Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black

This is the first ink from the regular Pelikan line (4001) that I've tried. It's a perfectly okay black. It's not making my "favorite black inks" list, but it's perfectly fine. It's a little bit dry for me, and its performance is a little spotty on copy paper. There's nothing wrong with it, but it's not blowing my doors off.

 Brilliant Black didn't work all that well in the Monteverde Impressa that I first used it in, but it works really well in my Pelikan m800, so perhaps it really needs a wet nib to work well.

Do you have any experience with this ink? What did you think of it and what pens did you use it in?


Written Review



Close Ups!

 As I said, it's not bad but it seems like it begrudges me every line of text. Not super-pleasant.

 Just a little bit of sheen on this pool, here.

Tomoe River
 A little sheen here, too, but you expect that on Tomoe River.

Comparisons
 If you're looking for a great black in, get Sailor Kiwa-Guro. It's rad.



Copy Paper Test

 Pretty good behavior, but not great.


Chromatography



Water Test and Review Video









You can find this ink at your favorite Pelikan distributor. I suggest getting a sample (Anderson Pens link), but a bottle is 2oz for $12, so it's not a big loss if you don't love it.