Aurora Blue has red undertones, without being a blurple or falling into the Royal Blue category once dry. It is similar in tone to Sailor Kobe #14 Maya Lapis, Lamy Blue and J. Herbin 1670 coll. Bleu Océan 1st edition without the sparkles. Pilot Iroshizuku Asa-Gao and Tsuyu-Kusa look like they have a green undertone when pitted against Aurora Blue.
I’ve observed no feathering, no bleedthrough, and little to no ghosting on thinner papers.
My nibs glide on the paper even on the slightly textured ones; they skate on them while still being sure-footed; the traditional feedback of Sailor H-nibbed pens is perceivable. I even enjoyed it in my stingy Sailor 1911S 21 kt H-M, the driest of all my pens—on par with my Lamy AL-Star, if not drier.
Aurora Blue is a clear and vibrant blue, readable in all nib sizes. I like to use this ink most on white paper, but even on cream Tomoe River paper, the ink doesn’t lose its red undertone. I enjoy using this ink, and it’s a pleasure to read notes written with it; it’s easy on the eyes.
I’m partial to Italian blue inks: Visconti Blue (mid-Blue), Stipula Blu della Robbia (Deep Blue), Scribo Blue Cosmico (dark blue that sheens red during normal writing), and Aurora Blue; all different, but all equally flawless performers.
