Ok To Transfer Same Ink, Pen To Pen?

[NewPenMan]

Two pens, both with Quink Blue. any harm transferring ink from one to another?

[jar]

Probably not but ink is cheap, why take the chance?

[ac12]

How do you intend to transfer the ink?

 

For me, if I want to deink a pen, I eject all the ink into an ink vial for that ink. I can subsequently fill another pen from that ink vial. So in that way, I can transfer ink from one pen to another.

 

The easier way is to pull the cartridge/converter from pen A, and insert it into pen B, and done.

[NewPenMan]

I have syringes with blunt needles

[Blue_Moon]

I wouldn't. You may not, but there's always the chance you'll pick up contaminates. Just fill them both with Quink blue.

Edited April 19, 2015 by Blue_Moon

[NewPenMan]

Ok...sounds like a wise precaution.

 

Thank you!

[Matt.Nethery]

Probably not but ink is cheap, why take the chance?

I've always wondered why there is such caution with modern fountain pens. What negative outcome could possibly happen from using ink that was in a different pen? I assume that the most that could happen would be skipping or feed issues? Is there really fear that using ink that's been in another pen could cause damage? Sometimes I think we fountain pen users are a little too OCD with pens.

I'm not questioning anyone's opinions by my post or targeting anyone in specific just wondering where the caution in situations like this come from.

 

 

 

 

 

[jar]

I've always wondered why there is such caution with modern fountain pens. What negative outcome could possibly happen from using ink that was in a different pen? I assume that the most that could happen would be skipping or feed issues? Is there really fear that using ink that's been in another pen could cause damage? Sometimes I think we fountain pen users are a little too OCD with pens.

I'm not questioning anyone's opinions by my post or targeting anyone in specific just wondering where the caution in situations like this come from.

 

 

 

There are several reasons, for example the dread fungus amongus for not transferring ink as well as the danger of dangling participles. But the biggest reason is as I stated; that ink is cheap so why take any risk?

[NewPenMan]

So....folks have had actual fungus problems from ink swapping/repurposing, or it's simply a theoretical possibility?

[jar]

So....folks have had actual fungus problems from ink swapping/repurposing, or it's simply a theoretical possibility?

 

Well, for me it is not even a theoretical possibility as I cannot imagine ever swapping ink from one pen to another.

[Freddy]

So....folks have had actual fungus problems from ink swapping/repurposing, or it's simply a theoretical possibility?

 

What the Man said..why take a chance..and ink is cheap........................

 

 

Fred

chow time

[musicman123]

So....folks have had actual fungus problems from ink swapping/repurposing, or it's simply a theoretical possibility?

Well fungal problems arise directly from the bottle of ink, not as a direct result of swapping. Swapping could definitely exacerbate the problem to other inks and pens however. I would take precautions and fill straight from the bottle or from a clean sample/syringe instead.

 

I had a bottle with a small fungus problem that I caught VERY early, before any pens even touched it. After treating it with phenol and cleaning, I haven't had anything going on. If fungus develops in cheap ink, it may be better to just toss the bottle, over risking getting over inks infected.

[flipper_gv]

Seriously, there might be max 50 cents of ink in a converter...

[Tweel]

So....folks have had actual fungus problems from ink swapping/repurposing, or it's simply a theoretical possibility?

 

I'm not sure it's even that. Both pens are already loaded with spores (assuming you don't live sealed inside a cleanroom), and if anything starts growing in one of the pens, it's because something is wrong with the bottle of ink. You'll have to toss the whole thing anyway, regardless of whether you fill each pen separately from the bad ink or not.

Edited April 20, 2015 by Tweel

[Dronak]

I never would have thought that moving ink between pens that already have the same ink in them would be a problem. Then again, I've only ever used cartridges, and typically don't go moving them around (I just use them up, then refill). Since the remarks here have been talking about bottled ink though, does that mean cartridges are generally immune?

[fountainpenlady]

I've always wondered why there is such caution with modern fountain pens. What negative outcome could possibly happen from using ink that was in a different pen? I assume that the most that could happen would be skipping or feed issues? Is there really fear that using ink that's been in another pen could cause damage? Sometimes I think we fountain pen users are a little too OCD with pens.

I'm not questioning anyone's opinions by my post or targeting anyone in specific just wondering where the caution in situations like this come from.

 

 

 

 

If there is any symbolic crucifying for having a contrary idea, you will probably be first, and I will shortly follow. I don't see all the hoopla regarding delicate and firm beliefs regarding fountain pen inks either. Taboo for inks? I too believe there is either an OCD or Elitist attitude over the most simplest of things regarding fountain pens. I have a couple inks which are several years old. I no longer use the color anymore. The only problem I have experienced is my less than four month old bottle of Iroshizuku; Since I have purchased and collected the smaller size bottles, my larger one's top got stuck closed. I vaguely recall someone writing that if you fail to regularly use the ink, the top get sealed closed. Well, I have put some silicone grease on the threads and hoping the top does not stick again when I decide to fill my fountain pen with it at some point.

Otherwise, to each his/her own. I think the wonderful things about this interest/passion, communication enthusiast involving writing instruments which work using inks, includes personal choices. We can decide to follow others or see what happens personally if we decide to do our own thing. Let me know what they do with you, I just want to write my last letter with my transferred same inks in a couple of fountain pens, just in case they come for me next.

Edited April 20, 2015 by fountainpenlady

[PS104]

WHY???

To save money on ink?

Totally unnecessary. As others have said, even the most expensive ink is cheap/volume in a pen. But if this is your reason you've chosen the wrong hobby to get involved with.

May I suggest collecting current Forever USPS stamps. The advantage is that they will increase in value as the postal rate increase and you will become Scrooge McDuck-wealthy at which point you can rejoin the FPN community and maybe even buy a new bottle of Parker Black ink

Inks will eventually evaporate, develop fungi and become totally undrinkable. In other words, worthless

[Jerome Tarshis]

WHY???

To save money on ink?

Totally unnecessary. As others have said, even the most expensive ink is cheap/volume in a pen.

Actually, no. Not to save money. Because it seems like a natural, everyday sort of thing to do. At an age when my friends and relatives are dropping away like flies, when all sorts of dire things threaten the population of the earth, the fear of fungal contamination of one or more fountain pens strikes me as almost hilariously trivial.

 

It is eccentric enough to write with FPs. One courts sensation and excitement. (And here I am, posting a message to a Web site.) Water and other natural resources are worth worrying about. Inequality of income, between persons and nations, ditto. Terrible things happening to people one loves. Ink contamination: not everyone chooses to get excited by the same distractions.

[Chrissy]

I am assuming you have 2 pens both filled with Quink Blue ink and they are different pen brands, otherwise you might have just swapped over the cartridge or converter between the pens.

 

I have removed ink, using a syringe, from one type of converter that was in a pen, then syringed it into a different type of converter that I then placed in another pen.

 

I'm not talking about putting any 'partially used' ink from a converter or a cartridge back into any original bottle here. That could be risking contamination, and I wouldn't do that.

 

But when I'm doing ink reviews from a very small ink sample, and I want to show how it looks in different pens, then moving it from one type of converter to another is one way of doing that. And I think it's a perfectly logical thing to do

[Blue_Moon]

...the fear of fungal contamination of one or more fountain pens strikes me as almost hilariously trivial.

 

This entire thread has become almost hilariously trivial. This does not reflect on the OP. He's asking a valid question. However, as it continues (down the drain), the thread has become completely inconsequential. I wouldn't do it, but if you want to transfer ink to another pen, do so and save a few pennies. If you don't want to transfer ink, don't do it." Don't worry. Be happy."