Montblanc Ink Questions

[146mgh]

Good afternoon all,

I have recently purchased a new Platinum Line LeGrand (my first fountain pen for many years and my first Montblanc) and I’m really enjoying getting back into writing again. I have a couple of questions about the ink though:

1. I was given a bottle of Royal Blue by the store but it has a Use By date of May 2014 (I didn't notice till I got home). Does this matter? Can ink 'go off' if left too long in the bottle? Can it dry-up? I have filled and used the pen and it seems fine so I suspect it's fine but wanted to check.

2. I've followed the instructions in this video for filling the pen but doing the process once seems to leave room in the pen for more ink. So could you / should you dip it twice? This would mean fewer refills but are there any other advantages or disadvantages?

3. I really like some of the LE inks (e.g. the Blazac turquoise and the JFK) that are no longer sold but they do seem to be available on eBay; is there any risk with buying inks on eBay that they might be old or even fake?

Hope someone can answer my questions so thanks in advance!

 

 

[SE1980]

Now you mentioned it, I was given the Winter Glow and the bottle below has a white sticker that reads '1206-Sept17/Made in Austria' on the first line. Not sure if that's the expiry date but I suppose if inks were to be kept too long in its bottle, it might start to dry up or have some properties changed.

[jar]

I'm using some ink in one pen currently in rotation that was made while Textron still owned Sheaffer so likely made between 1966 and 1987.

 

I do not try to overfill any of my pens and in fact after a single fill cycle put a few drops of ink down the sink, point the nib up and pull in excess ink from the feed before a quick rinse and wipe.

[JLS1]

I think Jar's right - the "Best Before" date on a bottle of ink isn't exactly as hard & firm as for something like a carton of milk or a dozen eggs. That said, check the ink for any evidence of mold, which might appear as small spots on the sides and/or surface of the ink. (I noticed this with a bottle of ink I received with a used 149 several years ago) If you see evidence of mold, take the bottle back; otherwise, I think it's fine to use.

 

Congratulations on the new 146, BTW! I'm sure you'll love writing with it!

[146mgh]

Thanks for the replies everyone - the ink looks fine (to me, at least) and there isn't any evidence of mould. Pic below of the 'Best Before' date for info.

 

Any thoughts about eBay or buying ink from non-authorised dealers? I've seen some Balzac on eBay but don't want to end up with fake ink - if such a thing even exists! Realise you can't vouch for individual auctions but has anyone ever had any bad experiences with Mb ink from eBay that should make me wary?

[zaddick]

I have not had any experience with fake ink from ebay, but it would be really easy to make a fake in China. Your best bet is probably to use the boards here to find an ink still in production that is a close match to your desired color.

 

Another suggestion is to post an ad in the classifieds here letting people know a specific ink you're looking for. Often times people have lots of ink, and might be willing to sell you a partially or mostly full bottle. I usually buy multiples of the MB limited inks, and often keep one bottle full in case I want to trade or sell it in the future.judging by how fast they sell out of some of the colors, I can't be the only one. :-)

[OngL]

I had inks that 'expired' long time ago and it still write just fine.

 

I haven't seen counterfeit inks, as long as, you buy from reputable stores or boutiques, you will be assured of

[Chrissy]

 

Good afternoon all,

I have recently purchased a new Platinum Line LeGrand (my first fountain pen for many years and my first Montblanc) and I’m really enjoying getting back into writing again. I have a couple of questions about the ink though:

1. I was given a bottle of Royal Blue by the store but it has a Use By date of May 2014 (I didn't notice till I got home). Does this matter?

Not at all, just carry on and use it as normal

Can ink 'go off' if left too long in the bottle? Can it dry-up? I have filled and used the pen and it seems fine so I suspect it's fine but wanted to check.

It can go off but it usually takes a long time, and you can usually tell. i.e. if it goes mouldy or smells really different to how ink should smell.

2. I've followed the instructions in this video for filling the pen but doing the process once seems to leave room in the pen for more ink. So could you / should you dip it twice? This would mean fewer refills but are there any other advantages or disadvantages?

You can repeat the process more than once without any problems. However, when not using a new pen please be aware that this may introduce foreign bodies, mould, or even other ink colors into your ink bottle unless you are scrupulous in your cleaning regime

3. I really like some of the LE inks (e.g. the Blazac turquoise and the JFK) that are no longer sold but they do seem to be available on eBay; is there any risk with buying inks on eBay that they might be old or even fake?

There is hardly any risk associated with buying inks that are no longer available on ebay. They may be out of date by months or years, and they may be ridiculously expensive. I don't think that they would be fake though. Maybe some people believe that really cult inks such as Parker Penman Sapphire could occasionally be faked. Only you can decide.

Hope someone can answer my questions so thanks in advance!

 

 

 

[146mgh]

Thanks Chrissy (and everyone)! They're really helpful answers. I've ordered some Balzac from eBay and the seller seems legit. Can't wait to get it.

 

Sorry, one final question: when changing inks, do you have to wait till the pen runs dry and then clean it or can you empty the pen (by loosening the cone counterclockwise maybe) before it runs out? Probably a stupid question but I'm new to all of this!

 

I'm really enjoying the 146 though - strangely been finding excuses to write rather than type these days at work

[AJ50]

[quote name="146mgh" post="3272007" timestamp="1423909492

 

Sorry, one final question: when changing inks, do you have to wait till the pen runs dry and then clean it or can you empty the pen (by loosening the cone counterclockwise maybe) before it runs out? Probably a stupid question but I'm new to all of this!

 

 

Not a stupid question. Empty the pen by turning the blind cap anticlockwise. You will still have some ink in the pen so draw water into the pen as though you are filling it. Now empty the water and continue this process until you are expelling clear water. Now you can fill your pen with a different colour ink.

[146mgh]

Not a stupid question. Empty the pen by turning the blind cap anticlockwise. You will still have some ink in the pen so draw water into the pen as though you are filling it. Now empty the water and continue this process until you are expelling clear water. Now you can fill your pen with a different colour ink.

 

Thanks AJ50 - now I need to just get some inks, get some photos for here and, most importantly, get using the pen.

 

Thanks again,

[s5blitzer]

I'm addicted to inks.

[Doug1426]

I'm addicted to inks.

Luckily, the only cure is to feed an ink addiction. Empirical data suggests the cure takes about 60-70 years.

[fravin]

That expiration dates sounds like consumer's rights laws. I don't know how it happens in your country, but in Brazil every product sold here needs to advice the consumer about the expiration date. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's true. Even products like school notebooks needs to have stamped a expiration date.

 

BTW, all my old ink bottles doesn't have such date. Only the new ones.

[146mgh]

That expiration dates sounds like consumer's rights laws. I don't know how it happens in your country, but in Brazil every product sold here needs to advice the consumer about the expiration date. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's true. Even products like school notebooks needs to have stamped a expiration date.

 

BTW, all my old ink bottles doesn't have such date. Only the new ones.

 

I think you're probably right fravin - I'll keep an eye on the ink for mould (as JLS1 helpfully suggested) but otherwise I'll just enjoy it.

 

Waiting for a few new MB colours in the post now.

[Chrissy]

I wouldn't mind if a Montblanc boutique supplied me with a bottle of ink that was past it's use by date.

 

However, I would expect to not have to pay for it.