Best Writer Of The Writer Series?

[Precious Plastic]

I know this might be a bit subjective, but for all the owners of several WE pieces, which ones would you say could be the best writers for everyday use?

 

I'm especially interested in comments on the Proust as it is the one I'm more attracted to. It would be on the top of my list.

I always loved it but never bought it for the wrong reasons (but this is for another topic). I think I might go for it.

 

But still, I would be interested to hear about the other pens as well. Regarding Nib and especially Weight Distribution/Handling.

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

PS: Edit: Before asking I did read a lot of posts about it (Dostoevsky being light, Verne heavy but with good nib, etc...) but there are not many post comparing some/all of them by the same person (I only recall the one from a kind member who took the time to split them into categories for pre-selection: Agatha, Kafka and another one, and choosing the Agatha in the end)

Edited August 17, 2012 by Precious Plastic

[KJY]

I vote for the Dumas. That thick barrel with large nib is the best. Nice grip and the section does not have a steep step. Due to the large nib I don't have to hold my pen near the end of the section. So it is less stressful for the fingers when writing a long time.

 

Second would be the Mann. Nice weight and due to the weight the pen puts automatically pressure on the paper. So let's glide!

 

The Proust is an eye catcher, but I haven't write it that much. I can use it only when posted.

Normally I don't post my pens.

 

I have medium to large hands.

 

I have to mention that I don't have all the WE's, so my opinion is very subjective.

[Chrissy]

I find the Mark Twain a great pen to write with. Nice width barrel, and long enough to use without it being posted. A really comfortable pen. The Mann is also good too.

 

I don't have them all either, and I have never written with a Proust. More's the pity!

[osnofian]

I think the question should be split in two...

Personally I find the way they write quite similar to their Meisterstück cousins... Hemingway/Dumas = 149, Others = 146...

The balance is a much more subjective thing... I don't own all of them, but I think I've tried all of them at least once...

My least favorite ever is the collodi... I don't normally post, and the extra weight on the back of the pen kills it for me...

For everyday writing, I would say that Christie and Wilde are my favourites. The Faulkner is a bit heavier with excellent balance as well. I like the Proust, unposted. Unfortunately can't afford one... but I borrowed one from a family member once in a while and I quite like it Although much heavier, the Verne is very well balanced in my hand. I've been using mine daily since I got it and love it!

[Precious Plastic]

Thans for the (oh, so) prompt replies so far. Much appreciated. I must say I didn't put my preferences on purpose because I don't want the conversation to be driven too much by then, so this thread can be useful in the future for other members that might not have my preferences and not just for me. Also, you don't need to own all to state your opinion although it is nice to disclose it as you did if that's the case.

 

For example I tend to like light, medium-thin barrels, but if KJY loves the Dumas because he finds the thick barrel helps, then I think it will be good for other members to know. He might not have stated that if I was saying from the get-go that I usually don't like thick barrels.

 

For what is worth, my preferences are light-medium, medium-thin barrel, weight balance around the nib area, usually writing un-posted if possible. Some of the pens I enjoy the most: Pelikan M400-600 series and Namiki Yukari series. Maybe not very "MB WE complaint"?

 

But then again, I wouldn't like to have the conversation too driven by these requirements. If you have an all-time favourite that doesn't adjust then that's fine and could be useful to know for other members. Still, if you can add a couple of lines for my particular case, then great!

 

Thanks again

[Gary1952]

Montblanc Kafka! Mind you, it is the only WE pen that I own.

[s5blitzer]

Too many to choose from.

[Sidestreaker]

I have only several WE. My favourite WE in terms of aesthetic/feel/functionality would probably be T.Mann and J.Verne. I am somewhat fond of lacquer pens.

 

However, IMO, if one were to look into which would be a better writer or workhorse, I'd probably choose weight as a major factor. In the WE series which I have, F.S.Fitzgerald or F.Dostoevsky are probably my better long writing WEs. Both these pens are light, very close to the weight distribution and proportion of a standard 146 (which in my opinion serves better everyday pen). Also the profile of these pens are of clean lines and easy to grip. My favourite in this category would be Fitzgerald and probably close to a M600 in terms of size, I think.

 

There are of course other WE which falls into the same category such as Schiller, Voltaire, Agatha, or even Woolf (I don't own any of these but just assuming since they're all resin pens would have a better weight distribution). Larger pen users of course would prefer Hemingway or Dumas.

Edited August 17, 2012 by Sidestreaker

[Chrissy]

I once bought a Dumas. I didn't like it as the barrel was sort of short and thick for me, so I sold it again.

 

It's a shame that you can't usually find out this important information without buying one first.

[BrandonA]

Too many to choose from.

