My absolute favorite standard ink, when I’m not using black, is Waterman Mysterious Blue. Even though it’s been reformulated, I still think it’s interesting and I appreciate the darker shade.
Waterman Serenity blue is a very nice ink, and it has a reputation for being very safe, but it's worth keeping in mind that it is actually a fairly acidic ink. Most of the pH measurements that I've seen show it at around 2.7 to 2.9, and my own measurement of it was also around 2.9, which is a long way from being neutral (Diamine Blue Velvet is a little more acidic). In general, a bit of acidity isn't going to be a problem for pens, as we already know from years of using this ink in all sorts of pens, but it also probably shouldn't be considered an archival quality ink.
Huh. I'm surprised by the acidity. I guess the rubbers that pen sacks are made from must be okay with that sort of thing, but I'm surprised. Interesting.
@@inkdependence That's actually the point. The acidity of the ink helps it with older materials that were often fine with acidic inks, but can degrade under alkaline conditions. It's utterly safe with things like old sacs and celluloid pens, in ways that alkaline inks (especially Japanese) are often not.
Thanks for the Pilot-Serenity side-by-side. I really appreciate it when ink reviews include comparisons to widely used counterparts. And I'm with you on this ink, always felt like I was expected to like it more than I do (though for some reason it looks consistently good in my Pilot Petit).
I have a bottle of Serenity Blue and two BIG bottles of Pilot Blue and while I don't use them a lot, they are decent inks and perform well. I may have to ink up a pen or two with these guys while they're fresh in my mind. Thanks for the excellent video!
I do appreciate when you re-review inks, pens, and other items. I find it useful to know how stationery paraphernalia holds up over time and after consideration. I have never had a bottle of Serenity Blue, though I tell myself I ought to for all the reasons you mention here. But I look at it and know that I wouldn’t enjoy writing with it when I know there are so many blues in my inkbrary that I find more exciting and satisfying. As you say, it’s perfectly nice. I think that all the new (“new” meaning since, say, the 1980s), vibrant inks can take a lot of credit for reviving interest in fountain pens. Being able to choose from an array of inks makes writing with fps an even more individuated experience, one we can adapt to our personalities, moods, or the season (Hallowe’en inks! 👻🎃👿👹🤖🧛🏻🧜🏾🐸). And all the wonderful nib grinds do the same. Respect to Serenity Blue, when I want a “basic” blue, I use Van Dieman’s Bass Strait Blue. I don’t know how it works in vintage pens, though. Thanks for the re-review, Mike!
I'm glad that people like a redux! I know there are a few more than I ought to do. I agree with you on the fancy inks. I'm not sure I'd go as far back as the 80s, but definitely the late 90s and early 00s. It's one of the things that drew me to fountain pens, and it still does.
@@inkdependence I just remember that in college (‘80s), we had access to only a few Sheaffer inks: red, magenta, turquoise, blue. I used to buy a few bottles of magenta and one of turquoise to mix together to make purple. I still have some. I’ll drop a photo in the Discord later.
Thanks for the comparisons. I like this ink. It's basic and easy to work with. Same with their "Mysterious Blue." I also like Sailor's "Souten" ink along with other versions of blue from other classic pen makers. Montblanc comes to mind. In general, low-density inks make maintaining my pens so much easier.
I think this undersells the ink a little. It’s definitely a standard blue but with a wet nib it has a nice sheen. I’ve seen a wide range of color depending on the pen. I use this with every new pen I get to calibrate how the nib writes. Still the only bottle of ink I’ve completely emptied.
I usually use Pilot or Sailor Blue Black to test a pen I'm uncertain about, but this is definitely a good go-to ink. I haven't really seen sheen from this ink, but I'm glad you have!
Back in the old days before fountain pens were cool again the only ink I could find was Parker 'Quink' ink, and then only in black. I can still remember the smell of that stuff. I guess it worked but I remember spending a lot of time cleaning pens.
