Today, I received two bottles of Parker Penman Ruby ink. As could have been expected with old red(dish) ink it has thickened a bit.

I was just wondering if any on you have tried to diluting this ink (with water) and what your experiences where. It would be a waste ruining a bottle if it's not necessary.

Thanks!

Ruby was the only Penman colour I liked. I water down my carts with a few drops of tap water, and used distilled water for the bottle.

All that bottle ink is finished though, and I've only a few carts left now - I have had no problems with the ink once the water was added.

Mocha was the one which went bad first...turned to sediment almost. I didn't even try to dilute that one.

well, it isn't the Ruby but since my Emerald bottles are getting on in years I do dilute it a little. Just start small. I move about 10 mls or so into a Nalgene jar then add a few drops of water. you may want to start with only a couple of mls in a converter or the like - add one or two drops and see how that works for you.

Thanks! I suppose it's worth a try...