Rohrer & Klingner Morinda

Morinda is another lovely ink from Rohrer & Klingner. Not an easy color to describe nor was it easy to scan but it is very easy to like even for someone who is not overly fond of red ink.

Color is always #1 but some inks don’t make it easy to write about their best attribute especially when different lighting conditions give them a dual nature. Morinda has some of that quality. In artificial light it is red with a hint of pinkish-orange. However, in natural light it resembles the color of clay bricks. It is somewhat similar to J. Herbin 1670 but less saturated. A wide nib can bring out more depth of color if your favorite fine nib makes it too understated.

Regardless of the pen or paper employed, there is nothing bright about Morinda. Its muted color may lend it to a greater range of uses than the more common true or blue red quite simply because it is more subtle. A page in my Apica 6A10 journal was comfortably legible when I looked back at it, something I wouldn’t say about bright red inks. Most often true reds fairly shout at me on later inspection. Morinda is far more polite.

Due to the ink’s medium saturation and a mild degree of transparency, paper color shows through and slightly influences the final look of the ink. I rather like the harmonious effect produced from the color blended of ink on a compatible paper.

As for other characteristics, Morinda has good flow and coverage. It also dried fairly quickly. Though not a particularly lubricating ink, the Lamy Vista 1.1 mm used in the test moved smoothly across Office Depot 24# inkjet paper. I did not observe any shading but found that quite suitable to the color. There was no bleed-through or show-through on the papers tested. An occasional uneven letter edge appeared on cheap paper though not pronounced enough to be deemed offensive. Frankly, the paper was likely the greater culprit. On better paper performance was excellent. All in all there is a great deal to like here.

While I have little need for red ink, Morinda will make me look for a reason to use a red ink. Isn’t that just the way with a quality product?

Rohrer & Klingner Morinda Ink

More at Everyday Correspondence and my ink comparison.

Ryan from Pear Tree Pens sent the sample used for the review. Thanks for making the introduction, Ryan!