I've recently switched back to the Aurora Black, since Noodler's Black was disappointing. Though I liked the wetness of the Aurora, I thought the lines were a bit heavy. The lines from the Noodler's were just right, but after a while, the nib would dry out and I would get skipping and it would get harder to write with. I understand that Noodler's does have a lot of saturation, and some pens don't work that well with it. Anyone recommend an ink that has good flow, yet doesn't flood the page? I don't mind trying blue, or even red.

For many years it has been my habit to use Herbin and MB inks in piston fill pens. I am not a fan of black ink, but, generally, I have had very good luck with these two ink brands in my 149 and 146 size pens.

I enthusiastically recommend Diamine inks for virtually every pen. They flow very well, dry reasonably quickly and are available in a wide range of colors. If black is your thing, the Quartz black is a deeper, darker black than the jet black and is my preference. They also have some nice blues (Sapphire leaps to mind, and Mediterranean Blue is also nice).

I will admit I don't own a Mont Blanc, so I don't know how it will perform in your pen, but they do very well in my Pelikan piston-fillers as well as my Sailor converter filler pens.

James P.

I have to agree with James about Diamine inks: for a safe ink that has good flow characteristics and great colors, Diamine is near the top of the pack. The only other ink I'd put in this category is Waterman. That is to say that there are other inks I like, but they aren't as safe, well-behaved, or with as vibrant colors. Some but perhaps not all of the Herbin inks Frank mentions fit these categories as well.

To address the original posters question, I don't buy the proposition that one brand of pens needs a particular brand of inks. However, I do think that some pens are picky about what inks they work best with and some particular inks (brand and color) have particular characteristics that came make they better or worse in certain INDIVIDUAL pens. That may not sound very helpful and it isn't: I think you just have to experiment with those certain picky pens until you have found an ink or inks that they work with best.

Good luck!

Dan

quink, waterman and mb

vibin247,

In my, admittedly very limited experience with my 146 over almost 20 years, Montblanc pens are not particularly sensitive. I have used Montblanc Black, Parker Quink, some blue that I don't remember, Private Reserve Plum, Waterman Black, and Noodler's Polar Black. The pen wrote acceptably with all these inks. It probably wrote best with Waterman Black, but the Noodler's is a close second. I would use the Polar Black exclusively, but it tends to bleed to the other side of the paper. I tend to use black and blue-black for the most part. I do not see a need for a huge pallette of colors for what I do, but I appreciate that they are available.

Of course, as always, your experiences may be different, which is why you need to experiment.

So I put in an order with Swisher Pens for a bottle of Waterman Black and Mont Blanc Blue to experiment with. I am planning to buy another pen in the future, so I wouldn't have a bunch of ink bottles collecting dust!

Lots of good inks out there, but I would add a vote for Diamine - not had a problem with any colour so far in any pen new or old.

But my current favourite (it changes like the weather) has to be Visconti blue in my 145. Oh such a luxurious flow and colour.

Chris

So I received my Waterman Black, Mont Blanc Royal Blue, and Ink Nix from Swisher Pens. So far, I'm very impressed with the Waterman Black, as it does give a nice deep black without too much flow. The Mont Blanc ink has a nice flow, but it does fade (though I think it will look nice on my ivory Verge de France paper and envelopes). Ink Nix is the best thing ever. It even cleaned off the ink stains in my messenger bag!