on saleDiamine Oxford Blue - Ink Sample

I am just starting to try out inks, but Diamine's OB ink is a deeper, more solid blue than Pilot's Blue Black.

Oxford Blue is a great everyday ink with a rich, enjoyable dark blue ink with a bit of pleasant saturation. This ink works well with many different pens and is such a pleasure to use. Picked up a bottle immediately! I plan on using this one for a long time.

I got a sample of this ink with the 8-pack random sample set. I had looked over the swatches when I was contemplating which blue I wanted to try with my first fountain pen, but chose a different ink, not thinking too much of the images presented here. Somehow I missed the sheening properties that are so obvious in the photos. Boy, was I surprised when I inked up my brand new TWSBI ECO with Diamine Oxford Blue and fell in love! When writing large, I could swear I was seeing some sheening (I was) even though I was certain I hadn't noticed it being listed as having sheening properties (it is). When swatching it, pow! Just enough sheening to come through in a subtle way, but not enough to overpower the blue and make the color look purple or red. It adds so much character to my writing, even if it is "just" a dark blue. When shopping, I had been trying to find a perfect true dark blue that wouldn't reveal teal or purple undertones, and this one meets that requirement! It also doesn't have a desaturated look. It is confidently blue, but without being too bright or flashy. It flows beautifully out of the broad nib. I write fairly large, and in print, so the shading comes through wonderfully. It doesn't feather or bleed on the 120gsm paper I use in my notebook. I don't think I have even seen any ghosting, even on dollar store index cards! The dark portions of my letters are deep and rich, the lighter parts still clearly legible. I highly recommend this blue to anyone who is looking for a reliable and beautiful TRUE blue, who doesn't want anything too flashy or high maintenance!

So blue it's almost black. None of this lightweight sky blue stuff. The deep blue just before night. I love it.

This is impressive. Even with a wider nib, such as stub, the colour does not fade but is consistent, a deep blue.