The above photo was taken in direct sunlight. Ink is swatched on Clairefontaine 90gsm paper, using a glass dip pen.
Specs
Name: Baystate Blue
Maker: Noodlers
Color Family: Blue
Properties: Permanent (waterproof)
Purchased at: Goulet Pens
What’s in a name?
Massachusetts is known as the Bay State, and it’s the state where Noodler’s is headquartered, so I assume this is a state pride sort of thing.
Swatches
A large swatch of ink showcases the darkest this ink gets, as well as the maximum properties it has (when held at the right angle to show any shimmer or sheen). But what about when you’re writing a letter or notes with it?
The above was written on Clairefontaine 90gsm paper, using a Benu Briolette fountain pen with a Medium nib.
Of course, for maximum effect you want to see it in light and in motion. The following video shows the ink swatched on Skylab Letterpress 160gsm cards.
Thoughts
Baystate Blue is a vibrant, true blue. No undertones of anything else, no shimmering, no sheening, no shading. In fact, it’s a highly water-resistant formula (something Noodler’s does a lot of) and marketed as waterproof”. If you’re signing documents and want to protect against forgery, this would be the ink to use!
Unfortunately, it also stains like you wouldn’t believe. Not just hands and clothing, but the barrel of any pen you put it in! I had it in my Benu for about one hour and it left the plastic stained. Yikes.
As colors go, it’s comparable to a classic Bic pen blue, so not too unique or exciting. It’s very vibrant, which I’ve heard some people find annoyingly bright, but to me it comes across as a professional color. Thus, not likely for me to use much. Still, in a lawyer’s office this seems like THE ink.
*All pics and vid were taken using a Google Pixel 4a and color-adjusted to best reflect the hue of that ink.
Leave a Reply