How To Make Lampblack (Ancient Ink & Rare Firework Ingredient)

In this video I make an ancient pigment only found in the finest Japanese calligraphy ink, which doubles as one of the rarest firework ingredients in the world.
Links to find the supplies used in this video (these are affiliate links):
Pine fatwood: ebay.us/VfuaKm
Glass dip pens: ebay.us/r22mdj
Animal hide glue: ebay.us/Xsi1df
Note that you only need a few small grains of hide glue added to your ink to stop it from smearing once dry. The ink will work without glue, using only water and lampblack as ingredients but it may smear once dry similar to if you had used a pencil.
Check out my previous video about senko hanabi fireworks if you would like to learn more about how to make them: • A Japanese Master Craf...
A special thanks to my top Patrons: LVE, Enzo Breda Lee, Jon Hartmann, TheBackyardScientist & Eugene Pakhomov! If you enjoy these videos please consider supporting my efforts to continually improve them: / nighthawkprojects
Thanks for watching!
-Ben

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Thanks for giving this video a good reception so far. I've had a number of projects give me trouble this last month and it's been a bit discouraging that I don't have anything working well enough to make a video about. Fortunately I filmed this project over the summer and had the footage to put this video together. I have a whole series of projects I expect will build on one another in the coming year, if I can get them working. In the meantime thanks for watching this video and sticking with me while I figure this stuff out!

[@flimflam6652]

I absolutely love your videos where you discover the pathways for creating "rare" or "high end" substances, and give this knowledge to the people so it is no longer some "secret ingredient" that capitalists can upcharge for. Essentially, these videos are, in the domain of material science, a wonderful equalizer of both class and production

[@pattheplanter]

Why not make a video about the frustrations of getting these things to work? We know it is not magic, though it looks like it sometimes.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@@pattheplanter I have before, but the project that's failing doesn't always make for a good video of that sort.

[@TrollFaceTheMan]

For sure. Lots of love, and support!

[@ignilc]

hey i know you since pyroguideforum it was me you ... who i remember admiraldonsnider.. pakehapyro. it was such a long time ago. my suggestion is make a detailed lampblack synthesis video. or a ballmill

[@unvergebeneid]

Okay, but "lampblack" still seems like a fancy name for "soot."

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Sure is.

[@DC_DC_DC_DC]

How is it different? I'd like to know...

[@samsawesomeminecraft]

@@DC_DC_DC_DC I think it has something to do with the quality/impurities in the mostly-carbon material, as well as the grain size and carbon "crystal" structure

[@tinderboxcreations]

Same but different. Lampblack can be made from any hydrocarbon or carbohydrate fuel if there is enough carbon in the fuel's molecule. Correct, "soot" is unburnt carbon from incomplete combustion but each type of soot contains traces of various VOC's and in varying quantities. A lot of variables at play whether it be from gas, kerosene, wood resin, coal, fish oil, animal fats, palm oil. This list is vast in terms of fuels and so the variety of trace volatiles. It's not the carbon that matters but these trace chemicals that determine the characteristics of each batch of soot.

[@bookyle21]

If that's the case, would it be possible to just make it in the same process as charcoal? By heating it in a paint can as he has shown in previous videos

[@sagerobot]

There is something about this narration style that feels educational and artisitc at the same time.

[@loganhuwe9458]

ya know the how it’s made videos

[@otakuribo]

@@loganhuwe9458 How It's Made: DIY Edition

[@GarrettCrosgrove]

The narration seems different from his other videos. I personally dont like it as much in this video. Just seems different. Love the video tho!!!

[@ethanmanley4594]

Reminds me of how he used to narrate his old videos

[@ComradePhoenix]

Its very ASMR.

