Montblanc Meisterstuck 14

[blricheson]

I inherited from my grandfather his Montblanc Meisterstuck 14 fountain pen and Pix 16 pencil. I believe the process to refill the pen is to unscrew the bottom of the pen, insert the nib into the ink well and then screw the end of the pen back down. I believe the unscrewing and screwing of the back of the pen activates a vacuum and draws the ink up into the well of the pen. Please let me know if this is correct.

 

Also, while writing with the pen, will the well go completely dry on its own or on occasion will i need to loosen the bottom of the pen, the vacuum initiator to release the remainder of the ink? Will activating the vacuum while there is ink in the well to damage to the pen?

 

Thank your for your replies.

[pelman]

yes, you have described the procedure pretty accurately. The mechanism is actually a piston filler and not a vacuum filler. Have fun and enjoy. It is a fantastic pen.

 

You may want to look at Richard Binder's site for further clarification. http://www.richardspens.com/

 

ETA: proper link to Richard's site.

 

One more edit:

Edited December 14, 2012 by pelman

[jar]

When you say it is a 14, I assume you are talking about the 50s 14. Is that correct? Does it look like the two on the far left in this picture?

 

http://www.fototime.com/4CF515866A3FB32/large.jpg

 

If so then it is likely a piston fill pen. You have the procedure down pretty closely, only make sure that all of the nib is in the ink. After I fill mine I swish the end under water and wipe dry to remove excess ink and keep my fingers clean.

 

The feed system also allows air to enter as you write so you should never have to turn the piston down to get it to write.

 

Just for interest, the Model 14 sold for $27.50 when it was new.

 

http://www.fototime.com/799178B1ED6A486/large.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/CAA5A1577DAA0DC/large.jpg

[blricheson]

Jar-

 

Yes. It is exactly the 2nd pen in from the left. I read up and cleaned the system out with cool water. I don't know that it had ever been clean because there was a lot of ink that came out. I also have no idea how long it had been sitting and drying out. So, I think I get the ink and I should be ready to roll. The only thing I would like to know is how to change the nib in the event that I have to.

 

Thank you for the information. It is very interesting. I have the pen and pencil set to it ran grandpa $36.00

 

Any knowledge on the nib would be great.

 

Thanks.

[CS388]

Welcome to FPN. Nice pen.

 

Just curious, why are you thinking of changing the nib?

It is possible, but these are not considered interchangeable nibs, so you would need to dismantle the pen and this may involve special tooling? (Not sure about this specific model, I have changed some other Montblanc nibs, some came apart easily and could be done without tools, others were more stubborn and required bespoke tools)

Also, of course, you would need a replacement nib and (unless you've already got one) this could prove hard to find.

When I changed mine (a 254 and a 31), I used nibs from old (broken) pens which I'd bought for parts.

 

If you're not happy with the line it lays down, you could consider having it worked on by a nib specialist?

 

Enjoy!

[blricheson]

I don't necessarily want to change the nib. I am an attorney will I am going to be using the pen mostly for signing documents but not taking notes. I figured that at some point the nib would need to be replaced. I hope not but in the event that it did need changed I would like to be able to change it as opposed to not being able to use the pen anymore. But, I see from the last post that the pen has a lifetime guarantee to perhaps Mont Blanc will repair it. Probably not but it would be worth a shot.

 

Thank you for the compliments on the pen.

[CS388]

Ah, I see.

 

Nibs are very hardy and should last a lifetime and beyond. (We hope)

 

Yes, Montblanc will change nibs (at a cost) - but I'm not sure how it works on the older pens, or even if they still have stock of such nibs?

 

Enjoy!

[jar]

I don't necessarily want to change the nib. I am an attorney will I am going to be using the pen mostly for signing documents but not taking notes. I figured that at some point the nib would need to be replaced. I hope not but in the event that it did need changed I would like to be able to change it as opposed to not being able to use the pen anymore. But, I see from the last post that the pen has a lifetime guarantee to perhaps Mont Blanc will repair it. Probably not but it would be worth a shot.

