Mont Blanc Rollerballs Inadequate?

[Mike295855]

I wanted to start this thread to ask two questions:

 

 

1. What are your thoughts on the rollerball refills that Mont Blanc makes? I recently purchased a MB 163, which I am in love with, and have noticed, only a week after having received the pen, less ink. In other words, the quality of the rollerball diminishes within a few weeks. I didn't expect the ink to begin drying up so quickly. I have read that this is the norm for MB rollerball refills: they do not last that long.

 

 

2. Where can I purchase authentic MB refills at a great price? I have checked Amazon but I am not sure if that is the place to go.

 

 

 

Thanks!

Edited May 3, 2011 by Mike295855

[mdbrown]

I have 3 Montblanc rollerballs although I do not use them that much. Had not noticed a short service life of the refills. I have seen on ebay people selling Montblanc refills very inexpensively in lots of 2 up to as many as 12 at a time. You might want to take a look there first. Good luck.

[Mike295855]

I have 3 Montblanc rollerballs although I do not use them that much. Had not noticed a short service life of the refills. I have seen on ebay people selling Montblanc refills very inexpensively in lots of 2 up to as many as 12 at a time. You might want to take a look there first. Good luck.

 

 

Thanks for the reply!

 

Yeah, I pretty much am using the MB 163 as a daily pen. Perhaps it might be this one refill that came with the pen. However, after looking at some reviews on Amazon and what is alleged to be an authentic pen, the refills do not last long and it is a typical thing from Mont Blanc. Granted, this is just a small sample of all the customers out there. May not be a true representation of the quality of the refills.

[Brookzy]

I wanted to start this thread to ask two questions:

 

 

1. What are your thoughts on the rollerball refills that Mont Blanc makes? I recently purchased a MB 163, which I am in love with, and have noticed, only a week after having received the pen, less ink. In other words, the quality of the rollerball diminishes within a few weeks. I didn't expect the ink to begin drying up so quickly. I have read that this is the norm for MB rollerball refills: they do not last that long.

 

 

2. Where can I purchase authentic MB refills at a great price? I have checked Amazon but I am not sure if that is the place to go.

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

Totally agree with you. In my rollerball the ink runs out far too quickly. I also think they should make a Broad refill like the Ballpoint.

 

As for buying the cartridges, your best bet is the MB refills website for the US. But they will be list price, obviously.

[pavoni]

I agree with the above posts. I too have a MB 163 and very much rely on it as my back up to my FPs in my rotation system. It is also the only pen I lend one asked on the spot whether I have a pen to borrow.

 

The 163 is a great little pen and whilst I would prefer a screw on cap, I would certainly buy another if I stupidly lost it. However, I buy my refills from my local 'Pen Shop' branch, and whilst I continue to buy them from there, I can't say I am overly impressed with the life-span of these refills. It isn't as though I use the pen every day of every week. Confusingly, no two refill seem the same!

 

I have seen the MB refills on sale on eBay for an extraordinarily cheap price by way of comparison but I haven't yet been tempted.

 

Pavoni.

[penparadise]

I wanted to start this thread to ask two questions:

 

 

1. What are your thoughts on the rollerball refills that Mont Blanc makes? I recently purchased a MB 163, which I am in love with, and have noticed, only a week after having received the pen, less ink. In other words, the quality of the rollerball diminishes within a few weeks. I didn't expect the ink to begin drying up so quickly. I have read that this is the norm for MB rollerball refills: they do not last that long.

 

 

2. Where can I purchase authentic MB refills at a great price? I have checked Amazon but I am not sure if that is the place to go.

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

Totally agree with you. In my rollerball the ink runs out far too quickly. I also think they should make a Broad refill like the Ballpoint.

 

As for buying the cartridges, your best bet is the MB refills website for the US. But they will be list price, obviously.

 

First, Montblanc doesn't make the refills, the refills were developed,and are produced by Schmidt Technologie. Ink, ballpoint refills, rollerball refills, pencil mechanics and some other less important things are acquisition articles for Montblanc.

 

Second, the liquids of the refills have a similar character as fountain pen ink. So the capacity of a rollerball refill can't last longer than two standard internatioonal ink cartridges. This also is the reason why Montblanc doesn't offer a broad refill for the Classique rollerball refill, as a broad refill has an even shorter life ...

 

Rollerball refills for Montblanc should have threads. Only threaded refills suit perfectly into a modern Montblanc body.

[carlosjaviercontreras]

I wanted to start this thread to ask two questions:

 

 

1. What are your thoughts on the rollerball refills that Mont Blanc makes? I recently purchased a MB 163, which I am in love with, and have noticed, only a week after having received the pen, less ink. In other words, the quality of the rollerball diminishes within a few weeks. I didn't expect the ink to begin drying up so quickly. I have read that this is the norm for MB rollerball refills: they do not last that long.

