My friend who’s just become a Platinum dealer texted me this photo last night. Yay. It looks like Platinum is going to be debuting a new line of inks, and although Platinum doesn’t use the words “iron gall,” these must be iron gall inks.
In the official announcement, Platinum says its upcoming Classic Line ink is produced using the traditional method. Also that the Classic Line is an extension of Platinum Blue Black. Platinum says Classic Line ink is bright when you start writing, but gradually darkens. “It is also highly water resistant and suitable for permanent preservation.” All of that, my friends, clearly adds up to “iron gall.”
Yay, again. KWZ inks have shown a wide audience how attractive, and easy to use, modern iron gall inks can be. The more of these in the marketplace, the merrier.
By the way, I am working on a post about how one can confidently use modern iron gall inks in fountain pens. 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. (Some are higher maintenance or require more caution. But that is true with any brand of ink. Even Waterman has the harder-to-clean purple.)
The Platinum announcement actually says that Classic Inks turn black with time, and as a result the Classic Line puts the word “Black” in each ink’s name. But until I try them, I’m going to assume most of the inks will darken, but not necessarily all the way to what I’d call black. Because, in general, that’s been my experience with modern iron gall inks. Platinum does have ink swabs at that link above.
If the Classic Line inks are available by the first weekend in May, I’ve already twisted my friend’s arm so I’ll have samples for people to try at the ink testing station at the Chicago Pen Show. I’m really hoping I’ll get them sooner, however. Because these look awesome.
Fountain Pen Follies 
You will be my ruin, you know that, don’t you? These inks better not show up in LA next week…
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If they do, you know I’m desperate for samples …. 🙂
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These are exciting!. I have found the modern iron gall inks wonderful and easy to clean. You were one of a few people that encouraged me to try them.
I do use good pen hygiene; I always suggest to other to first use them pens that are easy to disassemble to clean. I also suggest using in a pen that doesn’t dry out when left capped for days, weeks, etc.
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Muddy inks that turn muddier in time? Not for me, though I like the shape of the bottle. I guess I just like them brighter.
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My friend, I have three words for you: Diamine Apple Glory. 🙂
From yesterday.
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These look exciting. I rather like the Cassis Black. The only iron gall ink that I have tried is the standard blue-black, for use on official documents such as marriage registers. With this, I have heard that once opened, the bottle needs to be used up within around 18 months, after which the ink becomes a pale grey.
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Yes. A Registrar’s ink is exactly the type of iron gall ink that I don’t use in my fountain pens. Though it’s supposed to be safe, it’s a very tough formula, and I found the few I’ve used to be very high maintenance and very dry.
But that is just a subset of iron gall inks, whose primary reason for being is to be archival, not to be a fountain pen-friendly ink. When you prioritize true permanence, in my experience, whether with an iron gall ink or other formula, you can generally expect a higher maintenance ink. It seems to be a trade-off.
What I call modern iron gall inks are different, in my experience. I’m including the blue black iron gall inks that many pen companies including Montblanc used to sell (and some still do), as well as the boutique colored iron gall inks like KWZ (and these forthcoming Platinum). These lighter iron galls, let’s call them, tend to be easy to use in a pen and most are easy to clean. (And I’m a tough grader.) The ones I’ve owned tend to keep their color in the bottle, too.
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Citrus and Khaki are calling my name.
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