The Pen is Mightier Than...

[graphei]

Anyone else here live for a great pen? What other brands do you guys like? Fountain, ballpoint, or rollerball? Cartridge or old-fashioned ink pot? Nib size and slant?

I've got a small collection going so far, ranging from a Cross, to Acme limited editions of the Simpsons (the "Homer Lichtenstein" and the "Homerain"), to 3 Montblanc's (ballpoint and fountain Meisterstuck, and a Starwalker fountain- but I might sell/trade the Starwalker).

For the all important paper- nothing beats a Moleskine or Cranes.

[Dennard]

I received a Parker ballpoint as a high school graduation gift and later bought a Waterman rollerball. I enjoy both of them but the ballpoint is my favorite.

[Suzuki]

Pelikan 800 FP - the best FP I've used.

[Roman414]

My daily user is a Pelikan M200. Light as a feather, you can write all day with it without fatigue. As collectible treasures, I love the old Sheaffer snorkels. Esterbrook made some very pretty and quite useable pens, too, and they are very inexpensive for a vintage pen.

[Bluestaco]

I have a Waterman Laureat, a Nimiki retractable fountain pen, and a Rotring fountain pen. I also have a couple of old ones I haven't tried to identify. I enjoy all of them. I have a few old dip pens, too, but I never think to use them.

[homebrewer]

I've always wanted a Montblanc after the first time I used one, although I can't afford one at the moment. Maybe when I get my doctorate someone will buy me one as a gift.

Personally, I've always loved the style, feel, and appearance of fountain pens. Unfortunately as a left hander, they just don't work for me... the ink is always smudged my the side of my hand as I write. I've tried all the inks available, I even tried to learn how to write backwards from right to left. Obviously, neither of those options worked out to well.....

[farace]

I usually have a '70s Pelikan 120 or an early '60s Parker 51 in my pocket, but today was my grandfather's maroon Sheaffer Snorkel Statesman. Sometimes a '40s Sheaffer Crest vac-fill. Fountain pens seem to multiply here, though . . .

[PetersCreek]

I have a thing for multipens. I Just retired my Rotring Quattro in favor of the Cross Tech3, my favorite to date.

[Isaias]

I love the looks of Picasso pens. I also have hero, pelicans and Lamy, with Lamy being my favorite brand. I have tried Montblanc and Parker but it is so easy for a $15 Haolilai to outperform them that I do not care for them anymore. They even look better :bored: heck the cheap disposable pilot FPs outperform them. I have been wanting to try Waterman, but since I am forced to use crappy paper at work and school, I stopped spending a lot of money on pens. One day I will start collecting them again. I also love the like the looks of cross pens, but IMO they are a bit overpriced and the stiles I have tried are rather uncomfortable and I tiring.

[TimmyBoston]

Pelikan M200

[mhdagley]

The ones I made. :lol:

[AsciiSimon]

Lamy 2000 fountain pen (introduced in 1966!). Nice and understated. Oh, and I do have a Moleskine notebook too of course.

I am on my third 2000. First one I lost one drunken night (in a taxi probably) years ago. The second one broke. Something in the ink filler mechanism. Since they supposedly have a lifetime warranty I figured I would test that out.

I contacted the place I bought it from (who no longer had a store but sell online) and they said sure, bring it in. They said they'd send it to the local distributor here in New Zealand. Apparently they were stumped so they sent it back to Lamy in Germany. They promptly sent me a new one! I think all up it cost me $5 for postage (locally) somewhere along the line.

Great pen, great service. I use it every day and it's always in my pocket.

Simon

[SilkySmooth]

Pelikan M1000 Medium Nib (my expensive elegant writer). Lamy Safari (one I could use everyday for any purpose). Fisher AG7 Spacepen (everyday ballpoint used at work).


==Tom

[Finnigan]

I have a very good Parker 51 that is a family heirloom that I decided to squirel away rather than risk damaging or loosing it. I was using a Remington as a daily user, then picked up a couple of Pilot Varsity's through Work. Just this past weekend I picked up a real beater of a Wearever that is a cosmetic mess, but it works well and has an extra fine tip which bleeds less than the others I have. I also picked up an old dip pen I'm playing with.

[rodd]

I swear by the Pilot G2, but mhdagley is going to make me a nice pen that uses G2 ink. :biggrin:

[Finnigan]

For regular old work pens I REALLY like the Pilot P-700. SUPER smooth liquid ink pen. The P-500 is a bit scratchy, but the P-700 is a pleasure.

