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  1. Rosetta59

    344, The Humble Montblanc

    In a previous review I managed to introduce a brief timeline of the 34x series. Now I wish to present to our community a revised, enlarged and corrected version. I hope it may be useful. Many pictures are borrowed from the websites penboard.de and hepworthdixon.com. Tom Westerich (penboard) and Michael Knott (hepworthdixon) kindly permitted me to employ their marvelous images. MB 344, the humble Montblanc The Montblanc 34x series was introduced on the market at the beginning of the fifties; the starting year being 1951 or 1952, even if some pre-series are presumably from 1950. The first type (34x) was produced until 1953; the second (3-4x), after some restyling, from 1953 up to 1957, and the third (34x), from 1957 up to 1960, when the production was halted. The 34x series was intended as a third tier (i.e. third price range) following the flagship 14x and the middle priced 24x / 25x / 26x. 344 / 342 stand for: 3 (third tier); 4 (piston filling system); and 4 / 2 (the nib size) Tech Specifications Technically speaking these fountain pens are of ordinary level, as expected from an “jeden erschwinglich” economy range (so to speak… the original price of a 344 model in 1952-53 was 20 DM, with a contemporary exchange rate of 11.70 DM for a UK pound, this translates in 34 shillings and two pence, when a Conway Stewart 58 – the top of the line during those years – was priced 31 shillings and six pence). Models 34x do not show smart technical innovations, but the quality is nevertheless high. The clip is retained by a domed stud, with a white Montblanc signet inlaid to the top. The clip is a ring-type, screw mounted, it has a frozen drop shape. The cap itself screws on the body of the pen. The models 342 and 3-42 are 125 mm long when closed, their diameter is 13 mm and the weight is 15.8 gr. The models 344 and 3-44 are 134 mm long when closed, their diameter is 13.5 mm and the weight is 17.5 gr. Variations do exist among the series. Montblanc brochure with available models - 1955 (?) Materials The very initial production run consisted of celluloid models with an amber ink window. Thereafter the 34x were produced in molded injection plastic with a pale blue ink window. The cap ring (only one) was gold filled as well as the clip. The nib was gold 14 ct. (models 34xG and 3-4xG). Until 1957, the 34x and 3-4x models were equipped also with steel nibs. The feed was made in ebonite. Filling System On these fountain pens we found a classic piston filling system, already employed by Montblanc in its whole production at the time. The first series have a cork sealed, prewar-like piston with a shorter knob, while the later series have a plastic seal piston. Versions The 34x fountain pens were made in two sizes, related to the nib class: the smaller 342 (with a size 2 nib) and the medium 344 (with a size 4 nib). The letter “G” was added to the model number of the pens (Goldfeder) when a gold nib was employed; no letter when the nib was stainless steel (at least until 1957, when the 344 -w/o added letters- had a gold nib). The first 34x series had the single gold band near the cap’s lip. On the cap there was the iconic prewar engraving MONT- ^^BLANC. The ink window on the first celluloid models was amber; the following models were plastic with a pale blue window. The section is concave in the former version. The piston knob has a shorter size than the newer versions. It is engraved with the model #, the “G”, when appropriate, and the tip size . The feed in ebonite is flat (“ski slope”) with long grooves and the domed stud on the cap is engraved with the outline of the Montblanc star, like the old 33x series. The final 34x version (1957 up to 1960) is made in injection molded plastic. The cap ring was substituted with a gold band which covered the cap’s lip and was engraved with “MONTBLANC” and “ * 344 * ” or “ * 342 * ”. The iconic prewar engraving on the cap was withdrawn (even if there are very scarce transitional samples with both engravings). The ink window remained pale blue and the section was straight. On the domed stud a solid white Montblanc star appeared as on the 14x series. The piston knob was a long