Montblanc Solitaire, Only A Few Defects!

[lovingball]

First of all I would like to warn the reader that I am a ball point pen enthusiast, this is my first time here, so I dont know if people will like me. If there are some ball pen lovers out there, please I would really appreciate to receive some feedbacks so at least I know I am not the only one.

I love handwriting, I really enjoy it, I think it is one of the most precious and valuable gift we have, and we should preserve it.

I love ball point pens, also fountain pens, roller ball pens, pencils, I do love all writing instruments and the paper I write on it. I love their smell, the feeling when you touch them, their weight. Bottom line, I like pens.

Since my primary passion is for ball point pens here I would like to review the Montblanc Meisterstuck Solitaire, one of my favorite pen.

 

 

I bought this model a few years ago from one of my favorite pen store in Italy during a business trip.

The finishing is giselle in 925 silver and for what I know they are not making this finishing any longer, what a pity!

I am sure everything has already been written and reviewed about this pen so I will be limiting my review only to those very few aspects I believe could be considered defects.

I like heavy pens, if they are lighter than 1.40-1.23 oz. I have difficulties in getting the right balance. I write a lot, almost everything by hand, I cannot keep up writing more than few pages if the pen is too light. So my first complain is about the weight, it should be at least 0.35 oz. heavier.

My second complain is related to the vibrations of the point of the refill during writing, basically there is too much play between the point of the refill and the hole of the point of the pen. This is a problem that almost 90% of all ball pens have, and it is fine if you write with a $3 pen, but if you pay $600 and more for a pen this is something that it is not right.

I was able to fix this problem by changing the spring, in facts the solution is not in tighten the hole, if you do that the refill wont get through anymore, but in using the proper spring that would be able to create a tight body among the refill, the spring and the hole. Sometimes it is just useful to turn upside down the spring and you wont have this annoying problem anymore.

I may have to say something also regarding the gold plating finishing of the clip, after a few months it has started to peel off a little bit. For example I have never found this problem on the Cartier pens, which in my opinion are better finished than the Monblanc, but I will save this for one of my next review.

This pen is a real classic, its design will always be liked for the years to come. Price off course is high, you pay a lot for the brand, particularly if you choose the plastic one ( they call it special resin, but at the end is plastic), where the real value could be very limited. I would definitely suggest to buy a silver one.

Again, I understand that I am in a fountain pen world fans here, but again, I would really like to find someone like me who likes ball point pens and being able to exchange some passionate opinions. So if there is someone, please let me know.

[allebannep]

Beautiful pen, I have the exact same model, I do like ball point pens. My latest purchase was a Loclen Spica ball point pen from Italy, and I love it.

[lovingball]

Beautiful pen, I have the exact same model, I do like ball point pens. My latest purchase was a Loclen Spica ball point pen from Italy, and I love it.

Thank you for sharing, I saw that brand at the Trieste Pen Show not far from here last April, they are very nice and very good quality, I will probably buy one.

[allebannep]

Thank you for sharing, I saw that brand at the Trieste Pen Show not far from here last April, they are very nice and very good quality, I will probably buy one.

I have just ordered their fountain pen called Orbita, it should arrive here anytime now, I can’t wait to see it and to make a full review.

[gwet432]

It's a very nice pen indeed!

 

I like ball-points too, and have used them for quite some time. Lately I started to use fountain pens again because they write so smooth compared to BPs, and don't strain my hand that much. I also tend to write nicer with FPs. I still use BPs for taking down a quick note or to write in the car or any awkward position (like a clipboard held in my other hand). I currently own a Parker IM gold black, a Picasso 916 (review here, third post) and a neon green Caran d'Ache 849 (which i currently use beside my FP and happens to be my favourite, review here).

 

I also welcome you, fellow new member to FPN.

Edited to insert links.

Edited June 26, 2013 by gwet432

[lovingball]

It's a very nice pen indeed!

 

I like ball-points too, and have used them for quite some time. Lately I started to use fountain pens again because they write so smooth compared to BPs, and don't strain my hand that much. I also tend to write nicer with FPs. I still use BPs for taking down a quick note or to write in the car or any awkward position (like a clipboard held in my other hand). I currently own a Parker IM gold black, a Picasso 916 and a neon green Caran d'Ache 849 (which i currently use beside my FP and happens to be my favourite).

 

I also welcome you, fellow new member to FPN.

Thank you very much for your post and welcome, I appreciate it. You are right, fountain pens are smoother, I do have some and I use them, but for long writing I still prefer ball point.

