Are Mont Blanc Pens worth it

[Lyander0012]

Your option 3 sound like a great idea. Keep in mind the Montblanc "overhaul" service for about $90 USD is a great option if you buy one 2nd hand, as they will replace all necessary parts to restore the pen. Just contact the nearest MB repair center for your area. I got an early 1990s 146 on ebay for $200. When it arrived, the piston was stiff and it leaked ink. I sent it to MB for an overhaul service, and they replaced the feed, piston/barrel, so basically the entire pen was replaced except the original nib and cap. So I have a near new pen for $300 total. If you do get a vintage, you might want to ask MB repair what parts you dont want them to replace to keep it original.

So I can actually buy a rickety model that's near to meeting it's maker (haha, well, it's headed back to MB anyways ) and they'll be able to fix it for a decent fee? Now THAT is an attractive option.

 

Still, I'm lucky in that there are two MB stores nearby. This is starting to become a very viable option for a graduation gift.

 

 

Kevin

[Bananabender]

So I can actually buy a rickety model that's near to meeting it's maker (haha, well, it's headed back to MB anyways ) and they'll be able to fix it for a decent fee? Now THAT is an attractive option.

Still, I'm lucky in that there are two MB stores nearby. This is starting to become a very viable option for a graduation gift.

Kevin

Wash your mouth out with soap. There is no such thing as a rickety mb. Unloved yes but never rickety.

[Lyander0012]

Wash your mouth out with soap. There is no such thing as a rickety mb. Unloved yes but never rickety.

Perhaps my choice in words was a bit unfortunate, haha. I'm going to quietly retire from this thread now, methinks ^^;

[GabrielleDuVent]

Wash your mouth out with soap. There is no such thing as a rickety mb. Unloved yes but never rickety.

 

You'd be surprised. I read on this forum that someone chewed on an MB. Others threw it away after thinking "ink done means pen done". Quite a few MBs get abused. Literally.

[Lady P]

I don't feel a need to point out every weak claim or limp argument. Lady P was digging her own hole, and didn't need my help. It had nothing at all to do with her views on the MB question, which I found muddled anyway.

 

 

Um, excuse me, I don't need to try MB in order to say that I strongly dislike the image that it projects. I said their pens are likely quite good (Stephen Brown's pen aside). I also don't need to try A&F jeans in order to know that when their CEO says that their clothes are meant for cool, good-looking kids, and that some people (by implication: overweight ones) don't belong in them, I don't like the image that it projects. I'll boycott both companies, thank you very much, and I'd do so even if their products were the absolute best in the market (which I see little evidence of, but even if you could somehow convince me otherwise, I'd boycott them regardless). Admittedly, MB's marketing is not quite as crass as A&F CEO's comments (it would be quite a challenge to beat that level of crassness...), but it's the same principle. Even if a MB pen were absolutely amazing for my hand, and A&F jeans perfectly suited my behind, I wouldn't want to be seen with those products because thanks to the two companies' marketing, doing so would brand me in ways that I don't want to be branded. Furthermore, I don't want to support those two companies with my money. Again, EVEN IF you could convince me that their products were miles ahead of those of their competitors (which so far, nobody has come close to doing).

On the question of whether, company logo aside, MB pens are too expensive for what they are: look, I'm not about to pay spend thousands upon thousands of euros accumulating pens at that price range in order to be able to make a fair comparison. Why should I? What I will say is that, generally speaking, when a company starts marketing that way, it attracts the type of customer who will allow it to raise prices far, far above what those products cost to make (materials, machinery, labor cost, cost of repair if the customer sends the products back for repair on a warranty, REASONABLE marketing costs, etc.), and significantly above the price of similar products from other brands. As a general rule, this is the case. I strongly suspect that this applies to MB. Could I be wrong? Sure. It seems rather unlikely to me that I am wrong, though, and even if I am wrong, please see the previous paragraph.

I hope my position clear now, or do you still find it muddled?

Edited February 23, 2014 by Lady P

[Lady P]

And I said I was going to leave this thread, but apparently I wasn't able to. That was rather stupid of me. All right, I'll leave the forum instead, at least for the time being. It's turned into an unpleasant place to dwell, not to mention that I've been buying far too many pens anyway, and this forum only kept encouraging it.

Good-bye everyone.

[GabrielleDuVent]

I am not entirely sure why people see the need to announce their departure to the online public. But I am only a novice in the human mysteries... (I've always wanted to say that!).

 

Anyway!

 

Apart from the vitriolic turn this debate has taken (folks... it's a pen. It's not like we're giving out indulgences here), it appears the pen quality MB offers is still held in high regard. Good to know.

[lapis]

Getting back to MBs, I don't like them for the following reasons:
A. They sell almost everything else which can have and/or must be able to have prestige.
B. Out of the 3 boutiques here, 2 have only little clue about their FPs and inks and won't sell you a LE ink if you don't buy the pen too. (The other boutique is great.)
C. I once bought a brand new 146 which turned out to be a lemon. So I took it back for a repair and it came back "restored" but it wasn't restored. So I phoned and wrote to the MB headquarters in Hamburg, explained everything to them, and then sent it to them directly. Again, to no avail, so I sold the bugger.
Until the present day, MB is dead for me.

