Rohrer & Klingner Iron Gall Nut Ink Ebony

[Yazeh]

Rohrer & Klingner Iron Gall Nut Ink Ebony

Many thanks @Lithium466 for the sample.

This is a limited-edition 2023 ink by R&K . It’s a purple tinged iron gall ink, that depending the light, pen, it will look brown, purple or grey. As of the date of this review it is still available at Jet Pens in North America, and Stilo et Stile in Europe.
It’s one of those inks, that I wanted keep using and using and was sad when I had to empty the pen.
It has a lot of character.
At first, I was surprised by the lack of lubrication at the beginning but as time went on, it became a very pleasant writer. So, give it a chance to settle in the pen.
It’s a water resistant ink, but only with time. What surprised me most, was its bad behaviour on copy paper. It didn’t behave like a “normal” iron gall ink. If you think using this for artwork, note that the purple dye washes away.
It’s very easy to clean, but I believe a wet, well sealed pen would be best suited for it.


The Chroma is simply gorgeous
[Chroma-Ebony.jpeg

Writing Samples:
I reverse wrote with an Ef nib to create the Ultra Ef nib. Surprisingly, dry times are long
Rhodia - Ebony.jpg

Midori - Ebony.jpeg

TR68gr-Ebony.jpeg

Here I added two final lines by a "true" Iron gall ink, to show you how a "real" Iron gall ink should behave
hammermill-Ebony.jpg
Photo:
I took the photo a week later to see if it darker. Note the scan is grey, the photo purple
Ebony-Photo.jpg
Comparison:
Comparison-Ebony 1.jpg
Water test:
Left side 10 seconds under running water. Sample was written with glass nib. So amount of nib is more than a normal nib.
The paper was still humid when I scanned the image. Ink has been applied 24 hours before.
Watertest -R&K Ebony.jpeg
Art Work:
I really enjoyed doing artwork with this ink.
Talens pocket book paper.

This is a nod to Some Like Hot 1959 movie, on a tan Clairefontaine mix media paper.

and finally the Egyptian Queen, inspired by Ancient Egyptian cat art.
The outfit is pure R&K Ebony, the blue is Monteverde Malibu, and the grey is diluted Lexington Gray 1:1, and the darker part is mix with Sailor Kiwa-guro.
Paper is a A5 style, Talens Paper.




· Pens used: Lamy (Reverse Ef, EF/F/M/B, BB), Nib creeper semiflex
· What I liked: The colour, writing, doing washes, and cleaning.
· What I did not like: It is not a "true" Iron gall.
· What some might not like: It's a bit dry at first.
· Shading: Faint
· Ghosting: Yes, on cheap paper.
· Bleed through: Yes, on cheap paper.
· Flow Rate: Wet
· Lubrication: Slightly below average
· Nib Dry-out: Did not notice.
· Start-up: Ok
· Saturation: Nice and dark
· Shading Potential: Diant
· Sheen: No.
· Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: Did not notice.
· Nib Creep / “Crud”: Did not notice.
· Staining (pen): No.
· Clogging: Did not notice.
· Cleaning: Very easy
· Water resistance: Very good with time, but note if the ink is just applied and it rains, the purple dye will separate and you'll have mess
· Availability: Limited Edition 2023. 50 ml bottles.

Please don't hesitate to share your experience, writing samples or any other comments. The more the merrier

[Sailor Kenshin]

Yazeh, this ink is totally not for me, for lots of the reasons listed.

BUT! I loved reading about it. The sketches are wonderful, the detail amazing, the quotes funny. And it does have a cool chroma. I probably have MI 50, but haven't used it recently. I had a Winsor & Newton dip pen ink called Nut Brown, which I just tried to use yesterday, only to find it had turned. Had to trash it. 😢

I like Artist Mousie. But poor Kitteh, the object of Mousie's derision!

Thanks so much for another Ink-Sploration. 😸 👏🏻 💝

[Yazeh]

Yazeh, this ink is totally not for me, for lots of the reasons listed.

BUT! I loved reading about it. The sketches are wonderful, the detail amazing, the quotes funny. And it does have a cool chroma. I probably have MI 50, but haven't used it recently. I had a Winsor & Newton dip pen ink called Nut Brown, which I just tried to use yesterday, only to find it had turned. Had to trash it.

I like Artist Mousie. But poor Kitteh, the object of Mousie's derision!

Thanks so much for another Ink-Sploration.

Thank you so much, Sailor, for the kind remarks. This is definitely not an ink for you, u less you want to dazzle us with your exquisite drawings

[LizEF]

Whoa! Get the extinguisher! Your ink is on fire!! Mr. Swatch-Kitty is looking handsome in his black-tie. And what a mean mousey, making fun of poor water-test kitty.

Your piano reminds me of the one we had growing up (sort of ). Your Some Like it Hot sketch succeeds in reminding me of movies from that time. And now I'm just dying to see the episode of The Simpsons where Marge is an Egyptian cat-goddess!

Thanks, Yazeh, for another fun review!

[Yazeh]

Whoa! Get the extinguisher! Your ink is on fire!!

It's really striking isn't it?

Mr. Swatch-Kitty is looking handsome in his black-tie. And what a mean mousey, making fun of poor water-test kitty.

Well, they're "friends". So once in a while, one gets the upper hand.

Your piano reminds me of the one we had growing up (sort of ). Your Some Like it Hot sketch succeeds in reminding me of movies from that time. And now I'm just dying to see the episode of The Simpsons where Marge is an Egyptian cat-goddess!

Yep, it was inspired by an out of tune piano we once had. It sounded like one of those Wild West saloon instruments. Glad, you enjoyed the sketches; while the inspiration for the Egyptian wasn't Marge, enjoy your Simpsons

Thanks, Yazeh, for another fun review!

A pleasure!

[LizEF]

It's really striking isn't it?