Thank you

[usk15]

It's a beautiful writing instrument and a good review by pointing the defects. It's nothing wrong if you like to use BP. And you're right about spring, sometimes you need to change or to reverse it. I also like heavy, metal body pens, if it's possible made from less parts. I will also like to see more pictures.

[lovingball]

It's a beautiful writing instrument and a good review by pointing the defects. It's nothing wrong if you like to use BP. And you're right about spring, sometimes you need to change or to reverse it. I also like heavy, metal body pens, if it's possible made from less parts. I will also like to see more pictures.

Thank you for your post, and by letting me know.

[carlosjaviercontreras]

Again, I understand that I am in a fountain pen world fans here, but again, I would really like to find someone like me who likes ball point pens and being able to exchange some passionate opinions. So if there is someone, please let me know.

 

Hi lovingball,

 

I mainly collect and use fountain pens, but am sort of a "closeted" ballpoint enthusiast . My beloved Montblanc Meisterstück 161 Le Grand ballpoint with a B refill is the only writing instrument that I would dare to compare with any of my fountain pens, at least confortwise. My Cross Townsend ballpoint in sterling silver is another favorite. I once got me a Montblanc Starwalker Midnight Black Metal ballpoint that was too heavy, and had a too wide gripping section that started to hurt my fingers in as little as 2 minutes writing with it. Thankfully, I returned it to my montblanc boutique for a slight defect in the finish, and got the rollerball in exchange.

 

... so you might not be alone around here. As a matter of fact, I´m almost sure you´ll enjoy your stay. Be very welcome, and thanks for the mini-review. I love those solitaires, but they are too expensive.

 

Regards,

 

Carlos Javier.

[lovingball]

Hi lovingball,

 

I mainly collect and use fountain pens, but am sort of a "closeted" ballpoint enthusiast . My beloved Montblanc Meisterstück 161 Le Grand ballpoint with a B refill is the only writing instrument that I would dare to compare with any of my fountain pens, at least confortwise. My Cross Townsend ballpoint in sterling silver is another favorite. I once got me a Montblanc Starwalker Midnight Black Metal ballpoint that was too heavy, and had a too wide gripping section that started to hurt my fingers in as little as 2 minutes writing with it. Thankfully, I returned it to my montblanc boutique for a slight defect in the finish, and got the rollerball in exchange.

 

... so you might not be alone around here. As a matter of fact, I´m almost sure you´ll enjoy your stay. Be very welcome, and thanks for the mini-review. I love those solitaires, but they are too expensive.

 

Regards,

 

Carlos Javier.

Hi Carlos, thank you for letting me know, I look forward to exchange some good opinions related to ball point pens.

[max dog]

My second complain is related to the vibrations of the point of the refill during writing, basically there is too much play between the point of the refill and the hole of the point of the pen. This is a problem that almost 90% of all ball pens have, and it is fine if you write with a $3 pen, but if you pay $600 and more for a pen this is something that it is not right.

 

This is so true about most ballpoint pens. That is why my favorite when it comes to ballpoints are Cross ballpoint pens. The ballpoint is held rock solid in the barrel.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/245556-cross-ballpoint-pens/

The MB Solitaire BP is beautiful, but check out the Cross Townsend and Apogee ballpoints for size and feel.

[lovingball]

This is so true about most ballpoint pens. That is why my favorite when it comes to ballpoints are Cross ballpoint pens. The ballpoint is held rock solid in the barrel.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/245556-cross-ballpoint-pens/

The MB Solitaire BP is beautiful, but check out the Cross Townsend and Apogee ballpoints for size and feel.

Thank you, I will

[Soer]

First of all I would like to warn the reader that I am a ball point pen enthusiast, this is my first time here, so I dont know if people will like me. If there are some ball pen lovers out there, please I would really appreciate to receive some feedbacks so at least I know I am not the only one.

I love handwriting, I really enjoy it, I think it is one of the most precious and valuable gift we have, and we should preserve it.

I love ball point pens, also fountain pens, roller ball pens, pencils, I do love all writing instruments and the paper I write on it. I love their smell, the feeling when you touch them, their weight. Bottom line, I like pens.

Since my primary passion is for ball point pens here I would like to review the Montblanc Meisterstuck Solitaire, one of my favorite pen.

 

montblanc biro.jpg

 

I bought this model a few years ago from one of my favorite pen store in Italy during a business trip.

The finishing is giselle in 925 silver and for what I know they are not making this finishing any longer, what a pity!

