Is it really necessary to use Montblanc ink in Montblanc pens? The MB service insists that there are special cleaners in the ink. What's the TRUE story on this issue?

Every word is true.

It's the particular combination of words used that you have to worry about.

You are not limited to using MB inks in MB pens. Any ink intended for fountain pens is safe.

I have understood that MB inks do contain a solvent, and that they are one of the few inks on the market, if not the only one, that still contains them. For that reason, I like using MB inks in vintage pens from time to time. I also use MB inks in my piston fill pens frequently, which includes my MB 146's and 149's. But, I do not use MB inks exclusively in the MB pens.

It's not necessary, but highly recommended. MB inks are specifically formulated for the needs of a piston. Besides that, MB Racing Green is one of the best inks I've ever used (and I've used a lot of them).

I skimmed one of my MontBlanc booklets over the weekend, and I'm pretty sure I read that not using MontBlanc inks nullifies the warranty.

I don't have any of the booklets on hand at the moment to double-check.

It can say that, but it would be a violation of U.S. law to try to enforce it. (They can't deny warranty claims in the U.S. based on a customer buying third party consumables unless they can demonstrate that the consumable was directly responsible for the warranty claim.)

MB says its true, and it does contain a solvent, but its probably not necessary if you clean your pen regularly with clean water (the universal solvent), some of the MB inks are quite nice though...

Ah. Thanks for that!

(Cos I don't like MontBlanc's inks. Except maybe the Racing Green, which I haven't tried yet, but it does look very pretty.)

I share the dislike of MB inks but the Racing Green is wonderful. My favorite green for sure. Don't expect much shading, or green for that matter, if you use it in a wet-writer or with a nib that tends toward EF. It's dark.

The MB inks in MB pens sounds like a money-grab.

/Woody

No.

Marketing.

The profit margin on ink is good.

It is King Gilette's model, they just quit giving away the pens because people don't use enough ink these days.

On the other hand, MB ink is as good as anyone elses, and the bottles are really neat. If nothing else it is good to use it for a while to build up a collection of the bottles to use with other ink.

I would not count on any ink libricating a piston filler, except maybe Noodler's Eel inks, and I think the long term field test is still out on that one.

Best of luck..........

(1) Actually, I do like the color of their Royal Blue.
(2) But other inks are wetter etc.
(3) Most other inks in the world today also contain some solvents/cleaners.
(4) None of my MB papers say that you have to use their inks.

Mike

I used Noodler's Baystate Blue in a Montblanc Noblesse Oblige for about six months with no ill effects. I'd say that you're all good.

I can't remember how long I've had my MB now but it's seen nothing but Pelikan BRILLANT-SCHWARZ for I don't know how long and seems just fine.

.............Stani

The reason I asked is that on Monday I drove down to Montblanc's Bethlehem, Pa. repair facility (which by the way, will be moving next year to Dallas, Texas) and Debbie, the very lovely lady who took care of us, told us that to use anything but MB ink in their pens does indeed nullify the warranty.

I went to them because I got my Boheme cap stuck on the pen and could not get it off. They accomplished this for me in about ten seconds. I won't put that baby on too tightly in the future, you can be sure. The other reason I drove down there was to show them my brand new Montegrappa Micra which was SKIPPING...GRRRR! They could not get it to stop so off it went to Italy.

Just goes to show you - I have to go to school Thursday and my pen gets to go to Italy!

Is there something wrong with this scenario?

Absolute butt-kiss.

You can use whatever ink you want in your MB pens, so long as it's fountain pen ink.

my pen tech (one of the few b&m pen shops still in Spain, Montblanc dealer, very competent), said me that the problem is that non Montblanc inks produce scratches in the interior of the barrel when you move the piston. But I used my 149 over 15 years with Quink blue-black without problems in the barrel.

Oh, wow! More conflicting information about Mont Blanc products! To add to the confusion, I will repeat the statement from the manager of my local Mont Blanc boutique, who got her information from the head of the ink testing lab of Mont Blanc: "The only ink we recommend not using in Mont Blanc pens is Waterman because that ink and our feed sections do not get along well. We test hundreds of inks every year and most of them work very well with our Mont Blanc pens."

Personally, I use several Mont Blanc inks because they do well -- especially the Royal Blue and the Blue-Black. Enjoy the Bourdeaux for an accent and change of pace. Also use Noodler's Black, Legal Lapis, and -- on occasion -- Luxury Blue. Luxury Blue is a bit of trouble but love the Black and Legal Lapis. And have two Private Reserve inks that are great -- Dakota Red and Blue Suede. In addition, keep Levenger Cobalt Blue, Amethyst, and Gemstone Green on hand for use when I get tired of my other inks. If I want to rule out ink build-up as a problem, I fill a pen with Sheaffer Skrip Black for a while. Some pens like one ink over another, some are not too particular. But can't see any reason to use Mont Blanc ink exclusively in Mont Blanc pens.

Enjoy!

The piston on my 149 was really smooth until I put Noodler's bulletproof black into the pen. The next time I went to fill the pen the piston was really tight. It's not so bad now though, and I still use bulletproof black.
I don't know if the tight piston was caused by the Noodler's or not, but I personally suspect that it was.

I have gained one thing from this thread: I want a bottle of Racing Green!

Randal wrote:

" ... The only ink we recommend not using in Mont Blanc pens is Waterman because that ink and our feed sections do not get along well. ... "

I have seen this statement before a couple of times. I wonder what Waterman inks do to MB feeds?

Nothing, i'm using normal black waterman ink in all my montblanc's and nothing happens.
I write with waterman black for more than 8 years now.

i use it in parker, montblanc, waterman, visconti, pelikan, Lamy, vintage and modern, it doesn't matter.
I also repair modern pens, the ink-feed from a montblanc is not different than other pens.

my daily writer is a montblanc meisterstück 146 sterling silver with a f nib, i use it for 6 years now, it never leaked, the piston always goes smoothly.

i think it is all about the money,