Permanent Black Vs Mystery Black

[Solitaire146]

Based on reviews I have seen I am leaning toward using MB Permanent Black in my brand new 146 and in one of my solitaires. Is this a dumb idea or can MB permanent black be used in nice pens with little risk of long term damage?

[Jerome Tarshis]

I believe you can use any Montblanc ink in nice or not-nice pens with little risk of long-term damage. Also quite a few other inks. You have not really entered terribly dangerous waters here.

[Tasmith]

To be safe, just flush between refills and you should be fine.

[Joane]

From my own usage, I found the Permanent Black to be darker and more viscous than Mystery Black, and it did not dry completely and smeared somewhat. Mystery Black is lighter in tone and was more "flowy" in my pens (146 and Duofold) and did dry well. While I prefer the darker black colour, I did not feel the texture agreed with my pens as well as that of Mystery Black. But in general, I tend to prefer more watery inks for my pens and will choose texture over colour if there is a discrepancy in performance. I know there are a lot of fans of Permanent Black; maybe they will have had a different experience.

[carlos.q]

To be safe, just flush between refills and you should be fine.

+1

The ink tends to leave a residue that will eventually darken the pen's ink windows. Thus the strict flushing ritual is necessary.

Edited June 25, 2020 by carlos.q

[TSherbs]

+1

The ink tends to leave a residue that will eventually darken the pen's ink windows. Thus the strict flushing ritual is necessary.

I have come to really dislike that residue in permanent blacks, so I only put permanent blacks in cheap pens that are easy to take apart and clean. That residue always collects between the nib and feed and gunks things up over time. IME.

[meiers]

I am a big fan of both inks. Neither of them has given me trouble.

[Tom Kellie]

I am a big fan of both inks. Neither of them has given me trouble.

 

~ meiers:

 

Likewise.

Whether in rather fine nibs or in nibs of broader width, both inks write very well.

The same is true of Montblanc Elixir Calligraphy Black.

Tom K.

[fpupulin]

When writing on low quality paper, like that of a Moleskine ruled (which I like nonetheless), I prefer using the Permanent Black because it has almost no see through, even when flexing the nib and releasing wetter strokes. How much I like it, I can not use the Mistery Black the same way.

 

You may see a comparison of the behavior of both inks; in the first two shots writings are made with Permanent Black, in the third with Mystery Black, on the same paper.

 

 

 

[TSherbs]

Interesting! ^^^

[dennis_f]

When writing on low quality paper, like that of a Moleskine ruled (which I like nonetheless), I prefer using the Permanent Black because it has almost no see through, even when flexing the nib and releasing wetter strokes. How much I like it, I can not use the Mistery Black the same way.

 

You may see a comparison of the behavior of both inks; in the first two shots writings are made with Permanent Black, in the third with Mystery Black, on the same paper.

 

I've had this very experience with Mystery Black. I had no idea Permanent Black behaved differently. Thanks for letting us know.

[fc2462]

From my own usage, I found the Permanent Black to be darker and more viscous than Mystery Black, and it did not dry completely and smeared somewhat. Mystery Black is lighter in tone and was more "flowy" in my pens (146 and Duofold) and did dry well. While I prefer the darker black colour, I did not feel the texture agreed with my pens as well as that of Mystery Black. But in general, I tend to prefer more watery inks for my pens and will choose texture over colour if there is a discrepancy in performance. I know there are a lot of fans of Permanent Black; maybe they will have had a different experience.

 

 

In my experience, the Mystery Black is a very well behaved standard fountain pen ink which performs beautifully in all of my pens. However, the permanent black seems like it never dries especially on non-absorbent papers such as Tomoe River. In my notebooks, a blotter paper is required otherwise, I can come back days later and still smear it.

 

Permanent black does seem to leave an indelible mark though. Oddly enough, the permanent blue is like an altogether different ink and does not have this wet for days problem like the black does and it has become one of my favorite go-to inks.

[fpupulin]

 

In my experience, the Mystery Black is a very well behaved standard fountain pen ink which performs beautifully in all of my pens. However, the permanent black seems like it never dries especially on non-absorbent papers such as Tomoe River. In my notebooks, a blotter paper is required otherwise, I can come back days later and still smear it.

 

[...]

 

 

You are absolutely right. The Permanent Black can smear even after several days, and I also frequently use a blotter with this ink.

 

On the good side, it is a truly permanent ink. I use it to write the small labels for the flasks and vials where I pickle flowers for the herbarium, which contain a mixture of alcohol, water, and glycerine, and the ink does not fade at all.

