Solferino - Rohrer & Klingner

[visvamitra]

Rohrer & Klingner operates since 1892. At the moment it's the fifth generation of the family that manages the company. I guess that after 122 years they know what they are doing.

R&K inks offer amazing quality for amazing price. In my country a bnottle of R&K ink costs 5-6 $. I know it's a bit more expensive in America, yet I believe the price is still reasonable.

I find it interesting that Rohrer & Klingner seems to focus mainly on the content and not on the bottles. Inks come in industrial looking bottle taht is quite handy but there's just nothing fancy about it. It's surprising.

http://www.rohrer-klingner.de/fileadmin/_migrated/pics/schreibtinte_top_03.jpg

Anyway they offer eighteen colors, some stunning, some boring but all have good qualities and are easy to clean.

http://imageshack.com/a/img742/3085/WHCjxM.jpg

1. Alt_bordeaux
2. Alt-Goldgrun
3. Blu Mare
4. Blue Permanent
5. Cassia
6. Fernambuc
7. Helianthus
8. Leipziger-Schwarz
9. Magenta
10. Morinda
11. Royal Blue
12. Salix
13. Scabiosa
14. Sepia
15. Smaragdgrun
16. Solferino
17. Verdigris
18. Verdura

Solferino was named, probably, after a small town named Solferino situated in the northern Italy, approximately 10 kilometres south of Lake Garda. It is best known as being close to the site of the Battle of Solferino on 24 June 1859, part of the Second Italian War of Independence. The battle ended with Italo-French capture of the Rocca, the fortress then in Austrian hands.

Solferino is a vibrant purple-magenta that, when used in a wet nib, shouts out for attention. I guess for most people it won't be a first choice ink to use in the workplace but for fun purposes it may serve well. I consider Solferino reasonable and much cheaper alternative for the likes of Yama-budo (yama-budo is more interesting but also, given prices in my country, 7 x more expensive). This ink, as most R&K inks is well behaved and has nice writing properties.

Shading isn't potent but in right nib you'll get some. The ink is saturated, on Tomoe River it exhibits some sheen ()but not crazy amount). It can cause some bleedthrough on absorbent papers. Drying time is reasonable but don't expect miracles. Solferino has no water resistance. A huge plus is the fact it's very easy to clean. The same thing can't be said about other similar colors.

 

Personally I find this color too loud for frequent use but from time to time, when the need arises, I do, temporarily, fill a pen with it

Drops of ink on kitchen towel

Chromatography

Software ID

Color Range

Tomoe River, Kaweco Classic Sport, B

Leuchtturm 1917, Kaweco Claasic Sport, B

[lgsoltek]

My favourite R&K ink. With the right pen it has a wicked green sheen. And such a vibrant colour! I love it!!! So much that I got a second bottle.

[Ergative]

Looks quite similar to Noodler's Saguaro Wine.

[Ghost Plane]

I found it draggy in feel compared to many other R&K inks. Won't be replaced now it's gone. A full page of this color sears the eyeballs.

[ENewton]

I have more bottles of Rohrer and Klingner ink than of any other brand. I often use Solferino for markup or as an accent color in a drawing.

[vojtahlad]

This ink is great for headings. In general, I don't like colors close to magenta but this one is a notable exception.

[mehandiratta]

one of the best from R&K

[namrehsnoom]

Nice bright pink, but I don't see myself using it regularly. Think I'll stick with my bottle of Edelstein Turmaline.