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Tintenlabor goldrausch – “Gold Rush” (formerly Gold Black) Ink Review # 198 --- 🧾 Description Tintenlabor is a Swiss ink company specializing in iron gall inks. What separates this brand from similar ones is that the iron content is disclosed. In this case, 6 g/L, which is the highest. The samples were sent to me by the Ink-Meister, David. This is my favorite Tintenlabor ink; it’s unique and fun to use. It starts as gold, then oxidizes to a gorgeous dark brown with lovely shading, or to a glossy black, depending on the wetness of the pen. With a very wet Ahab, it could bleed through some papers, yet in a Lamy Safari it was fantastic, the same with the Kakuno. After a month, I was sorry to say adieu. Cleaning is much easier than with other IG inks. After rinsing overnight, there was a black residue inside all sections, which I removed with a Q-tip. I still gave it a diluted ascorbic acid “special treatment” in the pen jacuzzi (tip of a teaspoon in a cup of water) and a bit of rinsing. Everything was clean in less than 18 hours. Ink is water-resistant / waterproof. The more oxidized it is, the more waterproof. Note: With IG inks, never use traditional ammonia-based cleaning solutions. Note 2: Tintenlabor has renamed some of the old inks and discontinued the rest. However, it is my understanding that David will make them for you, if you ask kindly. In conclusion: if you want the brown colour, opt for a dry pen; if you want the glossy black opt for a wet pen. Ideally, use pens that can be dismantled completely. --- 🧪 Chroma --- ✍️ Writing Samples (scan) Rhodia / Iroful Note: I did the review before the name change happened. Midori /Tomoe River 68gsm Hammermill 20lb 📸 Photo Rhodia/ Iroful Midori / Tomoe River 68 gsm Hammermill Oxidization 🔍 Comparison --- 💧 Water Test --- 🎨 Artwork Home Tintenlabor Gold Black Diamine Registrar's J Herbin Diabolo Menthe Yellow highlighter Bleach Cabinet of Dr. Caligari Tintenlabor Goldrausch and Alpenstein ( grey) Paper is Talens Mixed Media --- - Pens Used: Pilot Kakuno EF, Lamy (EF/F/M/B/ Stub 1.1) Ahab with FPR superflex and ebonite feed. - What I Liked: Writing, color, sketching, oxidization to brown or glossy black. - What I Did Not Like: If I were to nitpick, sometimes it looked transparent with fine nibs. - What Some Might Not Like: IG ink phobia. - Writing Experience: Excellent - Pros: Marvellous oxidization, - Cons: It’s an IG ink. So you can’t forget it in a pen. 🧷 Ink Characteristics - Shading: Lovely with dry pens. - Ghosting: With wet pens. - Bleed Through: Yes, with very wet pens. - Flow Rate: Wet - Lubrication: ok - Nib Dry-out: If you let the ink too long in a pen, it might evaporate. - Start-up: Good in general. - Saturation: Saturated baby! - Sheen: Glossy black with Ahab but no sheen, - Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: Did not notice. - Nib Creep / Crud: Did not notice. - Staining (Pen): It could leave a black residue in section. - Clogging: No. - Cleaning: Relatively easily compared to other IG inks. - Water Resistance: Excellent. --- 🛒 Availability - [ ] Available in 30/50 ml bottle. https://tintenlabor.mycommerce.shop/products/goldrausch --- 💬 Closing In all my years of testing and reviewing inks, this ink exceeded my expectations. It’s a unique product for the discerning ink lover. No fountain pens were hurt in preparing this review. Please don’t hesitate to share your experience, writing samples, or any other comments — the more the merrier.