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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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Around the World in 80 Days, Montblanc

 



Visiting Paris last month, I couldn't resist visiting the Montblanc flagship store and pick up a bottle of ink. Around the World in 80 Days is a limited edition ink, part of the recent collection about Jules Verne's description of Phileas Fogg's adventure. Nicely packed and in the well-known beautiful bottle. The ink is someone between blue and green, increasingly green in a wetter, broader nib. As such it is suitable for both the office as well as personal notes and correspondence. Personally, I like the ink best in finer nibs. It seems more dark and blue that way. 

I have tried the ink on both Tomoe River and Rhodia paper. The ink behaved flawlessly and feels a little bit on the dry side. Drying time is neither slow nor fast, 40 secs on Tomoe River. 

On Rhodia paper

On Tomoe River (52g)


The ink doesn't handle water very well, even after a few days the ink smears easily when some water drops are applied. Careful! 

The full characteristics:

Feathering none
Shading moderate
Show through negligible 
Wetness low
Lubrication good enough, bit dry
Shimmer/sheen n/a
Price/ml € 0,71

The ink is less blue than it seems on the box and reminded me of both Tsuki-Yo and Ku-Jaku (both Iroshizuku). IG Turquoise (KWZ) is definitely a lot darker.  


Around the World in 80 days is a decent blue/green ink that behaves as you might expect from Montblanc. In my opinion it does lack surprise. It is good ink but not a special ink. That makes it an expensive ink. Three stars out of a possible five.

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