Won A No.225, What To Expect When Here(?)

[KBeezie]

I was not originally expecting to hunt down a MontBlanc but this design caught my eye and it was up to about 30 USD with 8 bids and around a couple hours left. So doing some quick research on the average pricing and how it's piston filler works and such, I figured I'd give a stab and if it went over 75-80 I'd just let it go. (Put in a max bid of 75 and luckily it didn't reach over that by the time it ended).

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Montblanc-No225-Piston-Vintage-Fountain-Pen-Silver-Black-14K-585-Germany-FP-/251483804907

 

Cosmetically the nib seems fine, seller mentioned it's clean with working piston filling, and the only 'major' thing I could notice visibly was that it's missing the little snowball on the bottom of the pen, figured it was more cosmetic than it was functional (may temporarily plug it to keep dust out, but not sure if I'll need to allow some air flow to that part).

 

Course still waiting for the tracking number to show some data (Had to bug the seller to update the shipping to the $25 EMS he offered in the description, since it seems like EMS from Okayama prefecture to Michigan, US would take about 4 days once It's actually shipped).

 

So yea... I own a MontBlanc now... once it gets here.

 

Any particular quirks or tips with this model, or essentially 'warning' signs once received?

 

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/z/HUYAAOxyUgtTLTsU/$_3.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/z/HU0AAOxyUgtTLTsV/$_3.JPG?rt=nc

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/z/1GAAAMXQeKNTLTsc/$_3.JPG?rt=nc

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/z/3yoAAOxyTMdTLTse/$_3.JPG?rt=nc

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NDgwWDY0MA==/z/cqUAAOxy039TLTsf/$_3.JPG?rt=nc

 

 

[KBeezie]

Though I am curious about this comment in the listing:

 

A pen point is flexible, Very good ink flow.

 

Did those models ever have a 'flex' nib, or you think he's just talking bout some spreading when some pressure is applied.

[orfew]

That is a nice looking pen. I might have to search for one of those.

[DavidHoward]

I do not know much about the 225, but I have a 221 from the 70s that has the "585" gold nib, and it is pretty flexible. I purchased it off eBay about two years ago, and last year had it sent back to Germany for service. It writes quite well. Enjoy your 225!

[Scribblesoften]

I have a 220 and I would describe the nib as soft not really flexible. You will have to determine what your nib is for yourself. I like my 220 a lot. I hope you enjoy your new pen.

[KBeezie]

I do not know much about the 225, but I have a 221 from the 70s that has the "585" gold nib, and it is pretty flexible. I purchased it off eBay about two years ago, and last year had it sent back to Germany for service. It writes quite well. Enjoy your 225!

 

I noticed that 585 isn't even a model number, it's just the gold content 585 = 58.5% = 14K Gold, when I did my search I didn't see too many 225s, but I Did see plenty of 220s, especially in sort of a gold finish.

[KBeezie]

I have a 220 and I would describe the nib as soft not really flexible. You will have to determine what your nib is for yourself. I like my 220 a lot. I hope you enjoy your new pen.

 

Oh I plan to, just having those nervous jitters when the Japan Post Tracking Number keeps showing up as 'not found', but when I look back on the sale date It's only been thursday (my time) with 1 day handling specified, so I need to be a good boy and wait til monday afternoon or so before I start freaking out too badly.

[Bananabender]

I bought a 320 off this seller a couple of months ago and the pen was exactly as described, no better than described. They thoroughly cleaned it. Perhaps a bit of silicone on piston may be insurance.The mail from japan to australia was pretty good. They package the pens in bubble wrap and their own pouch . I was very impressed.

[KBeezie]

In regards to shipping I am somewhat concerned, I had to bug him to re-invoice me to provide the EMS shipping he offers for $25 in the listing.

 

In my email confirmation that the item was shipped it shows a tracking number with the RR...JP prefix/suffix, but when I goto my ebay summary it shows a tracking with EL...JP prefix/suffix. Also the estimated delivery date is "Monday, Apr. 7 - Monday, Apr. 14", with 1 day handling time, which doesn't seem right because EMS shipping from Okayama, Japan to Grand Rapids, Michigan should take 4 days (assuming he actually got it out within a day and a half of the purchase). The description of shipping simply shows as 'standard shipping' (where as the $15 shipping would be economy).

 

Also both tracking numbers at https://trackings.post.japanpost.jp/ show as "** Your item was not found. Confirm your item number and ask at your local office."

 

Edit:

Also it looks like RP is 'special service mail' which is probably economy since there was so many of them in a wide range search, and EL was "EMS" when checking mail type on the few in the list (they let you enter a tracking and up to 100 items and it lists items close to that number, but no exact match to either tracking number).

Edited March 30, 2014 by KBeezie

[Bananabender]

Whoa, Slow down a bit . I had my own transport company. They say they will try and ship within one working day of receiving cleared payment.

You bought thursday night,earliest they would confirm payment is friday ,next working day is tomorrow. My guess its ready for collection by the carrier tomorrow. I don't know if they scan on pick up or if scans are downloaded immediatly but you should get scan when loaded on plane to US

[KBeezie]

Whoa, Slow down a bit . I had my own transport company. They say they will try and ship within one working day of receiving cleared payment.

You bought thursday night,earliest they would confirm payment is friday ,next working day is tomorrow. My guess its ready for collection by the carrier tomorrow. I don't know if they scan on pick up or if scans are downloaded immediatly but you should get scan when loaded on plane to US

 

Did you read the part that I have two separate tracking numbers?

