Jacques Herbin Iris Sagesse — Ink Review #229

 

Jacques Herbin – Iris Sagesse

 

Ink Review # 229

 

Originally posted on FPN: Feb 20, 2026

 

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🧾 Description

Ink: Iris Sagesse

Brand: Jacques Herbin

Country: France

Pens Used: Pilot Kakuno EF, Lamy (EF/F/M/B/ Stub 1.1), Hongdian Forrest Blade nib, Noodler’s Nib Creaper with Waterman W2 nib

 

 

This ink is part of a new series available in 10 and 30 ml bottles. It appears that newer bottles in the classic line are now labelled “Jacques Herbin.” 

 

 

This ink is just gorgeous. With dry pens like a Lamy, it writes a pinkish colour and dries into a lovely spring iris blurple. 

The writing experience is out of this world, especially after reviewing several inks lacking in the lubrication department. It made most of my nibs sing. 

 

The ink can stain transparent sections and it’s a pain to clean. I needed a cleaning solution. Despite that, I really enjoyed writing, sketching, and drawing with it. 

 

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🧪 Chroma

 

 

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✍️ Writing Samples (scan)

Rhodia / Iroful

The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.”

Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592) — philosopher, 

“Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”

Jean Giono (1895–1970) — novelist

 

 

Midori /Tomoe River 68gsm

Note: Tomoe River used here is 68 gsm, not the thinner 52 gsm version commonly referenced in reviews.

“The beauty of a flower lies in its fragility.”

Paul Valéry (1871–1945) — poet, essayist

“To see is to forget the name of the thing one sees.”

Paul Valéry (1871–1945) — poet, essayist

  


Hammermill 20lb  

essayist

“The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.”

Albert Camus, (1913–1960) — philosopher, novelist

 

 

 

 📸 Photo

Rhodia/ Iroful 



Midori / Tomoe River 68 gsm

  

Hammermill 20 lb copy paper

 

 

Closeup 

 

 🔍 Comparison

Col-O-ring. Scans are approximative. 

  


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 💧 Water Test

 

 

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 🎨 Artwork

Too Much Sake in the Iris Garden!

I copied and combined two different Japanese art forms with my cat & mouse theme.

 

Jacques Herbin Iris Sagesse (purple), Gris Galet (grey), and Vert Forêt (green), Octopus WD Bunny Orange, Uniball Signo White gel pen, Fabriano watercolor paper.

 


Dreaming of Spring

I used a mix of water colour and ink with my Cat & Mouse theme.

 

Watercolour, mauve and yellow, Inks: Jacques Herbin Iris Sagesse, Vert Fôret, Girs Galet, Sailor Shikiori Sasabune, Tintenlabor Lärchengold, Fabriano watercolour paper.



Iris

Miniature: A play of words with iris.

 

Ackerman fountain pen with Leonardt Principal nib, Diamine Grey, Jacques Herbin Iris Sagesse, Bleu Azur, Talens Mixed Media Square Sketchbook. 




Inktober52  Prompt 8: Pretend. 


Cat & Mouse love to pretend they are heroes from a different time & age. 


Inspired by an 18th century painting. 


Ackerman fountain pen fitted with Leonardt Principal EF nib. 

Jacques Herbin Iris Sagesse (purple), Inkebara Sand (golden tan), Fanyantan Sakura Blizzard (murky tan), Diamine Grey.

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- What I Liked: Lubrication, Lovely colour. 

- What I Did Not Like: Lack of water resistance. Cleaning. 

- Writing Experience: Cushiony, pillowy. 

- Pros: Beautiful rich colour, lubrication. Price, small bottles. 

- Cons: Can stain and needs cleaning solution.  

 

 🧷 Ink Characteristics

 

- Shading: Subtle. 

- Ghosting: Faint

- Bleed Through: A bit on copy paper.  

- Flow Rate: Wet.

- Lubrication: Out of this world. 

- Nib Dry-out: No.

- Start-up: No.

- Saturation: Gorgeous. 

- Sheen: No.

- Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: Did not notice.

- Nib Creep / Crud: Did not notice.

- Staining (Pen): Probably. Kakuno section was slightly stained. 

- Clogging: No.

- Cleaning: A pain. Ok with a cleaning solution. 

- Water Resistance: No. 

 

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 💬 Closing

I enjoyed using this ink despite its flaws. The lubrication and the vibrancy of the colour were a pleasure to use, and I was sorry to flush my pens.  It’s for those who look for a vibrant purple.

 

No fountain pens were hurt in preparing this review. ;)

 

Please don’t hesitate to share your experience, writing samples, or any other comments — the more the merrier. :) 

 

 

 

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