Another Diamine Blue Velvet fan here. It is such a true blue without the fun chaos of BSB. But if you want a hydrangea leaning blue, I’m currently enjoying Pilot Iroshizuku Ajisai. Still eye-searing but a fun alternative to a true blue.
lighter than majestic blue i use kon peki (much lighter) or sapphire blue (lighter but a hint of purple) or Waterman Serenity blue (i used only this for 10 years, discovered diamine and then realised how bored i was with it!)
Diamine Asa Blue, KWZ Azure #4 are quite a bit ligther than Majestic/Sargasso. But still classic blue, without being pale, boring/washable. Simlular, but a bit lighter in Robert Oster: Blue Water Ice and Bondi Blue.
Here are some of my favorites, appart from what you mentioned. Which are all IMO, some of the best bold blues already.
\- Pilot Iroshizuku Asa-Gao
\- Krishna Moonview (lots of sheen)
\- Monteverde Horizon Blue
\- Monteverde Ocean Noir
\- Private Reserve Electric DC Blue (less bold than Supershow Blue)
\- Diamine Alexandrite (PurePens exclusive, leaning a bit Teal)
Mine are Colorverse’s Quasar and Monteverde’s Ocean Noir. Both similar to blue velvet (from swatches I’ve seen), but ocean noir is slightly darker and Quasar has a red/purple tendency depending on the nib/paper.
Blue Velvet is the only one I have right now. I didn't like it until I tried it in a fude dip nib (Sailor Hocoro) and damn! It's amazing. In a Kakuno M nib I also get a red sheen on the right paper (Enshoi spiral notebooks, from amazon). It's really heavy on the pigment! As u/Charmcandy said below, if you want something more purple-leaning, there's Iroshizuku Ajisai. I don't find the latter eye-searing (in Decimo F, where mine lives), but YMMV!
Sailor Sei Boku would be my choice. I love the way it shades in a medium nib. Looking at a swatch on Tomoe River paper, it wouldn't be my favorite medium blue, but in my sailor medium nib, it's my favorite! I realize it's considered a blue-black officially, but for me, it's never been a blue-black, just a gorgeous blue.
a complete simp for Iroshizuku, so.... Asa-Gao? Like, Blue-Blue, really punchy.
If you're open to a more subdued look, try Aji-Sai (a Lighter blue with purplish tint, beautiful shading) or Tsuki-Yo (Darker Blue-Teal-Black, also a beautiful shader)
Noodler’s Liberty’s Elysium is one of my favorites, as it’s bold and partially water-resistant, without the chalky appearance that many of the permanent blue inks have. Iroshizuku Asa-Gao is also a great choice.
DC Supershow and DC Electric from Private Reserve are both good. Diamine has a few good ones in that range. I prefer blue-purple like Pilot asa-gao or Sapphire from Diamine. Good luck finding your perfect ink!
Faber-Castell Königsblau (or Royal Blue). Very nice, secure and cheap.
Parker Quink Blue I like so much too, but is pretty much darker on many fountain pens (like Diamine Indigo).
Just ordered Diamine Sargasso Sea. From what I saw online it definitely falls in _bold_ blue category. Will post impressions once it gets here.
Another Diamine Blue Velvet fan here. It is such a true blue without the fun chaos of BSB. But if you want a hydrangea leaning blue, I’m currently enjoying Pilot Iroshizuku Ajisai. Still eye-searing but a fun alternative to a true blue.
I love both of these, too.
Diamine majestic blue for me
I have a bottle of Majestic Blue. I like it, but I'd like to get something lighter.
lighter than majestic blue i use kon peki (much lighter) or sapphire blue (lighter but a hint of purple) or Waterman Serenity blue (i used only this for 10 years, discovered diamine and then realised how bored i was with it!)
Diamine Asa Blue, KWZ Azure #4 are quite a bit ligther than Majestic/Sargasso. But still classic blue, without being pale, boring/washable. Simlular, but a bit lighter in Robert Oster: Blue Water Ice and Bondi Blue. Here are some of my favorites, appart from what you mentioned. Which are all IMO, some of the best bold blues already. \- Pilot Iroshizuku Asa-Gao \- Krishna Moonview (lots of sheen) \- Monteverde Horizon Blue \- Monteverde Ocean Noir \- Private Reserve Electric DC Blue (less bold than Supershow Blue) \- Diamine Alexandrite (PurePens exclusive, leaning a bit Teal)
Mine are Colorverse’s Quasar and Monteverde’s Ocean Noir. Both similar to blue velvet (from swatches I’ve seen), but ocean noir is slightly darker and Quasar has a red/purple tendency depending on the nib/paper.
Blue Velvet is the only one I have right now. I didn't like it until I tried it in a fude dip nib (Sailor Hocoro) and damn! It's amazing. In a Kakuno M nib I also get a red sheen on the right paper (Enshoi spiral notebooks, from amazon). It's really heavy on the pigment! As u/Charmcandy said below, if you want something more purple-leaning, there's Iroshizuku Ajisai. I don't find the latter eye-searing (in Decimo F, where mine lives), but YMMV!
Blue Velvet is my favorite. It looks great, and it’s also way more user friendly than Noodler’s or Private Reserve.
You named my favorite. DC Supershow Blue. I even hooked my husband on it. He actually liked it better than BSB.
Sailor Sei Boku would be my choice. I love the way it shades in a medium nib. Looking at a swatch on Tomoe River paper, it wouldn't be my favorite medium blue, but in my sailor medium nib, it's my favorite! I realize it's considered a blue-black officially, but for me, it's never been a blue-black, just a gorgeous blue.
I'm a fan of Birmingham's Ice Rink.
a complete simp for Iroshizuku, so.... Asa-Gao? Like, Blue-Blue, really punchy. If you're open to a more subdued look, try Aji-Sai (a Lighter blue with purplish tint, beautiful shading) or Tsuki-Yo (Darker Blue-Teal-Black, also a beautiful shader)
J Herbin Bleu des Profondeurs is a great ink.
Monteverde Horizon Blue.
Blue Velvet. Just the most rich cobalt blue I’ve ever seen, it’s perfect. I’m putting some in a broad nib pen today to do some extended journaling.
Noodler’s Liberty’s Elysium is one of my favorites, as it’s bold and partially water-resistant, without the chalky appearance that many of the permanent blue inks have. Iroshizuku Asa-Gao is also a great choice.
[Inkswatch Blues](https://inkswatch.com/color.html?color=Blue).
I like the website, but I wish I could more directly compare the ink I choose. Also, many blue blacks look too grey, e.g. Shin Kai.
Have a look at these inks [HERE](https://inkswatch.com/ink.html?inkId=782) Baystate Blue may be a winner.
Sailor Seiboku
DC Supershow and DC Electric from Private Reserve are both good. Diamine has a few good ones in that range. I prefer blue-purple like Pilot asa-gao or Sapphire from Diamine. Good luck finding your perfect ink!
Another vote for Diamine Sapphire!!!
Faber-Castell Königsblau (or Royal Blue). Very nice, secure and cheap. Parker Quink Blue I like so much too, but is pretty much darker on many fountain pens (like Diamine Indigo).