Waterman Blue Black - a written review

[girlieg33k]

(The quest for the perfect deep, intense, saturated, waterproof blue continues.)

Though not waterproof, Sailor Blue is very water-resistant and is an intense true blue. It may not survive alcohols/acetone/bleach or whatever else the Noodler's "security challenge" entails -- but if you're looking for a blue ink that will at least withstand water, Sailor Blue is the way to go. Also, Platinum Blue-Black is an often overlooked and underrated ink. I don't understand why they label it blue-black because it is most definitely blue -- it looks just like Waterman Florida Blue to me. Like Sailor Blue, it too is very water resistant, as is Namiki Blue. And if you want a blue-black that leans more toward black/grey than blue, Sailor's Blue-Black and Namiki Blue-Black are also water-resistant. All three inks mentioned behave well and have no green tints.

Edited October 1, 2007 by girlieg33k

[Shelley]

This is a nice review but I have never gotten blue-black ink, either the ink should be blue or it should be black, but blue black just makes me think of dirty blue...bad name IMO.

[FLZapped]

My WBB is still a nice blue-black, IMMEDIATELY after it dries. However, I've noticed notes left lying around my desk look much more teal or greenish. In particular, I took some dated about two weeks and four weeks ago, and wrote something fresh on them. The blue-black color fades rather quickly over time to the teal color. I think it is exposure to light as note in a dark drawer are holding color better. What is surprising is that this is ordinary room light, not sunlight, or even terribly intense light.

 

Yep, it turns green over time. I signed a bunch of performance plans for my employees at the start of the rating period with this ink. It was nice and blue-black at the time I signed. Six months later, when we opened the files for mid-term performance reviews, all of my signatures had turned green! I've switched to Florida Blue, which fades a bit, but doesn't change color. I may use Noodlers Blue Black next year -- to take advantage of its "near bullet proof" status.

 

["Near bullet proof" is an interesting concept. If you were going into harm's way, would you buy a "near bullet proof" vest?]

 

 

I have been using Noodler's BB - so it will be my standard BB once all the Quink is gone.

[CharlieB]

I have been using Noodler's BB - so it will be my standard BB once all the Quink is gone.

 

So.... tell us about it. What do you like about Noodlers Blue Black? What shade is it? Does it flow well? Does it dry fast? Does its color change over time?

[Ray-Vigo]

Does anyone have a head to head comparison of Waterman Blue-Black to Sheaffer Blue-Black in terms of flow and performance?

[TataiFromIndia]

I have new bottle of the Waterman's Blue Black, but the color is nothing like the scans...

 

It is more turquoise in hue, you can definitely see some green in it, when you compare to the Florida Blue.

 

The lightness is about the same as on the Florida Blue... I will write some samples when I grab some time.

 

Nenad

 

same problem,the color is light and does not match with those in reviews.

fades with greenish tint,no black .

Edited June 29, 2008 by TataiFromIndia

[diogenes]

Well, a year ago I tested Waterman Blue-Black, too, and it appeared to have green and turquoise tones I did not like. I even threw away the nearly full bottle after trying it several times, each time I was very disappointed with this ink.

 

However, one year later and after reading this review I bought a new bottle again and filled it in my new Pelikan M800, which is by far the greatest pen I own. It is very interesting, that this ink has the same color as in these scans now. Last year this ink had the same color using such different pens as Pelikan M215 and Lamy 2000, a color I dislike very much. The color of the same ink I am seeing now is quite different, it is one of the greatest colors I know.

 

I don't know, why there is such a big difference.