Herbin Ambre De Birmanie

[Ondina]

Scan:

http://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q347/Ondina_2008/Ambre%20de%20Birmanie/Topbmp.jpg

Photos:

http://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q347/Ondina_2008/Ambre%20de%20Birmanie/Ambre006-1.jpghttp://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q347/Ondina_2008/Ambre%20de%20Birmanie/Ambre003-1.jpg

http://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q347/Ondina_2008/Ambre%20de%20Birmanie/Ambre004-1.jpghttp://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q347/Ondina_2008/Ambre%20de%20Birmanie/Ambre007-1.jpg

 

 

 

A fascinating ink of stunning color that smells like dry soil after a summer's rain. If you ever dream of writing with the color of the sunset, this is your chance. Usual pen friendliness, excellent behavior and green philosophy of the brand.

[Gran]

Ondina, what a lovely review. It does look like sunshine I saw when the sun was setting, off the southern coast of Spain. How nice to send those rays on a postcard.

 

Thanks much for posting this!

[ampersand]

Pretty pictures, many thanks.

 

And I second what you say -- I was afraid the colour would be too light for normal use, but it works surprisingly well. Gorgeous autumn shade.

[zubipen]

Many thanks. A wonderfull revision. Beatifull handwriting. May I ask what pen did you use?

[Inka]

A beautiful ink and hand-writing.

This ink looks very "similar" to in between the Noodler's Habanero and Apache Sunset samples I'd recently reviewed.

I've not taken a sniff of those inks, I generally don't bother smelling any of my inks but now you have me curious.

I'm liking the J. Herbin inks more and more as I keep seeing these reviews, it's the names given to the colors that confuses me not speaking the language.

Nicely done, I too was wondering what pen/nib you'd used to write this, looked over the review several times thinking I may have missed it and still don't see it mentioned.

Thanks.

[Ondina]

A vintage Kaweco. Thanks you for the kind remarks. As the new forum system does not allow more than 5 pics, I'm enclosing the big scan in photo version here.

 

http://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q347/Ondina_2008/Ambre%20de%20Birmanie/Ambre002-1.jpg

[manolo]

Very nice review and handwritting, Ondina...wish I had the patience to write like that (or to learn to do it).

I must say I don't like the color, too light for me at least in the scan, but I do love the smell of wet soil after rain...ummmm, takes me to my teenage years and the summer storms!!! Would lov that same smell in, let's say, Waterman havanna or MB racing green...

[Ann Finley]

Which paper did you do the review on? Wondering if it's an absorbent paper, or one with a more highly calendared "tight" smooth surface.

 

I always keep this ink on hand, even though I smear it as a lefty on some papers. It washes out of pens very easily and is great for testing pens/nibs, especially if you have a number of them to check out and don't want to spend all day on cleaning them.

 

Best, Ann

[rookieboyliu]

I am entirely amazed by the color of the ink, but more so by your handwriting. They complement perfectly.

[Ondina]

I am entirely amazed by the color of the ink, but more so by your handwriting. They complement perfectly.

 

Thank you for the kind -and undeserved- compliment. Visiting the penmanship forum will provide abundant samples from absolutely incredible hands that put mine to shame, both from pros and amateurs. Try searching for Caliken, Vidalia, Ann Finley, HDough, tipstricks, Antoniosz, and so many others; is a pure joy to see their work.

[Ondina]

Which paper did you do the review on? Wondering if it's an absorbent paper, or one with a more highly calendared "tight" smooth surface.

 

I always keep this ink on hand, even though I smear it as a lefty on some papers. It washes out of pens very easily and is great for testing pens/nibs, especially if you have a number of them to check out and don't want to spend all day on cleaning them.

 

Best, Ann

 

It is Xerox Premier 80gr A4 blank paper. Compared to Clairefontaine, is non coated and more absorbent, but not as much as Miquel Ríus. The texture is very similar to Havana paper. I'll be pleased to send you some samples if you PM me an address.

 

I'll upload photos written with the same pen and ink on Oxford 90gr and Havana Notor paper this weekend is time allows.

[Glenn-SC]

Nice review!

 

The color looks like half yellow/half orange.

[Ondina]

Nice review!

 

The color looks like half yellow/half orange.

