It's worth also mentioning the utility of the Waterman bottles. Even if you end up binning off the ink, you can rinse out the bottle and use it again. The facets allowing you to orient it on any of several sides, as the ink level depletes, make for a nice design touch. Comparing these with, say, the 30ml J Herbin bottles is no contest in my mind. The Herbins look nicer, yes, but they're as useful as a chocolate coffeepot.
I honestly hate this ink…because it’s so fucking good! It’s absolutely gorgeous, it’s dirt cheap, and I keep coming back to it over most of my more expensive inks! I have Iroshizuku, regular Pilot, Diamine, Noodlers, and I can’t stop using it over them! It sheens wonderfully but conservatively, it’s a gorgeous color, it’s wet but behaves itself on normal paper…it’s insane it’s only like 10 bucks. It’s easy to clean, doesn’t smudge too much and stands out. I will literally always own a bottle until the day I die or they stop making it. And if they stop making it I will lose my mind because it’s just so good for the price and in general. It almost makes you mad because of how good it is!
In my view, this is the very best ink for daily writing you can buy, its properties are marvellous, and it helps every pen to perform well. The colour and shade is decent.
I have loved this ink for a while but I thought it was Mysterious Blue, due to a mislabeled bottle from Waterman. Was never sure if what I had was Serenity or Mysterious Blue.Thanks to the great lighting setup in your videos, the “mystery” is solved!
Don't be fooled by the price waterman's ink is one of the only inks trust to put on my vintage collection pens. The quality is exceptional and the flow is just perfect, almost no feathering and dries fairly quick plus it leaves no residue in between the tines.
What about pelikan, it seems to be a balanced overall ink with good waterproofness(considering how fast it dries)and doesn't smudges much! Wouldn't it be a great ink for daily usage ?
I just got back into fountain pens after being away for may years. I always used cartridges because it was easier for school. This was my first bottled ink and honestly, it should be in everyone's collection. I can't remember who said it (possibly Brian Goulet?) but it was recommended for beginners or if you are having trouble with a pen because it is so well-behaved. It was good advice.. I love it and I will buy more when I run out.
I am a fan of this ink. I have 3 Waterman inks and I like them all. And, I like to mix them to make other colors, Black with Blue, Black with Purple. Makes for some nice colors.
I had this when it was Florida Blue, years ago. It was my first ever ink and I love it. Nice and cheap and a fantastic Blue ink, I feel. Great review, thanks 😀👍🏻
nice review clear and concise without being overly technical, just helped me make up my mind that this IS the ink I want for my newly purchased fountain pen
I like the new format for the ending conclusion! Also, I’ve had Pilot Blue sheen with a folded nib. I wonder what Serenity and Pilot Blue would be like side to side. Also, I love your water test pangram.
i remember that i've bought this ink in the morning from the stationary shop, about 7 am. i was going to have an exam in the school. i was stunned when i tested it. yes, i was testing this ink, where i should better prepare for the exam :D i've been using it for about 6 months and very nice ink. i use it as a default writing ink. my former ink was the classic pelikan 4001 königsblau, and this ink is relatively more condensed. It has a slight reddish sheen which is sometimes annoying, because if your cap seals poorly, then first 3 letters become brown. maybe it is more expensive in the us, but in the europe and nearby countries, it is possible to buy it about 5$.
It is amazing that the vintage Waterman Serenity Blue from the 60s Canadian version gives the same shade of blue after all this time, as compared to the new Serenity Blue ink from my new brand bottle. Got the vintage bottle from an antique store, no brainer purchase.
Hey! Great review! I really like this ink. I use it to take notes, but over time I found two drawbacks: 1. The notes fade over time, it becomes difficult to read the text. 2. Not waterproof! A drop fell from the hands and the entire text is corrupted. Maybe someone knows similar ink with the same color and waterproof? Her color is very cool!
I have a bottle of Waterman black ink, and I have been very impressed with it. High price does not always mean better ink. PS, just how big is a monster stub nib?
Love your ink reviews. It got me to purchase this Serenity blue and inspired blue. I’m looking into blue blacks now. What do you think about the Mysterious blue? Can you please do a review on it?
