Montblanc Writers Edition - George Bernard Shaw

[Sidestreaker]

Writers Edition Pens, why did I start,

No doubt these are fine pieces of art,

Limited edition, hard to seek and find,

Smooth and silky writing, in every line.

Each is a bliss, in its own special way,

Always different and unique, what’s more to say,

 

Owning one or two, I thought I've seen it all,

That is until I've touched the George Bernard Shaw,

Green marble lacquer, with rings of white gold,

Truly a marvel, surely it has a soul,

But wait, what's this? It has an ink window,

It is always good to know when your ink is low, no?

 

The wild beauty is not only in its looks,

Tis a beast to tame, yet one may be hooked,

For its nib may not be as smooth as butter,

The secret may also be in the choice of paper,

Best angle of writing demands the user's attention,

It rewards strength by flowing ink of passion.

 

To judge it fairly, a brief jury is unjust,

Took it to work I did, used it all the time I must,

Some pen are made to please, most to serve,

Tis Irish writer only rewards those who deserve,

With a mind of its own, mastering it is not easy,

Till this moment, I'm unsure if I am yet worthy

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2060202.jpg

 

Appearance and Design: 8/10

Without sounding too direct, this pen is FREAKING AWESOME! If you want people to look at your direction when you walked into the room, THIS IS IT! The polished platinum and green lacquer just shouts out and attention seeking mode is constantly on with this pen. Don't get me wrong, this is not in any way a distastefully ornate pen, but a really beautiful piece of work and engineering. The green lacquer is of multiple depth and has a tint of blue glitter in it under certain angle of light. The polished platinum is well made and the engraved signature and serial number is subtle and elegant on the platinum rings. I'll let the pictures speak for itself, yet they do not do it justice. Not to mention, the large size Montblanc emblem is one of my favourite part of the pen. The clip is simple and practical, good idea as not to distract it from the silver and green band pattern.

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2060205.jpg

 

Construction and Quality: 9/10

Clearly one can see that this is a solidly constructed pen with exceptionally well selected materials that are made to last. Polished white platinum rings and green marbled lacquer offers the user years if not a lifetime of great looks with good care. All the joints are even and well put together. The piston knob and the pen shaft contact point are both finished with the platinum ring, half the actual width of the width of the progressively narrowing width of the platinum ring pattern throughout the barrel of the pen, and it closes perfectly. Very neat indeed. However, I find that the knob turns out on its own quite easily, so it is important to ensure that it is securely closed at all times, as sometimes posted cap on the end may accidentally turn the knob. Hard as cold steel!

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2060213.jpg

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2060212.jpg

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2060215.jpg

 

Weight and Dimension: 8/10

This is a full size pen, comfortable to hold and one of the heaviest pen I’ve owned particularly in the Writers Edition range. I find writing without is best without the cap. It may be a bit heavy for the pocket, and I’d keep it in my pen case. Here’s a comparison with the rest and the 149.

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2060233.jpg

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2060240.jpg

 

Refill System: 9/10

Two words, ladies and gentlemen, INK WINDOW. Not a common feature amongst the writers edition line and surely an appreciated feature. It suggests an instrument of everyday use perhaps or maybe it is begging for me to fill it up with Irish Green? Anyhow, the more important point here is that, again, this is a piston refill system. The knob is made from mainly lacquer and there's a neat transition of materials there. The system works smoothly as how it should and so far, I've not any problems with it.

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2060211.jpg

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2060221.jpg

 

Nib and Performance: 7/10

I have a medium nib, with a bit of ‘teeth’ and require adequate pressure applied to it to ensure satisfying ink flow to the paper. No shortage of feedback there and with the nib that is semi-flexible to stiff. My experience with FP is rather limited to a few that I've been using so far, and this is the first time I'm using such a nib. It starts immediately, no skipping (only at off angle or writing really fast, especially on the anti-clockwise strokes, may thin down the strokes but hardly skips, perhaps I should try other inks), but can maintain a good ink-flow, as it is rather wet, though not as much compared to Twain and Faulkner. The written text looks confident and holds true to its width. There's an optimal angle of writing for this nib, and I had to adapt my writing style to bring out the best from the nib. So far it has worked well and has been rewarded with some satisfying writing experience. It may not be the nib for everyone, particularly to most who would love a smooth one. Eliza Doolittle's flower is the theme for the pattern on the nib and it is one of the most beautiful nib design I've seen so far, delicate and well detailed.

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2060259.jpg

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2060207.jpg

 

 

Value: 8/10

Again I managed to obtain this at below MSRP with the latest offers they are having here. To own such a pen with such quality of construction, all new for approximately USD 850.00 is a good deal. At the moment, I’ve seen other WE are still readily available on the market, such as Faulkner, Schiller and Woolf, but the G.B. Shaw is gradually disappearing, and I was lucky to find the nib that I want after much searching.

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2060224.jpg

 

Summary: 8.17

This is my third WE pen and every new pen I’ve taken out from the shelf just continues to amazes me. I have been staying away from FP which are not black or has too much chrome on it but this one just totally took me by surprise. If there is a quality or feel of a product that actually speaks, this is it. Though it may not be for everyone or for every occasion and the nib may not be suitable for everyone, but for a collector; this is one pen that should not be overlooked. .

 

http://i691.photobucket.com/albums/vv272/sidestreaker/Writing%20Instruments/P2060253.jpg

[ArchiMark]

Wow! Nice pen and great review!!

