Question for Mont Blanc 149 owners ??

[TswaneNguni]

I have a 149 with broad nib.Have only used MB black ink ......Question:

Which other black inks can I try ?? Something with slightly more flow/"wet feel" ?? Thanks !!

[daveathall]

I use Noodlers Blue/Black, seems to give a good flow, perhaps you could have your nib adjusted to give a more juicy flow.

[Lion]

I guess I'm confused and need to be educated as well, don't all inks flow the same but it's the difference in the nibs???

[2careless]

MB has released new inks to replace all the existing 50ml bottles with a 60ml one.
Also, they have revamped all their colour combinations and one of the new "black" inks is called "Oyster Grey". It's not exactly black but with a lot of shading greys. Really look forward to it but my usual channels have yet to get stock.

As for other brands' black, I have used Visconti black and it's also not absolutely black but ranging from light grey to very dark grey. The flow is quite wet on my 149 but it can feather a bit on lesser paper.

To Leo's question about ink flows - different inks have different viscosity (i.e. stickiness) and this affects ink flow. For more information about ink reviews, FPN has a whole subforum on them - great fountains of knowledge there.

BTW Chris, have you done the brown paper bag trick? Get those brown paper bags you get from supermarkets when you buy mushrooms etc, with your new pen, draw a lot of 8 on them - like 2-3 pages worth. The idea is to write on rougher paper (NOT SAND PAPER!) to "open"/smooth the nib of a new pen. Sometimes flow problems can be attributed to uneveniness on the surface of the nib touching the paper.

[Lol-x]

There is lots of knowledgeable people here too.......

I would recommend Mont Blanc Violet. It's a really nice flowing and great colour.

I also agree the Noodlers Blue/Black is a great flowing and looking ink to write with

[Lion]

Kai, Thanx for the information on ink viscosity(I didn't know) and I know the MontBlanc store where I have done business has the newer Oyster gray in stock!!!

[TswaneNguni]

From what I have read,the following may give a wetter/smoother feel :

Aurora Black
Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black
Sailor Black

I think the nib is "settling" feels smoother already !! Lovely writing instrument.

I am going to to the brown bag trick.Thanks !!

[sunburst]

Lots of great ink info (incl. summary view of ink from each mfr.) at

http://www.pendemonium.com/ink_facts.htm

[2careless]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

From what I have read,the following may give a wetter/smoother feel :

Aurora Black
Pelikan 4001 Brilliant Black
Sailor Black

May I also suggest Noodler's Bulletproof black.
A sample of Visconti black and Noodler's Bulletproof black.


Visconti black is a bit drier than the Noodler's. I had to redo some of the vertical strokes. However, it's also a much faster drier. 10s compared to the like 2 minutes for the Noodler. You can also see the paper getting curled up. that's how wet it is with the BB nib. (paper is Clairefontaine - no bleed through on the other side of the page! )

[rfknauss]

Originally Posted by Lion

I guess I'm confused and need to be educated as well, don't all inks flow the same but it's the difference in the nibs???

Leo, generally speaking a nib on a fountain pen is equal to one step less than a ballpoint pen. So, a fine nib on a fountain pen is equal to a medium point on a ballpoint pen. The broader the nib, the more easily fountain pen ink will flow. So let's say you like to write with a "flair pen". Then you would want to get a medium or a broad nib on a fountain pen. Just my opinion ..... hope this answers your question about fountain pen nibs.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by rfknauss

Leo, generally speaking a nib on a fountain pen is equal to one step less than a ballpoint pen. So, a fine nib on a fountain pen is equal to a medium point on a ballpoint pen. The broader the nib, the more easily fountain pen ink will flow. So let's say you like to write with a "flair pen". Then you would want to get a medium or a broad nib on a fountain pen. Just my opinion ..... hope this answers your question about fountain pen nibs.

Richard, Thanx for your information and assistance!!!

[shandy]

I think all the good folks here have said all I could add and then some!

I would recommend Waterman ink if you want to get more flow going, it also is a great ink to clean the feed out with and I know my local pen store use it to help flush out pens with flow problems!

I am getting some black ink from a friend who is visiting Italy next week. I will report back with how black it is!
Off topic! I love your forum name, how would one pronounce it Chris?

[JimC]

I agree with Ian, the Waterman inks flow well and dry nicely on the paper. The black, florida blue, and red are great performers, but offer very little (to, no) water resistance in my experience.

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by shandy

I think all the good folks here have said all I could add and then some!

I would recommend Waterman ink if you want to get more flow going, it also is a great ink to clean the feed out with and I know my local pen store use it to help flush out pens with flow problems!

I am getting some black ink from a friend who is visiting Italy next week. I will report back with how black it is!
Off topic! I love your forum name, how would one pronounce it Chris?

TswaneNguni ....Tswaa-ne -N-goo-nee

There is a lot of history to my name.

[shandy]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

TswaneNguni ....Tswaa-ne -N-goo-nee

There is a lot of history to my name.

Thank you so much for that. I like to respect names so and pronouncing them correctly is really important to me, Your name has great energy if that makes sense!

[shandy]

Originally Posted by JimC

I agree with Ian, the Waterman inks flow well and dry nicely on the paper. The black, florida blue, and red are great performers, but offer very little (to, no) water resistance in my experience.

That is the one downside to watermans Jim!

[JimC]

Originally Posted by shandy

That is the one downside to watermans Jim!

They are such nice inks, and perform well. Alas, I don't live in a desert, nor am I perfect and don't spill my water, or other beverage...

[Andad]

Hi Neef,

Your MB with the broad nib would lay down a lot of ink. This is a problem for many ink/paper combinations as the end resuly is a lot of 'feather'.
I am using Noodlers Black 'x- feather' ink and this gives me much crisper lines.

http://noodlersink.com/xFeather.html