Preserving latex sacs

[Johnny Appleseed]

I have been going through under-utilized pens in my collection, and discovering just how many sacs are no longer usable. Some may have been residuals from the bad-rubber mix at pen sac some two decades ago, while others have just been sitting in a collection drawer for a decade or two.

 

I am wondering if there is a method to preserve seldom-used latex sacs? Would a thin coat of silicon grease on the outside last longer? I know silicon sacs last longer, but tend to more porous and require a different cement, so concerned about using that.

 

My other solution is to leave much of my collection without sacs and only put a sac in when I plan to put it in rotation, which might make sense anyway.

[es9]

6 hours ago, Johnny Appleseed said:

My other solution is to leave much of my collection without sacs and only put a sac in when I plan to put it in rotation, which might make sense anyway.

This is what I do, but it’s mostly for economic reasons. I recall reading somewhere on here that the water in the ink may cause the sac to begin to deteriorate. I don’t think dry sacs coated with talc really deteriorate if stored in reasonable conditions. I have a few spare NOS sheaffer sacs. I wouldn’t use them for a number of reasons, including because current latex formulations are reportedly much safer on pens, but they seem perfectly fine. 

 

Something tells me our friendly neighborhood @FarmBoy can set the record straight. 

 

 

 

[FarmBoy]

Let’s start with a question.  In the 1930s, how long did a sac last in a pen?
 

I strongly suspect the ammonia based pen cleaning solutions are detrimental to latex sacs. Letting ink dry out in the sac is also less than optimal.  
 

I suspect both are relatively recent phenomena.   
 

I’ll admit to having some sacs that are at least 47 years old and appear indistinguishable from sacs made last week. 

 

 

[VacNut]

It seems like a minor expense to order more sacs, if you want to have a dependable pen. All latex fails with age. Would you consider driving on tires or riding a bicycle that had 10-20 year old tires which have been siting idle? They may hold air but would they be dependable?