[Bananabender]

Yes, I don't know the japanese shipping procedure ,if nothing shows tuesday ask if shipped. The two numbers could be for local (japan) and international . Confirmation shipped could be actually ,packed ready for collection.

[KBeezie]

Yes, I don't know the japanese shipping procedure ,if nothing shows tuesday ask if shipped. The two numbers could be for local (japan) and international . Confirmation shipped could be actually ,packed ready for collection.

 

Everything's all cleared up, it was packaged and shipped for EMS, and he confirmed that the tracking number is indeed the EL....JP one. Also confirms that the pickup will be tomorrow (It is currently Sunday Afternoon in Japan, so going out Monday their time).

 

And yes if I got it Thursday evening here, it was already Friday there, so wouldn't have *gone* out til the following Monday.

 

I'm usually used to seeing at the very least "Electronic Information Received" when a shipping label is printed on-site, but they might actually have pre-paid postage mailers which have their own tracking numbers, but not registered into the system until it's actually in staffer's hands.

Edited March 30, 2014 by KBeezie

[Bananabender]

Everything's all cleared up, it was packaged and shipped for EMS, and he confirmed that the tracking number is indeed the EL....JP one. Also confirms that the pickup will be tomorrow (It is currently Sunday Afternoon in Japan, so going out Monday their time).

 

And yes if I got it Thursday evening here, it was already Friday there, so wouldn't have *gone* out til the following Monday.

 

I'm usually used to seeing at the very least "Electronic Information Received" when a shipping label is printed on-site, but they might actually have pre-paid postage mailers which have their own tracking numbers, but not registered into the system until it's actually in staffer's hands.

 

Glad its all cleared up.

[alexander_k]

Back to the pen, then: what's your first impression? The 22x models are firm favourites of mine - excellent pens, largely ignored as they are in the shadow of more desirable MB models.

[KBeezie]

Back to the pen, then: what's your first impression? The 22x models are firm favourites of mine - excellent pens, largely ignored as they are in the shadow of more desirable MB models.

 

First impression visually ? (can't be physically as I have not received it yet, I basically took a chance and jumped at ti after about 10 minutes of research).

[KBeezie]

Did come across this video of a 220 review, from what I can tell it seems like the 220 and 225 are nearly identical except in which the 220 has a textured body which seems to provide better grip, and appears to have a matching textured cap (As opposed to just silver/chrome/etc).

 

 

Will have to do some comparisons myself once it does show up, course mine won't be an oblique broad, rather an extra fine, with "Some flex", so ... will see. I am somewhat amused he mentioned that the piston holds a lot of ink.

[entropydave]

The 225 is just like a 220 (and in its guts, just like a 22x for x:{1,4,7}) except that in the primary variation it has a Platinated "white" nib and a Platinated cap. The one you are buying has the first generation feed, which I think is better than the second generation. The brushed look of the resin is for appearance and makes no contribution to a better grip. It can also wear smooth or hold hand grime.

 

There are variations on the basic form including yellow gold nibs and yellow gold clips, brushed or unbrushed clips, more or less intense brushing of the cap, and more or less prominent varieties of the cap band on which is printed Montblanc 225. You seem to have a fairly straight model.

 

The nibs are soft, but not flex as the term is usually understood. The nibs are very good in that they tend to be smooth with a nice feel on the page. The pens are reasonably capacious with a great feed that never stalls and, being enclosed, is not prone to drying out.

 

This model of pen is also very good because it can be easily disassembled for cleaning and lubing without taking out the piston mechanism. The snowflake at the end of the binde cap is not functional and you can leave it out.

 

It is also a very good size, being very close to the size of a 24, yet light.

 

It should be clear that I'm a fan. I have several in this family and use them as workhorses that perform like very high quality pens.

 

David.

Edited March 30, 2014 by entropydave

[KBeezie]

The 225 is just like a 220 (and in its guts, just like a 22x for x:{1,4,7}) except that in the primary variation it has a Platinated "white" nib and a Platinated cap. The one you are buying has the first generation feed, which I think is better than the second generation. The brushed look of the resin is for appearance and makes no contribution to a better grip. It can also wear smooth or hold hand grime.

 

There are variations on the basic form including yellow gold nibs and yellow gold clips, brushed or unbrushed clips, more or less intense brushing of the cap, and more or less prominent varieties of the cap band on which is printed Montblanc 225. You seem to have a fairly straight model.

 

The nibs are soft, but not flex as the term is usually understood. The nibs are very good in that they tend to be smooth with a nice feel on the page. The pens are reasonably capacious with a great feed that never stalls and, being enclosed, is not prone to drying out.

 

This model of pen is also very good because it can be easily disassembled for cleaning and lubing without taking out the piston mechanism. The snowflake at the end of the binde cap is not functional and you can leave it out.

 

It is also a very good size, being very close to the size of a 24, yet light.

 

It should be clear that I'm a fan. I have several in this family and use them as workhorses that perform like very high quality pens.

 

David.

 

Fan or not, this is incredibly useful information all in just one post.

 

So on the end, that opening doesn't connect to anything, just reduces the weight? Meaning I could temporarily cover it with just a flat smooth plug of sort if I just don't want a dust trap hanging open.

[KBeezie]

It's on the way... *giggles in glee*... internally of course, cuz men don't 'giggle'.