Hi Everyone,

As a relatively new convert to MBs, I've become interested in the Boheme Retractable fountain pens. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of information available online - the MB website is nearly useless! There aren't any B&M shops near me, so I'm appealing to the kindness and knowledge of my fellow FPNers.

I'm wondering if anyone has some experience with these pens and exactly what does retractable mean? Forgive the ignorance, but I'm picturing something like a Pilot VP... intuition tells me that's not how things work! I'm also wondering if a nib exchange can be done on these pens. From the tiny amount of information I've found online, all pens seem to be listed with a medium nib. From my experience with my 146, I know I'll need an XF nib to make friends. No matter what I try, my handwriting is just a pinch too small...

Anyway, if anyone has some information they'd like to share to brighten up this gloomy Saturday morning, it would be most appreciated.

Enjoy the weekend!
Mike

I have one, and really like it. The top of the barrel twists, causing the nib to retract or extend, like a tube of lipstick (not my description, but one from another website). From what the sales people at the MB boutique where I got it told me, you can send it in to MB and have them exchange the nib. The M is rather wide so if you're looking for something finer, I'd definitely look for an F or XF. I think MB nibs tend to be a little on the wide side. The cap can be posted by screwing it on the top of the barrel so you don't need to worry about scratching the barrel if you like to post the cap.

The Boheme takes a cartridge, it's a little small for a converter but there are small converters you can get. However, if you get a syringe filler, you could use an empty cartridge and put whatever color you want in it. To load the catriidge, you flip open the cap at the top of the barrel (the one that twists to extend the nib), and twist it to cause the feeder to rise up in the barrel and put the catridge in. Twist the top cap in the opposite direction to lower the cartridge then flip the cap closed

I'm really happy with mine. It's small enough to put in a front pocket without worrying if it'll break and is unusual enough to start a conversation whenever you take it out to use it.

This response is a bit late but I just bought a Boheme retractable and really like it.
I tend to write smaller and I chose a "fine" nib.

Being a guy, I chose platinum with no jewel.

Hope this helps.

Excellent pens, and the smaller ones are fantastic as they are the perfect size to fit into your shirt pocket. The nibs are a bit finer than the standard MB nibs, but just as smooth.

Allan

Here is my Boheme Marron - it is currently at MB for NIB exchange from M to XF. It wrote very wet and incredibly smooth, but just a tad too bold...enjoy the pics

I have been using my large size retractable Boheme.

Some day it's going to need a soak/flush/cleaning and *that* will take some figuring out. The MB site says not to get the guts wet.

It's a very nice pen. I've had mine for a bit but I'm planning on selling it to get a MB 149, which seems to be the flagship model.

*bump*

I thought this post had amazing pictures of the Boheme Marron wanted to bump it in case some of our newer members missed it


Actually.. I am just excited about my own Marron hehe

Those are good pics. Hope you enjoy your pen!

I love mine. I have two. They are both the most dependable consistent pens in my stable. I keep one at home and one at the office so I always have one close. I do not think you would regret your purchase.

there are two reasons why i do not like this pen. one is too small and the other is that does not take converters. so i could not go for this one unless, well, for free. still i think is a lovely design and i could accept the fact that is small but can not deal with the idea that just take cartridges... why would be my question. isn't any way to make it possible for it to take converters?...

If you lose the retractable nib, and go with the fixed, I believe you can fit a converter. As for size, there if the Boheme Large Size, or something... Shockingly big is all I can say.

How are the retractable nibs now? I have read more than my fair share of people complaining about eventual problems with it.

I love my Bohem its a great pen and a wonderful writer.My only thing I would say I am aint 100% happy is that it doesnt take converters (only cartridges).
Maybe this will help you,I wrote a review of my Bohem

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=70464

Yep, a truly great pen. I never get bored of retracting the nib (well, you've gotta have a hobby )

Only down side is it's very short if the cap's not posted. With the cap posted it's great

regards
Bren

I love mine, I have only had it a few weeks it is my daily writer. I am not to fussed about cartridges.

I love how I bumped this post back from 2007 and people started commenting / writing all over again in it

Hi Mike,
you can view how the retractable mechanism of the boheme works on youtube. Just type in "boheme retractable" in the search videos window.

cheers