Cap Scratching Body

[vysis]

Anybody else's Mont Blanc cap scratches the body? I examined my Mont Blanc today and found a ringed scratch where the Cap meets the body... normal?

[jar]

Certainly heard of and maybe even likely. I'd have to look to see if I have a ring on any of mine. I have heard it is more common on metal pens.

[karmakoda]

This is a problem I have encountered, usually in vintage pens when celluloid has changed in size, shrinking cap syndrome (SCS).

Had some success buffing the inside of the cap with micro-mesh polishing cloth, and with polishing compound on a small power polisher (its like a dental tool micromotor).

So far, this is a rare problem on newer pens.

[CS388]

Yes, but only visible under close scrutiny, as it coincides with the bottom of the ink-window on my 146.

 

Also, as a a result of posting, I have a similar ring on the other end of the barrel:

 

 

However, this is a result of posting the cap (every day for a period of approx 9 months)

 

I guess this could be polished out, but I'm not in the slightest bit concerned about it. This pen is a workhorse and scars are expected.

 

 

Edited to add that pen is probably late 1970s/early 1980s model.

Edited May 29, 2010 by CS388

[meiers]

This is perfectly normal. I see the same ring on my Meisterstueck pens.

 

Don't lose any sleep over it.... I don't

 

Matt

[vysis]

not to revive a dead topic but man... whenever I look at that ring of scratches, it breaks me inside.

 

Anyways, I've gone around looking at other peoples Mont Blanc and they don't seem to have this problem. Can you guys just quickly confirm if you guys have it?

[Kalessin]

My 30-year-old 149 had a faint ring of scratches where I posted it, and now it has a new barrel (the old one had clouded up in the ink windows so it got replaced when I had the pen serviced). It is developing a new ring of scratches where it gets posted.

 

My father's 44-year-old 149 has a similar ring.

 

They are the marks of use, and in my opinion, these pens were made to be used.

 

The appearance of your pens is your business, and if you prefer to not have a ring where the cap is posted, then I suggest not posting the cap.

 

You can polish out the marks carefully; if you're in the US, I suggest "Cape Cod Polishing Cloths", they make them for polishing silverware and silver jewelry; they are flannel cloth with a little bit of jeweler's rouge (a very mild abrasive; all polishes are abrasives) in them, and should smooth out tiny scratches.

[hari317]

Anybody else's Mont Blanc cap scratches the body? I examined my Mont Blanc today and found a ringed scratch where the Cap meets the body... normal?

 

You mean scratches on the ink view window right? Yes, one of my modern (post 90s) 149s has scratches in that area from the cap lip. I have not noticed this in any other 149 that I own.

[DetlevCM]

Happens on my Meisterstück LeGrand - possibly no way to avoid it really...

 

Edit: (on ink window for me)

Edited July 9, 2010 by DetlevCM

[Felix1]

does yours?

 

Nope...but then I rarely post a pen for that very reason. I make it a practice to purchase pens which are long enough and properly weighted for my writing style when unposted.

[perdu]

Don't worry, it's completely normal and does not detract from the pen in any way.

[meiers]

Don't worry, it's completely normal and does not detract from the pen in any way.

 

 

You are so right. It's a sign of gentle wear and tear and gives a pen character.

[perdu]

My 30-year-old 149 had a faint ring of scratches where I posted it, and now it has a new barrel (the old one had clouded up in the ink windows so it got replaced when I had the pen serviced). It is developing a new ring of scratches where it gets posted.

 

My father's 44-year-old 149 has a similar ring.

 

They are the marks of use, and in my opinion, these pens were made to be used.

 

The appearance of your pens is your business, and if you prefer to not have a ring where the cap is posted, then I suggest not posting the cap.

 

You can polish out the marks carefully; if you're in the US, I suggest "Cape Cod Polishing Cloths", they make them for polishing silverware and silver jewelry; they are flannel cloth with a little bit of jeweler's rouge (a very mild abrasive; all polishes are abrasives) in them, and should smooth out tiny scratches.

 

But don't polish the gold plating with one. It will take gold off.

[meiers]

My 30-year-old 149 had a faint ring of scratches where I posted it, and now it has a new barrel (the old one had clouded up in the ink windows so it got replaced when I had the pen serviced). It is developing a new ring of scratches where it gets posted.

 

My father's 44-year-old 149 has a similar ring.

 

They are the marks of use, and in my opinion, these pens were made to be used.

 

The appearance of your pens is your business, and if you prefer to not have a ring where the cap is posted, then I suggest not posting the cap.

 

You can polish out the marks carefully; if you're in the US, I suggest "Cape Cod Polishing Cloths", they make them for polishing silverware and silver jewelry; they are flannel cloth with a little bit of jeweler's rouge (a very mild abrasive; all polishes are abrasives) in them, and should smooth out tiny scratches.

 

But don't polish the gold plating with one. It will take gold off.

 

 

Excellent point. That's why I suggest leaving it alone.

 

Matt

[Blade Runner]

I would add that scratching of plastics occurs with plastic pens of other brands too.

Options include not posting, polishing, eventually replacing the barrel, or just accepting them as signs of a well used pen.