[behrendprof]

My current daily writer is a Pelikan M200 (which I heard about here). Love it, though the fine nib seems to write a bit broader than I really want. Also use a Waterman Phileas and Expert II for grading papers. Also have a Parker Sonnet, though I don't really know why.

I have had my eye on an M400 but am not sure about what makes it worth more than twice the price of an M200. Is it the material of the pen itself? Or canny marketing?

[Austin]

I have 5 Montblancs, 2 Waterman, 2 Pelikan, 2 Lamy, 3 Kaweco and several Chinese pens. Some of these are fountain pens, roller balls and ballpoints.

[rodd]

and I apologize but every time I read the title for this thread I think of celebrity jeopardy. Suck it Trabek

[graphei]

I do enjoy a good pilot pen. In fact, my favorite is is BeGreen Hi-Tecpoint in 0.5mm for taking notes and such. But for when I'm writing, it's gotta be a fountain pen. Saves your hands a lot of grief as well. I used to have callouses on my fingers from pressing hard, but since I've made the switch to fountains, they've gone away.

Now that I've thought about it, I am going to trade/sell my Starwalker. I just don't write with it as much as the Meisterstuck.

[Red Oktober]

My go-to fountain pen is a Waterman, with a matching mechanical pencil.

Green ink.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a27/ROktober/7twins.jpg


http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a27/ROktober/Photo63hellobb.jpg

Ignore the stuff in the background, I can't stand it either.

[Ltltony]

and I apologize but every time I read the title for this thread I think of celebrity jeopardy. Suck it Trabek

+1

Come on man, will it really mighty my ......

[peak_oil]

I have one my old lady picked up for me at the local farmer's market. It's a birch eye wood pen turned by hand that uses Parker refills. The wood is white and purple and it twists open.

[ravkesef]

Anyone else here live for a great pen? What other brands do you guys like? Fountain, ballpoint, or rollerball? Cartridge or old-fashioned ink pot? Nib size and slant?

I've got a small collection going so far, ranging from a Cross, to Acme limited editions of the Simpsons (the "Homer Lichtenstein" and the "Homerain"), to 3 Montblanc's (ballpoint and fountain Meisterstuck, and a Starwalker fountain- but I might sell/trade the Starwalker).

For the all important paper- nothing beats a Moleskine or Cranes.

I'll start with the paper: there are many things that beat Moleskine, because it isn't what it used to be. Current Moleskine paper will feather FP ink, bleed through to the other side. While I use Moleskine notebooks, they work best with a ballpoint pen or a Pilot G-2.
Cranes: excellent. Truly excellent.
My favorite for journaling: Clairefontaine. Unbeatable.
Wonderful notebook pads: Rhodia or Alvin. These will handle FP ink of any brand without a trace of feathering or bleed.
Also great: Exacompta, although it's variable, depending upon which notebook you get.
Here's a hint: Fahrney's sells paper, notebooks, etc., and they will not carry any paper that won't work with a fountain pen, so you're safe with anything you buy there.
Earlier this week SWMBO bought me a journal at the Dartmouth Bookstore. It's made by Graphic Image of Melville, NY, has a beautiful leather cover, and some very fine, gilt-edge heavy stock acid free paper. Haven't tried it out yet, but it gives every appearance of taking FP ink very well. It claims to be able to last for several hundred years without deteriorating.

As to my pen collection:
Pelikan M600.
Montblanc Meisterstueck
Sheaffer legacy, palladium cut
Waterman Opera
Cross Century II
Cross Century
Pilot Preppy (several of them. At the price can't pass them up, and they work great.)
Pelikan Level V--one of the best pens ever made, truly smooth writing.
Sheaffer Desk pen--had it since 1974. totally broken in and the closest to perfection I've ever seen in a pen.
True Writer Metalist. Lots of fun for a steel nib.
Lamy Safari, 3 in various colors
Lamy Joy Italic
Waterman Phileas
Rotring 600, 1 black, 1 silver
Rotring Core--a really fun pen.
Namiki Vanishing Point. Now there's an attention getter!

