Blue black, always
Ink
Blue black: the colour of letters, ledgers and signatures for centuries.
- Colour
- Blue black
- Old recipe
- Iron gall
- Modern
- Dye based
- Rule
- Never mix
Iron gall
For centuries ink was made from oak galls and iron salts. It goes on blue and darkens to black as it oxidises on the page, which is where the name blue black comes from.
Today
Most fountain pen inks are now dye based: bright, easy to clean, and gentle on the pen. Traditional iron gall inks are still made, and need a pen flushed more often.
A simple rule
Do not mix inks in the same pen. Flush with water between colours.
