Rohrer & Klingner Alt Bordeaux

[Sandy1]

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Figure 1.

Swabs & Swatch

Paper: HPJ1124 24 lb. Laser Copy.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/841bb22f.jpg

 

Figure 2.

NIB-ism ✑

Paper: HPJ1124.

Depicts nibs' down-stroke width and pens' relative wetness.

IMG-Thumb:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/th_58fdeb56.jpg

 

Pens: L → R: Sheaffer, 600, T22, Waterman, P99, C74.

Figure 3.

Paper base tints:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Private%20Reserve%20Chocolate/86f3378c.jpg

L → R: HPJ1124, Rhodia, G Lalo white, Royal, Staples 20 lb.

WRITTEN SAMPLES - Moby Dick

Ruling: 8mm.

 

Figure 4.

Paper: HPJ1124.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/478415e6.jpg

 

Figure 5.

Paper: Rhodia.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/4cae963a.jpg

 

 

Figure 6.

Paper: G Lalo, Verge de France, white.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/be2dd48a.jpg

 

 

Figure 7.

Paper: Royal - 25% rag.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/6e58b32e.jpg

 

 

Figure 8.

Paper: Staples multi-use 20 lb.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/a95905db.jpg

 

 

Figure 9.

Grocery List

Paper: Pulp. One-a-Day calendar page.

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/c66e2970.jpg

 

 

OTHER STUFF

 

Figure 10.

Smear/Dry Times

Wet Tests ☂

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/87efa842.jpg

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

 

Type:

• Dye-based fountain pen ink.

Presentation:

• Bottle.

Availability:

• Available when Topic posted.

Daily writer?

• Possible.

A go-to ink?

• When a stable warm ink is desired.

USE

 

Business:

(From the office of Ms Blue-Black.)

• As a group, the Red-centric inks run the risk of being overly personal and/or 'shouting', so their Business use may be limited by those characteristcs.
• I would find R&KAB inappropriate for any 'letterhead' correspondence, and anything signed with more than two initials.
• For a warm ink, this has a well-grounded stability, which makes it quite readable for more than a wee note. Also, viewing under warm light sources does little to reduce the legibility of this ink.
• While I consider this to be an alternative/auxiliary special use ink, some just might use it for personal work product, and to distinguish their work from that of others. (A rather loud whisper, no?)
• I would consider it to be be a good choice for editing and mark-up; and a possible pick for error correction and grading.

Illustrations / Graphics:

• The rather unique colour might allow R&KAB to take the place of colours that were previously mixed.
• The colour is quite impure, so may prove awkward as a transitional or even a complementary colour.
• Somehow, I would rather see this colour used with a brush - not a pen. (!?!)
• Likely useful as a warm ground, establishing near distance; doubtful to depict even a secondary figure.
• Line quality is very good, but there is a strong propensity for shading, so I would look elsewhere for uniform tight narrow lines, label text, graphs, etc.

Students:

• Not really.
• As for Business use, this may best be considered as an alt/aux colour in conjunction with Blue, Brown and BlBk daily writer inks; certainly it has acceptable S/DT and acceptable performance on the Staples 20lb.
• Quite likely not acceptable for written assignments.

Personal:

• Oh yes.
• Yes indeed!
• As I often have trouble with warm inks, I keep coming back to R&KAB for its combination of warmth and stability.
• It has enough appeal to be cozy without blood heat - gemütlichkeit.
• If I were to receive a letter written in this ink, the author just might make it onto my speed dial list.
• Impossible for pro forma personal business writing - use-up the Diamine Indigo for that bumph.
• In general, I do not find warmer colours to be good for more than a few pages, but the good-humored aspect of R&KAB could be stretched to accommodate perhaps five pages - only if adequate care is taken with pen and paper choices; text size, spacing and margins; and page size. (Am I so very fussy? Or perhaps my chignon is too tight again.)
• As this one has high shading potential, choice of nib width, shape and wetness will definitely influence the appearance.
• Billets doux? Within the scope of Alt Bordeaux, so care is required to avoid mixed messages.

PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE & CHARACTERISTICS

 

Flow Rate:

• Very medium.
• Dependable.

Nib Dry-out:

• Not noticed.

Start-up:

• Immediate.
• With confidence.

Lubrication:

• Quite good.
• Nibs moved along without undue drag or rumble.

