Ok here is my question, I am going to have some extra cash coming in in March and I am asking for help in deciding how to spend some.
I am thinking of buying either a Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique or a Waterman Edson.... okay admitedly I am a bit of a Waterman hound, I just have had very good experiences with my Watermans, but I have always craved a Montblanc Meisterstuck.... where do you fall on this question. Of course there is always a new Parker '51... or a bunch of used ones:>)
Full Version: Waterman Edson, Montblanc Meisterstuck classique
Try the pens 1st, the Edson may feel heavy in your hand, while its nib you may like better than MB. With Montblanc you get pocket jewelry as it is instantly recognizable by most.
Verdict: You decide what you like most.
Verdict: You decide what you like most.
DrPJM1... Thanks, but what I am asking is this, are there any faults in these pens? Is there a downside to either one? Scratchy, skips, too dry too wet? I am looking for guidance I guess. Any one have an opinion on these?
Without a seconds hesitation, go for the Edson. Not only is it more attractive, and IMHO a much better pen all around, but the service and warranty you'll get from Waterman is light years ahead of anything MB could do on their best day.
Not only is the MB Classique a thinner pen but drop it once and your out a pen. These things will all but shatter if you so much as break wind next to them. The Edson on the other hand is a much larger OS pen that can handle a beating and comes with great "coverage."
I'm a bit biased on this one though. I generally loathe anything MB (with the notable exceptions of the 149 & the Carnegie LE (sp?)) That, and the Edson has been on my dream pen list for a long time now.
The Boucheron is #1 on the list with the Edson coming to a very strong tie for the #2 place with a GF Wahl Coronet set. (deep sigh) The funny thing about this though is, I'm really not so much of a modern pen fancier. 99% of my pens are vintage.
Do yourself a favor get the Edson & forget the MB. You even said your a Waterman fan. Keep it in the family, you'll be glad you did.
Dennis
Not only is the MB Classique a thinner pen but drop it once and your out a pen. These things will all but shatter if you so much as break wind next to them. The Edson on the other hand is a much larger OS pen that can handle a beating and comes with great "coverage."
I'm a bit biased on this one though. I generally loathe anything MB (with the notable exceptions of the 149 & the Carnegie LE (sp?)) That, and the Edson has been on my dream pen list for a long time now.
The Boucheron is #1 on the list with the Edson coming to a very strong tie for the #2 place with a GF Wahl Coronet set. (deep sigh) The funny thing about this though is, I'm really not so much of a modern pen fancier. 99% of my pens are vintage.
Do yourself a favor get the Edson & forget the MB. You even said your a Waterman fan. Keep it in the family, you'll be glad you did.
Dennis
Hi Johnny,
I've never had an MB myself and so I can't really offer a first hand comparison between your two choices. But, I've actually had three Edsons and so I am quite familiar with that model. I really like the Edson, and would say that its one of my favorite modern pens. I view the design as sleek and very elegant- so much so that I think that it will definitely stand the test of time, and not seem dated 30 years from now. On a functional level, I think that there are many positives to be considered:
A) Overall Build Quality is quite high- All of my Edsons have had perfect finishing and there are of small details that seem to refect lots of thought behind its design. The clip is spring loaded with just the right tension; the section screws into the body via metal on metal threads and is equipped with a small rubber washer to form a tight seal; the inner surface of the cap seems to have a thin layer of rubbery material, which I assume helps protect the pen' s body from scratches when posting the cap; the cap is unusually secure for a slip-on design and has a very nice audible and tactile snap; the converter is tinted to match the color of the body of the pen (rather than just using clear plastic).
Nib quality- All three of mine were medium nibs, with excellent flow and smooth writing. The nib is definitely stiff and has almost no flexbility. Some people might find it "boringly competent," but I find that in day to day usage, I appreciate the ability to write on triplicate forms without hunting around for a ballpoint.
C) Packaging: I normally don't even care what box a pen comes in, but IMHO, I think that the box for the edson is especially attractive and has a nice tactile quality to the leather (or leather like) covering. This helps a tiny bit when you consider the relatively high price of the pen.
The only caution that I have about the pen is that its nib design seems a little susceptible to scratches, particularly the decorative gold V pattern that extends from the back of the functional portion of the nib towards where the section joins to the rest of the body. I might also add that when I initially tried the pen with a fine or extra fine nib, it seemed slightly scratchy. I settled on mediums and have been happy ever since.
Good luck with your choice !