 

Edited June 26, 2020 by fpupulin

[omarcenaro]

Permanent Black or Blue are fantastic inks. I’ve never had an issue them in any of my pens. The inks do not bleed through cheap paper.

Bleed through test

Waterproof test

After paper dried, still no bleed and did not feather. Wish I had found this ink first.

 

 

[Solitaire146]

 

~ meiers:

 

Likewise.

Whether in rather fine nibs or in nibs of broader width, both inks write very well.

The same is true of Montblanc Elixir Calligraphy Black.

Tom K.

So I've had Montblanc Permanent Black in my 146 Solitaire Stainless Steel II (Medium nib) for the past 2 days and as of now it is my new favorite ink. It is on the drier side, but I am enjoying the "true" black color and consistent flow. It's a bit too soon to evaluate any long term impacts the ink may have on the pen but I'm less concerned about those. I'm considering using this ink in my 149 as well. All in all a nice ink, appears well suited for many purposes, especially professional or workplace scenarios.

Edited July 8, 2020 by Solitaire100

[Tom Kellie]

So I've had Montblanc Permanent Black in my 146 Solitaire Stainless Steel II (Medium nib) for the past 2 days and as of now it is my new favorite ink. It is on the drier side, but I am enjoying the "true" black color and consistent flow. It's a bit too soon to evaluate any long term impacts the ink may have on the pen but I'm less concerned about those. I'm considering using this ink in my 149 as well. All in all a nice ink, appears well suited for many purposes, especially professional or workplace scenarios.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/349730-montblanc-black-ink-trio/

[FredRydr]

When writing on low quality paper, like that of a Moleskine ruled (which I like nonetheless), I prefer using the Permanent Black because it has almost no see through, even when flexing the nib and releasing wetter strokes. How much I like it, I can not use the Mistery Black the same way.

 

You may see a comparison of the behavior of both inks; in the first two shots writings are made with Permanent Black, in the third with Mystery Black, on the same paper.

 

Have you been able to make a comparison with the German-made Montblanc Black in 50ml bottles? There are still plenty of unopened bottles available at prices that correspond to the current Montblanc black inks.

[fpupulin]

 

Have you been able to make a comparison with the German-made Montblanc Black in 50ml bottles? There are still plenty of unopened bottles available at prices that correspond to the current Montblanc black inks.

 

 

Dear FredRydr, I do not know of which bottles are you speaking about. As I am living in Costa Rica, my access to MB inks is limited to what the only MB authorized dealer, which I visit a two-three times a year, has to offer. There is not so much variety...

 

In can neither import ink, as Costa Rican customs consider inks as "chemical" substances, so they are subject to very specific, professional import permits.

 

Now, for example, I can not buy another bottle of Permanent Black because it is out of stock at the shop, and by reason of the Covid nobody knows when another shipment from the Panamanian MB boutique would be received.

 

Living in the tropics has its own limitations...

 

Anyway, I am curious to know about these German-made Montblanc Black 50ml bottles, if this would not be a trouble for you.

Edited July 8, 2020 by fpupulin

[FredRydr]

...I am curious to know about these German-made Montblanc Black 50ml bottles, if this would not be a trouble for you.

 

I tried to upload a 233KB photo of an example, but FPN blocks the effort because of a 100MB maximum file size. I don't understand.

 

Instead, search in eBay "Montblanc ink 50ml" and you will see the German ink that was sold by Montblanc until it switched to an Austrian company for the current range of ink sold in the rectangular 60ml and 30ml bottles. I cannot recall when the change was made; 10-15 years ago?

 

I am familiar with San Jose and Costa Rica, having been there three times, and I have friends in Ojochal who ask me to bring motorcycle parts and other items on my next visit. I remember buying a pair of Montblanc Mozart fountain pens for my first trip when I was staying at Manuel Antonio for a week, where I was writing a great deal of correspondence and wanted something compact. The Mozarts were not a good choice. :-)

Edited July 8, 2020 by FredRydr

[carlos.q]

 

I tried to upload a 233KB photo of an example, but FPN blocks the effort because of a 100MB maximum file size. I don't understand.

 

 

 

It seems you are using the "Attach This File" button that has a maximum 100MB. Try using the "Upload" button at the top of the page. The instructions are here:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/blog/2/entry-22-the-images-upload-tab-what-is-it-how-to-use-it/

 

Even though the instructions mention a 1MB limit per picture, it is really 2MB. You can upload as many pictures as you want.

Edited July 8, 2020 by carlos.q