Inks:
Noodlers - (these inks are referred to as "bulletproof." This means that they will not break down no matter what. Soaking, bleach, acid, you name it. The stuff bonds chemically with cellulose, so once it hits the paper, that's it. That also means that if you get it on a cotton shirt, that's another instant, permanent bond. However, if you need something that's of archival quality, this one will do the job.)
legal lapis
eternal brown
some kind of blue that's really nice
Year of the pig (highlighting yellow)
Salmon (highlighting pink)
Eire (highlighting green)

Pelikan (same as Cross.)
Blue
Brown
Aurora
Blue --the smoothest ink I've ever used. They make only 2 colors, blue and black, but they have the greatest lubricity of any FP ink on the market.
Fahrney's
DC Supershow Blue. A very nice shade of blue, with excellent flow properties.
Probably a few I've omitted at this point in time, but the above gives you an idea.
Now--why write with a Fountain Pen? AFter all, if you want to get words down on paper, a pencil will do the trick. If you want permanence, a bic ballpoint works great. If you want to write quickly, a computer does a fine job.
A fountain pen, however, is a touch of class, something that has its own personality. And remember--you never let anyone use your fountain pen. Not even to write a single sentence, a word or a letter.

[boingk]

I particularly liked my Rotring mechanical pencils from highschool, where I took Tech Drawing and Engineering at various stages. Also, a Scheaffer Finepoint fountain pen seemed to work quite well for me, although I have recently seem disposable fountain pens that work wonders and have taken quite a liking to them.

In general however, my stock writers/drawers are standard black bics, as well as the good old-fashioned yellow pencil with eraser on top. They get me through most literary tasks demanded of my right hand.

Cheers - boingk

[Shane27]

Pelikan M200, Noodler's Old Manhattan Ink :)

[graphei]

I used to have a humble bookmark list of things that i wanted to purchase. Now, thanks to all of you lovely ladies and gentlemen here, my bookmark collection has grown x6.

SCAD, RAD, now P&PAD... what is a girl to do? :biggrin: I keep telling myself that these hobbies are cheaper than others. To bad I can't think of any others that are any more :lol:

I also have a weak spot for antiquarian books. I'm going to Germany next week. I might have to freeze my credit cards in blocks of ice to keep me from spending every last penny on books and shipping. :w00t:

[Red Oktober]

A fountain pen, however, is a touch of class, something that has its own personality. And remember--you never let anyone use your fountain pen. Not even to write a single sentence, a word or a letter.

Unless, of course, you're offering it to them to sign their name to close a deal. That's perfectly OK in my book. ;)

[AsciiSimon]

Unless, of course, you're offering it to them to sign their name to close a deal. That's perfectly OK in my book. ;)
I find these days that presented with a fountain pen most people can't figure out how to write with it anyway!

Simon

[graphei]

I had tried a cheap, fountain pen ages ago (when I was about 15) and hated the way it felt- like nails on a chalkboard.

Got up the muster to try a fountain pen this February while I was in Montblanc picking up ink for my ballpoint and fell in love. I write with it all the time. Can't wait to add other brands to my collection.

[Moose]

I usually carry a Lamy Safari with Noodler's bulletproof black ink. My collection also includes:

Waterman Phileas-2 or 3
Pelikan Futurs
Rotring Core FPs
Parker 51
Esterbrooks

Anybody want to trade a Rotring 600 FP for a Gillette gold Toggle? :w00t:

[Austin]

I usually carry a Lamy Safari with Noodler's bulletproof black ink. My collection also includes:

Waterman Phileas-2 or 3
Pelikan Futurs
Rotring Core FPs
Parker 51
Esterbrooks

Anybody want to trade a Rotring 600 FP for a Gillette gold Toggle? :w00t:

How about a Schick Injector?

[sympleko]

I've always wanted a Montblanc after the first time I used one, although I can't afford one at the moment. Maybe when I get my doctorate someone will buy me one as a gift.


:biggrin: I got a Cross pen when I got my doctorate, but the Montblanc didn't arrive until I was a best man.



Personally, I've always loved the style, feel, and appearance of fountain pens. Unfortunately as a left hander, they just don't work for me... the ink is always smudged my the side of my hand as I write. I've tried all the inks available, I even tried to learn how to write backwards from right to left. Obviously, neither of those options worked out to well.....

Same here. In fact, every pen I've spent any good money on ended up not agreeing with my lefthandedness. I've been using Pilot G2's for a while, and that's good enough for me for now.

