McCaffery's Penman's Ink
- Formulated for the pointed pens ONLY, which is for Copperplate, Spencerian and Modern Calligraphy. This ink is NOT designed for the broad edge pens used.
- Iron gall ink (Black ink only, colours, ivory and white are not iron gall inks).
- 1oz bottle, approx 30ml.
- Produce exquisite hairlines.
- This black ink will appear as a grey-black or grey-blue when used from a new bottle but turns a dense black as it dries.
- Product of USA.
This is what Michael Sull says about using McCaffery's
Due to the chemical nature of iron-gall ink, McCaffery's black ink will actually appear as a grey-black or grey-blue when used from a new bottle. It will darken a bit as it dries. After a few weeks or so the ink will considerably darken, and a black precipitate of the ink will collect in the bottle. For best results, stir the liquid ink and precipitate for 20-30 seconds (a coffee-stirrer works well) before you dip your pen point to begin writing. When the surface of the ink in the jar lowers by 1/4” or so (due to usage or evaporation), add the equivalent of several full eyedroppers or 1 teaspoon of water to the ink. Stir thoroughly so the precipitate, ink and water will mix well. The ink is now ready to use again. A little water added to the ink once in a while is good maintenance. If, however, you neglect to do this for a number of months, the ink will thicken and it will be difficult to produce fine hairlines and smooth strokes. When the ink-level of the jar decreases to only one-half of the jar’s depth, add enough fresh McCaffery's ink from another jar into the half-full jar to bring the ink level back up to about 1/4” from the top of the jar.
McCaffery Inks Recreate Penmanship of the Golden Age
In this manner, you are always mixing old and new ink together. Such care is well worth the effort; this ink is a faithful reproduction of the favoured ink recipes used during the Golden Age of Penmanship. Once the ink has matured in the bottle (1-2 months on average), it is capable of producing exquisite hairlines and crisp, dramatic shades.
Normal Occurrences You May See
The pigments of McCaffery's inks are natural and organic in composition. As such, every so often it is not uncommon for you to find a slight growth of mold upon the surface of the ink inside the jar. Another “surprise” may be that when you open a jar, you notice that a dried “ink skin” has formed over the surface of the ink. I have also observed that from time to time when I open a bottle of Brown Ink, a thick, brown sludgy material seems to have settled in the ink. Take heart and don’t panic! Your ink is fine. In fact, these occurrences are usually a sign that the ink itself is maturing. These phenomena are natural and do not harm, contaminate or dilute the ink. Just take a coffee stirrer, popsicle stick or similar item and lift the mold, dry skin or sludge out of the jar and into the trash. Once this is done, use a new stirring stick and stir the ink again. The ink is now ready to use.
When Restoration Efforts Fail
If you find that, due to neglect, evaporation, excessive dust or whatever, the ink in your jar is extremely thick, gooey, gritty or has a very unpleasant odour, it is probably best to throw the bottle away and start with a fresh bottle. Just do it – you will be glad you did.