 

 

2. Where can I purchase authentic MB refills at a great price? I have checked Amazon but I am not sure if that is the place to go.

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

Hi Mike295855,

 

I've got a 163 RB and found the same problems you've experienced with the refills. They dry up rather quick and they start to write very dry soon after installing a fresh one. They dry up even faster if you frequently leave them uncapped without writing. I'm wondering about that being a MB refill problem/limitation or a general RB refill one. Anyway, that behavior does not work for me at all.

 

You can use the "fineliner" refill on your 163, and they generally write better than the RB refills, although the fineliner refill is even less tolerant to staying uncapped. Either the RB refills or the fineliner ones are pretty expensive when you consider how soon they deplete.

 

I'm currently using Pilot G2 gel refills on my 163. Those refills are shorter than the MB ones, and lack the threads near the point. I cut a cylindrical eraser spacer and put it into the bottom of the barrel to supply the additional refill length needed. As for the threads, they are not needed. The tip of the gel refills are secure in place and do not wiggle much. G2 gel refills cost 1/8 the price of a MB refill, last longer and you can leave your pen uncapped all the time if you want. Btw, this works for me, but it is not canon. I have to say that I hated my 163 (the money I spent on it) and it stayed boxed away until I started using Pilot G2 refills with it. Now? It is 20 inches from my hand at this very moment.

[JLS1]

I wanted to start this thread to ask two questions:

 

 

1. What are your thoughts on the rollerball refills that Mont Blanc makes? I recently purchased a MB 163, which I am in love with, and have noticed, only a week after having received the pen, less ink. In other words, the quality of the rollerball diminishes within a few weeks. I didn't expect the ink to begin drying up so quickly. I have read that this is the norm for MB rollerball refills: they do not last that long.

 

FWIW, it's not just MB that has this problem. I have a Lamy RB (Shock...horror...I know) and the Lamy refills are just as bad/last just as long.

 

2. Where can I purchase authentic MB refills at a great price? I have checked Amazon but I am not sure if that is the place to go.

 

Thanks!

 

I'll let others answer this question, but FWIW I try to buy my pens online and my pen-related supplies (ink, paper, etc.) from a local pen shop. Although I know I'm paying a bit more at a local shop, I feel like I'm supporting my local pen store...who knows, I just might need them someday!

[Brookzy]

I wanted to start this thread to ask two questions:

 

 

1. What are your thoughts on the rollerball refills that Mont Blanc makes? I recently purchased a MB 163, which I am in love with, and have noticed, only a week after having received the pen, less ink. In other words, the quality of the rollerball diminishes within a few weeks. I didn't expect the ink to begin drying up so quickly. I have read that this is the norm for MB rollerball refills: they do not last that long.

 

 

2. Where can I purchase authentic MB refills at a great price? I have checked Amazon but I am not sure if that is the place to go.

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

Totally agree with you. In my rollerball the ink runs out far too quickly. I also think they should make a Broad refill like the Ballpoint.

 

As for buying the cartridges, your best bet is the MB refills website for the US. But they will be list price, obviously.

 

First, Montblanc doesn't make the refills, the refills were developed,and are produced by Schmidt Technologie. Ink, ballpoint refills, rollerball refills, pencil mechanics and some other less important things are acquisition articles for Montblanc.

 

Second, the liquids of the refills have a similar character as fountain pen ink. So the capacity of a rollerball refill can't last longer than two standard internatioonal ink cartridges. This also is the reason why Montblanc doesn't offer a broad refill for the Classique rollerball refill, as a broad refill has an even shorter life ...

 

Rollerball refills for Montblanc should have threads. Only threaded refills suit perfectly into a modern Montblanc body.

 

I don't care who makes them or who developed them, they have a Montblanc logo on them, therefore I expect Montblanc quality.

 

Also, the flow from a Fountain cartridge does not diminish befo it runs out. They are like lithium batteries: they work, work, work, then die.

 

The rollerball refills are like lead acid batteries in cars, they slowly decrease in performance as they discharge.

[carlosjaviercontreras]

First, Montblanc doesn't make the refills, the refills were developed,and are produced by Schmidt Technologie. Ink, ballpoint refills, rollerball refills, pencil mechanics and some other less important things are acquisition articles for Montblanc.

 

Second, the liquids of the refills have a similar character as fountain pen ink. So the capacity of a rollerball refill can't last longer than two standard internatioonal ink cartridges. This also is the reason why Montblanc doesn't offer a broad refill for the Classique rollerball refill, as a broad refill has an even shorter life ...

 

Rollerball refills for Montblanc should have threads. Only threaded refills suit perfectly into a modern Montblanc body.