 

Definitely

 

I have a few which I do not like writing with. One has a damaged nib (can never be bothered to get it replaced), another has an EF nib which is too fine for me. I've not yet inked my Hemingway but I actually find the Dumas a little too thick (it's not "too" thick but I don't like switching between it and the smaller 146 sized barrels - if all pens were this thick I'd like it) to use so am not too worried about inking the Hemingway.

 

I actually disagreed with Precious Plastics comments in another thread that the balance of the Swift made it too top heavy. I tested this last night and most pens have the same centre of gravity, including this one. It cannot be posted (like the Kafka) though which will detract a lot of users. It is however above average on the weight department - it reminds me most in colour, materials, weight and nib to the Mann which happens to be one of my favourites.

 

All Montblancs when bought new have very good nibs. I tend to find the nibs of Proust, Schiller, Dickens and Fitzgerald are all very similar. As are the newer ones (from Mann onwards). I therefore find them all good to write with and they all (except Hemi to date) make it into my regular rotation. I think ultimately it comes down to mood as to which one I prefer to use.

 

My current favourites are Poe, Verne and Swift and that is merely because those are the ones with ink in them.

 

Precious Plastics: as you specifically mentioned Proust, this is one of the favoured pens within the series. Something you will notice when you get it is how small it is both in terms of length and weight. Apart from my Dumas it is the pen which gets the most attention (I've not used the Collodi at work though - I imagine that would get a lot of attention too). It's the only one switch has threading to screw the cap on when posting, due to this and its size it is the only one I post when using. Definately a good writer and I doubt anyone who has one would tell you not to buy one.

[Precious Plastic]

Thanks a lot for the elaborated replies so far. This is being so useful for me (and I hope for others). Please keep them coming.

 

Just a very quick note to clarify that I find the Swift well balanced on both FP and RB.

It was the BP (which still is not too bad) and the MP (wich is really bad) the ones I was complaining about.

 

I love small lightweight nimble pens for long sessions (I prefer the M400 over the M800, for example).

This and the fact that i really like the design of the Proust makes it very appealing to me, but I never tried it, so I don't know if it has some flaws (edgy corners on the barrel, unbalanced, bad nib like the Medici...)

 

If the feedback is positive (and it looks it is) I will try to get a sealed set (Ha! wish me luck!) but as Brandon said it might be too flashy so it will have to be a desktop set for the most part. Actually, I think the Swift could make a good "understated" workhorse set... too bad the MP is so top-heavy. Is like writing with a small hammer.

 

But still, I'm interested into knowing the favourite ones for people without paying too much attention to my preferences so this thread can be useful for everyone.

Thanks again for such useful (and hard to find until it is too late, as Chrissy wrote) information.

[alvarado]

If you are trying to locate the worst, I think it will be easier to choose from. :roflmho:

[Mkim]

I think out of the WEs I handled, my favorite writer has to be the J. Verne...

 

Not only because of its strangely well balanced, non-fatiguing heavier weight. (I usually hate heavy pens but it is absolute perfection when it comes to a pen being not too flashy, but not too boring.

 

It feels at place in a meeting, at home, or in a display case...

From one angle it looks conventional and understated...then suddenly while you write, the light hits it in the sweetspot to reveal a gorgeous guilloche pattern

 

I highly recommend it!

[zenshrink]

The Thomas Mann

[Montecristo]

strictly for writing (looks excluded): extremely difficult choice between Hemingway / Dumas, Verne and Mann winner by a slim margin: Verne

[sunnerd]

One particular issue with the Proust is that since the silver overlay ends at the section threads, there appears to be a structural weakpoint at that place that I've found that cracks are a frequent problem - either due to overtightening when capping the pen or what not. Once you get that you have to send the pen to MB for section replacement which costs money (I was a victim... ). Hence I don't believe the Proust should be a frequently used pen...

 

In terms of whether I want to carry them regularly, I vote the Schiller, Christie (or ID) as they are like standard 146 pens, with the Christie having a useful ink window.

 

In terms of pleasing to my day dreams I like the Verne best. Just beautiful to watch and smooth nib to write with. Whenever I take my Verne to meetings people always asks. :roflmho:

Edited August 17, 2012 by sunnerd

[torstar]

I have the Verne, Poe, and Proust.

 

The Verne is too cap-heavy when posted.

 

The Proust is the best by far, but not really a daily writer, it is too exquisite (is that the word??).

 

The answer is... DING DING DING... the Poe for daily writer.

[rockspyder]

Hemingway, all the way

[adelaidepen]

My Christie - but then it has a Minuskin stub nib :-)

[sny]

It all depends on your personal taste... I personally think the Poe is the best writer of the writer series, but the Dickens with it's light body and curved old-style section is a pretty good writer too...

 

Regards,

 

S.