Pen or Pencil Writing Last Longer?
Tony Fischer
future generations to read. I have seen old letters and other writing
that has faded over many years and don't want to have that happen to
my writings.
I would like to know if it is better to write with a pen or pencil
and, if possible, some specific recommendations on which lead or ink
is best.
Thank you,
Tony
William Penrose
wrote:
>I would like to know if it is better to write with a pen or pencil
>and, if possible, some specific recommendations on which lead or ink
>is best.
I have a chemistry text from 1865 with pencil notations in it that
look like they were made a week ago.
Ink with carbon particles in it, like India ink, will last as long as
the paper, but ink with organic dyes, like ballpoint pen, you cannot
count on.
More important than the ink is the paper. You need to get the notebook
from a reputable paper maker. I think the grade you are looking for is
called 'archival' or something. But research carefully before you buy.
I have a notebook from my teenage years that is turning to dust. I
also have notes on cheap exercise paper that are in excellent
condition.
Scientific laboratory notebooks usually have the quality paper you
need, but expect to pay $30 or $40 for a 100 page notebook.
Bill Penrose
Servo
William Penrose <wpen...@customsensorsolutions.com> wrote in message
news:fvorf0dq55b0nkauu...@4ax.com...
> On 20 Jul 2004 20:18:03 -0700, goo...@tonyfischer.com (Tony Fischer)
> wrote:
>
> >I would like to know if it is better to write with a pen or pencil
> >and, if possible, some specific recommendations on which lead or ink
> >is best.
>
> I have a chemistry text from 1865 with pencil notations in it that
> look like they were made a week ago.
Diamonds are forever, and so is graphite.
> Ink with carbon particles in it, like India ink, will last as long as
> the paper, but ink with organic dyes, like ballpoint pen, you cannot
> count on.
>
> More important than the ink is the paper. You need to get the notebook
> from a reputable paper maker. I think the grade you are looking for is
> called 'archival' or something. But research carefully before you buy.
> I have a notebook from my teenage years that is turning to dust. I
> also have notes on cheap exercise paper that are in excellent
> condition.
Any genuine "acid-free" paper should last hundreds of years, and
the "archival" term is supposed to imply that.
> Scientific laboratory notebooks usually have the quality paper you
> need, but expect to pay $30 or $40 for a 100 page notebook.
A quality binding is important, too.
Servo
Jackson Pillock
"Servo" <divi...@zero.moc> wrote in message
news:cdl17...@news2.newsguy.com...
:
: William Penrose <wpen...@customsensorsolutions.com> wrote in message
: news:fvorf0dq55b0nkauu...@4ax.com...
: > On 20 Jul 2004 20:18:03 -0700, goo...@tonyfischer.com (Tony Fischer)
: > wrote:
: >
: > >I would like to know if it is better to write with a pen or pencil
: > >and, if possible, some specific recommendations on which lead or ink
: > >is best.
: >
: > I have a chemistry text from 1865 with pencil notations in it that
: > look like they were made a week ago.
:
: Diamonds are forever, and so is graphite.
Indeed. You'll notice that artists tend to sign prints in graphite.
:
:
Tony Fischer
quality paper so that should not be a problem.
What about fountain pen ink? I know it is mostly water these days. I
have also seen that the Ph of fountain ben ink can range from 1.7 -
9.0 (see http://www.marcuslink.com/pens/ink-01.html) Do you think a
more neutral ink (around 7) is best or does it mater with regard to
longevity?
Tony
Raqueeb Hassan
That's what I also believe in.
--
raqueeb hassan
congo (drc)
Servo
Tony Fischer <goo...@tonyfischer.com> wrote in message
news:2c0b0c28.04072...@posting.google.com...
Some organic dyes can last centuries, while some will fade in
just years, as WP pointed out. Eastern rugs are a good example
of this.
Any ink with suspended carbon, as WP pointed out, is damned
permanent. Everything else is suspect, but an "archival" quality
ink made by a reputable firm should be fine, until the sun goes
red giant, which shouldn't happen for several weeks.
Servo
ericsil...@gmail.com
bdws...@gmail.com
Barbra Barbour
> Iron gall inks and other inks classed as archival will last quite some time, but not forever. Note: the Drclaration of Independence was written with Iron Gall ink, and it is quite faded. Some copies of Magna Carta survive, and they're quite readable. Those who have noted pencil texts are aware that pencil doesn't fade. As long as the paper holds out, the pencil will look as if it had been written last week. There are some pencil texts over 2 centuries old, and they're hanging in thete.
Emma Parker
> > Iron gall inks and other inks classed as archival will last quite some time, but not forever. Note: the Drclaration of Independence was written with Iron Gall ink, and it is quite faded. Some copies of Magna Carta survive, and they're quite readable. Those who have noted pencil texts are aware that pencil doesn't fade. As long as the paper holds out, the pencil will look as if it had been written last week. There are some pencil texts over 2 centuries old, and they're hanging in thete.
> Gall inks are actually the exception to the archival rule. The ph is not neutral, and cannot be brought to neutral either.