A Comprehensive List Of Iron-Gall-Based Fountain Pen Inks

[geodesigner]

Hello fellow FPNers,

 

 

I'm a longtime lurker around here, but I've only recently became a member. I'd like to make a contribution to the FP community, and I need your help.

 

Last year I began compiling a comprehensive list of Iron-Gall-based fountain pen inks, simply because there was none.

 

I want this list to be constantly updated so as to be as exhaustive as possible. Please contribute updates, corrections and suggestions!

 

 

The list is available here:

 

https://gdoc.pub/doc/1po8jfMHv-Uz_ioZ9-2DQzASb1FNs-RSfmkkR4GaZ23g#heading=h.vydniszftb1n

 

 

Since English is not my native language, grammar and spelling suggestions are naturally welcome.

 

I am fascinated by Iron-Gall inks, and find it baffling that so many people are scared by it to the point of not trying for themselves, and letting hearsay become their opinion. Iron-galls are fun and are a category of their own! I don't mean of course that every single FP user should love IGs, but I think it's important to try for yourself

 

Cheers!

 

TM

[Fermata]

Thank you for the list, really helpful.

 

I suspect that a lot of people have used iron gall ink and simply not been aware that this was the case.

 

Your English and grammar are perfect.

 

Welcome to FPN, a superb start.

[geodesigner]

Thank you for the list, really helpful.

 

I suspect that a lot of people have used iron gall ink and simply not been aware that this was the case.

 

 

Precisely! I myself had unknowingly used plenty of IG Blue-Black inks in my teens. Pelikan 4001 and Lamy Blue-Black were sold as regular "starter" inks and we all used it liberally

 

Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad to be of help.

[lapis]

Excellent list. Thank you! You might want to add the two Montblanc Blue-Blacks which are IGs: the earlier one in a 50-ml shoe (Ident.-No. 12574) and the "replacement" in January 2010 in a 60-ml bottle (Midnight Blue, 105194) before it was changed in September 2013 to a non-IG blue-black (Midnight Blue, 109204) .

 

Oops, I now see that you had those under Discontinued inks. Sorry. But you might want to include the Identity numbers as a measure of caution or security for those still searching for any remnants.

[geodesigner]

Excellent list. Thank you! You might want to add the two Montblanc Blue-Blacks which are IGs: the earlier one in a 50-ml shoe (Ident.-No. 12574) and the "replacement" in January 2010 in a 60-ml bottle (Midnight Blue, 105194) before it was changed in September 2013 to a non-IG blue-black (Midnight Blue, 109204) .

 

Marvelous information, thank you!! I alluded to those inks in the "Discontinued formulations" section, and I'll update it with the dates and reference numbers

 

As noted in the document, a preliminary list that you posted as a reply to a thread here on FPN was the kickstarter for my compilation. I'll update the list right away!

Edited January 18, 2018 by geodesigner

[Runnin_Ute]

I noticed that you didn't have KWZI Iron Gall Turquoise on your list. You might check Konrad's website to make sure you have all his current IG formulations/colors.

 

 

http://kwzink.com/language/en/manufactured-inks/iron-gall-inks/

Edited January 18, 2018 by Runnin_Ute

[El Gordo]

Great, but I think Konrad graduated in the meantime, no?

Edited January 19, 2018 by El Gordo

[geodesigner]

Great, but I think Konrad graduated in the mean time, no?

 

Haha, maybe! No information on that, I'll email KWZI and ask. Thanks!

 

I noticed that you didn't have KWZI Iron Gall Turquoise on your list. You might check Konrad's website to make sure you have all his current IG formulations/colors.

 

 

http://kwzink.com/language/en/manufactured-inks/iron-gall-inks/

 

IG Turquoise is there! Just checked with KWZI website, all on the list

[inkstainedruth]

Thanks for doing this. I quite agree -- I don't understand why people are so leery of using IG inks (I just inked up a pen with Platinum Classic Lavender Black last night ). They don't take that much extra maintenance, just a little care. And they tend to be pretty well behaved, even on poor quality paper (although they don't tend to be as UV resistant, IMO as some inks).

I do have a couple of things to point out/question.

One is that I'm not sure how available FPN member Pharmacist's inks are at the moment -- I think he's been having attacks of life for the past couple of years. Which is sad for the rest of us -- I would LOVE to get a back up bottle of Turkish Night (and KWZI IG Turquoise -- while it has fabulous shading, is just NOT the same color). And a bottle of his Urkundentinte (blue-black).

