Need Advice - Writers Limited Edition

[allanofcalifornia]

I am new here and I want to buy my first Montblanc fountain pen (under $2,000).

 

I would like to purchase a Montblanc writers limited edition fountain pen and I need some advice.  This might be my one and only Montblanc fountain pen so I want it to be special.

 

I see that I have 3 options:

1.  Buy current writers pen Victor Hugo while it is still available.

2.  Wait to see what will be coming out this year.

3.  Buy one of the past writers pen.

 

Questions:

1.  What does everyone think of the current Victor Hugo fountain pen?  

2.  Anyone have any idea what will be the writers pen coming out this year?

3.  Any past writers pen really stands out?

4.  Do you buy your writers pen by how it looks or the writers name or both?

5.  Any recommendations?

6.  Do you know of anyone selling a past writers fountain pen that you think would be great for me?

 

Thank you so much for your help!!

 

Allan

[BillH]

Good morning Allan.  Welcome to FPN.

 

I have a few Writers Edition pens, regular versions not the limited edition versions.  My favorites of the past are the Dumas and Tolstoy pens.  I enjoy the Wilde and Schiller pens as well.  Have not been tempted by the Hugo though and will let that one go by.

 

I pick primarily on the pen's aesthetics rather than the name of the author, but ymmv.  Whichever you decide on, I'm pretty sure you will enjoy it... in my experience they are all excellent writers 😉

[Rowbo]

Hi Alan and 

 

I personally do not have a WE so cannot advise, though I would suggest that you should know what nib size you want before buying. This could mean a free nib swap if buying new or a long search or more expense if buying used.

 

As for choice of older WEs, here is a one review of several on this site here.

[GutSchrift]

I had high hopes for the Victor Hugo but it didn't really live up to my dreams (except for the super high end version.) I'd be curious to hear the rumors for this year's edition. I currently own a Proust, which I hunted for a long time and found via a Swiss dealer. 

[ljz]

6 hours ago, allanofcalifornia said:

1.  What does everyone think of the current Victor Hugo fountain pen?  

2.  Anyone have any idea what will be the writers pen coming out this year?

3.  Any past writers pen really stands out?

4.  Do you buy your writers pen by how it looks or the writers name or both?

5.  Any recommendations?

6.  Do you know of anyone selling a past writers fountain pen that you think would be great for me?

1. both the black and red Hugos do not really live up to my expectations, and currently I can’t afford the LE83

 

2. creator of Holmes

 

3. I like my Jules Verne and William Shakespeare very well

 

4. the name and pen design are both important to me

 

5. I can’t recommend any, because your mileage may vary

 

6. generally those sellers tend to jack up the price of some most sought-after pieces by quite a large amount, so I advise you to buy from an authorised retailer, Hugo, Kipling, Homer are still available though

[gerigo]

This year's Writer's Edition is already being circulated on the inter webs. Unfortunately yet another dead white male author from long ago. He's very popular and I am sure will resonate with many outside of Montblanc and fountain pen fan people. 

 

As a few have said, I find the Writer's edition increasingly uninteresting primarily because the authors they feature simply not appealing. I think the last Writer's I purchase was the Homer, only because it has only been the 3rd time Montblanc has used the 149 chassis for the pen rather than the usual 146. Also I was rather taken by the body design.

 

These days, I realize it's the bread and butter Montblancs that appeal to me more than their limited editions. You tend to pay slightly less and still have a very well put together pen and a great nib.

[dbs]

WE Victor Hugo looks similar to Disney pen. Many people here already have Disney or they simply don't like the mouse. So they hate WE Victor Hugo too.  For me, WE Victor Hugo is more close to Miles Davis in design.

 

If you don't have any of above pen, I would recommend you buy one.  Montblanc does not change major design elements very much from year to year. The incoming detective pen won't change dramatically except the name. If you want a pen, buy one and try on.  Don't let the pen name stop you.

 

 

[fc2462]

Greetings and welcome!

 

I love the MB writers editions and have every one back to Daniel Defoe (which is my favorite).  I guess the thing I like the most about them is that each year they are utterly unique.  That's about all I can say about them though.  Every year, somebody complains about one aspect or another.  This year the Hugo is off balance and too light, etc. etc.  The Homer was easily scratched, etc. etc.  You can research each year's quirks on the forum.

 

I think in an effort to make every part of the pen unique and also represent some aspect of the writer's work, they go too far sometimes and you end up with pens that you may not actually want to write with every day.  For some, yet to be diagnosed reason, I just love collecting them and look forward to getting one every year and two bottles of the WE ink.  To be honest, all of my WE pens are un-inked.  I just like to collect and look at them.

 

I actually like the Hugo and IMHO, it is one of the tamer WE pens that would probably work well as a daily writer.  (i.e. It is pretty much a normal shape/size without too much gaudiness.) 

 

I have not purchased any of them because of the writer's work necessarily and pretty much just collect them and enjoy their uniqueness.

 

One thing that I would not recommend is buying an older one off of eBay and paying inflated "gotta have that one missing from my collection" prices.  You will be disappointed.

 

Given the current state of affairs and the fact you may not be able attend a pen show, visit a MB boutique, or visit an authorized dealer, I would honestly recommend to avoid the WE pens altogether if your plan is to use it as a daily writer.  As I mentioned, they are all very unique with different materials, sizes, and finishes and without the ability to hold one in your hand to see how it feels to you, I think you would be better served going with one of the regular pens.

 

My daily writers are MB 149, MB 146 and Pelikan M800.  I do love the German pens.

 

Good luck and just let us know if you have any more questions.

 

 

[Toll]

I have three WE’s — Hemingway, Faulkner, and Hugo. I use the first two regularly and I enjoy them a great deal. The Hugo remains uninked. I was skeptical at first, but upon seeing it and holding it, I was totally impressed and bought it! It is amazing the prices that are being asked for NOS or used WE’s on the internet, even relatively new offerings such as the Tolstoy. I am waiting for the right time, but one day I will likely buy a Tolstoy and a Saint Euxpery. 

[The Mustard]

What did you go for @allanofcalifornia? We’re you happy with your choice?