Celluloid-Safe Inks

[H. Lime]

This must've been covered elsewhere (but I couldn't find it) --

 

I've been using Akkermann ink (mainly Shocking Blue and, recently, Karmozijn) with my Omas celluloid pens -- and, for the most part, had no pen/ink-interaction issues (I hope). Lately, I've also added Iroshizuko kon-peki to my small ink collection.

 

Anyways, today I've looked at the colorverse 'crystal planet' review, and the mentioning of that ink's ph (together with some grim pictures from RichardB's website) made me wonder -- has anyone experienced any problems using these inks (akkerman/iroshizuko/colorverse) with celluloid nitrate pens?

[empliau]

I got in touch with Iroshizuku about the same issue - I won't let my green Arco be eaten even by the most beautiful ink. Their pHs seem definitely alkaline. I love my Iroshizukus, but I use Aurora and Visconti in my celluloid pen.

 

Iroshizuku Ink.pdf

[H. Lime]

Thanks. Oh well, that puts an end to any designs I had on 'crystal planet'. Back to 'shocking blue'.

Edited June 20, 2018 by H. Lime

[H. Lime]

Update:

I've contacted Pilot and asked them about it -- according to someone from Pilot Benelux, the Iroshizuko Kon-Peki can be safely used with the 360.

[aurore]

Are Diamine inks in general safe for celluloids? What about Pelikan Edelstein and GvFC?

[sansenri]

The safest inks are almost always the high water content, low additive content inks, which usually means dry (low lubrication), not highly saturated, neutral pH, inks.

These are usually the classic lines, Pelikan 4001 (and Edelstein), Waterman, J.Herbin, Aurora, Visconti, Montblanc, and few others.

Some of these inks are not always loved because they look "washed out", however that's the reason why they are safe (besides the fact that their characteristics are not always a drawback - I love some of these inks exactly for their characteristics)

Several Diamine inks are highly saturated, they may probably be safe, but I would avoid risk of staining celluloid with the highly concentrated ones (eg. Sargasso, Majestic, and especially some of the reds). Many Noodlers and Private Reserve are also highly saturated.

Akkerman shocking looks highly saturated too...

Iroshizuku are known to be alkaline (if that may affect celluloid I don't know), they should not be mixed with other inks to avoid precipitates.

I do tend to stick to my safer inks in my celluloid pens.

[eharriett]

I need to be educated about this, as I have never heard of this problem before. Unless you are eyedroppering the pen, I would not expect the ink to come in contact with the celluloid body. Even if there is some "fuming" from the ink, I would not expect the ink to remain in the pen long enough to cause damage to the celluloid structure of a pen body.

 

Scientifically, what am I not knowing? I have my share of vintage celluloid-body pens. What harm is being caused by not taking ink interactivity with the pen body into account? None of my celluloid pens have ink that is expected to touch the body.