[Moose]

How about a Schick Injector?

Let me clarify: I've got the Toggle, would like a 600.

[graphei]

:biggrin: I got a Cross pen when I got my doctorate, but the Montblanc didn't arrive until I was a best man.

I was suffering from severe writers' block when I picked up a Montblanc fountain. I just was mesmerized watching the nib, ink, page relationship Couple hours and 10 pages of paper worth filled. Writers' block gone. Coursework for MA saved. Montblanc justified :w00t:

If you're an academic of any sort- a good pen = good work. If some people can claim all sorts of business expenditures on their taxes, I should be able to claim my tools of the trade. :lol:

For you lefties out there- have you tried oblique nibs? I think that might be my next pen. An oblique in XF or F for all of the Farsi/Arabic I do.

[mhdagley]

I was suffering from severe writers' block when I picked up a Montblanc fountain. I just was mesmerized watching the nib, ink, page relationship Couple hours and 10 pages of paper worth filled. Writers' block gone. Coursework for MA saved. Montblanc justified :w00t:

If you're an academic of any sort- a good pen = good work. If some people can claim all sorts of business expenditures on their taxes, I should be able to claim my tools of the trade. :lol:

For you lefties out there- have you tried oblique nibs? I think that might be my next pen. An oblique in XF or F for all of the Farsi/Arabic I do.

Link please?

[wizardsbaker]

it may sound funny to you guys, but my favorite pen ive used is at my bank. its a Foray, and writes soooo smooth (to me at least) I have no idea where to get these pens but i love them. Ive always wanted to try a fountain pen. my dad has one that is out of ink, but thats the closest ive been to writing with one. im just too lazy to go get some more ink for the thing.

[graphei]

Link please?

http://www.montblanc.com/246.php

There it shows the nibs and such. I'd recommend heading to a shop or retailer and logging a test drive with it. The rep at Montblanc had me try an oblique- just to experience it- since I am rather new to fountain pens. She said people doing languages that go right-left enjoyed the oblique as well as lefties. Pens and nibs = YMMV.

[mach88]

Parker 45 Steel and Gold Fountain Pen
Parker 45 Steel and Gold Ball Pen
Waterman Expert Black and Gold Ball Pen
Cartier Santos Platinum Ball Pen (my absolute fav pen!! small pen with a good weight)

Although I'm looking for a nice black and gold fountain pen (possibly the waterman hemisphere black and gold FP) - or a platinum (chrome/silver) fountain pen (to match the cartier santos) - would appreciate any suggestions :smile:

[Red Oktober]

Although I'm looking for a nice black and gold fountain pen (possibly the waterman hemisphere black and gold FP) - or a platinum (chrome/silver) fountain pen (to match the cartier santos) - would appreciate any suggestions :smile:

The pen right at the top of the page is my black and gold hemisphere, it's a lovely pen. The black and gold makes a bit of an impression on people as well - it's a serious looking pen.

[mach88]

The pen right at the top of the page is my black and gold hemisphere, it's a lovely pen. The black and gold makes a bit of an impression on people as well - it's a serious looking pen.

That's exactly how that pen got into my head - can't get it out now! It's all about the black and gold - they're most the imposing, most classy colour combination IMHO! Think I'm just gna go get this pen!!

[Red Oktober]

Then your only real decision is if you want the matt or the lacquered finish. I have the matt, but if I had bought the pen for myself (it was a present) I would probably have chosen the lacquered one at the time.

Months later though I think the matt was the right option, it seems to suit the pen more.

[mach88]

Then your only real decision is if you want the matt or the lacquered finish. I have the matt, but if I had bought the pen for myself (it was a present) I would probably have chosen the lacquered one at the time.

Months later though I think the matt was the right option, it seems to suit the pen more.

Hmm I'm undecided between the two - but I'm leaning more towards getting the lacquered version - do you use a pen case/pouch or anything to carry/protect your pens?

[Red Oktober]

Nope, I have penholders in whatever I'm carrying (portfolio, filofax or bag), and in the rare event I'm not taking any of them I just clip it into a pocket.

[Suzuki]

I've always wanted a Montblanc after the first time I used one, although I can't afford one at the moment. Maybe when I get my doctorate someone will buy me one as a gift.