Nib Creepers:

• Not seen.

Staining [pen]:

• Not seen after three days.
• After extensive use with this ink, the window of the T22 remains clear.

Clogging:

• Not seen.
• Seems very unlikely.

Bleed- Show-Through:

• HPJ1124: Inconsequential from the P99.
• Royal - 25% rag: Show-through only from the C74.
• Staples 20lb: Waterman.

Feathering / Woolly Line:

• Not seen on papers used.

Smell:

• None apparent.

Hand oil sensitivity:

• Not seen.

Clean-Up:

• Fast and thorough with plain water.

Mixing:

• Mixing with the other R&K FP inks, except Sepia, is quite all right. LINK (Merci Jean Elie ♡)
• Some practitioners may take an interest in mixes with Scabiosa, which is a nice way to boost the water-resistance.

Archival:

• Not claimed.

Smear/Dry Times & Water Resistance:

• Please see Figure 10.

THE LOOK

 

Presence:

• Well-seated.
• Firm yet fluid.
• A sweet voice singing in the warm open air.

Saturation:

• Medium.
• Easily manipulated.

Shading:

• High potential.
• Evident even from narrow nibs.
  
• (See Hi-Res Scans below.)

Variability:

• Pen+nib combos used:
  • Higher than usual.

  [*]Papers used:

  • Medium.

  [*]Malleability:

  • Moderate, but interesting.
  • R&KAB has the essentials of an upper-tier ink which allow it to be considered as a reliable 'roll-up-your-sleeves' daily writer, which looks very much itself across a range of papers from different writers.
  • That said, this ink has been gifted with the qualities that make subtle changes to The Look very possible with astute choice of pen+nib and paper. The roomy performance envelope of R&KAB embraces a considerable range of papers and pens.

Hi-Res Scans:

(Originals are 60x30mm.)

 

As I do not aspire to the sobriquet 'Königin der Bandbreiten-Banditen', these are IMG-thumbs only. To view the images as intended, please click on the image.

 

Sheaffer on HPJ1124:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/th_0b67c4cc.jpg

 

600 on Rhodia:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/th_5e27d37d.jpg

 

T22 on Rhodia:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/th_9986323f.jpg

 

Waterman on G Lalo:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/th_bd955558.jpg

 

C74 on Royal:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/th_f21ee910.jpg

 

 

FIDELITY

 

Is the name appropriate?

• I defer to those familiar with 'Alt Bordeaux' wine to cover-off the appropriateness of the ink's appellation in that regard.

Consistency with the marketing company's depiction/s?

• Rohrer & Klingner offers a colour chart in pdf format on their site: LINK
• Also, the bottle label is done up in a colour that bears some resemblance to the ink in the bottle.
• The ink I received is quite consistent with those depictions.

OTHER INKS

 

My Ink Reviews of most warm inks from July 2010 onward share the same format and some of the same pens & papers; hence support comparisons through manipulation of web browser windows. That said, if you feel a specific aspect of R&KAB deserves to be depicted/documented as a stand-alone Topic or Post, your PM will be welcomed.

 

Swab Swami:

IMG-thumb:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/th_f858ddf1.jpg

 

L → R: Montblanc Burgundy Red (current production), J. Herbin Bouquet d'Antan, and Noodler's Burgundy interlaced with Alt Bordeaux at densities from three, two and one passes.

PAPERS

 

Lovely papers:

• Whites.
• Cool whites. (No kidding!)
• The hard textured surface of the G Lalo presented no difficulty to this ink, yielding results with a certain cachet.

Trip-wire Papers: ☠

• Not seen - which is somewhat unusual for a warm ink.

Tinted Papers:

• Very much a matter of personal preference.
• The appearance on G Lalo white, with its warm tint is quite appealing, yet I would be a bit careful on stronger warm tints, especially as the pale areas where the ink exhibits shading may acquire an unacceptable colour.

Pre-Printed Papers:

• Forms:
  • Possible, but certainly not my first pick.
  • R&KAB would need to be run at a high density without shading.
  • Good for making an emphasised entry.

  [*]Charts & graphs:

  • Not so much - it seems the propensity for shading may preclude its use.

Is high-end paper 'worth it'?

• Yes.
• R&KAB does perfectly well on modest paper, yet if one chooses to exploit its potential, an array of papers should prove gratifying.

