Why Does Montblanc Have Such A Bad Rap Anyway?

[Chthulhu]

Then again, it could just be because MB owners like to show their WEs and fondle the Bergmann in public. <G>

[shivneelsingh]

In my experience, Mont Blanc has been very disappointing. Their "precious resin" is just a cheap plastic. I dropped my Mont Blanc fountain pen like two feet and it broke. The build quality is just awful, for spending $500 on a MB, I expected a "decent" product. Their writing quality is "ok" but not the best. Having other fountain pens, I feel as if Mont Blanc isn't a good investment. In my opinion, I think ST Dupont, Waterman, and Cartier are far better quality, smooth writers, and very good investments. I'm currently using my favorite Cartier Pasha de Cartier fountain pen and it's the smoothest writer ever!

 

My brother was all about Mont Blanc, he bought one but doesn't even use it. His Boheme just sits in the box, the store won't let him exchange it for a Cartier. He was told that Mont Blanc was the best but after buying it and using it, he was very disappointed.

 

If you're looking for a pen that you'll use often (I use mine a lot that I have to refill ink at least once a day or more than once a day), get a ST Dupont or Cartier. You can't go wrong with ST Dupont but if you want to spend some money, buy Cartier, the Pasha or Bar Code.

 

Just my two cents.

[hari317]

I dropped my Mont Blanc fountain pen like two feet and it broke. The build quality is just awful, for spending $500 on a MB, I expected a "decent" product.

 

If you have the misfortune of repeating this experiment with other plastic pens, you might find a similar result. Try a 149/146, you will not be disappointed.

[Bisquitlips]

Y'all obviously haven't heard my Visconti ravings or my Carene hymns of praise.

 

Too many people seem to care what other people think. I've got lots of pens. Multiple brands make me happy. MB is one of them. So what?

 

Well said Ghost!! Who actually really cares what make of pen we carry? I just love a good pen no matter who the maker is!

 

With that said, I have collected fountains pens since about 1975 and my first good one was a MB 144 in black with a fine nib. I still have that pen and I about 15 more. But that only encompasses about 20% of my collection from a numerical standpoint.

 

For the last week I have carried my 149 with an italic nib. What a pleasure to write with that juicy instrument! But my Parkers, Watermans, YOL's, and Sheaffers are also wonderful pleasures. Heck, I even have a few very nice pencils and very much enjoy those also.

 

I suppose my soft spot for MB's will not subside as I find myself scheming ways to get my hands on more of them and I honestly enjoy them for just what they are. A good writing instrument with a good history.

 

Long live the splat!!!

Edited October 24, 2009 by Bisquitlips

[Bisquitlips]

I dropped my Mont Blanc fountain pen like two feet and it broke. The build quality is just awful, for spending $500 on a MB, I expected a "decent" product.

 

If you have the misfortune of repeating this experiment with other plastic pens, you might find a similar result. Try a 149/146, you will not be disappointed.

 

I dropped my MB ball point one day at work and it shattered in about 30 pieces. At that time Kohinoor was handling the repairs for MB and I gave them a call and sent my pen in for repair. I was just sick about it but had to have it repaired as, at the time, it was one of my favorites and I couldn't afford to just run out an buy a replacement. So to Kohinoor it went.

 

About 4 weeks later it came back to me like new. The charge... $0.00. I was astonished.

 

I know they no longer do this, but I believe that MB knew that their "precious resin" was brittle and had thus decided to repair them at no cost. At least at that time.

 

So that was a very pleasant experience for me and I have remembered it since. I still get the warm fuzzies just thinking about it. :0)

[georges zaslavsky]

I too had a very pleasant service experience with a second hand bought 149 which was my very first mb. I sent it for a piston repair and it was fixed in less than 2 weeks for 50€ with a international warranty of a year, MB even adjusted the ink flow on the nib and I didn't even ask them. I got a first class service from MB and I will stick to MB in perhaps future purchases.

[woodworker]

Hmmmmm I have a MB 146 and a 149 (both fine-nibs) I love them and write with them every day. I have no issues with them. Great every day pens! I also have a Pelikan M1000 which I don't write with every day. Also have a Visconti Van Gogh maxi which I don't write with every day.

[Darius]

In my experience, Mont Blanc has been very disappointing. Their "precious resin" is just a cheap plastic. I dropped my Mont Blanc fountain pen like two feet and it broke. The build quality is just awful, for spending $500 on a MB, I expected a "decent" product. Their writing quality is "ok" but not the best. Having other fountain pens, I feel as if Mont Blanc isn't a good investment. In my opinion, I think ST Dupont, Waterman, and Cartier are far better quality, smooth writers, and very good investments. I'm currently using my favorite Cartier Pasha de Cartier fountain pen and it's the smoothest writer ever!

 

My brother was all about Mont Blanc, he bought one but doesn't even use it. His Boheme just sits in the box, the store won't let him exchange it for a Cartier. He was told that Mont Blanc was the best but after buying it and using it, he was very disappointed.

