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 ...
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 ...