Modern Iron Gall Ink. Iron-gall ink Iron-gall ink is obtained with a chemical reacti
Iron-gall ink Iron-gall ink is obtained with a chemical reaction between green vitriol (iron (II)sulphate) and tannic acid, extracted from gallnuts grown mostly on oak trees. Historically, iron gall inks were used for important documents because they were waterproof and incredibly durable. For iron gall inks, it's complicated by the number of recipes. Urn as you learn. In part one of this blog series, let’s dive into the basics of this ubiquitous material. Used by scribes and artists for centuries, this ink has a unique property of oxidizing over time, which means that its color deepens, adding elegance and antiquity to the script. Is there anything I should know before putting Iron-Gall ink into a cheap eye-dropper fountain pen? Specifically planning on using the Platinum Classic line of inks. The nation's founding documents, with their timeless messages of liberty and freedom, are now ready Feb 11, 2011 · I see the term "Iron Gall" used in reference to inks from time to time. Aug 29, 2023 · This modern-looking address was written using iron gall ink and Cocktail Casual calligraphy. Oct 9, 2023 · Historically, iron gall ink was made with a mixture of iron salts and tannic acid. , Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks The manufacture of iron gall ink involves mixing tannic acids (oak-tree galls) with vitriol (iron sulfate). Sep 3, 2021 · Modern versions of the ink however have been formulated to a much milder degree and as a result, some official documents still to this day require the use of iron-gall ink. These inks have strong water-resistant properties and are used to write and create art. Anyone favour the ink or have tried it in the past? Jan 18, 2018 · Hello fellow FPNers, I'm a longtime lurker around here, but I've only recently became a member. This chapter will give a short overview of its historical significance, main ingredients, method of manufacture, and an Jul 5, 2024 · Discover the ancient use of iron gall ink, its production, historical significance, preservation challenges, and impact on historical documents in this informative exploration. what are the best pens to use with iron gall inks? And how to prevent it from damaging the pen. It goes deeper into the chemistry and archival preservation, and is well worth a look. It's two central components are tannic acid and iron sulfate. Jun 9, 2022 · I recently acquired a Wahl Eversharp Decoband oversized ebonite pen with the Superflex nib. Jun 27, 2025 · The use of iron gall ink spans from antiquity to the modern era. It was known by the Romans and became widely used after the late Middle Ages. Photo by Karima Cammell Iron Gall ink was the standard ink used in Europe from the 5th to 19th centuries. What I'm thinking about is would the large capacity of the pen allow too much oxygen to interact with The Protocols for Iron-Gall Ink Treatment (PIT) Group developed a set of written guide-lines for the examination, documentation and treatment of iron-gall ink on paper. Sep 25, 2013 · I tend to think that modern iron gall inks (as Lamy or MB) are not a danger, but I would like to have "closure" in the subject. S. Oct 31, 2020 · Modern iron gall ink - Rohrer and Klingner Scabiosa Due to their corrosive nature, pure iron gall inks cannot be used with fountain pens 4, but there are modern incarnations of these inks which are milder to both fountain pens and paper. These six inks from Platinum contain iron gall, meaning that the ink is not only more permanent and water-resistant than typical fountain pen ink, but that you will see a color shift as the ink starts lighter but dries to a darker, almost black-infused shade. Copper corrosion actually links iron gall ink and watercolours quite closely. Also the workload you place on your vintage pen would do more harm to your vintage pen than a modern iron gall ink would. I've searched the web and understand some of the basics, but I can't figure out where it really pertains to modern fountain pen inks. Jun 22, 2015 · I'm thinking of putting an iron gall ink into my Noodler's Ahab. India ink is also used in medical applications. Historically, iron gall was… Apr 2, 2023 · Iron gall ink, composed of tannin-rich galls and iron salts, became a dominant writing tool in medieval Europe. e. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. . This ink has been designed for use Mar 21, 2013 · While iron gall ink was an incredibly popular ink from the 4th to the 20th centuries, it is now known to have damaging effects on paper and parchment. Feb 11, 2011 · I see the term "Iron Gall" used in reference to inks from time to time. virtually anyone documenting something on paper. [5] Iron gall ink was used in fountain pens when they were invented but has the disadvantage of causing corrosion to metal parts. Here are some things to note about Rousy iron gall ink: Simon Rous of scribblers. Jan 18, 2018 · Hello fellow FPNers, I'm a longtime lurker around here, but I've only recently became a member. Arab Egypt's Fountain Pen Prototype Nov 16, 2022 · Fall 2003, Vol. 3 By Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler and Catherine Nicholson Enlarge A conservator examines the ink on Page One of the Constitution, letter by letter. Brian. It did after all only cost $20, and I can easily pull it apart to give it a good cleaning. While flipping through the Victoria and Albert Museum's publication "Renaissance Secrets: Recipes & Formulas," I came across a recipe for iron gall Medieval / Renaissance black ink. Iron sulfates were also proposed by La Camera as degradation products by examining iron gall ink crys-tals in drawings dating from fifteenth to nineteenth-century Europe in the collection of the Dec 4, 2023 · Created from a mixture of tannic acid and iron, Iron Gall Ink was famously used to compose the earliest example of the bible, Codex Sinaiticus. The preppy (or the Prefounte if you want something a bit better but still inexpensive) is the perfect pen for using Iron gall ink without having to worry too much. This time on the Alchemical Arts I will be making a traditional Iron Black ink from oak galls. Even for modern iron gall inks, Salix and Scabiosa are only iron-gall "lite", if you will, so they should be relatively safe. I'm not worried about hurting the pen. With a color ranging from blue-black when freshly made to a rusty brown when degraded, it is omnipresent in libraries and archives, and was often referred to as “common ink”. This ink has been designed for use Sep 11, 2019 · Hi Forum Folke, I know, iron gall ink is more in the dip-nib camp than fountain pens (unless you don't mind it slowly eating your nibs), but I'm hoping some iron-gall-guru might have a couple of words of wisdom here. 1. A brief history of the ink’s development will be discussed including the surface upon which the ink was applied. I want t A historical form of ink dating back to the Roman Empire, iron gall inks offer great water resistance and dramatic shading. It provided durable writing for legal texts and illuminated manuscripts. The only way to really be sure is to examine recipes to see if they included a agent to hasten drying. It seems that it may be more common for dip pen inks, particularly those made to old formul Jun 27, 2025 · The use of iron gall ink spans from antiquity to the modern era. They are great blue-blacks and I'd use them in almost all my pens with no concern about special cleaning regimes. Made in Japan. It is commonly applied with a paintbrush (such as an ink brush) or a dip pen. I want t The traditional methods of producing iron gall ink resulted in an acidic mixture, not ideal for long-term archival writing or storing the ink in fountain pens. The resultant ink can be quite thick, especially if gum arabic has been added, and can leave a lustrous, glistening black line. thinking about buying some as the kwz ink colours ar Prepared by PAC North America Q: What is iron gall ink? Iron-gall ink dates from antiquity and was the primary writing ink used throughout the Western world from the 12th century u We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Last year I began compiling a comprehensive list of Iron-Gall-based fountain pen inks, simply because there was none. A website about Iron gall ink is arguably the most important ink in Western history. I'm not talking about bad flow - the ink flows well and pens will put a lot of it on the page - Iron gall inks are generally less lubricating and many people notice more feedback from the nib on the page. In the treatment of this document, the most important step was to ensure that the original iron gall ink remained well adhered. Should I be worried? I use an wide array of vintage and modern pens some cheap some expensive. Traditionally Iron Gall ink erodes nibs quickly due to it's high acidity, our ink has powdered egg shell added to balance the Ph, meaning nibs last much longer. 🏺 Dive into a timeless writing tradition. After all Lamy has an an iron gall ink out there blue-black) for their steel nibbed FP-s So any personal experience, opinions, proofs, tests you heard about? Another formulation was Alizarine ink, devised by a German chemist in 1855. We find this ink throughout the APS collection, meaning we conservators regularly have to decide when and how to treat it. thinking about buying some as the kwz ink colours ar Aug 14, 2023 · The reason for all these great properties is that Salix is an iron gall ink. It can use waterproof, pigmented, iron gall ink, particle-and-binder-based inks, such as India ink, drawing ink, and acrylic inks with ease; while fountain pens generally must use water based inks, require