 

Thanks for sharing this handsome pen.....

 

[zal]

so you are back with the shaw.

 

nice poem, told you before that you had a writer's gift.

 

that is a bling of a pen, it almost screams, that platinum and green lacquer, but still has a charm to it. i liked the nib engraving best.

 

rgds.

 

krishna.

[Chris Chalmers]

Good review! I love mine, it has a fine nib and is always happy to write!

If you like the heft and feel of your Shaw, you should try the Cervantes.........similar feel! No ink window though.

[IWantThat]

This pen is one of the few special edition pens that I would give just about anything for Enjoy yours!

[goodguy]

Thank you for the review.

 

I LOVE my Shaw too (well I LOVE all my WE's ).

 

WE RULES!!!

[rockspyder]

:clap1: Piece of work there, Sidestreaker!

 

I agree - the Shaw is awesome - I just love the weight of it, the inkwindow is a big plus, and it is one of the smoothest pens in my collection. I love it.

[RedSox04]

Shaw would be rolling in his grave at the thought of a fountain pen that expensive though

[Sidestreaker]

Thanks everyone!

 

Wow! Nice pen and great review!!Thanks for sharing this handsome pen.....

 

You're welcome, its a pleasure to write a review for this baby!

 

so you are back with the shaw.nice poem, told you before that you had a writer's gift.that is a bling of a pen, it almost screams, that platinum and green lacquer, but still has a charm to it. i liked the nib engraving best. rgds.krishna.

 

Thank you again Krishna, nah, I'm hardly a writer, but the pen is surely a charm.

 

Good review! I love mine, it has a fine nib and is always happy to write!If you like the heft and feel of your Shaw, you should try the Cervantes.........similar feel! No ink window though.

 

I still have mix feel about my M nib, perhaps I'm comparing it too much with the other nibs, but on its own, it does have character and still writes well. You've just read my mind there, I am eying on the Cervantes, as it fit my description of the shape of pens which I prefer. How's the nib on that the Cervantes? I have not the chance to see it in person yet....

 

This pen is one of the few special edition pens that I would give just about anything for Enjoy yours!

 

It's my second day which I've brought it to work, somehow it has an appeal there.

 

Thank you for the review.I LOVE my Shaw too (well I LOVE all my WE's ).WE RULES!!!

 

You sir, is an institution when it comes to the Writers Edition! Peace!

 

:clap1: Piece of work there, Sidestreaker!I agree - the Shaw is awesome - I just love the weight of it, the inkwindow is a big plus, and it is one of the smoothest pens in my collection. I love it.

 

Thanks. Is it really smooth? I find mine has some sort of feedback and requires a certain angle of writing to get the best consistent flow out of it. It still write well, but how is it compared to say other pens that you have?

 

Shaw would be rolling in his grave at the thought of a fountain pen that expensive though

 

He and many others too I'm afraid...

[mongrelnomad]

Shaw would be rolling in his grave at the thought of a fountain pen that expensive though

 

I'm guessing he'd be out-rolled by Gandhi though... :embarrassed_smile:

[rockspyder]

:clap1: Piece of work there, Sidestreaker!I agree - the Shaw is awesome - I just love the weight of it, the inkwindow is a big plus, and it is one of the smoothest pens in my collection. I love it.

 

Thanks. Is it really smooth? I find mine has some sort of feedback and requires a certain angle of writing to get the best consistent flow out of it. It still write well, but how is it compared to say other pens that you have?

 

Maybe I just got it lucky, but it is the smoothest, teflon-like nib in my entire collection. Some writers may even find it too smooth.

 

 

Shaw would be rolling in his grave at the thought of a fountain pen that expensive though

 

He and many others too I'm afraid...

 

Well then let them roll!! I still love the WE's!!

[goodguy]

Thank you for the review.I LOVE my Shaw too (well I LOVE all my WE's ).WE RULES!!!

 

You sir, is an institution when it comes to the Writers Edition! Peace!

 

Ahh :embarrassed_smile: you make me blush.

[pavoni]

You are compulsory reading Sidestreaker. Thank you for yet another excellent review.

 

Pavoni.

[Sidestreaker]

Thanks Pavoni!

 

After much thought and losing sleep over, I have finally decided to go for an OB nib. It's on its way now... have to live without it for awhile...

[Ghost Plane]

Good call. I have 2 OB nibs now and they're...well, I want more. :embarrassed_smile:

[lowks]

Mine comes in OM and I think the "deco" for this pen is just right ... the rings on it oddly enough reminds me of X-Men's colossus!

[breaker]

nice review and excellent pics!

[archie001]

i also bought mine in set (FP, BP, and MP) and i am very satisfied with them. really classy pens. congratulations and needless to say a nice review that complements with my experience with the pens!

[BrandonA]

Great review and some lovely photos. I bought a Shaw today and your photos have really got me excited waiting for it to arrive.

 

I think this could be one of my favourite WE pens. I love marbled effect, I love ink windows, I love silver coloured nibs. This pen has them all, and assuming it writes well I think it could be one of those pens you keep inked more than others.

 

Thank you for sharing.

[Sidestreaker]

You're most welcome. I see that you're one step closer in having the complete collection of Montblanc WEs. Congratulations and I'm sure you'll enjoy it as well.

 

I received mine from the nib exchange sometime ago in B (OB seems to take twice the amount of time for some reason, so I settled with what they had available), and i just feel in love with it all over again. It writes good and wet stubbish lines.