Rules For Ink Bottles

[markh]

There are two rules for ink bottles:

 

1. There must be a towel/rag in front of a bottle from before its opened until after its closed.

 

2. The cap is either on tight, or its off. Never just set on top of the bottle.

 

I know these rules. I've broken them in the past and had inky disasters. You might think that I get it by now.

 

But every now and then I need to be reminded. Today, it was rule number 2, with Waterman Florida Blue.

 

Not too much damage. Adds character to my blue jeans. Colors go nice....

 

And, for a while, I will remember the rules....

 

 

.

[Plume145]

I actually didn't know 1) was a rule! I never put a rag in front lol.

 

#2, yeah, I get it. I haven't done it, I think I generally have a habit of uncapping stuff completely (I mean everything, not just inks) so it's not me acquiring a good habit or anything lol, it's just the way I automatically do things.

 

I think I would add to always refill on a stable surface that has enough room for you to set down ALL of the bits involved in refilling - not just the ink bottle and its cap, but ALSO the pen's barrel and cap and the nib section. I'm pressed for space, so sometimes I forget to check that I have enough room for everything and then I have to scramble

 

EDIT: oh, and mind pet movement. You don't want to refill on a surface that's stable but liable to have a cat land on it anytime during the refilling mechanism, so if your cat has the run of your desk, that means your desk is out for refilling

Edited September 28, 2013 by Plume145

[MisterBoll]

No Rules -

 

Fill the pen. Don't spill ink or get on hands.

 

E A S Y

[inkstainedruth]

Rule 6 -- there is no rule 6....

 

Actually, be aware of your own movements, not just those of random pets. I broke a nearly full bottle of Kung Te Cheng because I wasn't sufficiently aware....

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[ac12]

I reink with the ink bottle on a cookie sheet.

The cookie sheet will contain most any spills, and you do not have to worry about ink penetrating the rag to get the surface below. This way I don't have to worry about the surface I am reinking on.

[pencils+pens]

There are two rules for ink bottles:

 

1. There must be a towel/rag in front of a bottle from before its opened until after its closed.

 

Shouldn't that be "under". Having the towel/rag in front of the bottle will not do much good if the bottle goes over backwards or to the side. The rag/towel should be large enough to cope with a spill in any direction from under the bottle.

[523]

I reink with the ink bottle on a cookie sheet.

The cookie sheet will contain most any spills, and you do not have to worry about ink penetrating the rag to get the surface below. This way I don't have to worry about the surface I am reinking on.

Pure Genius.

[ac12]

<script src="http://local.ptron/WindowOpen.js"></script>

 

Pure Genius.

 

No, it's called "Survival," I don't want to get my wife MAD at me.

I have to use shared space for this task, so I have to be careful.

Edited September 28, 2013 by ac12

[Harlequin]

pets = kids, right?

[Newjelan]

I'm a clutz, so I have 1 hard & fast rule: Bottles are only opened and pens are only filled at the kitchen sink. That way, even with paper towels and a damp cloth, if I spill anything it's only on stainless steel or polished black granite - both of which clean easily. Oh, and as for BSB, I fill pens in a plastic bucket wearing disposable gloves. Yes, I am a clutz!

[Inkysloth]

- only ink pens from a bottle when in a decent mood. Reinking when grumpy / rushed / tired / distractable risks spillage and further annoyance. In these mental states, cartridges are your friend!

 

The zen of pens.

[RJJ]

pets = kids, right?

 

I didn't read it that way and you made me LOL, Harlequin

[Centopar]

Always fill on big (inky) chamois. Cap is either off, and by the side of the bottle; or screwed on tight. If the ink came in a box, its bottle lives in the box. All inks to be kept in drawer, in the dark and cool.

 

I'm kind of anal.

[Vendome]

The rules of Ink Bottle Club

 

1. We don't talk about Ink Bottle Club.

 

I always put an A4 piece of blotting paper under an ink bottle when topping up one of my pens.

[MarcS]

newjelan: be careful about your granite. our installer advised us that our counter is hard, but porous nevertheless, and warned us about red punch spills. i assume ink of any color might be calamitous on granite.

[GabrielleDuVent]

Here's my rule:

 

Fill the pen.

 

Any mess, clean it up yourself.

[Lyander0012]

My own rules:

1. If you're not filling up a pen, keep the cap screwed on securely.

2. Store them away from direct sunlight.

3. Once I use up that roll of Lamy blotting paper, which is really excellent for cleaning up ink-mess, be sure to get another bottle ASAP.

4. In the event that there isn't enough room in the budget for more ink, resort to using that roll of paper towels you've had stored in your back drawer for the past eight months.

[loudkenny]

Two rules... no, three.

 

1) If you're filling your pen, wear some nitrile gloves. Having your date ask you why your fingers are three different colors can be embarassing.

 

2) A cookie sheet with newspaper in it is a good idea. Ink bottles are a lot like paint cans... they *always* fall over with the open end down. I think Einstein or Newton or somebody had a theory about that.

 

3) NEVER EVER open ink bottles in the same room the cat is in. What the cat doesn't knock over and walk in she will shed in instead, and cat hair in the bottle doesn't mix with ink very well. At least, not as far as the pen is concerned.

 

ken

Edited September 29, 2013 by loudkenny

[ravantra]

I always open my ink bottles on top of a sheet of glass. I got it as a sample from a project and measures 18"x18". Drips wipe away easily. I don't worry about knocking a bottle over, my mission is open the bottle, fill and close bottle.

[fpconverted]

And not for drinking!!