Extra Fine Nib Ink Review: Sailor Blue

[LizEF]

This is review #283 in my series. Here's the YouTube video:


Post-recording notes: Dark and muted enough to be interesting, but not enough to be blue-black or even dark blue. There's a bit of sheen on the right paper (a wetter nib would surely yield more). Shading may increase on more shade-friendly papers and from the right nib.

Cleaning wasn't bad, but you may need flush or a swab - it was the tiniest bit clingy. The microscope smear was dullsville. I thought I saw a smudge on the 1:45 mark during recording, but examining under greater magnification shows none, so I set the dry time at just over 1:30. In testing, it was over 2 minutes...

Zoomed in photo (Too muted on one monitor, too purple on the other. But not too far off.)


Screenshot (Text is much too dark.)


Scan of Completed Review (This is closest.)


Absorbent Paper Close-up (top is puzzle paper like thick newsprint, bottom is old 20lb copy paper) (Too muted on one monitor, too purple on the other. Reality isn't blotchy.)


Line width (The "I" in "Ink:". Magnification is 100x. The grid is 100x100µm. The scale is 330µm, with eleven divisions of 30µm each. The line width for this ink is roughly 296µm. With 283 inks measured, the average line width is 296µm.)


Previous Review: Diamine Bilberry.

Images also available on Instagram: @zilxodarap.

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View a list of my inks, complete with review results in a google sheet.

Need to catch up on The Adventures of Quin and Makhabesh? Find the whole story here.

Hope you enjoy. Comments appreciated!

[Sailor Kenshin]

Liz, not only do I have this ink, but ALL your comparison inks! Does that detract from my Default Jerkery? 😹

And I really like the color of Sailor Blue. It's a Sailor ink so it's similar in behavior to any of their others (got the Blue Black , too). I haven't noticed a lonnnnggg dry time so I may dip-test it soon.

Love the story, of course. The intrigue deepens. Marsell, The High Wizard, what's up with them? Poor Dad. I look forward to the next one, and thanks as always for the Tuesday Treat! 👏🏻 💝 🎉

[LizEF]

Liz, not only do I have this ink, but ALL your comparison inks! Does that detract from my Default Jerkery? 😹

Apparently it's a shade you enjoy - or think you will. Otherwise, I wouldn't know, as I have not experienced this Default Jerkery.

And I really like the color of Sailor Blue. It's a Sailor ink so it's similar in behavior to any of their others (got the Blue Black , too). I haven't noticed a lonnnnggg dry time so I may dip-test it soon.

As InesF theorized, the long dry time may be unique to Rhodia, and extended by it being on the back of the page... Danged chemistry!

Love the story, of course. The intrigue deepens. Marsell, The High Wizard, what's up with them? Poor Dad. I look forward to the next one...

Thank you!

... and thanks as always for the Tuesday Treat! 👏🏻 💝 🎉

You're most welcome!

[Yazeh]

Thanks @LizEF for the 283 fantastic review You've come a long, long way from leaping wizards
If it's 1.5 minutes on Rhodia's backside (for some reason, this doesn't sound right ) how long does it take to dry on the front side?
The story is getting terse and tight with Essri and Vika observing, Makhabesh fuming and Quin treading on razor's edge. Good job Quin is starting to remind me of Riker
Looking forward to magical inky adventures and a cure for ink mold

[LizEF]

Thanks @LizEF for the 283 fantastic review

You're most welcome!

You've come a long, long way from leaping wizards

Right? Who would have guessed!? I may have to change my address and discontinue my PO box just so I can stop reviewing inks!

If it's 1.5 minutes on Rhodia's backside (for some reason, this doesn't sound right ) how long does it take to dry on the front side?

I have no idea how long it takes to dry on the front. Presumably less time. I've mostly lost motivation to pursue drying times as they seem more and more meaningless to me...

The story is getting terse and tight with Essri and Vika observing, Makhabesh fuming and Quin treading on razor's edge. Good job

Thank you! You've been a big help in my learning to tighten a story - which I'm still learning (my natural instinct is still the 900-page fantasy novel).