Three of the most important factors to chose an ink for me are Lubrication, Flow and Smoothness when writing and you never mention those in your reviews. I enjoy your reviews and high lighting those factors would make them better. Thank you.
so, i'm confused - the color of this ink looks like a less insane Baystate Blue here, but in other places it looks darker and more dusky, less vibrant. is it actually similar to Baystate Blue, or would BSB look hyper bright in your camera / lighting setup? i kinda like BSB, but a milder (80% as punchy) and less stain-everything ink would be welcome. is Serenity like that, or something else?
I would like to see BSB in the lighting setup, but I don't have a pen that I'd be okay with sacrificing yet for that. The overhead lights are 5500k at 2100lm measured per bulb and the side fills are 5000k at 4500lm measured per bulb. So I've got a total of 22200 lm of light hitting the paper. It gives me more flexibility to drop the ISO down to base and make up for the light halving of the MFT sensor.
@@TheInkedWell so, indoor sunlight. CRI over 95, i guess? the visual results are downright SOLID. hmm, how about a side-by-side shot using just a Q-tip swab, or a toothpick as a "nib"? or go old school - bird feather cut to make a quill.
I try over 20 blue inks. All of them look's very nice blue on video/photo, but in reality, on the paper, are 👎👎👎, with purple tone, with black tone etc. For example my Serenity Blue, on paper is blue-black and in photo is dark grey. I also have Noodler's Baystate Blue, on the paper is purple-black and in photo/video is light blue. I'm very disapointed of "blue" ink. In my opinien doesn't exist pure blue ink. A litle bit Diamine Royal Blue and Lamy Blue is approaching blue, without purple tone in reality. After so many attemps and money invested in inks, i gave up blue and i stayed on turquoise (Pelikan Edelstein Topaz, Iroshizuku Kon-Peki, Cross Azur).
This stuff isn’t waterproof, really get it wet, like something like a drink spill. It also seems to fade fast especially in the sun. It’s not a bad ink for everyday use, I would not use it for college class notes that I might want to long term keep, or archive. The Pilot Namiki Standard ink is about the same cost, it’s much more waterproof, works on printer-copy paper, aka cheap paper and seems more lightfast.
So, since this review, I managed to spill (read as drop) one of my Endless Works notebooks into a rather significant body of water (read as Lake At Dog Park). Thanks to my dogs it was in there for a good 45 seconds to a minute and it didn't get a chance to get fully dried for at least another 3 or 4 minutes while I walked back to the car. It held up just fine. It's not Noodler's waterproof by any means, but it was still a 3/5 on the "I can still read it just fine" scale. I probably should have said "Water Resistant". Normally I'm much better at distinguishing between the two. But my statement about it being a good ink is still there. I have no problem taking this ink to work or if I do go back to college, then take it to class. It survived a dog park disaster so that's a good ink to me. Also not going to disagree on Namiki Standard for being better under water. It's a 4/5. I just haven't gotten around to reviewing it yet. Maybe over the summer?
I really like serenity blue for the color and how well it works with cheap paper. But I had to stop using it since it corroded the metal grip section on my Lamy 2000.
Oh that's a beautiful blue. Another good thing about waterman Serenity blue is its safe to use in vintage fountain pens. Won't clog or stain.
I use around 40 inks of all shades, types and manufacturers-but I had to have only one ink Serenity Blue would be my choice.
It's worth also mentioning the utility of the Waterman bottles. Even if you end up binning off the ink, you can rinse out the bottle and use it again. The facets allowing you to orient it on any of several sides, as the ink level depletes, make for a nice design touch. Comparing these with, say, the 30ml J Herbin bottles is no contest in my mind. The Herbins look nicer, yes, but they're as useful as a chocolate coffeepot.
I did miss out on the utility portion. I’ll be revisiting the Waterman line. I’ll have to remember to bring that up.
I honestly hate this ink…because it’s so fucking good! It’s absolutely gorgeous, it’s dirt cheap, and I keep coming back to it over most of my more expensive inks! I have Iroshizuku, regular Pilot, Diamine, Noodlers, and I can’t stop using it over them! It sheens wonderfully but conservatively, it’s a gorgeous color, it’s wet but behaves itself on normal paper…it’s insane it’s only like 10 bucks. It’s easy to clean, doesn’t smudge too much and stands out. I will literally always own a bottle until the day I die or they stop making it. And if they stop making it I will lose my mind because it’s just so good for the price and in general. It almost makes you mad because of how good it is!
