Does anyone know who makes Rotring ink? I have a Newton 600 pen which came with their standard blue cartridge, and I find I like its rich Navy Blue colour very much. Problem is, they don't seem to make bottled ink and I'd like to try some in my non-c/c pens. I know Rotring are now part of Sanford along with Parker and Waterman; would any of their inks be the same?

I'm really trying to find an old-fashioned rich Navy Blue that stays that way in broader nibs. Not hyper-saturated like PR or Noodler's, not watery like Slovenian Sheaffer. The closest I've found is some ancient Quink (1960s/70s) in a desk at my parents' house.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks!
Richard

Hi Richard
Im searching rotring inks but so far i cant find anything...

I am glad you asked this Richard... all of my r0tring Cores came with a single blue cartridge that was a dark blue that seemed to have a violet hint in it. When I looked in Greg Clark's Ink Sampler, there were two Rotring Blue samples, and one was called Ultramarine/Saxon Blue (I think - don't have the book handy) and it looked like the ink I had in the cart, but I could never find it in a bottle or cartridge form on any websites.

It was a really nice blue!

Marina, do you think it's at all like Aurora Blue? Maybe I should try some of that How do they compare in the book? I suppose I could simply buy some Rotring cartridges (Art Brown among others have them) and start wielding a syringe, but I'd really prefer a bottle of the stuff!

So there are two blues? That makes it more complicated. Most websites just call it 'Rotring Blue'

Hi Richard,

I think you may want to try Aurora Blue indeed. From what I remember it is very similar to Rotring blue. For me it is too purple, but generally I do prefer true blue and blue black inks over blue with purplish/violet undertones, when it comes to blue anyway.

HTH, warm regards, Wim

Hi Richard,

Looking at Greg Clark's ink sampler, the other Rotring Blue is called Rotring Royal / Paris. It is not as dark and rich as the Rotring Ultramarine / Saxon. The Aurora Blue in Greg's book looks more like the lighter Rotring Royal.

I have several cartridges left of the Rotring Ultramarine / Saxon. It has a number on the box: Art. 598213 (I like this blue a lot.)

Hope this helps!
Ann

I was sad when I discovered Rotring no longer put out Ultramarine in bottles.

You could experiment by adding a small amount of Waterman Violet to Waterman Florida Blue -- which is, by itself, a good blue. It is very easy to add too much Violet -- I'd suggest you start with something like 1:20.

Best

Michael

The whole line of Rotring inks was quite interesting. Even the bottle had a nice design for filling the converters in a no-mess way....
The two blues (Saxon and Paris) the green (Shannon) and especially the Turquoise (Carlsband) were exceptional. The brown (Sienna) and the two reds (Persian and Sevilla) were interesting, and the black (Dacota).
I do have them all, a set of inks that I was lucky to get from e-bay about 2 years ago, and I use them regularly (but sparingly). I have the Saxon Blue in an Eyedropper with an SF1 Sheaffer nib and the Shannon green in the Dani Trio ebonite pen. I tried to write a review for the Saxon Blue, but my description was miserable and the color from the scanner was aweful. Can someone point me to a procedure that allows "true" color representation in scanning?

Hi Antonios,

It depends a bit on your scanner. I've got an HP 4470, and I fiddled a little with some of the settings in the control software to get it right. The images were way too bright; ok for B&W or faxes, but no good for colour, and ink samples.

HTH, warm regards, Wim

Thanks Ann, that's just what I need to know - especially the serial number.



Michael, I've yet to try any ink mixing - but if I can't find any Saxon Blue, this sounds like a good excuse to start!



Wim, I think I will anyway!

Richard

Here's a useful comparison of a whole series of different blues. I'm not sure if any one of them comes close to the Rotring, though:

http://www.thewritingdesk.co.uk/ink_cat/in...all&colour=blue

Neil

Hey there, I did an ink test with some of the rotring inks I won off of Ebay, this was some time ago. But the person I bough the ink from, he says he is willing to sell large quantities of this ink for a set price. I want to say that it was 8 oz bottles he was selling.
I will have to get in contact with him and keep you all updated!!!

Here is the ink test: http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...?showtopic=1099

TNS

Hi TNS, that's very useful indeed. The Saxon Blue does look pretty purple on my monitor, but the closest to what I have here. I've tracked down some Saxon Blue cartridges now and ordered some bottled Aurora Blue too. Seems like the closest one can get these days ...

Neil, thanks. I know the Writing Desk facility and I've used it to order before. They offer a very efficient service. It' s great for getting in the ballpark, but unfortunately I've found monitor variation is too great to pinpoint the *exact* colour.