Montblanc Black Resin Starwalker

[Sallent]

I used to own a Starwalker and it was a decent pen. However, at current prices ($475) I'd have a hard time justifying the purchase of another Starwalker, considering we are just talking about a cartridge pen.

 

Not when I could buy a Pelikan M1000 and a Pelikan M400 for the same $475 (with the generous discounts on Pelikans) or a nice Aurora Optima....all of them beautiful piston fillers.

 

I like Montblanc, but their "lifestyle" pricing leaves a lot to be desired.

[ethernautrix]

Whoa, nice photos! I just saw this thread... and, no disrespect intended, skimmed the review but drank up the photos -- very nicely done.

 

I did see that you mentioned losing the extra cartridge in the butt of the pen. I struggled with that problem for about two, three years until I discovered... you can twist off that little end-cap, the--wait, hold on, let me take a quick picture and upload.

 

*Whistling*

 

*Time passing*

 

(Had other photos on the card, oops.)

 

(Okay, how do you attach images, *sigh*.)

 

(Reverting to Flickr....)

Okay, here:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/3932075084_dc0474c506.jpg

 

So, not-so-quick (inserting image) but easy way to retrieve cartridge.

[E0157H7]

Whoa, nice photos! I just saw this thread... and, no disrespect intended, skimmed the review but drank up the photos -- very nicely done.

 

I did see that you mentioned losing the extra cartridge in the butt of the pen. I struggled with that problem for about two, three years until I discovered... you can twist off that little end-cap, the--wait, hold on, let me take a quick picture and upload.

 

*Whistling*

 

*Time passing*

 

(Had other photos on the card, oops.)

 

(Okay, how do you attach images, *sigh*.)

 

(Reverting to Flickr....)

Okay, here:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/3932075084_dc0474c506.jpg

 

So, not-so-quick (inserting image) but easy way to retrieve cartridge.

 

WOW!!! Thanks so much for this helpful tip, and the illustration to go with it. I'll have to try this soon to recover my long lost cartridge... I just assumed it would never be retrievable.

[mrloco]

I've got the Metal/Rubber Starwalker and it remains my favorite pen. Has substantial weight but feels light and writes easily for long periods when unposted. I've always carried a spare cart in the barrel and never had a problem retrieving. Glad you enjoy yours & great pics.

[borg]

Nice review, it is a great designed fountain pen indeed! I myself have a Black mystery since a few weeks but I keep having troubles with skips. I'm wondering if someone out there knows how to solve it, is it perhaps the mont Blanc ink I'm using? Using my 40-year old Parker 75 with Parker ink I've never had this problem. In the boutique they already changed the fine nib.

 

It looks like this (try to upload a picture):

Thanks,

[borg]

My link

[borg]

My link2

[steviebee]

I have the same intermittent skipping with my metal & rubber Starwalker, borg. Shame as it truly is a gorgeous writer 90% of the time

 

I guess a trip to the 'boutique' (lol) is in order. But, your nib was changed & it still skips?

 

 

 

 

 

(Note to self: have to try that MB Racing Green)

[borg]

I have the same intermittent skipping with my metal & rubber Starwalker, borg. Shame as it truly is a gorgeous writer 90% of the time

 

I guess a trip to the 'boutique' (lol) is in order. But, your nib was changed & it still skips?

 

 

 

 

 

(Note to self: have to try that MB Racing Green)

 

 

In the mean time, the nib is changed for the thirth time and finally it stopped skipping! (I opened a new post about it "mb skipping")

[encre]

I will never be able to get along with the styling of the Starwalker but I am glad it has found a friend in you to each his own! Great review.

[smerdiakov]

Stunning photos. Absolutely loved them.

Nice pen too.

[dandelion]

Great photos (and review, but the photos made it hard to focus on reading). I particularly like the photo with the nib and different inkspots.

[Chris]

I loved your review - indeed a new standard of excellence. It has even prompted me to get my Starwalker out of its box and try to get the intermittent skipping fixed, though I do find the pen less comfortable to use than others - it just does not seem to fit my hand unthinkingly.

 

Chris

[Mille]

Thank you for the review. Actually it is quite an elegant pen, and gives the impression of being a quality product. Its straight sleek shape and the defined cap gives MB a new look. I like it.

 

But it also represents everything I really cannot stand with this brand. From their own description: "For a cosmopolitan, self-confident generation." Well, well. Something for the wannabee, the pretentious, eager to impress no matter how shallow you really are. I want to use the word w....., but I have already received a slap in the face for that previously. So I will not.

 

Neither I am impressed by the floating star which looks like something you find on childrens toys, not necessarily but possibly as a gimmick on a kiddies pen. However, the fact that they only provide cartrides... Well you get it.

 

Then it does not matter how good a writer it is. And I do belive it really is. For me it is all about image.

 

You have given me and the other readers a fantastic review, and we have drawn different conclusions from your presentation. I especially want to thank you for your excellent photography.

[E0157H7]

Thank you for the review. Actually it is quite an elegant pen, and gives the impression of being a quality product. Its straight sleek shape and the defined cap gives MB a new look. I like it.

 

But it also represents everything I really cannot stand with this brand. From their own description: "For a cosmopolitan, self-confident generation." Well, well. Something for the wannabee, the pretentious, eager to impress no matter how shallow you really are. I want to use the word w....., but I have already received a slap in the face for that previously. So I will not.

 

Neither I am impressed by the floating star which looks like something you find on childrens toys, not necessarily but possibly as a gimmick on a kiddies pen. However, the fact that they only provide cartrides... Well you get it.

 

Then it does not matter how good a writer it is. And I do belive it really is. For me it is all about image.

 

You have given me and the other readers a fantastic review, and we have drawn different conclusions from your presentation. I especially want to thank you for your excellent photography.

 

Thanks for your kind words... I agree with you that Montblanc cultivates a certain image for their products that is unsavory to many of us. But let's be honest. We no longer live in a world dominated by fountain pens. That world ended long ago, and most people regard FPs as relics from the past or some extravagant luxury item for people who have more money than sense. I'm sure it's hard to maintain robust FP sales, particularly in these economic conditions. So I can understand why MB has diversified their product line beyond pens, and why they target a certain segment of our society. If that's what it takes for them to continue making FPs, then so be it. Congratulations to them for finding a successful business model.

[Mille]

Yes, of course you are right. Although it is impossible for me to use a MB. I do, however, firmly belive FP's will continue to be made and (note!) used, for the same reason straight razors are still manufactured. They are simply a better product, and I do not have to carry the image of a Wall Street intern.

[Diego]

Thank you for that great review. I'm starting using my Starwalker (Black Mystery) and I enjoy reading everything about that FP.

 

I have it with F nib and I want to give it some use and some cleaning, as it has some skips. But I remember that when starting with other ones happened the same -or at least I want to remember that )

Edited January 11, 2010 by Diego

[Ed Ronax]

Great photos, great review, thanks.

[buffalowings]

this review is great, thanks for posting all those pics, I am especially relieved you actually laugh at the montblanc style of marketing

[Skitch]

Outstanding review, thank you!

 

Your review, passion, and penmanship are something for me to aspire to. I found your review of the 149 terrific and hilarious (at your intended humor).

 

I know there are many MB haters, understandably so, but I've always fancied the brand and design. As with many high-end manufacturers, the high price facade both lures and disgusts, only to be determined by which side of the fence you stand. For me, you've helped steer me towards my next pen, my first serious "investment" pen.

 

Cheers!