Mike

Edited February 23, 2014 by lapis

[Blade Runner]

 

 

 

Um, excuse me, I don't need to try MB in order to say that I strongly dislike the image that it projects. I said their pens are likely quite good (Stephen Brown's pen aside). I also don't need to try A&F jeans in order to know that when their CEO says that their clothes are meant for cool, good-looking kids, and that some people (by implication: overweight ones) don't belong in them, I don't like the image that it projects. I'll boycott both companies, thank you very much, and I'd do so even if their products were the absolute best in the market (which I see little evidence of, but even if you could somehow convince me otherwise, I'd boycott them regardless). Admittedly, MB's marketing is not quite as crass as A&F CEO's comments (it would be quite a challenge to beat that level of crassness...), but it's the same principle. Even if a MB pen were absolutely amazing for my hand, and A&F jeans perfectly suited my behind, I wouldn't want to be seen with those products because thanks to the two companies' marketing, doing so would brand me in ways that I don't want to be branded. Furthermore, I don't want to support those two companies with my money. Again, EVEN IF you could convince me that their products were miles ahead of those of their competitors (which so far, nobody has come close to doing).

On the question of whether, company logo aside, MB pens are too expensive for what they are: look, I'm not about to pay spend thousands upon thousands of euros accumulating pens at that price range in order to be able to make a fair comparison. Why should I? What I will say is that, generally speaking, when a company starts marketing that way, it attracts the type of customer who will allow it to raise prices far, far above what those products cost to make (materials, machinery, labor cost, cost of repair if the customer sends the products back for repair on a warranty, REASONABLE marketing costs, etc.), and significantly above the price of similar products from other brands. As a general rule, this is the case. I strongly suspect that this applies to MB. Could I be wrong? Sure. It seems rather unlikely to me that I am wrong, though, and even if I am wrong, please see the previous paragraph.

I hope my position clear now, or do you still find it muddled?

 

Here was my response to your reservation about not offering a full range of pens and prices:

 

 

MB does nothing to prevent you from buying a low tier pen from Pelikan or other brand that produces lower tier pens. In fact, by not competing in the lower end pen market, it ensures that Pelikan can continue making a share of its profits from its lower end pens.

As for comparing MB's pens to the high tier pens of other brands we agree that there isn't a great difference in cost. In fact, MB includes a service network that is broader than that of other brands. And some of those brands lack in house nib production or offer an integrated piston filler model, yet demand comparable prices to those of MB!

If a person can't afford a new MB, there are many second hand ones available at significantly lower prices that pen enthusiasts take advantage of. And regardless of whether they are new or second hand, MB service will take care of the pen.

So the main reason for your vehement stand against MB isn't a technical one (you never tried one), not price (you've spent a lot for your Toledo) nor the ability to buy lower tier pens from another brand, but it seems to be this potential of being labeled a snob by the choice of your pen, bascially a psychosocial issue. Several of us have argued through experience that most non-pen people don't place much importance to a pen, and this won't come to pass without corroborating signs and behaviors. Hating MB can seem righteous, because snob = bad, and people might buy for that reason. But that demonstrates an intolerance to the idea that you can enjoy such pen for other reasons or that your actions rather than your pen can speak for who you are.

Edited February 23, 2014 by Blade Runner

[fountainpagan]

Dear Lady P,

 

An opinion is a one winged bird - Rumi

Some fly better with one than others with two. The beauty of the "sky" is that both, one and two winged, can fly.

[max dog]

So I can actually buy a rickety model that's near to meeting it's maker (haha, well, it's headed back to MB anyways ) and they'll be able to fix it for a decent fee? Now THAT is an attractive option.

 

Still, I'm lucky in that there are two MB stores nearby. This is starting to become a very viable option for a graduation gift.

 

 

Kevin

Hi Kevin

 

Yes pretty much within reason (ie no tire track marks though)

They will probably include minor nib adjustment as well, but if the nib is damaged and needs repair, additional costs may apply. Might want to check with MB store what they charge for nib service. If you buy from an online seller like ebay, make sure the seller shows a good detailed picture of the nib so you can be sure there are no glaring flaws/damage to the tip.

Edited February 23, 2014 by max dog

[mrchan]

After using a few cheapies and many vintage pens, and moving on to Montblanc, I have not looked back. I have enjoyed the quality and feel of Montblanc pens and I shall not go back to cheapies no matter how nice they write. As long as you pay 10$ for it, it is going to look like it costs 10$ regardless. People who enjoy cheapies are people who have not truly handled a beautiful MB in all its glory (or other nicer pens like a nice Pelikan M800 Tortoiseshell for eg) and just want to bash it for no particular rhyme or reason. It is not bling, who notices fountain pens anyway?

