Ink Review #582: Jacques Herbin Bleu Austral

We are continuing through the Jacques Herbin Essential Inks with Bleu Austral. The ink is available in 50ml bottles and cartridges.

The color:

Bleu Austral is a dark blue with a hint of green.

Swabs:

In large swabs the ink has some pretty bright pink sheen, but it’s easily smeared.

Writing samples:

Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.

Dry time: 20 seconds

Water resistance: Low

Feathering: Low-the ink feathered on Rhodia in all nib sizes, but was fine on the other papers.

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: Low-there was some bleeding on Rhodia and Leuchtturm in the larger nib sizes.

Other properties: medium shading, medium sheen, and no shimmer.

On Staples 24 lb copy paper there was feathering in all nib sizes, and a little bit of bleeding, so it’s not an ink I would recommend for cheap paper.

Comparison Swabs:

Bleu Austral is closest to Robert Oster Blue Denim and Blackstone Sydney Harbour Blue. Click here to see the J Herbin inks together, and click here to see the blue inks together.

Longer Writing:

I used a TWSBI Eco Pastel Blue with a fine nib on Tomoe River paper. The ink has an average flow.

Overall, I love the color, but it has a bit more feathering and bleeding than I prefer, and it does smear rather easily. Robert Oster Blue Denim and Blackstone Sydney Harbour Blue are great alternatives.

Disclaimer: I purchased a sample of this ink from a group buy. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links, and this post is not sponsored in any way.