Also, I'm not sure which of the KWZI IG inks are still available (at least here in the US). I've been lusting after IG Cherry for a while now....

I'm also not sure what the shelf life is on them, especially after they have been opened, and exposed to the air.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[geodesigner]

One is that I'm not sure how available FPN member Pharmacist's inks are at the moment -- I think he's been having attacks of life for the past couple of years. Which is sad for the rest of us -- I would LOVE to get a back up bottle of Turkish Night (and KWZI IG Turquoise -- while it has fabulous shading, is just NOT the same color). And a bottle of his Urkundentinte (blue-black).

Also, I'm not sure which of the KWZI IG inks are still available (at least here in the US). I've been lusting after IG Cherry for a while now....

I'm also not sure what the shelf life is on them, especially after they have been opened, and exposed to the air.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

Yes, I've been wondering about Pharmacist's amazing inks' availability. I have emailed him and am awaiting official response. Also wondering about the availability of Organic Studios Aristotle.

 

I'll email Konrad and get official word on KWZ ink availability!

 

Cheers! Thank you for the insight!

[sansenri]

Thank you for a very useful list. Welcome to FPN.

Konrad's inks are fascinating, I corresponded with him when he was still developing his formulae and his point of view on IG is very modern, and some of his formulae very innovative.

I use his KWZ IG #5 and just love its behaviour, IG characteristics, but also that fact that despite being an IG it stays blue.

I do not use it however in vintage or very expensive pens because tested in a plastic container, it does stain plastic very slightly, so it goes only in modern and cheaper pens and without ink window...

I do hope he has realized that we love the result of his work and hope that it may fruit him sufficient revenues to justify keeping it up (or even make a living)!

[geodesigner]

Thank you for a very useful list. Welcome to FPN.

Konrad's inks are fascinating, I corresponded with him when he was still developing his formulae and his point of view on IG is very modern, and some of his formulae very innovative.

I use his KWZ IG #5 and just love its behaviour, IG characteristics, but also that fact that despite being an IG it stays blue.

I do not use it however in vintage or very expensive pens because tested in a plastic container, it does stain plastic very slightly, so it goes only in modern and cheaper pens and without ink window...

I do hope he has realized that we love the result of his work and hope that it may fruit him sufficient revenues to justify keeping it up (or even make a living)!

Thanks for the kind words!

 

Yes, I love KWZI's offerings, it truly is a work of passion. I also hope this endeavor bears fruit, so we can continue to enjoy his work while keeping it sustainable / profitable for him.

 

I'm thinking about getting a sample of each of KWZI IG inks so I can compare all and decide on my favorites!

[RG_VII]

Thank you for this great list of iron gall ink, Mr. Medeiros.

 

For the non-IG permanent ink, I just saw a new Sailor Sou Boku (not Sei Boku) on internet.

[Bo Bo Olson]

A great list ....many I knew nothing about.....some I'd 'heard' about. Three or four I have.

[geodesigner]

Thank you very much for the kind words, my friends. I'm really happy that the list is useful for the community.

 

Thank you for this great list of iron gall ink, Mr. Medeiros.

 

For the non-IG permanent ink, I just saw a new Sailor Sou Boku (not Sei Boku) on internet.

 

I shall add the new Sou-Boku, thanks for the reminder!

[geodesigner]

Hey all, briefly reviving the thread, just to tell that the list has been continuously updated since 2017. The latest entry is TWSBI's new Blue-Black ink. TWSBI has confirmed that's an iron-gall based ink, after initially denying it.

I once again invite everyone to send me new entries, and also grammar and spelling corrections.

Cheers!

[tinta]

Thank you for compiling this list. I have become an almost total ferrogallic ink user, with no issues to relate

[silverlifter]

I have become an almost total ferrogallic ink user, with no issues to relate

 

The amount of FUD around iron galls is truly staggering. Especially considering that it was so ubiquitous for so long.

 

Fortunately, there seems to be enough demand in spite of that for new inks to continue to appear

[Tasmith]

Thank you for taking the time and effort in compiling this very informative list!

 

90% of my pens have are inked with IG.

[danielbird193]

I've never tried iron gall so hope to (carefully) start exploring. Thanks for maintaining a great resource.