one, with the nib size engraved. The feed is now rounded with full length grooves. The nib was always in gold 14 ct. on the 344. Some 342 “G” do exist in this last version. So, probably, some 342 with steel nib were available in the last production run. Production Timeline (proposed scheme – a similar one may apply to the 342 / 3-42) Production dates are proposed on the basis of MB catalogues, brochures and the book “Collectible Stars”(cit. page 13) 344G(1). First production run, 1950 (?) Models 344G and 344. The star on the top is outlined white. On the cap there is engraved: MONT-^^BLANC. The cap ring, unengraved, leaves a free lip. The piston knob is short (with 344G or 344 and the tip size engraved), the ink window is amber and the body is made in celluloid. The feed is made in ebonite, with a “ski-slope” shape. The section is a smooth center-concave shaped cylinder. 344G(2). Second series, 1951 - 1953 (?) Models 344G and 344. Same as above, but the body is made in injection molded plastic. The ink window is pale blue. There are both long and short ink window versions. 3-44G(1). Third series, 1953 – 1954 (?) Models 3-44G and 3-44. (Note that there is the dash) The star on the top is outlined white. On the cap there is engraved: MONT-^^BLANC. The cap ring, unengraved, leaves a free lip. The piston knob is short (with 3-44G or 3-44 and the tip size engraved), the long ink window is pale blue and the body is made in injection molded plastic. The feed is made in ebonite, with a “ski-slope” shape. The section is the usual concave. 3-44G(2). Fourth series, 1954 – 1956 (?) Models 3-44G and 3-44. (Note that there is the dash) The star on the top is outlined white. On the cap there is engraved: MONT-^^BLANC. The cap band, unengraved, covers the lip. The piston knob is short (with 3-44G or 3-44 and the tip size engraved), the long (or short) ink window is pale blue and the body is made in injection molded plastic. The feed is made in ebonite, with a “ski-slope” shape. The section is the usual concave. 3-44G(3). Fifth series, 1956 – 1957 (?) Models 3-44G and 3-44. (Note that there is the dash) The star on the top is solid white and smaller than the outlined. On the cap there is engraved: MONT-^^BLANC. The cap band, unengraved, covers the lip. The piston knob is long (with 3-44G or 3-44 and the tip size engraved), the short ink window is pale blue and the body is made in injection molded plastic. The feed is made in ebonite, with a “ski-slope” shape. The section can be either the usual concave one or the newer straight truncated cone, smooth. 344(3). Sixth series (and last), 1957 – 1960 Model 344 (all with gold nib 14 ct.) The star on the top is solid white and smaller than the outlined. The cap is unengraved. The cap band, engraved with “MONTBLANC *344*”, covers the lip. The piston knob is long (with the tip size engraved), the short ink window is pale blue and the body is made in injection molded plastic. The feed is made in ebonite, with a “rounded” shape and two long grooves. The section is a straight truncated cone, smooth. Page from a Montblanc Catalogue, 1957 Colours These pens were initially produced only in glossy black. Then plastic models followed where the color was petrol blue, mahogany red, olive green, and pearl grey, with a clear ink window or no window at all. Some red models are described as “burgundy”. Generally speaking the fancy models were probably intended for export. At least one model was manufactured in Spain (see the last image before the "MB star"). Nibs These pens were produced with two nib sizes: #2 and #4, such as the final number of the model (either 342 and 344). There were two types: a gold plated steel nib (342 and 344 of the first series) and a solid 14 ct. gold (342 G / 344 G on the former series and 342 / 344 on the latter). #2 nib is 23 mm long, while #4 nib is 28 mm long. Tip size ranged from EF to BB (oblique types were available). On the nib there was engraved (in six lines): “MONT”, “BLANC”, “14C”, “MONTBLANC”, “585”, and “342” or “344” (hidden under the section). Timeline adapted from www.fountainpen.it Model 344(3) 1957 – 1960 (penboard.de) On the web a great deal of information is available : more than half a million sites are the result of a simple search