MB Boutique Service and MB ink

[RJLOMMD]

Several weeks ago I finally took my MB 164 ballpoint to the MB Boutique for repair. I had sought advice here on this forum and I am very happy to report that the trip to the MB Boutique on Connecticut Ave in DC was very successful and a most pleasant experience. The two staff people were very knowledgeable and had my pen repaired with a new top piece in no time. Although the store --excuse me, Boutique-- had all sorts of stuff with the "snowy star" (cufflinks, moneyclips, watches, leather goods) that would have, I'm sure, left the old meisters at MB-Simplo in Hamburg speechless, these two seemed to be genuine pen enthusiasts.

 

The conversation turned to my MB149 and they suggested I take a bottle of MB ink which I did. And was I surprised! I remember giving up on the MB Black ink more than 20 years ago. It always seemed more like the Schaeffer washable black ink and dried to a greyish color almost like a photographic mid-tone grey card! For years I used Pelikan 4001 Black and, I recall, back in the 60's mixing in a little of the Pelikan Fount-India ink. And for the past five years I've been using Aurora Black which runs very smoothly.

 

The point is that I filled up with this MB Black and it was suddenly the equal of the 4001. Gone was the dried look of washable black! So my question is this: has the "Formula" for the Black ink Mont Blanc sells been changed in the past several years? Has anyone else noticed this? I must add that the bottle of Blue-Black that I also bought was not as satisfying. It does not seem to flow as well and after the current fill I intend to flush the pen and resume using the black ink.

 

One last note: I was told that they would be closing that location and were uncertain where the new one would be located.