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Thread: Old ink still good?

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    Default Old ink still good?

    I’m getting back into this hobby. I have numerous ink bottles stored in a drawer, dark and not hot or cold, since the 1980’s! Are they still good to use in new and vintage pens? No smell to them and no lumps or visible sediment or mold. Major brands like MB, Waterman, Parker,and Shaeffer. Thanks for advice

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    Default Re: Old ink still good?

    There is not a simple yes or no answer to your question, inks from the 40s and 50s have been reported to still be in usable state. I had an old bottle of Parker Quink black from around 1990, it was fine for years, but when it turned up by accident a couple of years ago it was all dried up. Some suggested to add water to it and see what happened, but at that point I had several new bottles. I would first try the ink with a dip nib, then an easy to flush fountain pen. I dare say Parker Quink is very forgiving when it comes to negligent behavior. I had a couple of fountain pens piston fillers and Parker 51s left to dry in a drawer for years and years. They needed a bit of flushing and cleaned up fine, nothing special. Only one of the Parkers with rubber sacks where in good condition, but I think it was age more than anything else (stiff rubber sack). They all seem to have been filled with the same Parker Quink black. I have much the same experience with basic Pelikan 4001. If the inks look fine and seem the same as when new, they probably are. I think some pigments can alter more or less with time, but even they can be very stable.
    Last edited by arrow; January 27th, 2023 at 02:16 PM.

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    FPG Donor ♕ Chrissy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old ink still good?

    I think your inks from the 1980's are likely to still be useable and in reasonable condition as you kept them carefully and have already checked for signs of SITB. Trying them out in a couple of cheaper pens first to check they write OK is a good idea.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Senior Member joolstacho's Avatar
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    Default Re: Old ink still good?

    As Chrissy says, why not pick up a nice $15 Jinhao (or similar) to test the old ink in before committing your valuable pens to it?

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    Default Re: Old ink still good?

    Quote Originally Posted by Richard Berman View Post
    I’m getting back into this hobby. I have numerous ink bottles stored in a drawer, dark and not hot or cold, since the 1980’s! Are they still good to use in new and vintage pens? No smell to them and no lumps or visible sediment or mold. Major brands like MB, Waterman, Parker,and Shaeffer. Thanks for advice
    I regularly use inks from the 1940s and 1950s, where I can't be sure how they were stored before I got them, without a care and have never had a problem. Of course, as with your inks, there are no visible problems. Since you know the history of your inks, there's no reason for worry. Don't waste your money on an inexpensive "testing" pen unless you want to. Just start using the ink and enjoy.

    HTH

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    Default Re: Old ink still good?

    Quote Originally Posted by PPPR View Post
    I regularly use inks from the 1940s and 1950s, where I can't be sure how they were stored before I got them, without a care and have never had a problem.
    I should have included the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s as well.

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