I am sure everything has already been written and reviewed about this pen so I will be limiting my review only to those very few aspects I believe could be considered defects.

I like heavy pens, if they are lighter than 1.40-1.23 oz. I have difficulties in getting the right balance. I write a lot, almost everything by hand, I cannot keep up writing more than few pages if the pen is too light. So my first complain is about the weight, it should be at least 0.35 oz. heavier.

My second complain is related to the vibrations of the point of the refill during writing, basically there is too much play between the point of the refill and the hole of the point of the pen. This is a problem that almost 90% of all ball pens have, and it is fine if you write with a $3 pen, but if you pay $600 and more for a pen this is something that it is not right.

I was able to fix this problem by changing the spring, in facts the solution is not in tighten the hole, if you do that the refill wont get through anymore, but in using the proper spring that would be able to create a tight body among the refill, the spring and the hole. Sometimes it is just useful to turn upside down the spring and you wont have this annoying problem anymore.

I may have to say something also regarding the gold plating finishing of the clip, after a few months it has started to peel off a little bit. For example I have never found this problem on the Cartier pens, which in my opinion are better finished than the Monblanc, but I will save this for one of my next review.

This pen is a real classic, its design will always be liked for the years to come. Price off course is high, you pay a lot for the brand, particularly if you choose the plastic one ( they call it special resin, but at the end is plastic), where the real value could be very limited. I would definitely suggest to buy a silver one.

Again, I understand that I am in a fountain pen world fans here, but again, I would really like to find someone like me who likes ball point pens and being able to exchange some passionate opinions. So if there is someone, please let me know.

I have the same problem with all my ballpoint, e.g. Pelikan, Montegrappa, Diplomat and Aurora.

If you write with it and on a certain spot the refill will rattle , and it annoyed me a lot.(even new pens have that)

I changed the spring put a longer one , but still the problem stayed.

And it hurts more if the pen is a expensive on.

I hope someone can help us.

Oh yeah another issue is the wobbley barrel of the ballpoints pen.

Edited June 28, 2013 by Soer

[Bigeddie]

I'm not a big user of ballpens, but they have their uses! I hope you enjoy the community (AKA 'madhouse').

[lovingball]

I have the same problem with all my ballpoint, e.g. Pelikan, Montegrappa, Diplomat and Aurora.

If you write with it and on a certain spot the refill will rattle , and it annoyed me a lot.(even new pens have that)

I changed the spring put a longer one , but still the problem stayed.

And it hurts more if the pen is a expensive on.

I hope someone can help us.

Oh yeah another issue is the wobbley barrel of the ballpoints pen.

I know, I totally agree with you, thank you for your respond.

[lovingball]

I'm not a big user of ballpens, but they have their uses! I hope you enjoy the community (AKA 'madhouse').

Thank you for your welcome.

[montblanc01]

Just saw this thread. I have the same pen, and while its magnificent to look at, i cant bear to use it as much as i would like in fear of losing it. Do you know if Montblanc carries spare parts for this pen? I have a few dents on barrel, and a small hair line crack on the side of the snow flake. Do you guys think it would be a risk sending it for repairs?

Edited March 29, 2014 by montblanc01

[Blade Runner]

I have that pen in the 146 size fountain pen. I think this finish is the most beautiful of all the MB silver solitaires. The current one in the chevron pattern is a close second. Enjoy!

[Montblanc owner and lover]

Personally i haven't had a ballpoint in my hands since something like 3 or 4 years (yes i know seems incredible but when someone want to give me a BP in a administration to sign i say no and i take my FP ) but i have in my familly someone who collect BPs,in his case it's because he simply can't use FPs (he apply lot too much pressure on them and dammage or even break nibs so never give him one yours) and he has quite a lot,around 20,30. Personaly i have no bps,not even a simple bic,nothing,i hate them but it doesn't mean i hate you.

[Gloucesterman]

Some of my best friends use ballpoint pens.

 

Although your MB BP looks fine to me, my choice for a life time ballpoint companion is a Silver DuPont with s very subtle texture finish.

 

Substantial in weight and well balanced. The refill is similar to the Fisher in that it is sealed so it writes in almost any position. The silver plating is nice an thick so it hold its elegant appearance for a long time too.

 

The one I bought also included a swappable mechanical pencil insert that lets me convert the pen to a pencil.

 

Although the silver MBs "may be more durable than their plastic siblings, after 10 years of ongoing use, my DuPont, with just a quick swipe of the silver polishing cloth looks as if it just came out of the store display case.