Mont Blanc Alexander Dumas LE

[goodguy1]

I tried to download the pictures but somehow they dont do that on my regular name (goodguy) so I tried to register as a new user and now it will load the pictures.

Not sure what or why this happened but here is my review to my new beauty

 

I remember a while back there was a post about what’s your most favorite MB WE series pen.

I remember (I hope I am not mistaken as my memory was never too good) that for me it was an easy choice.

The Alexander Dumas was and is one of the most beautiful and esthetic pen ever produced, I actually want to say the most beautiful but I am carful saying that as there are so many gorgeous pens out there so let’s just say it’s in the top of the list companied with only few more pens.

To me the pen resembles early 1900’s Parker ED covered with mother of pearl.

 

Ok so the pen has a combination of mother of pearl covered barrel with a black resin screw button and a black resin cap. The cap has 2 GP rings at the bottom. One thin ring and the second ring is nice and thick adorned with feathers.

The mother of pearl barrel has 3 golden lines running along it from the top down to the button. To me these lines give a stunning effect to this already gorgeous mother of pearl barrel.

As with all MB WE pens this pen also has the signature engraved on the pen.

I am not sure if this bares the father signature or the son. Not a big issue for me as I love the pen and I would be happy with either signature.

 

The pen is surprisingly smaller then I expected it to be. I know most of the WE pens are based on MB 146 line. This pen looks a tad smaller then my 146 and I actually had to put it one next to the other to see that surprisingly I was right. A capped MB 146 is slightly longer then a capped Dumas. With the caps off they are almost the same length which proves to me the Dumas indeed it based off the 146.

I know this pen was designed on the 139 chassis so I guess that the reason for the slight size difference with the 146.

The nib on this pen is HUGE. One of the biggest nibs out there, it even dwarfs the already big nib I have on my MB 149.

 

Like most other WE pens this is a piston filler, it’s a very smooth piston close to a pelikan piston (even though its not quite there yet). It does take only few twists of the button to fully fill the pen. That makes me believe that the pen will not hold as much ink as other WE pens. Never the less it does hold more then enough ink for everyday use.

 

The huge nib is very stiff, I wish it would have some flex to it.

It is nicely smooth even though not a smooth as my other WE pens the VW and Cervantes. There is also very little feedback but it is nicely wet and altogether I’d say it’s a nice nib but could be smoother with more feedback.

It isn’t just a big nib, it is also a beautiful one. I think I will not exaggerate if I will say this is the most beautiful and attractive nib I own and probably one of the best looking nibs out there, its big with 2 tone pattern and a lovely engraving on it.

 

To my joy this pen isn’t heavy as the Cervantes and feels very comfortable in the hand, it is very nicely balanced. The pen is wide, interestingly enough the Dumas cap can screw on my MB 149 so both pens have the same thickness.

 

The pen is very well made (like all other WE pens) and the quality of this pen is very easy to see and notice when holding it in the hand.

Its shape reminds me a bit the 139 and this is a nice touch by its designer as the 139 is considered by many MB fans to be the best MB pen ever designed.

 

Conclusion

 

I will start by what I feel as could be improved.

The pen could have been a wee bit longer, this observation is for esthetics reasons only as the pen is great to use.

As I mentioned the nib could be just a bit smoother and more responsive.

 

Altogether this pen has a stunning design and a nib that leaves you shocked of its beauty, design and size.

Even though I felt the nib could be a bit better this pen is a wonderful writer and I can see myself use it on special occasions as I do with my other MB pens.

 

Special thanks to my good buddy Bryan that without him this pen wouldn’t be mine

 

[georges zaslavsky]

great pen indeed but too expensive for my tastes.

[Bryant]

Enjoy brother! Im glad you are happy with it and nice review!

 

[Deirdre]

How do I know it's you? The cat isn't there.

 

Nice pen.

[goodguy]

How do I know it's you? The cat isn't there.

 

Nice pen.

Oh its me alright.

Yesterday the cat was tired and was sleeping most of the day so he didnt even check the new pen (he always love checking the new ones).

[PigRatAndGoat]

Wow, a nib bigger than the 149! Would love to see one in person. Great review (as usual).

[PAKMAN]

Wow, great review! This is the only Writers series pen that I really want!! It is beautiful!! Congrats on obtaining one!

[RedRob]

Thanks for the review Goodguy. Nibs are stiff on the Dumases and smoothness varies quite a bit. A nibmeister should have no problem making it smoother. If I am not mistaken the bibs are the exact same size as those on the 149 and Hemingways. The resin is actually a dark brown, which makes it to my knowledge the only pen besides the Hemingway that uses this color instead of the usual dark red (most obvious on the Kafka). All in all a unique and well matched color. The overall design (oh those stripes!) could be a bit over the top (very Napoleon III) but this it is also one of the most ergonomic pens in my hands. Short and stubby, just as like I like them. Combined with a smooth nib the pen just glides and swoons on paper. I loved mine but a friend did so even more, so I couldn't help but offer it to him for the beginning of his new career and practice. I don't miss it when I see how much he enjoys it and I wish you the same with yours. If you get a chance, I strongly encourage you to have the nib regrinded to be smoother as the tipping alloy on MB nibs has great potential indeed.

