Tintenlabor Dark Green 2 / Eisengallustinte 2, dunkelgrün / schwarz (Discontinued) — Ink Review #185

Tintenlabor Dark Green 2 (Dunkelgrün / schwarz 2)

 

Ink Review # 185

 

Originally posted on FPN: May 18, 2025

Ink: Dark Green 2 / Eisengallustinte 2, dunkelgrün / schwarz
Brand: Tintenlabor
Country: Switzerland
Availability: Dark Green 2 appears to have been replaced in the current Tintenlabor line by Tannenwald, a 4 g/L green-black iron gall ink. Current products are listed at https://tintenlabor.mycommerce.shop/products.

 Pens Used: Pilot Kakuno EF, Lamy (EF / F / M / B / Stub 1.1), vintage Unic wet noodle flex.

🧾 Description

Tintenlabor is a Swiss ink company specializing in Iron Gall inks. What differentiates this brand from others is that it discloses the iron content.

In the earlier Tintenlabor naming, there were three green inks: Dark Green 1 (3 g/L), Dark Green 2 (4 g/L), and Aprilis Argente (6 g/L).

The new formulation of Dark Green 2 is a low-dye, medium-iron-content ink that instantly oxidizes from bright green to dark grey or black, even on watercolour paper. The flow is wet, and the lubrication is below average but still pleasant.

Other Tintenlabor inks with a high oxidation rate include Gold Black and Aprilis Argente.

This ink can leave black iron residue on some pens and stain nibs, so cleaning can require patience, soaking, and a little extra attention.

Cleaning Note: Like all IG inks, flush with water first. For stubborn residue, use a small pinch of pure ascorbic acid in water, then rinse thoroughly. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners with iron gall inks.

An ultrasonic cleaner can help with removable pen-safe parts, but avoid it with fragile vintage materials, plated trim, or anything uncertain.

🧪 Chroma

✍️ Writing Samples (scan)

JEF stands for Japanese EF nib.

Rhodia / Iroful

Midori / Tomoe River 68gsm

Hammermill 20lb

📸 Photo

Rhodia / Iroful

Midori / Tomoe River 68gsm

Oxidation in real time on Iroful paper

Artificial LED light. I wasn't fast enough.

Oxidation in real time on Tomoe River 68gsm

The bright green line is the colour going down.

🔍 Comparison

Observe how the oxidation process changed the colour of the inks over time. Dark Green 2 (new formula) oxidized overnight.

After application    (right)

After oxidation      (left)                                                                                                                                

💧 Water Test

🎨 Artwork

Black Panther

Tintenlabor Dark Green 2 / Purple Black 2 (new formula) on Fabriano watercolour paper.

I Ain't Your Taurus

Part of the year-long Inktober challenge: Taurus.

Tintenlabor Dark Green 2 (old formula) and Montblanc Origins Coral.

Funky Fungi

Tintenlabor Dark Green 2 / Violet Blue, Noodler's Red Rattler's Eel.

---

·      What I Liked: Oxidation and the iron gall character.

·      What I Did Not Like: Not easy to clean.

·      What Some Might Not Like: Cleaning and iron gall inks.

·      Writing Experience: Enjoyable when paired with the right pen.

·      Pros: Immediate oxidation; waterproof.

·      Cons: Cleaning can be difficult and may require patient soaking.

🧷 Ink Characteristics

·      Shading: Some shading, especially with M nib and above.

·      Ghosting: Yes, on Hammermill.

·      Bleed Through: Yes, with wet/flex pens.

·      Flow Rate: Wet.

·      Lubrication: Below average but pleasant.

·      Nib Dry-out: Did not notice.

·      Start-up: With most pens, OK.

·      Saturation: Delicious and complex.

·      Shading Potential: With some pens, yes.

·      Sheen: Did not notice.

·      Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: Did not notice.

·      Nib Creep / Crud: Did not notice.

·      Staining (Pen): Yes. Black iron residue can stick to the converter.

·      Clogging: Did not notice.

·      Cleaning: Check cleaning note above.

·      Water Resistance: Excellent.

💬 Closing

I enjoyed using this ink, despite its drawbacks. If you want this extreme oxidation, this is the one for you. If you want one with less hassle, Tintenlabor Gold Black could be another option.

No fountain pens were harmed in preparing this review. 😉

Please don't hesitate to share your experience, writing samples, or any other comments. The more the merrier. 😊

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