Rohrer & Klingner Verdura

[Margana]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4761486599_1a7d12e5dd_b.jpg

 

Verdura is a nicely balanced green color though slightly more blue than yellow. It isn't exactly emerald but close. Waterman Green and Iroshizuku Shin-Ryoku have more blue while J. Herbin Lierre Sauvage and Diamine Kelly Green are decidedly more yellow.

 

Though it may not be as evident in my scan as it is in the real sample, there is a lot of shading with the Pilot Elite on Clairefontaine brushed vellum journal paper. The drying time was faster than I expected though admittedly the pen is a somewhat dry-writer anyway. In fact it was nearly instantaneous except for dots where slightly more ink was deposited.

 

Verdura is not highly lubricating though the flow is fine. It is more similar to J. Herbin inks than Iroshizuku. On 24# printer paper with the Elite, it wrote a bit dry but exhibited no feathering. Only under magnification were a few instances of slightly rough outlines visible.

 

If you love Iroshizuku inks, Verdura might be disappointing since it lacks the flow and lubrication associated with Iroshizuku and the color is quite similar to Shin-Ryoku. But if that high priced ink isn't your cuppa, Verdura will do nicely for a lively color that will fit your green needs from St. Patrick's Day doodles to Christmas card signatures and all the summer grass in between.

 

If you are a fan of J. Herbin or Diamine, Verdura should work well for you. Although I haven't seen all of the Diamine green inks, online swatches of Ultra Green look similar to Verdura. None of their other inks come close. Herbin does not offer a blue-based green like Verdura. However, if you love Lierre Sauvage, Verdura may not be different enough to become an instant, must-have addition to your collection. But do consider it as your next green ink purchase for a subtle, bluish change of pace.

 

While the Rohrer & Klingner no-frills bottle does not offer a well or insert, it is tall with a wide mouth and suitable for the chunkiest of pens. At around $12 per 50 ml bottle, this brand fits well within the acceptable price range for most fountain pen users.

 

(BTW the sample vial of ink for this review came from Pear Tree Pens. Thanks, Ryan! No affiliation, satisfied customer, etc., etc., etc.)

 

Full text at An Inkophile's Blog.

[Signum1]

Great review! How does it react to water?

[Margana]

Verdura is not waterproof. Part of it washes away rather easily and on printer paper it feathers significantly eventually becoming illegible. There is color left behind so it doesn't disappear entirely even with twenty seconds under a faucet.