ETC.

 

Majik:

• Possible.
• Efforts to conjure may be well rewarded.

Personal Pen & Paper Pick:

• The T22 on the Rhodia.
• I like the %-age coverage from the mid-width nib, which is a bit on the wet side.
• The slightly warm base-tint of the Rhodia cossets the ink ever so slightly, reducing the p☀p of white papers, especially those with optical brighteners.
• Shading remains subdued but apparent, and is in harmony with the very crisp line quality.

Yickity Yackity:

• Clearly this is a personal favourite of long standing, which is often chosen over other fine inks.
• The other warm inks coming into use certainly have their appeal, but none have taken the top shelf position of Alt Bordeaux.
• Ah kushbaby, which would you prefer to have in a bottle - the wine or the ink?

======

 

NUTS & BOLTS

 

Pens

Written Samples:

• Sheaffer Lady Balance (?) + 14K
  #5
  Feather Touch nib.
• rotring 600 + steel F nib.
• Stipula T22 + Titanium nib.
• Waterman + g-p steel nib.
• Pelikan P99 + steel B nib.
• Pilot Custom 74 + MS nib.

Lines & labels:

• Pelikan Turquoise from a Pilot Penmanship + XF nib.

Papers:

• HPJ1124 24 lb. Laser Copy.
• Rhodia.
• G Lalo, Verge de France, white.
• Royal, 25% cotton rag.
• Staples 20lb. multi use.
• Pulp. One-a-Day Calendar page.

Imaging

• An Epson V600 scanner was used with the bundled Epson s/w at factory default settings to produce jpg files.
• Figures shown were scanned at 200 dpi & 24 bit colour.
• Hi-Res Images linked were scanned at 300 dpi & 24 bit colour.
• No post-capture manipulation of scanner output was done, other than dumb-down by Epson, Photobucket & IP.Board s/w.

Densitometer Readings:

HPJ1124

• Red 150
• Grn 106
• Blu 134
• Lum 121

Fine Print

The accuracy and relevance of this Review depends in great part upon consistency and reliability of matériel used.

Ink does not require labelling/notice to indicate (changes in) formulation, non-hazardous ingredients, batch ID, date of manufacture, etc.

As always, YMMV; not only from materials, methods, environment, etc., but also due to differences between the stuff I used, and that you may have.

Also, I entrust readers to separate opinion from fact; to evaluate inferences and conclusions as to their merit; and to be amused by whatever tickles your fancy.

-30-

TAGS: Fountain pen ink review Rohrer & Klingner R&K Alt Bordeaux Sandy1

Edited April 13, 2012 by Sandy1

[terminal]

You do such amazing reviews!

[Uncle Red]

Thanks for another great review. This isn't a color I'd expect you to like.

[fourseamer]

Thanks for the wonderful review, Sandy. I've recently enjoyed the subtleties of R&K Sepia and Alt-Goldgrün, and this looks like another ink worth checking out.

[Sandy1]

You do such amazing reviews!

 

Hi,

 

Thanks for the kind words!

 

Bye,

S1

[Sandy1]

Thanks for another great review. This isn't a color I'd expect you to like.

 

Hi,

 

You're welcome!

 

This was one of the early warm colours that I used, and became one of my favourites.

 

Bye,

S1

[Sandy1]

Thanks for the wonderful review, Sandy. I've recently enjoyed the subtleties of R&K Sepia and Alt-Goldgrün, and this looks like another ink worth checking out.

 

Hi,

 

This is another subtle one!

 

Quite low vibrancy (chroma) contributes to the stability on the page, which seems hard to come by with a warm ink; and it certainly won't distract from what's written.

 

Bye,

S1

[eric.zamir]

I like the color but find the ink dry. Also, this particular color, which is in the "Poussiere du Lune/Sheaffer Bordeaux" family, tends to lose my interest after about one line of writing. I have tons of the stuff and can't wait to trade it for something else.

[Sandy1]

I like the color but find the ink dry. Also, this particular color, which is in the "Poussiere du Lune/Sheaffer Bordeaux" family, tends to lose my interest after about one line of writing. I have tons of the stuff and can't wait to trade it for something else.

 

Hi,

 

Thanks for adding your impressions of R&KAB!

 

I found that it does suit the shorter note, but a bit longer than one line - its not just for greeting cards in my world. (Though some are!)