thorough and frequent cleaning to prevent clogging when used with pigmented or waterproof inks and may corrode when used with iron gall ink Jul 25, 2010 · I can’t really tell why I am so fond of iron gall ink. Can I use iron gall inks? Will it corrode the sac or the internal metal components? Jun 4, 2023 · Iron gall ink's rich, indelible color and enduring quality made it the ink of choice for countless historical documents, artworks, and musical scores. Still better than the vast majority of dye-based inks. It might be that it is made from iron and I am from a country rich of iron and there is houses painted in iron oxide and copper red all …. Jul 22, 2017 · Like most iron gall inks, Platinum Classic ink feels a little dry for my taste. Most modern iron-gall inks are pretty mild, but some have reputations for being corrosive or difficult to clean out. The process for reducing liquid ink to powdered ink and its importance in Colonial America. 35, No. Oct 26, 2018 · In mediaeval times, iron gall ink replaced carbon black ink as the favoured medium of writing; although iron gall ink has recently been detected 6 using X-ray spectrometry on the Codex Eusebii Evangelorum (the Vercelli Gospels), the oldest existing version of the Gospels written in Latin and dating from the 4th century CE. For instance, official records completed by registrars in the UK still are required to be filled out with ‘Registrar’s ink’ (iron-gall. Thanks to the late 19th century discovery of triaryl methane dyes, ballpoint pens do not use gall ink. Through various processes, including fermentation, the resulting tannic acid is mixed with iron sulphate and gum Arabic which creates a permanent ink. Because of it's indelibility, it was the ink of choice for documentation from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. May 16, 2018 · At its most basic recipe – the earliest of which is found in Pliny – iron gall ink is comprised of four components: gall nuts, iron sulfate, water and gum arabic. Iron Gall ink is the perfect black ink for modern calligraphy. I read that it can corrode metals in the pens. I use diamine registrars ink, and ecclesiastical stationary supplies registrars ink - these are the heavyweights of the modern iron gall inks. Handmade in Poland by ink specialist Konrad Żurawski, KWZ Iron Gall Ink is a remarkable find for those who appreciate color intensity, durability, and small-batch production. co. However, they were also highly acidic, and could sometimes “eat” through the paper. In fact, now’s as good a time as any to mention the informative awesomeness that is the Iron Gall Ink Website. Several manuscripts in the museum’s collections were written with iron gall ink. Iron gall ink is made of galls formed by wasps who lay their eggs in the tissue of a tree, resulting in growths that are high in tannins. Compared to other inks, such as the iron gall ink previously common in Europe, India ink is noted for its deep, rich black colour. May 23, 2018 · The neat biblical verses were penned in iron gall ink, with the distinctive rusty hue as a clear indication of the ink used, although many other ink colors are found in the book’s text. I understand that modern Iron Gall inks aren't as harsh as they were in the past, but I'm still hesitant to ruin a pen! Would I be safe to use it in a vacuum filler, something with a metal rod inside the pen body that will come into contact with the ink? Thinking specifically of one of my Wing Sung 699's or Asvine V126's. I went to use some Old World iron gall ink yesterday; it's about 2 (maybe more) Jun 7, 2024 · Acids in gall ink unfortunately also help humidity attack cellulose in so-called hydrolysis reactions. This fluid is extracted from galls—growths found on certain kinds of trees—which also give iron gall ink its name. Copper ions are found in iron gall inks either as impurities in iron salts or in copper salts called for as individual ingredients in many historic recipes. Some more modern attempts to make iron gall ink have proven the success of the original recipes in all of their variations. This frosted glass bottle contains 70ml of TWSBI Blue-Black fountain pen ink, a modern iron gall and highly water-resistant ink. Perfect for history buffs and calligraphy lovers. The most common ingredients were gall nuts (growths on oak trees) and ferrous sulfate or metal filings. Jul 9, 2024 · Iron gall ink has — you guessed it — a lot of iron, which can hurt humans if we consume an excess of it. These iron gall inks are formulated to be safe for fountain pens. I'm proud to offer you the best iron gall ink I have ever tried! Iron gall ink is a traditional ink that has the perfect liquid viscosity to make teeny-tiny upstrokes and thick, rich downstrokes. Iron gall ink is not easily erased, and this property made it an obvious choice for record keeping of any sort. Iron