Noodler' s baystate blue

[raffaele]

What about it?

I cannot find it in Europe!

[Jon Szanto]

You're lucky.

[Scrawler]

You're lucky.

:pound:

[migo984]

Recently a bottle of BSB was dispatched down the sink here. It's not worth the effort.

[carlos.q]

In my opinion BSB is not worth the trouble. Not only does it stain but it also feathers a lot.

[Crazyorange]

Recently a bottle of BSB was dispatched down the sink here. It's not worth the effort.

Did it stain your sink? It did mine. For two weeks my stainless steel sink has a big blue stain. I decided to pour it down the drain after it turned my orange pen blue. I'm guessing a black pen would be a benefit when using this ink.

[Neo]

My slop sink in the basement is still stained after a year....

[migo984]

Recently a bottle of BSB was dispatched down the sink here. It's not worth the effort.

Did it stain your sink? It did mine. For two weeks my stainless steel sink has a big blue stain. I decided to pour it down the drain after it turned my orange pen blue. I'm guessing a black pen would be a benefit when using this ink.


It was Murfie's sink 😊 and he was fed-up with it staining the S/S sink every time he tried to flush his BSB-dedicated pen. Evil stuff - no colour is so good that users should have to put up with staining like that.

[rgperedo]

I have never put it in anything but a Preppy, a free preppy at that. I would never put it in anything that wasn't free or super cheap. The color is quite beautiful though.

[Scrawler]

If you have a problem with BSB staining your sink, use hand sanitizer gel. Rub it in and wash it away. My problem with BSB is that it fades. This kind of ink should have a single pen reserved for it. DO not under any circumstances let BSB get anywhere near Private Reserve Hot Bubblegum, it will bring on the apocalypse. You have been warned.

[mhosea]

It doesn't stain stainless steel, at least not in any sense that the word "stainless" refers to. The word "stainless" refers to staining of ordinary steel by infiltration of water, oxidation, and corrosion. None of that is a factor here. BSB is only painted on the surface, a residue that isn't soluble in water, soapy water, ammonia, etc. And yet, you only need the right solvent to remove it. Those are just the wrong solvents. It can be bleached, but as Scrawler notes, hand sanitizer gel works--the main ingredient is alcohol.

Before BSB:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7785/18085211082_7aec562ffc_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ty8rbb)

BSB:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7697/18088619695_62ec74c700_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/tyqUrn)

The BSB "stain" (residue, not stain):
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5457/17468060703_268f4466e1_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/sBAnSp)

The solvent:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7670/18088619575_920aaa6f0b_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/tyqUpi)

The solvent at work:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5346/18089563481_62fa36c815_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/tyvJZx)

Apply the solvent wetly and rinse (scrubbing does not speed the process much):
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5467/18085211302_6cd7bb20f4_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ty8reY)

I find it useful to load an ink syringe with alcohol and just squirt and rinse, as this uses the alcohol in a more efficient manner than pouring it, and it's less work by a long shot than trying to wet paper towels with it.

Ceramic sinks are much the same, IME.

Having said that, while I discount at the idea that cleaning it off a stainless steel or glazed ceramic sink need be a factor, I do find that difficulty in cleaning it out of pens is quite relevant, and concerning, since this residue that gets on the sink also takes hold of parts of the pen, and neither alcohol nor bleach is prudent for cleaning pens. It is therefore very difficult to justify loading BSB in a fountain pen that is not to be dedicated to it. And feathering and bleed-through make it rather difficult to justify dedicating a pen to it. Still, the color is stunning. Presently I have it in a Platinum Preppy with a felt tip. It's actually quite well-behaved in that application. I don't use it in fountain pens anymore.

[migo984]

It doesn't stain stainless steel, at least not in any sense that the word "stainless" refers to. The word "stainless" refers to staining of ordinary steel by infiltration of water, oxidation, and corrosion. None of that is a factor here. BSB is only painted on the surface, a residue that isn't soluble in water, soapy water, ammonia, etc. And yet, you only need the right solvent to remove it. Those are just the wrong solvents. It can be bleached, but as Scrawler notes, hand sanitizer gel works--the main ingredient is alcohol.