Edited July 19, 2008 by RedRob

[goodguy]

Thanks for the review Goodguy. Nibs are stiff on the Dumases and smoothness varies quite a bit. A nibmeister should have no problem making it smoother. If I am not mistaken the bibs are the exact same size as those on the 149 and Hemingways. The resin is actually a dark brown, which makes it to my knowledge the only pen besides the Hemingway that uses this color instead of the usual dark red (most obvious on the Kafka). All in all a unique and well matched color. The overall design (oh those stripes!) could be a bit over the top (very Napoleon III) but this it is also one of the most ergonomic pens in my hands. Short and stubby, just as like I like them. Combined with a smooth nib the pen just glides and swoons on paper. I loved mine but a friend did so even more, so I couldn't help but offer it to him for the beginning of his new career and practice. I don't miss it when I see how much he enjoys it and I wish you the same with yours. If you get a chance, I strongly encourage you to have the nib regrinded to be smoother as the tipping alloy on MB nibs has great potential indeed.

Thats half a review right there :ltcapd:

I plan to let my pen tech give the pen a look.

The pen doesnt need to be reground,just a little touch on the sanding paper by an expert is all it needs.

The pen is actualy smoother then some of the pens I own.I simply am a perfectionist and when I think of a pen from the WE family then the standards for me arevery very high.

I'd say out of 10 the nibs smoothness is an 8

For me in the smoothness anything over 9.5 is too smooth and unacceptale to you see I am not that far from the comfy zone.

Edited July 19, 2008 by goodguy

[Diamondback]

Goodguy/Goodguy1 :hmm1: ,

 

Thanks for the comprehensive review of one of the more unique pens in the WE series. The dimensions of the pen and nib set it apart from others in the series, as does the barrel with the banded engraved trim running length ways.

 

I tried to download the pictures but somehow they dont do that on my regular name (goodguy) so I tried to register as a new user and now it will load the pictures. Not sure what or why this happened but here is my review to my new beauty

 

By the way, did you sort out your photo posting problem. Sounds like you have exceeded your forum upload limit. You can get around this by linking the photos in your posts to an online free photo hosting service like photobucket. This worked for me.

 

Mark

Edited July 19, 2008 by Diamondback

[goodguy]

Goodguy/Goodguy1 :hmm1: ,

 

Thanks for the comprehensive review of one of the more unique pens in the WE series. The dimensions of the pen and nib set it apart from others in the series, as does the barrel with the banded engraved trim running length ways.

 

I tried to download the pictures but somehow they dont do that on my regular name (goodguy) so I tried to register as a new user and now it will load the pictures. Not sure what or why this happened but here is my review to my new beauty

 

By the way, did you sort out your photo posting problem. Sounds like you have exceeded your forum upload limit. You can get around this by linking the photos in your posts to an online free photo hosting service like photobucket. This worked for me.

 

Mark

I am not sure at the moment what a pproach to take regarding the photo limit but thanks for the info.

[SMG]

Nice pen goodguy, as usual you have great taste.

 

Here is another image of the pen, one I like to trot out once in a while.

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/2194567056_5371b933a5_b.jpg

 

Don't worry, I'll get it 9.4 or 9.5 smooth for you and you will be in heaven once again with your new pen.

 

Cheers,

Sean

[FrankB]

Another good review. Thank you.

 

The Dumas is one of the few WE pens I am interested in. I am really curious about the basis (chassis) of this pen. I thought the Dumas was based on the 149. Even if it is shorter than a 146, is it not the same diameter as the 149? If so, the piston filler mechanism would have to be based on the 149. Right? But, for me everything is okay as long as it has that beautiful 149 style nib and a substantial girth.

[goodguy]

Nice pen goodguy, as usual you have great taste.

 

Here is another image of the pen, one I like to trot out once in a while.

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/2194567056_5371b933a5_b.jpg

 

Don't worry, I'll get it 9.4 or 9.5 smooth for you and you will be in heaven once again with your new pen.

 

Cheers,

Sean

First Sean the picture is amazing,it enhanses the beauty of this pen.

I cant wait for you to get your hands on the pen,the slighly shorter dimentions of this pen makes it an ideal pen to carry around in the shirt pocket and I would love to have it as an option to use every so often.

[goodguy]

I found a review writen buy "The Noble Savage" about a year ago.

It seams we share the same love and passion to this pen and actualy many other pens too.

[goodguy]

Update

 

Since writing this review I replced this pen with another one with a Fine nib, this nib is better and thus the pen is even better now and more enjoyable for me to write with

[Ed Ronax]

Excellent review, thanks.

[shrinknib]

I thought you said somewhere that you had given up collecting MB's....

I thought the waters wre safe to swim in again...alas not!

:ninja: :ninja:

[goodguy]

I thought you said somewhere that you had given up collecting MB's....

I thought the waters wre safe to swim in again...alas not!

:ninja: :ninja:

No, I stopped buying pens in general for now because I take family to Israel to celebrate my sons Bar Mitzva so I dont have money to waiste.

I might break and get the 2010 WE but that would be it.

 

At 2011 we shall see what will happened.

[breaker]

nice review on a very nice pen