Gall inks can interact with certain inks, which will result in the formation of difficult to remove sediment in fountain pen ink. I’m looking to add a blue-black iron gall ink to my rotation. I’m currently trying to decide between the KWZ IG Blue-Black and Diamine Registrar’s ink, but haven’t really found any good comparisons. This chapter will give a short overview of its historical significance, main ingredients, method of manufacture, and an Feb 13, 2024 · Iron gall ink is a permanent, deep purple-black or blue-black ink that darkens as it oxidizes, and is made from iron salts and gallotannic acids from organic sources (such as trees and vegetables). Mar 21, 2013 · Iron gall ink is one of the most frequently found inks in manuscripts from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. I was wondering if hydrochloric acid in an iron-gall ink is used to prevent sediment ONLY by lowering the pH o Oct 25, 2017 · Discover the ancient craft of the Romans with Iron Gall Ink. Similarly, if we change ink in fountain pen from Iron Gall ink to a different type of waterproof ink we should wash them thoroughly. Its indelibility and rich dark tone were desirable traits for artists, scribes, letter-writers, bookkeepers, i. Jun 4, 2018 · [3] Iron gall ink’s source and composition will be described. The 4 most common pigments in modern blue ink are Basic Violet 3 and 4 and Basic Blue 7 and 26. Libraries and archives around the globe contain a vast number of manuscripts (e. This ink is handmade in our Dorset studio using natural ingredients to a medieval recipe with a modern twist. Help! C. Due to easily obtainable materials, it remained a popular style of ink composition from the 12th century until the chemical industrialisation of the 20th century. May 1, 2020 · Iron gall ink, the most widely used ink from the twelfth to the mid-nineteenth centuries, is a combination of metal salts, tannates derived from plants, and a binder, such as gum arabic. Here's a thread about the iron gall ink I have just made. Iron gall ink is also excellent for creating flourishes because it creates so little resistance on the upstrokes. Aug 2, 2014 · This ink contains iron gall, which makes it much more resistant than for example the ink shades 4001 royal blue or 4001 brilliant black, but due to the addition of special ingredients, you can still use this ink without qualm in piston or cartridge fountain pens. Iron gall ink - Ink of kings, monks and poets The earliest documents written in iron gall ink on papyrus date back into the first centuries after Christ. Nov 19, 2015 · What is iron gall (or goll) ink? Can it damage pens? What are the advantages and disadvantages? I just put some in one of my best pens and am worried that it might do some damage. The traditional methods of producing iron gall ink resulted in an acidic mixture, not ideal for long-term archival writing or storing the ink in fountain pens. I’m not artistic, crafty or very in tune with nature, but as someone who researches medieval manuscripts, I wanted to experience the process. It depends on the ink. Mar 4, 2017 · Traditional Iron Gall Ink as used in Europe for over a thousand years, was made by combining the liquor from fermented oak galls, with dissolved iron from copperas (ferrous sulphate). If you want to make this at home here is the recipe I used for There is no definition of "modern". Iron-Gall inks easily penetrated deep into the structure of paper which made the text written with them remarkably stable and waterproof. Dec 12, 2011 · I have never used iron gall ink before but recently acquired some (Mont Blanc and Lamy blue blacks). The small, handmade batches are blended to give the required consistency and strength, and are steeped for several weeks and allowed to mature for several more. Feb 28, 2020 · Recently I started experimenting with making my own ink to be used in fountain pens. Thoughts on modern Iron Gall ink? I've done a lot of reading and found that modern iron gall can be used in fountain pens but can't sit in the pen for a while and would need a deep clean after. Iron-Gall inks made by me are so called modern Iron-Gall inks, they differ in some properties in comparison to Iron-Gall inks that were prepared at the beginning of twentieth century. Aug 28, 2020 · Iron gall inks also don't rely on their dye content to provide the permanence, so you can use a bright, fun dye and still get a permanent ink, although the ink will obviously shift towards a darker color over time. Jul 13, 2016 · TLDR version: iron gall ink, while famous for its ability to change color as it dries, can be corrosive, and while the iron gall content in KWZ ink is probably not high enough to damage modern gold or stainless steel fountain pen nibs and parts, it's not a good idea to leave these inks in a pen for weeks at a time, or to mix these inks with