I have serenity blue I use as a "throw away/test ink". I know it's supposed to be safe for everything but some sources say it's also quite acidic. One day I'll be curious enough to test it and find out for sure. When it comes to basic washable blues there's a lot. I'm kinda fond of lamy blue, diplomat standard bluen(the original not the octopus fluids with a diplomat label) and standard Faber castell Royal blue. 4001 blue gets the "dryest of the dry blue ink award" so I go for the others and save the 4001 for emergency moments it throw away test ink only
I've never heard anyone say it was acidic. I'd kinda doubt that was true, but I don't have the means to test the ph of inks. I also think that Lamy Blue is underrated.
@@inkdependence I can't test pH at the moment either. I dunno if it's true, I've just "heard" it and think there are a lot of good or better washable blues that get overlooked 🙃
Thank you for the review. I couldn't decide on a blue ink. I have Pilot Blue which is a nice medium blue but just doesn't do anything for me. I think Serenity Blue would have been a similar shade. I ended with Diamine Regency Blue which is a bright, dark blue but they come in small but attractive bottle. I did get Waterman Intense Black, though. I haven't tried it yet. Is it worthwhile?
I like Pilot Blue a bit more than Serenity, but I think the Pilot Blue Black is more interesting. I can't speak to the PH of those Pilot inks, though. I know they're not always neutral. Intense Black is only okay. It's not intense or black. More of a darkish grey. It's not bad, but it's not going to be my favorite black or my favorite grey.
I agree on all points, it is not interesting at all, just a good all around blue ink. Thanks to Audrey for suggesting this at the Dallas Pen Show for my little Esterbrook J. which writes wonderful.
I think the ink is great. Serenity Blue tells you a lot about the nib. In a dry nib it's just pale awful, but in a wet, especially broad nib, it's the color of a deep sapphire with that burgundy sheen.
When it comes to the very definition of fountain pen ink, the quintessential of quintessential, the archetypes throughout history, only two real types of ink emerge: washable royal blue and "permanent" blue black. These were *the* inks. In many ways, everything else was a bit of an afterthought, with the possible exception of "jet black" inks (but those really don't come up to the same social status of blue black and royal blue). Royal Blue (including this one from Waterman and the famous equivalent Koenigsblau from Pelikan) is basically zero-maintenance ink, and pretty much nothing else compares on that front. Pelikan actually has a separate provision in their usage guide around Royal Blue, saying that it requires very low maintenance compared to everything else. This is probably one of the few inks that you could reasonably just let dry out in a pen, then refill with the same ink, and probably be fine. It's as close to zero maintenance as you can get. It also probably saved the lives of many children who came home with (washable) blue ink stains on their clothes and hands.
Waterman has one of the very best ink bottles, in my opinion. So simple but effective in it's design. I wonder why more companies haven't copied it. Maybe it's a patent thing, but they've been around for a while, right? Shouldn't the patent have expired by now? I don't know!
I like this ink a bunch. I use in one of my very wet shaeffer balance’s and it comes out beautiful. Just a normal ol blue with some sheen when you lay it down wet. I like Mysterious Blue and Inspired blue a bunch too. Tho inspired blue in a dry nib is a little too light for my tastes. Tender Purple rocks too
It's a blue ink that is rather standard, not using much, often preferring the extra attitude of purple. Then if I see a sample or review of it: "Oh what a nice blue, which one is it? Visconti blue? Diamine velvet blue? Noodler's?"
My absolute favorite standard ink, when I’m not using black, is Waterman Mysterious Blue. Even though it’s been reformulated, I still think it’s interesting and I appreciate the darker shade.
Waterman Serenity blue is a very nice ink, and it has a reputation for being very safe, but it's worth keeping in mind that it is actually a fairly acidic ink. Most of the pH measurements that I've seen show it at around 2.7 to 2.9, and my own measurement of it was also around 2.9, which is a long way from being neutral (Diamine Blue Velvet is a little more acidic). In general, a bit of acidity isn't going to be a problem for pens, as we already know from years of using this ink in all sorts of pens, but it also probably shouldn't be considered an archival quality ink.
Huh. I'm surprised by the acidity. I guess the rubbers that pen sacks are made from must be okay with that sort of thing, but I'm surprised. Interesting.