Before BSB:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7785/18085211082_7aec562ffc_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ty8rbb)

BSB:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7697/18088619695_62ec74c700_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/tyqUrn)

The BSB "stain" (residue, not stain):
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5457/17468060703_268f4466e1_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/sBAnSp)

The solvent:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7670/18088619575_920aaa6f0b_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/tyqUpi)

The solvent at work:
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5346/18089563481_62fa36c815_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/tyvJZx)

Apply the solvent wetly and rinse (scrubbing does not speed the process much):
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5467/18085211302_6cd7bb20f4_n.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ty8reY)

I find it useful to load an ink syringe with alcohol and just squirt and rinse, as this uses the alcohol in a more efficient manner than pouring it, and it's less work by a long shot than trying to wet paper towels with it.

Ceramic sinks are much the same, IME.

Having said that, while I discount at the idea that cleaning it off a stainless steel or glazed ceramic sink need be a factor, I do find that difficulty in cleaning it out of pens is quite relevant, and concerning, since this residue that gets on the sink also takes hold of parts of the pen, and neither alcohol nor bleach is prudent for cleaning pens. It is therefore very difficult to justify loading BSB in a fountain pen that is not to be dedicated to it. And feathering and bleed-through make it rather difficult to justify dedicating a pen to it. Still, the color is stunning. Presently I have it in a Platinum Preppy with a felt tip. It's actually quite well-behaved in that application. I don't use it in fountain pens anymore.

Well all that might be the case, and thanks for the science lesson, but for me as a lay person, the requirement to use such specific cleaning agents/solvents is precisely the point. I call it staining and that's just what it does, from my non-scientific viewpoint. If one has to avoid using it in all but the most disposable of fountain pens, then it shouldn't be sold as suitable for FP use. However much people rave about its colour, I was glad to see it glug down the drain.

[oldstoat]

To be fair, alcohol dissoves most things- memory, inhibitions.....

[Crazyorange]

To be fair, alcohol dissoves most things- memory, inhibitions.....

That's the kind of alcohol I like keeping in the house. Not the stuff to scrub the kitchen sink.

[Scrawler]

The reason I suggest hand sanitizer, is because it is gel that holds the alcohol to the surface while you work it. It does not matter if it is ethyl, or isopropyl.

[naimitsu]

If you have a problem with BSB staining your sink, use hand sanitizer gel. Rub it in and wash it away. My problem with BSB is that it fades. This kind of ink should have a single pen reserved for it. DO not under any circumstances let BSB get anywhere near Private Reserve Hot Bubblegum, it will bring on the apocalypse. You have been warned.

Now I am curious to see what the apocalypse looks like! I wonder if we could find a brave soul willing to take on this experiment and share with the class the result ;)

The sample of BSB I had I poured down the sink. It left residue on the porcelain of the sink, the brass drain is now blueish (which IMO is an improvement!), and the vial it had come in is still blueish, even after having flushing fluid in there for months now.

I even tried using isopropyl alcohol on the porcelain and it removed about 75% of the pigment from the surface.

This is not an ink I would recommend for any reason... unless you really hate someone or simply like that shade of blue enough to stain a demonstrator on purpose.

I am actually not a big fan of Noodler's inks. Every single one of them that I have tried exhibits odd behavior.
Some oxidizes to a different shade. Others take FOREVER to dry (I had a couple words written on Tomoe River with an Ahab Flex that took well over 2 weeks to dry... actually, the count is almost to 4 weeks now and last time I checked, there were a still a few bits of the word still wet!). Some look questionable to use in FPs as the ink seems to stick like oil to the walls of the vial that contains it. Many feather like crazy, though X-Feather and Bulletproof are fairly named.

Which really is a shame as they have a number of really nice colors.

[Laura N]

forget it it was a joke

[mhosea]

Well all that might be the case, and thanks for the science lesson, but for me as a lay person, the requirement to use such specific cleaning agents/solvents is precisely the point. I call it staining and that's just what it does, from my non-scientific viewpoint. If one has to avoid using it in all but the most disposable of fountain pens, then it shouldn't be sold as suitable for FP use. However much people rave about its colour, I was glad to see it glug down the drain.

My concern with the terminology is that "staining" has a connotation of permanence that is not applicable in this case, this being especially true in the context of steel. People who do want to use the ink might like to set their minds set at ease that no permanent harm is being done to their sink, and they might also appreciate a strategy for coping with it more easily than they may have thought possible. I like the hand sanitizer solution, BTW, but I personally don't have that handy, whereas rubbing alcohol is at hand for a variety of purposes.

