Ink Review #1091: Pilot Blue Black

Let’s take a look at another standard Pilot ink, Pilot Blue Black. Thanks to Vanness Pens for providing a sample for review!

The color:

Blue Black is a classic blue black.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink has some red sheen.

Writing samples:

Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low-there was a bit of feathering on Rhodia and Leuchtturm in the larger nib sizes.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-there was a bit of bleeding on Leuchtturm.

Other properties: medium shading, medium sheen, and no shimmer.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was some feathering but no bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Blue Black is a bit darker than Sailor Jentle Blue. Click here to see the Pilot inks together, and click here to see the blue black inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Vanishing Point Galaxy with a broad nib on a Yoseka A5 notebook. The ink had a slightly wet flow.

Overall, just like the Pilot Black I reviewed yesterday, I enjoyed this ink, but it does have a bit more feathering and bleeding than I like on some papers. While it’s a good basic blue black, there are better blue black inks out there.

Disclaimer: A sample of this ink was provided by Vanness Pens. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored in any way.