Quin is starting to remind me of Riker

Hmm. If Quin is reminding you of Riker, that's either unconscious on my part or all in your imagination. I never liked Riker - in college, we called him "Riker Pigeonski" (pronounced Pi-JIN-ski) - because he always strutted around with his chest puffed out - like a pigeon (the -ski ending being because I was studying Russian...). This was also the name we gave an injured pigeon my roommate rescued - she was majoring in veterinary science.... (I think the naming of the injured pigeon came first, and it was then transferred to the fictional character...)

Looking forward to magical inky adventures and a cure for ink mold

Thanks!

[Brilliant Bill]

I presume it is not watertight.

[Bisquitlips]

Nice Liz! Love your work!

[Yazeh]

Right? Who would have guessed!? I may have to change my address and discontinue my PO box just so I can stop reviewing inks!

And write professionally the adventure of Quin and the gang

I have no idea how long it takes to dry on the front. Presumably less time. I've mostly lost motivation to pursue drying times as they seem more and more meaningless to me...

It makes sense. It's my least fun part of a review

Thank you! You've been a big help in my learning to tighten a story - which I'm still learning (my natural instinct is still the 900-page fantasy novel).

I wish I could help myself to tighten my own unfinished stories

Hmm. If Quin is reminding you of Riker, that's either unconscious on my part or all in your imagination. I never liked Riker - in college, we called him "Riker Pigeonski" (pronounced Pi-JIN-ski) - because he always strutted around with his chest puffed out - like a pigeon (the -ski ending being because I was studying Russian...). This was also the name we gave an injured pigeon my roommate rescued - she was majoring in veterinary science.... (I think the naming of the injured pigeon came first, and it was then transferred to the fictional character...)

Thanks for sharing these quirky stories Despite him being Pigeonski or Peacockovski he had his poker moments. That's why it made me think of him and Quin. He's learning not to volunteer information in the treacherous world of high wizardly and check the supposed almighty high wizard (or with-ard as Essri would say )

[LizEF]

I presume it is not watertight.

I only test water resistance for inks that claim to have it. As far as I know, this one doesn't make that claim. Given the ease with which it rinsed away, I doubt it has much, but the clingy nature might suggest it has a little. FWIW.

[LizEF]

Nice Liz! Love your work!

Thank you so much!

[LizEF]

And write professionally the adventure of Quin and the gang

Thank you! I have wondered about this sometimes. Quin would have to come more alive for me to even start this, but I'm beginning to like the idea...

It makes sense. It's my least fun part of a review

Right? It's sooooo tedious. You have to sit and stare at a timer, waiting for the seconds to pass. You can't let yourself get distracted or go do something else. Just yaaawwwnnnville!

I wish I could help myself to tighten my own unfinished stories

I would be happy to help, though I kinda doubt my ability to do so...

Thanks for sharing these quirky stories

You're very welcome!

... Peacockovski ...

... he had his poker moments. That's why it made me think of him and Quin. He's learning not to volunteer information in the treacherous world of high wizardly and check the supposed almighty high wizard (or with-ard as Essri would say )

Aaaah, yes, now I see. Indeed, Quin's instincts appear to be serving him well at this point.

[mizgeorge]

Thank you Liz - I'll be back to comment properly when I'm feeling a bit more human - but this definitely helped

[LizEF]

Thank you Liz - I'll be back to comment properly when I'm feeling a bit more human - but this definitely helped

You're most welcome! Sorry you're not feeling well. Hope you're feeling better soon!

[dneal]

Dark and muted enough to be interesting, but not enough to be blue-black or even dark blue.

Yes.

Which raises a categorical question of "dark and muted" blues. There are actually a lot of inks in this category. Herbin Bleu Nuit, Montblanc JFK, Magnetic Blue, etc... The drastic shading imparts the gray or "muted" tone, I think.

Anyway, good review of a good ink. It's all I use in a 1911 at this point.

[LizEF]

Which raises a categorical question of "dark and muted" blues. There are actually a lot of inks in this category. Herbin Bleu Nuit, Montblanc JFK, Magnetic Blue, etc... The drastic shading imparts the gray or "muted" tone, I think.

So many inks, so little time... A little darker, a little more muted, and it's just right for me. Love me some blue-grey and blue-black inks - with shading, of course!

Anyway, good review of a good ink. It's all I use in a 1911 at this point.

Thanks! I'm sure it's perfect in that 1911.