I just found a bottle w/box of Parker Quink made in France under a British label with Solv-X.

Is this usable or just a collector's item?

I've read Richard Binder's glossary and an article on the introduction of the ink (during WII) but what distinguishes this ink from the current Parker Quink? And how safe is it for vintage and/or modern pens?

Zoe

Not sure about European made Quink but I'm using the ink from my Made In Canada 16oz bottle of Quink Washable Blue with Solv-X with no ill effects. My guess is that the bottle is from at least the 1960's. I won it in an eBay auction earlier this year and probed the ink for sludge or other nasties when it arrived. All was clear so I've been using it ever since, mostly in Parker "51"s.

Good Luck

Rick.

Nifty (old fashioned word) bottle.

How did you "probe" for nasties? With the naked eye, this ink looks fine, nothing floating in it, no discolouration--just ink.

Without a chemical analysis or information from Parker, you can't tell the difference in composition from one batch to another. I have two bottles of black Quink here whose ages differ by only a year or two but whose paper chromatography stains show completely different compositions.

If your ink looks OK, there is no sludge on the bottom of the bottle, there is nothing floating on the surface, and the ink smells like ink, it is probably safe to use. I have used vintage inks for years with no problem.

Paddler

Thanks, Paddler.

I have a new bottle of Quink sitting next to this newer (older) Solv-x bottle and they smell exactly the same--and I don't see any floating particles. I'll take a look at it in better light and then probably try it in a pen that can handle challenges.

Just poked around in the bottle with a wooden skewer looking for sludge or sediment at the bottom. And like Paddler said it looked like ink and it smelled like ink.

Rick.

Thanks, Rick, I'm sure I have something in the kitchen or cellar that resembles a skewer.

Does the bottle and/or box look like this?



If it does, and was sealed and full when you got it, it is probably ok.
If it is one of the earlier bottles, then it may be still good, but proceed with caution.

This general style was used from the '60s through to about 2000, when the Solv-X was dropped and the labels re-designed. The presence/absence of Solv-X is the main difference from these inks and the current stock.

The other difference is that the dye mix is a little different. For example the PQ Blue-Black with Solv-X is a little darker than the current PQ Blue Black.

Yes, it looks just like this--except black.

I may decant some of the ink so that I can see it better but I do suspect it is fine and usable. But as I was unfamiliar with this ink, I thought it best to ask.

Appreciate the responses.

Thanks all.

Zoe