Rohrer & Klingner- Scabiosa (Iron-Gall Ink)

[pgcauk]

What a lovely review, many thanks. If I could only have one ink, Scabiosa would be a serious contender.

+1

I can't imagine the day but . . .

I did whittle things down to a "core palette" of seven for a while, and in my head I can play

"If you only had five . . ."

"If you only had three . . . . " (I am actually quite keen to try this discipline!)

"If you only had two . . . . "

with Scabiosa making it through each of those rounds . . . .

and I do believe that if I had to choose between "my violet" and "my green", I don't think the green would be the winner!

 

I like how this review gives a taste of the many aspects of this ink, rather than trying to confine it into a single box!

 

I have been looking for an ink that has the lovely blue-violet color of "fresh" Scabiosa without all the subsequent alchemy. The closest I've come so far is Birmingham Pens' Violet Starling, but I'm still in the testing stage with that one and would love to hear any other suggestions?

[ENewton]

Birmingham has so many wonderful purples. Lately I've been enjoying Birmingham Phipps Verbena. You might give it a look.

[pgcauk]

Birmingham has so many wonderful purples. Lately I've been enjoying Birmingham Phipps Verbena. You might give it a look.

 

I am keeping to the darker violets for now. I have 30ml each of Violet Starling (previously a sample) and the Frick Building Stained Glass on order for a proper head to head with my existing David O Selznick Lilac Wind (Birmingham has the best ink names!). I wasn't so keen on the dusks and twilights (which surprised me!), so I think the Vaudeville Regalia, Andy Warhol Pop and (possibly - I'll go back and check!) Verbena might be a bit bright for me? I do love verbena as a plant!

 

. . . . but you're right, that's a great range of violets and purples to peruse and sample! . . . . and sampling does need to cover a range of nibs and papers - the Violet Starling was near black (but already alluring) in a dip-pen or a wet-flex, but once I put it in a fine nib it's very close to fresh Scabiosa - good enough to write with everyday!

[ENewton]

 

I am keeping to the darker violets for now. I have 30ml each of Violet Starling (previously a sample) and the Frick Building Stained Glass on order for a proper head to head with my existing David O Selznick Lilac Wind (Birmingham has the best ink names!). I wasn't so keen on the dusks and twilights (which surprised me!), so I think the Vaudeville Regalia, Andy Warhol Pop and (possibly - I'll go back and check!) Verbena might be a bit bright for me? I do love verbena as a plant!

 

. . . . but you're right, that's a great range of violets and purples to peruse and sample! . . . . and sampling does need to cover a range of nibs and papers - the Violet Starling was near black (but already alluring) in a dip-pen or a wet-flex, but once I put it in a fine nib it's very close to fresh Scabiosa - good enough to write with everyday!

 

 

Lilac Wind is one of my favorite Birmingham inks, although I also like Waterfront Dusk.

 

Andy Warhol is very bright--too lively for me, I confess.

 

Phipps Verbena has been dark in the pens in which I've used it so far.

 

I look forward to hearing further results from your experimentation!