with keywords “Montblanc 344” or “Montblanc 3-44”; more than 1500 images are available on the net in the same search. Summary Table – 344 / 3-44 Versions Anyway, “mixed” or “franken” models do exist with caps, knobs or feeds added in a further period. In this table and in the whole article, only those models with multiple entries in different websites, such as penboard, hepworth-dixon, eBay, and other dotcoms, were considered. This in order to possibly avoid a frankenpen to be identified as an additional version. A page from a vintage Montblanc catalogue, probably ‘54, since there are both the 24x models and the 042 with steel nib (1954 was the last production year of the 24x series and the start of the 042). Here the 344 represented is a 3-44[G](2). Nat – (Italy) Dec 2015 Images 344G(1) Made in celluloid with the amber window. This appears to be the original first production run. penboard.de 344G(2) (Long Window) the body is plastic with the blue window. 3-44G(1) (Long Window) the cap ring is not at lip.On the knob the model number is already with a dash. penboard.de 3-44G(2) The star is still outlined but the cap band covers the lip. hepworthdixon.com ​ ​ The two feeds we find on the different 344 and 3-44 models: the old type (ski-slope) is on the left. The former type was in use by Montblanc from 1950-52 to 1955, while the newer type was emplo-yed from 1955 onwards (as in the article by Barry Gabay on PenWorld: Dating Montblanc 149s). The pen on the left has the former concave smooth section, while the newer has the straight one. (hepworthdixon.com) 3-44[G](3) (Short Window) the cap band is unengraved and the star is solid white. “G” is not engraved on the knob because this pen had probably a native steel nib. penboard.de Final Model 344(3) (Short Window) the engraving is now on the cap band. White solid star. Model 344G(1) España (note the stud) _________________________________________________________________________________________ The Montblanc Star*: This is the cap of a Montblanc 344(3), the latest model 1957-1960 - (personal author’s collection). *Actually it is not a star, but a graphic representation of the six glaciers on top of the Mont Blanc. The price of a 344, from 1950 to the production end, in 1960, was 20 DM. Practically speaking, it was about 1/7th of the price of the Troy Ounce of Gold. Considering the price of the gold ounce now (December 2015, one gold ounce = 984 € or 1075 $), we have 141 € or 154 $. In the book “Collectible Stars” by J.Rosler & S.Wallrafen (O.W. Gmbh, Oberhausen 2001), the rarity of the 344 models is set at the 2nd ranking (i.e. easy to find) and the price is set at 02 (from 50 to 150 euros – 2001). The average price of a vintage 344 on eBay in November 2015 is 155 US $ (from 72 to 311 US $). The average price of a vintage 344 on eBay in December 2015 is 188 US $ (from 101 to 483 US $). The price requested on eBay for vintage 344s for sale today, 20th Dec 2015, ranges from 225 to 369 US $ (dependent on the conditions of the pen). In the book “Collectible Stars”, already cited, we find (page 31) only three types of 344s: first (id 1095), produced 1951-53 has the star outlined and cap ring above the lip; second (id 1098), produced 1954-56 has the solid white star and an unengraved cap ring above the lip; third (id 1100), produced 1957-60, has the solid white star and the engraved cap band covers the lip. 1095 ………… is identifiable with either the present 344G(1) or 344G(2) 1098 ………… I have never seen pictures of this 344 subtype 1100 ………… is identifiable with the present 344(3) Notably, the 3-44 (note the dash) models are not quoted in the book _________________________________________________ MB MAINTENANCE BOOKLET 1956: pages 12,13 (here the pen is a 3-44[G](2)) From the site www.caprafico.com “PREVIOUS MODELS” (i.e. those older than 1956) pages 48,49 (here the pen is a 344G(1 or 2)) Note: -The new piston with the long knob (page 13) -The old piston with a shorter knob (page 49) -A mistake in the “exploded” view of the piston, a short (instead of a longer) cone is shown (page 13) -The cap band covers the lip (page 12) -The new barrel (page 12) -The cap ring leaves the lip free (page 48) -The old barrel (page 48) Hope this may be of help.
  2. Jawsaw

