Inky T O D - Are Iron Gall Inks Really That Special? How Much Tlc Do They Need?

[Sandy1]

If I recall correctly there was a thread a while back, a year or two maybe a bit more, that set out to document the effects of IG in a pen that was purposely not cared for. I don't recall how or if it came out but I suspect the experiment simply fizzled out and was inconclusive. Today's IG inks are pretty benign compared to those of yesteryear so I can imagine it would take a pretty long time for it to do a noticeable job on a nib/feed/pen.

 

Hi,

 

A Pilot Plumix is my victim test bed for using a pen with I-G ink (ESSRI) without maintenance, which has been ongoing for quite some time. If that is the thread to which you refer, it has not 'fizzled out'.

 

My observation is that when a pen with a very tight cap seal is used pretty much every day for a bit of jotting, and is filled/flushed with fresh ink well before it runs dry, then the pen will remain functional and in good nick.

 

Quite frankly, I thought the wee trial would've drawn to a close well before now, and I thought about ending it on an arbitrary anniversary date. However my current thinking is to press on until the pen fails, then take the pen to bits and determine the cause of failure.

 

I most certainly do not advocate [mis]treating a pen in that way.

 

Bye,

S1

Edited April 4, 2015 by Sandy1

[Medsen Fey]

I've developed a growing appreciation for IG inks. I am particularly fond of Salix and some of Pharmacist's inks, especially darkening absinthe. I haven't had the opportunity to try KWZI.

 

I love the dramatic shading that IG inks give, and the fact that they don't feather on cheap paper is nice. I also like waterproof inks. I have not found them difficult to flush or clean even from piston fillers. To me they are easier to flush than most of the highly saturated inks. I don't clean my pens as often as I should, and I haven't run into any problems to this point. The only issue I find is that being somewhat dry inks, using a wet writer is preferred.

[agentdaffy007]

I just like how Pelikan 4001 Blue-Black performs in my MB 149 1960. )

[Lou Erickson]

I'm not as methodical as Sandy1 (is anyone?) but I have ESSRI in a pen that I have just been using and refilling since November. It's an Esterbrook J with a common nib, so I figured anything bad that happens could be pretty easily put right. So far, no problems. I write with the pen at least once a week, and have usually had to fill it once a month.

 

So far, no problems at all. The nib creep is quite blue now.

[cellmatrix]

Personally I think IG inks are special to anyone who has an appreciation of history, since they have been used since the Middle Ages. They have the least feathering or line spreading, shade beautifully, and their maintenance requirement is far overblown.

[benay148]

The iron galls I have used have been from KWZI. I have use turquoise, orange,and one of the greens. All of these inks are fantistic with beautiful color change on the turquoise and orange.

 

Never had I had an issue cleaning the pens. They seem to clean just as easily as other inks. They do write a little dry, but still wetter than pelikan 4001 inks.

 

So yeah, in my experience they are great inks. Iron gall turqoise is probably my favorite ink I've ever used. The color is amazing.

 

The best quality of all, is that iron gall inks behave amazingly on ANY paper. It never bleeds or feathers even on really cheap paper.

[wallylynn]

wow, i've been away for a long time. i didn't know these inks came out. are these the super-secret inks that amber was testing?

[amberleadavis]

wow, i've been away for a long time. i didn't know these inks came out. are these the super-secret inks that amber was testing?

 

 

Amber was testing these ... but it wasn't a secret. They are wonderful.

[Arkanabar]

Erm, the SUper SEcret MAnufacturer of Ink (SUSEMAI) has been revealed as Blackstone Powdered ink, which is an aniline dye ink, not an iron-gall ink. But of course that's not the only ink that Amber tests.

 

I think I will be getting myself another Platinum Plaisir just for IG, and buying Chesterfield Archival Vault for it. I really don't want to use it in any of my current pens. Most of them dry out, and the rest, I don't want to chance it. (edit -- maybe I'll get myself a bit of pure silicone grease to make some of the assemblies more airproof instead.) I had to clean CAV out of my transparent acrylic eyedropper with a cotton swab. But it darkened close enough to black that I was willing to use it in the health record.

Edited April 9, 2015 by Arkanabar

[amberleadavis]

If we haven't mentioned how wonderful the KWZI inks are, here are 3 of the green IGs.

 

http://sheismylawyer.com/She_Thinks_In_Ink/2015-Inklings/2015-Ink_0005w.jpg

[Frank C]

I have always liked the old Mont Blanc Blue-Black with iron. Apparently, the new Mont Blanc Permanent Inks have iron gall, as well. I order the Pelikan Blue-Black from Europe because it is still iron gall, I believe, and it is no longer sold in the USA. I've tried Salix and Scabiosa, they are fine inks, just not my kind of colors. I have been reluctant to try the KWZI inks, but I guess I will be getting some in the future. I have two bottles of Diamine Blue-Black, identical to ESSRI and use them from time to time, and I also use platinum blue-black which I believe is also blue-black.

[wallylynn]

I'm pretty certain that the new Montblanc permanent inks are not iron gall, but rather one of the new reactive types ala Noodlers.

[agentdaffy007]

I believe i read in the Montblanc forum that a Customer Representative answered that the Permanent line is iron-gall.

[Frank C]

I'm pretty certain that the new Montblanc permanent inks are not iron gall, but rather one of the new reactive types ala Noodlers.

 

I asked the manager of my local Mont Blanc Pusher Emporium and he said that he had confirmed with Mont Blanc USA that they contain iron-gall. Now do I have to fire up my mass spectrometer?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_spectrometry

[OtterNZ]

In my experience an Iron Gall ink is higher maintenance. You need to be more concious about flushing the pen more often than with a standard ink, and to be more thorough when changing between inks. I had a couple of cheap pens and a good quality pen that I've used with Iron Gall inks before (I have 2 different ones), and I once forgot the good pen was inked up and put it in a draw for a couple of months. The inside of the pen has been permanently stained and the nib/feed combo now feels dry and scratchy.

[cellmatrix]

whoops duplicate post, I just realized I already replied several months ago!

Edited November 22, 2015 by cellmatrix

[dcwaites]

 

I asked the manager of my local Mont Blanc Pusher Emporium and he said that he had confirmed with Mont Blanc USA that they contain iron-gall. Now do I have to fire up my mass spectrometer?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_spectrometry

 

Much simpler to run some bleach over the ink. If it is IG, the ink will fade to a beige colour. If it is cellulose-reactive, it will be untouched.

I believe that the new MB Permanent inks are ISO Document ink certified, and IG inks wouldn't pass the test.