Montblanc Modena Red

[lgsoltek]

Montblanc is currently revamping their line of inks, discontinuing some favourite colours, introducing some others, putting them in new packaging and of course not forgetting to increase their price. During this process Corn Poppy Red, a favourite of mine and my first Montblanc ink, is killed off and replaced by this Modena Red.

 

I think someone at Montblanc is allergic to colours and dyes. Modena Red is a lame watery barely-existing so-called "red". It's as horrible as their "Ladies Edition Pearl". The only good thing I can say about it is that they didn't bother to call it "red for true women" or "brave men use red" or any of that gibberish.

 

Apart from the horrible colour, Modena Red has extremely dry flow and no lubrication whatsoever. It's like writing with the tip of a nail. It's the most unpleasant ink to write with I've ever experienced. Move away, Diamine Autumn Oak. Modena Red is now the driest ink ever. I can't believe Corn Poppy Red died for this. Promise me, give your money away to the poor instead of buying a bottle of this, please?

 

Thank you inkantadora for offering me a cartridge to try.

 

Splash

Sample

(Rhodia)

(Tomoe River)

Comparison

(I used to think Rouge Caroubier is a terrible red ink. I didn't realise there would be something worse. Congratulations Montblanc, you did it!)

Edited July 6, 2019 by Lgsoltek

[Lam1]

Ugh!

That is ... disturbing!

 

Corn Poppy Red was also a favorite of mine. What a shame that they discontinued it.

Thankfully I have two full bottles of it (also two bottles of Shakespeare ).

 

Thank you for the review and for saving my money.

[praxim]

I'm convinced.

 

Having some Corn Poppy and Shakespeare Velvet Red, I too find this a pretty disappointing shift.

[Inkantadora]

The sad thing is that some people will probably think fountain pens are awful because they dont know any better and ink it with this dry monstrosity. ☹ They should be ashamed to sell this at the price they do.

[lapis]

Somebody at MB may be allergic to red but the one responsible for their production has to be addicted to red. Over the years, red has been their basic LE color. A lot of the previous reds were truly great, all-time winners, so why not now whip out a watered-down bucket of ink that nobody wants? MB's high prices don't seem to matter any more here.

[encremental]

Goodness, I thought Elixir Parfumeur Vetiver Green had to be the worst in a while and now this comes along ...

 

It reminds me of horrid old MB ruby from the 80s, the sort of Lamy / Pelikan not-really-red that is only beautiful as it circles a draining plughole. And yes, it is dispiriting how much the snowflake warps judgement.

 

Thank you for reviewing it though.

 

John

Edited July 6, 2019 by encremental

[DrDebG]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for this review! I was considering buying a bottle of this. Not now! It sounds terrible. I will not waste my money.

[praxim]

Now we wait for the first brave soul to say, "Well, actually...", and courage to them. Tastes are not universal, even though I know mine on this one.

[Beechwood]

Oh Dear. I was hoping for a Ferrari Red by the title, not to be.

 

Also a Cornpoppy Red fan this is a poor replacement.

[lgsoltek]

Now we wait for the first brave soul to say, "Well, actually...", and courage to them. Tastes are not universal, even though I know mine on this one.

 

That’s true. Actually these “fresh” “transparent” are very well received in the East Asian market (not for me though). But the performance of this ink, that dryness that scratchiness, it’s just horrible.

[Amit.]

Thanks for the review. Corn poppy red is a favorite of mine too. Need to stock up now.

[almoore]

I'm convinced.

 

Having some Corn Poppy and Shakespeare Velvet Red, I too find this a pretty disappointing shift.

+1

 

Corn Poppy Red was my baseline for reds, I might go over to MB and see if they have a bottle of two left.

 

Al

[mauckcg]

Glad i grabbed another bottle of Corn Poppy Red.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Wow. That IS one weak color. But I really really love your comparison swabs. Thanks.

[Charles Rice]

Yup, the new "red" sucks. Mr. Pink does not like weak colors. My bottle of Corn Poppy is all the more cherished.

[scratchofapen]

Yepp, the first thing i thought thats no red, that is pink washed out chalk...one of the few inks completely went down the sink, as the impression did not change in even the wettest pen. Luckily i could stock Corn Poppy Red up when i saw that.

Edited September 27, 2019 by scratchofapen

[Tom Kellie]

~ Montblanc Modena Red is the one recent Montblanc ink which has eluded me.

While a Montblanc boutique in my area had all other color in tock, Modena Red was unavailable.

In October I'll revisit in hopes of finding a bottle.

All of the comments posted in this thread were helpful.

Tom K.

[truthpil]

Thanks for the heads up that Corn Poppy has been discontinued! I must grab a bottle before it is replaced by this totally unsatisfying shade.

[amberleadavis]

I am so glad you saved me.

[dcaesq]

Today is August 22, 2020, and I've just found out that Corn Poppy Red is no more. (It's been a rough few months.) How could Montblanc kill this most awesome ink off? Am debating whether to drop $60 for a bottle on ebay.