[@LANCEL0T]

It makes me happy that an ancient thing is being preserve for future generations

[@Slouworker]

Lamp black is not that uncommon though. You can buy good pbk7 quite cheaply from more serious art stores

[@sageminentjunky5197]

It's still used in all kinds of inks. It's not a rare fire work ingredient either, it's a main ingredient of gun powder, prisoners use it for tattoo ink, this video is wrong in a lot of ways. It's cool he made the video to inform people but he could have gone about it in a more informative way..

[@mnstrg0067]

I've been making lampblack ink for years. Here's how to do it for maximum pigment payoff: pre-mix gum arabic powder with distilled water until you have something the consistency of sugar syrup. Put lampblack powder in a smooth sided mortar and pour in your gum arabic syrup little by little, mixing with your pestle, until you have something that is the consistency of thick tar. Make sure every particle is saturated. Next, pour in your distilled water little by little, mixing with your pestle, until you have something that is the consistency of milk.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Good advice. Mixing the lampblack with a more viscous liquid I'm sure makes the process go faster.

[@nunyabiznes33]

No alcohol?

[@mnstrg0067]

@@nunyabiznes33 I've never made alcohol ink before so I can't tell you. Maybe some colors and certain applications need alcohol, but for basic black drawing ink, it isn't necessary. I based the above technique on the advice of a master calligrapher. He actively discouraged the use of any other ingredients in his original blog post. I also remember that he spent hours grinding lampblack and gum arabic syrup together so that the ink flows well out of a metal dip pen. Since I work with brushes and glass dip pens, I don't need my ink to be so fine and I only need to spend a few minutes mixing ingredients.

[@jamesaritchie1]

No. Just no. You can maker an ink that way, but it won't be the best ink, even if you use the correct lampblack, which I doubt.

[@jamesaritchie1]

@@nunyabiznes33 No, never alcohol.

[@emel60]

Ahhh, the pigment used as a tattoo ink ingredient pretty much by every mummy in the past 5000 years. I am about to use this clean carbon source for recreating the Southeast Asian crucible steel. Great to see your vids!

[@dmacpher]

Yeah isn’t it highly fully combusted soot(mono molecular carbon?)

[@emel60]

@@dmacpher I believe so, yessss

[@NitroTom91]

I really like that style of video without the classic vlog element.

[@Rapidpanda1st]

The fact that the original senko hanabi video was released this year in 2020 still makes me so uncomfortable. Time dilation is real.

[@doggfite]

I'm more bothered by the sudden change in pronunciation of senko hanabi

[@american7169]

I thought it was 4 or so years ago...

[@american7169]

@@doggfite I noticed that as well soon as he said it!

[@MrCommanderPyro]

The senko hanabi video that is still up is unfortunately not the original one. I think NHIL took the original one down because he was unsatisfied with the quality of sparklers he used to make back then, aswell as it containing outdated formulas

[@martkbanjoboy8853]

I heard 'psycho wannabe.' I will go away now. . .

[@wrengooding3096]

That’s awesome! It must be so satisfying after years and years of hard work trying to perfect those sparklers! Congrats!

[@stihl888]

THANK YOU, a very timely video for me as I've searched high and low for instructions to efficiently make Pine lampblack for a while to no avail and the Lampblack from acetalyne/oil purchased online did not work, only the Lampblack I've collected from Pine works for Senko Hanabi. From successfully making Senko Hanabi from your previous video i needed an efficient way to produce the Lamp Black. I successfully harvested fatwood from pine trees the other day but can get a hold of the sticks you use also for cheap but nothing beats making sentimental rare fireworks like this from natural resources you've collected yourself.

[@yezakd]

You did such a good job filming the natural sparklers from 4min to the end. You have got to watch this on an OLED in a dark room to appreciate it.