In my view, this is the very best ink for daily writing you can buy, its properties are marvellous, and it helps every pen to perform well. The colour and shade is decent.
I have loved this ink for a while but I thought it was Mysterious Blue, due to a mislabeled bottle from Waterman. Was never sure if what I had was Serenity or Mysterious Blue.Thanks to the great lighting setup in your videos, the “mystery” is solved!
Don't be fooled by the price waterman's ink is one of the only inks trust to put on my vintage collection pens. The quality is exceptional and the flow is just perfect, almost no feathering and dries fairly quick plus it leaves no residue in between the tines.
If Watermans ink is not available, what other inks would be safe in a vintage pen?
@@civrn368 …Sheaffer and Parker Quink inks are also reputed to be perfectly suited to and safe for all pens, particularly vintage pens.
What about pelikan, it seems to be a balanced overall ink with good waterproofness(considering how fast it dries)and doesn't smudges much! Wouldn't it be a great ink for daily usage ?
I just got back into fountain pens after being away for may years. I always used cartridges because it was easier for school. This was my first bottled ink and honestly, it should be in everyone's collection. I can't remember who said it (possibly Brian Goulet?) but it was recommended for beginners or if you are having trouble with a pen because it is so well-behaved. It was good advice.. I love it and I will buy more when I run out.
It’s a good blue and a very well behaved ink. I’m trying to decide if it’s a penabling ink for me though?
Love the jazzy interlude during the water test 👍
I am a fan of this ink. I have 3 Waterman inks and I like them all. And, I like to mix them to make other colors, Black with Blue, Black with Purple. Makes for some nice colors.
What are the proportions you mix them up? Black with purple to get a darker purple- what proportions of each ?
I had this when it was Florida Blue, years ago. It was my first ever ink and I love it. Nice and cheap and a fantastic Blue ink, I feel. Great review, thanks 😀👍🏻
nice review clear and concise without being overly technical, just helped me make up my mind that this IS the ink I want for my newly purchased fountain pen
I like the new format for the ending conclusion! Also, I’ve had Pilot Blue sheen with a folded nib. I wonder what Serenity and Pilot Blue would be like side to side. Also, I love your water test pangram.
Really enjoying these reviews and love 2G0P. Wish it was weekly.
i remember that i've bought this ink in the morning from the stationary shop, about 7 am. i was going to have an exam in the school. i was stunned when i tested it. yes, i was testing this ink, where i should better prepare for the exam :D
i've been using it for about 6 months and very nice ink. i use it as a default writing ink. my former ink was the classic pelikan 4001 königsblau, and this ink is relatively more condensed. It has a slight reddish sheen which is sometimes annoying, because if your cap seals poorly, then first 3 letters become brown.
maybe it is more expensive in the us, but in the europe and nearby countries, it is possible to buy it about 5$.
Excellent ink review. Subscribed !
Love this saturated blue, my only dis is it seems a bit too wet for me: try doing a smear test on tomoe river paper!:)
It is amazing that the vintage Waterman Serenity Blue from the 60s Canadian version gives the same shade of blue after all this time, as compared to the new Serenity Blue ink from my new brand bottle. Got the vintage bottle from an antique store, no brainer purchase.
Thanks a lot mate! For balanced review, was looking for this one. Will add the serenity to my cart soon, thanks a ton and best wishes!! 🙌
Great video! You’ve inspired me to crack open my bottle of Serenity Blue!!
Hey! Great review! I really like this ink. I use it to take notes, but over time I found two drawbacks: 1. The notes fade over time, it becomes difficult to read the text. 2. Not waterproof! A drop fell from the hands and the entire text is corrupted. Maybe someone knows similar ink with the same color and waterproof? Her color is very cool!
Thank you for your review! definitely a good ink!
How interesting, I’m learning so much about these areas, thank you 👍
So, I've had a bottle for over a year, unopened. Recently put it in a medium nib. Nice. A tad lighter than what I Iike in a blue. But, good.
Serenity Blue is more beautiful than Baystate Blue, which is "loud" and brash imo.
