Ink Snippet: Montblanc Racing Green

Posted on by Laura

Montblanc Racing Green writing samples

Montblanc Racing Green. Montblanc Racing Green is nearly unobtainium, unless you’re really spendy or obsessed. Montblanc discontinued Racing Green years ago, and it’s since become quite the thing. Everyone talks about it, everyone seeks it, or at least seeks an ink that looks like it. Every time a new olive-green ink is released, an ink fan somewhere wonders, “Is this like Racing Green?”

I’d never used Montblanc Racing Green before last week. When it was available, it didn’t interest me, and when it stopped being available, the price shot sky high. But I’ve been using it lately, thanks to a sample from a kind friend.

I have good news, and bad news.

The good news (at least for me) is that I don’t really get it, the mania. Yes, the ink is attractive. It’s very nice. But it’s not going to change anyone’s life. It’s not the greatest ink ever made, in my opinion. It’s not even the greatest green I’ve ever seen.

The bad news is that I don’t know another ink that’s a good doppelgänger. Normally I can point out nice inks that are pretty close. Here, however, the closest alternative is, in my opinion, not nearly so appealing.

But it’s okay. Yes, Montblanc Racing Green was a nice ink, and it’s now gone, for all intents and purposes. But don’t think twice, it’s alright.

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13 thoughts on “Ink Snippet: Montblanc Racing Green”

  2. I like the color, but I’ve never tried it. I love green ink, and I have more green than anything. I like what you said in the post, and I agree with you. (find the green that is special to you) I have several inks that are special to me, many of them are sort sort of green. I am not on a mission to find a MB Racing Green ink. There are plenty of wonderful inks that are currently being sold right now.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Very good article. I’m one of those for whom this green does nothing. MB Irish Green I enjoy using. Among odd greens, there’s also Sheaffer’s. It looks teal or even turquoise in some pens. I like it but it is truly odd! My favourite ink is Sheaffer’s Turquoise, a great colour. Keep up the great work Laura, you’re always a pleasure to read!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. My song has an entirely different beat. I got a bottle in trade years ago. I never liked the stuff, gave some away, and traded the rest for I don’t remember what. Probably a greater amount of MB Irish Green.

    I enjoyed your “review”. I still don’t like the ink..

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I like that you are direct enough to say “I don’t like” the ink. The hype around this ink is distorting. When I first inked it up, my verdict was basically “meh.” Or closer to yours. 🙂 But after using it for a week, it grew on me, and now I think it’s nice enough. But the legend that’s grown around it? I don’t get that, at all.

      If this ink had never been discontinued, and were still available, I bet it would be a slow seller.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. That doesn’t sound so bad! Only four.

      I should admit that I’m ruthless with inks: if I don’t like or use an ink, I sell it, trade it, or give it away. So right now, I believe I only own two bottles of purple, both of which I like and use: Papier Plume Mardi Gras Indians (for writing) and Waterman Purple (for mixing). I might also have a bottle of Pelikan Edelstein Amethyst hanging around, which I like but think I’ll sell or trade.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Yay! You’re so right about the Racing Green, I’ve never really understood its popularity either; it’s nice, but, well, there are better.

    That’s a sad old Dylan song too, and one of my favorites. I’ve always loved his lyrics.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Me, too. I’m pretty sure all three songs are from “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan.” If you can get past the bad-boyfriend parts (which he was ashamed of, in retrospect), it’s a great album from a great artist. And one of my favorite Nobel Prize winners. 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  7. This was all news to me. Buying a bottle sounds like finding a rare wine, with the waiter bringing up a dusty bottle from the cellars. Personally I haven’t yet got the habit of using green inks. When I do ink up a pen, I seem to tire of it very quickly. But I do have four different bottles of green ink so ought to try to use and enjoy them more.

    Liked by 2 people

  8. I agree. 🙂 The point isn’t to get an identical shade. Maybe you could add a drop or two of black to Mb Defoe or Swift and come away with something similar. However, I like Stipula Verde Muschiato. At least when I ink up a pen with that it doesn’t write as “almost” black within 2 weeks.

    Liked by 2 people

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