[@jjohnston94]

One of my engineering colleagues designed a carbon black generating plant early in his career. He said the most surprising thing about operating it was that there were very specific procedures for putting on and taking off the white "bunny suits" you had to wear, because the one thing carbon black does best is it gets on everything, and spreads.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

I would really like to hear about that if you're still in contact and he's up for sharing how that worked

[@jjohnston94]

@@Nighthawkinlight Which part? Generating the carbon black, or taking off the bunny suit without making a mess?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

@@jjohnston94 Generating the carbon black

[@rodmills4071]

Just like sikaflex...🤣😂😁😀😎

[@tommihommi1]

it goes in a ball mill anyways, so the precise particle size and structure isn't that important

[@cursedvoid]

Glad to see you are still infatuated with the senko hanabi sparklers, also wondering how much lampblack you have made so far just for these fireworks.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Maybe 10 grams so far. Fortunately you can make 100 or so senko hanabi with 1 gram of lampblack. You don't need much.

[@schwuzi]

That's so cool! Also I have never seen a glass fountain pen before.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

They're pretty neat

[@Anino_Makata]

@Monty Spatchcock Any places online you could recommend? I might be in the market for one in the future, once I sit up in a financial green zone.

[@hy7968]

It’s a dip pen, not a fountain pen

[@jamesaritchie1]

You still haven't. That is not a fountain pen. A fountain pen has a reservoir. This said, I have seen three models of glass fountain pens, though none of them had actualy nibs. But they did have reservoirs.

[@schwuzi]

@@jamesaritchie1 ok cool

[@ogedeh]

This is refreshing. Thank you.

[@ogedeh]

To clarify, this is not a critique of your content. I mean it's refreshing considering current events.

[@nomfg]

I hope that in the future you'll be credited with carrying on the tradition of Senko Hanabi. Some really weird chemistry is going on there, everything has to be perfect and it's so hard to make it work. Thank you so much for introducing it to a large audience!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

I hope not, there are others that deserve that honor

[@sagopalm279]

Love the smell of fatwood.

[@GuillotinedChemistry]

Excited to see how you make lampblack! Those firestarters look like a great find. Thanks again for sharing your progress!

[@kdawg3484]

So simple, yet capable of producing something so complex. I'll never tire of your senko hanabi videos. Watch them burn just provides quiet serenity.

[@user-wg5jh5vl9m]

This channel makes me calm, feel peaceful and just enjoy life 😁 pure bliss watching and listening.

[@Pheonix19581]

Alternate title "destroying the lampblack industry in 6 minutes or less" Great video as always by the way!

[@cuhhwetes]

Not really

[@visualchallenge2413]

Not only your videos are elegant but your writing and drawing also !

[@Impatient_Ape]

If you only want a small amount, good lampblack can be produced by the flame from an isopropyl alcohol lamp. Hold a piece of plate glass or ceramic plate just slightly above the flame. Use a razor blade to scrape the lampblack off the glass and repeat.

[@phil1692]

Hearing you talk about fireworks brings me back to your old projects!! Great video!

[@janodewald6087]

Awesome video! Being a fountain pen and ink enthusiast who likes the calm style of your videos, this has been just amazing. Thank you!

[@knegra74]

You are a gem amongst all the content providers in youtube. You always find interesting, hard subjects that noone has touched and/or manage to find a new aproach to them. Thank you! I wish you a Merry X-Mas and a prosperous, happy new year. Can't wait for what you'll come up with, because I know it'll be worth the wait.

[@xor-gate]

Awesome tutorial and nice Hanabi! Its so simple, it has almost been forgotten

[@marvinluthardt9689]

Its almost 3am and watching the senko Hanabi burn is very calming. I appreciate that. Thank you.

[@Enakronizum]

Thank you for sharing your work with the world. Merry Christmas!

[@terrasoltvinmobiliaria6471]

I can't believe I've never discovered your channel untill today. I'm loving every video! This video in particular it's so beautiful. I have so much pine wood accumulated, I will definitely start producing lampblack.

[@joellinker9899]

One of your very best videos! Beautifuly shot.

[@RaExpIn]

This was interesting and relaxing at the same time. Very nice!

[@batterymakermarkii2654]

You are a source of the most esoteric subjects I’ve seen. Keep going!

[@Zeriador]

I've been watching your videos since you attached some steel wool to a string and spun it around for an effective light show. I really appreciate your methodical and precise manner and want to thank you for being a great addition to many people's lives. Keep up the good work!

[@andreaquadrati]

Perfecting this formula might be considered your greatest achievement one day. You successfully prevented an art from dying out.

[@LeoGarCru]

Cultural fact... in mexico thoose woods are called ocote

[@pattheplanter]

And ocotillo means a little ocote? Thank you, I should have looked that one up years ago.

[@lewismassie]

This style very much reminds me of the OG Grant Thompson videos. Just missing that upbeat music

[@TheFarmacySeedsNetwork]

Very cool! It is evident you are a master of both fire and science! Thanks!

[@stormrunner0029]

I used to be a chemical tanker man that carried coal tar. I heard rompers that the buyers would just light it up to get what they call carbon black. I now they process would be much larger but now I know it is much more safer and cleaner then previously imagined. Thank you again.

[@jijipixels]

I've been rewatching your videos. I love your educational content!

[@redcastlefan]

I've been here for a long time. I think the first one I saw was the crossbow. I love how you keep upping your game for the sake of just being better and not for views. I wish you the best my guy. Please never stop ❤️❤️❤️

[@taylorboultinghouse8296]

Thank you for sharing this cool discovery!

[@nathanielmclennan]

Your presentations are amazing.

[@thefordness]

That's pretty cool. Learning new stuff from you all the time. Thanks

[@_piiraa]

Hanabi firework looks very nice! Great video

[@Niveusxion]

Amazing as all your videos are! Very intriguing may need to make some myself soon.

[@El_Imperator_Del_Territorio]

I've actually been trying to make ink from natural materials and this was very helpful, good video

[@hizzousekakashi8836]

Fantastic as always, I love watching your videos!

[@displayfireworks1]

Nice to see you still making an occasional fireworks related video. I thought it turned out great.

[@OnTheRiver66]

As a kid I found out about lampblack ink. I made some lampblack, probably burned some oil, mixed it with linseed oil, and made black ink. Thanks for sharing this.

[@rahulkhanna8819]

One the best video of this decade

[@Gulliolm]

This was sooo relaxing. I love this style of video so please produce some more of them. And i would love to see your bird (Mose?) again

[@TheDsa61]

in the deep south my dad always called it rich pine. Great video and keepupthe good work! I'm still catching up on your other videos, so no problem for me, I enjoy every one I have learned and applied an amazing amount from you. Thank you so much. and I admit that i never knew that is why tires are black.....

[@poikelos6291]

Bro thats like a perfectly made sparkler. Good job that takes skill and practice and knowledge

[@stevenlovell3300]

A beautiful presentation

[@MemesnShet]

What a cool transition with the drawing

[@grantmccollum4499]

Nothing makes my day quite like a new nighthawkinlight video. Thanks!!!

[@familyaccount5210]

Just discovered this channel as a recommendation from @actionlabshorts - Totally in love. Can't wait to introduce this channel to my husband and parents. So amazing!

[@steadfasttherenowned2460]

I'll let you know, I believe the impression you intended this video to make worked perfectly. I was almost caught in a trance with only nature's music as a back track. Well done.

[@gusmartin6053]

So rare yet so simple to make. If you know how... And now we all know. Thank you for sharing!

[@PHD1604]

He really used Dark Souls Pine Resin to embed the firework with 🔥

[@pyrojason]

Those are awesome sparklers!!

[@johnrobichaud1983]

That is a beautiful pen... the video was also very educational

[@GadgetBoy]

So, a couple of days ago, I had a local HVAC company come and service my gas fireplace. I learned a few really neat things (including about the "pilot generator" that powers all of the valves off of 700mV). Anyway. The thing that I learned that's actually pertinent to this video is that a gas fireplace is an EXCELLENT source of extremely high purity, ultra fine (probably damn near molecular) lampblack. Especially a gas fireplace that's not burning very efficiently.