[Scrawler]

I work as an elections official for Provincial and Federal elections. The governments give me large quantities of hand sanitizer gel, far more than I actually use during elections, so I always have some available. I always use HoD (bulletproof black) to fill in and sign forms and ballots. It is then very easy to detect fraud, and prove that I personally signed the documents. This has paid off during the last Federal election when there was a miscount of 5 ballots, due to someone trying to stuff poll.

[naimitsu]

forget it it was a joke

Oh boo :(
I was hoping that at least something interesting would come out of the mix.

[Uncle Bud]

There is so much online about this ink that I find yet another thread on it is just boring. There are BSB lovers and haters. The lovers won't ever change their mind and the haters won't ever change their mind.

If someone is interested 2 minutes on Google gives them all they need to know. Use it in a cheap dedicated pen, if you like it all is good, if you don't, all is good, just stop posting about it, Baystate Blues War needs to end, all other wars do.

Cheers,

Bud.

[Laura N]

There is so much online about this ink that I find yet another thread on it is just boring. There are BSB lovers and haters. The lovers won't ever change their mind and the haters won't ever change their mind.

If someone is interested 2 minutes on Google gives them all they need to know. Use it in a cheap dedicated pen, if you like it all is good, if you don't, all is good, just stop posting about it, Baystate Blues War needs to end, all other wars do.

Cheers,

Bud.

Yeah, I sympathize with the motivations, but, respectfully, I can't agree.

My view is that it's just ink. A lot of inks draw uncomplimentary comments on forums. To me, extending special status or protection to favored brands is off-putting. A consumer is not allowed a full picture of the brand or its products when negative opinions or stories are discouraged or just deleted. So, no thanks. I'd rather have unfiltered opinions. Even if they clash. Even if they upset fans. When I spend my money, I try to research, to spend wisely. I suspect many would appreciate not having to throw out $21 worth of ink and maybe a stained pen.

[Jon Szanto]

In the War of Baystate Blue, I am true to my Quaker roots and am a conscientious objector. I do, however, visit the troops and make jokes.

[mhosea]

To me, extending special status or protection to favored brands is off-putting.

I'm not sure I quite grasp your argument. Are you claiming that discussion of this ink is so heavily censored on the internet that if you Google it you can't get a clear picture? Even on FPN what has been said here would not be censored. I've read it all multiple times on FPN. But forget about FPN; how about a nice reddit thread?

http://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/2gryqj/buyer_beware_noodler_baystate_blue_stained_and/

[Jon Szanto]

To me, extending special status or protection to favored brands is off-putting.

I'm not sure I quite grasp your argument.

I thought she was just replying to Uncle Bud's suggestion that the discussion cease... because it was just another discussion about BSB. And that she didn't want the topic "protected". The odd thing is that I agree completely, even though I loathe the ink and wish it would die in a fire at the center of the largest star in the nearest galaxy.

[mhosea]

And that she didn't want the topic "protected".

I get that much, and I also agree with that sentiment. Nevertheless, I couldn't figure out how we went from the equivalent of "I wish people would stop beating this particular dead horse" to the topic of forbidden discussions and protected brands, which I interpreted as a reference to FPN and the "big red rule".

[Uncle Bud]

O

There is so much online about this ink that I find yet another thread on it is just boring. There are BSB lovers and haters. The lovers won't ever change their mind and the haters won't ever change their mind.

If someone is interested 2 minutes on Google gives them all they need to know. Use it in a cheap dedicated pen, if you like it all is good, if you don't, all is good, just stop posting about it, Baystate Blues War needs to end, all other wars do.

Cheers,

Bud.

Yeah, I sympathize with the motivations, but, respectfully, I can't agree.

My view is that it's just ink. A lot of inks draw uncomplimentary comments on forums. To me, extending special status or protection to favored brands is off-putting. A consumer is not allowed a full picture of the brand or its products when negative opinions or stories are discouraged or just deleted. So, no thanks. I'd rather have unfiltered opinions. Even if they clash. Even if they upset fans. When I spend my money, I try to research, to spend wisely. I suspect many would appreciate not having to throw out $21 worth of ink and maybe a stained pen.

I totally respect your right to have an opinion on BSB, and every other ink out there. My view is that the word has already been spread about this ink, well and truly spread. I actually believe that these posts encourage people to try BSB, they then find out it's good, but mostly bad properties, and then propagate more of these threads.

I have calculated that I have spent 15 hours 23 minutes of my life reading threads like this, and that's time I will never get back. So I'm just going to stop reading them now.