@@inkdependence That's actually the point. The acidity of the ink helps it with older materials that were often fine with acidic inks, but can degrade under alkaline conditions. It's utterly safe with things like old sacs and celluloid pens, in ways that alkaline inks (especially Japanese) are often not.
Thanks for the Pilot-Serenity side-by-side. I really appreciate it when ink reviews include comparisons to widely used counterparts. And I'm with you on this ink, always felt like I was expected to like it more than I do (though for some reason it looks consistently good in my Pilot Petit).
It's a really consistent ink. It's not exciting to me, but not every ink has to be exciting or exotic.
I have a bottle of Serenity Blue and two BIG bottles of Pilot Blue and while I don't use them a lot, they are decent inks and perform well. I may have to ink up a pen or two with these guys while they're fresh in my mind. Thanks for the excellent video!
Among the best inks ever made ❤
It's a classic for a reason.
I concur
I do appreciate when you re-review inks, pens, and other items. I find it useful to know how stationery paraphernalia holds up over time and after consideration.
I have never had a bottle of Serenity Blue, though I tell myself I ought to for all the reasons you mention here. But I look at it and know that I wouldn’t enjoy writing with it when I know there are so many blues in my inkbrary that I find more exciting and satisfying. As you say, it’s perfectly nice.
I think that all the new (“new” meaning since, say, the 1980s), vibrant inks can take a lot of credit for reviving interest in fountain pens. Being able to choose from an array of inks makes writing with fps an even more individuated experience, one we can adapt to our personalities, moods, or the season (Hallowe’en inks! 👻🎃👿👹🤖🧛🏻🧜🏾🐸).
And all the wonderful nib grinds do the same.
Respect to Serenity Blue, when I want a “basic” blue, I use Van Dieman’s Bass Strait Blue. I don’t know how it works in vintage pens, though.
Thanks for the re-review, Mike!
I'm glad that people like a redux! I know there are a few more than I ought to do.
I agree with you on the fancy inks. I'm not sure I'd go as far back as the 80s, but definitely the late 90s and early 00s. It's one of the things that drew me to fountain pens, and it still does.
@@inkdependence I just remember that in college (‘80s), we had access to only a few Sheaffer inks: red, magenta, turquoise, blue. I used to buy a few bottles of magenta and one of turquoise to mix together to make purple. I still have some. I’ll drop a photo in the Discord later.
Thanks for the comparisons. I like this ink. It's basic and easy to work with. Same with their "Mysterious Blue." I also like Sailor's "Souten" ink along with other versions of blue from other classic pen makers. Montblanc comes to mind. In general, low-density inks make maintaining my pens so much easier.
I think this undersells the ink a little. It’s definitely a standard blue but with a wet nib it has a nice sheen. I’ve seen a wide range of color depending on the pen.
I use this with every new pen I get to calibrate how the nib writes. Still the only bottle of ink I’ve completely emptied.
I usually use Pilot or Sailor Blue Black to test a pen I'm uncertain about, but this is definitely a good go-to ink. I haven't really seen sheen from this ink, but I'm glad you have!
Back in the old days before fountain pens were cool again the only ink I could find was Parker 'Quink' ink, and then only in black. I can still remember the smell of that stuff. I guess it worked but I remember spending a lot of time cleaning pens.
I have serenity blue I use as a "throw away/test ink". I know it's supposed to be safe for everything but some sources say it's also quite acidic. One day I'll be curious enough to test it and find out for sure.
When it comes to basic washable blues there's a lot. I'm kinda fond of lamy blue, diplomat standard bluen(the original not the octopus fluids with a diplomat label) and standard Faber castell Royal blue. 4001 blue gets the "dryest of the dry blue ink award" so I go for the others and save the 4001 for emergency moments it throw away test ink only
I've never heard anyone say it was acidic. I'd kinda doubt that was true, but I don't have the means to test the ph of inks. I also think that Lamy Blue is underrated.
