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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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Steenrood van Vermeer, P.W. Akkerman

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...
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IJzer-galnoten, P.W. Akkerman

My recent buy of the KWZ inks  got me interested again in Iron Gall inks. Years ago I had a bottle of P.W. Akkerman's iron gall ink (in Dutch: IJzer-galnoten) but never replaced it. The bottle itself is amazing. Practical because of the reservoir (sealed off with a marble) on top and a gem on every bookshelf. The ink itself is a very sturdy and practical blue-black ink (but definitely grayish too when dry. It is perfect for the office, but there is no reason not to use it for personal notes or letters as well. The color may not be very vibrant or cheerful, but it's a good, solid, beautiful ink. The ink is a bit dry, but behaves extremely well. Writing is smooth. No feathering, decent shading, minimal show-through. Drying time on Crown Mill Vellum paper is less than 15 seconds, fast! This iron gall ink definitely has registrar qualities, it is not afraid of water. You don't even see on the grid where I dropped water. And a separate two hour soak-in-a-cup test di...
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Gele oker van Frans, P.W. Akkerman

P.W. Akkerman in The Hague has a series of Dutch masters, based on colors 17th century Dutch painters used.  It is a nice series, with some lovely colors. Stone red by Vermeer for instance is amongst my favorite ink colors. And these bottles, absolutely stunning!  Gele Oker van Frans (Yellow ochre by Frans) is based on paintings by Frans Halsema.  But why this color? It's likely to cause eyeball cancer or at least some severe retinal burns. Observing the sun through binoculars is less painful. The ink is nearly impossible to read on Crown Mill or Rhodia paper. A broad or stub nib is a necessity, or even a glass dip pen.  The ink characteristics are simply good. Akkerman has high quality inks and this one is no exception. No feathering, no show through, moderate wetness, sufficient lubrication and some nice moderate shading.  Drying times below average and water resistance very poor. With a price of...
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