Uncle Bud, signing off of this thread. Cheers.

[Scrawler]

I totally respect your right to have an opinion on BSB, and every other ink out there. My view is that the word has already been spread about this ink, well and truly spread. I actually believe that these posts encourage people to try BSB, they then find out it's good, but mostly bad properties, and then propagate more of these threads.

I have calculated that I have spent 15 hours 23 minutes of my life reading threads like this, and that's time I will never get back. So I'm just going to stop reading them now.

Uncle Bud, signing off of this thread. Cheers.

There are new pen and ink users all the time. They are curious people. There are also some people who just want to beat up on Nathan Tardif for political reasons and make blanket statements about his inks as if they were all one thing, with one set of undesirable attributes. As I said, people are curious, they want to try things, but they also want some assurances that Azrael is not going rise up out of the deep and snatch their beloved pens from them, if they experiment. Some inks that are too bothersome for fountain pens have utility with dip pens, and they need to exist for people's artistic creativity. I am prepared to put up with some grief and effort with some inks, and do not believe that all things in life should be plain sailing. I agree with your sentiment, that you should simply ignore threads about things that do not interest you. For instance, I never read the Lamy forum. On the other hand, I do want inks to have a fair and balanced hearing, and not be dismissed for emotive or specious reasons. Like Laura said, it is just ink. I personally always read threads where this ink is mentioned, just to see the frothing at the mouth that results. But then, I was born with a wooden spoon in my hand.

[Laura N]

To me, extending special status or protection to favored brands is off-putting.

I'm not sure I quite grasp your argument.

I thought she was just replying to Uncle Bud's suggestion that the discussion cease... because it was just another discussion about BSB. And that she didn't want the topic "protected".

Yes, that's essentially what I was trying to say. Thanks, Jon. Sorry if I was confusing.

[Laura N]

I totally respect your right to have an opinion on BSB, and every other ink out there. My view is that the word has already been spread about this ink, well and truly spread. I actually believe that these posts encourage people to try BSB, they then find out it's good, but mostly bad properties, and then propagate more of these threads.

I have calculated that I have spent 15 hours 23 minutes of my life reading threads like this, and that's time I will never get back. So I'm just going to stop reading them now.

Uncle Bud, signing off of this thread. Cheers.

There are new pen and ink users all the time. They are curious people. There are also some people who just want to beat up on Nathan Tardif for political reasons and make blanket statements about his inks as if they were all one thing, with one set of undesirable attributes. As I said, people are curious, they want to try things, but they also want some assurances that Azrael is not going rise up out of the deep and snatch their beloved pens from them, if they experiment.

Yes, absolutely. Although with regard to the third sentence, it seems to me that the opposite is also true: in fact I know that some people use and like Noodler's precisely because of Nathan's political views. So it cuts both ways, and it's only fair to acknowledge that. I think Nathan is a brilliant marketer, and his business skills amaze me: he has managed to personalize a brand of fountain pen ink in a way that attracts "true fans" in the social media sense. It's a fantastic story. But I digress. Because my admiration for Nathan's skills, creativity and success really doesn't translate into either having to like all, or even most, of inks, including BSB, or thinking that he, and especially BSB, should get some exemption from negative comments.

Scrawler brings up Lamy, which to me is a good example. I happen to like the Lamy Safari, though within boundaries of reason and believing that it is not for everyone. So I read Lamy threads. And I can report that there is almost never a thread about the Lamy Safari in which at least one person doesn't insult it or pronounce it "ugly." And you know what? Sometimes it irritates me, as Uncle Bud may sympathize, because it's like a broken record and it can seem trollish from certain people. But my feelings have survived, and my number of Lamy Safaris only increases. And many negative comments are absolutely fair, and should be brought out for people looking at purchasing the Safari: for example, it does have a difficult section shape. Just like BSB can stain some pens.

You could mention a lot of brands and recall the same thing. Montblanc attracts flames like no other brand. Modern Parker or Sheaffer consumer pens are often assailed by fans of the vintage pens. Pelikan Edelstein inks are "washed out." Unsaturated inks are weak. MB Gandhi hurts my eyes (I said that, half-jokingly). Etc.

As Scrawler says, there are always new users or people newly curious about a topic, which is why many topics are raised again and again. I usually never read BSB threads and don't like to give my opinion because this ink is so contentious, and this brand so beloved by its true fans, and I never want to upset people who really like something. This thread went on longer than others, so I peeked in, and found it amusing. I can see why people wouldn't want to read these kind of threads, however. Usually I don't either. But since they exist, then it's only fair for people to be able to say positive or negative things. Just like with any other brand or product. In my opinion.