@@inkdependence I can't test pH at the moment either. I dunno if it's true, I've just "heard" it and think there are a lot of good or better washable blues that get overlooked 🙃
I would love to hear about blues you rave about!
I’ve got whole videos about that very thing!
The un-water fastness is an advantage; it makes pens easy to rinse out.
I'm not sure that's how it works. Waterfast inks are made to bond to cellulose, and not the plastics they touch in most pens.
Thank you for the review. I couldn't decide on a blue ink. I have Pilot Blue which is a nice medium blue but just doesn't do anything for me. I think Serenity Blue would have been a similar shade.
I ended with Diamine Regency Blue which is a bright, dark blue but they come in small but attractive bottle.
I did get Waterman Intense Black, though. I haven't tried it yet. Is it worthwhile?
I like Pilot Blue a bit more than Serenity, but I think the Pilot Blue Black is more interesting. I can't speak to the PH of those Pilot inks, though. I know they're not always neutral.
Intense Black is only okay. It's not intense or black. More of a darkish grey. It's not bad, but it's not going to be my favorite black or my favorite grey.
@@inkdependence Someone at the Pelikan Hub gave me Diamine Onyx Black. Dark Black?
Man I love regency blue!
@@boredandagitated If you find a store with a supply of this ink, let me know.
A great great blue ink… super legit, and possibly underrated. I LOVE blue inks..
I agree on all points, it is not interesting at all, just a good all around blue ink. Thanks to Audrey for suggesting this at the Dallas Pen Show for my little Esterbrook J. which writes wonderful.
Yep, it's a standard ink for those sorts of pens. Super trustworthy. Glad you like it!
I think the ink is great. Serenity Blue tells you a lot about the nib. In a dry nib it's just pale awful, but in a wet, especially broad nib, it's the color of a deep sapphire with that burgundy sheen.
When it comes to the very definition of fountain pen ink, the quintessential of quintessential, the archetypes throughout history, only two real types of ink emerge: washable royal blue and "permanent" blue black. These were *the* inks. In many ways, everything else was a bit of an afterthought, with the possible exception of "jet black" inks (but those really don't come up to the same social status of blue black and royal blue). Royal Blue (including this one from Waterman and the famous equivalent Koenigsblau from Pelikan) is basically zero-maintenance ink, and pretty much nothing else compares on that front. Pelikan actually has a separate provision in their usage guide around Royal Blue, saying that it requires very low maintenance compared to everything else. This is probably one of the few inks that you could reasonably just let dry out in a pen, then refill with the same ink, and probably be fine. It's as close to zero maintenance as you can get. It also probably saved the lives of many children who came home with (washable) blue ink stains on their clothes and hands.
Waterman has one of the very best ink bottles, in my opinion. So simple but effective in it's design. I wonder why more companies haven't copied it. Maybe it's a patent thing, but they've been around for a while, right? Shouldn't the patent have expired by now? I don't know!
Are the other Waterman inks PH neutral as well? Inspired Blue, Tender Purple, Harmonious Green, etc?
I don't know. I don't have the equipment to test that sort of thing for myself.
I like this ink a bunch. I use in one of my very wet shaeffer balance’s and it comes out beautiful. Just a normal ol blue with some sheen when you lay it down wet. I like Mysterious Blue and Inspired blue a bunch too. Tho inspired blue in a dry nib is a little too light for my tastes. Tender Purple rocks too
Yeah, Tender Purple is really nice. I got a bottle a while ago, and I'm surprised by how nice it is.
I use this in any pen that I am afraid will clog up, very easy to clean out of any pen and a nice color
Yep. One of the safest and most convenient inks out there.
It's a blue ink that is rather standard, not using much, often preferring the extra attitude of purple. Then if I see a sample or review of it: "Oh what a nice blue, which one is it? Visconti blue? Diamine velvet blue? Noodler's?"
I always thought of Serenity Blue as bland, flat and uninspiring. However, it is what I use for vintage pens.
Yep. Sometimes you want an ink without any frills at all, and this is the best ink in that niche, I think.
lol Morman. Ma-roo-mahn. Their Mnemosyne notebooks are awesome.