 

Thank you for the compliments on the pen.

 

The nibs used in that line have not been made in quite awhile although it's possible that some newer versions of Montblanc pens might fit. But you can pretty much forget the lifetime warranty. They went away long ago.

 

They are very nice pens though and were only made for a short time and then MB went to the three digit versions like the ones on the right in that picture.

[NKessler]

You shouldn't need to replace the nib due to it wearing out. Fountain pen nibs are made to last a very, very long time and if you take decent care of the pen and don't damage the nib, it'll likely outlive you, your children, and their children.

 

Enjoy the pen! Once you get the hang of filling and cleaning it you'll probably be back to ask for ink recommendations and may even want to get a few more fountain pens. They're addictive as anything and can greatly increase the pleasure of writing for anyone willing to learn to use them properly.

[tenney]

As has been said, most MB pens (under normal usage) will likely never need to have the nib replaced. Just don't hand your pen to someone to use if they have no clue on how to use a fountain pen -- people have been known to jab the nib down hard on paper (like banging a ballpoint pen to get it to start), and that is likely to damage the nib.

 

Montblanc 14 pens do come up for sale not infrequently. One in good condition is likely to cost less than paying to have a nib replaced (unless you locate a good and fair pen repair person).

 

Enjoy the pen. it'll be fine for your planned use.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Your grand child should be signing signatures with it, when he/she passes it down the line.

 

Even if you were to take notes with it all day long, it would take 15-20 years before you might have to worry about it.

I have a lot of old pens that had to have been used as the main pen, back in the one man, one pen days, that will out last me.

[335]

Hello, first post on my behalf.

 

While searching for info on the montblanc grey resin, I believe I was linked to this site through a popular seach engine, though I have been since unable to locate the thread. Having spent some time browsing here re the 14 model, I would like to ask if anyone has knowledge on the pen in question.

 

One of my favorite pens is the 221 with the 585 EF point, from the 70's, with the modern removeable piston filler. My hands never stayed so clean. I lost it in the Florida Keys and replaced it with a

later version, with the MB logo added to the point. I bought a new one in the 80's, and settled on a fine point which I never really enjoyed as much as the EF point, such as on my first one. It is broken now, needing the tip holding section as it has cracked there, so I went browsing on ebay and was struck by the number of sellers claiming EF sized points, when in fact they appeared as larger, fine or even medium. Eventually I began to limit my search to pens which were near mint, and with a sticker for the point size, as well as good photos.

 

I bought a grey resin 14, with the 750 point, which looks EF, and has the original sticker. In the photos it looks black but the seller listed it as grey, as such my curiousity brought me here, as mentioned.

 

A knowedgable person mentioned that grey is an export version, and usually brings with it a steel nib. He added that sometimes they sold the grey resin with a 750 nib, making it a little more rare.

 

I haven't the pen in my hands yet. From what I gather, the grey is attractive, but harder to get parts for should anything break. Personally, I don't care if it's blue, green, pink...I am after the EF fine point and the slender style of the model, which seems close to the 221. The only other concern is the nib's make up.

Is it true, as I recently read on another thread in this community, that I should find a 750 under the hood, certifying this is an 18K nib?

 

The seller has thousands of feedbacks, all positive, and his stuff looks unabused by polishing buffer wheels; additionally, I saw no evidence of trickery on his listings (bad photos and so on). The grey pen appeared as black but grey was mentioned several times in the listing, as well as that the point is a 750 18K. I forsee nothing bad with the purchase. It wasn't cheap but it is mint, and I have seen the black 14 go for quite a bit more than what I paid (same condition, but with a box).

 

I am excited about this pen. It has been decades since I used an EF sized MB. I enjoy doodling geometric patterns and lines, as a way to stall writing. Thanks for reading. This looks like a great site.