[Scrawler]

Exactly Laura, you have basically summed up what I would like to have said. My reference to the Lamy forum was allegorical, as were a number of other things I said. I was trying to be a bit humourous, and my comments cut both ways. I came about because when I used to post on FPN there was no Lamy forum and there was a standing joke about posting on the Lamy forum. I have enabled my daughter to have a collection of almost every colour of Safari for use at university. Topics like this need to be fair and balanced, with the actual ink itself, its good, its bad, its pretty, and its ugly, revealed for the potential user to make their own free choice. Incidentally, when I bought a bottle of BSB to try for myself, to sort the hype from the reality, my daughter bought me a box of vinyl gloves, gave me an old towel, and admonished me most strictly to use them both when I filled my pen.

[Sammyo]

I would just like to add something at this point, all the talk about "these kinds of threads".

This thread was not started to bash BSB, the thread was started to ask if there was anywhere that sold it in Europe... which has not yet been answered. I believe the OP now has enough info to make their own mind up about whether or not they still want to try it.

So having said that, does anyone have a European source for this Devil's milk?

[Jon Szanto]

So having said that, does anyone have a European source for this Devil's milk?

It's not like Google doesn't exist. (http://purepens.co.uk/acatalog/Noodler_s_Inks.html) Took me all of 15 seconds.

[Sammyo]

So having said that, does anyone have a European source for this Devil's milk?

It's not like Google doesn't exist. (http://purepens.co.uk/acatalog/Noodler_s_Inks.html) Took me all of 15 seconds.
Nice way to be unnecessarily rude, passive aggressive much? I could have just as easily said "have you tried eBay?".

The nice part of asking a community is not only Googling the answer and getting a quick fix. But rather getting feedback; recommendations for good stores and also the stores to be wary of. Where to get the best prices and deals. We in the US all know about Goulet pens, the Andersons, etc... but I don't know who to recommended in Europe and I wouldn't presume to.

[Jon Szanto]

The nice part of asking a community is not only Googling the answer and getting a quick fix. But rather getting feedback; recommendations for good stores and also the stores to be wary of. Where to get the best prices and deals. We in the US all know about Goulet pens, the Andersons, etc... but I don't know who to recommended in Europe and I wouldn't presume to.

I wasn't trying to be rude or anything, but frankly, direct. One of the tiniest things I ask of people is to just do some minimum of work on their own. Of the two sentence first post, the 2nd simply said "I can't find it in Europe." Well, at least the UK is part of the EU, and it took no effort to find that. After a couple of days, no one from the European membership has chimed in with any sources. All I was doing was implying that... one can always get started on their own. Any of us who has been around for a bit acknowledge that BSB is well, well documented on the web. Another "what do you think about it" doesn't add a whole lot.

I'm sorry if the brief nature of my post seemed overtly rude. In brevity, I was trying to mimic the ease with which - at the very least - a good start of information could be found. I like to help people, and even more, those that are interested in helping themselves, too.

[mhosea]

But where is Baystate Blue on that web site?

[Jon Szanto]

But where is Baystate Blue on that web site?

Well, it is NOT my day, today! I didn't scroll through all of the offerings: it appears they don't list it among their inks.

My apologies to Sammyo, Mike, the OP, and everyone else. I'll delete comments if desired, or can leave them in place to show my haste. Having said that, I'm out of here.

[Sammyo]

But where is Baystate Blue on that web site?

Well, it is NOT my day, today! I didn't scroll through all of the offerings: it appears they don't list it among their inks.

My apologies to Sammyo, Mike, the OP, and everyone else. I'll delete comments if desired, or can leave them in place to show my haste. Having said that, I'm out of here.
No need to delete, I am community forum clique scarred. Every time I get into a hobby or interest, within a few months I am disappointed with the general snobbery that entails. The fact is that I see so much less of it here in the FP world :)

I also apologise of my response was overly harsh, I am sadly damaged but the holier than thou crowd in my other worlds m(_ _)m

[Uncle Bud]

In Jon's defence. 5 second Google search unveiled this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Noodlers-State-Blue-Bottled-Refill/dp/B0014LQ6CU

9 left in stock at time of posting £12.75 + £4.38 postage, no price limit was given. Anything about this ink is easily found out if you are willing to spend a very little time in research. I think that is what Jon, and I was trying to say.

