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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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Homage to Victor Hugo, Montblanc


This years writers edition of Montblanc is an homage to Victor Hugo, the French poet novelist, and dramatist of the Romantic movement. The ink in the series is a sepia brown and very fitting for the fall I believe. The ink is a bit light, almost yellowish, but still has enough style and class to be used for both personal correspondence as well as note taking in the office. It comes in the familiar 50ml square, ribbed glass bottle. 

The ink has a lot of shade and as can be seen in the writing samples below, the color shifts colors, depending on nib. With a larger dip pen the color becomes a deep brown, where the ink swab and medium nib show the ink as much lighter. In the price range you may expect a wonderful ink and Victor Hugo doesn't disappoint. Beautiful shading, no feathering, no show through, excellent lubrication. Some Montblanc inks tend to be a bit dryish while writing, but this ink is very smooth and writes like a dream. Drying time (on Tomoe River paper) is 45 secs, which is average on this paper. Keep the ink away from water, it really hates it. 

Sepia brown is an easily given label these days for inks, so how does it compare to others? KWZ's cappuccino is a lot darker. And so is Aurora Sepia. Platinum Sepia Black, an iron gall ink is darker but also more greyish. In my opinion Victor Hugo comes closest to the color of the old sepia pictures.

All in all this is a wonderful, well-behaving ink in a color that stands out from the crowd. Highly recommended!

Written on Tomoe River paper, 52g

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