Perle Noir is one of the most recommended and well reviewed black inks out there. When I bought this ink a few years ago, I was disappointed. It is not the blackest, not the smoothest, not the fastest drying ink, not an archival ink, not the cheapest. I decided to give it a second chance so I eyedropped a Preppy with it and filled a Lamy All-star. Over the past few days I have written many pages of work notes with the ink. Perle Noir is a well behaving black ink that is sold at a reasonable price, but it doesn't excel in anything. Below some writing samples, followed by drying times and test in water resistance. Drying times are about average to slow, 45 secs with a broad nib on Tomoe River 52g paper. The ink is certainly not water resistant, but it can handle an accidental drop. The full characteristics: Feathering none Shading hardly any Show through negligible
Yesterday I wrote a review on KWZ's beautiful IG Green #3. Today's review is of a red from the same brand, iron gall red #3.
The ink is very well behaved, no feathering or show-through, well lubricated and drying faster than average (little less than 25 secs). Shading is moderate. The water resistance is quite good, the ink can take some water and still remain legible. I have used this ink in a TWSBI with a broad nib, a TWSBI with stub nib and with an oblique 1mm tape nib. With all these pens the ink behaved perfectly on Original Crown Mill Vellum paper.
On copy paper KWZ IG feathers a little bit and there is significant show-through, but the ink is suitable for use on cheaper papers as well.
IG Red #3 is suited for long (work) notes or letters and doesn't strain the eyes. That makes it suitable for a lot of different uses. Like every IG ink this one darkens (a lot) when dry. The effect is in this color is so big you can literally see it change when writing. At first this ink turns from a bright, beautiful red into a muddy, filthy mix of red and brown, with a slight hint of purple. But it continues to darken and after a few days it is a deep dark red, leaning towards both brown and red. No longer a filthy mix, but not bad at all!
Compared to a few other red inks, not many come close. Garnet Red (Graf van Faber Castell) and Diamine's Merlot and Syrah come a bit close when the ink is still a bit wet. Oxblood is a lot more red and vivid.
KWZ's IG are well-behaved quality inks... but don't use it for a letter that will be delivered within the next three days!
