Nanoparticle Inks in Vintage Pens

[es9]

Thanks to the advice of folks on here, I finally found the courage to try an IG ink (KWZ Blue-Black) in a vintage Sheaffer.  My experience has been great so far, but I'd like to find something waterproof that I can use in an Esterbrook J.  (I am sure there are folks who use IG inks in vintage Esterbrooks, and that is fine for them.  I personally do not want to do that, however, having seen a number of Esterbrook nibs that have been eaten through by ink.)  Which brings me to nanoparticle inks.  Can I get a ruling on whether they are safe in vintage pens equipped with latex sacs?  Richard Binder's lodestar article indicates they are so long as some additional maintenance is performed.  Has that been others' experience?  Also, are any in particular known to be better/safer than others?

[yazeh]

You can always use "mild" iron gall inks (i.e. Salix, Scabiosa and most of KWZ range...)

I won't use R&K Sketchink in vintage pens, especially if they're not used often. The cleaning can be a hassle. I have two and I like them a lot, but I use them in pens that are easier to clean. 

And I'm not so sure but I read somewhere that ammonia based cleaners cannot be used in Esterbrooks but I might be mistaken.  

I haven't use Japanese nano inks so I can't talk about them. 

 

 

[arcfide]

Latex sacs? I think a danger that could arise is that many Japanese inks tend to be Alkaline, and I think that includes the nanoparticle inks. I can't seem to find the table that has the listings right now, but if you find that, and the nanoparticle inks are alkaline, I don't know that they would be considered very safe for traditional sacs and the like. 

 

ETA: IIRC, Richard's article talks about nanoparticle inks as being safe in general for fountain pens, but doesn't explicitly say that they are safe for vintage pens. He does highlight the dangers of Japanese alkaline inks in many vintage pen types.

[A Smug Dill]

4 hours ago, es9 said:

Can I get a ruling on whether they are safe in vintage pens equipped with latex sacs?

 

‘Ruling’ implies an authoritative statement, but there is nobody who can speak with authority about currently produced latex sacs as replacement parts for vintage pens, much less yesteryear's latex sacs of uncertain quality and condition that have already been inside pens for years or decades, such that you could hold either the latex sac (or pen) manufacturer, or the maker of the ‘ruling’, responsible for anything you may deem as avoidable ill-effects on the condition and/or longevity of the vintage pens and their sacs.

 

So, I'd have to conclude, no, you cannot get such a ruling.

[es9]

I will check re pH. Thanks!  
 

And I meant “ruling” sarcastically. I just mean additional guidance/information based on others’ experiences. 

[bunnspecial]

I have used MB Permanent Blue in vintage piston fillers without much thought. It's a nanoparticle ink AFAIK, but I don't know what its pH is. I'm also not convinced that pH is the end-all-be-all of ink safety in latex, but rather just one potential consideration.

 

Of course a piston filler is a bit of a different beast from a latex sac.

 

I wish currently available PVC sacs were as good as the old Parker Pli-Glas sacs. I have two pens that Ron Zorn fitted with PVC-one a hard rubber Duofold and the other a Snorkel. He advised me that PVC was okay in hard rubber since it wasn't as porous as celluloid, and the Snorkel has one because of the potential damage a ruptured sac can inflict. If good ones were available, we wouldn't(hopefully) have to worry about inks damaging sacs.

[GoldenArrow]

"Special" inks go better with modern pens. If it does harm the pen, it can at least be repaired or replaced.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Nano particles are dangerous to the body, be it ink or cloths. Particles seem to end up in the lungs; so said a German TV program.

So nano rain cloths was not bought.....and if one has inky fingers ... I can stay out of the rain, easier than Murphy'ing with nano ink. 

 

We have lots of don't buy unhealthy item programs over here in Germany on all the major programs.

[Mech-for-i]

Nano Particle ink is just as high maintenance as good old Carbon so unless you absolutely need the colour otherwise good old Carbon Black come as inert as it can get and permanent alright. Modern IG ink are much more friendly to nibs of all kind and modern steel / gold alloy on nibs are far more resilient than most would give credit for. If it's the part it's usually the plating that got destroyed, not the actual nib itself. Keep it the polished finish type and take on regular cleaning IG ink is just as good and less worry about clogging cause there is no solid particles involved. I've use good old iron gall blue black for ages on pens from ultra modern current stainless steel to vintage gold in sac, piston or c/c and I had had no issue regarding. So long regular cleaning and maintenance are done on said pen I see any worry and doubt a bit over the top

[shostakovich]

22 hours ago, Bo Bo Olson said:

Nano particles are dangerous to the body, be it ink or cloths. Particles seem to end up in the lungs; so said a German TV program.

So nano rain cloths was not bought.....and if one has inky fingers ... I can stay out of the rain, easier than Murphy'ing with nano ink. 

 

We have lots of don't buy unhealthy item programs over here in Germany on all the major programs.

If you are crazy enough to believe that then you are crazy enough to believe anything ...

[Bo Bo Olson]

I'm that crazy.....I'm surprised BBC hadn't run a warning on the dangers of nano technology. I would have thought BBC to be ad-proof.