Invitation To Show Off Your Stuff...

[dhnz]

It's not limiting at all. I like to use what works. I guess this would depend on the type of iron gall ink that you're using, too. If you're using the commercial iron gall inks that are safe for fountain pens, those are going to be a lot less corrosive than traditional iron gall formulas meant for dip pens only. I notice a difference in flow and scratchiness of nib even after one session of writing with a metal nib. ...

There's another consideration. Dr. Stark (a chemist in the 1800's) did extensive tests for 20 years on what made the best (as in the most stable and permanent) formula for iron gall inks. One of the things that shortened the life of an ink was a metal nib. ...

 

Well, you're limiting yourself by not using metal nibs with IG ink, are you not? You won't use the Gillott 303 or Prinicpality, Esterbrook A1 or 357, Hunt 22 or 56, Leonardt Principal, to name just a very few. To me, that is limiting.

 

I've read your previous posts on IG ink and have also read the relevant parts of Forty Centuries and found only these two sentences related to steel nibs and IG ink: "It was shown that immersing iron wire or filings in these inks destroyed ordinary inks. He [stark] therefore recommended that all legal deeds or documents should be written with quill pens, as the contact of steel invariably destroys more or less the durability of every ink." To me, Stark is talking there about the durability of the ink on paper, not in the bottle, and even then he tells us nothing about how long the iron wire or filings were immersed in the ink, what quantity of iron was used, and what effect that nib steel would have as opposed to iron wire or filings. Have you a copy of Stark's paper or do you have any other material that expands upon this or are you relying only on these two sentences?

 

Conservation science has moved on a lot since the 1850s and if it's durability on paper you're worried about, I'd be looking to more recent sources than Stark. If you're concerned about the durability of the ink in the bottle, then I have to ask Why? IG ink is easy and cheap to make, and even if steel nibs do have some minor, measurable effect on the ink, just pour a little into an inkwell and use it from there, keeping your original bottle pristine. To me, it's akin to buying high-quality paper and then not using it, because that would diminish your stock of unused paper. I make IG ink to use, not to see how long it can last in a bottle.

 

The iron gall inks I use are all for dip nibs. I've used Walker's and McCaffrey's and I've made ink using various recipes from the 1800s on. I've never noticed a difference in nib scratchiness or flow after one session due to IG ink and I've been using it for 10 years now, so your experience is certainly not universal. The acidity of IG ink has been discussed on the OP group in the past and, without wishing to speak for him, Brian Walker (who went to the IG conference some years back) described the over-emphasis on acidity as something of a red herring. Based on my experience, I agree completely, and I would urge anyone interested in this ink to try it and not worry about their nibs being corroded or their ink failing.

 

I'm curious though – I read in one of your posts that you use galls, not tannic or gallic acids when making your ink. If the composition and durability of your ink is as important to you as it appears, why don't you use the chemicals? Using galls will mean that you can never exactly duplicate your inks and thus their properties cannot be predicted precisely.

 

Dominic

Edited January 2, 2014 by dhnz

[fiberdrunk]

I think we're getting off the original intent of this particular thread. I only brought up the iron gall thing in the first place because a few pages back, someone had mentioned iron gall ink was eating their nibs and I've had that experience as well, so I offered what has worked for me. But I have no desire to get into an argument about it here. Let's get back on track with the thread ok? I'll keep my views, and you keep yours.

[caliken]

Edited March 29, 2014 by Ken Fraser

[dhnz]

I think we're getting off the original intent of this particular thread. I only brought up the iron gall thing in the first place because a few pages back, someone had mentioned iron gall ink was eating their nibs and I've had that experience as well, so I offered what has worked for me. But I have no desire to get into an argument about it here. Let's get back on track with the thread ok? I'll keep my views, and you keep yours.

 

That's fine if you don't want to discuss the topic, but if you have Stark's paper, I would be grateful if you could post it somewhere. I've looked for it in the past and have not been able to source a copy.

Edited January 3, 2014 by dhnz

[caliken]

Edited March 28, 2014 by Ken Fraser

[hzsimms]

Dominic,

 

This isn't exactly Stark's paper but quotes from it at some length.

 

http://www.djmcadam.com/study-ink.html

 

Is there a forum dedicated solely to home brewing IG ink? Would love to see it. I too make my own from the base chemicals (I'm not as patient as Terri!) and have had both excellent and disastrous results.