Personally, I've always loved the style, feel, and appearance of fountain pens. Unfortunately as a left hander, they just don't work for me... the ink is always smudged my the side of my hand as I write. I've tried all the inks available, I even tried to learn how to write backwards from right to left. Obviously, neither of those options worked out to well.....

Skip the Montblank and get thee a Pelikan - the MBs are overpriced, prone to breakage and don't write all that well (the exception being the 149, which is both quite large and expensive).

As for the left-handed issue - I'm a lefty and write with FPs all the time - look for a quick drying ink (Noodlers makes some, but I do fine with the standard Waterman stuff) and a nib that doesn't lay down too wet a line - the widest nib I regularly use is a medium.


Lamy 2000 fountain pen (introduced in 1966!). Nice and understated. Oh, and I do have a Moleskine notebook too of course.



The Lamy 2000, is one of the unsung FP values, classic/minimalist looks, a great gold nib that writes with the best of them and it holds a ton of ink. The only issue with the 2000 is the fill mechanism, which is not as robust as Pelikans - however, Lamy is a stand up company that has very good customer service. If you're looking for a first "good" FP (as in one with a gold nib, the Lamy 2000 should be on your short list - you can often score it for about $100).


I usually carry a Lamy Safari

One of the best introductory FPs around - neat stying, good ergonomics and a very good steel nib - I have two - a medium and a fine nib. The Lamy ink converter for the Safari works great and I highly recommend that folks with the Safari use the converter. Oh yeah, a great value as well.

I have a modest collection of about 12 or so FPs - some ranging from e-bay deals picked up for under $10 (Pelikan Go - a "school" FP made in the 1980's that shows that you can make an inexpensive FP that writes great), A Waterman Carene (amber laquer), Lamy 2000, Pelikan 800, and a bunch of others.

There's always a FP or two on my desk ready to go.

And I agree completely with the statement above about not letting anyone touch your FP - on rare occasions, someone has picked up one of my FP's to jot a note and I cringe until I get it back into my hands (even though the two folks who occasionally do this are both experienced FP users. To prevent this, I keep a pen on my desk towards the "guest" side and my FP's out of reach!

[mach88]

Just found a really really old matte black and gold cross FP (at the bottom of the family stash of pens) - gave it a good clean/flush - just need to get some cross ink cartridges - looks absolutely fab!!

Red Oktober: I see exactly what you mean by matte black suiting the pen - the cross is similar in size to your waterman too

Hope the cross writes well...if not, well you know I'm going straight off to get the waterman :001_smile

[mach88]

Just identified the pen - it's an old Cross Century II - black & gold

writes brilliantly! :001_smile

[shavewithwhat?]

I found a very nice black Parker 51 with gold fill cap , double jewel at a local antique shop.


great price , and the pen needed no restoration , the vac fill works fine.

At one point i had 200 plus fountain pens , sold a bunch and have 10 left.

This is my first double jewel , and it has a classic look - so much nicer looking than the standard 51 - pics to follow

gary

[waerloga]

Thanks a sodding lot guys, like I needed another AD :cursing:

:biggrin::biggrin:

So since the start off this thread I have subsequently purchased a set of three Pilot Varsity disposable fountain pens, a Waterman Phelias in medium, and an as yet unnamed Chinese in fine or extra fine. Only have one ink though. Parker Quink Black. Planning on picking up one or two others as time goes on though.

[GarageBoy]

Lets see
I have a load of Student pens..but my workhorses of choice are
Pelikan M605
Waterman Charleston
Lamy Safari with 1.1mm Italic (beater)
Pelikan M200 (quasi-beater)
Lamy 2000

My pride and joy is my little Parker Vacumatic Imperial, out at Richard Binder's for a spa treatment

[graphei]

I tend to keep my pens in a case of some sort. I'm a grad student and on the go a lot, so I can just zip them up and toss them in my bag and forget about it.

Maybe I've just been lucky with my MBs. I've dropped them on a hard floor- off the desk, out of my hand, and tossed around in a bookbag and slung all over London. My bag even was caught in a tube door once and the pens survived the pressure! Not a scratch on them and they work just fine.

Most people don't like Montblanc. Some people even hate them. I swear by them, but have had bad experiences with other brands. Yeah, MBs are expensive, but people tend to take notice of the 'Eagle splot'. I always manage to get at least one envious look from a business type when s/he sees 'Frederic' Meisterstruck or 'Luke' Skywalker appear next to a good book of philosophy.

