Diamine Registrar’s Ink – Review

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Diamine Registrar’s
Ink Review

Pen: Lamy Accent, 1.1mm Stub
Ink: Diamine Registrar’s (Iron Gall)
Paper: Kyokuto F.O.B. COOP B5 Dot Grid

Pros:

  • Nice shading
  • Iron Gall permanence
  • Behaves well on cheap paper
  • Archival (until it burns through the paper in 500 years)

Cons:

  • Writes very dry
  • Can’t be left in a pen unattended for too long

Notes:
At the time of writing, I was on a bit of an Iron Gall kick. First I fell in love with Rohrer & Klingner Scabiosa, now I’m enjoying the Registrar’s, and I have a sample vial of R&K Salix waiting to be loaded up. The most interesting thing about this ink is how it dries from a pale dusty blue to a deep blue-black as the ink oxidizes. The ink comes out of the pen as a light blue with some nice shading, check back in 24 hours and it’s super dark. The ink behaves well on the Kyokuto paper, Rhodia, copy paper, and Field Notes. It’s a great ink to have around due to it’s versatility. I’ve really been enjoying watching the transition from light blue to near-black. My only issue with the ink is how dry it writes. This would be best suited in a wet flowing pen. Overall, I think the positives outweigh the negatives. The real test is going to be how the Diamine holds up to Rohrer & Klingner’s blue iron gall offering.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the review!

Diamine Registrar's Ink Fountain Pen Ink Review
The difference between fresh ink, and ink at 4 days is pretty awesome. You can clearly see that it’s darkened up quite a bit.

Diamine Registrar's Ink Fountain Pen Ink Review Diamine Registrar's Ink Fountain Pen Ink Review Diamine Registrar's Ink Fountain Pen Ink Review Diamine Registrar's Ink Fountain Pen Ink Review Diamine Registrar's Ink Fountain Pen Ink Review Diamine Registrar's Ink Fountain Pen Ink Review Diamine Registrar's Ink Fountain Pen Ink Review Diamine Registrar's Ink Fountain Pen Ink Review Diamine Registrar's Ink Fountain Pen Ink Review Diamine Registrar's Ink Fountain Pen Ink Review Diamine Registrar's Ink Fountain Pen Ink Review Diamine Registrar's Ink Fountain Pen Ink Review


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20 thoughts on “Diamine Registrar’s Ink – Review”

  1. Thanks Ed,
    Your comments are helpful. I’ve been wondering about a more permanent option, as well as a darker color. Most inks seem to get light colored when they dry.

    Reply
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  4. A fantastic ink and review (as always).
    I thought the same about it’s dryness and now use it only in wet pens I need “taming”.

    I have however since discovered Akkerman’s No 10 which too is iron gal. It is wetter and goes down a darker blue with more shading. I use it in any pen and it behaves beautifully. Give it a go.
    (Let me know if you can’t get hold of it and I’ll happily post a sample to you)
    All the best,
    Tas.

    Reply

    1. Thank you! I agree with you there, it needs a wet pen. I really like how well it behaves on all types of paper though.

      Interesting! I have only tried a few Akkermans (Shocking Blue and Vorhoot Violet) – they’re a bit expensive for me to just get without trying first.

      I would be very grateful if you sent a sample! Let me know if there’s anything you’re interested in that I’ve reviewed.

      Thanks!

      Reply

    1. Beware of dryness, other than that it’s pretty awesome. Definitely fits the bill for a “Brad” ink though – dark blue with shading that gets even darker in time haha.

      Reply
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  8. Yes, beautiful ink but do not, repeat DO NOT use with a Lamy 2000. I’ve just saved my pen from a long ordeal with this ink.

    I bought the Lamy 2000 and the Diamine Registrar’s ink at the same time. It was the only permanent ink they sold. After it started to clog the pen, the store kindly switched my “fine” nib to a “medium” one. Then that started clogging up. The ink is beautiful but I don’t know what I’ll do with it. The owner of the the store speculated that the iron oxide was reacting with the gold nib. Now I’m using Noodler’s Black in the pen and it is writing smoothly. It has a lot less character but it writes smoothly with my pen.

    I don’t know if this would be an issue with all gold nib pens or if it is the lamination process that Lamy uses to coat the gold nib. I just know I will never mix the pen with this ink again.

    Reply

    1. I haven’t had any issues, but I don’t want to say for certain. There are too many variables, including age of the ink and age of the pen that come into play. My rule of thumb with iron gall or registrar’s inks are to clean the pens out more regularly than I would with normal ink.

      Reply

      1. Thank you, Ed.
        I’ll not take the chance of ‘gumming up’ the pen as cleaning regularly is not my practice.
        Paul

  10. I used the Diamine Registrars ink in my Lamy 2000 when I first bought it. It definitely jammed it up and caused my endless headaches (endless till I stopped using the ink). It did not damage it at all. Once the ink was flushed out enough, by water and then by some Noodlers permanent ink, the pen was fine. I doubt there was permanent damage even after several months of use. Pain in the ass though.

    Reply

      1. It may be associated with the fact that the Lamy 2000 has a fairly narrow nib. But then, maybe not. I started with a Fine and then went to Medium. Wasn’t till I changed inks that it got better. Then I was using it daily or almost. Now I use the pen less regularly but with the modern ink formulation, I never have problems. Too bad because the Diamine ink has a lot of character–colour within the line.

        But yeah. Cleaning didn’t really help.

        > Am 2017-04-25 um 3:25 PM schrieb edjelley.com – Fountain Pen, Ink, > and Stationery Reviews: > p commented: “Thank you, Andrew. Much appreciated. Paul” >

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