 

Howard

[Pterodactylus]

 

Thanks for your post and this great example of your work

[caliken]

Edited March 28, 2014 by Ken Fraser

[dhnz]

Dominic,

 

This isn't exactly Stark's paper but quotes from it at some length.

 

...

 

Thanks for that, Howard. It's actually just an extract from the source that Fiberdrunk referred to (Forty Centuries), but it's a quick link to the relevant text.

 

I haven't seen a forum for home making IG ink, but I've not really looked. If you start a thread on it here, I'd be happy to contribute to it.

 

Dominic

[fiberdrunk]

 

Is there a forum dedicated solely to home brewing IG ink? Would love to see it. I too make my own from the base chemicals (I'm not as patient as Terri!) and have had both excellent and disastrous results.

 

Howard

 

Under Inky Recipes you'll find:

• Home Made Ink (Mostly Ig) & **tips And Tricks**
• Open Source Ink Project (which led to the Open-Ink Wiki. If you're an ink-maker, they'd love to hear about your contributions/experiments there.)

 

Some of my own threads, where I've discussed ink at length, are here:

 

• Pomegranate Ink
• California Live Oak Iron Gall Ink Recipe
• Homemade Black Walnut Ink

 

Other good sources for info, besides David Carvalho:

 

• The Iron Gall Ink Website (formerly called the Ink Corrosion Website)
• Evan Lindquist
• The Calligrapher's Handbook by Heather Child
• Ink Corrosion videos on YouTube (there are various ones-- good tidbits)

[Mickey]

 

Thanks for that, Howard. It's actually just an extract from the source that Fiberdrunk referred to (Forty Centuries), but it's a quick link to the relevant text.

 

I haven't seen a forum for home making IG ink, but I've not really looked. If you start a thread on it here, I'd be happy to contribute to it.

 

Dominic

There's got to be one around here some place. I remember writing up how I made IG ink out of red bush chai, iron supplement tablets, and gum arabic. (Really. It starts out reddish brown then turns grey.)

[fiberdrunk]

A couple of my own lettering / doodlings with calligraphy markers:

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/10946330746_b3a9eca4fb_z.jpg

 

 

Here's some fun with a Speedball B-series nib:

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3774/10369494383_06e766b01d_c.jpg

[fiberdrunk]

I went back to the beginning of this thread and it said we could post drawings, too. Below is the latest thing I've done. Some of us on this thread are working through Lohan's Pen & Ink Sketching: Step by Step book, and after seeing others' projects from it, I just had to get the book and jump in, too. I drew this rapidly with my homemade black walnut ink and dip pen.

 

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3756/11522032543_9ccf91e806_c.jpg

Edited January 3, 2014 by fiberdrunk

[MusinkMan]

Those are awesome, Teri! Loved the colors, and the speedball B-nib stuff is so cool!

[caliken]

As I am no longer participating in FPN, I have removed my images and videos as I can use some of them commercially, elsewhere.

 

Ken

[pavoni]

To my shame, I have benefited hugely but not contributed to this particular forum. I must however express my considerable disappointment at hearing of you leaving us Ken. To no longer have access to the invaluable resource of your images and videos, is a bad enough but, to also lose your future participation ........!

 

Your contribution has been immeasurable and I am certain that I am not alone in having been excited, inspired and influenced by your generous contribution. Our collective thanks must come in our respect for your decision. Personally, I am most deeply grateful. Thank you.

 

Pavoni.

[Pterodactylus]

I'm also very sorry to hear this and I really hope you rethink your decision.

 

Or at least rethink the decision to remove the pictures and videos of your work, as it is a real treasure for the whole community.

 

In such big communities always some unpleasant interaction with single members can happen, but the majority here really appreciate your gorgeous artwork and your immense knowledge.

We will miss you.

Edited January 4, 2014 by Pterodactylus

[teuneu]

My first experience in Penmanship. Started last night with my Pelikan 140 OB. A lot can be done but for now, I'm happy!

Edited January 4, 2014 by teuneu

[hzsimms]

My first experience in Penmanship. Started last night with my Pelikan 140 OB. A lot can be done but for now, I'm happy!

 

You're off to a great start! Enjoy!

[brewsky]

Here is my flexy writing and my regular cursive. I am still practicing daily for more scale letters, it all comes with practice.

 

 

http://i632.photobucket.com/albums/uu45/bwesky/20140105_121120.jpg

 

Let me know what you think