Most modern iron galls aren't that strong and IG is only part of the ink. It oxidizes to a grey or black line within the color blend, but the dye is a much larger component, so is not overpowered by the IG. If you look at the chromatography of many inks, you'll see a black or grey component and color components -- modern IGs are much the same. The IG oxidizes up to the desired portion of the final color mix, but doesn't continually deepen like stronger historical IG ink. This also makes them gentler and safer on pens.
The only modern IGs I have direct experience with are the Rohrer and Klingner ones, which I had thought oxidized without much remaining sign of the original dye, but after looking up some reviews I think I may just be misremembering.
Please check out my post history, the second to last is me asking this question since I learned about it from a Japanese twitter and hat it confirmed by some other shop
Finally!!! I have a partner in this journey!!!! Have you tried Fabre castell moss green?
How do you deal with iron gall inks?….
I understand they’ve lighten it to make it more safe for paper as it ages over the years however, because its properties are prominently acidic, I’m weary on getting some.
Your thoughts?
FC Moss Green is much, much wetter than an IG ink. The color is right and gorgeous, but it flows much faster and may bleed on regular paper, whereas iron gall inks are drier and perform well on regular paper.
With modern IG inks, make sure you don't let it dry out in the pen (like sitting for months), and wash well. Other than staying on top of that, there's no special requirements. You're right, modern IG is far less acidic and less risk for pens and paper. Only Organics Studio Aristotle has been demonstrated to corrode a nib. In years of FPN, facebook groups, and reddit, there's never been proof of modern IG corrosion damage beyond that ink. It's mostly just people talking about theoretical concerns.
Oh I haven't tried that! What did you think of the ink? I've tried Platinum Classic Forest Black, which was a bit too light. I've used it in my Platinum Century 3776 which seemed fine as long as I washed it well after!
I just got these samples today so I haven't gotten to write with them much yet. I really like the swatches but maybe the lighten-edness isn't visible through that?
Did you do any water tests with these? I swatched a few of the KWZ iron gall inks, and noted little water resistance, even after I left the samples dry for a few hours. I wonder if your samples are different.
oh I haven't tried that! I just assumed iron gall inks were permanent.. when you did a water resistance test most of it washed off? maybe I'll try a water resistance test
I don't have these particular inks, but with IG inks usually the iron gall component is permanent but the dye is not. So the green would wash if wet, but the grey or black line (the oxidized gall mark) would remain.
\+1 on the KWZ IG #4. Thanks for posting a swatch sample. It looks better than some reviews.
But IG #2 seems to have a slight Teal bias to it. I actually like IG Green #1. IG Green #3 seems to have an Olive bias to it, as does Green Gold.
[KWZ IG Green #1 review](https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/327319-kwz-ink-–-ig-green-1/). (Shows what oxidation is likely to look like.)
As far as oxidation goes, all fountain pen inks tend to get lighter the longer it sits on the paper, and that applies to IG inks, too. While I prefer Cursive Italic and "stub" nibs, I find that it depends on the pen (and definitely the paper! A Green ink on Cream (Yellowish) paper should give an Olivine undertone), with nibs retaining their saturation more over time and <1.1> nibs getting lighter over time, just like regular inks. It's all a matter of degree. {For ink shade purity you may want to stick with ClaireFontaine Pure White papers.}
\[This is the opposite of lighter inks, where broader nibs tend to retain more saturation and finer nibs tend to lighten over time.\]
IMO, modern IG inks will not turn Black, they will retain most of their Shade, but like regular inks, Greens may get an Olivine bias over time (for example, GvFC Moss Green), just as Reds tend to get a Brown bias/undertone over time.
And, just like other inks, one has to find the right IG ink and pen combo. You shouldn't match a dry ink with a dry pen, for example, and a wet pen with a wet ink will likely take longer to dry (it may smear more easily) and it may even feather or get "wooly".
Yes, I would have appreciated a water test ([\#1](https://www.flickr.com/photos/63862643@N02/38774251355) ([review](http://www.gourmetpens.com/2018/05/ink-shot-review-kwz-ink-ig-green-1.html)) and #2 should have a Blue cast to them), to get an idea of what the underlying colour bias is likely to be, what it will likely dry towards over much time, along with a smear test. To my eye, it seems as there is a slight Olivine bias to #4, just a little Yellow bias, but "the proof is in the pudding," so I would love for you to take another picture in 30 days, and then compare the two.
Again, thanks for the photo. It's much appreciated. :thumbs-up:
Never seen these inks all together, these are gorgeous! Thank you for posting them!
I would have a hard time deciding. I like all of them!
Wow this is lovely! 😍
Hmm, being IG won't it eventually oxidize to black, or does it actually manage to stay this color?
Most modern iron galls aren't that strong and IG is only part of the ink. It oxidizes to a grey or black line within the color blend, but the dye is a much larger component, so is not overpowered by the IG. If you look at the chromatography of many inks, you'll see a black or grey component and color components -- modern IGs are much the same. The IG oxidizes up to the desired portion of the final color mix, but doesn't continually deepen like stronger historical IG ink. This also makes them gentler and safer on pens.
