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Wonderful Burgundy Nos 342 With F Semi-Flex Nib


TheDutchGuy

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There's a wonderful gentleman in Holland who collects and trades Montblanc pens. I've had the good fortune of obtaining my old 146 EF from him some time ago and today I visited him once more to admire his incredible collection of Montblanc goodness. Many different pens were tried, including F, KF, M, OM, OB, OBB and a slew of other nibs. I personally lean towards nibs that draw a finer line on the page and preferably add character to the text, such as "stubbish" and "architect-ish" nibs. I've learned to ignore MB nibsizes and to just try everything, since variability between nibs is high. Anyway, today I fell in love with a New Old Stock 342 in lovely burgundy red, with a nib labeled "F arrow". I can't display a real downward arrow here, but there is an actual little arrow on the piston knob next to the F. I'm assuming this indicates a semi-flex or flex nib. That, it certainly is. Whether it's an F, well, that's debatable. It's a stubbish nib, just as I like it. Downstrokes are western M, sidestrokes are western F to EF. The nib is extremely bouncy and feathery, very cushiony and totally addictive even if I don't use its flex capacity.

 

fpn_1542998607__4138906b-a64c-4c6a-88f6-

 

Inking this old pen up for the first time in its 61 years of existence was a very special experience. It writes like a dream. No other pen I own makes my writing look this good. The writing sample really doen't do it justice, nor do the photos, which were taken indoors by artificial light.

 

fpn_1542999366__246f0e29-8216-43b2-a599-

 

The price sticker is still on the pen: 32.50 Kr, which indicates the pen was originally sold in Scandinavia somewhere.

 

All things considered, this is one helluva nice pen. Sure, the material doesn't feel as high-end like the Meisterstück pens, but if a pen writes this well, then who cares?

Edited by TheDutchGuy
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~ The DutchGuy:

 

What a pleasant surprise to find images of a 342 pen.

Thank you for the two images and the explanation.

As it's writing well for you, that's ideal.

There are two 342 G pens on my writing desk which write well, month after month.

I'm so glad that you shared this positive news here.

Tom K.

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The pen looks gorgeous! Looks like you've got it just in time to contribute to the debate whether Montblanc should bring their burgundy coloured pens back ^^

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Lovely pen. I dont think the arrow signifies much (and definitely not flexible nib) because my 342 D rigid/carbon paper nib has the arrow too. My 252 had the arrow as well as my 264. I think it just indicates nib size

My Vintage Montblanc Website--> link

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Lovely pen. I dont think the arrow signifies much (and definitely not flexible nib) because my 342 D rigid/carbon paper nib has the arrow too. My 252 had the arrow as well as my 264. I think it just indicates nib size

Surprising. Thanks.

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One week later. This is an amazing pen. The nib is so bouncy, it's as if it has air suspension. Writing with this thing is like nothing else. Not a pen to use on trains or to scribble notes when walking down a corridor, but when sitting at a table... wow.

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