Does Ink Go Bad?

[TooLoose]

I have not been FP active for some years and recently cleaned up a few pens and went to fill them only to find the ink had a disagreeable vinegary aroma. Private Reserve Ink. I have more ink at home (not there right now) and wonder if old ink can damage a pen? I was thinking besides a change in the chemical composition that perhaps if the ink deteriorates that it can thicken and/or form into minute chunks that can block the passageways of the ink feed.

Thanks.

[rpsyed]

I have not been FP active for some years and recently cleaned up a few pens and went to fill them only to find the ink had a disagreeable vinegary aroma. Private Reserve Ink. I have more ink at home (not there right now) and wonder if old ink can damage a pen? I was thinking besides a change in the chemical composition that perhaps if the ink deteriorates that it can thicken and/or form into minute chunks that can block the passageways of the ink feed.

Thanks.

If water in the ink has evaporated to the point that the dyes in the ink are precipitating out as solids, I wouldn't use the ink. I know in the past there have been some instances of Private Reserve and other ink brands having mold, but I believe the mold issues were taken care of a few years ago. I think you'd probably be okay, but if you feel uneasy about an ink, I'd stay on the safe side and not use it.

[jar]

How old?

But ink is cheap; if you have doubts about certain inks then toss it and go on.

[TooLoose]

When I said 'old,' I meant it. I probably bought that ink 15+ years ago. I decided to dump it. Besides, I have a bottle of Aurora black that is my preferred ink and it smells like I remember it to smell.

Thanks.

[jar]

That doesn't seem that old. I have and often use inks at least twice that old.

AbE: In fact I just noticed I have an unopened bottle of Omas ink that came with a 620 and IIRC they have not made the 620 since the late 70s or early 80s.

[TooLoose]

Based on the fowl smell, I tossed it. I know the smell of ink and this wasn't of that species.

[Deb]

Based on the fowl smell, I tossed it. I know the smell of ink and this wasn't of that species.

You mean it smelled like a chicken?

I have a few old inks, including a bottle of Swan blue-black that must be almost 60 years old. It's fine.

[Lady Onogaro]

I had a bottle of Lamy Blue-Black that separated into water and sludge.

[Titivillus]

I have seen some inks that have a growth in them maybe there was not enough fungicide added. But older inks even if they have become concentrated can be 'revived' with distilled water.

[Robert]

Your nose knows . . . Let it be your guide.

[Roger W.]

I think modern ink goes bad. Old ink is often fine but, I think they were allowed to put in ingredients that aren't allowed nowadays. I'd agree with bad smell equals bad ink.

Roger W.

[mrcharlie]

While I have inks I use from the 1940s and 1950s, I also have had old bottles of the same vintage, same maker that had something very bad growing in them.

I've used, or tried to use, a few old ink bottles that just weren't the right color anymore, although it didn't seem to be growing anything. So I think ink can also go "bad" as in chemical degradation of the dyes, as well as "bad" as in infected. Since I didn't own these from initial retail purchase, I don't know how they were stored that might have made the dye degrade. Perhaps some dyes are long term (ie multi-decade) stable and others aren't.

I'd agree with everyone who said that if you can see or smell anything that looks bad, don't use it. Bottled ink is relatively cheap; it isn't worth using something that might spread contamination to your pens, and then possibly to all the rest of your inks.

[DASEFnib]

Based on the fowl smell, I tossed it. I know the smell of ink and this wasn't of that species.

You mean it smelled like a chicken?

I have a few ol d inks, including a bottle of Swan blue-black that must be almost 60 years old. It's fine.

Maybe.....Rock Cornish "game-y" Hen....??!!
Reminds me of the line from "Laugh-In": "Is that another chicken joke???????"

Always try to get the dibs....on fountain pens with EF nibs!!

[TooLoose]

Really, it smells like a foul fowl, with a dash of vinegar. Really nasty. I couldn't think of any other smell that even came close.