I like your ink blot.
Hey, thanks for sharing the information. I'll give this ink a look later on!
Alright, I miiiiiiiiiight actually dig out my sample and give it a try.
I have a bottle of Waterman black ink, and I have been very impressed with it. High price does not always mean better ink. PS, just how big is a monster stub nib?
1.9mm or larger is normally monster stub for me.
Love your ink reviews. It got me to purchase this Serenity blue and inspired blue. I’m looking into blue blacks now. What do you think about the Mysterious blue? Can you please do a review on it?
Three of the most important factors to chose an ink for me are Lubrication, Flow and Smoothness when writing and you never mention those in your reviews. I enjoy your reviews and high lighting those factors would make them better. Thank you.
I will definitely keep that in mind and try to work that in better
I would like to see you write with the pen with this ink, maybe with two different nib sizes.
Nice review man
so, i'm confused - the color of this ink looks like a less insane Baystate Blue here, but in other places it looks darker and more dusky, less vibrant. is it actually similar to Baystate Blue, or would BSB look hyper bright in your camera / lighting setup? i kinda like BSB, but a milder (80% as punchy) and less stain-everything ink would be welcome. is Serenity like that, or something else?
I would like to see BSB in the lighting setup, but I don't have a pen that I'd be okay with sacrificing yet for that. The overhead lights are 5500k at 2100lm measured per bulb and the side fills are 5000k at 4500lm measured per bulb. So I've got a total of 22200 lm of light hitting the paper. It gives me more flexibility to drop the ISO down to base and make up for the light halving of the MFT sensor.
@@TheInkedWell so, indoor sunlight. CRI over 95, i guess? the visual results are downright SOLID. hmm, how about a side-by-side shot using just a Q-tip swab, or a toothpick as a "nib"? or go old school - bird feather cut to make a quill.
i like this review now that i know how cheap the inks are i might have to pick up a couple bottles maybe a red and black :)
I try over 20 blue inks. All of them look's very nice blue on video/photo, but in reality, on the paper, are 👎👎👎, with purple tone, with black tone etc. For example my Serenity Blue, on paper is blue-black and in photo is dark grey. I also have Noodler's Baystate Blue, on the paper is purple-black and in photo/video is light blue. I'm very disapointed of "blue" ink. In my opinien doesn't exist pure blue ink. A litle bit Diamine Royal Blue and Lamy Blue is approaching blue, without purple tone in reality. After so many attemps and money invested in inks, i gave up blue and i stayed on turquoise (Pelikan Edelstein Topaz, Iroshizuku Kon-Peki, Cross Azur).
This stuff isn’t waterproof, really get it wet, like something like a drink spill. It also seems to fade fast especially in the sun. It’s not a bad ink for everyday use, I would not use it for college class notes that I might want to long term keep, or archive. The Pilot Namiki Standard ink is about the same cost, it’s much more waterproof, works on printer-copy paper, aka cheap paper and seems more lightfast.
So, since this review, I managed to spill (read as drop) one of my Endless Works notebooks into a rather significant body of water (read as Lake At Dog Park). Thanks to my dogs it was in there for a good 45 seconds to a minute and it didn't get a chance to get fully dried for at least another 3 or 4 minutes while I walked back to the car.
It held up just fine. It's not Noodler's waterproof by any means, but it was still a 3/5 on the "I can still read it just fine" scale. I probably should have said "Water Resistant". Normally I'm much better at distinguishing between the two. But my statement about it being a good ink is still there. I have no problem taking this ink to work or if I do go back to college, then take it to class. It survived a dog park disaster so that's a good ink to me.
Also not going to disagree on Namiki Standard for being better under water. It's a 4/5. I just haven't gotten around to reviewing it yet. Maybe over the summer?
@@TheInkedWell Sounds like another trip to the dog park is in order? :)
Will it work for pilot v5 rollerball pen? Please suggest a alternative ink from pilot v5 pen
Unfortunately I am not the best to ask when it comes to the world of rollerballs.
Good video. But there was a cat tail on your forehead.
I really like serenity blue for the color and how well it works with cheap paper. But I had to stop using it since it corroded the metal grip section on my Lamy 2000.
It’s expensive!