Mb Ballpoint & Rollerball Users -- Please Help

[adim]

May I ask which kind of ballpoint refill did you choose (bold or medium)? I have three MB Starwalkers, all fitted with a medium BP refill. I’m considering buying the Le Grand platinum BP (I already own the rollerball) and use it with a different refill.

 

The pen came with a bold refill and I bought a few extra in medium (blue and purple). What's happened, though, is that I barely used the medium ones and as soon as I finished the black, broad refill that came with the pen, I immediately ordered some more broads. Of course, it all depends on preferences and paper, but since I tend to like paper that's a bit feedbacky (e.g. I dislike Rhodia and love Leuchtturm), the broad is perfect for me.

[A1979]

 

The pen came with a bold refill and I bought a few extra in medium (blue and purple). What's happened, though, is that I barely used the medium ones and as soon as I finished the black, broad refill that came with the pen, I immediately ordered some more broads. Of course, it all depends on preferences and paper, but since I tend to like paper that's a bit feedbacky (e.g. I dislike Rhodia and love Leuchtturm), the broad is perfect for me.

Thank you for your quick and detailed answer!

[A1979]

The pen came with a bold refill and I bought a few extra in medium (blue and purple). What's happened, though, is that I barely used the medium ones and as soon as I finished the black, broad refill that came with the pen, I immediately ordered some more broads. Of course, it all depends on preferences and paper, but since I tend to like paper that's a bit feedbacky (e.g. I dislike Rhodia and love Leuchtturm), the broad is perfect for me.

Ive bought the pen yesterday, exactly with the same starting pack. Beautiful, classic look. And the B refill writes smoothly. Only one minor downsize: despite its size, the pen is extremely light, feels almost cheap if compared (for example) to my two metal Starwalkers. Well, in the future I will have to buy also the Martelé version . Thanks again for your help.

Edited June 1, 2019 by A1979

[adim]

Ive bought the pen yesterday, exactly with the same starting pack. Beautiful, classic look. And the B refill writes smoothly. Only one minor downsize: despite its size, the pen is extremely light, feels almost cheap if compared (for example) to my two metal Starwalkers. Well, in the future I will have to buy also the Martelé version . Thanks again for your help.

 

I don't find the Le Grand light at all, on the contrary, to be honest. The Starwalkers are differently balanced, though. I've tried a couple and they have that heavy "grip bulge", whereas the Le Grand is back-heavier. At least that's what I think.

 

I have no idea how a Martele will feel, I've tried a Tolstoy and a Beatles once and found them too heavy for my use.

 

Anyway, enjoy! Glad I could help! Too bad not more refills are offered in broad. They do flow smoothly, that you almost forget you're using a ballpoint.

[A1979]

 

I don't find the Le Grand light at all, on the contrary, to be honest. The Starwalkers are differently balanced, though. I've tried a couple and they have that heavy "grip bulge", whereas the Le Grand is back-heavier. At least that's what I think.

 

I have no idea how a Martele will feel, I've tried a Tolstoy and a Beatles once and found them too heavy for my use.

 

Anyway, enjoy! Glad I could help! Too bad not more refills are offered in broad. They do flow smoothly, that you almost forget you're using a ballpoint.

 

 

You're right, there is always a certain amount of subjectivity when it comes to weight preferences. I checked the difference between the Starwalker mentioned above and the LeGrand: the latter is actually only 10g lighter (30g vs 42g). My first impression may have been influenced by the fact that I like heavy pens (Hitchcock: 82g!, Yard-o-led Viceroy 65g, etc.).

 

Refills: I completely agree with you. It is also a pity that MB only offers the LeGrand Fineliner refills (by far my favourite) in Black and Blue.

[adim]

It is also a pity that MB only offers the LeGrand Fineliner refills (by far my favourite) in Black and Blue.

I agree. That's why my only rollerball/fineliner is the Brahms, which takes regular (not Le Grand) refills. It was really a deciding factor when I bought it, the diversity of refill colours. But I don't regret it, I wanted the pen to be special, so I didn't settle with one in the regular line, like the Le Grand, as in the case of the ballpoint. Thankfully, all of the SE/LE rollerballs take regular (not Le Grand) refills.

 

By the way, according to La Couronne du Comte, the 2019 Starwalker brings also fineliner refills, in gray.

[meiers]

Broad ballpoint refills are my favourite.

I like the thick assertive line they produce.

Edited June 3, 2019 by meiers

[Paul80]

I prefer the broad ballpoint as well, which was one of the reasons I got the MB pen, when Sheaffer dropped their broad refills.

[como]

I bought a few MB ballpoints and roller balls more than 15 years ago (Bohéme and Classique). Initially I took one along whenever I travelled. But they haven't seen any use in the last 5-6 years, as I use only Fps now. I always have a disposable plastic pen in my bag, in case I run out of ink. I just won't spend any money on non-Fps any more.

[Nathanb]

Seeing as no pictures are yet to be posted..

 

L-R

 

RB Classique (my very first MB, a gift from my father for completing my university degree!)

BP Classique

RB Legrand

BP Legrand

BP JFK LE

 

 

Edited July 15, 2019 by Nathanb

[como]

Reading this thread seems to have solved a little mystery: As I hardly ever use my MB Rollerballs and Ballpoints, I was a little puzzled why my MB Boméme Rollball would need refill almost every time I used it, which is very infrequent, a couple of times a year max if even that. It seems that I am not the only one who experienced the lack of endurance of MB RB refills. Though I still don't know if the refill was dried out or actually used up (even more mysterious as I hardly use it). No problems with Ballpoint refills.

[SE1980]

I’ve been using my 161 Le Grand BP for 7 years and absolutely love writing on it, currently on amethyst purple and have a new set of Le Petit Prince at home. 3 years later I purchased the 1912 Heritage FP and since been using both at work, currently on toffee brown and have the UNICEF on standby.

 

Yes I agree writing on FP is heavenly and a very different writing experience as compared to BP/RB. I chose BP over RB as BPs are more ‘universal’ on multiple writing medium and since RBs mainly use liquid ink, might as well go FP for the full experience.

[jmcf1949]

I love my Le Grand rollerball. It's my daily writer. It comes in a broad point which writes a bit wetter than some other pens. My fountain pens are used for letter writing or more formal things.

[C95]

Interesting. I have a Pix Rb and it writes with no pressure a beautiful black line. But Le Grand RB refills seem a little bit smoother. For ballpoints, i had the impression that le grand ones write bolder than normal sized ones of equal tip,but yes with slow start too ; even the M point is quite smooth, but i would really like to try the bold! The one you tried wrote very dark too? Always surprising for a ballpoint

[englishchese]

Might have to try that Broad refill on my RB that jmcf mentioned above.

 

I too find the my three montblanc RB's are always drying out.

 

I was curious if anyone knew if it was possible to swap in a Ballpoint refill as to add some variety into my collection.

[agentdaffy007]

I refill my Starwalker RB with MB inks and a syringe. Boom, never dry again and i have so many choice of colors.