Ken
I've never had an MB myself and so I can't really offer a first hand comparison between your two choices. But, I've actually had three Edsons and so I am quite familiar with that model. I really like the Edson, and would say that its one of my favorite modern pens. I view the design as sleek and very elegant- so much so that I think that it will definitely stand the test of time, and not seem dated 30 years from now. On a functional level, I think that there are many positives to be considered:
A) Overall Build Quality is quite high- All of my Edsons have had perfect finishing and there are of small details that seem to refect lots of thought behind its design. The clip is spring loaded with just the right tension; the section screws into the body via metal on metal threads and is equipped with a small rubber washer to form a tight seal; the inner surface of the cap seems to have a thin layer of rubbery material, which I assume helps protect the pen' s body from scratches when posting the cap; the cap is unusually secure for a slip-on design and has a very nice audible and tactile snap; the converter is tinted to match the color of the body of the pen (rather than just using clear plastic).
Nib quality- All three of mine were medium nibs, with excellent flow and smooth writing. The nib is definitely stiff and has almost no flexbility. Some people might find it "boringly competent," but I find that in day to day usage, I appreciate the ability to write on triplicate forms without hunting around for a ballpoint.C) Packaging: I normally don't even care what box a pen comes in, but IMHO, I think that the box for the edson is especially attractive and has a nice tactile quality to the leather (or leather like) covering. This helps a tiny bit when you consider the relatively high price of the pen.
The only caution that I have about the pen is that its nib design seems a little susceptible to scratches, particularly the decorative gold V pattern that extends from the back of the functional portion of the nib towards where the section joins to the rest of the body. I might also add that when I initially tried the pen with a fine or extra fine nib, it seemed slightly scratchy. I settled on mediums and have been happy ever since.
Good luck with your choice !
Ken
No, there are no faults on these pens, just idiosyncrasies.
MB's are made of acryllic which, by other's experience, is brittle and not very resistant to falls from a desk or higher.
You definitely should try a lot of different nibs before you buy another pen.
MB's are made of acryllic which, by other's experience, is brittle and not very resistant to falls from a desk or higher.
You definitely should try a lot of different nibs before you buy another pen.
MB Classique has a section trim ring that is well known for ink corrosion.
MB Classique runs about $150 max 2nd hand without any trim corrosion (rare but possible from 90s)and you can figure out your depreciation from your target purchase price.
Edson can be had 1st hand for mid $400. But is is a much more solid and hefty pen in weight and girth. I am seeing around $350 for pre-owned so the depreciation is definitely not as steep as a MB Classique.
If you MUST get an MB, consider MB 146 Le Grande ($185 pre-owned and more bang for the $$) or MB149 ($250 to 260 pre-owned and similar in girth to an Edson, I think).
Hope this helps.
MB Classique runs about $150 max 2nd hand without any trim corrosion (rare but possible from 90s)and you can figure out your depreciation from your target purchase price.
Edson can be had 1st hand for mid $400. But is is a much more solid and hefty pen in weight and girth. I am seeing around $350 for pre-owned so the depreciation is definitely not as steep as a MB Classique.
If you MUST get an MB, consider MB 146 Le Grande ($185 pre-owned and more bang for the $$) or MB149 ($250 to 260 pre-owned and similar in girth to an Edson, I think).
Hope this helps.
The Edson absolutely. I don't own either but I tried the Edson in a shop in Dallas and just loved it.
MB is very black chic but I really don't care for the look.
Andy
MB is very black chic but I really don't care for the look.
Andy
If you're going to go Montblanc, get a 146, 149 or one of the LEs. There are nice pens in the Writers Series. The 146 isn't fragile: I let one roll from a table onto a tile floor :doh: 
and the nib bent and the feed broke, but the barrel of the pen was just fine.
The 146/149 are kind of quintessentially the traditional FP look; the Edson is extremely good looking in an unconventional way. Your call, really.
Have fun, either way
Michael
and the nib bent and the feed broke, but the barrel of the pen was just fine.The 146/149 are kind of quintessentially the traditional FP look; the Edson is extremely good looking in an unconventional way. Your call, really.
Have fun, either way
Michael
There is a very big size difference between the two pens you've listed. You'll need to try out the Edson before buying it to see if it is too big for your hand.
My personal preference would be the Edson. This is a great workhorse of a pen that functions flawlessly. Easily on of my favorite writers.
If your going to look for a MB, do yourself a favor and get either a 146 or 149. These are much closer to the quality of the Edson with the added bonus of a piston filler. I just love my 149!
Bryan
My personal preference would be the Edson. This is a great workhorse of a pen that functions flawlessly. Easily on of my favorite writers.
If your going to look for a MB, do yourself a favor and get either a 146 or 149. These are much closer to the quality of the Edson with the added bonus of a piston filler. I just love my 149!
Bryan
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