    2021 149 Medium or Broad

    Hello all, New to fpn, sorry if this has been answered already. I’ve just ordered my first MB - a 149 in M. However I’m now seriously considering using the nib exchange service for a B. Will use the Bond Street store in London if so. The pen will mostly be used for medium - long writing sessions. (I am a college/uni student). So I will be carrying it around carefully in an MB pouch. So for note taking and studying the M should be fine; the thing is that I’d also like the nib to have some thickness and variation for writing cards and signatures etc. For reference I have a Cross Townsend 18k medium nib, which I find a little too thin for cards Any advice regarding M and B modern 149 nibs would be greatly appreciated. BTW, I’m set on the 149 just to save anyone telling me to buy a Pelikan :) Thanks
  3. LukeLavender

    montblanc 221 repair help

    Hey all, I thought you would all be the best at knowing how/if this can be put back together - I tried doing a similar post on reddit but did not get much of a response. It feel apart as I was uncapping it (the plastic section is very fragile and seems to have been damaged); is there any possibility or means by which this can be made whole again or is it a lost cause? I have managed to put it back together; I super glued the section (I am assuming some of you are cringing) which worked, but, when the pen is put together and screwed together, the pressure was too much and the plastic section ruptured again. The fault is purely this small little plastic section (as I understand it), is there anywhere/way this can be repaired or be bought/replaced? I reached to Montblanc, repair costs begin from $125 according to them so I am assuming there must be a more efficient/economical way of replacing/repairing this part? thanks in advance for all your help!
  4. I'm having trouble identifying exactly which model this Montblanc Monte Rosa is. Based on searches I think it's an 042 or 412 with a 14K gold nib, but what's throwing me off is that the other images I've seen have the star on the cap and sometimes the clip as well. Pictures are included, but here are the highlights: Silver metal screw-on cap with MONTBLANC in all caps and Monte Rosa in script at the base Gold nib stamped tip to collar: MONT / BLANC / 14C / MONTBLANC / 585 Diamond ink windows MADE IN GERMANY stamped above the ink window area Piston filler The tines are bent and the feed looks like something chewed on it. The nib also seems too loose, and I'm wondering if the unit isn't inserted as far as it ought to be. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to remove the piston. It seems like I ought to be able to remove the nib, but neither pulling nor turning seems to work (it's also super gunked-up and I'm still soaking it in water to try to get it clean. Ink and water will come sort of down the feed but the pen will not write. I'm chalking this up to the super dirty feed and I might try to floss between the nib and feed. Sometimes when filling with water or ink some of it bubbles through and comes out of the screw/piston area, so I think that a seal might be loose somewhere. That, or I need to fill and empty extremely slowly. Thanks for whatever insight you're able to provide. ETA: I managed to wiggle the nib out and it looks like the stamp is 342. So I guess the pen model is 342G? There's no G on the stamp but it's a gold nib, so it only makes sense. Still, it doesn't match any of the images I've found online and now I have to figure out how to get the feed out.
  5. The first time I saw the 149 in a review, I seriously couldn’t get the hype. It looked uninspiring being a boring round top pen with gold trim albeit with a breathtakingly beautiful gold nib. I’d always wanted to try the pen if not, just for the nib. When I got around to finally trying it, at my very first Pelikan Hub (better times, eh?) in 2017, I was hooked. Understanding why the pen was revered as an icon, I wanted to own one someday. And I got my very first 149, one from the 1970s, a few months ago, and here are my thoughts about it. Design and Construction: The pen is huge! It has rounded ends, with the iconic Montblanc star on the cap end. The cap is pretty much straight throughout with the barrel tapering then bulging slightly, and finally tapering to the end. The section is straight without any curves to it and ends in a frustum-like lip, indicating the one-piece construction. The clip widens slightly towards the end and has no bend to it. The center band contains the engraving ‘MONTBLANC – MEISTERSTUCK