GRETA GARBO

[MB4ever]

MB Collectors,

 

I really really like the shape of the Garbo but it's too feminine especially with the pearl accent. Do guys buy girlie pens?

 

Your expert opninion is requested.

 

 

MB4ever

[Dan Carmell]

It is a lovely pen, one question about it. As to whether it will help you conform to gender role expectations, I can't say, but the biggest and arguably the toughest (he works in a prison, okay?) guy in our pen club opined recently that he liked it. I think if you are big enough, or secure enough, you can own or wear anything.

 

Dan

[HDoug]

Guys buy girlie pens but don't take them to the office. I mean shooting range...

 

Doug

[Flere-Imsaho]

Well, now you have a reason to buy a fountain pen and give it as a present and then use it yourself

Just say you couldnot find your big senior whatever and snatched your spouses pen for the day

Edited March 15, 2007 by Hans Geelen

[kenny]

My wife has a Garbo--the all black version.

 

I think it's pretty girlie. I suppose a guy could use it, but it would be hard to think of a more feminine pen (except maybe the J'taime--has a pink sapphire heart on the clip).

 

[dcom]

I've been contemplating this subject recently because my first fine writing instrument was a set of MB Boheme' Blue FP, BP, and pencil. When I first saw them, I really liked the combination of black barrel, silver triim and the blue sapphire on the clip. It reminded me of the color scheme of my motorcycle.

 

I never really thought about it until I saw a description of the Boheme' FP in the 2006 Stylus Pen Annual where it said something to the effect of "The fountain pen features a retractable safety nib and it swivels up like a lipstick making it the perfect purse pen." Well, that got me thinking...did I get talked into buying a chick pen? I finally came to the conclusion of "who cares, I like them, I don't think I look girly using them and I love the way they look and feel when I write with them".

 

My wife has a Garbo BP but I just don't think I'd feel comfortable writing with it. It's just a bit too girly for me.

[Titivillus]

QUOTE (MB4ever @ Mar 15 2007, 04:53 PM)

MB Collectors, I really really like the shape of the Garbo but it's too feminine especially with the pearl accent. Do guys buy girlie pens? Your expert opninion is requested. MB4ever

I wouldn't but that's just me.

[Nikolaos]

I have to agree with Dan's point of view on this one, although i do find it a bit on the feminine side myself. It is a great looking pen though!

Nikolaos

[patrick_y]

If I was unsure, I wouldn't even bother asking; oddly enough; I find myself ironically replying... I'll say this, even the most colorful gentlemen of San Francisco wouldn't even consider using a Greta Garbo pen themselves. While I like the pen and I have acquired the normal ballpoint; I don't ever plan on using it. If I saw a man using it, I would think one of two things;

 

1. Given to as a gift that was re-gifted and ignorant/clueless

2. Ignorant and/or clueless.

 

MB4ever: you must really be bored with your current collection of pens that you would want to venture into unknown territory!

 

A man would have one excuse to use a Greta Garbo pen;

1. In the movie business and used to work with Greta Garbo

2. Family member...

... all lame excuses nonetheless.

[Titivillus]

QUOTE (patrick_y @ Mar 18 2007, 07:02 PM)

While I like the pen and I have acquired the normal ballpoint; I don't ever plan on using it.

Wow I wish I was to the point in my life that I could just buy pens to own

 

Actually no I'm not

 

 

 

[Dan Carmell]

Patrick--

 

I'm one of those "colorful gentlemen of San Francisco" (although in exile across the bay in Leandro) and I would use a Garbo any day, any where! I think you don't know us colorful gentlemen all that well!

 

grins, Dan

[Allan]

A couple of points....

 

1) I am secure enough in my masculinity that I would happily use a Garbo, or a J'taime, or a big flaming pink Krone if the mood struck me, and I would not really care what anyone else thought. It is MY pen that I use for MY enjoyment, not to make some statement about my sexuality. Oh, and no, I do not drive some huge four door dually either!

 

2) Anyone who spends that kind of money on a pen can write with whatever the heck he chooses. Even the most girlie of high end pens makes a bic stick run for Viagra!

 

Allan

[ViolinWriter]

QUOTE (dcarmell @ Mar 15 2007, 10:37 PM)

It is a lovely pen, one question about it.  As to whether it will help you conform to gender role expectations, I can't say, but the biggest and arguably the toughest (he works in a prison, okay?) guy in our pen club opined recently that he liked it.  I think if you are big enough, or secure enough, you can own or wear anything. Dan

Personally, I have to draw the line at men holding an uber-feminine Greta Garbo pen while wearing a skirt, umm, kilt, accented with a 6 foot framboise feather boa round their necks. Something about that combination just isn't "masculine" to me.

 

It has to be the pen, and only the pen, that makes such apparel choices "girlie".

 

Right?

[Dan Carmell]

QUOTE (Allan @ Mar 18 2007, 08:25 PM)

Even the most girlie of high end pens makes a bic stick run for Viagra!

Now that's funny, Allan!

 

Dan

[patrick_y]

The Greta Garbo was designed for women. Its intention is for women. Montblanc has focused this pen for women.

 

The Garbo is not a fair comparison the J'etamie. The Garbo was designed specifically for women when the latter has no specific designation. There was an advertisement of the heart-shaped ruby pen with a man writing a love letter with it by Montblanc.

 

Most BIG Krone pens are used by men who want to make a statement. Again, they're to be unisex. Again, one can argue that the Garbo was designed for women. It is not a question of comfort/confidence of one's libido.

 

Montblanc is paying particular emphasis to women these days; with the new jewelry line; female wristwatches; and now a new line of special edition pens for women. The Marlene Deitrich (scheduled to come out later this year) will be a continuation of this prestigious line designed for women.

 

This isn't a question of whether the Audi TT Roadster (a type of car) is designed for women or not (although over half of its buyers are women). This is a pink car. And most drivers of pink cars I've seen are women.

[Dave_g]

For the same reason I bought a Virginia Woolf I bought a Garbo. It's a great sexy shape for a pen. Stay with me me on this one... If a cigar is sometimes not a cigar than it follows, a pen is sometimes not a pen. If that is true than I would rather have a women in my shirt pocket than a phallus.

 

Dave

[shalley]

I think it is a beautiful pen in a stylish design. Wish I had one.

[Guest ictop]

Just read the above posts and can't help wondering if this really designed for women. I agree Mont blanc target this towards women, but Designed only for women? I don't think so. Most women's pens don't come with the clip. Ever seen a Garbo clipped on a woman's shirt pocket? In their handbags are more likely.

 

I have never watched any Greta Garbo's movie, but from Mont blanc's ad photos, she hardly looked "girlie" to me. I like the long slim curves and the black/silver contrast. Few diamonds won't hurt either but that pearl (to me) is yak! I would buy the 1905 for my collection, if it is still available. No need to wear or use it everyday. Just admire it, from time to time, as a piece of fine art.