The Smell Of Iron Gall Inks?

[requiescat]

Perhaps slightly odd question but I once tried some Rohrer & Klingner Salix, which I understand to be an iron gall ink, and it had this interesting almost syrupy undertone to the smell. (Not unpleasant; I rather liked it. Just distinctive.) I think I still also have a sample of Scabiosa around here that I can sniff. But I wanted to ask, is this syrupy smell my imagination? Do other iron gall inks have it, or something like it?

 

I ask because I am writing a story and it would be extremely convenient to have a sweet-smelling ink without resorting to perfume. I would normally leap upon the opportunity to order ink samples, but quite honestly this winter has made me paranoid about doing so until it warms up some more. (I'm in Louisiana, but my kid had *snow days*. Eep!) Otherwise, any pointers to inks with such olfactory qualities would be welcome.

 

(The things that sf/f writers research...)

[Cerbervs]

My Daimine registrars smells caustic.

[mhosea]

Do you mean how it smells in the bottle or how it smells as it dries? IME, Ecclesiastical Stationery Supplies Registrar's Ink and Hero 232 Blue Black have a similar smell as they dry on the page. It is subtle enough, but I occasionally catch a whiff of it. When smelling the bottle they are quite different, however. ESSRI smells faintly of phenol, and Hero 232 smells like soap. I guess the smell in the bottle has to do with the ingredients, and the smell as it dries has to do with the chemical reaction that is taking place.

[yogalarva]

I don't know that I would call the smell of my Salix "syrupy" but it definitely has a smell... But I don't find it that noticeable once it's in my pen and I'm writing with it. At that point I'm too distracted by the beautiful shading. :-)

[requiescat]

Interesting, thanks all! Maybe I should just leave it as an unspecified type of ink and let the reader figure it out.

[Kugelschreiber]

Fellow member The Good Captain wrote this in another thread.

 

I note with some anticipation that R&K Salix and Scabiosa have an aroma of a slightly 'corked' or 'off' claret or port. Wonderful!

 

 

I agree with him on both counts.

[requiescat]

Fellow member The Good Captain wrote this in another thread.

 

 

I agree with him on both counts.

I will Google the smell of claret/port. (I have to take meds that mean I can't drink alcohol, so I am pretty clueless about types of alcohol and their tastes/smells.) Thank you!

[athenian]

The smell of blood.

[Chemist]

In my opinion, Diamine Registrar's has an excellent smell. It smells of vintage, old-fashioned goodness, which I guess is what it is. I see what you mean about Salix, but I wouldn't call it syrupy as such. It's certainly sweet though.