Anyhoo, pens are definitely a YMMV thing. Regardless of what makers you favor, fountain pens are great conversation starters. Something about us intellectual-type girls with fountain pens here in Europe. I've gotten a few cute guys' numbers as a result :w00t:

However, my Acme Simpsons collectors pens stay home and in a locked, fireproof case. I trust those to no one :biggrin:

[mach88]

Does anyone here use and enjoy rollerball pens?

I've used both luxury and commercial brands - from the pilot G2 and uni-ball to the parker rollerball.

While I really enjoy the pilot G2 and uni-ball, I felt let down by the "luxury" parker rollerball. It's a very scratchy, gloopy, sticky rollerball - I've tried replacing the refill too...it seems to be the same story with all of them!

I'm thinking of investing in a mont blanc or some other fine writing instrument - but would like opinions of users of different luxury pen brands.

Thanks :001_smile

[sol92258]

and I apologize but every time I read the title for this thread I think of celebrity jeopardy. Suck it Trabek

obligatory:
http://www.snorgtees.com/images/SuckItTrebek_Thumbnail.gif & http://www.snorgtees.com/images/ThePenIsMightier_Thumbnail.jpg

[AsciiSimon]

And I agree completely with the statement above about not letting anyone touch your FP - on rare occasions, someone has picked up one of my FP's to jot a note and I cringe until I get it back into my hands (even though the two folks who occasionally do this are both experienced FP users. To prevent this, I keep a pen on my desk towards the "guest" side and my FP's out of reach!

Do you guys (and girls) find that often people who do grab your FP before you can stop them often try writing with it upside down? I share an office with a ham fisted oaf who I will never, ever let near my pen. He's the kind who would ruin it by seeing how hard he can press down on it to see if that makes more ink flow or something. Actually I don't let him touch any of my stuff anymore.

Also what inks do you guys use? I have little choice here so I stick with Waterman. I'd like to try some Noodlers some time but that will have to be a special overseas order for me.

Simon

[mach88]

Waterman south sea blue ink!!!!!

I use this in my cross century II - beats even the cross ink any day!

[AsciiSimon]

Waterman south sea blue ink!!!!!

I use this in my cross century II - beats even the cross ink any day!
Ha! That's what I am using at the moment. It's the colour I get the most comments on.

Simon

[soapbox]

obligatory:
http://www.snorgtees.com/images/SuckItTrebek_Thumbnail.gif & http://www.snorgtees.com/images/ThePenIsMightier_Thumbnail.jpg

I'll take "anal bumcover" for 800 Alex...

[mach88]

Ha! That's what I am using at the moment. It's the colour I get the most comments on.

Simon

Excellent colour - flows extremely well - competitive price - what more could you ask for???

[AsciiSimon]

Excellent colour - flows extremely well - competitive price - what more could you ask for???

And chicks love it :001_smile

Simon

[farace]

And chicks love it :001_smile



Well, then, I should get some. I'm using mostly Private Reserve Tanzanite right now. I also have their Burgundy (which is a little too brown for me), and I use Noodler's Hunter Green for check writing, since it's permanent. I also use Pelikan Brilliant Red for proofreading/editing (horrible, horrible ink), and I've got Sheaffer Skrip blue-black and Parker Quink black in a couple of pens.

[graphei]

Yes, I am funny about who can use my fountain pens. I've let a professor use one of them once as a sign of my respect.

To draw an analogy for those of the stringed instrument persuasion. Fountain pens are like bows. The best ones on the planet are made in Italy, Germany, and Japan and are selected based upon the individual's preference to weight, materials, length, shape/form, etc., and cost a small fortune. A musician might have 2-10 bows in their arsenal depending upon the needs of the piece and their mood. Very rarely, if ever, will a musician share their bow(s) with another musician.

If my mother ever says my pen/book/shaving collection is getting out of control I'll remind her of the 3 sets of $300 concert strings per season and the $1,200 German bow. The violin itself is a WHOLE other story :lol:

[ravkesef]

one more thing--
Should you be inclined to purchase Montblanc ink (the really neat bottle!) pour out the ink (it's junk,) and keep the bottle. Many FP users like to acquire the Montblanc bottles, using them to store their good inks. However, if you do put MB ink into your pen, be prepared for an unpleasant writing experience and clean your pen very, very thoroughly afterwards.