Sailor Kiwa Guro Nano Black
Handwritten Review
Pen: Lamy AL-Star Matte Black Limited Edition – Fine Nib
Ink: Sailor Kiwa Guro Nano Black (wow that’s a mouthful)
Paper: Rhodia dotPad, No. 16
Notes: Well, it’s taken me forever, but here’s my review of Sailor’s Kiwa Guro Nano Black (wow again, mouthful). After much trial and even more error, I have gone through a lot of black inks and this one is my go-to. All others have fallen short for me in one way or another. It’s the best balance of smooth writing, fast drying, darkness, and performance. It’s probably the best ink I’ve used period. Kiwa Guro is filled with tiny “nano particles” (a.k.a. pigment) that puts down a smooth, permanent, archivally safe line. Essentially, it’s a pigmented ink that works great on every type of paper I’ve thrown it at. It dried pretty quick on Rhodia and other slick papers, and it’s nearly instant and feather-free on copy paper. There’s no shading (which I like in a black ink) making it a true, dark black. I really love the semi-matte finish. This ink is right at home in a matte black pen, in which I happen to only have a few of…There’s really not much more I can say, other than that if I’m writing with a black ink, there’s a 99% chance it’s this one. After trying at least 20 black inks over the years, this one was the most enjoyable. Do yourself a favor and pick up a sample before you commit to an entire bottle, because at around $25 – it doesn’t come cheap.
Thanks for reading and enjoy the pictures! I brought this one back into the “laboratory” and went for the sterile white background. Let me know if you guys prefer this to great outdoors approach in my review of Noodler’s #41 Brown.
Pros:
- Blacker than the blackest black times infinity
- Very fast dry time
- Matte pencil-like finish
- Very smooth
- Has a pleasant smell
- Cool bottle with insert to get all the ink at the bottom
Cons:
- Pricey
Gallery:
Related Reading:
edjelley.com - Fountain Pen, Ink, and Stationery Reviews 
How was it to clean? I’d love to see a bottle pix?
Cleaning is no worse than any other black ink really. It’s not recommended you leave it unused in pens for any extended amount of time because it’s a pigmented ink. I’ll throw a picture of the bottle into the post now! Thanks for reading!
I’m having a spirited internal debate between this one and J. Herbin Perle Noire as my black of choice. It is outstanding and, as always, a wonderful review.
I had Perle Noire for a while, and it got some gunky buildup, jammed up my Lamy Accent and I ruined the feed trying to get it out. Most of that was my fault, but it still left a bad taste in my mouth (not literally). I still prefer the matte-like finish of the Kiwa Guro. I was also recently surprised by how much I liked Kaweco’s black ink – it’s worth a try.
Interesting – that might seal the deal on a bottle of Kiwa Guro for me. Do you know if the gunk had to do with the slime issue Herbin was having a couple years ago? In other words, is it something that’s been resolved? I’ll definitely check out the Kaweco – do you know anyone who offers samples of it?
It may have, or it may have been unrelated. Hard to tell since I have no way of knowing how old the bottle was when I bought it. I know that they fixed the problem though.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure who would have a sample. Shoot me an email though, I can send some your way. Ed@edjelley.con
Oh my… just the thought of this ink makes me think of the smell of that cologne (which smells excellent). I loooove the smell of this ink… Great anchor drawing. Great review.
Same! So glad the weather up here is finally cooling off so I can wear it again. Something about wood, smoke and ink are hard to wear in 90 degree humid summers haha. Thanks and thanks and thanks as always!