 

I don't care who makes them or who developed them, they have a Montblanc logo on them, therefore I expect Montblanc quality.

 

Also, the flow from a Fountain cartridge does not diminish befo it runs out. They are like lithium batteries: they work, work, work, then die.

 

The rollerball refills are like lead acid batteries in cars, they slowly decrease in performance as they discharge.

 

I really like MB BP refills, particularly B ones. I consider them top notch. Why would the guys at Schmidt Technologie make an excellent BP refill and an awful RB refill? There must be something inherent to the RB technology... or maybe this RB stuff is not my thing.

[carlosjaviercontreras]

 

First, Montblanc doesn't make the refills, the refills were developed,and are produced by Schmidt Technologie. Ink, ballpoint refills, rollerball refills, pencil mechanics and some other less important things are acquisition articles for Montblanc.

 

 

Thanks for the link Axel. Looking at their Product Catalog, I don't think they would produce a sub par refill. Do they produce Faber-Castell's Parker-type BP refill? Those Broads are as good as MB's.

[pajaro]

I have tried several manufacturers' rollerballs. I have had the best luck with Montblancs, with the refills lasting about six months. However, the MB ballpoints last for a couple of years or more.

 

If you don't like the MB rollerball refills, you might take the ballpoint or other refill of your choice, see if it fits through the section of the rollerball and gets the point through and won't flop around annoyingly if you were to write with it. If it passes this test, go to a hardware store and buy a small spring that will fit into the rollerball barrel. Then shorten the spring if necessary, so that the spring will hold the refill against the section. You also want to be careful to make sure the spring doesn't harm your barrel with a sharp protrusion, etc.

[meiers]

I have never enjoyed roller ball pens... I don't get the attraction.

[pajaro]

I have never enjoyed roller ball pens... I don't get the attraction.

 

I never much liked them either, but then I bought a 163R NOS from another member for $100. It seems OK. They are kind of slippery.

[penparadise]

I don't care who makes them or who developed them, they have a Montblanc logo on them, therefore I expect Montblanc quality.

For me the Montblanc rollerball refills are the best quality one can get with this system.

 

Do they (Schmidt) produce Faber-Castell's Parker-type BP refills?

Yes, Schmidt also delivers Faber-Castell (and many more European and international pen brands) with the refills.

 

Also, the flow from a Fountain cartridge does not diminish befo it runs out. They are like lithium batteries: they work, work, work, then die.

The rollerball refills are like lead acid batteries in cars, they slowly decrease in performance as they discharge.

As I said, the liquid is similar, not the same. And the decrease in performance also is due to the system. Do you know another rollerball refill (not gel) which acts better?

[mlr8]

I wanted to start this thread to ask two questions:

 

 

1. What are your thoughts on the rollerball refills that Mont Blanc makes? I recently purchased a MB 163, which I am in love with, and have noticed, only a week after having received the pen, less ink. In other words, the quality of the rollerball diminishes within a few weeks. I didn't expect the ink to begin drying up so quickly. I have read that this is the norm for MB rollerball refills: they do not last that long.

 

 

2. Where can I purchase authentic MB refills at a great price? I have checked Amazon but I am not sure if that is the place to go.

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

Hi

I use both BP and RB. I used to use MB refill only. As MB prices keep increasing, I start looking alternative brand. I found the MONTEVERDE (Made in USA) has almost the same quality as MB and they come in a range of colors, the price is about the half of MB (in Australia).

[Blade Runner]

I've never used a MB RB and don't use RBs now, but the several non-MB brands' rb refills I used dried out rather quickly. Infact, the ones from Sheaffer sometimes didn't work right oout of the package. So perhaps it's the technology. I do use MB broad ballpoint refills, and they're nice.

[stephl]

I've had four MB Rollerballs for the last 15 years. I hadn't used them much because of the inconvenience of the ink smudges on shinny paper of all types (you get that type of paper in conferences, etc).

 

When I finally decided to switch to fineliner a few months ago, I was hooked. Now, all my MB rollerballs (except my Legrand) have the fineliner refills, and I couldn't be happier!

 

Steph

[samsone]

Greetings from the future (six years later... I was bummed about this problem too, until this morning. Youtube just taught me that you can refill a roller cartridge like a fountain pen. You just pull out the cap in the back of the refill with tweezers and use a syringe to inject your favorite ink. One ml or less suffices. A little cumbersome but fixes the issue of them drying so quickly and you get to use your own choice of ink as well. I just did it and it's working pretty well so far. Only caveat is, if you inject too much ink it will start oozing out the front end. If that happens just suck back up some of the ink with your syringe and dab the roller ball tip with a tissue. Just don't do this surgical procedure over your office's carpet like I just did...

[Wolverine1]

Bottom line is this- get rid of your rollerball pens, and invest in real pens, fountain pens.