Montblanc Writers Edition- F.scott Fitzgerald

[Sidestreaker]

Earlier on, during the start of my craze of FP, I've listed a platinum 146 in my wishlist of pens(it is still there, btw). However, due to my obsession with the Writers Edition recently, I have collected a handful of good deal WE fountain pens and seem to have put the idea of getting the 146 on hold. My latest haul, the F.Scott Fitzgerald has reminded me again of the 146. That is mainly because they have much in common. I compared the 2 in the MB boutique, where I purchased the F. Scott Fitzgerald, and true enough the F. Scott Fitzgerald is based on the platfrom of the 146. Similar nib dimension and apart from all the diffrences in cosmetic , the F. Scott Fitzgerald is shorter, and has no ink windows. Holding and writing with the F. Scott Fitzgerald has a strong Meisterstuck feel to it, in terms of weight, dimension and quality of writing. I won't dare to conclude that the F. Scott Fitzgerald is a substitute for the 146, but lets just say I won't be craving for the 146, at least for now...

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2160294.jpg

 

 

Appearance and Design 8/10

Classic almost Meisterstuck like shape and proportion, the F. Scott Fitzgerald is based on the 1920 art deco era, from the silver rings and 2 colour barrel to the art-deco pattern on the nib. I have a thing for dwi-tone nib colours and this is one of my favourite in the WE line. The clip and rings are made of 925 sterling silver and there are some oxidation after being more than 8 years on the shelf. I could even tell there's a fingerprint that has been there for a long time from the oxidation marks. I used a bit of hot water, baking soda and salt with some cotton buds to clean it, and brings out the shine again (though there are some visible abrasive marks under the reading light).

The real aesthetic here is really the mother of pearl resin on the barrel, making it unique and gives the extra depth of pattern. One can't help but rotating the pen to see how the pattern goes around the barrel. The creamy white multi depth pattern gives it al almost 3D feel to the texture. Here are some closeup, I tried my best to capture the pattern.

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2160308.jpg

 

Construction and Quality 7/10

This is a full resin pen, lightweight in construction and again has the similar feel of quality of construction as the Meisterstuck. The parts are well put together where there are silver rings and resin, and the cap screws in firmly into the barrel (somewhat firmer than the 146 that I have compared). However, I did noticed a slight movement and 'click' sound made when rotating the cap at the tip where the emblem is. This due to some slight loose joints between the upper dome part of the cap and the clip ring, which I think can easily be tighten. The clip slides in and out easily but grips my shirt pocket rather well. Overall, it is a finely built pen with no major glitches than may affects its functionality.

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2160352.jpg

 

 

Weight and Dimension 8/10

Shorter than the 146 but slightly larger in diameter, it is almost like a shrinked proportion of the 149. Because of the shorter length and its light weight, its more pleasant to write with the cap posted. I feel like I could almost write for hours and the good proportion needs almost no time for me to get used to it. I normally prefer heavier pens and write unposted but with the F. Scott Fitzgerald, I found myself loving a light weight pen and having the cap posted. I think I've discovered another kind of joy in writing with this pen. Again, the feel is rather close to the Meisterstuck.

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2160343.jpg

 

Nib Performance 9/10

Now, this is where it is really shines. I think it is up there with my Mark Twain. The medium nib that I have glides effortlessly on the paper and is an eagar writer with no skipping or pauses. Not too wet nor too dry and would have less bleed through on some papers. The 18k nib is semi-flex to firm and the lines are consistent and ideal for quick note takings. Writing angle is wide and forgiving, and i find myself focus more on thinking what to write than my writing technique, as how a good pen should be. The nib has the art-deco pattern engraving, paying tribute to the 1920s, the time when F. Scott Fitzgerald thrives. It reminds me of the product design in those times, and other images associated with the swinging 20s. Overall, a great writing nib.

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2160367.jpg

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2160366.jpg

 

Filling system and Maintenance 8/10

Standard Mont Blanc piston system, smooth and easy and the holds just as much of ink as the 146 (as claimed by the salesperson). I've cleaned and run water through it first to smoothen out the piston knob after all these years on the shelf (it was a bit tight at first). I've only filled it up for the first time, and so far it works well as expected. The surface is smooth and can easily be wiped with a cleaning cloth.

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2160319.jpg

Cost and Value 6/10

This F. Scott Fitzgerald is the most expensive listed pen I see in the market, over the counter at the moment, going for USD 1220. I would probably not consider at all it if it wasn't for the hefty discount which I got. Considering that this is a 9 year old limited edition pen, it is getting rare after all, and it won't be long before its is fully gone. For that retail price, there's a lot more options out there that may write equally well.

 

 

Overall 7.67/10

I must confess that I was still hesitating about this pen until the very moment I walked into the shop. But when I picked it up and noticed that it is special in its own way, with a little more 'jazz' added to it over a Meisterstuck shell, plus the great discount being offer, I thought why not? There's only a handful of WE which I really like and this is one of the most elegantly designed pen of the lot. Along with the William Faulkner, the F. Scott Fitzgerald is already in my rotation of daily use of pens that makes daily writing, a special moment everytime.

