Organics Studio Manganate V

[Sandy1]

I ordered some ink samples recently, and Manganate V and Mercury Red were among the inks I wanted to try. Before I even received my order, I got a message about the sample of Mercury Red--apparently, the new formula released to retailers had a tendency to congeal. I was refunded for that sample even though it had already been sent out with the rest of my order. Sure enough, when I received my order, there were jelly-like strings visible in the sample of Mercury Red. No problem, I thought, and I tossed it. I've been working my way through the samples, but it has taken a while. It has been about three weeks. Today I decided to try Manganate V. I had a clean pen and I was about to fill it. However, I noticed the sample vial contained a lot of sediment. Not the jelly-like strings of congealed something that were in the Mercury Red, but a silt-like sediment that made the vial quite cloudy. Maybe it would have been fine, but I didn't fill my pen with that ink. Too bad because all of their colors look great and I really like the story behind the company. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience.

 

Hi,

 

Many thanks for sharing your experience, and letting us know about the Mercury Red.

 

The bottle I received is from the numbered bottle lot. I checked my bottle, and saw no sediment - the ink's transparent with no floaters swimmers or sinkers.

 

As always, if an ink is unsound or defective, I suggest contacting the Vendor and the ink Co. to make them aware of the problem so that it may be resolved and likelihood of recurrence eliminated.

 

If were was a full bottle, and there were only a few bits, I might decant the ink, leaving the lees behind. A fine 'silt' would likely need to be filtered out, which for a new bottle is a no-go for Ms Fussy.

 

Bye,

S1

[Sandy1]

Wow that was some review !

 

Thank you very much for taking such care and time in writing and posting that!

 

Hi,

 

You're welcome!

 

Bye,

S1

[ravantra]

I ordered some ink samples recently, and Manganate V and Mercury Red were among the inks I wanted to try. Before I even received my order, I got a message about the sample of Mercury Red--apparently, the new formula released to retailers had a tendency to congeal. I was refunded for that sample even though it had already been sent out with the rest of my order. Sure enough, when I received my order, there were jelly-like strings visible in the sample of Mercury Red. No problem, I thought, and I tossed it. I've been working my way through the samples, but it has taken a while. It has been about three weeks. Today I decided to try Manganate V. I had a clean pen and I was about to fill it. However, I noticed the sample vial contained a lot of sediment. Not the jelly-like strings of congealed something that were in the Mercury Red, but a silt-like sediment that made the vial quite cloudy. Maybe it would have been fine, but I didn't fill my pen with that ink. Too bad because all of their colors look great and I really like the story behind the company. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience.

 

Hi,

 

Many thanks for sharing your experience, and letting us know about the Mercury Red.

 

The bottle I received is from the numbered bottle lot. I checked my bottle, and saw no sediment - the ink's transparent with no floaters swimmers or sinkers.

 

As always, if an ink is unsound or defective, I suggest contacting the Vendor and the ink Co. to make them aware of the problem so that it may be resolved and likelihood of recurrence eliminated.

 

If were was a full bottle, and there were only a few bits, I might decant the ink, leaving the lees behind. A fine 'silt' would likely need to be filtered out, which for a new bottle is a no-go for Ms Fussy.

 

Bye,

S1

 

I can see some particles in the lid of my bottle of Manganate V. The ink feels VERY dry in all the pens I have tried and in my Micarta M it clogs, though this my driest writer.

 

As for the Mercury Red here is my fully congealed bottle of ink. I can turn it upside-down and not spill!

http://allegroarchitects.smugmug.com/Other/Camera-Awesome-Photos/i-RMqtsJP/0/L/CA08261219524807-L.jpg

[Sandy1]

I ordered some ink samples recently, and Manganate V and Mercury Red were among the inks I wanted to try. Before I even received my order, I got a message about the sample of Mercury Red--apparently, the new formula released to retailers had a tendency to congeal. I was refunded for that sample even though it had already been sent out with the rest of my order. Sure enough, when I received my order, there were jelly-like strings visible in the sample of Mercury Red. No problem, I thought, and I tossed it. I've been working my way through the samples, but it has taken a while. It has been about three weeks. Today I decided to try Manganate V. I had a clean pen and I was about to fill it. However, I noticed the sample vial contained a lot of sediment. Not the jelly-like strings of congealed something that were in the Mercury Red, but a silt-like sediment that made the vial quite cloudy. Maybe it would have been fine, but I didn't fill my pen with that ink. Too bad because all of their colors look great and I really like the story behind the company. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience.