 

I found Herbin PdL to be far more Purple than R&KAB:

 

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Herbin%20Poussiere%20de%20Lune/38705946.jpg

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/841bb22f.jpg

 

If you are not enamoured with colours like HPdL, and your 'signature' is "Looking for Sheaffer Bordeaux ink...", perhaps it is time to update same to 'WTT HPdL'?

 

Bye,

S1

 

= = =

 

Ink Review HPdL: LINK

[eric.zamir]

You're so right. I mixed up Alt Bordeaux and Scabiosa. The Alt Bordeaux is actually very close to MB Bordeaux which is close to de Atramentis and Montegrappa Bordeaux, etc.

I should change that. I had lots of bottles once upon a time and then, once I had none, began to miss it. i actually created an ersatz version, but rarely use it. I like de Atramentis Aubergine and MB Violet n/k/a Lavender better.

 

I like the color but find the ink dry. Also, this particular color, which is in the "Poussiere du Lune/Sheaffer Bordeaux" family, tends to lose my interest after about one line of writing. I have tons of the stuff and can't wait to trade it for something else.

 

Hi,

 

Thanks for adding your impressions of R&KAB!

 

I found that it does suit the shorter note, but a bit longer than one line - its not just for greeting cards in my world. (Though some are!)

 

I found Herbin PdL to be far more Purple than R&KAB:

 

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/Ink%20Review%20-%20Herbin%20Poussiere%20de%20Lune/38705946.jpg

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy116/Sandy1-1/FPN%20Stuff%20-%202011/RK%20Alt%20Bordeaux/841bb22f.jpg

 

If you are not enamoured with colours like HPdL, and your 'signature' is "Looking for Sheaffer Bordeaux ink...", perhaps it is time to update same to 'WTT HPdL'?

 

Bye,

S1

 

= = =

 

Ink Review HPdL: LINK

 

 

 

[delphi303]

Well I just might have to get this one then...

 

I thought I had this aspect of the inky array covered with Diamine Amaranth, Damson & Syrah and R&K Scabiosa... (some close, some not, but all IMHO in the realm of dusky/dusty warm reds/purples).

 

I'm attracted to the performance profile (esp. shading). I could well be on the way to my 7th R&K ink now (Blau Perm, Konigsblau, Salix, Sepia, Goldgrun, Scabiosa).

 

Many thanks S1!

[Sandy1]

Well I just might have to get this one then...

 

I thought I had this aspect of the inky array covered with Diamine Amaranth, Damson & Syrah and R&K Scabiosa... (some close, some not, but all IMHO in the realm of dusky/dusty warm reds/purples).

 

I'm attracted to the performance profile (esp. shading). I could well be on the way to my 7th R&K ink now (Blau Perm, Konigsblau, Salix, Sepia, Goldgrun, Scabiosa).

 

Many thanks S1!

 

Hi,

 

You're welcome!

 

I was very slow coming to the warm Red-centric inks for correspondence. But once started, it was not so much of a stretch to expand my range bit by bit, yet wanting to acquire inks that I would use - not just out of curiosity.

 

I like the subtle aspect of Alt Bordeaux that keeps it from being a shocker to the recipients who are likely accustom to letters in my Blue - Blue-Black home range.

 

The R&K 'house style' has considerable appeal, with no inks relegated to the Mixing Corral, and all inks being replaced when their bottles run low.

 

Bye,

S1

[MrsWeetag]

Great review! However, I got a sample from Goulet and really didn't care for it or the Sepia. I did however like the Alt Goldgrun.

[wastelanded]

Top-shelf work as always, Sandy. This one fascinates me, I can almost taste grapes looking at it.

[Sandy1]

Great review! However, I got a sample from Goulet and really didn't care for it or the Sepia. I did however like the Alt Goldgrun.

 

Hi,

 

I'm glad you liked the review!

 

It seems we have very different taste in inks: I really like the Alt Bordeaux and their Sepia, but have no desire for the Alt Goldgrun (yet).

 

Bye,

S1

[Sandy1]

Top-shelf work as always, Sandy. This one fascinates me, I can almost taste grapes looking at it.

 

Hi,

 

Thanks for your kind words!

 

Do we have another 'inky appetiser', appealing to more than one of our tactile senses?

