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Iron Gall Red #3, by KWZ


Yesterday I wrote a review on KWZ's beautiful IG Green #3. Today's review is of a red from the same brand, iron gall red #3. 

The ink is very well behaved, no feathering or show-through, well lubricated and drying faster than average (little less than 25 secs). Shading is moderate. The water resistance is quite good, the ink can take some water and still remain legible. I have used this ink in a TWSBI with a broad nib, a TWSBI with stub nib and with an oblique 1mm tape nib. With all these pens the ink behaved perfectly on Original Crown Mill Vellum paper.

On copy paper KWZ IG feathers a little bit and there is significant show-through, but the ink is suitable for use on cheaper papers as well.

IG Red #3 is suited for long (work) notes or letters and doesn't strain the eyes. That makes it suitable for a lot of different uses. Like every IG ink this one darkens (a lot) when dry. The effect is in this color is so big you can literally see it change when writing. At first this ink turns from a bright, beautiful red into a muddy, filthy mix of red and brown, with a slight hint of purple. But it continues to darken and after a few days it is a deep dark red, leaning towards both brown and red. No longer a filthy mix, but not bad at all!


Compared to a few other red inks, not many come close. Garnet Red (Graf van Faber Castell) and Diamine's Merlot and Syrah come a bit close when the ink is still a bit wet. Oxblood is a lot more red and vivid. 

KWZ's IG are well-behaved quality inks... but don't use it for a letter that will be delivered within the next three days!



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