INK REVIEW: Noodler’s Baystate Concord Grape

Posted on by

Noodler’s Baystate Concord Grape Ink Swab

Disclaimer: While I usually scan the sheets of paper for my ink reviews, these images are coming right out of my iPhone. That explains the inconsistencies in color and quality.

Second Disclaimer: I realize that this post flies in the face of what I said last week about putting up with some other things as long as the color and saturation are there. What can I say? I’m fickle.

If you’ve been in the fountain pen community for any length of time, you  have probably heard of Noodler’s Baystate Blue. Famous for it’s amazing color and it’s amazing ability to stain (or even ruin?) your most loved pens.

But Blue isn’t the only Baystate color from Noodler’s. There is Concord Grape and also Cranberry.

Today, we discuss Concord Grape.

No likeie.

The color is what I expected – very saturated, very purple. No complaints there.

But here’s the problem….

Baystate Concord Grape – Apica Paper Test
Noodler’s Baystate Concord Grape – Levenger Paper Test
Noodler’s Baystate Concord Grape – HP 32lb Paper Test

It’s the feathering. Click on the images to see the full-size or have a look at these screenshots from the original images.

If it was just one paper (especially the Levenger, which has been questionable with a number of inks), I could let it go. The color is so great that a problem here or there is ok with me, but this ink was a problem on almost every paper I used.

I was using a Pilot Metropolitan (medium nib). It’s a pen I’m very familiar with and have had no problems with in the past. After the ink sat in this pen for a day or so, the flow was terrible – I eventually had to open the pen and give the squeezie converter thing a little squeeze to get things flowing again.

With most of my ink reviews, I use the ink regularly for an entire week before posting. I was only a few days into the week before I realized that I wasn’t reaching for this ink at all. It was making a mess out of my work notebook (a Rhodia) with all of its ugly feathering.

Now, of course, your mileage may vary and I’m no expert in pens and inks (just love me some pretty colors and shiny things). If you’ve tried Baystate Concord Grape, I would love to hear about your experiences.

4,708 thoughts on “INK REVIEW: Noodler’s Baystate Concord Grape”

  24. Exceptional post however , I was wanting to know if you could write a litte
    more on this subject? I’d be very grateful if you could
    elaborate a little bit more. Thank you!

    Reply ↓

  31. I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s
    both equally educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head.
    The problem is something which not enough folks are speaking intelligently about.
    I am very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something regarding this.

    Reply ↓

  32. With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation?
    My website has a lot of unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it
    appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my
    agreement. Do you know any solutions to help stop
    content from being ripped off? I’d definitely appreciate it.

    Reply ↓

  36. Great weblog here! Additionally your website quite a bit up fast!

    What web host are you the use of? Can I get your associate link on your host?
    I desire my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol

    Reply ↓

  43. Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always exciting to read articles from other authors and use a little something from their websites.

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *