Question On Cigar Box For Ink Storage

[jrbaker]

I'm fairly new to being a fountain pen enthusiast and I'm trying to figure out how to store my ink. I'm going to try and limit myself to not having too much, so I was thinking that I could use a nicer, wooden cigar box. I've seen some posts here on folks doing the same, but I'm wondering if the lingering tobacco residue in a cigar box or anything left there by them might promote the growth of mold or in another way cause my ink to go bad faster than normal. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks in advance.

[FPFan]

I can't imagine that the cigar box would do anything to well capped bottles of ink. Big question is can you find one tall enough for your ink bottles? Cigar boxes I have aren't usually tall enough for a lot of ink brands. The boxes that are tall enough are rare and don't get given away, but sold and not always very cheaply.

I use my cigar boxes for lots of other storage and many folks make pen storage boxes out of them. I have stored sealing wax in them along with lots of other kinds of things.

 

Good Luck in your quest. And . . .

 

[jrbaker]

I can't imagine that the cigar box would do anything to well capped bottles of ink. Big question is can you find one tall enough for your ink bottles? Cigar boxes I have aren't usually tall enough for a lot of ink brands. The boxes that are tall enough are rare and don't get given away, but sold and not always very cheaply.

I use my cigar boxes for lots of other storage and many folks make pen storage boxes out of them. I have stored sealing wax in them along with lots of other kinds of things.

 

Good Luck in your quest. And . . .

 

 

Thanks for such a quick response! I have an older cigar box I've been holding on to for a number of years (I guess in my mind I knew I might need it) that is deeper than it is wide. It's more recipe-box sized. I believe that will do for what I have now. The largest box of ink I have now is a Pelikan and it's about 3" x 3". I don't know throughout my journey how big I should expect these boxes to be. I do want to eventually try some Noodler's, and those boxes look taller; I may be in trouble there.

[H.M. Murdock]

In normal levels of humidity, cigar residue will not mold. Especially considering that many cigar boxes are Spanish cedar.

Here are some cigars that come in a box which can hold ink bottles (including Noodler's):

Hoyo De Monterey Excalibur (I use the No. 1 boxes, which is a churchill)

Tatuaje Havana No. VI

Arturo Fuente Canones

Diesel D.7

 

Any local cigar shop should be able to hook you up with those. Many cigar shops do charge, but I have been to a lot of shops where the proceeds from box sales are donated to a local charity, so I never mind paying for them.

[FPFan]

Noodler's bottles were the exact ones I was thinking of when I wrote the above. I'm glad you've got a taller box. I only have one after many, many years of gather cigar boxes for storage.

 

Just a littel cautionary tale though . . . Many people get "addicted" to lots of inks once they get started. You will find that cigar box won't hold them all for very long.

[jrbaker]

I just hit the jackpot at my local cigar store. They had a stack of nice, taller, wooden boxes for me to sort through. I now have a set of boxes that should keep me in good ink storage for some time, should the "addiction" hit me. :-) Thanks all for the responses.

[ShallowJam]

I'm going to have to check my store, I only have the shallow kind. a deep one would be great!

[Harlequin]

Where would someone who doesn't (and hasn't ever) smoke find cigar boxes? Ideally without any cigars in them- so not tobacco shops or cigar stores or anything like that.

[jrbaker]

Where would someone who doesn't (and hasn't ever) smoke find cigar boxes? Ideally without any cigars in them- so not tobacco shops or cigar stores or anything like that.

 

I don't smoke either, but I know where the cigar shop is. :-) They get their cigars in the nice boxes and when all of the cigars in the box are sold, they have nothing else to do with the box but sell/give it away.

[Harlequin]

Where would someone who doesn't (and hasn't ever) smoke find cigar boxes? Ideally without any cigars in them- so not tobacco shops or cigar stores or anything like that.

 

I don't smoke either, but I know where the cigar shop is. :-) They get their cigars in the nice boxes and when all of the cigars in the box are sold, they have nothing else to do with the box but sell/give it away.

 

Then you're a couple of steps ahead of me, b/c I don't know where any cigar stores are. They've never (ever) been on my radar, so I would actually have to look them up. But I really can't stand the smell of cigars (lit or unlit), so I doubt I'd tolerate a "freshly used" cigar box. Unless the cigars themselves are individually wrapped so that the smell doesn't end up permeating the box, or something?

[ShallowJam]

Where would someone who doesn't (and hasn't ever) smoke find cigar boxes? Ideally without any cigars in them- so not tobacco shops or cigar stores or anything like that.

 

I don't smoke either, but I know where the cigar shop is. :-) They get their cigars in the nice boxes and when all of the cigars in the box are sold, they have nothing else to do with the box but sell/give it away.

 

Then you're a couple of steps ahead of me, b/c I don't know where any cigar stores are. They've never (ever) been on my radar, so I would actually have to look them up. But I really can't stand the smell of cigars (lit or unlit), so I doubt I'd tolerate a "freshly used" cigar box. Unless the cigars themselves are individually wrapped so that the smell doesn't end up permeating the box, or something?

 

Cigar boxes often don't smell like cigars. Some cigars come in plastic tubes inside the boxes. So while the box may have a faint smell of cigar, nothing a bit of airing out wouldn't take care of.

[Harlequin]

that's great, that's what I had assumed, so it's good to know for sure.

[MichelleStClaire]

Folks you are close...but no cigar. Cigar boxes ar erarely deep enough for various bottles and in reality, are too small anyways.

 

I revamp boxes for pen and ink as part of my business. Go to an antique store and get an old silverware chest. They usually have a deep area for the silverware and a drawer underneath. Some just have the lift top with no drawer. I create these as 'refill stations"....... I tear the lining out and reline it. I section off the deep part for bottles of ink. I create a section for my cloth, pipettes, syringes, bulbs, converters....whatever.

 

For the drawer, I section it off for various refills.

 

Whoala.... a vintage looking ink station / storage solution. They almost look like fancy chests or jewelry boxes on the outside so its a bit more unique, versatile and attarctive than a converted cigar box.

 

Just sayin.......

[MichelleStClaire]

Oh, and also....... Joannes Fabrics, hobby Lobby, and Michaels all have craft wood sections where they sell unfinished wooden boxes...some are shaped like chests with the dome tops or old steamer truck style. They are just balsa wood but they are also only $10 or less.

[MichelleStClaire]

I'm fairly new to being a fountain pen enthusiast and I'm trying to figure out how to store my ink. I'm going to try and limit myself to not having too much, so I was thinking that I could use a nicer, wooden cigar box. I've seen some posts here on folks doing the same, but I'm wondering if the lingering tobacco residue in a cigar box or anything left there by them might promote the growth of mold or in another way cause my ink to go bad faster than normal. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks in advance.

[MichelleStClaire]

I'm fairly new to being a fountain pen enthusiast and I'm trying to figure out how to store my ink. I'm going to try and limit myself to not having too much, so I was thinking that I could use a nicer, wooden cigar box. I've seen some posts here on folks doing the same, but I'm wondering if the lingering tobacco residue in a cigar box or anything left there by them might promote the growth of mold or in another way cause my ink to go bad faster than normal. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks in advance.

 

 

With dry leaves there is no mold threat, adn any cigar smell would fade in time. I rather like the fresh cigar smell myself. Lit cigars....not so much.

Welcome to the dark side my friend. Prepare your bankruptcy documents now. You'll need them.

[MichelleStClaire]

Where would someone who doesn't (and hasn't ever) smoke find cigar boxes? Ideally without any cigars in them- so not tobacco shops or cigar stores or anything like that.

 

 

In case you dont see the end of this chain, I mentioned that Michaels, hobby Lobby and Joannes all have a wood craft section and sell cool unfished craft boxes. I can walk into any cigar shop and walk out with 20 free boxes but then again...Im probably look better in a skirt than you do. If nothign else, they will sell you their stock for $5-$10 each.

[Harlequin]

I dunno, I cut a mean figure in a nice pencil skirt! or not. LOL! I don't even know if I used that term the right way just now, actually. Is there a possibility of you putting a pic or two of some of your silverware chest-cum-FP cases up here?

[MichelleStClaire]

I dunno, I cut a mean figure in a nice pencil skirt! or not. LOL! I don't even know if I used that term the right way just now, actually. Is there a possibility of you putting a pic or two of some of your silverware chest-cum-FP cases up here?

 

 

Ive tried to post pics 3 times now and they arent loading. Eitehr way, for creative ideas, just look at my website of the unfinished boxes I repurpose. Scroll to the bottom where I have "future projects". I dont have alot of photos of my finished work, many were lost but I am starting to rebuild a collection. In the meantime the photos I have are of the types of boxes I stumble on and store for special orders.

 

I love making special boxes. I wish I had more time but I dont really. I convert the craziest things. I even converted an old ukilele once. Either way, see the pictures I have at http://www.pendorapens.com/custom-pen-and-ink-gift-boxes.html This should maybe give you some creative ideas. Good luck and if you convert pen boxes make sure you check out my tray inserts. Those I order by the thousands so push those at every opportunity. Michelle

[Harlequin]

I am gonna check your site our right now! Thanks!