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 ...
Steenrood van Vermeer (stone red by Vermeer) is an ink from P.W. Akkerman's Dutch masters series. Inks inspired by the colors famous 17th century Dutch painters used. Stone red resembles the colors of bricks used in the famous ' Straatje van Vermeer ' painting. This is my second favorite red, after Diamine's Oxblood. The color is midway between red and brown. Classy and modest enough to be used in an office environment (for note taking). Beautiful and striking enough to be used for personal notes and correspondence. The ink remains pleasant for the eyes, no matter how long the text you have to read or write. Akkerman's ink are excellent. Very well behaved, no feathering, very beautiful shading, no show-through, not too wet and well lubricated. I never noticed any startup problems or skipping. Drying time is fast, between 15 and 20 seconds on Crown Mill Vellum paper. The ink is very susceptible to water. When compared to other brownish reds, it can...