 

Bye,

S1

[wastelanded]

Do we have another 'inky appetiser', appealing to more than one of our tactile senses?

 

I think yes. Amazing how an ink can do that. Smell, ok, scented inks. But some inks even invite touch. Taste? Imagination is the greatest gift.

[dragos.mocanu]

Hey Sandy1,

 

This ink is one of my most favorites (among Sepia and Scabiosa from R&K), and this review inspired me to acquire it (as your other 2 reviews, for Sepia and Scabiosa, did as well ), thank you so much!

 

Regards,

Dragos

Edited September 6, 2014 by dragos.mocanu

[Mercian]

As I have just restored the images to visvamitra's 2014 review of this ink, I thought that I would do the same for this review of it by Sandy1.

 

DO PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS REVIEW - AND THESE IMAGES - WERE MADE IN 2012

As such, this ink MAY have been reformulated since then!

 

If you have a modern bottle of it, and you know that it has been reformulated, because your ink doesn't look or behave like the ink shown in this review, or the ink shown in the 2014 review by visvamitra, I would be very grateful to you if you would post your own review of it on this board, whether that review is brief, or as-compendious as the two that I have tinkered with.

 

Anyway, please now enjoy Sandy1's words of wisdom...

 

-----

 

Please take a moment to adjust your gear to accurately depict the Grey Scale below.

As the patches are neutral grey, that is what you should see.

 

Mac

http://www.wikihow.c...te-Your-Monitor

 

Wintel PC

http://www.calibrize.com/

Grey Scale.

|^|

 

Figure 1.

Swabs & Swatch

Paper: HPJ1124 24 lb. Laser Copy.

 

 

Figure 2.

NIB-ism ✑
Depicts nibs' down-stroke width and pens' relative wetness.

Paper: HPJ1124.

 

IMG-Thumb:

 

Pens: L → R: Sheaffer, 600, T22, Waterman, P99, C74.

 

 

Figure 3.

Paper base tints:

 

L → R: HPJ1124, Rhodia, G Lalo white, Royal, Staples 20 lb.

 

 

 

WRITTEN SAMPLES - Moby Dick

Ruling: 8mm.

 

Figure 4.

Paper: HPJ1124.

 

 

Figure 5.

Paper: Rhodia.

 

 

Figure 6.

Paper: G Lalo, Verge de France, white.

 

 

Figure 7.

Paper: Royal - 25% rag.

 

 

Figure 8.

Paper: Staples multi-use 20 lb.

 

 

Figure 9.

Grocery List

Paper: Pulp. One-a-Day calendar page.

 

 

OTHER STUFF

 

Figure 10.

Smear/Dry Times

Wet Tests ☂

 

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

 

Type:

• Dye-based fountain pen ink.

Presentation:

• Bottle.

Availability:

• Available when Topic posted.

Daily writer?

• Possible.

A go-to ink?

• When a stable warm ink is desired.

 

USE

 

Business:

(From the office of Ms Blue-Black.)

• As a group, the Red-centric inks run the risk of being overly personal and/or 'shouting', so their Business use may be limited by those characteristics.
• I would find R&KAB inappropriate for any 'letterhead' correspondence, and anything signed with more than two initials.
• For a warm ink, this has a well-grounded stability, which makes it quite readable for more than a wee note. Also, viewing under warm light sources does little to reduce the legibility of this ink.
• While I consider this to be an alternative/auxiliary special use ink, some just might use it for personal work product, and to distinguish their work from that of others. (A rather loud whisper, no?)
• I would consider it to be be a good choice for editing and mark-up; and a possible pick for error correction and grading.

Illustrations / Graphics:

• The rather unique colour might allow R&KAB to take the place of colours that were previously mixed.
• The colour is quite impure, so may prove awkward as a transitional or even a complementary colour.
• Somehow, I would rather see this colour used with a brush - not a pen. (!?!)
• Likely useful as a warm ground, establishing near distance; doubtful to depict even a secondary figure.
• Line quality is very good, but there is a strong propensity for shading, so I would look elsewhere for uniform tight narrow lines, label text, graphs, etc.

Students:

• Not really.
• As for Business use, this may best be considered as an alt/aux colour in conjunction with Blue, Brown and BlBk daily writer inks; certainly it has acceptable S/DT and acceptable performance on the Staples 20lb.
• Quite likely not acceptable for written assignments.

