Review: Montblanc Oyster Grey

[Pravda]

I've been using this ink for an extended period for the first time, and I've gone from ambivalent to pleased with it. The main thing is that for the first page or so of writing after a new fill, in several different pens, the ink has been very light. It seems to darken (or thicken?) after a bit of use. It's an odd phenomenon that I've never experienced with other inks, and the bad first impression has previously left me hesitant to use the ink. But once I get past that first light phase, the ink darkens just enough to be nicely readable for note-taking.

 

That is my experience as well, but I'm starting to think that it might be residual ink from the previous fill? :/

[agentdaffy007]

I believe this ink acts that way. It darkens when it dries. Best to use this ink in a wet writer. It makes the letters come out darker and more legible.

[I like mango cheesecake]

I've been using this ink for an extended period for the first time, and I've gone from ambivalent to pleased with it. The main thing is that for the first page or so of writing after a new fill, in several different pens, the ink has been very light. It seems to darken (or thicken?) after a bit of use. It's an odd phenomenon that I've never experienced with other inks, and the bad first impression has previously left me hesitant to use the ink. But once I get past that first light phase, the ink darkens just enough to be nicely readable for note-taking.

 

Thanks. I've gotten this ink several years ago and was very unimpressed with it. I put it away and never used it again. I even tried to sell it off. Based on your comments I might reconsider and take it out of storage and try another fill in one of my pens again.

[agentdaffy007]

I thought of dumping this ink but i am glad i kept it. Works great in my firehose MB 149. It seems to have some water-resistance as well if you let the ink dry for a few hours.

[arrScott]

That is my experience as well, but I'm starting to think that it might be residual ink from the previous fill? :/

Probably not, since every other ink I use is darker/more saturated, and I've never refilled a pen that had Oyster Grey with another fill of Oyster Grey. However, it may be a result of accidental dilution from water remaining in the feed after flushing the pen.

 

In the last week, I've noticed that Oyster Grey now tends to go down very dark at the start of writing and then lighten up a bit and settle into its natural medium-gray. This is some seriously shifty ink. At least as regards color and shade.

[meiers]

It's one of my favourites. I find its tone very gentle and understated.

[leicagirl]

This is an older thread, but I do want to add my +1 for MB Oyster Grey. I'm using it in a Birmingham Pens Model A demonstrator with a F (but very wet) Momento Zero (by Bock) steel nib. Shades beautifully. Out of the bottle, I see a pinkish-rose cast (my husband can't see it), but as it dries, the pink/rose dissapates, and a nice warm grey remains. I love it.

[como]

For me it works well with a wet writer, otherwise it just looks too light.