Montblanc Blue-Black Water Resistance Test

[QM2]

http://queenmargot.com/mb_bbirongall1.jpg

 

I finally bought the bottled version of Montblanc Blue Black, and tested it for water resistance. My main concern was whether

the ink runs when water is poured on it, and whether it is sufficiently reliable for notes and for addressing envelopes. Above

is a sample of the ink on Rhodia white 5x5 gridded paper in an italic nib, with no exposure to water.

 

The sample below (same pen and paper) shows what happens when water is poured on the ink after less than 5 minutes

drying time. Water was poured down the middle with an eyedropper, eventually blotted, and then scanned while still wet.

You can see the difference between the areas impacted by water and the areas that remained dry. There is not a great deal

of change as a result of the water drip.

 

http://queenmargot.com/mb_bbirongall2.jpg

 

 

The final image below is of the initial sample, after it had been allowed to dry for 15 minutes, then taken to the sink and

held under a running faucet for over a minute. Following this, the sample was microwaved and scanned:

 

http://queenmargot.com/mb_bbirongall3.jpg

 

 

As you can see, Montblanc (bottled) Blue-Black* remains fully legible and retains 75-80% of its colour after the

faucet + microwave ordeal. Note that the blue component is what seems to be washing away, while the black-gray

component remains stable. I feel comfortable using this ink to write notes and address envelopes.

 

--

*Please note that:

1. Only the bottled and not the cartridge version of MB Blue-Black features these water-resistant properties

2. The water-resistance of this ink is due to the presence of iron gall, which can be harmful to pens that have steel nibs or internal

metal components. Please read up on the warnings associated with this ink before using it.

 

 

 

Edited February 3, 2009 by QM2

[Blade Runner]

Terrific! Thanks for the test. Do you like the color?

 

Best,

Jeen

 

 

[QM2]

I like the colour, but I don't love it. Based on the samples I've seen, I was hoping the ink would have more of an antique grayish look to it. In reality, it is heavier on the royal blue component than I would have liked.

 

 

[Peter from Sherwood Park]

I do like the colour -- I will have to think if I have a pen that I would be willing to risk with this ink.

[QM2]

I do like the colour -- I will have to think if I have a pen that I would be willing to risk with this ink.

 

It should be okay in any pen with a gold nib, as long as you don't let the ink dry out inside the pen.

They use a very low level of iron gall, not like a true vintage iron gall ink.

 

 

[archie001]

A nice test QM2, thanks!

I have been using this ink ever being my favorite ink and I don't have any issue with it.

I also have tested this ink at home and I was very satisfied with the result...at least for my purpose.

[lovemy51]

what a pretty ink and handwriting!! thanx QM2!!

[HDoug]

Your handwriting deserves a less smeary ink! (Nice color, though)

 

Doug

[QM2]

Thanks for the comments about my handwriting. I must confess that I owe it largely to my investment in italic nibs. Everyone needs a good cursive italic writer!

 

The MB Blue-Black is actually not that smeary, unless you pour water over it.

 

But the fact that part of the ink runs, makes it not what I was looking for. I do not need for the ink to be permanent or forge-proof by means of a component being left behind. What I need is for it not to run when droplets of water, rain, coffee, or other liquid, fall on it. None of the Noodler's bulletproof/eternal inks fit this criterion, and neither does MB Blue-black. I wonder whether the Japanese carbon-based inks are any better.

 

Meanwhile, I will continue to address my envelops with a calligraphic Sharpie despite owning dozens of beautiful fountain pens : (

[Goodwhiskers]

I do not need for the ink to be permanent or forge-proof by means of a component being left behind. What I need is for it not to run when droplets of water, rain, coffee, or other liquid, fall on it. None of the Noodler's bulletproof/eternal inks fit this criterion, and neither does MB Blue-black. I wonder whether the Japanese carbon-based inks are any better.

"Good enough for addressing envelopes" is still not good enough, huh?

 

For the Japanese carbon inks, you've probably seen the tests of Sailor Kiwaguro (very slight running in a soak) and Platinum Carbon (no running, but more pen maintenance required than with Sailor's).

 

One blue ink that does not run under plain water or beverages is Pilot/Namiki Blue. I don't know if it's dark enough for the color part of your preference, but otherwise it should pass your test.

 

Pilot/Namiki Blue-Black lets the black component run slightly in a long soak, but the blue stays. Pilot/Namiki Black runs a tiny bit more.

[QM2]

I do not need for the ink to be permanent or forge-proof by means of a component being left behind. What I need is for it not to run when droplets of water, rain, coffee, or other liquid, fall on it. None of the Noodler's bulletproof/eternal inks fit this criterion, and neither does MB Blue-black. I wonder whether the Japanese carbon-based inks are any better.

"Good enough for addressing envelopes" is still not good enough, huh?

 

Well, here is why: I write a lot of important stuff by hand. So picture pages in a notebook filled with dense handwriting. If water should spill over the page and the ink runs, the whole thing is an illegible mess. It therefore does me no good, that should the paper be entirely submerged under water, a waterproof component will remain. I can't even go and soak that page in water (to remove all the ink that already ran and leave only the waterproof component), because it is attached to the notebook...