Personal:

• Oh yes.
• Yes indeed!
• As I often have trouble with warm inks, I keep coming back to R&KAB for its combination of warmth and stability.
• It has enough appeal to be cozy without blood heat - gemütlichkeit.
• If I were to receive a letter written in this ink, the author just might make it onto my speed dial list.
• Impossible for pro forma personal business writing - use-up the Diamine Indigo for that bumph.
• In general, I do not find warmer colours to be good for more than a few pages, but the good-humored aspect of R&KAB could be stretched to accommodate perhaps five pages - only if adequate care is taken with pen and paper choices; text size, spacing and margins; and page size. (Am I so very fussy? Or perhaps my chignon is too tight again.)
• As this one has high shading potential, choice of nib width, shape and wetness will definitely influence the appearance.
• Billets doux? Within the scope of Alt Bordeaux, so care is required to avoid mixed messages.

 

PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE & CHARACTERISTICS

 

Flow Rate:

• Very medium.
• Dependable.

Nib Dry-out:

• Not noticed.

Start-up:

• Immediate.
• With confidence.

Lubrication:

• Quite good.
• Nibs moved along without undue drag or rumble.

Nib Creepers:

• Not seen.

Staining [pen]:

• Not seen after three days.
• After extensive use with this ink, the window of the T22 remains clear.

Clogging:

• Not seen.
• Seems very unlikely.

Bleed- Show-Through:

• HPJ1124: Inconsequential from the P99.
• Royal - 25% rag: Show-through only from the C74.
• Staples 20lb: Waterman.

Feathering / Woolly Line:

• Not seen on papers used.

Smell:

• None apparent.

Hand oil sensitivity:

• Not seen.

Clean-Up:

• Fast and thorough with plain water.

Mixing:

• Mixing with the other R&K FP inks, except Sepia, is quite all right. LINK (Merci Jean Elie ♡)
• Some practitioners may take an interest in mixes with Scabiosa, which is a nice way to boost the water-resistance.

Archival:

• Not claimed.

Smear/Dry Times & Water Resistance:

• Please see Figure 10.

 

THE LOOK

 

Presence:

• Well-seated.
• Firm yet fluid.
• A sweet voice singing in the warm open air.

Saturation:

• Medium.
• Easily manipulated.

Shading:

• High potential.
• Evident even from narrow nibs.
• (See Hi-Res Scans below.)

Variability:

• Pen+nib combos used:
  • Higher than usual.

  [*]Papers used:

  • Medium.

  [*]Malleability:

  • Moderate, but interesting.
  • R&KAB has the essentials of an upper-tier ink which allow it to be considered as a reliable 'roll-up-your-sleeves' daily writer, which looks very much itself across a range of papers from different writers.
  • That said, this ink has been gifted with the qualities that make subtle changes to The Look very possible with astute choice of pen+nib and paper. The roomy performance envelope of R&KAB embraces a considerable range of papers and pens.

   

Hi-Res Scans:

(Originals are 60x30mm.)

 

As I do not aspire to the sobriquet 'Königin der Bandbreiten-Banditen', these are IMG-thumbs only. To view the images as intended, please click on the image.

 

Sheaffer on HPJ1124:

 

600 on Rhodia:

 

T22 on Rhodia:

 

Waterman on G Lalo:

 

C74 on Royal:

 

 

 

FIDELITY

 

Is the name appropriate?

• I defer to those familiar with 'Alt Bordeaux' wine to cover-off the appropriateness of the ink's appellation in that regard.

Consistency with the marketing company's depiction/s?

• Rohrer & Klingner offers a colour chart in pdf format on their site: LINK
• Also, the bottle label is done up in a colour that bears some resemblance to the ink in the bottle.
• The ink I received is quite consistent with those depictions.

 

OTHER INKS

 

My Ink Reviews of most warm inks from July 2010 onward share the same format and some of the same pens & papers; hence support comparisons through manipulation of web browser windows. That said, if you feel a specific aspect of R&KAB deserves to be depicted/documented as a stand-alone Topic or Post, your PM will be welcomed.

 

Swab Swami:

 

IMG-thumb:

 

 

L → R: Montblanc Burgundy Red (2012 production), J. Herbin Bouquet d'Antan, and Noodler's Burgundy interlaced with Alt Bordeaux at densities from three, two and one passes.

