info, so I suggest availing yourself of those.

 

As mentioned above, I've done some Ink Reviews, and those of twenty Blue inks are summarised in two threads : OOTT series and 11 2 20. Many others have also contributed extensively - there are thousands of inks out there!

 

Welcome to the vortex!

 

Bye,

S1

[dcpritch]

Some of my favorite non-purply blues, alphabetically:

 

Akkerman #5 Shocking Blue

Diamine Asa Blue

Diamine Prussian Blue

Noodler's American Eel Blue

Noodler's Baystate Blue

Noodler's Ottoman Azure

Pelikan 4001 Royal Blue

Pilot Iroshizuku asa-gao

Pilot Iroshizuku kon-peki

Pilot Iroshizuku ku-jaku

Platinum Blue Black

Private Reserve DC Supershow Blue

Private Reserve Electric DC Blue

Rohrer & Klingner Verdigris

Sailor sei-boku blue-black nano ink

Waterman South Sea Blue

 

I could go on, but if you are wondering about inks the first place I would look would be the Ink Review Index, as most if not all of these inks have been reviewed by your fellow FPNers, and then go to paperskater or Goulet for samples of a few inks. Good luck, and have fun!

 

Edited to add: I was typing while Sandy1's post was added. The comparisons she notes are fantastic!!! and would be a great jumping off point in your search for blue ink.

Edited April 23, 2012 by dcpritch