Hello from England,

Here goes for a first post on the FPN! After returning to using fountain pens from a few years of using the computer for writing, I'm using various pens and bottles of modern ink - Parker, Waterman, and Pelikan.

I came across an old bottle of Permanent Black Quink with Solv-X in a drawer at home. It has been kept tightly capped since it was last used twenty to thirty years ago. The bottle is still about four-fifths full.

My questions:
1. Would it still be OK to use this ink on account of its age?
2. Modern Quink doesn't mention Solv-X. What were its benefits and drawbacks?

The pens it would be used in are Parker 51s (aerometric vintage), made in England. Also a modern Duofold Centennial with converter.

Hope I've gone about doing this post the right way!

You should not have any problems using this ink. There are lots of us here who enjoy using inks that are over 50 years old! Just check the bottle for any solids (mold or sediment). If there's mold, don't use it! Don't even put your pen into it. If there's sediment, these can clog your pen. Some people suggest straining the ink with something like cheesecloth. Others just don't use it. That's up to you.

As for Solv-X, it was a "magic ingredient" that, according to Parker, helped to clean and protect pens. It won't harm your pens.

Welcome to FPN and have fun!

John

Yes, the old bottle of ink is certainly still "okay". Keep it and use it it too. No harm. BUT, do buy a new bottle or two -- of any ink -- and use these too, just to be able to make any comparison of any old ink still available today.

Mike

Good luck with the ink! Welcome to FPN! I'm sure you will come away at some point with new pens and ink...

Erick

John_Boz, Lapis, Langere,
Thanks for your welcome and your advice. I'll check out the Permanent black Quink tomorrow and bear in mind your points. I can see this forum is going to be a real help and also fun to use. I just need to take a few moments (or longer) to get the hang of its structure!

Welcome to FPN! Sound like you've got some nice pens in the "51"s and the Duofold. I hope that ink works out.

Greetings and welcome! Check the ink and make sure it has nothing growing in it. It should be ok!

Welcome.

Thanks for the comments, 'JR'.

You mentioned the 51s and the Duofold. The 51s write super-smooth (both M nibs) for me; they were in almost unmarked condition when I bought them (it cost!) and had new ink sacs fitted for Penfriend in London. They are so easy that I have to consciously hold down my speed of writing; they flow across the page that fast! The Duofold Centennial is a different pen, larger and chunkier, that repays a more deliberate handwriting. It's taken a little while to run in but is now very nice to hold (wider than the 51) and write with.

Welcome from another Brit

Hi RoyalBlue,

the Quink should be fine to use, provided it's not mouldy, smells weird or has any unwanted/unexpected stuff floating around it/pooled at the bottom of it. Ink isn't like milk, it doesn't really have a use-by date.

Welcome to FPN.