 

 

PAPERS

 

Lovely papers:

• Whites.
• Cool whites. (No kidding!)
• The hard textured surface of the G Lalo presented no difficulty to this ink, yielding results with a certain cachet.

Trip-wire Papers: ☠

• Not seen - which is somewhat unusual for a warm ink.

Tinted Papers:

• Very much a matter of personal preference.
• The appearance on G Lalo white, with its warm tint is quite appealing, yet I would be a bit careful on stronger warm tints, especially as the pale areas where the ink exhibits shading may acquire an unacceptable colour.

Pre-Printed Papers:

• Forms:
  • Possible, but certainly not my first pick.
  • R&KAB would need to be run at a high density without shading.
  • Good for making an emphasised entry.

  [*]Charts & graphs:

  • Not so much - it seems the propensity for shading may preclude its use.

   

Is high-end paper 'worth it'?

• Yes.
• R&KAB does perfectly well on modest paper, yet if one chooses to exploit its potential, an array of papers should prove gratifying.

 

ETC.

 

Majik:

• Possible.
• Efforts to conjure may be well rewarded.

Personal Pen & Paper Pick:

• The T22 on the Rhodia.
• I like the %-age coverage from the mid-width nib, which is a bit on the wet side.
• The slightly warm base-tint of the Rhodia cossets the ink ever so slightly, reducing the p☀p of white papers, especially those with optical brighteners.
• Shading remains subdued but apparent, and is in harmony with the very crisp line quality.

Yickity Yackity:

• Clearly this is a personal favourite of long standing, which is often chosen over other fine inks.
• The other warm inks coming into use certainly have their appeal, but none have taken the top shelf position of Alt Bordeaux.
• Ah kushbaby, which would you prefer to have in a bottle - the wine or the ink?

======

 

NUTS & BOLTS

 

Pens

 

 

Written Samples:

 

• Sheaffer Lady Balance (?) + 14K #5 Feather Touch nib.
• rotring 600 + steel F nib.
• Stipula T22 + Titanium nib.
• Waterman + g-p steel nib.
• Pelikan P99 + steel B nib.
• Pilot Custom 74 + MS nib.

 

Lines & labels:

• Pelikan Turquoise from a Pilot Penmanship + XF nib.

 

Papers:

• HPJ1124 24 lb. Laser Copy.
• Rhodia.
• G Lalo, Verge de France, white.
• Royal, 25% cotton rag.
• Staples 20lb. multi use.
• Pulp. One-a-Day Calendar page.

Imaging

• An Epson V600 scanner was used with the bundled Epson s/w at factory default settings to produce jpg files.
• Figures shown were scanned at 200 dpi & 24 bit colour.
• Hi-Res Images linked were scanned at 300 dpi & 24 bit colour.
• No post-capture manipulation of scanner output was done, other than dumb-down by Epson, Photobucket & IP.Board s/w.

Densitometer Readings:

HPJ1124

• Red 150
• Grn 106
• Blu 134
• Lum 121

Fine Print

The accuracy and relevance of this Review depends in great part upon consistency and reliability of matériel used.

Ink does not require labelling/notice to indicate (changes in) formulation, non-hazardous ingredients, batch ID, date of manufacture, etc.

As always, YMMV; not only from materials, methods, environment, etc., but also due to differences between the stuff I used, and that you may have.

Also, I entrust readers to separate opinion from fact; to evaluate inferences and conclusions as to their merit; and to be amused by whatever tickles your fancy.

-30-

 

-----

 

Restoring the images to these two reviews has made me very keen to get hold of some of this ink† - does this review make you, dear reader, think that you might desire it too?

 

Anyway, I hope that this restoration proves useful

 

Slàinte,
M.

 

† especially as Sandy1 deemed Alt-Bordeaux capable of 'Majik' - a list of inks that met this criterion would, I think, be a boon to the FPN community. Perhaps that ought to be my next 'project'....

[inkstainedruth]

Thanks for resurrecting Sandy1's old images.  

For some reason, I'd always been under the impression that this ink would be a dark red but the reposted images make it look more like a dark red-violet.  So my wallet does NOT thank you (we're about to be dropping a pile of money on having our driveway replaced from the street to the back corner of the house -- not even all the way to the barn at the back of the property...).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth