Customer Reviews

Baystate Blue

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I enjoy writing with a fountain pen, and I was drawn to Noodler's originally because it offered waterproof inks. I wanted a distinctive color, but I prefer to use black or blue. Baystate blue is quite vibrant, seeming to jump off the page, although it is variable depending on the quality of paper you use it on.

I have used it on both Molskine notebooks for journaling, Circa notebook paper for ideas, and plain old college ruled notebooks for class notes. It preformed well on all three, although it is not good if you want to write on both sides of cheap notebook paper, as it does show through.

On a less practical note, I liked the idea of using an ink similar to older historic inks, and as an old Massachusetts man myself, I enjoyed the idea of participating in some state history.

I like to write in my journals with a fountain pen. I like the way the pen feels in my hand and I believe my handwriting is much nicer using a fountain pen. Baystate Blue is my all time favorite ink color. I have always liked blue ink better than black and this is the perfect shade. It is a nice bright true blue. It reminds me somewhat of the cornflower blue crayon in a box of Crayolas when I was a child. I've been using this ink for a year or so and am still on the same bottle after refilling cartridge after cartridge to write with.

Every review of this ink which I have read states that this is one of the most intense blue fountain pen inks on the market, and this is the Gospel truth. The color is absolutely stunning, and it flows out of my Lamy pens with ease. I use it all the time, on every type of paper that's put in front of me to sign, initial, fill out, etc., and the stuff WORKS. Some customers state that it stains excessively, or is difficult to remove from plastic pen parts---I can't say that I've noticed that Baystate Blue stains any more than anything else, so I'm mystified as to why this seems to be such a problem. I've used it in all of my Lamy pens, from pink to clear (Vista), and have only noticed that it wipes clean for me, every time, and with minimal effort. If you love blue, BUY THIS!!!

Color-wise, this is one of the best blue inks if you're looking for a rich, vibrant, electric blue.

It will, however, stain your Lamy Vista pen, as well as your stainless steel sink. You can clean out your sink with some vinegar and elbow grease (after a little wife-rage); haven't tried to clean out the Lamy (I don't really care and my wife didn't tell at me for that one :P ).

Buyer beware.

This is a beautiful vibrant blue ink. The color is distinctive, and it looks very bright and blue on the paper. The biggest problem I had with this ink is that it is not compatible with other inks. I like to switch colors in my pens, but with Baystate, if a tiny bit of another ink is left in the pen, Baystate will produce clots and clog the pen. The same thing happens when switching from Baystate to any other ink. The pen must be completely rinsed. This ink does stain, as mentioned in other reviews. I used this ink esclusively in a Namiki Vanishing Point, until I noticed some pitting in the plastic under the nib. I stopped using it, and now use only PH neutral Noodler's Ink.

Yes, this ink stains instantly. I spilled some onto an acrylic sink and my fingers while filling my pen. The sink cleaned up easily with some bathroom cleaner that contained bleach. My fingers were blue for two days. Caution is certainly indicated when filling or cleaning your pen. It also seems to feather more than more modern inks even when used on good paper. The color makes it worth the hassle. It is the most vivid dark blue ink that I have ever seen or used. I hope Noodler's keeps it in production.

Despite electronics, a physician still writes a fair amount every day. In fact, I always carry two filled fountain pens and often need to refill them halfway through the day - and I have been doing so for the last 34years.
Also like many "users" I have also been a "collector" of fountain pens and currently own over 200 - both vintage and modern. Baystate Blue ink is the most eye popping, vibrant, intense, attention getting blue ink I have ever used and has replaced both Aurora Blue and Visconti as my all time favorite blue ink. It flows well, shades beautifully, does all the things you would want an ink to do. I love it.
What I hate is how incompatible the ink is with other inks and some pens.
Having now had to disassemble a couple of Aurora Optima based Limited Editions and my Tibaldi Iride to clean out the staining left behind, I can attest to the fact that the ink will stain certain plastics.
I have therefore, come to the conclusion that I can only use it in my converter filled pens or my piston fillers that do not have clear ink view windows or sections.
Fortunately, the staining appears to be a surface film that can be easily cleaned off with a tissue or soft brush - but disassembling a piston filler is probably a little beyond the average pen user.
A converter on the other hand is more easily disassembled and cleaned or just replaced outright.
Also, the manufacturer is not kidding when they tell you that this ink is not designed to be mixed. Take 1 cc of Baystate Blue and mix it with 1 cc of any of your favorite inks in a shot glass and watch all the pretty colored sludge form.
Try it yourself if you don't believe me - I did - and sludge is something you do NOT want forming in your pens.
Consequently, meticulous cleaning is mandatory when switching a pen to or from Baystate Blue. Flush the pen until water runs out clear and then a little more.
Given how the ink behaves when mixed, I wonder if some of the reports of clogging are due to incomplete cleaning as I have not yet had a problem. I have however taken to using the ink in only a few "designated" pens as a precaution.
So all in all a love/hate relationship.
But OMG - WHAT a color !!!

The proprietor of Noodlers has released a statement about the possibility of the pigment in Baystate Blue reacting with what he called "cheaper" plastics. You cannot mix this series of inks except with other Baystates. If you use this ink and have not had problems with it either staining or otherwise destroying your pen, you've got a great blue. STYLOPHILE BEWARE! Oh, also, this ink does feather much more than BS Grape.

I have a Lamy Safari (M nib) and Lamy Al-Star (F nib). I dearly wish I'd read all reviews before buying this, my third Noodler's ink. I have used their Blue-Black and Eel Gruene Cactus and have experienced no problems with those inks.

So, after inking up my new Al-Star with BSB, I soon noticed a severe skipping problem, particularly on downstrokes and long lines. I thought the problem was in the nib of my new Al-Star. That is, until I also inked the Safari with the BSB and had the same result.

Now, even after flushing these pens for 24 hours with warm water, they are verifiably not the same. I re-inked each with the "Eel," or lubricating ink, and the skipping persists. Do a search at Fountain Pen Network and decide for yourself. There are a few Lamy owners who claim no problems with BSB and Lamy's feed system. But the preponderance of owners who have used this ink express some deep regrets; I am in this latter, larger group.

My $30 Safari and $40 Al-Star are now with the repair specialist at Filofax,INC., Lamy's U.S. distributor.

How much research is enough?

works good in my Lamy and Mont Blanc fountain pens.
Doesnt clog and the blue color looks good on the paper.
a decent ink