Rohrer & Klingner Fountain Pen Ink (50mL) - Blu Mare

I bought Blu Mare mainly to pit against Pilot Iroshizuku Ama-Iro and Kon-Peki, but also to see how it compared to my other turquoises. It is greener than both Ama-Iro and Kon-Peki, but it is still blue, and has roughly the same saturation as Ama-Iro, with Kon-Peki being darker and more saturated. Diamine Florida Blue and Mediterranean Blue are bluer, as are Sailor Kobe Harbor Sky, Bungubox Hatsuyume Aofuji and Kobe #42 Rokko Island Blue.

In pens with an average flow, Blu Mare is similar to Stipula Light Blue, Scribo Blu Capri, Waterman Inspired Blue, Kobe Wind Blue, Aurora Turquoise and Diamine Aqua Blue. Of course, all these observations are subjective and pen and paper dependent. I’ve observed some shading—but the ink is pretty even through the writing—and no sheen or outline.

For a light ink, it’s well saturated and readable. I’ll use it for markup and corrections, but not for copious notes as it is prone to feathering on certain papers. Flow is above average and the ink coats the nib well; it doesn’t feel think or watery, not even in my dry writers.

Turquoises and aquas tend to lean either blue or green. I like that Blu Mare leans blue. All in all, a beautiful turquoise blue!

I have used this ink in a variety of pens (from a vintage Esterbrook J to a new Kaweco Sport) and in each case it writes beautifully. A very smooth writing experience, and I love the cheerful colour: One of my favourite inks to write with on dreary winter days.

This is a moderately bright and bold turquoise colour ... think of the ocean colour in an ocean paradise or perhaps Lake Louise. Some turquoises look a little washed out but this one is not pale at all. The sample photo on the website shows it to be a sky blue sort of colour but you can tell from the colour cast on the paper that the colour balance is too cool ... just so you are not surprised if you order it. It flows nicely. It takes a little longer to dry ... maybe 10 seconds or slightly less.