If Pelikan 4001 Blue-Black Isn't Iron Gall, Then What Is It?

[The Good Captain]

As the title suggests, what is in 4001 that makes it so special? I've just done a little comparison of some of my favourites.

 

 

 

The inks don't need any special introductions and as usual, the paper that was wet had been soaked for about 30 minutes then rinsed before drying.

[wastelanded]

I haf abzolootly no idea! It's got *something* in it for water resistance though.

 

I like it, a lot. Four big and two small bottles in reserve, that's how much. A real oldie stylie shade, just like their black ink.

 

Anyone here have access to a lab where it could be analyzed?

[dragos.mocanu]

From what I've read, the 4001 Blau Schwarz actually has a small IG content.

[lapis]

What makes it special is the fact that you have the remains of a bottle of it where the label says IG (in English or German, I forget) but that was issued 27+ years ago.

[The Good Captain]

What makes it special is the fact that you have the remains of a bottle of it where the label says IG (in English or German, I forget) but that was issued 27+ years ago.

You are right, The Mascara Snake and here's the picture to which you are referring.

 

 

However, this was empty when I purchased it but what a wonderful bottle! All my current supplies are 'new' - within the last three years I reckon.

[Biff]

I love this ink too. Being in the USA I had to go overseas to get a new bottle. Great stuff. I also acquired two bottles of NOS from the 80's from an eBay seller that sadly did not age well. It's turned to a lighter grey color.

[Randal6393]

I've been impressed with the Chesterfield Archival Vault recently. Might consider giving it a try.

[proton007]

I don't think it's IG.

 

Pelikan's other 4001 BB (Brilliant Black) is also water resistant.

[lapis]

For those of us unfamiliar with the story here, what I was refering to with "27+" above is that I phoned Pelikan in Hanover a year ago and asked about this IG-ness. They said that it was, yes, an IG ink up to 26 years ago but that it now has "no" IG in it. They may have been lying but I doubt it. They also know a lot about all of their inks and pens, something which I unfortunately can't substantiate for a couple of other companies which manufacture inks.

 

MIke http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu264/peli46/Sick32.png

[Bo Bo Olson]

Illegal in the US...been proven that rats can drown in it.

Edited April 23, 2014 by Bo Bo Olson

[UkeDan]

We still have some in Canada (I hoarded, just in case!) so I guess our rats can swim!

[UkeDan]

I've been impressed with the Chesterfield Archival Vault recently. Might consider giving it a try.

I hoarded some of that too, but in my Pelikan 400, I prefer to play it "safe" and use the 4001 BB. I only use Chesterfield Archive Vault in eyedroppers and my trusty Sheaffer Admiras TD.

[Tweel]

Illegal in the US...been proven that rats can drown in it.

 

It actually works the other way 'round (no, not ink drowning in rats...). It turns out that the relevant list, rather than being one of dangerous chemicals, is one of safe chemicals, and that is what Pelikan apparently declined to go to the trouble of joining.

[MarkTrain]

My best guess is that BB 4001 has a permanent dye which mimics iron-gall. Probably a iron-complexed dye as BB 4001 tests positive for Fe3+. It is important to note that even if an ink has iron in it, it does not necessarily mean it is iron-gall.

[Runnin_Ute]

Love mine.Used it all day today.

[manolo]

Great comparison. I would love to see Platinum Blue-Black added.

[BlazeOrangeGuy]

My best guess is that BB 4001 has a permanent dye which mimics iron-gall. Probably a iron-complexed dye as BB 4001 tests positive for Fe3+. It is important to note that even if an ink has iron in it, it does not necessarily mean it is iron-gall.

My favorite BB as well. I wonder if this is the case - the ink has little to no scent in the bottle but once written on the page (and still wet) it smells like wet iron for a few seconds.

 

I have to import from England, but it is worth the once a year cost.

[martinbir]

No matter how it's made-up, it certainly behaves exactly like an iron gall ink.

 

Some time back in a serious meeting I was surprised to hear a lawyer refer to "the duck test". If it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck. In my mind I have applied this to 4001 BB and regard it as iron gall.

 

An excellent ink.

[Biff]

I also love the B-B 4001. It is all the more precious due to its scarcity here. I have only one bottle currently but I will soon travel to its country of origin so will try to snag a few more.

 

Edit: I should've said I've only one bottle from recent production. I also have two much older bottles of NOS from the 80s that've sadly turned a whiter shade of pale.

Edited April 30, 2014 by Nicolas_Rieussec

[lambertiana]

About five years ago I emailed Pelikan customer service with this question. The CS rep forwarded to me the response by one of their ink formulators, who responded that it has a small amount of iron gall in it. The words that he used were "nur ein Hauch".

 

Based on how it resists water and turns a black over time (albeit slowly), I would say he is correct.