NO149’ and is surrounded by two thinner bands. The ring at top of the cap is part of the clip and the one at the end is part of the piston filling mechanism. The material used is their ‘precious resin’ which feels light and is quite scratch resistance in my experience. I polished the pen the day I’d received it and in over 4-5 months, I’ve not had many scratches where the cap screws onto the barrel. The pen itself is put together well and feels very well made. Filling Mechanism: The 149 has a piston filling mechanism and holds quite a bit of ink. I’ve not measured it but one fill did last a few days when it wasn’t vacation and I had to write notes from online lectures. Since mine is an old pen, I had to lubricate the piston mechanism and I used a cut, bent, and filed paper clip to disassemble both the piston mechanism and the nib unit. Writing Comfort: I am quite versed with big pens having used oversized handmade Indian pens, but the 149 took some time getting used to, mainly because of the huge nib. The straight section feels slightly weird to grip and causes fatigue after a long writing session. I much prefer the M1000 section. The pen is well balanced though. Nib and Writing Experience: The nib looks stunning, let me just get that out of the way. It’s a bi-color 14c and is paired with a solid ebonite feed. Initially, I had a few issues with ink flow I did a heat-set but that did nothing. I then realized that the feed had been set too close to the nib and this was causing some issue with the seating, lifting the nib off the feed. So, I gently pulled the nib and feed and it came off very easily, without needing a knockout block. Once I set the feed further back and did a heat set, it was flush with the nib. The previous owner had ground the nib a bit to his liking, so I had to adjust it to suit my writing. I’ve inked it with Lamy Petrol and it writes a medium line, with ample wetness. The nib also has a bit of softness to it and that was something I had to get used to since all the pens I’d used before it were hard nails. Final Thoughts: I do not regret my purchase one bit, and I would love to get more 149s in the future. That pretty much sums it up .
  6. Hi all, I was idly browsing an auction site here in the UK when I found a listing for an upcoming auction of a Montblanc L139. It has a 14k nib with what looks like a left-foot oblique grind. I know nothing about Montblanc pens, but I do recall seeing a previous discussion in which members wrote admiringly of the L139. As such, I though that I would post a link to the auction on this board. The pen is listed in an art/antiques auction that is taking place in an hotel in Krefeld in Germany. They are accepting online bids for the items. The auction is scheduled to take place on 18th September 2021. The auction’s website is here. The pen has the lot number 795. The specific page in the online catalogue that relates to the L139 can be found here. The pen’s cap band appears to have ‘Masterpiece’ engraved on it (as opposed to ‘Meisterstück’) which seems odd to me, but for all I know it’s correct. As I said, I know nothing about these pens, so I have no idea whether the pen is genuine, how old it is, etc. At least the pictures on the auction website appear to be good enough for any fans of the L139 out there to be able to judge for themselves. I am not selling the pen, and nor do I work for (or know anybody who works for) the auctioneers, the hotel, or the website. Anyway, I hope that this post is a useful one. Cheers, M.
  7. Dear fellow Montblanc fans, We made an overview video about the new Montblanc Great Masters Red Python edition which was recently launched by Montblanc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtUOv6iq8Oo What do you think of this new addition of the Great Masters series? Which one is your favorite in this series?
  8. I just received a Montblanc 4F safety filler and it arrived with a loose turning knob and I am hoping that someone may be able to help me diagnose the problem. When turning the knob to extend the nib, it turns with little pressure and when trying to write with it there is no resistance and the nib is easily pushed back into the pen barrel. There also seems to be small gap between the turning knob and barrel. Below are links to photos and a video demonstrating this. Any help or direction will be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Photo of gap: https://www.dropbox.com/s/nv7m7k79oxyv524/IMG_4313.jpeg?dl=0 Video of issue: https://www.dropbox.com/s/n815yj331frh1oh/IMG_4312.MOV?dl=0
  9. MontblancGeek

