Using 60 year-old ink

[vp09]

I may end up with a nearly a quart (32 oz bottle!) of Shaeffer's red Skrip, advertised as from the 1940s "or earlier."

Have any of you used really old ink? I plan to syringe it into cartridges for my $5 calligraphy Shaeffer red pens. They cost $5 when I bought them new, around late 80s or early 90s. So I'm not worried about ruining my bank account.

I'll check the ink for mold-- other than that, any advice on putting this vintage ink to use?

Maybe thin it with some tap water or distilled water first?

[Truppi327]

If there are no floaters or SITB then you should be ok. Definitely good to try in a pen you won't be heart broken over if it bites the dust.

If you dilute it with anything I'd suggest using distilled water instead of tap, that way you know you're adding just plain old water.

ToasterPastry on FPN frequently uses and reviews vintage inks, I recall some Carter's inks that are much older than the Skrip. Check those reviews out for general info on old ink usage.