Parker Penman Sapphire (Photo Heavy!)

[attika89]

Hi everyone!
This is my review of the Parker Penman Sapphire.
Unique? Hard to find a substitute? One thing is for sure...it is discontinued

[jacksterp]

Why in the world was this discontinued?

Why in the world did you have to post this review?

What a magnificent ink!

Thanks for the beautiful example.

[GourmetPens]

Dangit. I was perfectly content not having any of this... until I saw your review. This is just torture. Now I have to find some!!!

[Laura N]

Boy, from those excellent pictures, Penman Sapphire looks a lot like Private Reserve DC Supershow Blue. Which is a great-looking ink, but very temperamental, so I use it in cartridges.

Maybe this will rise again someday as a super-premium ink, ala Pilot Iroshizuku or Pelikan Edelstein.

[Jon Szanto]

Yes, it is a very nice ink. It isn't as nice as what it goes for on the auction sites these days, but that is how the world turns.

[attika89]

Thank you everyone! I'm happy you like it

Boy, from those excellent pictures, Penman Sapphire looks a lot like Private Reserve DC Supershow Blue. Which is a great-looking ink, but very temperamental, so I use it in cartridges.

Maybe this will rise again someday as a super-premium ink, ala Pilot Iroshizuku or Pelikan Edelstein.

I've read they are close to each other, but I haven't tried the Supershow blue yet. For me if an ink has a sheen it sold for me
It would be nice to see it back, that is for sure.

Yes, it is a very nice ink. It isn't as nice as what it goes for on the auction sites these days, but that is how the world turns.

Oh yes! The prices can go insane on these...even $80-$100

[earthdawn]

Great review

Beautiful pics

And now an ink I must aquire !!!

Really an excellent review. Thanks for taking the time to document this ink so well and sharing it with us.

LOL.. I found a bottle for sale
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Parker-Penma...item1c34010fbe

[The Good Captain]

I just see an ink somewhere around Diamine Majestic Blue, Diamine Sargasso Sea, Akkerman Shocking Blue and Sailor Jentle Blue. AND I can get all four for less than the amount that PS is going for these days. A LOT less.
But of course, it's just a matter of personal taste, after all.

[attika89]

Dangit. I was perfectly content not having any of this... until I saw your review. This is just torture. Now I have to find some!!!

I might be able to help you with that.

Great review

Beautiful pics

And now an ink I must aquire !!!

Really an excellent review. Thanks for taking the time to document this ink so well and sharing it with us.

Thank you

I just see an ink somewhere around Diamine Majestic Blue, Diamine Sargasso Sea, Akkerman Shocking Blue and Sailor Jentle Blue. AND I can get all four for less than the amount that PS is going for these days. A LOT less.
But of course, it's just a matter of personal taste, after all.

I would not have bought it at those prices you see these days, but for less than the price of a Sailor Jentle ink it is pretty good I think

[whych]

I just see an ink somewhere around Diamine Majestic Blue, Diamine Sargasso Sea, Akkerman Shocking Blue and Sailor Jentle Blue. AND I can get all four for less than the amount that PS is going for these days. A LOT less.
But of course, it's just a matter of personal taste, after all.

But none of them come anywhere close to the Penman Sapphire ink in colour or shading.
It is one of those inks that once you have used it for a while you won't accept substitutes (as the advert goes).
Of course, you could spend a small fortune on all the inks people say are similar or substitutes and find none of them even comes close.

Just to mention - I don't often use blue, but Penman Sapphire is one that could make me change my mind.

[KrazyIvan]

Am I the only one that can only see the last picture of the ink bottle? The rest are broken images for me.

[Jon Szanto]

They all work for me, Ivan.

[whych]

Try refreshing the page - there are a few pictures, so they may take longer to all load.

[KrazyIvan]

Thanks guys. I figured it out. The firewall here is blocking them. The last image is the only one hosted on Flickr.

[AndyLa]

I snatched up quite a bit of carts when there was a mass sale on eBay a few years ago. I have yet to find another blue to match this- I've gone through a bunch of private reserves, diamines, Noodler's, ect... But nothing can quite match it. Ive long stopped trying. I'll often gift a couple of carts when I sell/trade a pen as a surprise so others can try it out.

[reprieve]

I've received a letter written with Penman Sapphire before, and it is indeed a beautifully vibrant blue. I use DC Supershow Blue as a substitute (which I agree is close but not the same--but is perfectly acceptable for me as it is cheap and easily available and it has nice shading and a nice sheen). If I ever have the opportunity, I will snap up a bottle of Penman Sapphire without hesitation, but I won't be heartbroken if it never happens. MB Racing Green on the other hand... thank goodness I have a healthy stash of that!

[Laura N]

I've received a letter written with Penman Sapphire before, and it is indeed a beautifully vibrant blue. I use DC Supershow Blue as a substitute (which I agree is close but not the same--but is perfectly acceptable for me as it is cheap and easily available and it has nice shading and a nice sheen). If I ever have the opportunity, I will snap up a bottle of Penman Sapphire without hesitation, but I won't be heartbroken if it never happens. MB Racing Green on the other hand... thank goodness I have a healthy stash of that!

Thank you. It's very helpful to hear from someone who has seen both.

Alas two inks will never be totally alike, but I'm usually okay with reasonable substitutions.

[whych]

I'll often gift a couple of carts when I sell/trade a pen as a surprise so others can try it out.

Sadist!
So you have all these poor unsuspecting suckers hooked on trying to find PPS or an equivalent

[KrazyIvan]

Am I the only one that can only see the last picture of the ink bottle? The rest are broken images for me.

It also looks like my home firewall is blocking the images.

[Jon Szanto]

Am I the only one that can only see the last picture of the ink bottle? The rest are broken images for me.

It also looks like my home firewall is blocking the images.

So, do you feel, like, Extra-Safe?