Prevent Scratches On Expensive Pens

[rb120134]

Hi,

I own 2 luxury writing instruments. Both ballpoint pens.

A Waterman expert gt gold and a Montblanc Meisterstuck gold plated ballpoint pen. I heard that even if you carry the montblanc in a special leather montblanc pouch, the pen still collects scratches. Is there any way to prevent scratches on "resin" as it is called? And are there any luxury pen brands wich are more resistance to scratching? I know cartier makes expensive ballpoint pens too and s.t Dupont also and Graff von Faber Castell also. And there are some other brands. Do you guys know how to prevent scratches on Montblanc ballpoint pens and wich luxury brands carry pens wich have good resistance against scratches? And from all luxury ballpoint pens out there, wich one writes the smoothest? I use these pens for school on a daily basis.

 

[Inkling13]

The only thing that can prevent 100% of scratches is to put it in a safe. There are plenty of cases which will cut down on signs of use. Even something made of diamond can scratch, unlikely, but it can.

[rb120134]

I find it hard to understand that even if you carry a pen in an expensive pouch like a Montblanc pen pouch it still scratches. I mean how can a pen scratch from just your fingers?

[Corona688]

You're probably going to set it down on the tabletop sooner or later if you're really writing with it. And with a fine enough finish, any random dragging there may cause something you'll notice.

 

Also, let's call "resin" what it is: Plastic.

[rb120134]

But could you cause scratches solely by

Holding it in your hands and writing with it? And could you cause scratches with a microfibre lint free cloth for polishing glass?

[Chrissy]

You can only do your best to prevent scratches from occurring. I would recommend a leather pen pouch if you're taking them out of the house. Some are better than others at keeping your pens from scratching. I suggest you could look at previous threads about pen pouches by doing a FPN search. You could also look at Montblanc pen pouches on Montblanc.com or on ebay, but be careful as there are plenty of fake Montblanc style pen pouches on ebay.

 

I like Montblanc Florence pen pouches, but maybe they are a bit roomy for a ballpoint. There are many that would keep your pens safe from scratches.

[rb120134]

And besides a good pen pouch, what else can I do to prevent scratches on my Waterman and Montblanc pens?

[Chrissy]

Be careful with them. Don't put them in a bag or case where they can come into contact with keys or other rough objects for example.

 

Buy a Sunshine cloth and give them a wipe over with that every once in a while.

[Kelly G]

Here is the deal: if you use your pens, they will become scratched. It is not so much figuring out how or how to prevent scratching but accepting that the only way to prevent all scratches is to not use your pens; that is the sad but real truth. So, my best advice is to accept that reality and proceed ahead, trying not to obsess over the inevitable scratches, or put away said pens and buy a few that you don't mind becoming scratched. In my experience, this is the only way to maintain your sanity in this crazy obsession. Besides, a few minor scratches and dings adds to the pen's character, IMHO.

Good luck with your pens!

[Inkling13]

You're probably going to set it down on the tabletop sooner or later if you're really writing with it. And with a fine enough finish, any random dragging there may cause something you'll notice.Also, let's call "resin" what it is: Plastic.

So is ebonite, leucite, makralon, ABS, celluloid ( in all its many forms). Thats just being spiteful and contributes nothing to the conversation. Educate yourself here:http://www.peneconomics.com/blog/2016/12/2/precious-resin.

[Inkling13]

I find it hard to understand that even if you carry a pen in an expensive pouch like a Montblanc pen pouch it still scratches. I mean how can a pen scratch from just your fingers?

But could you cause scratches solely by

Holding it in your hands and writing with it? And could you cause scratches with a microfibre lint free cloth for polishing glass?

Look at anything you handle frequently. Your phone has certainly aquired scratches and wear patterns based on how you use it. Look at a keyboard and even though nobody has polished or sanded any heys, some are worn smooth from use. Despite having been taken care of all these years, things will wear. For any good indication, look at used pens, so you have an idea of what years of wear look like. Nothing lasts forever, especially if you use and love them. Microscopic grit and dust will find its way to your microfiber cloth and that will cause tour scratches. Bo way around it.

