Well, here we are at part three of the fountain pen trinity – Ink.

Just as with paper, who would have thought that there are MANY different types of ink? Different colors, shades, shimmering, permanent, waterproof, non-fountain pen type, the options appear endless. Firstly, let’s address non-fountain pen suitable inks. The two main types are Iron Gall and Shimmering inks.

Iron gall ink:

Inks made with iron gall have a long history, dating back nearly 2,000 years ! They can be troublesome with modern pens as they contain ingredients like oak galls, iron and acids, therefore iron gall inks are truly NOT fountain pen friendly. They can clog up the feed in your fountain pen (the black piece behind the nib) which can result in hard starts, blotchy, patchy writing and even the potential to completely ruin your pen. Color Change - Initially, iron gall ink appears light gray. As it dries, it oxidizes to a rich black color.

Viscosity - The ink is thin allowing for finer lines when doing detailed writing such as calligraphy.

Water Resistance - While not completely waterproof, iron gall inks ARE water-resistant, which makes them suitable for a number of different writing tasks.

Iron Gall ink is sometimes referred to as permanent ink. While it has beneficial properties, it is important to understand that it does have its issues.

Here are a few maintenance tips to help if you use iron gall inks in fountain pens -

* Clean your fountain pen(s) regularly to prevent ink build up and corrosion and maintain the quality of the iron gall ink in your pen(s).

* Don’t leave iron gall inks in your pen(s) for an extended time as this can lead to clogging and damage to the nib, feed and inner components of your pen(s).

* Use pens with gold or stainless steel nibs as they tend to be generally resistant to corrosion from the ingredients of iron gall ink

Shimmering Inks:

Shimmering inks are specially formulated inks that contain tiny gold or silver particles that create a shiny glittery effect on the paper and can elevate your writing experience. If you choose to use shimmering ink, it is recommended to use a pen with a wider size nib such as broad or a stub as a pen with a wetter flow helps distribute the shimmer particles more evenly. As with iron gall inks, regular cleaning of the entire pen will help to prevent clogging from the particles. It is best to use pens that can be easily and completely disassembled for cleaning such as cartridge-converter pens or piston fillers.

Here are some essential maintenance tips if you use shimmering inks in fountain pens:

* Clean your fountain pen(s) regularly to prevent buildup of particles.

* Avoid long term storage – Don’t leave the shimmering ink in your pen(s) for extended periods to prevent a buildup of particles.

* Use a smooth finish paper – Choose smooth, bright papers to enhance the shimmer effect.

Regular Ink:

These are generally classed as “fountain pen friendly” inks. They can be used, for the most part, in pretty well all fountain pens without any issues. The real caveat here is to use well known, respectable branded inks. If you haven’t heard or seen any positive reviews of the brand, don’t use it.

Wet Inks - Some inks are deemed “wetter” than others, meaning they flow more from the pen and will take longer to dry.

Shading Inks -  An ink that when you write, there will be some shade differences between the up/down stroke verses the cross/diagonal stroke. This gives your writing a different look which some people prefer, some not so much.

Shimmering Inks - Most of the well-known brands will offer choices of regular inks along with some shimmering examples. So, if you’re unsure if the ink you’re wanting to buy is a shimmering or gall-based ink, I recommend that you look carefully at the description of the ink and its properties on the website or ask the store representative.

Some of the good quality and good performing ink brands I use are – Montblanc, Pilot Iroshizuku, Jacques Herbin, Pilot, Diamine, Monteverde, Hongdian, Graf Von Faber Castel. Some of these brands do have shimmering inks, so pay attention when shopping.

Some other well-known, quality brands are Waterman, Caran D’ache, Platinum, Colorverse, Sailor, Dominant Industry, Pelikan, Robert Oster, Private Reserve.

Ferris Wheel Press make some very colorful shimmering inks. There have been fountain pen users that have experienced some issues when using Ferris Wheel Press inks. They are very good when used with a dip pen or a brush. Again, if you choose to use FWP inks in fountain pens, be sure to pay attention to the tips on maintenance of your pens when using shimmering inks.

Aromatic Ink:

There are a number of manufacturers that produce aromatic inks, inks that have an aroma that is built into the name, such as the Sheaffer “Scented Coffee” Brown special edition ink. This ink DOES smell like coffee….and for quite a while after it dries…which it does INCREDIBLY fast too.

Others that have a line of scented inks are Jacques Herbin, Montblanc, Diamine, De Atramentis, KWZ, Dominant Industry, Endless Alchemy, Tono & Lims, Dipton Ink….the list goes on. Some are more readily available than others so check with your preferred local and online stores.

Oh, and here's is a handy ink related tip. On those occasions you get ink all over your fingers, and trust me you will, one of the best ways to get it off quicker is LAVA Soap. It has minute particles of pumice in it, and it really does help get the ink out quicker than just regular soap & water.
 

Conclusion:

As I detailed in Episode Two - Paper & Notebooks, with ink, there are plenty of quality examples to choose from, ones that won’t break the bank or give you nightmares when using them, and rest assured, there are some that will. Again, I urge you to do your research. YouTube is your friend. Check out the awesome channels from Vincenzo at “Fountain Pen Therapy”, “Hemingway Jones”, David at “Figboot On Pens”, “Penultimate Dave” and “Doodlebud”. They all provide excellent reviews and opinions on inks, papers and pens.
 

Fountain Pen Therapy: FOUNTAIN PEN THERAPY - YouTube

Hemingway Jones: Hemingway Jones - YouTube

Figboot On Pens: Figboot on Pens - YouTube

Doodlebud: Doodlebud - YouTube

Penultimate Dave: Penultimate Dave - YouTube