    Books that deal with MB.

    Hi, Guys! I need your all knowing help. I have a friend who is studying Art and he wants to base his thesis on Montblanc Pens as a form of Art. He needs quite a few book references on which they talk about the subject of Montblanc Pens to support this. The books don’t have to be solely dedicated to MB though! The only ones I have (I know, shame on me!) are these 7. Could you please give me any more titles? Thanks in advance for any and all help.
  10. Joshua Pen Collector

    Montblanc Solitaire Platinum 149

    Greetings, Twenty-five years after seeing this model for the first time in a MB boutique, I was finally able to acquire one, used, on eBay. That was no small feat as it involved (a) finding one that was for sale (b) at a reasonable price, and (c) being financially positioned to make the investment. Since I have long scoured the Internet for videos showing the beautiful luster of this pen and never could find one, I am pleased to share pics from the unboxing here. I haven’t written with it yet as I’m pondering what nib tip to affix, perhaps a custom grind. It came with a medium which is the most boring nib size to me (ironic, I know). While this is certainly the most expensive pen I own, my favorite has always been the blue Waterman Edson which I’ve had for two decades. Have a good day. Thanks for reading.
  11. thott

    Beauty....Agatha Christie Pen

    After years of usage, a wellness day was necessary for Agatha Christie Silver....🙂 I love this pen....isn´t it beautiful. Actual to beautiful for the daily usage and it's risks 😏 Modified...pictures are deleted. In a follow up messages I add better photos......
  12. when will the 2021 Writers Edition be in stores?
  13. Joshua Pen Collector

    Montblanc Solitaire Platinum 149

    Greetings, I also posted this message in the Introductions forum. Twenty-five years after seeing this model for the first time in a MB boutique, I was finally able to acquire one, used, on eBay. That was no small feat as it involved (a) finding one that was for sale (b) at a reasonable price, and (c) being financially positioned to make the investment. Since I have long scoured the Internet for videos showing the beautiful luster of this pen and never could find one, I am pleased to share pics from the unboxing here. I haven’t written with it yet as I’m pondering what nib tip to affix, perhaps a custom grind. It came with a medium which is the most boring nib size to me (ironic, I know). While this is certainly the most expensive pen I own, my favorite has always been the blue Waterman Edson which I’ve had for two decades. Have a good day. Thanks for reading.
  14. Karmachanic

    MB Telescopic piston - weight

    Two part question; Anyone know the weight of an MB139 telescopic piston? What impact, if any, does this have on the in-hand experience? Many thanks.
  15. Here are some of my favorite fine/extra fine nibs, which I use to take notes daily. What is/are your favorite fine nib(s)? 1. Montblanc EF, 14K (as I heard a recently updated grind). Precise, sharp, and smooth at the same time. Feel like a simi-italic. I wish it could be a bit wetter (I prime it once in a while with most inks. Sailor Kobe #7 Kaikyou Blue, however, write as wet as I wish it to be). 2. Aurora F, 18K. “Responsive” to slight variations in pressure, giving a very subtle amount of line variation that won’t ruin its purpose for taking notes. Aurora pens also have the best weight-and-size balance for me, which just adds on to my love for their nibs. 3. Pilot Justus 95 F, 14K. Smooth and bouncy. Extremely reliable and present to write with. My dream pen would have a nib like this and a piston filling mechanism.
  16. So, what do you like? I’d just like to know your opinion. I personally prefer flat ends, but tell me what you like!
  17. Good morning, Unfortunately, my father passed last month. I am currently working through (with my mother) many of his possessions. A bit of background (I struggled to post this, as I don't mean to seem insensitive to the value that many here place on these pens, I myself collect/value vintage audiophile equipment in a similar fashion). My father was a collector and a pack rat, I say this to qualify that these sat in a drawer and I never saw them in over 40 years. Suffice to say (knowing my dad), he did not give these much thought or value them as prized possessions. My mother is on a fixed income and every bit helps these days so I will probably be looking to sell these if they have any value. There are plenty of items that I know my father valued and spent lots of time/funds collecting that I am keeping (said as a right handed non-golfer who now has vintage left hand clubs that I plan on keeping), just wanted to give a bit of background as not to seem awful. The first (I believe) is Model 164 (purchased in 1988) I have the paperwork and warranty and from what I found online it seems this is the pen. It is in great condition (like I said I don't think he took it out of the drawer much. Here are some pictures (the pen is in a Montblanc case, I don't know if it goes with the 164 or the second (larger pen, the loop inside is fitted for the larger pen) The second is a larger (fatter) pen. The markings as I understand that it is a model 4810 18 karat Model 750. I would guess its also from the 1980's given my dad's career/life trajectory. I don't have any documentation for this modle I have looked as some ebay auctions but see a great variety in what these are valued at. Do these identifications seem correct? Any obvious factor/aspect I am missing? I see lots on ebay, is there a better or more preferred forum for these types of sales/auctions? Thanks so much for the help and insight! Scott
  18. I believe that people who work in Montblanc headquarters are evil-minded. If ther were good, we could buy Jonathan Swift in every MB boutique. Unhappily we can't. We can win an auction and pay crazy amount of money for this ink but it's not good deal Here it is. Intriguing, handsome, unobtainable. Drops of ink on kitchen towel Software ID Leuchtturm 1917, Kaweco Sport Classic, B Oxford, Jinhao X750, M Lyreco Budget, Kaweco Sport Classic, B MultiQuote
  19. Montblanc Legrand VS Inoxcrom Caravel This is a traslation that I did (sorry for my english) from the original post of a friend called Manuleon in a different forum. I have his authorization to put this translation here.
  20. Does anyone know what happened to the Montblanc Calligraphy ink - red version? I've seen a few photos. I've seen listings at stores that were then taken down. I've seen no writing samples, no one saying they have purchased it. Was this ink ever actually released? Does it exist?
  21. Mob Mentality