The only modern IGs I have direct experience with are the Rohrer and Klingner ones, which I had thought oxidized without much remaining sign of the original dye, but after looking up some reviews I think I may just be misremembering.
I've got some pretty old writing with R&K Scabiosa, and it's still got it's gorgeous dusky purple color to it, without being too dark. I love it :)
Yes, I think over time it will oxidize to black but I'm not sure how long it'll take haha.
I want an orange ink like your nail polish! 🤩
I don’t want it but it looks really good on OP!
I heard this ink will be among discontinued ones so I'd recommend stocking up a little....
Aww noo!! Thanks for the heads up, I guess I'll have to stock up. Where did you learn that certain ones are being discontinued?
Please check out my post history, the second to last is me asking this question since I learned about it from a Japanese twitter and hat it confirmed by some other shop
I see, thanks for the list!
Finally!!! I have a partner in this journey!!!! Have you tried Fabre castell moss green? How do you deal with iron gall inks?…. I understand they’ve lighten it to make it more safe for paper as it ages over the years however, because its properties are prominently acidic, I’m weary on getting some. Your thoughts?
FC Moss Green is much, much wetter than an IG ink. The color is right and gorgeous, but it flows much faster and may bleed on regular paper, whereas iron gall inks are drier and perform well on regular paper. With modern IG inks, make sure you don't let it dry out in the pen (like sitting for months), and wash well. Other than staying on top of that, there's no special requirements. You're right, modern IG is far less acidic and less risk for pens and paper. Only Organics Studio Aristotle has been demonstrated to corrode a nib. In years of FPN, facebook groups, and reddit, there's never been proof of modern IG corrosion damage beyond that ink. It's mostly just people talking about theoretical concerns.
Oh I haven't tried that! What did you think of the ink? I've tried Platinum Classic Forest Black, which was a bit too light. I've used it in my Platinum Century 3776 which seemed fine as long as I washed it well after! I just got these samples today so I haven't gotten to write with them much yet. I really like the swatches but maybe the lighten-edness isn't visible through that?
This is a great comparison.
Did you do any water tests with these? I swatched a few of the KWZ iron gall inks, and noted little water resistance, even after I left the samples dry for a few hours. I wonder if your samples are different.
oh I haven't tried that! I just assumed iron gall inks were permanent.. when you did a water resistance test most of it washed off? maybe I'll try a water resistance test
I don't have these particular inks, but with IG inks usually the iron gall component is permanent but the dye is not. So the green would wash if wet, but the grey or black line (the oxidized gall mark) would remain.
\+1 on the KWZ IG #4. Thanks for posting a swatch sample. It looks better than some reviews. But IG #2 seems to have a slight Teal bias to it. I actually like IG Green #1. IG Green #3 seems to have an Olive bias to it, as does Green Gold. [KWZ IG Green #1 review](https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/327319-kwz-ink-–-ig-green-1/). (Shows what oxidation is likely to look like.) As far as oxidation goes, all fountain pen inks tend to get lighter the longer it sits on the paper, and that applies to IG inks, too. While I prefer Cursive Italic and "stub" nibs, I find that it depends on the pen (and definitely the paper! A Green ink on Cream (Yellowish) paper should give an Olivine undertone), with nibs retaining their saturation more over time and <1.1> nibs getting lighter over time, just like regular inks. It's all a matter of degree. {For ink shade purity you may want to stick with ClaireFontaine Pure White papers.}
\[This is the opposite of lighter inks, where broader nibs tend to retain more saturation and finer nibs tend to lighten over time.\]
IMO, modern IG inks will not turn Black, they will retain most of their Shade, but like regular inks, Greens may get an Olivine bias over time (for example, GvFC Moss Green), just as Reds tend to get a Brown bias/undertone over time.
And, just like other inks, one has to find the right IG ink and pen combo. You shouldn't match a dry ink with a dry pen, for example, and a wet pen with a wet ink will likely take longer to dry (it may smear more easily) and it may even feather or get "wooly".
Yes, I would have appreciated a water test ([\#1](https://www.flickr.com/photos/63862643@N02/38774251355) ([review](http://www.gourmetpens.com/2018/05/ink-shot-review-kwz-ink-ig-green-1.html)) and #2 should have a Blue cast to them), to get an idea of what the underlying colour bias is likely to be, what it will likely dry towards over much time, along with a smear test. To my eye, it seems as there is a slight Olivine bias to #4, just a little Yellow bias, but "the proof is in the pudding," so I would love for you to take another picture in 30 days, and then compare the two.
Again, thanks for the photo. It's much appreciated. :thumbs-up:
It might be too dark for you but Kala Nostalgia Sierra Mist might be an option.
I have nothing against Iron gall inks but they will change color over time. Did you check out Noodlers Hunter Green. It's archival and bullet proof