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2160325.jpg

Edited February 17, 2011 by Sidestreaker

[Faulkner]

Thanks for this great review!

I do love Fitz dimensions: short but with a wide girth, somehow similar to my current favourite, Aurora Optima, but with a torpedo shape ..If it just had an ink window

[goodguy]

Thank you for the review.

Compared to some other WE's the Fitz is a pen I use more then others because it is indeed a very friendly to use fun pen.

[Scribero ergo sum]

Not sure which I appreciated and enjoyed more:

- the excellent details

- the great photos

- the star attraction: the MB FSF

 

...or the fact that you mention Fitz himself in the present tense---precisely where he belongs.

 

Suddenly I want this pen more than a I did three minutes ago.

 

I hope you enjoy it and the rest of your WE gang for a long time.

 

Thanks and cheers!

[Sidestreaker]

Thanks guys,

 

Update: I've managed to use a screwdriver to tighten up the loose dome cap above the clip-ring with just a simple twist. The construction is pretty much similar of that of the Meisterstuck. It's all good

 

Additional pic on the nib...

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2160354-1.jpg

 

size comparison with other WE, in order from the top, F.Scott Fitzgerald, William Faulkner, G.Bernard Shaw, Mark Twain and 149

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2170385.jpg

 

.... and comparison texture with the Faulkner on the resin parts...

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2170401.jpg

Edited February 17, 2011 by Sidestreaker

[bugmd]

 

.... and comparison texture with the Faulkner on the resin parts...

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2170401.jpg

 

Really love this image. The Fitz really is a special pen and I am so thankful that I ran across one a few years back. Thanks for the wonderful review and photographs.

 

don

[hillbillywriter]

Great looking pen.

[breaker]

nice review and excellent pics!

[Brian]

A very nice well done review. I am really surprised by the visual depth of photo no. 2. Congratulations on your latest acquisition.

[Blade Runner]

Congrats! I love the torpedo shape, so it's one of my favorite WEs.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/IMG_5367.jpg

Enjoy!

[Russ]

I have wanted one of these for a long time. Wow! I hope you enjoy it!!

[Zenas]

Impressive indeed.

[Sidestreaker]

Thank you again

 

.... and comparison texture with the Faulkner on the resin parts...http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2170401.jpg

Really love this image. The Fitz really is a special pen and I am so thankful that I ran across one a few years back. Thanks for the wonderful review and photographs.don

 

I'm glad you enjoy the pictures. I'm beginning to appreciate resins of various colours and texture apart from just black eversince I've started to collect them.

 

Congrats! I love the torpedo shape, so it's one of my favorite WEs. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/IMG_5367.jpgEnjoy!

 

... thanks, just curious, how's the writing experience differs between the 146 and Fitzgerald? I just love that 146 P

[Blade Runner]

The 146P is longer, so the balance is different, and has a medium vs the fine/XF on my Fitz, but they're both a pleasure.

Another view of the pair -

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/IMG_5370.jpg

[Sidestreaker]

The 146P is longer, so the balance is different, and has a medium vs the fine/XF on my Fitz, but they're both a pleasure.Another view of the pair -http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/IMG_5370.jpg

 

Thank you again for the pic! Love the pair!

 

Update: I've just noticed a crack line on the shimmering mother of pearl resin (and because it is translucent, you can actually see the depth of the crack, abt 1 mm deep, and 5mm long), near the thread, and the silver ring in between the thread and the pearl resin is loose and rotating freely. The pen still writes flawlessly and there are no leaks (hence i think the crack is just cosmetic) and I can forgive the oxidation on the silver clips (which I can clean easily) but for a pen of this price and stature, I find it hard to accept. I suspect it is not stored properly all these years or mishandled at some point in between. I've called the boutique and they are ready to receive the pen for repairs, but what are the chances that MB may still have parts for this limited edition? Keeping my finders cross and hoping for the best, meantime, I'll just clean it up and get it ready to be shipped back to the service center.

[Ghost Plane]

Noooooooooooooo!

[daenghafez]

The 146P is longer, so the balance is different, and has a medium vs the fine/XF on my Fitz, but they're both a pleasure.Another view of the pair -http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/IMG_5370.jpg

 

Update: I've just noticed a crack line on the shimmering mother of pearl resin (and because it is translucent, you can actually see the depth of the crack, abt 1 mm deep, and 5mm long), near the thread, and the silver ring in between the thread and the pearl resin is loose and rotating freely. The pen still writes flawlessly and there are no leaks (hence i think the crack is just cosmetic) and I can forgive the oxidation on the silver clips (which I can clean easily) but for a pen of this price and stature, I find it hard to accept. I suspect it is not stored properly all these years or mishandled at some point in between. I've called the boutique and they are ready to receive the pen for repairs, but what are the chances that MB may still have parts for this limited edition? Keeping my finders cross and hoping for the best, meantime, I'll just clean it up and get it ready to be shipped back to the service center.