[Matlock]

So is ebonite, leucite, makralon, ABS, celluloid ( in all its many forms). Thats just being spiteful and contributes nothing to the conversation. Educate yourself here:http://www.peneconomics.com/blog/2016/12/2/precious-resin.

 

I think that blog contributes even less to the argument other than to say that MB are not alone in calling their pens "precious resin". Pens will scratch whatever they are made of so careful use and a well designed case are the answer. I worked with a friend who used to buy Parker ballpoint refills and just use them without the pen. He argued that it was the same refill whether it was fitted to a £10 Jotter or a £1,500 18k Parker 61 so why bother with the pen. A little extreme but he had a point.

[rb120134]

And what exactly defines "careful use" when it comes to luxury pens? Like Montblanc ballpoint pens?

[Matlock]

And what exactly defines "careful use" when it comes to luxury pens? Like Montblanc ballpoint pens?

 

Don't drop it .

[kazoolaw]

And what exactly defines "careful use" when it comes to luxury pens? Like Montblanc ballpoint pens?

What constitutes "scratches"? How deep does a mark have to be to move from a micro-scratch to a full-blown scratch, and then to a gouge?

 

You will very slight scratches, micro, from normal use, putting your pen on a hard surface, hitting your ring, life.

 

Full scratches can be avoided by not dropping your pen, not letting it rattle around loose in the bottom of a bag, purse, or briefcase etc.

 

You can polish a MB to remove the micro marks. I'm not familiar with the Waterman.

 

Nothing used in the real world remains unmarked by its experience. You and me neither.

[rb120134]

If I only put the pen on soft surfaces like paper?Then it wont scratch? And how do I polish the Montblanc pen?

[Chrissy]

If I only put the pen on soft surfaces like paper?Then it wont scratch? And how do I polish the Montblanc pen?

 

I'm not sure if you're "cut out" to own any expensive pens as you seem so very worried about them even having one micro scratch. And, let's be honest, you're only talking about a couple of ballpoints, that are expensive for you. If you don't want to have expensive pens that can potentially get any slight micro scratches at all, then I recommend you buy cheaper pens that won't worry you so much.

[Wolverine1]

Chrissy is 100% correct. A pen is to be used. And, lets face it,

you are just wasting time worrying about keeping your ballpoint pens "pristine". Like someone said in one of the earlier responses, if you want to keep your MB ballpoint pens pristine, keep them in a safe, and never use them. Use a el-cheapo ballpoint pen, like a BIC Stick that you can get for free anywhere, and write with that instead.

Or go buy a Cross Century or a Cross Townsend ballpoint pen, they are made of metal, and wont scratch easily.

Edited February 13, 2018 by Wolverine1

[rb120134]

I am using my Montblanc regugarlely. My last question, when is someone "cut out" to own expensive pens? I will stop worrying now I know scratches are normal. My Waterman has quite some scratches although not easy visible and I use it everyday on school.

[dapprman]

So is ebonite, leucite, makralon, ABS, celluloid ( in all its many forms). Thats just being spiteful and contributes nothing to the conversation. Educate yourself here:http://www.peneconomics.com/blog/2016/12/2/precious-resin.

 

If you're going to try and be a pedant try to get it right. Plastics (acrylics, ABS) are bi-products from the oil industry and are artificial. Celluloid is made from plant matter and ebonite is hardened rubber. Makralon, as far as I'm aware, is a form of fibre glass and so a silicate.

 

On a side note, question to all since I've segued this, is Montblanc's 'precious resin' actually a plastic or is it a 'real' resin ? I'm assuming the formed due to the number of times the term is questioned.

 

To the OP - use the pens and don't get too worried - you can always get a cloth/silk pen roll or kimono to store the pens and protect them from scratching while being carried around, but they won't help much if you bash the pen.