Ink Review #1990: Van Dieman's Bass Strait Cobalt Blue

Van Dieman’s Bass Strait Cobalt is from the Colours of Tasmania Collection. You can find this ink for sale at Vanness Pens. (This is the original formula, not the reformulation.)

The color:

Bass Strait Cobalt is a classic medium blue.

*For my swab cards I use a Col-o-ring by Skylab Letterpress, a medium Pilot Ishime and a Mabie Todd Swan.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink is a bit darker.

Writing samples:

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

*For my writing samples I use:

• EF Pilot Vanishing Point

• F, M, B Pilot Ishime

• Vintage Mabie Todd Swan (flex nib)

• Rhodia Goalbook

• Taroko Enigma notebooks (68gsm TR)

• Leuchtturm A5

• Pen & Gear Paper from Walmart

Dry time: 10 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: Medium

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low

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

On 20 lb copy paper the ink had some feathering and some bleeding.

Comparison Swabs:

Bass Strait Cobalt is closest to Ferris Wheel Press Jelly Bean Blue. Click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Montegrappa Elmo with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had an average flow.

Overall, there’s too much bleeding and feathering for me. I wish it was better behaved.

Disclaimer: All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored.