Can ink be "too old?"

[sharonspens]

Let me preface this by stating that I did a search, even a slightly advanced search, on this topic but found no answers (maybe I am using inappropriate keywords).

 

I know that nail polish can be too old; it settles within a year at most and is too thick to use. Does ink become too old to use? Will it separate or otherwise cause problems in pens? Inquiring minds want to know. [ I primarily have PR and a Waterman or two, I think; oh, and a two-year-old bottle of Pelikan brown that is only used in my 51 and will be used up before the end of the year.]

 

Sharon

[*david*]

If it has mold growing in it, throw it away.

 

If it smells bad or looks bad, throw it away.

 

Stir it with a toothpick to see if you can find anything bad about it.

 

If it seems OK after those tests, then it's good to use. Many people around here use ink that is forty years old or more.

[RLTodd]

...... Does ink become too old to use? ......

 

No.

 

It does get fungus and other nasty things ("Stuff In The Bottle") in it that make it unusable. (Usually, if it hasn't been opened this won't happen.) Sometimes the water drys out, but you can almost always re liquify it with more water.

 

[Quicksilver]

Some inks can go sort of "sour," so to speak. You can usually tell by the smell. I know the reasoning for this, but this exact moment the explanation escapes me. And as mentioned, it can grow mold/fungus. Some inks are worse than others about it based on their composition. If it smells okay, and there's no sediment or anything in the bottle, then you are very likely good to go.

[Randorider]

I use old Skrip and Quink all the time with no problem. They smell like there is plenty of phenol in them, which is a good mold and fungus growth inhibitor.

[TULIP]

I use old Skrip and Quink all the time with no problem. They smell like there is plenty of phenol in them, which is a good mold and fungus growth inhibitor.

 

 

+1

 

I've got about a quart and a half of Skrip washable blue that's gotten a bit darker because of evaporation over the years. The only problem I've ever had with SITB is with modern ink. Old ink can develop sediment, and I just use an unbleached standard cone coffee filter to filter it out. I love the smell of old Skrip, too.

Edited September 27, 2007 by TULIP

[sharonspens]

Thanks so much - this is excellent news! I would hate to have to toss all of those bottles out (if you knew how much I can waste on nail polish you would understand my concern!). I assumed it should be fine given all the lovers of vintage inks, but better to ask now than be angry and ashamed later.

 

Sharon

Edited September 27, 2007 by sharonspens

[*david*]

Note that ink often has a chemical smell to it that is OK and expected. I assume you know the kind of smell to expect. It's just bad/evil smells you're looking for.

[John Danza]

If the ink has been stored properly and never opened, old ink is no problem at all. The black ink and blue ink that I use on a standard basis are both WW2-era Parker Quink. I only use bottles that are completely full, and I "decant" them through a fine screen into another bottle. I've never had any trouble at all.

[jpolaski]

Well this IS all good news. I just found two bottles of skrip permanent Red, and a bottle of Waterman's Blue black NOS at an estate sale of an old market I grew up shopping at. The price? $1. The skrip bottles have that great reservoir in them too, and I REALLY wanted to try it out. YAY!

[Shangas]

So long as the ink is kept sealed and away from the light, I don't think age is a problem. My pens have been drinking out of the same bottle of ink for nearly 10 years now, with no problems whatsoever.

[framebaer]

So long as the ink is kept sealed and away from the light, I don't think age is a problem. My pens have been drinking out of the same bottle of ink for nearly 10 years now, with no problems whatsoever.

 

10 years? same bottle of ink? found one of those elusive gallon bottles back then eh? :roflmho: