Private Reserve inks.....why the bad press?

[mookie2112]

I don't have any PR inks, but recently, I've seen (and heard) some rumblings about PR inks.....

What's the story?

Thanks!


Mookie

PS - I'm aware of the Noodler's story and why Nathan gets bad press.......I happen to like Noodler's inks, btw.....

[Lady Onogaro]

I have a few and haven't had any problems with them. I imagine they might stain pens or perhaps eat ink sacs in older pens. I really like Purple Mojo.

[Pterodactylus]

I haven't had any problems with them.

They tend to be high saturated, and high saturated inks tend to smear.
But beside that.... no complaints from my side.

[naimitsu]

1. I don't like the way they write. It's unpleasant for me, and for the most part, their colors (though bright), seem rather flat to me.

2. Their packaging is unimaginative. It actually makes the inks seem rather dull to me. I know I can decant it into another bottle if aesthetics matters that much to me, but I haven't found an ink that was worth that kind of effort for me.

3. Mold. I've seen enough reports of mold growing in them. And IMO, the wide mouth jar packaging promotes that.

I have nothing against the company or anyone associated with them. I simply do not like their inks.

[mhosea]

Private Reserve Electric DC Blue is one of my all-time favorites. However, sometimes after they've been in the pen for awhile, they'll write well enough but curiously never dry completely and will consequently smudge if touched by anything. Until one does this to you, you may not believe it is even possible. This possibility may exist with some colors and not others. I have personally not seen it with Electric DC Blue, but insofar as I'm not sure what's going on, I can't rule out that I just haven't let it get to that point (whatever that might mean) before using up a fill or cleaning out the pen.

[Pterodactylus]

Private Reserve Electric DC Blue is one of my all-time favorites. However, sometimes after they've been in the pen for awhile, they'll write well enough but curiously never dry completely and will consequently smudge if touched by anything. Until one does this to you, you may not believe it is even possible. This possibility may exist with some colors and not others. I have personally not seen it with Electric DC Blue, but insofar as I'm not sure what's going on, I can't rule out that I just haven't let it get to that point (whatever that might mean) before using up a fill or cleaning out the pen.

Happens also with other inks, also Noodler's Apache Sunset and Golden Brown will not dry forever if it is unused for several weeks.
These inks just turn into a gooey liquid which never will dry anymore, it is just like a built in hard copy feature

[elysee]

I have not encountered any problems with Private Reserve inks. I find the colors to be vibrant and the saturation to be excellent. I have not had any smudging of Private Reserve inks.

I particularly like the fact that Private Reserve ink comes in bottles, short cartridges, and long cartridges. Having such options makes it possible to use Private Reserve inks in all my pens, and having the short cartridges and long cartridges is great for travel.

For me, the selling point for Private Reserve ink is the American Blue ink -- this is the closest in color to my favorite ink, Parker Penman Sapphire blue ink. While I use a lot of American Blue ink, Private Reserve's other blue hues are quite nice as well; I use these for variety as they provide some lighter and darker blues for my writing pleasure.

[Jon Szanto]

Highly saturated, with some colors commonly exhibiting exceedingly long dry times. Sometimes... never. Also the only brand of ink I've every had go bad (you know: SITB). I think over about 5 years I tossed 3 bottles, so I stopped getting any a couple years ago. Lots of inks to choose from these days.

[fountainpenkid]

I've never had a problem with Private Reserve Avocado. Can't say anything for the others, though.

[KKay]

I have heard too many stories about mold. That is the only reason I haven't tried Private Reserve. I did manage to get some phenol a while back. I am not putting it in my Japanese ink. But some inks over time will get a few drops of phenol added to them. I hate ink that will not dry, and that is not an understatement either. I do not care for long drying times, but if the ink is exceptional, I can deal with it. If it takes more than a minute of drying time, I'm not a happy camper though. PR has about two or three colors that interest me. That is about it.

[grainweevil]

I have heard too many stories about mold. That is the only reason I haven't tried Private Reserve.

Likewise.

[TSherbs]

I've never had a problem with Private Reserve Avocado. Can't say anything for the others, though.

same here

love it

[Sailor Kenshin]

PR has some really pretty inks (just got a letter written in a lovely PR purple), but I've always had problems with such thick, saturated inks and their long drying times. If I have to dilute every ink then what's the point?

[AzJon]

Just repeating what others have said. Biggest complaints being really long dry times and a higher-than-normal number of incidences of mold.

[jar]

Never had any problems with PR inks.

[Scooby921]

I've never had a problem with Private Reserve Avocado. Can't say anything for the others, though.

I have heard too many stories about mold. That is the only reason I haven't tried Private Reserve.

Likewise.

I've never had a problem with Private Reserve Avocado. Can't say anything for the others, though.

same here

love it

My latest use of Avacado ended with goobers in the feed and nib. I'm not sure if the bottle is just old (2 years) or perhaps the pen sat for too many days without being used. First ink to do this to me.


I will also echo others' comments regarding dry times, or lack of drying. DC Super Show Blue is a wonderful color, but even a year later the ink still smudges.

[Amanda]

I have heard too many stories about mold. That is the only reason I haven't tried Private Reserve.

+1

I would have liked to try Avacado. Many times I've paused to look when scanning different ink lists/charts/reviews to see what that green one is. I remind myself there are other green inks and move on.

And the name, is that the American way of spelling avocado or is it a typo? Just curious.

[LeFreak]

And the name, is that the American way of spelling avocado or is it a typo? Just curious.

Typo.

[FredRydr]

Are you sure it isn't just bits of avocado in there? You better taste it to be sure.

[Amanda]

Are you sure it isn't just bits of avocado in there? You better taste it to be sure.

Maybe that's the secret behind all those lovely murky greens that turn brown on the paper. They forgot the citrus.