 

If you're looking for a pen that you'll use often (I use mine a lot that I have to refill ink at least once a day or more than once a day), get a ST Dupont or Cartier. You can't go wrong with ST Dupont but if you want to spend some money, buy Cartier, the Pasha or Bar Code.

 

Just my two cents.

Dupont make good looking pens. My experience with them wasn't good though. I have 2 and I don't take them out with me because they skip and sometimes refuse to write. Their nibs are smooth, but I don't consider them reliable pens. I hear a lot about how good they are, so maybe it's just my bad luck to get 2 problematic ones.

 

I also have a Cartier Pasha. It's a very good writer with a very smooth nib. The nib and feed on that Cartier is made by Montblanc. If you compare a Pasha's nib and feed with a 146's, you'll see that they are exactly the same, except for the engraving on the nib. So for me, the 146 wins because of the filling mechanism. The Diablo's nib and feed are the same as the 144's. However, Montblanc do not make nibs for Cartier anymore.

[meiers]

Three cheers for an amazing pen company!

Montblanc rocks!

[hari317]

However, Montblanc do not make nibs for Cartier anymore.

Darius, who makes their nibs now? Bock?

[Darius]

However, Montblanc do not make nibs for Cartier anymore.

Darius, who makes their nibs now? Bock?

I honestly don't know. I was talking to MB employees and shared my observation and conclusion about the Cartier and Montegrappa Genio Creativo nibs. It was a week after Richemont sold Montegrappa. They confirmed my conclusion and told me that MB will not be making nibs for Cartier anymore. If you see their latest pen line, the Roadster, you'll see that the nib is different.

[hari317]

If you see their latest pen line, the Roadster, you'll see that the nib is different.

 

Yes, it looks very much like a ST Dupont nib?

[ethernautrix]

If I were good at accents... oh, and also if I were good at rhyming, then this thread's title would make me want to record a quick little rap in a German accent about Montblanc pens. It's okay if I say that, cos I'm an eighth German.

 

Also, I love my Montblancs!

[kaissa]

From my experience, the general "distaste" for MB's does not reflect their quality, but rather their exclusivity...or their marketing of exclusivity. Their marketing is very similar to Rolex..which also gets bashed in the watch world. You have to understand that MB bears the burden of being a household word..meaning that most people who don't know anything about pens know enough that it is a "nice pen" when they hear the brand name.

 

MB makes good quality pens with great marketing. I enjoy just looking at some MB models but they are over-priced. They have succeeded in getting people to buy their product as a status symbol and now are making more luxury items such as watches, wallets, belts and so forth. Cross is following them in this regard, and Parker may also.

 

A friend of mine has a 146. I was very suprised to find out that the screwing is not smooth at all while filling ink. This is a quality problem, one that I never expected in a MB.

 

Regards,

[Darius]

If you see their latest pen line, the Roadster, you'll see that the nib is different.

 

Yes, it looks very much like a ST Dupont nib?

And Waterman nibs. The 3 factories are in France. Maybe it is a coincidence that they look alike. Even if the nibs are from the same source, they might not behave the same. Bock makes nibs for many pen manufacturers, but to the standards of each manufacturer. However this is not the case with the Cartiers and Montegrappas that had MB nib. Writing with them feels like writing with a MB.

 

Then there are pens that are made by pen manufacturers for designers like Gucci, Burberry, Davidoff and Chopard. All marked "Italy". I know that some Chopards are made by Stipula, and a line of Davidoff was made by Omas. But I don't know about the rest.

 

Another question would be: who makes their own nibs? I know Aurora and MB do.

[Deirdre]

Then there are pens that are made by pen manufacturers for designers like Gucci, Burberry, Davidoff and Chopard. All marked "Italy". I know that some Chopards are made by Stipula, and a line of Davidoff was made by Omas. But I don't know about the rest.

 

Another question would be: who makes their own nibs? I know Aurora and MB do.

Ancora, Pelikan (some of theirs), Lamy, most of the Japanese pen lines.

[stevlight]

Everyone gets on MB for making OTHER stuff--watches,bags etc But if you really think about it Parker pens is owned by Rubbermaid so they make plastic garbage cans and tupperware containers as well as pens!!!!!!!! This fact does not take away peoples love for the Parker 51! Why does making other things take away from the quality pens they make?

Edited October 25, 2009 by stevlight

[Siv]

Another question would be: who makes their own nibs? I know Aurora and MB do.

That has been answered here:

 

The companies that make their own nibs Are

Pilot/Namiki

Platinum

Sailor

Sheaffer

Parker/Waterman (I think they are related by the parent company)

Ancora

Aurora

Cross-eventhough Namiki makes some of their nibs

Montblanc

Lamy- I think

[Darius]

Ancora, Pelikan (some of theirs), Lamy, most of the Japanese pen lines.

 

 

That has been answered here:

 

The companies that make their own nibs Are

Pilot/Namiki

Platinum

Sailor

Sheaffer

Parker/Waterman (I think they are related by the parent company)

Ancora

Aurora

Cross-eventhough Namiki makes some of their nibs

Montblanc

Lamy- I think

Thanks Deirdre and Siv.

[Siv]

Thanks Deirdre and Siv.

At least some use has come out of this thread