The New Montblanc Midnight Blue, Not All Bad

[max dog]

I notice the new Montblanc Midnight Blue ink got very little love and affection in this forum.

 

So I got myself a bottle of the new Montblanc Midnight Blue (sans IG) to check it out for myself, and have been writing with it for a few days now.

 

It still has decent water resistance. Not as much as the Iron Gal Midnight Blue, as some of the ink does lift away when I do a water soak test, but after 5 minutes under water, there is a very legible ink shadow left on Rhodia paper, and on more absorbant Moleskine paper almost all the ink stayed in tact looking almost like the ink was water proof.

 

When I flip back through my journal to some writing I did with the old Midnight Blue IG ink from 6 months ago, the new non Iron Gal ink is slightly lighter, but whereas the old ink now looks very, very dark gray, almost a dull black, the new Midnight Blue has a very slight blue/green tinge in comparison and looks more blue black to me than the old formula. It also behaves quite nice too without any bleed through or feathering on Moleskine paper which is quite sensitive to this, and the ink has nice shading, reminiscent of the old Midnight Blue.

 

So for me, the new Midnight Blue non IG ink is highly water resistant, slightly bluer compared to the old ink after time, and still embodies similar performance as the old ink, but without the worry of the Iron Gal clogging up the feed if you accidentally leave the ink in the pen for a long time. I haven't personally experienced a problem of clogging with the IG ink, but given Montblanc warns about cleaning more frequently with the old Midnight Blue in the little pamplet that accompanies the old IG ink, I assume there is some potential risk there.

 

So I dont think the new Midnight Blue is that bad, maybe in performance it is marginally less than the old ink, but still not a bad ink if you want something with excellent water resistance and good performance.

Edited February 4, 2014 by max dog

[Masque]

No. No no no. Don't you dare encourage them by buying this new watered-down replacement for true love. Do not allow them to think that it is in any way acceptable to can one of the classics in true switcheroo fashion. They renamed their green when they changed it. Why this Weekend at Bernie's move?

 

Had they simply discontinued Midnight Blue and introduced Pale Moonlight Shadow or another name in its place, sure. Then it is of course worth a try.

 

But this... this is a dishonest ink.

 

This is betrayal.

 

That they could even have the gall to do this. . .

[max dog]

Had they simply discontinued Midnight Blue and introduced Pale Moonlight Shadow or another name in its place, sure. Then it is of course worth a try.

 

.

I totally agree. They should have renamed the ink, so people know this is not the Original IG Midnight Blue.

 

I can see how people who loved the original Midnight Blue ink would be offended by the new one carrying on with the same name. MB should have killed the Midnight Blue name and gave the new formula a new name instead of trying to pass it off as the same ink.

Edited February 4, 2014 by max dog

[david6]

I totally agree. They should have renamed the ink, so people know this is not the Original IG Midnight Blue.

 

I can see how people who loved the original Midnight Blue ink would be offended by the new one carrying on with the same name. MB should have killed the Midnight Blue name and gave the new formula a new name instead of trying to pass it off as the same ink.

Completely agree. I recently purchased the new Midnight Blue in error as the supplier made no mention that it was the new formula and not the older much loved formula. The Pen Shop in Liverpool St Station even tried to tell me that there is no re formulated Midnight Blue!

 

This new ink should have been given a different name.

[Moshe ben David]

.... Snip!!

 

That they could even have the gall to do this. . .

 

umm. Isn't the point that they didn't have the 'gall'?

[Albinoni]

Wow looks like this new ink is not very well liked, I just seriously hope they haven't or won't water down the new lavender purple, I'm seriously planning to get the lavender purple sometime.

[Bigeddie]

The new ink is not bad on the right paper, I haven't compared it side by side with the old cartridges but I am assuming it's the same ink.

 

Someone made the comment on my review which sums it up, the new ink doesn't seem special. Old MBMBlue had this arcane quality to it, it could write on any cheap paper and be OK, the colour change that came with IG inks was nice and the low saturation was a part of it's charm.

 

I do wish companies would stop reformulating things and come out with a new line to avoid confusion. This might be easier for MB to bring out a new 'Twilight Blue' or something, compared to Lamy having to think of a new name for Blue-Black!

[Tas]

max dog, thanks for trying to persuade us.

Photos please, I so want to like it but feel it'll be a little like "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" . . .

Edited February 4, 2014 by Tas

[lapis]

+3. IMO they should have left the real thing as it was (FWIW maybe even in a pepped-up version) plus a primary school kiddy cough-out.

[oronet commander]

To be honest, I like the new Midnight blue a lot and use it for personal writing, but as a dark, bluish-grey and not as a blue-black.

[Joane]

Thanks for the detailed description of the reformulated version. While the virtues of the new ink seem to be debatable, the description is really well written! I have the former MB and will check this one out.

[GTOZack]

Pelikan ink then it is

[Chris]

The new MBMB should have been given a new name - I could think of some - but this new stuff might be OK if you don't know better, and IMHO there are lots that are better and you ought to get to know.

 

I have an unopened bottle of the gaul-less (oops - I meant gall-less. Still smarting over the rugby ) MBMB and I ought to sell it on as I won't use it.

Edited February 4, 2014 by Chris

[MVice78]

Watch out for sellers advertising the new Midnight Blue for the old formulation. I bought a bottle advertised as the permanent Midnight Blue and received a bottle marked Blue Nuit non-perma.