I finally figured out the best way for me to fully update the Top 5 Pens page. Doing it in one sweeping update is intimidating, so how about breaking it down into individual list updates? And, how about using the Tuesday Toolset post as the platform to share my thoughts on each update? Monday’s review of the TWSBI Blue Black ink dislodged this idea that had been stuck in my brain, because I was immediately asked “What are your favorite Blue Black inks?
This list helps answer that, but remember, the Top 5 Pens list is full of my recommendations for you. That may differ from my personal favorites, which I’ll discuss each week as well.
For reference purposes, I’ll take a snapshot of the previous list so you can see what changed, if anything. Not a lot of it will honestly, which is why it has taken so long since the last page update. That changes now, beginning with the Top 5 Blue Black Fountain Pen Inks.
Top 5 Blue Black Fountain Pen Inks (Previous list)
- Pilot Iroshizuku Shin-Kai - It’s rare when the premium ink is also my top recommendation, but with the Iroshizuku price drop, Shin-kai is hard to beat. One of the best color ranges in a blue black ink while remaining traditional. (Buy)
- Pilot Blue Black - A smart man once told me that this is the only ink he trusts explicitly in all of his pens. And, with Sailor doing who knows what with it’s stock blue black, this is the easy stock ink choice. (Buy)
- Rohrer & Klinger Salix - Maybe the best iron gall ink I have ever used. The words iron gall turn off some people, but if you make this your first, you will be happy. (Buy)
- Akkerman #8 Diep-Duinwaterblauw - There is a brightness that peeks out from under the covers that many other blue blacks don’t possess. The bottle alone is worth the price of admission. (Buy)
- Lamy Blue Black - I think this ink has been on and off the list more than any other over the years. It’s a bit drier and lighter than some of the inks up top, but is such a classic color it sneaks into the back of the list when there is a shake up. (Buy)
(Notes: What happened to Sailor Blue Black, the former number one on this list? That’s a great question! Sailor has been reshuffling its ink lineup over the past couple of years, and their stock ink colors appear and disappear at random intervals, and at different prices and sizes. If they made it easier to sort out, they would still be near the top of the list.)
My personal use ranking:
- Pilot Iroshizuku Shin-kai
- Sailor Bungubox Blue Black
- Montblanc JFK
- Pelikan Edelstein Tanzanite
- Akkerman #8 Diep-Duinwaterblauw