[GabrielleDuVent]

After using a few cheapies and many vintage pens, and moving on to Montblanc, I have not looked back. I have enjoyed the quality and feel of Montblanc pens and I shall not go back to cheapies no matter how nice they write. As long as you pay 10$ for it, it is going to look like it costs 10$ regardless. People who enjoy cheapies are people who have not truly handled a beautiful MB in all its glory (or other nicer pens like a nice Pelikan M800 Tortoiseshell for eg) and just want to bash it for no particular rhyme or reason. It is not bling, who notices fountain pens anyway?

 

Thieves.

 

And quite a few people, actually. I've received quite a few comments such as, "oh, is that a quill?", "That's for calligraphy, right?", "You use posh pens!" (this was said when I was writing with a Preppy), "You can stab someone with that pen!" and my favourite, "It's a Harry Potter pen!"

 

*cues in Harry Potter theme music*

[JonSzanto]

After using a few cheapies and many vintage pens, and moving on to Montblanc, I have not looked back. I have enjoyed the quality and feel of Montblanc pens and I shall not go back to cheapies no matter how nice they write. As long as you pay 10$ for it, it is going to look like it costs 10$ regardless. People who enjoy cheapies are people who have not truly handled a beautiful MB in all its glory (or other nicer pens like a nice Pelikan M800 Tortoiseshell for eg) and just want to bash it for no particular rhyme or reason. It is not bling, who notices fountain pens anyway?

 

Yep, you've got the entire world all figured out, you do.

[MBFan]

They are great pens, but overpriced. The used market is saturated atm, so you can find them cheap-ish.

 

Who cares in the end? Buy one if you like, don't if you don't. Life is much more enjoyable if you don't get hung on stuff like this

[Mesu]

Who cares in the end? Buy one if you like, don't if you don't. Life is much more enjoyable if you don't get hung on stuff like this

 

 

Words to live by...

 

If you like it, buy it. Simple..

[TSherbs]

After using a few cheapies and many vintage pens, and moving on to Montblanc, I have not looked back. I have enjoyed the quality and feel of Montblanc pens and I shall not go back to cheapies no matter how nice they write. As long as you pay 10$ for it, it is going to look like it costs 10$ regardless. People who enjoy cheapies are people who have not truly handled a beautiful MB in all its glory (or other nicer pens like a nice Pelikan M800 Tortoiseshell for eg) and just want to bash it for no particular rhyme or reason. It is not bling, who notices fountain pens anyway?

Care to send me a loner so that I can try one out? I live in Maine; no other access for me.....

[Fabienne]

 

You'd be surprised. I read on this forum that someone chewed on an MB. Others threw it away after thinking "ink done means pen done". Quite a few MBs get abused. Literally.

 

My husband is an urbane man of the world (except when he isn't). He got an MB 149 for a present at a workplace and kept it for years. One day it rolled off the desk and onto the floor. The barrel broke just where the threads were on the body. He picked up the pieces and threw them in the trash can. Luckily I spied it and pulled it out. I sent it to the MB repair station in TX and it came back in beautiful condition. Then my husband could resume being an urbane man of the world.

[Sailor Kenshin]

Here was my response to your reservation about not offering a full range of pens and prices:

 

 

MB does nothing to prevent you from buying a low tier pen from Pelikan or other brand that produces lower tier pens. In fact, by not competing in the lower end pen market, it ensures that Pelikan can continue making a share of its profits from its lower end pens.

 

As for comparing MB's pens to the high tier pens of other brands we agree that there isn't a great difference in cost. In fact, MB includes a service network that is broader than that of other brands. And some of those brands lack in house nib production or offer an integrated piston filler model, yet demand comparable prices to those of MB!

 

If a person can't afford a new MB, there are many second hand ones available at significantly lower prices that pen enthusiasts take advantage of. And regardless of whether they are new or second hand, MB service will take care of the pen.

 

So the main reason for your vehement stand against MB isn't a technical one (you never tried one), not price (you've spent a lot for your Toledo) nor the ability to buy lower tier pens from another brand, but it seems to be this potential of being labeled a snob by the choice of your pen, bascially a psychosocial issue. Several of us have argued through experience that most non-pen people don't place much importance to a pen, and this won't come to pass without corroborating signs and behaviors. Hating MB can seem righteous, because snob = bad, and people might buy for that reason. But that demonstrates an intolerance to the idea that you can enjoy such pen for other reasons or that your actions rather than your pen can speak for who you are.

 

I thought that, at one time, MB made all levels of pens.

 

I own a 32. I am no MB expert but wasn't that considered something like a student pen? It's got a wonderful, springy, feather-touch nib and it's light and comfy for my hand. It's my only MB so far but some day I would like to own a 149. Just because. And I have all sorts of pens at all sorts of price points.

[Pelikan Vera]

Well the discussion is a little heated.....but I think that MB pens can be as delightful as other fountain pens. I started with a slimline offering a long time ago and I still have the pen. As a student years and years ago I bought a 146 with a 14C medium nib and to this day this is one of my favourite pens. So for me they offer an excellent writing experience and they never needed a service or any repair for that matter. so yes I like them as well as Pelikan and Soennecken and some other modern makes. They are just things to use and enjoy every day. They bring a smile to my face. There is no need for political discussion about an ill perceived Company image. One should never judge a book by it's cover.