Francesco Rubinato's Inchiostro Sepia

[Ana_]

This is a review of Francesco Rubinato's Inchiostro Sepia color. First of all, I have to say, that the name of this ink is luscious to my mouth, rolls right off the tongue. I love pronouncing it. Second of all, I did a search for it online and could not find it anywhere. I happened into my local ink and fp shop today in search of new ink to fill newly arrived (last night!) fp (shown below) and was perusing their ink sampling book and discovered it. I like the shade and can only liken it to another shade that i'm still after and have yet to procure, Kobe Sepia #3. Here is the first and simple ink testing that I did. (previously erroneously posted in Inky Thoughts)

Edited September 6, 2014 by Ana_

[vossad01]

Thank you for sharing. You got me curious about it because I hadn't heard of it. I managed to find a little more info on the brand in a FPN thread from last year.

 

I also managed to find a picture containing a bottle of the ink you describe, though your bottle may be different. It is the bottle in the lower left hand corner, you have to view the full-size image to be able to read it. More digging found a different bottle style and you can see two others if you scroll down to the links under "More items you might like from this store."

 

It is good that you like the color, you may want to check with the shop to see if they can get information on whether it is intended for Fountain Pen use. There are enough indications elsewhere that they do make FPN safe inks that you are probably okay; however, I cannot find anything on their site saying they make FP inks (rather than dip pen) inks or which inks are FP safe.

[Ana_]

Yes, I asked if it was for fountain pens and the woman replied with, "hmm, I think so, then she looked at the bottle and said yes, there's no residue in there, yes, it's fine for fountain pens" I know it sounds precarious ... I have it inked up in a new fp right now and it's really smooth and I did read another review from another FPN user who said that she inked it up in her FP with no worries, so I thought I'd give it a try. Maybe I'll do a follow up report when the ink finishes to say, problem/no problem with the ink. This is the bottle that I have:

[fountainpagan]

I have contacted Rubinato in Italy because I was looking for their beautiful fountain pen ink bottles, so 50s.

They have said to me that it is exactly the same ink.

The Beautiful bottles are not sold in Eusrope anymore, only Japan, Australia, US.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/5/cilc.jpg

Edited September 6, 2014 by fountainpagan

[Ana_]

The bottle that you are seeking is the one in your photograph? I did not see that one in the store I went to? Hmm.

[fountainpagan]

This is the bottle I have, Ana, and I also have the sepia one.

But I was looking for some more. That was the reason of my quest.

[Ana_]

So which color are you looking to replenish? Maybe we could do an ink trade if I can find it at my local store? I have my eye on the 1670 J. Herbin limited edition Stormy Grey which is not yet out in the US but only in France

[fountainpagan]

Ok.

The Red would be fine but if you find another instead that is ok. I am mainly interested in the bottle.

I can get you Gris Nuage from Herbin, when you want to exchange;

[amberleadavis]

I have contacted Rubinato in Italy because I was looking for their beautiful fountain pen ink bottles, so 50s.

They have said to me that it is exactly the same ink.

The Beautiful bottles are not sold in Eusrope anymore, only Japan, Australia, US.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/5/cilc.jpg

 

Can you find out where they are sold in the US? I've tried to find these bottles. I've tried to reach the Rubinato company.

[Ana_]

I am going back in to my local ink shop where I found the Sepia Rubinato to see if I overlooked the above bottle and will report back

[fountainpagan]

You could ask your retailer to see with his retailer...

[amberleadavis]

I am going back in to my local ink shop where I found the Sepia Rubinato to see if I overlooked the above bottle and will report back

 

Thank you!

 

You could ask your retailer to see with his retailer...

 

 

Your people could meet with my people? JK

[lapis]

This is all very interesting because the last time I/we talked about these R. inks a year or two ago (I think) they only offered a medium to dark blue -- which may have been manufactured by any other company of course -- but it now looks like they themselves are starting to offer a whole new line of inks. Of course, their site -- which was in those days IMO rather unprofessional -- may now have been cropped up in the meantime.

 

Yay!

[Ana_]

Ok, so, I went back to my local ink shop and they DO NOT do the "wavy" bottle pictured above, ONLY the one that I pictured which I purchased. The woman that I dealt with had her feathers ruffled that I asked for ANOTHER bottle other than what they carry so... lol that's that!

[amberleadavis]

Oh, no not ruffled feathers. Thanks for trying.

[dcpritch]

Perhaps if you took along a copy of fountainpagan's photo of the wavy bottle, then began shouting in Italian, she would understand how utterly important it is that you find THIS BOTTLE.

 

On the other hand, it is beginning to sound as though your local ink shop may be the only domestic source for this brand of ink, so better if we don't risk a confrontation!

 

Thanks for the review - it looks like an interesting ink.

[Ana_]

You're welcome Amber, I'm sorry it was not a more favorable outcome.Interestingly enough, I did find that the average Barnes and Nobles carries calligraphy "kits" usually a feather with a random nib and that comes with a 3 ml bottle of Rubinato ink. The one I noticed today was $19.99. (i didn't buy it...)

 

dc: yea, lol I didn't want to burn my bridges either on that connection.

Edited September 11, 2014 by Ana_

[amberleadavis]

Yeah, I found that a lot of the stores carry Authentic Models and present it as an Italian ink -- and maybe it is, but the quality is just not the same.

[Ana_]

I agree. I'm still looking for my local *MAGIC* shop, that one full of every kind of fountain pen in multiple price points with Richard Binder type quality nibs and pens and every ink. The shop I go to has a small selection of inks and fp's and most other shops are just stationary shops that carry a very small selection of FP's usually Lamy's in the $35-$45 dollar price point, but where is that nirvana store where I can just sit there and try out every pen I can think of??? I remain in search of that Candyland.

[amberleadavis]

That's no Candyland, that be Crackland. It B Lost Wages for the FPNer. Once you'd enter, you'd hock your futures for nibs.

 

Okay, I'm feeling a little overly dramatic. If you find it, let me know, I'll come visit you and preschedule an extraction team.