Tannin and Oak Apples

[Pappa]

I was watching "Tales from the Green Valley" a few days ago. They mentioned that Oak Apples (galls) used to be collected because they have a very high concentration of tannin. They used them to make ink in the episode.

 

[Fallow Way]

I`ve used galls for tanning before, but i wasnt aware they used them to make ink....what was the process?

 

[JohnC]

I had a go with making ink. I used powedered oak apple and vinegar that i'd rusted? iron in. the mixture went onto the page pale but turned dark brown after a rew seconds. I believe it could corrode pages of paper on old documents. Theres a few sites on the web with recipies
http://www.clt.astate.edu/elind/oldinkrecipes.htm

 

[Pappa]

In the programme they used copperas or vitriol. I read some more online later, there are a few places mentioning the same process JohnC used, or using sulphuric acid with iron to make ferrous sulphate (copperas or vitriol).

http://www.knaw.nl/ecpa/ink/make_ink.html
http://www.ceu.hu/medstud/manual/MMM/ink.html

Pappa

 

[Mooney]

I`ve used galls for tanning before, but i wasnt aware they used them to make ink....what was the process?

how do you use them for tanning, is it just a case of soaking them to get out the tannin and then soaking the pelt in the solution?

 

[Woods Wanderer]

they (iv read) when powdered make a good coal extender for a tinder bundle

 

[Ketchup]

Thanks of making me aware of this :You_Rock_

I never dreamed I would visit a bushcraft site and end up making my own soap and ink. Whatever will come next?

...but I lived in the belief that ancient ink was made of sepia (cuttlefish) ink. Now I find no reference at all to sepia ink in the websites you linked to.
How come?

 

[Fallow Way]

the way i have found works best is to grind them up and add them to the solution. I have only ever used them as a booster so to speak, on top of the main source of tannin.

 

[Toddy]

Ink recipe for Lotions and Potions activity with school children.

Pound up 10 oak galls to powder (they pound apart easier than they grind)
I steel wool pad (if using Brillo or the like washout the soapy stuff first) soaked for I hour in four tablespoonsful of vinegar.
Remove the steel wool and pour the liquid over the oak gallpoowder.
Add I tablespoonful of soot
Adults add 4 tablespoonsful of red wine...or...kids add the same of Ribena
If using red wine you need to add half a teaspoonful of gum arabic to thicken the ink, the Ribena seems to do fine on its own.
Put the whole lot into a screw top jar and (for kids!) put the sealed jar into a zip bag and shake vigorously. Repeat half a dozen times a day for at least two days, two weeks is better. Carefully strain through kitchen towels and put into small jars. This is a good, fast ink. Be careful it *will* stain clothes, hands, tables, etc., but it does make a very good ink.

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[stovie]

That looks straight forward. Well done for coming up with the goods again Toddy . Looks like I'm going to have a messy weekend...well, the kids will be messy, I have no doubt of that...so long as they don't put their mucky paws on my nice shiny piece of wood