non Modern iron gall is perfectly safe for any pen, the quantities of iron gall is miniscule in comparison with it's ancient counterparts, which is where the horror stories come from. ) Mar 4, 2017 · Traditional Iron Gall Ink as used in Europe for over a thousand years, was made by combining the liquor from fermented oak galls, with dissolved iron from copperas (ferrous sulphate). A lot depends on how clean you keep your pens. I’ve seen reports of pretty severe corrosion caused by both Organics Studio Aristotle and Diamine Registrar’s Blue-Black, but both were from a while ago, so they may have been reformulated since then. Feb 13, 2012 · Here’s a great breakdown on the origins of gall ink ingredients. (A lot of the color rinses off, and the text overall gets lighter and faded. Iron gall ink Oak galls and iron (II) sulfate, ingredients of iron gall ink Iron gall ink (also known as common ink, standard ink, oak gall ink or iron gall nut ink) is a purple-black or brown-black ink made from iron salts and tannic acids from vegetable sources. Mar 29, 2019 · Iron gall ink was the ink of choice in the Western world for well over a millennium. Rohrer and Klingner has two iron gall inks their fountain pen ink lines as of this writing - Scabiosa and Salix. Iron Gall Calligraphy Ink. Apr 17, 2021 · For good and ill, my CV doesn't include employment in a medieval scriptorium, far less making ink for the use of a religious house, and now my ignorance has risen up to embarrass me. First developed around the 4th century, it quickly became the preferred ink for writing on parchment because, unlike carbon-based inks, it chemically bonds with and etches the surface, making it permanent and difficult to erase. What pens or what kind of pens should not be used w Iron-Gall inks easily penetrated deep into the structure of paper which made the text written with them remarkably stable and waterproof. I'd like to make a contribution to the FP community, and I need your help. It seems that it may be more common for dip pen inks, particularly those made to old formul Jul 29, 2012 · Iron gall ink formulas from ~1900s forwards have addressed these issues and even all of the thin paper manuscripts of this era and afterwards I have seen are in good or excellent condinition from the ink's point of view. A good rule of thumb is not to ingest ink and to try and keep any little ones from ingesting it, too. (Some are higher maintenance or require more caution. Gall nuts were the most common source of tannic acid because they had the highest concentration of the compound; however, the compound can be found in smaller quantities in other nuts, pomegranates, and Exclusive to Cornelissen, our intense black Iron Oak Gall Ink is inspired by a medieval recipe using oak galls collected in Cambridgeshire. Some recipes have binding medium as an additional ingredient. A collaborative effort by many institutions, this resource details the history, composition, and conservation issues surrounding iron gall’s use over many centuries. Jul 12, 2017 · Because in my experience, modern iron gall inks are excellent inks to use, and almost all are as gentle as the gentlest Pelikan or Waterman ink. Modern formulations of iron gall ink are somewhat less corrosive and are still occasionally used in applications that require permanence. Nov 25, 2015 · Do you have any experience on long-term use with vintage pen Get a new pen. Jul 7, 2021 · One of my most frequently used “workhorse” inks has been TWSBI Blue-Black, a modern iron gall blue-black ink in the tradition of classic Pelikan Blue-Black, Lamy Blue-Black, and old-formulation Montblanc Midnight Blue. However, "modern" iron gall inks are formulated to be more stable and more fountain pen friendly. Sep 19, 2023 · Pair it with a flexible nib like the Brause EF66, and watch magic happen on your paper! Iron gall ink has a rich historical connection to the art of calligraphy. Modern materials used in quality pens are unaffected by iron gall inks. It's been used for centuries and was a favorite of monks and the Vikings (learn more here). Iron gall inks inherently contain sulfuric acid, which can lead to corrosion and disintegration of the support. When written with iron gall, ink is often a dark color, but it fades to the brown tones of rust (chemically, it forms the same compounds as rust). uk is the mastermind Jun 5, 2024 · Iron Gall and India inks are examples of early writing inks used primarily for dip nib pens. ) Some examples of iron-gall ink: Modern iron-gall inks, however, have not been reported to eat up either steel nibs or any sort of paper; they're too gentle for that, and a small consequence of that is their half-hearted water resistance. g. This ink used extensively in the Western tradition was also used to some degree in Persia.
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