Ink Review #1671: Tools to Live by Green

Tools to Live by ink is exclusive to Galen Leather. This is a KWZ iron gall ink in a tall, gorgeous glass bottle. Let’s look at Tools to Live by Green. Thanks to Galen Leather for sending this ink over for review.

The color:

Green is a dark evergreen.

*For my swab cards I use a Col-o-ring by Skylab Letterpress, a medium Pilot Ishime and a Mabie Todd Swan.

Bottle:

Green comes in a glass 30ml bottle.

Swabs:

In large swabs on Tomoe River paper the ink is darker with some black sheen.

Writing samples:

Let's take a look at how the ink behaves on fountain pen friendly papers: Rhodia, Tomoe River, and Leuchtturm.

*For my writing samples I use:

• EF Pilot Vanishing Point

• F, M, B Pilot Ishime

• Vintage Mabie Todd Swan (flex nib)

• Rhodia Goalbook

• Taroko Enigma notebooks (68gsm TR)

• Leuchtturm A5

• Pen & Gear Paper from Walmart

Dry time: 60 seconds

Water resistance: Medium

Feathering: None

Show through: Medium

Bleeding: None

Other properties: medium shading, medium black sheen, and no shimmer.

On 20 lb copy paper there was some bleeding and feathering.

Comparison Swabs:

Green is closest to Ostrich Green Emerald. Click here to see the green inks together.

Longer writing:

I used a Pilot Custom 74 in Forest with a medium nib on a Taroko Enigma notebook. The ink had a wet flow.

Overall, I like this ink. It has a smooth, wet flow with medium water resistance. The downside to this ink is the price-at $49 for 30ml it’s very expensive, with most of the cost in the bottle. If you just care about the ink, buy it in a standard bottle from KWZ. If you want a gorgeous bottle, buy it from Tools to Live by.

Disclaimer: This ink was provided by Galen Leather for the purpose of this review. All photos and opinions are my own. This page does not contain affiliate links and this post is not sponsored.