Ink Review #579: Jacques Herbin Noir Abyssal

Jacques Herbin is the new line of stationery from J Herbin, only sold in three stores in the world, Milligram in Australia, Itoya in Tokyo, Japan and Le Bon Marche and Boisnard in Paris, France. The Jacques Herbin collection of ink is called “The Essentials” and contains ten new inks. I was able to get samples of the inks from a group buy. First, let’s take a look at Jacques Herbin Noir Abyssal. The ink is available in 50ml bottles and cartridges.

The color:

Noir Abyssal is a nice basic black.

Swabs:

In large swabs you can see the little bit of black sheen.

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: Medium-some of the ink washed away, but you might be able to read what it said.

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

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

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

Comparison Swabs:

Noir Abyssal is similar to Waterman Intense Black and Aurora Black. Click here to see the J Herbin inks together, and click here to see the black inks together.

Longer Writing:

I used a Kaweco Sport Lagoon Blue with a fine nib on Tomoe River paper. The ink has an average flow.

Overall, it’s another nice, well behaved black ink. It can be very difficult to get in the United States, online from Milligram or Jacques Herbin may be the easiest way. Waterman Intense Black is a good alternative.

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.