I got a bottle of MB Blue-black on recommendations that I use waterproof ink fot college notes. Now, a little after the fact, I am asking what pens it is safe in, and what precautions I should take. I have heard that, although it is iron gall, it is not saturated with iron ions, so it is not as corrosive as regualr iron gall ink. That should mean that it is safe, with regular flushes.

So, as rules, I should:

-flush every week or so


Any others?

Thanks,
Nkk

MB recommends flushing a minimum of once every two weeks.
Only use in gold nibbed pens that have no steel(plated or not) appoinments that make contact with the ink.

My Instruction sheet says this: "It should be cleaned approximately every three months."

I use it only in my MB 146.

Mike

I actually use the BlueBlack a lot in my MB 149 and 146. So I have accumulated several bottles in different locations (home, office). Has anyone else noticed a color change between the older "small dot" labels and the newer ones (with the "large dot")?

Routinely use Mont Blanc Blue-Black in Lamy pens that have stainless steel nibs, including my favorite Studio. Have never had a problem.

The manager of the Mont Blanc boutique in my area says to be sure to wipe the pen tip more frequently than usual and keep the pens scrupulously clean. Other than that, take the usual precautions. Flush pen with water regularly, don't use pen for dart games, etc. (The owner of Yi Cheng in Singapore says he always used his Hero 336 as a dart when he was in high school. The pen still writes after twenty years of use. Now, that's a recommendation!)

I would just be sure to put it in a pen (gold-nibbed as Lloyd says) that you will use often. Frequent use and cleaning should help you avoid any problems.

Ok. Thanks.

I guess if I put it into my VP I will have to wax the nib to make sure it does not creep up onto the stainless steel parts.

-Nkk

Hi,

Capless pens have a fair amount of stainless steel parts such as the retraction spring and door mechanism.

Sailor pens with the 21K nib are the best because there is less none gold metal in the nib. Just make sure the particular pen you choose does not have trim near the nib that gets submerged or comes in contact with the nib.
I used the ink in my Sailor 21K nib pen, and the gold plating on the nib peeled off, but since the nib is gold underneath, it was no big deal. (They sometimes use a gold plating on the gold to make it look more yellow.)

Dillon

Hmm, I did not think of that. I guess there will be no MB Blue-black in my VP. I will put the Noodler's in that.

A 14k nib would be fine, too, right?

-Nkk

Couldn't you just use some Noodler's Bulletproof or Eternal Inks in your steel-nibbed pens, if you need a waterproof ink but don't want to worry about iron gall?

I've used MB Blue Black in Reform 1745's with no adverse effects (ie: student-level, exposed steel nibs). I have gotten into the habit of flushing once per week and refilling, but this may not be necessary. I don't think the formula is as aggressive as many assume, but by the same token I wouldn't leave it in a pen for months on end.

I've used MB iron gall blue black for 14 years in (gold nibbed) 146 and 149 pens without any problems. I flush regularly as recommended. Really love the shading, vintage look of this BB and use it for its water resistance.

I do use Noodlers for pens that will not take the MB ink. However, what is the fun of having an ink and not using it?

Anyway, the Reform idea sounds good, as I have two of those that are not currently in use.

Thanks for all of the suggestions,
Nkk

Aha. On the first read I seem to have missed that you already purchased the ink.