This time, I really am out of here, so fed up with BSB threads.

Bud.

[Mags]

If you have a problem with BSB staining your sink, use hand sanitizer gel. Rub it in and wash it away. My problem with BSB is that it fades. This kind of ink should have a single pen reserved for it. DO not under any circumstances let BSB get anywhere near Private Reserve Hot Bubblegum, it will bring on the apocalypse. You have been warned.

I am curious it congeals or explodes or what happens?

[tandaina]

If you have a problem with BSB staining your sink, use hand sanitizer gel. Rub it in and wash it away. My problem with BSB is that it fades. This kind of ink should have a single pen reserved for it. DO not under any circumstances let BSB get anywhere near Private Reserve Hot Bubblegum, it will bring on the apocalypse. You have been warned.

I am curious it congeals or explodes or what happens?

Nah, it just stains. There have been various reports like 'it ate my feed' or 'it became sentient and took over my country' but mostly it just stains.

[Mags]

I dont have too many bad staining stories. I use bleach and water to tidy the sink, flush my dedicated BSB pens, and in general it works well.

I was curious about blue and hot bubblegum.....but if they both are water resistant then I am sure they both stain with the same effects.

[Scrawler]

If you have a problem with BSB staining your sink, use hand sanitizer gel. Rub it in and wash it away. My problem with BSB is that it fades. This kind of ink should have a single pen reserved for it. DO not under any circumstances let BSB get anywhere near Private Reserve Hot Bubblegum, it will bring on the apocalypse. You have been warned.

I am curious it congeals or explodes or what happens?

Nah, it just stains. There have been various reports like 'it ate my feed' or 'it became sentient and took over my country' but mostly it just stains.

It ate me out of house and home, ran off with my wife, stole my car, abused my cat and poisoned my fish.

[Mags]

Lol Scrawler!!!

[Wile E Coyote]

I am curious it congeals or explodes or what happens?

First it explodes, then it congeals on your skin and then it finally spontaneously combusts and stains.

[Neo]

I am curious it congeals or explodes or what happens?

First it explodes, then it congeals on your skin and then it finally spontaneously combusts and stains.

Well, that'll leave a mark. :boom:

[Scrawler]

On the bottom of the box that the Hot Bubblegum comes in, is written:

"Do Not Mix ink can produce undesirable reaction. Distinctive smell may cause staining use dedicated pen.

"Private Reserve Ink not responsible for staining, damage or other problems from use of this ink."

"Purchase relieves Private Reserve Ink from any problems encountered"

[elaineb]

Hmmm, I tried BSB a few months ago, because I'd heard so much about it and wasn't convinced by either "side" of the debate. I had a mixed, moderate experience with it. The color is singular. It is the purest ultramarine blue I have seen in FP inks, and believe me, I have been searching high and low for a color that matches one of my favorite artist pigments.

I tried it in a couple of pens and got rather annoyed with it because it kept slithering out of cracks at the joins of things like nibs to sections or converters to the base of a nib, and then working its way into the grip of my pen. Where it promptly stained my writing fingers bright blue. I could have put up with that for the sake of the beautiful color, but it feathered badly on every paper I tried, including Midori and Tomoe River. I tried diluting it a bit with distilled water and a touch of gum arabic, but it didn't seem to make much difference. It even feathered when I used it in Japanese extra-fine nibs.

I was loathe to give up, because the color really is sumptuous. But I just had to call it quits after a couple of weeks. I couldn't take those inky fingers every time I touched a pen, even when I sprayed it down with water after I uncapping, to remove any lurking inky bits that might have migrated while it was lying on my desk.

I am not sure why it is so prone to creep, but I'm guessing that whatever dye forms the basis for BSB makes a rather poor ink on its own. (Some dye solutions won't flow well down down a feed, or will feather badly, or have some other problematic characteristic, due to the molecular structure of that particular substance.) So Tardiff had to jump through hoops to get it to flow through pen nibs, and the resulting ink probably has a novel formulation. It probably explains why there is no other ink on the market based on this dye, as far as I can see. Perhaps no other manufacturer was willing to "break so many rules" to get it to work as an ink.

[Scrawler]

Hmmm, I tried BSB a few months ago, because I'd heard so much about it and wasn't convinced by either "side" of the debate. I had a mixed, moderate experience with it. The color is singular. It is the purest ultramarine blue I have seen in FP inks, and believe me, I have been searching high and low for a color that matches one of my favorite artist pigments.

