Rohrer & Klingner Fountain Pen Ink (50mL) - Alt-Bordeaux (Deep Red)

Alt-Bordeaux is similar to Diamine Tyrian Purple and coats the nib much, much better. It is bluer than both Kaweco Summer Purple and Sailor Kobe #6 Bordeaux. It falls between J. Herbin Larmes de Cassis and Poussière de Lune, the former being lighter and pinker, the latter, deeper and bluer.

I was surprised at how smooth this ink was. I expected it to be a dry ink, something similar to Pelikan inks. But it wasn’t! I don’t find it to be richly saturated but I was able to achieve a dark line even with my Sailor 1911L 21 kt H-EF nib, and it didn’t feel thin or watery under the nib, not even in my Sailor H-M, the driest of my pens. Shading is present in low to moderate amounts, and is dependent on pen and paper combo. The ink retains its cool colour even on ivory and cream-coloured paper, where it acquires a vintage ink look.

It dries rather quickly, but to a flat or dull finish. It doesn’t pop off the page, and is rather subdued. I’ve had feathering and slight bleedthrough on cheaper paper, but none on better quality paper. There is ghosting on thinner paper; I’ve observed no sheen.

I like writing with this ink out of my 1911L 21 kt H-B on white TR 52 gsm paper, as well as on Maruman Mnemosyne notebooks and Rhodia DotPads; I enjoy writing letters on Clairefontaine Triomphe too!

A lovely burgundy/purple colour reminiscent of a red wine stain. it has nice transparency and shades well.

Nice vintage-feel aged maroon colour. The ink reminds me of a dry red wine ;)

The colour is subtle enough that it wont hurt your eyes when the page is filled (common issue with brighter colour inks)

Highly recommend!