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Pharmacist's Iron Gall Inks

Jimmy James

By Jimmy James
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Jimmy James Antique

Jimmy James

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A copy of this review will be posted on my infant blog The Inked Nib. This time, I'm actually posting here first!

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5467/7230856296_10ac667d94_z.jpg

Darkening Absinthe by Erechtheus, on Flickr

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7230858408_732a069533_z.jpg

Darkening Absinthe by Erechtheus, on Flickr

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7239/7230860322_99f23654c3_z.jpg

Darkening Absinthe by Erechtheus, on Flickr

 

TWSBI Diamond 540

Ink Form: Hammermill Tidal MP

Handwritten Page 1: AMPAD efficiency Legal Pad

Handwritten Page 2: Staples Sustainable Earth Legal Pad

 

Am I really subjecting one of my beloved TWSBIs to an iron gall ink? Yep! I chose it because after inking two cheap Hero models with the other two colors of Pharmacist's ink (aside from the original), it only made sense to me to put something more at risk. I think the only damage concern would be the nib, and I have been wanting a reason to buy an italic replacement nib anyway! I also thought it would be a good idea to try one of the inks in a broad nib I know to be on the slightly wet side (note: most TWSBIs in my experience are a bit dry but this particular one is a bit wet).

 

After each ink fill, I thought the color (of Pharmacist's ink) I chose was my favorite. This one, however, is definitely the best. I am detecting some shading, but that may disappear with oxidation (it did not).

 

The ink really isn't all that dry. I would say the pen writes about average on wetness when it was a +1 wet before with other ink.

 

These inks are available only by contacting Pharmacist on Fountain Pen Network and awaiting a batch to be prepared. He charges a reasonable approximately $40 shipped for the three "fancy" iron gall inks. The inks come in handy plastic bottles, but I may buy and repurpose empty Sailor or other similar bottles for these inks.

 

I am straining to come up with a color comparison to these colors, but I am coming up with nothing. I do not know if Pharmacist is a pharmacist or what his day job may be, but I think these inks are so promising that he could be the next Nathan Tardif or Jansen. If not, I hope his hobbyist ink making continues so the rest of you will be able to experience the joys of this ink for yourselves.

 

I will be adding a water test of the bottom part of the ink review form and some other things as I get them prepared!

Edited by Jimmy James

<a href="Http://inkynibbles.com">Inky NIBbles, the ravings of a pen and ink addict.</a>

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pharmacist Rare

pharmacist

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Hi Jimmy,

 

many thanks for the review. Note: unlike my Urkundentinte, these fancy coloured IG inks are not completely waterproof (some dye bleeding). The shading is more pronounced with wet writers, which will lay down more ink per given area. And yes I am pharmacist in my daily job :rolleyes: . I will stick with being a hobbyist, unless the demand is so huge I am forced to begin an ink brewing company :roflmho: .

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Jimmy James Antique

Jimmy James

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I have completed the water test and agree there is some relatively small amount of bleeding. I'll scan and show it hopefully today along with adding some photos and hopefully if I can figure it out a video of the color change.

 

I am friendly with a trio of hospital pharmacists in the local area. If only I could get them interested in making me ink... ;)

<a href="Http://inkynibbles.com">Inky NIBbles, the ravings of a pen and ink addict.</a>

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Jimmy James Antique

Jimmy James

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Water Test (I ran the lowest third of the page under water, which is why the Syo-Ro is a mess):

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7233104320_3978a676f5_z.jpg

Darkening Absinthe by Erechtheus, on Flickr

 

Pre-water test photo of ink form:

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8020/7233131478_112b7e0e7b_z.jpg

Darkening Absinthe Photo 2 by Erechtheus, on Flickr

 

Photo of in-progress review. Note the color change from bottom to top:

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8010/7233035856_123f4aec12_z.jpg

Darkening Absinthe photo by Erechtheus, on Flickr

 

Here is a video of the color shift. My apology that my iPhone apparently didn't register it was in horizontal mode, but you can still see the change:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjhf9HFD68Q

Edited by Jimmy James

<a href="Http://inkynibbles.com">Inky NIBbles, the ravings of a pen and ink addict.</a>

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XiaoMG Vintage

XiaoMG

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Arrrrrgh! I'm having a bit of fun with ESSRI and Scabiosa, but I can't wait for my Pharmacist inks to arrive. Your post has made it even harder. angry.gif

 

Seriously though, thanks for the video as well as the water test.

Robert.

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Jimmy James Antique

Jimmy James

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I have a somewhat shorter Terra Incerata review mostly done and an Oriens-Occidens one that is equal in length to this one I did first but have saved up because I see there has already been one review of it on this forum (it's coming -- I just figured I'd give something new first).

<a href="Http://inkynibbles.com">Inky NIBbles, the ravings of a pen and ink addict.</a>

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inkstainedruth Ancient Artifact

inkstainedruth

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Water Test (I ran the lowest third of the page under water, which is why the Syo-Ro is a mess):

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7233104320_3978a676f5_z.jpg

Darkening Absinthe by Erechtheus, on Flickr

 

Pre-water test photo of ink form:

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8020/7233131478_112b7e0e7b_z.jpg

Darkening Absinthe Photo 2 by Erechtheus, on Flickr

 

Photo of in-progress review. Note the color change from bottom to top:

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8010/7233035856_123f4aec12_z.jpg

Darkening Absinthe photo by Erechtheus, on Flickr

 

Here is a video of the color shift. My apology that my iPhone apparently didn't register it was in horizontal mode, but you can still see the change:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjhf9HFD68Q

 

Thanks for the video. I haven't tried this one yet, but Turkish Night changes color about this fast (I couldn't get my camera up to my face fast enough to get a "before" shot so people can see the cyan before it turns dark green). It's pretty amazing to watch, and the video shows it better than I could describe it -- although I was showing it to a friend of mine last week and she thought the color shift was pretty neat.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

"It's very nice, but frankly, when I signed that list for a P-51, what I had in mind was a fountain pen."

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