Skip to main content

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  ...
Post a Comment

Carbon black, Platinum

 



Carbon Black is a pigmented (black) ink by Platinum.  Normally I find black ink to be a bit boring but this one is different. Over the past weeks I have used it extensively in various pens and with pleasure. The subtle glossy grey mist makes the ink both shiny and intriguing. Furthermore, it comes in a beautiful simple and classic bottle that really fits the ink.  Definitely an ink to use in the office, but pleasant enough for personal notes and journaling too. Personally I don't think it's warm enough for personal correspondence.  

There is no feathering and no shading. The ink is moderately wet and smooth. Even though it comes with warnings not to leave it in a pen for too long, I haven't run into any problems at all, even when leaving the ink in pens for several weeks. When dry, the ink is waterproof. Water didn't affect it at all. Drying times are acceptable, 35 secs on Rhodia paper.

The characteristics:

Feathering None
Shading None
Show through Light
Wetness Moderate
Lubrication Good
Shimmer/sheen None
Price/ml € 0,32

While definitely a deep black ink, Carbon Black is not as black as Aurora or Noodler's Heart of Darkness. It is much closer to Iroshizuku's Take-Sumi.   

Carbon Black is a wonderful black ink. It really captivated me and has become my favorite black ink. Five stars out of a possible five.


Rhodia paper

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Writer's blood, Diamine

  Writer's Blood by Diamine. The latest addition and chosen by Reddit's r/fountainpen community after a long debate and many voting rounds. A dark red, heavily leaning towards brown and aubergine purple. A subtle color that works both in the office and for personal correspondence.   There is no feathering and some shading. The ink is very wet, even wetter than usual for Diamine. The ink is smooth. I was surprised to see it can handle a bit of water. At least your work will remain legible. Drying times are slow, 85 secs on Tomoe River paper. The characteristics: Feathering None Shading Some Show through Light Wetness High Lubrication Excellent Shimmer/sheen None Price/ml € 0,12 Writer's Blood reminded me most of Diamine Oxblood. In some...
Post a Comment
Read more

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  ...
Post a Comment
Read more

James A. Purdey & Sons, Montblanc

James Purdey & Sons Single Malt scented ink was released in 2018 by Montblanc as part of a series in collaboration with James A. Purdey, a hunting lifestyle brand. The ink surprised me! Single malt scented ink sounded at first like a (overpriced) gimmick and to some extend it is of course. But the color is a deep, beautiful orange-brown with amazing shading. Definitely a fall color which can be used in both a business environment (note taking) as well as for personal writing and correspondence. Be careful though, when opening the bottle or the pen cap the whisky scent is quite strong. It might be frowned upon at 830am when the meeting starts... The scent fades quickly though, within minutes. After 20-30 minutes the smell of the paper itself always wins. The ink behaves like most Montblanc inks I own. Perfect behavior in a broad, wide nib. A bit dry and with a strong dislike for TWSBI pens. The shading is wonderful, no feathering, and no show-through. Drying time is well bel...
Post a Comment
Read more