I tried it in a couple of pens and got rather annoyed with it because it kept slithering out of cracks at the joins of things like nibs to sections or converters to the base of a nib, and then working its way into the grip of my pen. Where it promptly stained my writing fingers bright blue. I could have put up with that for the sake of the beautiful color, but it feathered badly on every paper I tried, including Midori and Tomoe River. I tried diluting it a bit with distilled water and a touch of gum arabic, but it didn't seem to make much difference. It even feathered when I used it in Japanese extra-fine nibs.

I was loathe to give up, because the color really is sumptuous. But I just had to call it quits after a couple of weeks. I couldn't take those inky fingers every time I touched a pen, even when I sprayed it down with water after I uncapping, to remove any lurking inky bits that might have migrated while it was lying on my desk.

I am not sure why it is so prone to creep, but I'm guessing that whatever dye forms the basis for BSB makes a rather poor ink on its own. (Some dye solutions won't flow well down down a feed, or will feather badly, or have some other problematic characteristic, due to the molecular structure of that particular substance.) So Tardiff had to jump through hoops to get it to flow through pen nibs, and the resulting ink probably has a novel formulation. It probably explains why there is no other ink on the market based on this dye, as far as I can see. Perhaps no other manufacturer was willing to "break so many rules" to get it to work as an ink.

I give him credit for experimentation. I have not experienced quite that level of creep myself. I would not be surprised if the creep is due to the amount and type of surfactants used to make that formulation flow.

[mhosea]

I would not be surprised if the creep is due to the amount and type of surfactants used to make that formulation flow.

Feathering, too, is probably a consequence of that.

I personally haven't had any creep issues at all, but feathering issues? Oh, yeah.

[Armstrong]

Try Noodler's Luxury Blue. It is not as bright but still a nice shade. It has been well behaved in my pens.

[Lt. Tom]

First of all, I hope the OP has found a source for his BSB. From what I understand finding Noodlers over there is like trying to find Akkerman inks here in the states.
I think this discussion needs to happen once in a while. Yes, you can find a ton of content on BSB all over the internet, but when you're new to all this, how would you know to look it up? You wouldn't, except for threads like this. A thread like this is all that stopped me from buying a bottle (it's so pretty!) and plunging my favorite white pen into it. I'm eventually going to try it, so I'll have my own opinion. I know Noodlers as a brand seems to be pretty polarizing. I had heard all kinds of bad things about the Ahab, and wouldn't have bought one. Then I had one given to me. I was just not impressed until I swapped the nib in it. No, you shouldn't have to swap the nib in a brand new pen, but I did and now it's one of my favorites. I've got a drawer full of them because the cost of the pen and a Goulet or Anderson nib is still only $35.

Sorry, got sidetracked there........I think a friendly discussion of BSB needs to happen every once in a while. People need to be aware that it is "different". As long as the thread is labeled properly, those who are tired of hearing about it can avoid it...........

[mhosea]

I think this discussion needs to happen once in a while.

I guess my issue with it is that free and unfettered debate is no assurance of an unbiased discussion, as this depends on the self-selected sample of the population involved. If we're talking about repeating the discussion many times, I would think that the sample would change over time due to the probability of people "opting out" of yet-another-round varying in a way correlated with their position. In particular, I suspect the position least likely to abstain is one that is strongly negative. Mine is more circumspect--I'd use the ink more if feathering and bleed-through performance were more favorable, despite its staining potential, but it is what it is, and as such, I don't use it in fountain pens at present. But I only bothered to respond at all because, well, you can see what my pet peeve is.

Bottom line is that I don't think it's a good idea to rely solely on new discussion of heavily debated ink. I also do not think you can safely infer what proportion of the general population feels this way or that from the proportion of posts in a new discussion which lean this way or that.

[Lt. Tom]

I agree 100%, Mike. I'm just saying that a person not familiar with the ink might see this thread, and think "hmm, maybe I should research this stuff a little and find out what the fuss is about before I buy it." Post like your last one are exactly the reason I haven't tried it yet. The "it's going to eat your children " posts just intrigue me. A calm, well thought out post that says it feathers and bleeds-through makes me want to hold off.

[mhosea]

19527

[Mags]

19527

It should be a reliable BSB pen.

