Vintage 2xx & 3xx Pens - Very Nice Pens That Gives A Lot Of Value For The Money

[dandelion]

I've more and more grown fond of MBs smaller (and not famous nor expensive) vintage pens like the 252, 344, 342. For a quite a small sum one gets pens that - even though not a "Meisterstück" - are made to last and be used. I also like that they back then made pens for all segments - not only the high end. Lastly: their nibs are exquisite.

 

I've posted more photos of my vintage MBs here at my blog.

 

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_FODBn3j5KLc/TQv3flEQS9I/AAAAAAAAkrM/csDXadlGJgo/s640/P1220707.JPG

 

 

From left to right:

342 OB (flexy)

Monterosa M

342 F (flexy)

252 OB (semi-flexy)

254 OM (semi-flexy)

22 OB

Edited December 18, 2010 by dandelion

[mongrelnomad]

I agree. My best EF writer is my old 32, and it seems as well made in every way as my "Meisterstuck" 12: I'm definitely on the lookout for more of MB's second and third-rate pens!

[georges zaslavsky]

I do agree that they are very good pens.

[jar]

Another vote for some of the lesser known models. One of my favorite MBs is a 264.

[Blade Runner]

Nice collection and thanks for the heads up!

[Sunflowers]

I enjoyed staring at your collection. Thank you for posting. More for me to look into. This is great.

[kazoolaw]

First the 252, then the 254, next thing you'll be scouring the internet for the 256 and its nib, which is the ne ultra plus of the wing style.

And jar is right, the 264, designed for the conservatives who didn't want a pull off cap or a wing nib, is as solid a pen as you'll find.

The 34x series is for those who think MBs were always boutique material.

The problem is that publicity about how great these pens are has driven up their prices from the bargain basement where they used to dwell.

Very nice collection,

gary

[piembi]

A 14 and a 252 had been my first MBs. Next one had been a 32. Those nibs are superb.

 

When I bought my 1980s MB 144 I had been disappointed with the nib. Tried several 146s until I gave up.

 

Now I am back to 1950s-1970s MBs, added some more to my collection and love to use them.

[Garageboy]

As long as the double digit pens don't go up in price, I'll be happy

 

Too bad the caps crack on the slip cap models

[CS388]

 

 

Too bad the caps crack on the slip cap models

 

 

Yes, but it may not be as bad as it first appears.

 

My 254 now has 6 hairline cracks in the cap. It certainly had 5 of them (maybe all 6) when I bought it, around two years ago. In the time I've had it (it's a daily user) I've pushed the cap to extremes, posting it hard and capping it right up the clipping point and beyond. The logic behind this was to test it to the limit - if it was going to break, I didn't want it to happen while it was being used in an important situation.

 

To my surprise, nothing broke. I've been monitoring the cracks in the time I've had it, and they seem to have stabilized. (They are evenly distributed in a circle around the centre of the cap, no bulge, no issues. They coincide with the main flex point of the steel blades of the inner cap, and I'd be pretty certain that this flexing of the steel has caused the cracks in the main cap - maybe a design oversight?)

 

My original intention was to replace the cap, or repair the cracks. Now, I'm content with it and intend to leave it as is. The hairlines are virtually invisible (I can feel them with my finger-nail) and the cap has good structural integrity. If I could photograph like dandelion, I'd post pictures. Sadly, I'm having to stick to a thousand words, instead.

 

Dandelion: Congratulations on your collection. Super pens, excellent photography.

[Christiaan]

Hi,

 

What do you 'Montblanc-connaiseurs' think about the 221 classic from, I think, the seventies?

 

I just bought one and I'm currently awaiting it's delivery...

 

Up till now I have been writing with a, dare I say it , Waterman Carene, Waterman Expert and Parker Sonnet.

 

Regards,

 

Christiaan

[jar]

Hi,

 

What do you 'Montblanc-connaiseurs' think about the 221 classic from, I think, the seventies?

 

I just bought one and I'm currently awaiting it's delivery...

 

Up till now I have been writing with a, dare I say it , Waterman Carene, Waterman Expert and Parker Sonnet.

 

Regards,

 

Christiaan

 

I like the three digit pens from the late sixties and into the seventies. The semi-hooded nibs are usually quite nice. I particularly enjoy my 221 as well as the brushed finish on my 220.

[ttakacs]

I've got a black 320 (the c/c filler model) with a fine point. Fabulous writer, a bit of spring in the nib. Also have it's big brother, a burgundy Classic, medium point. Another c/c filler, and another great writer. I paid less than $50 (on eBay) for each of them.

[Rephaim]

I got 22 last month and it is my fisrt Mb. Just awesome!

I'm trying to find more infos and reviews.

[thepianolist]

Just received my 1950's 244. Many similarities to my 149's but much less expensive. I won't say "cheap" because that has the connotation of poor quality - which this pen definitely is not!

 

Bryant

 

[Milosz]

I just got a 234 1/2 G from a seller in Germany, so I thought I'd add a mini-review to the database. (Sorry for not having pictures, but I only shoot film, and I don't have time to shoot/process/scan etc.).

 

This one has seen some wear. The clip is corroded or stained. And there's an engraving on the cap (here's where a picture would help): It's a 'W' inside a broken circle, or maybe it's a 'G', with a cross on top of the circle. Maybe it belonged to a priest or nun with initials 'GW'? 'WG'?

 

But of course the nib is the thing. I think it's the original - a 14c F. This is my first vintage pen and my first MB, so I can only compare it to other modern makes. It's quite smooth, a little broader and wetter than my other F nibs, but it has very nice line variation, and a good amount of flex - enough to make a difference, but not so much that it's hard to use; it's not a 'super-flex' by any means. I love it. It does 'sing' a bit when it moves fast across the paper, but I don't think that indicates a problem.

 

The pen itself is quite small, but it holds a huge amount of ink.

 

In short: I might send the pen out to be cleaned up and maybe have the flow adjusted and cork replaced, but I really like this pen - it's wearing down my MB resistance!

[Guest Subvet642]

Just received my 1950's 244. Many similarities to my 149's but much less expensive. I won't say "cheap" because that has the connotation of poor quality - which this pen definitely is not!

 

Bryant

 

 

I have a pretty minty 252, but that's nice, I love the spade clip. That's one that's definitely on my dream sheet!

[meiers]

Those are absolutely beautiful and understated fountain pens.

A great collection that didn't cost thousands and thousands of dollars.

[JLS1]

Hi,

 

What do you 'Montblanc-connaiseurs' think about the 221 classic from, I think, the seventies?

 

I just bought one and I'm currently awaiting it's delivery...

 

Up till now I have been writing with a, dare I say it , Waterman Carene, Waterman Expert and Parker Sonnet.

 

Regards,

 

Christiaan

 

Christiaan,

 

I also received a MB 221 recently. I think it's a wonderful pen that feels excellent in my hand when I'm writing, but I'm giving it up as I got a nib that was too broad. Otherwise, I would definitely keep the 221 for a LOOOOOONG time to come.

 

Regards,

Justin

[sunnerd]

I have a couple of these 60/70s pieces - love the 220 which is very similar to the Lamy 2000. The brushed barrel and the streamline shape is just so teutonic.