Edited February 19, 2017 by 335

[penparadise]

Yes, Montblanc produced some colored version of the 1960th pens in burgundy, green and grey - not only on the third line but also on the 22 and 24 and even on the 12 and 14. Especially grey and green are very rare and high collectable.

 

If you got one and want it as a daily writer I wouldn't use the colored pens but keep looking for a standard black one. You probably get two blacks for one grey - just my two cents.

[335]

Hi, thanks for your response.

 

The pen looked black, and at first I thought the seller had used photo editing to cause it to appear as such.

 

I found a thread which stated grey is rare, especially with a gold nib. The item was heavily watched, and had a BIN option. After seeing all the 'maybe, could be, and should be but probably are not' EF 221 models, I decided to start a row by buying the 14. It was only twice as much as the used pens that I was seeing, and is apparently unused. I could not resist.

 

The only caution I will exercise is to keep a light hand, and not imperil it by foolish handling. I learned that 18 K is less suitable for flexing than 14 K.

 

Is it folly to leave the factory sticker with the EF size intact?

My feeling is to carefully remove it and store it just for inventory purposes, for when I am gone.

Edited February 19, 2017 by 335

[jar]

Hi, thanks for your response.

 

The pen looked black, and at first I thought the seller had used photo editing to cause it to appear as such.

 

I found a thread which stated grey is rare, especially with a gold nib. The item was heavily watched, and had a BIN option. After seeing all the 'maybe, could be, and should be but probably are not' EF 221 models, I decided to start a row by buying the 14. It was only twice as much as the used pens that I was seeing, and is apparently unused. I could not resist.

 

The only caution I will exercise is to keep a light hand, and not imperil it by foolish handling. I learned that 18 K is less suitable for flexing than 14 K.

 

Is it folly to leave the factory sticker with the EF size intact?

My feeling is to carefully remove it and store it just for inventory purposes, for when I am gone.

Actually, Montblanc nibs from the period were sold as flexible or not flexible in both 14K and 18k. Most MB nibs from that period are simply not flexy even though all will flex at least once.

[335]

By flexible I mean 'relatively'. Generally I write with the paper floating, not touching a hard surface.

 

As regards this pen however, apparently someone intervened.

I had a bad feeling about it.

 

The vendor offered no communication for ten days, then wrote to say it was in the states, at a pen show, and he would send it back to the US after it went back to Europe. Hence a 'delay'. I regretted hearing this,

thanked him for communicating, and waited.

 

Days later he said it was stolen. Sure. I guess it wouldn't be too hard to leave a fb, oh, something like "Poor communication. Seller waited 10 days for word, after instant payment. Item never received. Seller said it was 'lost' 12 days after purchase. Waste of time. Avoid."

 

I have never left a negative FB.

 

On a more positive, more certain note:

 

 

The only way to set a trap,

is to not be aware of it.

This is more complicated than it may seem.

It is a gift.

I am sorry; I meant no harm.

 

Not my doing.

Edited February 26, 2017 by 335

[mitto]

Yes, Montblanc produced some colored version of the 1960th pens in burgundy, green and grey - not only on the third line but also on the 22 and 24 and even on the 12 and 14. Especially grey and green are very rare and high collectable.

 

If you got one and want it as a daily writer I wouldn't use the colored pens but keep looking for a standard black one. You probably get two blacks for one grey - just my two cents.

Is the grey color on any MB pen desirable? Even on the third tier students pens? I bought a NOS, boxed Monte Rosa in grey color stickered with EF for the 14k nib size. I have since inked the pen once and it is a very smooth writer. Shall I follow your advice and keep this pen safe in its box and use, instead, my black MB pens?

[penparadise]

Khan, I don't think that the pens on the lower lines vary in prices in the different colors. The 32S with the silver colored trims for example only came in grey and it was a mass product. The quantity of the different student pens Monte Rosa were quite equal so go ahead and enjoy your pen.