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Perle Noir, Herbin

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 
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Prussian Blue, Diamine


Late november. The days are noticeably short and the first Christmas decorations and festive lights in the streets are there. I was looking for a cold, but still blue color to write in this season. Prussian Blue is such a color. Elegant and classic enough for the workspace, beautiful and different enough for personal correspondence and notes. 

The ink is very well behaved, a pleasure to write with. Most if not all Diamine inks are great and this one is no exception. No feathering, enough lubrication and beautiful shading. Maybe the ink is a bit wetter than average, but with 35 secs drying time still reasonable. There is even some water resistance. 

The ink is quite low in saturation. It did remind me a bit of Herbin's Vert de Gris (green cousin?). Other blues like Iroshizuku's Shin-kai or Sailor's Kikyou are a lot more blue and - especially Kikyou - also more saturated.

All is all this is a nice winter ink. I'm sure I will use it regularly at least up to and including January.


Crown Mill Vellum paper

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