Value comparison between MontBlanc & Pelikan

[Demonstrative Pen Collector]

Do you think that MontBlanc LE's are of better value than Pelikan LE's in terms of design, price, quality control (especially the nib)?

[Titivillus]

Do you think that MontBlanc LE's are of better value than Pelikan LE's in terms of design, price, quality control (especially the nib)?

Wow if that isn't a loaded question I don't know what is

 

As I have never owned an LE from either company I will leave it up to others to do a more credible comparison.

 

But as for the first part of the question I'm not sure how to attach a value to design. Maybe resale value?

 

 

K

[Demonstrative Pen Collector]

Do you think that MontBlanc LE's are of better value than Pelikan LE's in terms of design, price, quality control (especially the nib)?

Wow if that isn't a loaded question I don't know what is

 

As I have never owned an LE from either company I will leave it up to others to do a more credible comparison.

 

But as for the first part of the question I'm not sure how to attach a value to design. Maybe resale value?

 

 

K

I mean getting your moneys worth when you buy the pen.

[*david*]

It entirely depends what you want the pen for.

 

If you want a pen, Pelikan is better, because you can count on it to work, and if something goes wrong it will be fixed. MB has a serious quality control problem, which is not uncommon, but they also have a stingy, unresponsive service department, which means if anything goes wrong you might as well throw your $1000 pen in the trash.

 

If you want a limited edition that is interesting and truly different, and you don't plan to take it out of the box, only look at it, then MB is a better choice. The majority of Pelikan LE's are just different colours on the same pen, and I don't know why they bother.

[æon]

I don't think it's really appropriate to talk about value and limited edition in the same breath. When you buy a pen that expensive, it's with the knowledge that there are pens out there for 1/10th, or even 1/100th of the price that will work just as well.

 

Not only that, but value depends entirely on what you want the pen for, which you haven't really told us. Will it be kept in a bank vault as investment? Used for signatures only? Taken to work every day? Do you want it to impress people, or for personal satisfaction? What kind of pen do you like (heavy, light, thickness, material, nib style, smoothness, balance, posting?)

 

I suggest buying the one that most satisfies your sense of beauty, fit, finish, and writing style (if you plan to use it), because there is no such thing as the best value, especially in the luxury pen domain.

[Flere-Imsaho]

MB has a serious quality control problem, which is not uncommon, but they also have a stingy, unresponsive service department, which means if anything goes wrong you might as well throw your $1000 pen in the trash.

I'm wondering, is that heresay, or your personal experience?

 

It is certainly not my experience. But then maybe I'm born under a lucky star.

All the MB's I have seen owned, used have always performed flawless, and the people in the MB boutiques and service centers have always been very helpful and friendly.

Enjoy,

/:) Hans.

[kaisede]

Hi all,

 

I agree with Hans Geelen, their service is friendly when ever I have problem with my pen. Than again you should not need to send a brand new pen back to get it fix. I personaly likes MB LE better because of its variation that it offers to people. The not so expansive and well design Writer Series has a decent price tag for LE. MB put a lot of thoughth into their Writer Series, I really like how they design the pen according to what the writer's work. As for Pelikan their LE are expansive for the one I like. The Caelum, Myth of the Moon Goddess are over $2000. It is just too expansive.

 

Andy Huang

[Demonstrative Pen Collector]

It entirely depends what you want the pen for.

 

If you want a pen, Pelikan is better, because you can count on it to work, and if something goes wrong it will be fixed. MB has a serious quality control problem, which is not uncommon, but they also have a stingy, unresponsive service department, which means if anything goes wrong you might as well throw your $1000 pen in the trash.

 

If you want a limited edition that is interesting and truly different, and you don't plan to take it out of the box, only look at it, then MB is a better choice. The majority of Pelikan LE's are just different colours on the same pen, and I don't know why they bother.

Yep!!! You are correct. remember the time when most Pelikan LE's were merely different designed metal sleeves wrapped around the barrel? Not to mention these days when you buy a Pelikan most of the time you have to send the nib to be "tweaked" - and there are a lot of people out there who think that this is an acceptable practice for Pelikan nibs - they don't believe that the nib should write perfectly out of the box.

[RSVP]

.

 

It's all a matter of opinion though- both have merits but both equally have flaws.

Edited July 13, 2007 by rimmerjar

[Ray]

I think it's odd to consider the 'value' of LEs in the same way it's odd to apply the concept of value to - say - jewellery or art.

 

Ray

[Elaine]

I think it's odd to consider the 'value' of LEs in the same way it's odd to apply the concept of value to - say - jewellery or art.

 

Ray

That's what I was going to say, only better

 

When buying a LE pen the value (in my opinion) is how much joy the pen gives you. There are a few MB LE and a few Pelikan LE that I would bring me lots of joy. I think the Kafka is stunning! I know someone who has one and he loves to write with it.