 

Is a very accurate description, and the contrasted but seamless shading makes it very attractive. A fusion between sun and earth. Thank you.

[Ondina]

A beautiful ink and hand-writing.

This ink looks very "similar" to in between the Noodler's Habanero and Apache Sunset samples I'd recently reviewed.

I've not taken a sniff of those inks, I generally don't bother smelling any of my inks but now you have me curious.

I'm liking the J. Herbin inks more and more as I keep seeing these reviews, it's the names given to the colors that confuses me not speaking the language.

Nicely done, I too was wondering what pen/nib you'd used to write this, looked over the review several times thinking I may have missed it and still don't see it mentioned.

Thanks.

 

Inka, the pen is a semiflex Kaweco, one of those black oldies with nibs that are a pure joy to write with and that make any hand better. Much of the attractiveness of the ink lies in the bi-tonal contrast between two beautiful shades. The savvy and knowledge of the oldest ink maker shows in the varied properties, from the silky jet black of Perle Noire to the classic elegance of Poussière de Lune and Violette Pensèe. Each of the 30 regular colors plus the scented and the specialty inks are a true joy for the senses; color, variety, performance, originality. Class. (If they would just make their bottles bigger, they would even become usable. Nobody's perfect). I enjoy lots inks from many brands, and these in particular, provide a total writing experience; they make my pens sing and bring pleasure to a humble task. The natural scent that goes along is a reminder of their green label and for me, a big plus when deciding a purchase. While sitting in front of a blank piece of paper, trying to get thoughts and feelings closer, these products show they have been in the market for centuries, for kings and peasants alike, for a good reason. They are born for the job. Most inky smells are just fine and even wanted by me, but these are just great. I've totally given up those that my lungs considered hazardous waste and kept me holding my breath; trying to convey thoughts into words and hypoxia are not my cup of tea. Life is short, so I favor products that do what they are supposed to without any esoteric ritual nor gas mask involved. My letters tend to reflect my mood in that given moment; a perfect combination of paper, ink and nib are basic to concentrate on what it should be said. And nothing else. If I had to bet on which brand will be around for as long as Fpens are, Herbin will be the one. They sure know their trade.

Edited September 19, 2009 by Ondina

[Ondina]

Very nice review and handwritting, Ondina...wish I had the patience to write like that (or to learn to do it).

I must say I don't like the color, too light for me at least in the scan, but I do love the smell of wet soil after rain...ummmm, takes me to my teenage years and the summer storms!!! Would lov that same smell in, let's say, Waterman havanna or MB racing green...

 

One of the surprises this ink holds is how intense and usable it is, being a light color. If I can find how to blur the words, my agenda shows it side by side with much traditional ones. Working on it.

[Ondina]

On Oxford 90gr ( the other color is Diamine's Saddle Brown).

 

http://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q347/Ondina_2008/Ambre%20de%20Birmanie/IMG_8740-1.jpghttp://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q347/Ondina_2008/Ambre%20de%20Birmanie/IMG_8743-1.jpg

 

On Havana Quo Vadis next to Diamine's Saddle Brown, N. Coral Sea and Pilot I. Asa-Gao.

http://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q347/Ondina_2008/Ambre%20de%20Birmanie/IMG_8672-1.jpghttp://i348.photobucket.com/albums/q347/Ondina_2008/Ambre%20de%20Birmanie/IMG_8674-1.jpg

 

The ink is a looker and a contender to any other. As for drying time, seems to be average and if so, takes a bit longer on coated paper such as Oxford/Clairefontaine.

[dandelion]

Lovely! It looks so warm and golden. Yet another yellow ink to try! Thanks!

[lovemy51]

very nice, ondina! i wonder how it compares to PR shoreline gold?

 

lovely writing too!!

best.

[Ondina]

very nice, ondina! i wonder how it compares to PR shoreline gold?

 

lovely writing too!!

best.

 

Clever question, lovelmy51: they are similar. PRShoreline Gold leans more towards brown and takes quite longer to dry. But the bitone golden shading is there, also.

[bbs]

Thanks for the review, really beautiful. Do you know if this ink is also known just as 'Amber' - there's a Herbin ink of that name on The Writing Desk site, and wondered if it is exactly the same?

 

Sue