Hidersine Grip with room to speak. The 6V deluxe dark. A premium dark rosin for violin, large cake, 30g. Firm grip and clear attack, with a slightly softer make-up that leaves space for articulation. Made in England. What it is Hidersine's deluxe grade. Hidersine has been making rosin in England since 1890, and the 6V is the grade many players reach for when they want more from a dark formula than sheer stickiness. It follows one of Francis Hider's historic recipes, still hand-mixed and hand-poured. The result sits at Grip Profile Rating 6 on Hidersine's own ten-point scale, so there is plenty of purchase on the string, but the softer body means the bow can still shape a phrase rather than simply dig into it. Specifications At a glance. Detail Spec Brand Hidersine Model 6V Deluxe Grade Dark / Soft Grip Profile Rating GPR 6 (1 low grip, 10 high grip) Cake size Large Weight 30g (approx) Instrument Violin Constituents Colophony, natural waxes Made in England Manufacture Hand-mixed, hand-poured Sound profile Rich and articulate. The 6V gives a warm, well-fed tone with a clean attack at the start of the note. Its balance point is grip against subtlety: enough traction for a firm sound in the lower strings, enough give for detail in fast passagework. It suits players from around Grade 6 upward, and works particularly well in temperate to cooler conditions, where lighter rosins can leave the bow feeling as though it is sliding across the string. How to use Getting the most from it. Apply with slow, even strokes along the full length of the bow hair before playing. Dark rosin transfers readily. Use a lighter hand than you would with a harder, lighter-coloured cake. New bow hair needs several coats over the first few sessions before it grips evenly. Wipe rosin dust from the strings and the instrument top after each session. Care and storage Keep it in good condition. Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, and keep the cake in its box between sessions. Softer dark rosins are more prone to going tacky in heat than harder formulas, so avoid leaving it in a warm car or in a case sitting in the sun. Handled sensibly, a 30g cake will last a long time. Questions Common questions. Who is the 6V for? Players from around Grade 6 upward who want a dark rosin with real grip but still want to hear detail and colour in the sound. If you have found other dark rosins heavy or sticky, the 6V is worth trying. What does the Grip Profile Rating mean? It is Hidersine's own scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is low grip and 10 is high. The 6V sits at 6, which is firm without being at the extreme end. It tells you how much the rosin will make the bow hair hold the string. How often should I apply it? A few light strokes before each session is usually enough. Because dark rosin deposits more readily, over-application is the common mistake and produces a heavy, sluggish bow response. Does rosin have a shelf life? Rosin lasts for years when stored well. If the surface goes glassy and stops producing dust on the bow, it is time to replace the cake. Can rosin cause an allergic reaction? Rosin contains colophony, which irritates some players. Wipe rosin dust from the instrument and strings after each session to reduce exposure. For a gentler alternative, see the Mabsa Honey formula.