    Montblanc 149 piston puzzle

    <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/192670838@N04" title=""><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51088053741_90065e7a29_h.jpg" width="1600" height="1200" alt=""></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Hello all. I recently purchased a Montblanc 149 in red gold. What is strange is the piston threads on this pen. The pen has an 18k nib however the threads don't appear to be brass looks to almost be a whitish metal has Montblanc changed the piston threads recently? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
  22. When listing a pen on an auction site or when selling pens on other platforms, words such as ‘not working’ and ‘broken’ have a tendency to make buyers deeply hesitant. Sometimes though, it is worth the risk. The flip side of course is that it isn’t worth the risk at all and you end up crying over a steaming pile of junk and the money you wasted on it. Luckily the Carbon Fibre Solitaire that came to me from southern Spain was worth the risk even though the seller was honest enough to let me know that the piston mechanism was broken and the pen was not working. It had been well used by its previous owners but one owner had put some rather peculiar ink in it and then allowed it to dry out. Much soaking, flushing and meticulous cleaning (over about three months) got the piston moving and the pen into a working state again. As I said, it had been well used and came with plenty of war wounds. How or when these were acquired I do not know so I can’t really speak for the robustness of the finish on the barrel. Be warned, it's a finger-print magnet as can be seen in these pictures. The Carbon Fibre looks and feels like the sort of workhorse fountain pen that should sit in with the tools in the toolbox – maybe that is the life this one had at one point. Its broad nib is as smooth as butter, wet and has a nice yet subtle stub aspect. It has a screw cap and is a piston filler (now clean of ink and working nicely). The pen posts securely and the inner, almost waxy cap liner stops any possibility of marking the barrel. The tactile barrel is a high polished steel and although I can’t be certain, from the marks and scratches on this one, I’d presume that it might mark easily if you don’t in some respects baby your pen. The marks aren’t that severe, but you notice them more when it’s in strong sunlight. The cap is steel, layered over with a carbon fibre weave and a clear acrylic. The snow peak is in a black domed top at the tip of the cap. The carbon fibre weave is rather difficult to photograph. My phone camera couldn’t decide if it should focus on the surface of the clear acrylic or on the depth of the fibre weave. In many pictures it appears black, or at least a charcoal grey, but it is actually a somewhat peculiar colour – a sort of deep teal-leaning green. For something so industrial it’s actually very attractive with quite a strong sense of depth. Posted, the pen has a surprisingly good balance and doesn’t feel overly back weighted. Unposted it still has a good weight and length and I found the pen to be lighter than I thought it would be. The cap weighs 16g, the pen uncapped weighs 26g and capped it weighs 42g. Unposted the pen is 130mm and posted the pen is 158mm and capped the pen is 145mm. It takes two turns to screw and unscrew the cap. When I picked this up I was looking for a Montblanc with a broad nib that I didn’t have to worry about war wounds with. This pen already having lived seemed like a suitable punt. I wasn’t expecting much of it but it did surprise me in how much I liked it once it was up and running again. It’s a bit of a sober offering from Montblanc despite that high polish; the sort of pen that wouldn’t be out of place in an engineers office. The black plastic grip (with striped ink window) makes it easy to use without the worry of a slippery steel section. To buy one new and have it scratch up easily would be disappointing and I didn’t personally want to go down that route or have such a significant spend. Maybe others who own this can add their own experience of how robust the finish is. It could well be that the previous owners of this one were simply careless. Nevertheless, I think it’s a very attractive pen and if you like the more restrained and sleek look it is a good handling and pleasing writer.
  23. goodpens

    Authenticating Montblanc Resin?