 

For the Japanese carbon inks, you've probably seen the tests of Sailor Kiwaguro (very slight running in a soak) and Platinum Carbon (no running, but more pen maintenance required than with Sailor's).

 

One blue ink that does not run under plain water or beverages is Pilot/Namiki Blue. I don't know if it's dark enough for the color part of your preference, but otherwise it should pass your test.

 

Thank you, I need to try these. This is probably an old and tired question, but where are the Japanese carbon inks available?

 

 

[JakobS]

In my water tests with Diamine Registrar's ink there appears to be no loss of ink when ran under the facet, I mean none, it sticks to the paper better than anything I have seen, no smearing, the blue component doesn't even seem to be removed, it a tenacious ink. It also appears grey black over a short period of time, the indigo color is only seen initially in laying of the ink to the paper, and then turns to a blue grey, grey, then a black grey. I will be reviewing this in a few weeks,. I am still holding out to see how it behaves in a Lamy Safari, so far no problems in 2 1/2 weeks with the Chromium plated nib!!

[QM2]

In my water tests with Diamine Registrar's ink there appears to be no loss of ink when ran under the facet, I mean none, it sticks to the paper better than anything I have seen, no smearing, the blue component doesn't even seem to be removed, it a tenacious ink. It also appears grey black over a short period of time, the indigo color is only seen initially in laying of the ink to the paper, and then turns to a blue grey, grey, then a black grey. I will be reviewing this in a few weeks,. I am still holding out to see how it behaves in a Lamy Safari, so far no problems in 2 1/2 weeks with the Chromium plated nib!!

 

Excellent, excellent! I must get this ink. Please update re your Safari should the nib gradually begin to perish.

[wallylynn]

Well, here is why: I write a lot of important stuff by hand. So picture pages in a notebook filled with dense handwriting. If water should spill over the page and the ink runs, the whole thing is an illegible mess. It therefore does me no good, that should the paper be entirely submerged under water, a waterproof component will remain. I can't even go and soak that page in water (to remove all the ink that already ran and leave only the waterproof component), because it is attached to the notebook...

 

Thank you, I need to try these. This is probably an old and tired question, but where are the Japanese carbon inks available?

 

I've not had any problem with Noodler's Heart of Darkness. My tests on copy paper and post-it notes showed no runs. Blotting was fine. Wiping caused some smears, but also paper damage. I can offer you a sample if you've not tried it yet, but someone'll need to teach me how to get it to you.

[saintsimon]

.... This is probably an old and tired question, but where are the Japanese carbon inks available?

 

If you happen to be in Europe, the usual suspects (missing-pen.de and thewritingdesk.co.uk) carry Sailor Kiwaguro black.

Edited May 14, 2009 by saintsimon

[Grigio]

But the fact that part of the ink runs, makes it not what I was looking for. I do not need for the ink to be permanent or forge-proof by means of a component being left behind. What I need is for it not to run when droplets of water, rain, coffee, or other liquid, fall on it. None of the Noodler's bulletproof/eternal inks fit this criterion,

 

 

Are you sure?

Did you try all of them?

I know that near bulletproof inks will have components that smear, but 'bulletproof' inks should not.

I have Lexington gray and find that it is completely resistant to running, smearing, and smudging.

From what I can tell there are no water soluble components whatsoever present when dry.

 

[ksskss]

Sailor Kiwaguro stays quite clean after soaking, without a 'halo' component - just crisp ink where you wrote it. I keep it loaded in my Platinum UEF nib pen and never have clogging issues, using it for detailed annotations and dense outlines with a high level of detailed small text. It's one of my favorite inks and should meet your requirements moreso than MB blueblack.

 

---

Ken

Edited May 26, 2009 by ksskss

[QM2]

.... This is probably an old and tired question, but where are the Japanese carbon inks available?

 

If you happen to be in Europe, the usual suspects (missing-pen.de and thewritingdesk.co.uk) carry Sailor Kiwaguro black.

I am in Austria, but none of the local shops carry these inks. But good idea: as long as I am here, I can order from missing-pen.de and have it in a couple of days.

[QM2]

But the fact that part of the ink runs, makes it not what I was looking for. I do not need for the ink to be permanent or forge-proof by means of a component being left behind. What I need is for it not to run when droplets of water, rain, coffee, or other liquid, fall on it. None of the Noodler's bulletproof/eternal inks fit this criterion,

 

 

Are you sure?

Did you try all of them?

I know that near bulletproof inks will have components that smear, but 'bulletproof' inks should not.

I have Lexington gray and find that it is completely resistant to running, smearing, and smudging.

From what I can tell there are no water soluble components whatsoever present when dry.

Quite sure, including Legal Lapis and Lexington Gray. Don't know what to say, except that perhaps it is the paper I am using or the humidity or what have you...

[Lloyd]

I think the issue you're having with Noodlers, QM, is that you are laying down too much ink. These Noodlers inks need to bond with the cellulose at the paper's surface. If too much ink lays on top of the line, it can't reach the paper to create the bond. It is this excess ink that runs/smears. If you use a drier pen, you will see just as much remain after rinsing but less will run.