[@mengmeng243]

Yey a new video... I love your cotent sir so simple yet very educational 😊

[@nickg5250]

outstanding video as always

[@gnudarve]

My wife's ancestors were Japanese calligraphy masters so it's cool to see this

[@FreedomandBaconHomestead]

It isn't likely I'll be making lampblack but the video was so interesting I watched the whole thing anyway. Well done!

[@Flumstead]

Another good use for carbon. It's good to remember these things. Merry Christmas.

[@darrellmartin447]

I love this series

[@dennishicks8962]

Thank you for this video!! I use lampblack for making pyrotechnics. I enjoy making my own charcoal as well

[@Telectronics]

Cool I wondered how lampblack is made thanks so much !

[@thetransformatorium7980]

As usual, cool video! 👍👍👍

[@rockspoon6528]

Another outstanding video, thanks!

[@electronicsNmore]

Great video as usual. The new logo a big thumbs up. :-)

[@jimmysrandomness]

Very informative tutorial ❤ thank for this very intresting video.

[@eightsprites]

What a amazing pen!

[@tinderboxcreations]

Another quality upload.

[@ThistlesGarden]

Awesome. I will defiantly be making use of this.

[@Dr_Mauser]

Having seen your videos on Senko Hanabi sparklers makes it really stand out when I see them depicted in Anime (Which is pretty often.)

[@daphneraven6745]

Thank you very much for this really fun video!

[@RomanoPRODUCTION]

Today the magnificent NightHawkInLampBlack presents the fireworks for Christmas 2020 and also a better 2021 ❤️❤️❤️

[@Q269]

That's some cool stuff for sure

[@SquareCoinTalk]

This video SOOTet me very well , nice job sucses with your projects

[@lesd40]

Interesting! Happy Holidays!

[@ValentinTayursky]

Amazing job man!

[@ERKNEES2]

Thanks for making this!

[@greedypaul6343]

Love it. I've already got fatwood too.

[@CryptoRich1]

The beginning of this video should be redone into a separate video for ASMR. I would fall right to sleep with those sounds coming from the pen

[@TheBigBigBlues]

This felt like and old skool NHiL video, love it 👍

[@sentar6969]

Had no idea what I was watching when I started watching but now I have quite a few ideas thank you

[@marcdraco2189]

Woah dude - that is seriously cool!

[@Agerskiold]

Absolutely Amazing 😊🙏🏻 Cheers from Denmark 🇩🇰

[@shaminoranger8588]

The audio in this is amazing. Going for a real ASMR quality there :-)

[@ethanmills2459]

I harvest fat wood every year for easy fire starters stumps from Washington 1910 fire this is awesome 👍 love it

[@corneliusbuckley8897]

I've just finished bingeing over a dozen of your videos over the last couple days and I don't think I've found one yet that wasn't really interesting. I especially like the ones that have easy diy application, even more so if they're good for off grid tech, but I had no idea about wood gas as a viable energy source until a week ago, now I see you run an engine on it?! Great stuff man, and great work. Thanks for sharing what you're experimenting with!

[@dopeymark]

I love this stuff.

[@xisailuo]

I don't have the capacity to make it myself, unfortunately, but I really like the look of the ink

[@hubrisnaut]

I checked on which pine would work best for making "fatwood" in my State, The Pine Tree State. It looks like "Pitch Pine", Pinus rigida is the best candidate. State guide: " It is used for construction lumber, pulp and firestarting “fat wood.” In the past, considerable quantities of pitch and turpentine were obtained from this tree; these commodities were referred to as “naval stores,” a term originally applied to the resin-based components used in building and maintaining wooden sailing ships."

[@jezzamobile]

And today's KZbin recommendation is.... Great stuff! 😸👍