 

Hi,

 

Many thanks for sharing your experience, and letting us know about the Mercury Red.

 

The bottle I received is from the numbered bottle lot. I checked my bottle, and saw no sediment - the ink's transparent with no floaters swimmers or sinkers.

 

As always, if an ink is unsound or defective, I suggest contacting the Vendor and the ink Co. to make them aware of the problem so that it may be resolved and likelihood of recurrence eliminated.

 

If were was a full bottle, and there were only a few bits, I might decant the ink, leaving the lees behind. A fine 'silt' would likely need to be filtered out, which for a new bottle is a no-go for Ms Fussy.

 

Bye,

S1

 

I can see some particles in the lid of my bottle of Manganate V. The ink feels VERY dry in all the pens I have tried and in my Micarta M it clogs, though this my driest writer.

 

As for the Mercury Red here is my fully congealed bottle of ink. I can turn it upside-down and not spill!

*snip*

 

Hi,

 

Thanks for the disturbing graphic depiction of the Mercury Red - I'd not seen the likes of it previously.

 

At your mention of the particles on the cap of Manganate V, I did start to wonder about the cap material: the ones used on the numbered lot bottles appeared to be like preservative jars, which should be food grade, hence 'safer' than the coated card stock that some ink Co.s use for their cap liners.

 

I really am at a loss, so all I can suggest is to inspect the ink prior to charging one's pen. Perhaps transferring some to a 5ml vial so detection of silt / particles is made easier. (?)

And as mentioned, contact the Vendor & ink Co. if the ink is not right; likely need to send samples for analysis too.

 

In line with your experience, I consider the lubricity to be low, which is especially evident on the toothy or textured papers. Contrary to your experience, I consider the flow / wetness to be greater than average. :hmm1:

Bye,

S1

Edited August 27, 2012 by Sandy1

[alc3261]

I too had deposits in my sample of this ink.

[ElaineB]

Ah, interesting problem with the red. I have seen this congealing in a couple of my wool dyes, when I store concentrated dye solutions for later use. I don't know what causes it. But certain color dyes (like my WF Red 354) always get viscous after a short period of time.

 

I don't know if any of you are following the Open Source ink thread, but gloppiness was one of the first problems I thought about when considering dye-based inks. As I explained there, each dye has individual physical properties when mixed into solution. The greater the concentration of dye, the more prominent these properties will become. It might surprise you that inks are actually quite concentrated in comparison to what's needed to dye cloth. So I have a feeling that a lot of formulation challenge will be adjusting the flow and texture of the ink into something pleasant to use.

 

Fortunately, one of the major dye supply houses has really good tech support, and I can contact them down the line if a "must have" dye color is misbehaving in solution. If nothing else, they could let us know why the congealing happens, and which dyes are prone to doing so.

[Sandy1]

I too had deposits in my sample of this ink.

 

Hi,

 

I am still at a loss as to the deposits in the samples. I reckon that the people filling the sample bottles would not have sent defective ink, and that the bottles would be of a suitable type & condition. So it does appear that the ink is not so stable. (?)

 

Perhaps one could try to dissolve the particles with agitation and immersion in a water bath of say 50℃. Then let the ink sit for some days. Even if the particles are dissolved, there's the risk of them coming out of solution again - especially undesirable if that should occur inside one's pen.

 

Personally, I'd just return the sample to the Vendor.

 

I'll keep an eye on my bottle, and report any odd behaviour [of the ink].

 

OBTW, I've not had a reply from Organics Studio.

 

Bye,

S1