Iron Gall ink, Blue-Black writing fluid

For centuries this particular ink has been used as the standard writing ink for all types of documents. It was highly priced for its fade and water resistant qualities and is by far the best ink for parchment, producing writings which are completely permanent. The "modern"versions are for example Stephen's Blue Black writing ink and Arnold's writing fluid, which maybe used by your granddad.

But unfortunately this ink is no longer produced and therefore I could digged up an old (german) recipe to produce the highest quality chancery iron gall ink, which is the legally compulsary ink to write state treaties and important documents, as for this ink the writings are very archival and writings will last for centuries without impairing the legibility of it (unfortunately my paper is cheap wood pulp based and contains acid, which will not last longer then a few decennia).

The ink writes with a bluish hue and soon turns intensely black. The black writing is untouched by water and alcohol and cannot be removed from the paper by so-called ink killers (used to remove ordinary fountain pen washable inks). The ideal ink to sign important documents as cheques, treaties etc.

The ink is so good that even rubbing alcohol cannot remove the writing from the paper, without destroying the paper itself.

This ink is acidic and use in a fountain pen is rather risky, but one can sacrifice a cheap fountain pen as the ink may corrode the inner metal parts and can cause severe clogging. Flushing the pen every week is compulsory to prevent clogging. The safest way is to use a dip pen, like I showed on this video.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Iron Gall
• Blue-Black
• ink
• encre ferrogallique
• ijzergallusinkt
• galnoteninkt
• Eisengallustinte
• archival
• writing fluid
• water resistant
• fade resistant
• dip pen
• calligraphy
• fountain pen
• Documentenecht
• Füllfederhalter
• vulpen
• kroontjespen
• stylo-plume

[neuroplasmius]

I'm a little confused. When I use my dip pen, even after scraping excess ink off with the side of the ink bottle, it sometimes still just rushes off the nib into a giant blob on the paper! I'm using winsor newton calligraphy ink so i'm wondering if the ink is the problem?

[refillmaster]

@neuroplasmius: I think you are using ink designed for fountain pen inks. These inks are far to limpid to be used with dip pens, as the surface tension is to low. You might add some gum arabic to the ink to thicken it, but the ink will be rendered unusable in FP's.

[fordawsome100]

isnt the sheaffer skrip blue-black ink the same?

[refillmaster]

@fordawsome100

No it is not. The Sheaffer Skrip Blue-Black is just a normal dye ink and will run of the paper when it get wet by water. This ink is completely waterproof after proper drying and if it has been oxidised to black. Iron gall ink will write bluish, but soon turning into an indelible black. Most "blue-blacks" will stay bluish black, because there is no chemical reaction, which will render the ink permanent.

[jpschubbs]

Nice video. What paper are you using? I use Noodler's ink, and have had trouble finding paper that won't bleed when using a fine flexible nib like a Gillott 404. Have any suggestions?

[refillmaster]

@jpschubbs: the problem is that Noodler is optimized for FP's and the surface tension is remarkedly lower compared to dip pen inks like mine. I suggest to add some gum arabic water to the ink to thicken it to increase the surface tension, so it will not bleed. A good ratio is 1 gram of pure gum arabic to every 50 ml's om ink, but the ink will be rendered unusable in a fountain pen.

[Lico488]

Pena de boa qualidade é outra coisa. Infelizmente no Brasil só se acha porcaria de qualidade inferior nas papelarias, e quando se quer algo que preste para caligrafia tem-se de importar ou pagar muito mais caro.

[LutzDerLurch]

At least here in Germany you can buy this Ink. And I love it. It is the best Ink to be used with a quill pen.

[neuroplasmius]

@refillmaster Thanks I will try that. But the ink is for "fountain and dip pens". Besides that, where can I get gum arabic? Is it a common product?

[fordawsome100]

@refillmaster ok thanks man.

[jpschubbs]

@refillmaster Ah, that makes sense. I'll try the gum arabic. Thanks for the advice!