Hello,

I'm brand new here, so sorry if I embarrass myself with my limited knowledge! I am soon to buy my first "big" fountain pen - and hopefully my last. I want something that should last a lifetime, up to now I've only had LAMY Safaris, which get quite uncomfortable after long writing perionds, but have been ok on the whole.

So I'm considering a Montblanc - my dad's had his for 20 years and it's still as good as new, even the finish if almost flawless - good signs. I blush and admit I do want a cartridge pen, it's just so much more convenient for me, I go all over the place and it's much easier to carry round cartridges than big ink bottles! So I'm heavily considering either a MB Meisterstuck Chopin, or a Meisterstuck LeGrand Traveller - the fact that the latter can't take a piston converter isn't too much of an issue.

My issue now is that I've just been slightly unnerved by all this stuff I've read about controversy surrounding Montblanc; is it purely due to the "image" a Montblanc gives off, or performance issues, or...what?

I initially presumed it was due to them being percieved as overpriced; presumably because people have paid the money and not got swift performance, on some occasions; but doesn't the same occur for other brands? -Every manufacturer produces a lemon once in a while, surely? And are these problems not usually fixed under warranty? Their price is the same as many other brands I've tried (high-end parkers, high-end watermans, pelikan, caran d'ache), and in my view the Montblancs are the best performers - or in other words, they certainly aren't significantly worse, which is the only reason I could imagine people claiming them to be overpriced. So is it an "image" thing?

Just curious... much appreciated!

Hi and welcome

IMHO I think the Le Grand Traveller is a good choice- it is cartridge filled unlike the regular 146 and it comes with a nice case. The Chopin is a bit feminine in my opinion and I do not think it even looks all that good.. The Mozart, on the other hand, isn't only because its tiny size suggests a practical functionality of some sort, i.e. for agendas, pockets, etc.

I would have said the 149 or the flagship of the Meisterstuck line, but then it is bottled ink filled and its perhaps too big and showy to be practical for everyday usage

May I suggest a Boheme? They are reasonably sized, very creative and larger choice of colors/materials and I believe that they are cartridge filled as well

Good luck

Thankyou for your comments! I understand a little more now...

RE the MB Meisterstuck Traveller, does anyone know whether it is atall possible to fit a piston converter into it? If not it's not too much of an issue, but it's just I don't see why one shouldn't be able to - it takes standard size cartridges, surely it wouldn't melt if it came into contact with a standard size piston converter? I'm curious as to whether anyone's tried putting this into practice; I know the cartridge loading system is a bit abnormal, does it prevent insertion of converters?

Either way, I'm thinking I'll probably get one, with an EF nib - I'm a lefty, with typical lefty handwriting... my letters get lost with the broader nibs.

I think the issue to which you refer is commonly that Mb is perceived as overpriced. This, of ocurse, may be accurately stated for many if not all modern pen manufacturers. Certainly the standard Mb's are in the same price range as many other European made pens. Stipula, Omas, etc are all in this same "overpriced" range, IMO.

If you compare, for example, an plain black Aurora 88 (or a Pelikan M800) with a 146, the Aurora is half the price for a pen that is every bit as good if not better. So, from that perspective, the Mb's don't really deliver the "value for the money".

I think for the most part, Mb is a brand we love to hate to love. There are sometimes issues with new pens (same as with all brands) and I think people tend to rant more about it because of the higher price and we hear more of the ranting because it's a popular pen brand (so more buyers).

As far as the choices, the 146 Traveller is the one I'd get. Comfortable size, ease of travel.. all around excellent workhorse pen. Nothing fancy or flashy but a good everyday writer.

Quink will not ruin a Montblanc and nor will it invalidate your warranty. If I had a pound for every time I've had to correct this misconception...I could probably afford a Montblanc LE.

Ray

A ot of the advertisements for MB get up people's noses with their 'best ever' and selling of a lifestyle. Yes I know other companies have done this too.

The overpriced might be because although MB MSRP is comparable to other pen company flagship pens, MB has control such that for other companies you will find savings ( sometimes signifigant) while for MB the price is the price. So street prices can be very different.

MB usually charges for warranty service ( yes I know some people have got it free but I've always been quoted a cost) while others have not. But other companies are catching up in that regard.

You ask a very complicated question to answer because the answers are of personal taste and point of view. One point not mentioned in this thread, but covered in others, has to do with perception of MB. Some who believe they are among the cogniscenti of fountain pens think MB are not much special in writing terms versus others, especially relative to the price rigidity of MB. Another thing I've heard (not said, promise) is that with the prevalence of MB pens, they are becoming as numerous as BiC pens. See the recent thread on whether people should or should not take a MB to an interview and have it on display in a pocket. You'll get a sense of the visceral responses, both pro and con. That will give you a good sense of the subjective views of MBs these days. Some marketers at pen shows I've been to often crow while sitting near a MB booth/display, "Why buy another black pen, there everywhere." (disregards the LEs that MB makes I realize, but still, it cuts at the basic models.)

I formerly used MB FPs, but that old (very old) model leaked after some time and had some design flaws. I just never went back once I tried some other makes.

Well, scribe75, you might want to look at other pen companies as well. There are many with high quality writing instruments that are not as expensive as MB. It depends on what you want/can afford.

Mont Blanc makes very good pens, but they are not the only ones.

Erick

Sorry - I forgot my usual caveat, if a particular MB fits your writing and personal styles and you like it over others, get it. A well cared for pen will last as long as your father's has, and longer. There is so much of a person's mood and expression that goes into pen selection. Enjoy looking around and selecting!

You can't fit a converter in a 147. The metal frame that holds the two cartridges will not allow the insertion of a converter. You can only use cartridges. I have a 147 with a F nib and it's a wonderful pen that I use often. The case that comes with it holds 6 extra cartridges so you shouldn't run out of ink any time soon.

my advice for you would be to get a 146 with a fine nib.

My experience with MB pens is that their pens are reliable and whithstand everyday use very well.
For everyday use I think the best is a MB 146 or the Traveler in your case.
I wouldnt hesitate getting it,I adore MB pens and will hopefuly buy many more in the future.
Indeed some people love to hate this pen maker but remember you buy there pens and not the whole company.Judge the quality,satisfaction and joy you get from there pens and not their advertisment or some people ranting over these pens.
If you will get the Traveler o 146 I am sure you will be happy.

By the way why do you want to buy the first and only big pen ?
I think buying FP's and owning more then one is a part of the FP joy.They requer very little to no maintenance and since every pen has its own character why not enjoy the different qualities many pens wil give you and this way enhance the whole FP experience ?

I have no issue with cartridge pens; they're just not my preference.

Currently, I own two Montblancs: a Starwalker in Cool Blue, which is a cartridge pen:



...and a vintage 342, which is a piston filler.

The Chopin takes a converter, right?

I love the intense blue colour of your ink! Any nib creep problems? Anyways, the Chopin does takes a converter.
PRAG

Well............. for what MB charges, and usually less, for a machine made, mass produced, thousands of identical copies out there, usually bought from a clerk who knows nothing about the product, fountain pen you can get a custom made, one of a kind, to your exact specifications, and talk directly to the artist making it for you, fountain pen.....

It is certainly something to think about...........