Montblanc Jfk Navy Blue

[MartinSimonnet]

Hello!

 

Here is my review of Montblanc's latest ink, the JFK Navy Blue.

 

First of all, the pictures were too big to be attached, so here I go on Imgur..

 

The box: http://imgur.com/oGen8YP

 

 

The bottle: http://imgur.com/aNx2mBO

 

 

Overall, a really nice colour. I am a little disappointed it is "just" a blue black. Nothing really particular about it. Some pretty good water resistance for an ink that isn't advertised as such.

 

Packaging is great, so is the overall performance. The ink is wet, free flowing, and overall just a joy to write with.

I love this inkwell a ton more than the one from MB's Writers Editions. It just looks so much more refined, so much more... Montblanc, really. Even though let's be real: Nothing beats the MB shoe from the rest of their line.

 

Does it shade? A little, but definitely not huge shading to be seen. If that is what you are looking for, no need to stop for this ink.

 

Pricewise, this is 13 euros for 35mL, so it's rather on the expensive side.

 

I like it. I really do. It is different enough from Shin-Kai that I would use it (being the closest colour I could find to it) in the sense that it is more saturated.

 

Anything revolutionary? Not really. Good ink? For sure!

Maybe I just expected a bit more out of a special edition from MB, but objectively, it's really great stuff you get in that small sexy bottle.

 

Any other questions? Feel free to ask!

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Martin.

 

[lapis]

Thanks for the nice review. Sure isn't as dark as I thought it would be. IMO it isn't anywhere near a "Navy Blue" but rather has a silvery touch. I'll buy it anyway, simply because it is a new MB ink.

 

Mike

[Lamb South]

Hi Martin,

 

Thanks for a great review. I am curious as to why you were disappointed with this color? In looking at the handwriting sample you provided it certainly looks like this is Navy blue to me. I never thought of Navy as a color other than a blue so dark that it was almost black. Placed on an ivory paper this might pop more. I agree in that I like the bottle very much. It reminds me of the shoe bottle without the heal portion.

[MartinSimonnet]

Hi Martin,

 

Thanks for a great review. I am curious as to why you were disappointed with this color? In looking at the handwriting sample you provided it certainly looks like this is Navy blue to me. I never thought of Navy as a color other than a blue so dark that it was almost black. Placed on an ivory paper this might pop more. I agree in that I like the bottle very much. It reminds me of the shoe bottle without the heal portion.

Hello!

 

Thank you very much for your kind words.

I was not disappointed by the color per se: Indeed, it is a Navy Blue. However, I am a little disappointed that the color itself isn't more original, or with some more distinctive signs to it. It is a nice blue black, but in the end, it doesn't offer anything totally overwhelming compared to others I have tried.

[Chrissy]

I have contacted my local Mb boutique about this ink and was advised it isn't available until December.

 

The Boheme Poppy Red is in stock, but I'm waiting to get them both together.

 

I shall look forward to trying out both asap

[amberleadavis]

Thank you for the review! I do love the Corn Poppy Red.

[Ste_S]

Hello!

 

Thank you very much for your kind words.

I was not disappointed by the color per se: Indeed, it is a Navy Blue. However, I am a little disappointed that the color itself isn't more original, or with some more distinctive signs to it. It is a nice blue black, but in the end, it doesn't offer anything totally overwhelming compared to others I have tried.

 

Indeed. From the photos i've seen it looks quite close to Montblanc's non-limited Midnight Blue

[EclecticCollector]

I have contacted my local Mb boutique about this ink and was advised it isn't available until December.

 

Interesting, I was just at my local boutique today and was told January.

[s5blitzer]

My boutique is shipping my JFK today. Believe it when I see it. No ink or my cufflinks yet.

[Chrissy]

I have just received my bottle of JFK ink. I haven't inked up a pen yet, but will do that later today. I'm not feeling too well at the moment, so I want to look forward to writing with it when I'm back up to 100%

 

I have been advised that it's difficult to find in the UK so that may be why some UK boutiques are saying January

Edited December 6, 2014 by Chrissy

[mateo44]

FYI -- 6 bottles are currently available at the MB boutique in South Coast Plaza (Orange County, CA). Well, make that 5 -- I just bought one of them today.

 

It's certainly not cheap -- a 30ml bottle ran me $20.52 out-the-door.

[Uncial]

It's available from La Courrone de Comte. At least, that's where I got mine about two months ago. I'm not usually a huge fan of MB inks; I find them a tiny bit on the dry side and flat and chalky looking, but I really love this one. It's very wet and a pleasing colour. The only other one I have really liked is the Daniel Defoe ink, which I know isn't for everyone but it's right in my 'mezmerick ink' zone; so much so that I bought the whole shelf of it. I know, I know; I need treatment of some kind.

[Flaxmoore]

Very interesting. Slightly ironic that a blue named after a navy man isn't waterproof. At 54¢ a milliliter, it's in the price range of Iroshizuku, but seems a bit plain by comparison. If it were a little cheaper, say $15 a bottle, I'd be tempted as I'm a sucker for blue black, but I think I'll let it slide.

[mmg122]

To my eye, it is a true navy blue and I wouldn't describe it as blue-black. I really like this ink quite a bit and just picked up a second bottle. All in the eye of the beholder, I guess.

Thanks Martin for your review...very helpful.

 

Edit to correct typo.

[torstar]

Mine just came in two weeks ago.

 

Thumbs up!

[mrchan]

I just bought a bottle and think that this ink isn't any different than a cheapass parker quink blue. Very unoriginal as OP described and uninspiring.

[jmccarty3]

I find this to be a beautiful ink, especially in a broad, stub, or oblique nib, any one of which will give you remarkable shading. Although I have to moan about the small size of the bottle, the high price, and the limited availability, I have to admit that I already have two bottles and am considering buying more while I can still get it. Looks remarkably elegant on either white or cream paper.

[wastelanded]

This is something that can be had much cheaper elsewhere. For that price, I'm sorry but it's pretty lifeless and exceedingly ordinary.

 

Excellent review, though! I look forward to your next one.

[torstar]

So some think the ink is heroic and bold and perfect, and others think it's just a big name with nothing behind it?

 

Ironic...

[Martini1R]

Hello!

 

Thank you very much for your kind words.

I was not disappointed by the color per se: Indeed, it is a Navy Blue. However, I am a little disappointed that the color itself isn't more original, or with some more distinctive signs to it. It is a nice blue black, but in the end, it doesn't offer anything totally overwhelming compared to others I have tried.

 

I totally agree with that. I got a bottle as a gift and I still haven't really inked it up yet. At this price I thought it would be something interesting like electric blue but very easy to clean, and permanent, etc. This blue and almost like the 149 blue black which is very "standard" IMO.