Sailor Jentle Blue Black Ink Review

If it hasn't become clear by this point let me lay it out for you in no uncertain terms: I love blue black ink. I use it in every style of pen where it is available, especially fountain pens. Why? Anyone can use a basic blue or black ink. Using blue black shows that you put a little extra thought into your ink selection while still keeping it sane. I love wild, vivid colors as much as everyone else, but for daily use it is blue black all the way.

Sailor Jentle Blue Black is one of the recent additions to my ink collection and it has me perplexed. It is a well respected ink and is highly rated by many. For me, I think I am having a hard time coming to grips with where the color falls in respect to the other blue black inks I use regularly.

As I look at the pictures now I think the shade of blue black looks fantastic, but I distinctly recall more of a "meh" feeling when first inking the page. It is possible I didn't get the proper perspective by judging the ink immediately - there are often changes the longer ink sits. I want that initial satisfaction though, which I do get from other inks. Do you wait a certain amount of time before rating your inks?

I will be giving Sailor Jentle Blue Black a longer look in a wider variety of pens, especially finer nibs. That too makes a difference in how much I like a particular ink. I have been swayed by performance in an EF nib more than once and I look forward to seeing what else this ink can do.

(JetPens is an advertiser on The Pen Addict and I received this product at no charge.)

Noodler's Bernanke Blue Ink Review

Being a left-handed fountain pen user is tough. I don't know this because I am one, I know this because of the amount of emails and comments I get searching for quick-drying inks that will work for lefties. Noodler's Bernanke Blue is one of those inks.

After receiving a sample vial from my friend @jjlsetter I loaded it up for testing in the TWSBI Mini 1.5 mm stub nib. While I usually prefer blue black inks over traditional blues, this may be one of the best shades I have used. My photography and editing make the blue look almost neon. It is not that bright, but it does pop off the page. The depth and saturation of the color is fantastic, and if you are not a fan of shading inks this has little to none.

The real selling point of the Bernanke series is the quick drying time (be sure to read the story behind the name in the link above.) In my less than scientific testing I find it completely legit. Rhodia paper is known for its long drying times and even with it in play the dry time was almost immediate. You can see the slightest smudge on the five-second mark but that's it. An impressive performance, and the quickest drying ink I have tested.

I have a sample of Bernanke Black that I have yet to test, but I expect the same quick drying performance. So let's hear it in the comments - what is the fastest drying fountain pen ink you use?

Noodler's Apache Sunset Ink Review

Noodler's Apache Sunset fountain pen ink is one of those inks you have to see in person to really appreciate. I was the beneficiary of a sample vial of this wonderful ink from one of my Twitter friends (thanks Anne!), and I have to say it is a real stunner.

I am unintentionally continuing my orange theme from last week but it had to be done. I have been sitting on this review for about a month now and was chomping at the bit to get it out there. What I love the most about this ink is the depth of color. It is so rich, even in the lightest shaded areas. And that shading, wow! It is one of the best I have personally tested, with a wide range of orange, brown, and yellow coming through.

I haven't purchased a bottle yet, but I plan to in the near future. I received a Pilot Falcon last night with an SEF nib that has a little flex. I wanted to load a bright, highly shaded ink into it, but found I was lacking in that category (I already used this sample up.) What inks that fit that criteria do you use in your flex pens? Let me know in the comments.

For more details on Noodler's Apache Sunset check out these great reviews:

Ed Jelley

FPGeeks

The Five Cat PENagerie