Which Writers/special Edition For Everyday Use?

[dubhe]

I have been using my Wilde daily for a few months now, and I find it does not have the best ink capacity, no ink window, and the large star (which I love) draws attention at work.

 

Other than a standard 146/149, which Montblanc would work as a daily writer? It needs to have a decent ink capacity, ink window, good balance uncapped for long sessions and not be too flashy. My Schiller is a contender, save the lack of ink window.

 

I have been looking at Dostoevsky and Voltaire, the later of which I have found in a well used condition at a reasonable price. My budget is the cost of a new platinum 149 (my plan B!), though I would rather spend less on something used.

[Doug1426]

I have both the Voltaire and Dostoevsky, and prefer the Dostoevsky. But it's obviously personal preference.

[BrandonA]

The following WE pens have ink windows:

Hemingway

Christie

Voltaire

Dostoevsky

Cervantes

Shaw

 

Don't have the stats for ink capacity but I suspect the newer two and possibility the Hemingway have the largest. Why those is ink capacity a key feature? I simply leave a bottle of ink in my desk at work, takes seconds to refill.

[jmccarty3]

For an everyday writer, I would think the Christie would be ideal.

[dubhe]

Why those is ink capacity a key feature? I simply leave a bottle of ink in my desk at work, takes seconds to refill.

I don't work at a desk, so although I always have a bottle in the office, it is not necessarily in the same room as me.

 

For an everyday writer, I would think the Christie would be ideal.

The 4810 Christie with vermeil is one of my grail pens...

[admmarcos]

Why not the Donation Pens?

[thygreyt]

I have used​ my Twain, Leonardo and UNICEF as my daily writers.

 

Ink capacity among all Montblanc pens is +1ml, not too shabby, specially when I carry 4 with me and a vac 700 (+2ml of ink).

 

My point is: get the one you like and the one you enjoy. If you are using +1ml of ink during work, bring more pens or ink...

[lvda]

Why not the Donation Pens?

 

My favourite by far is the Johannes Brahms. It is the only one were I find the design subtle enough to be a beautiful stylish fountain pen in it's own write. It is possible on one hand to overlook the thematic elements and on the other hand to enjoy the musical elements. On top of that they are nice writers. Only problem I have with them is the wobbly cap.

 

My problem with most of the Montblanc range is that I find many of them much too tacky. E.g. ugly clips, etc.

[FredRydr]

Since you ask for opinions on an everyday writer, keep in mind that the nib and the fit of the pen in your hand are the primary considerations. Writers Edition pens feature a variety of design appearance, but those don't address what will work for you in daily use as a fountain pen. Some of the Writers Edition pens are made of heavy materials, and their weight is contrary to what makes sense for a pen. For example, the Fitzgerald is a striking deco pen, but if you were to post the pen and write all day, you'd discover how top-heavy it is. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Dostoevsky, the lightest weight of the Writers (a member weighed them all about a decade ago). Then again, the shape and girth of the pen should be comfortable in your hand, and Writers are all big. If you usually write with a more normal-size writing instrument such as a Pelikan M400, Montblanc 145 or Ticonderoga No. 2 that are designed for most people's writing style, you might find a big pen not well suited for constant use. Finally, keep in mind that the nibs on Writers Edition pens are the same found on 146es (except for two with No. 9 nibs). So, be objective for a daily writer, and if at all possible, try before you buy.

 

Fred

[Ghost Plane]

I prefer the 149 sizes myself as one man's big is another woman's too small. The Shaw is a good length and weight if you have to stick somewhere close to the 146 size. Mostly the WEs are too small for my comfortable use.

[dubhe]

My easy answer is to buy another 149, but I was curious which special edition pens might be as durable in your experiences. I have found a Voltaire and Verne at a good price, but heard the Voltaire vermeil might wear off, and the Verne has no ink window.

 

I didn't realise the Dostoevsky was so light, how does it compare to the Schiller un-posted?

[rube1]

I really enjoy pens with more heft. My Verne is one of my favorite pens and also an excellent writer. Second would be the Shaw for the same reasons. I find the Poe and the Schiller too light for my taste.

[Pen Nut]

Dickens all the way.......fp & bp great using writers editions in my opinion

 

 

 

[zaddick]

Why not the Donation Pens?

+1. They are often a fair bit cheaper than the WE pens and most are very subtle. I have a Toscanini and it is larger than a 146 with a fancy clip and cap band, but still mostly just a black pen with a pleasant looking nib. You also get a blue colored ink window which is a bit of flair.

[888007888]

My point is: get the one you like and the one you enjoy. If you are using +1ml of ink during work, bring more pens or ink...

I agree. Get what you like. Enjoy it. If that feeling ever goes away, move onto the next pen.

[Tom Kellie]

+1. They are often a fair bit cheaper than the WE pens and most are very subtle. I have a Toscanini and it is larger than a 146 with a fancy clip and cap band, but still mostly just a black pen with a pleasant looking nib. You also get a blue colored ink window which is a bit of flair.

 

 

+1

Likewise the Johann Strauss.

Tom K.

[Ghost Plane]

Here's a POA to get you in the mood. The Carnegie does nicely as a daily writer, but I find it too narrow for more than a few hours of extended use. I reserve the 149 size for marathons to save my hand.

[zaddick]

Here's a POA to get you in the mood. The Carnegie does nicely as a daily writer, but I find it too narrow for more than a few hours of extended use. I reserve the 149 size for marathons to save my hand.

If you want to sell that for the OP's budget, consider it sold to me.

[torstar]

Not the Verne.

 

Ever.

 

90% of the weight is in the posted cap, makes a great boat anchor.

 

The Poe was a great workhorse until the barrel shattered a second time.

Edited June 1, 2017 by torstar

[Remedial penmanship]

Never post caps and the Verne doesn't have an anchor. It's a gaudy blue beauty that deserved a MOP star befitting its marine decor, wish I could make a love child between the JP Morgan cap and Verne's.