    TL/DR version: Do knockoffs of black Montblanc pens ever have the characteristic wine red glow to the resin? Longer version: I recently bought a Montblanc at an antique store: Black with silver-toned (likely platinum) trim.13.7cm long capped; 15 cm long posted. Nib=18K, unmarked but apparently EF Cartridge/converter fill. Lousy pic quality available or I'd post. Comparing it to a current production model, it looks identical to the Meisterstuck Platinum-Coated Classique, which has a 14K (not 18K, as mine) nib. This was a one-on-one sale; the stall owner seemed to know very little about FPs. Too much detail to provide here, but everything about the interaction and her stall gave me every reason to believe that she believed this to be an authentic Montblanc. In other words: if this is a fake, she was duped; I don't believe she was trying to dupe me in any way at all. I can't identify the pen. Called Montblanc and the serial number doesn't correspond with a FP in their records (though maybe with a ballpoint). Was told I could go through the process of sending it in for authentication. After detailed review of things to watch for in knockoff Montblancs, everything about this looks legit to me (clip shape, Pix, band with engraved SN and "Germany," quality of the snowflake emblem, springiness of gold nib, weight/balance, quality of the screw-in convertor, quality of engraving of Montblanc name, and the reddish/wine-colored tint of the black precious resin). If this is a knockoff, it is of incredibly high quality. Part of me wants to know if this is authentic. Part of me doesn't care. I'm inclined not to go through the trouble of sending it in for authentication; I'd rather just enjoy it. (The feed needs another good soak, but it is in excellent condition otherwise.) It seems to me that the color of the resin would be incredibly hard to knock off. So what I'm curious about is: are there known instances of the wine-tinted black resin being present in knockoffs? Or is its presence an indicator of the real deal? Searched the forums for related info, but didn't find anything. Thanks for any info/advice!
  24. white_lotus

    Montblanc Honoré De Balzac

    This review is part of a series of "blues reviews". Someone sent me a sample of this ink a while back. At long last I've gotten to using this lovely ink, and writing up a review. The papers are Hammermill 28lb inkjet, Mohawk via Linen, and Tomoe River. Too bad I didn't know about his ink when it was available as it's a nice turquoise. The ink appears to be a single dye. Somewhat similar to pthalo turquoise.
  25. Two and a half years ago, I purchased a Montblanc 146 pinstripe Solitaire with an extra-fine nib. The nib wrote beautifully; but after a little while, the piston mechanism broke--despite the care with which I had treated the pen, I must add. I sent it to Montblanc for repair, as it was still in warranty. The pen came back with the piston in perfect order; but the nib had been put way out of adjustment. I then sent it to John Mottishaw, who reground it to a true extra-fine of extraordinary quality; and I have since used the pen daily. Well, this evening, the pen, which had been loaded with Montblanc Permanent Blue ink, appeared suddenly clogged and reluctant to write; so I immediately rinsed out the ink, using the piston mechanism, of course. In the process, the piston broke--again despite my gentle handling of it. I offer two questions to the experts at FPN: Firstly, is there some problem with the design and durability of the Montblanc 146 piston mechanism? Secondly, is there a problem with Montblanc's Permanent Blue ink? I should add, parenthetically, that I need to use an ink which will not wash away when exposed to moisture, rain, or spilled liquids; anything less negates the whole raison d'être of a pen, fountain or otherwise, as far as I am concerned. I should have used iron gall ink, except that I had some concerns about the effect of such an ink on the pen's sterling silver casing. I should add that I have had some very bad experiences with Montblanc's repair department in the past. They do make beautiful-looking pens, and sometimes, excellent nibs; but the company does seem to have problems which, I feel, need to be addressed better than they apparently are.





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