 

Any update after sending the pen for repair? Hope all went well there.

[Sidestreaker]

The 146P is longer, so the balance is different, and has a medium vs the fine/XF on my Fitz, but they're both a pleasure.Another view of the pair -http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/IMG_5370.jpg

Update: I've just noticed a crack line on the shimmering mother of pearl resin (and because it is translucent, you can actually see the depth of the crack, abt 1 mm deep, and 5mm long), near the thread, and the silver ring in between the thread and the pearl resin is loose and rotating freely. The pen still writes flawlessly and there are no leaks (hence i think the crack is just cosmetic) and I can forgive the oxidation on the silver clips (which I can clean easily) but for a pen of this price and stature, I find it hard to accept. I suspect it is not stored properly all these years or mishandled at some point in between. I've called the boutique and they are ready to receive the pen for repairs, but what are the chances that MB may still have parts for this limited edition? Keeping my finders cross and hoping for the best, meantime, I'll just clean it up and get it ready to be shipped back to the service center.

Any update after sending the pen for repair? Hope all went well there.

 

Hey Daeng,

 

Yes, there has been some development.

 

Since I have discovered the defects, I was 'testing the waters' with a few channel of dealers and found one to be comfortable to work with. The criteria that I am looking for is not in terms of quick turnaround or time but rather how established is their communication with Hamburg to get it done properly. I realize somehow that this will not be a quick affair. It was only in May that I managed to commit myself in surrendering it to the dealer of my choice to have it repaired. I've listed down not only the cracked barrel as the only defects but other minor problems such as tight piston knob as well as the loose silver rings between the writing block and the barrel.

 

2 months later I called for an update and it seems like they have addressed all the problems except for the main issue which is the cracked barrel. It seems like the local dealer has received the pen, assessed it, found out that the crack is still there and sent it back to Hamburg to get it done properly. Earlier I have already agreed on the 'service fee' of about USD 70 to replace and clean any piston mechanism to make it work better.

 

Just last week, I've called again just in time to get the latest update. It seems like Hamburg would need to manufacture a new barrel to replaced the cracked one and this would cost me an additional >USD350. At this point, I had to reaffirmed that the pen is still under warranty and should be covered by it. I did not mind the earlier service fee because after all this is a New Old Stock and would need to be serviced anyway, but to pay over 300 bucks to replace something which is cosmetic and should have been covered in the warranty is absurd. My instruction was too do it for free or deliver it back to my ASAP.

 

Couple of hours later, the manager has negotiated with the Hamburg office that they will do it for free and will expect it to reach the shore sometime end of this month.

 

I guess we'll just see if they keep their word. Fingers cross ...

[daenghafez]

Thanks for the heads-up. You were right on insisting Hamburg to honour the warranty claim. I would have gone further to insist that they service the pen for free as it is still within the warranty period.

 

May you receive the pen in excellent condition with its new barrel. Do post the new barrel photo here. Would love to know whether the new barrel looks the same like the 2002 issued barrel.

[ophis]

Hey Daeng,

 

Yes, there has been some development.

 

Since I have discovered the defects, I was 'testing the waters' with a few channel of dealers and found one to be comfortable to work with. The criteria that I am looking for is not in terms of quick turnaround or time but rather how established is their communication with Hamburg to get it done properly. I realize somehow that this will not be a quick affair. It was only in May that I managed to commit myself in surrendering it to the dealer of my choice to have it repaired. I've listed down not only the cracked barrel as the only defects but other minor problems such as tight piston knob as well as the loose silver rings between the writing block and the barrel.

 

2 months later I called for an update and it seems like they have addressed all the problems except for the main issue which is the cracked barrel. It seems like the local dealer has received the pen, assessed it, found out that the crack is still there and sent it back to Hamburg to get it done properly. Earlier I have already agreed on the 'service fee' of about USD 70 to replace and clean any piston mechanism to make it work better.

 

Just last week, I've called again just in time to get the latest update. It seems like Hamburg would need to manufacture a new barrel to replaced the cracked one and this would cost me an additional >USD350. At this point, I had to reaffirmed that the pen is still under warranty and should be covered by it. I did not mind the earlier service fee because after all this is a New Old Stock and would need to be serviced anyway, but to pay over 300 bucks to replace something which is cosmetic and should have been covered in the warranty is absurd. My instruction was too do it for free or deliver it back to my ASAP.

 

Couple of hours later, the manager has negotiated with the Hamburg office that they will do it for free and will expect it to reach the shore sometime end of this month.

 

I guess we'll just see if they keep their word. Fingers cross ...

Replying from ebay, glad that you had Montblanc address your issue. Would like to see an update for the new barrel. Thanks!