Tintenlabor Dark Blue 2 (New Formula, Discontinued) — Ink Review #188
Tintenlabor – Dark Blue 2 – (New formula)
(Eisengallustinte 2, dunkelblau / schwarz)
Ink Review # 188
Originally posted on FPN: Jun 04, 2025
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🧾 Description
Ink: Tintenlabor – Dark Blue 2 – (New formula)
Availability: Discontinued. This review documents the newer formula of Dark Blue 2 available at the time. The ink was later reformulated as Abendstern with a higher dye content; I have not reviewed Abendstern.
https://tintenlabor.mycommerce.shop/products
Pens Used: Pilot Kakuno EF, Lamy (EF/F/M/B/ Stub 1.1), Noodler's Nib Creaper with a Waterman W2 vintage flex nib
Tintenlabor is a Swiss ink company specializing in Iron Gall inks. What differentiates this brand from others is that it discloses the iron content.
The samples were sent to me by the Ink-Meister, David.
This is the new formula of Dark Blue 2, a blue-black iron gall ink with 4 g/L iron content and low dye content. This is a wet ink with below-average lubrication. With the Kakuno, it was lovely to write with, with the Safari, it depended on the nib sizes.
On most of the papers I tested, the ink oxidized immediately from light blue to blue-black or grey. Midori was the only exception; it took 12 hours.
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.
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🧪 Chroma
✍️ Writing Samples (scan)
JEF stands for Japanese EF nib.
Rhodia / Iroful
Midori / Tomoe River 68gsm
Hammermill 20lb
📸 Photo
A week or so later.
Rhodia / Hammermill / Iroful
Closeup; Rhodia / Iroful
Midori / Tomoe River 68 gsm
Oxidation in real time
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💧 Water Test
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🎨 Artwork
Talens Mixed Media Sketchbook paper – Lamy Safari Stub & waterbrush
Where do we go now?
- What I Liked: · Colour; oxidation from royal blue to blue-black
- What I Did Not Like: If I want to nitpick, it's the cleaning.
- What Some Might Not Like: Iron gall ink and below-average lubrication.
- Writing Experience: Excellent with most pens.
- Pros: Lovely oxidation, well-behaved, water-resistant.
- Cons: Some people might be afraid of IG inks.
🧷 Ink Characteristics
- Shading: Yes.
- Ghosting: Yes, on cheap paper.
- Bleed Through: Yes, on thin, cheap paper.
- Flow Rate: Wet.
- Lubrication: Below average, but decent with most pens.
- Nib Dry-out: Did not notice.
- Start-up: Excellent.
- Saturation: Gorgeous.
- Sheen: No.
- Spread / Feathering / Woolly Line: Did not notice.
- Nib Creep / Crud: Did not notice.
- Staining (Pen): Did not notice.
- Clogging: No.
- Cleaning: Check cleaning note above.
- Water Resistance: Excellent.
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💬 Closing
This was another excellent colour from Tintenlabor: a darker ink with low dye content and medium iron content. This review now serves mainly as an archive of a discontinued Dark Blue 2 formula. The ink was later reformulated as Abendstern, which has a higher dye content and which I have not reviewed. 😊
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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