[Newjelan]

I love BSB. I didn't realise how much until I looked at the bottle and was surprised to see how much I'd used. I use it at 80% strength and find it is better behaved with no loss in vibrancy (in my eyes). I use it in my TWSBI 580 Al with a M nib and it flows well. While the pen is stained slightly it is minimal.

[dr.grace]

The color is vibrant, but it's just too much trouble in fountain pens. (Learn from my experience: don't try it in an Esterbrook!) So I gave up on BSB long ago. It would be far less hassle to use a blue Sharpie, which produces a similar color.

[Marsilius]

May I be allowed a fatuous post?
BSB is a palindrome, which got me searching for an anagram of Bay State Blue, which in turn led to a little anagrammatic poem:

"Stable beauty?
A beaut, aye . . .
Stable, yea, but . . .
A beastly tube.
Beats lye! Tabu."

[TAYLORPUPPY]

I love BSB. I didn't realise how much until I looked at the bottle and was surprised to see how much I'd used. I use it at 80% strength and find it is better behaved with no loss in vibrancy (in my eyes). I use it in my TWSBI 580 Al with a M nib and it flows well. While the pen is stained slightly it is minimal.

Did you use distilled water

[TAYLORPUPPY]

If you have a problem with BSB staining your sink, use hand sanitizer gel. Rub it in and wash it away. My problem with BSB is that it fades. This kind of ink should have a single pen reserved for it. DO not under any circumstances let BSB get anywhere near Private Reserve Hot Bubblegum, it will bring on the apocalypse. You have been warned.

I am curious it congeals or explodes or what happens?

Nah, it just stains. There have been various reports like 'it ate my feed' or 'it became sentient and took over my country' but mostly it just stains.

BSB will even take out a walker

[TAYLORPUPPY]

I haven't used BSB in anything but a preppy. It works perfectly. Would it not behave in a 580 or an 823?

[Newjelan]

I love BSB. I didn't realise how much until I looked at the bottle and was surprised to see how much I'd used. I use it at 80% strength and find it is better behaved with no loss in vibrancy (in my eyes). I use it in my TWSBI 580 Al with a M nib and it flows well. While the pen is stained slightly it is minimal.

Did you use distilled water

Yes, I did. I filled a smaller bottle about 3 months ago and it seems fine.

[stub]

I have a Sheaffer PFM :big_boss: demonstrator and was thinking about loading it with Noodler's Baystate Blue.

Does anyone know if Baystate Blue will stain a demonstrator? :noidea:


:crazy_pilot::boink::roll::rofl:
:kiss3: :bounce::boom:

:p:

:bolt:

[SL89]

BSB has so far stained my Noodler's Free pen that came with the bottle. That being said I've been using it and havent fully emptied it, but it seems to 'coat' the inside of the polycarbonate pen (where other inks would drip back down the side.)

[quasiquixotic]

I have a goulet sample (full strength) in a TWSBI Eco and I love it. Granted it IS a sample and my first fill. I've been using it regularly - think 13 double sided pages of class notes - and haven't yet had the honor of cleaning the pen. All of which I'll do before I buy a bottle. But unless the cleaning is out of Dante's Inferno, I intend to buy a huge bottle and have a signature color here. I frankly LOVE how fast it drys.

It's worked excellently on tomoe river paper and been serviceable on 24# copy paper for me. I do prefer extra fine nibs, so I'm betting that has A LOT to do with my positive featherless experience (it does feather on the copy paper, but I expected that).

But the reason I'm posting is that I've set the pen down over night and when I pick it up in the morning there will be clear spots in the reservoir. Frankly I know what I was getting into when I inked this pen so I was pleasantly shocked to see that. But the grain of salt is it's the first time I've inked this pen and the ink as been in there for only a few days. To believe the interweb horror, that should have be long enough.

I'll try to get a photo the next time it happens.

[Fuzzy_Bear]

I've had our in my Estie J, black body. No problems. I've actually had it in most of my pens. Having said that, they geta thorough cleaning ifi change inks.

[pensplash]

BSB the only ink I've found to bleed through a Black and Red notebook paper. and Big Time too.

[stevekolt]

I took the plunge and filled a Lamy Ocean Blue Al-Star with it 3 days ago. 1.1 mm stub nib. Wrote three pages of notes with it today, and it writes great! Using an inexpensive notepad from Staples. No noticable feathering or bleed through, and very smooth writing. As a lefty overwriter, I'm especially pleased with how quickly it dries. In general, with this pen, I'm actually pretty pleased with it. :)