Montblanc Franz Kafka Fountain Pen Review - A Beauty or a Cockroach?

[The Mustard]

Background

 

Montblanc issued their tribute to Kafka in 2004.  Including the Imperial Dragon (which not everyone does) it was the 14^th pen in the series and was produced with a limited Edition of 18,500 pens.

 

Who was Franz Kafka?

 

Kafka was a Czech national who was born in 1883 in Prague and died in Vienna in 1924 of tuberculosis.  He was largely unpublished during his lifetime and requested that his work be destroyed on his deathbed – fortunately, this didn’t happen. His genre was definitely focused on dystopian themes - ‘The Metamorphosis’  (the book on which the pen is themed) is the story of a travelling salesman who wakes up one morning and has transformed in to a cockroach... just a regular Monday morning then..

 

The Trial’ details the story of an innocent man who is frustrated by the state’s criminal process to such a degree that within a year he is accepting of his murder as his only form of escape, the inevitability of the journey is as unsettling to read as it appears to be for the victim, this is a common theme in his novels.  I didn't know of Kafka before I became aware of his pen and I have been grateful for the opportunity to read a couple of his novels as a form of justification for owning the pen - I am trying to ensure that I have read at least one novel of each of the authors for whom I have a pen but my pen collecting is going a little quicker than my reading I am ashamed to admit! 

 

Why did Montblanc select Kafka?

 

Ten different nationalities have been recognised in the writers’ series and Kafka is the only Czech to have been included - De Cervantes, Coloddi and Homer are the other sole representatives of their country of origin.  I’m not sure that even the most fervent Kakfka enthusiast would claim that his work would elevate him to the same pantheon as Shakespeare, Dickens, Dumas, Hemingway and Tolstoy but in my opinion he deserves to be included within this exclusive club, perhaps if only the beautiful story about his relationship with a little girl who had lost her toy doll in Paris is indeed true...  

 

In the story, Franz Kafka encountered a little girl in the park where he and his friend Dora walked daily. The little girl was disconsolate and weeping as if her heart would break. When Kafka inquired about her tears, the girl said she had lost her doll. Kafka told the girl that he knew for a fact the doll was fine. How he could be so certain, the little girl asked? Why just that morning, Kafka told the girl, he had received a letter from the doll.

Kafka arranged to meet the little girl the next day at the same spot in the park. That night he composed a letter from the doll and read it to the little girl when they met. “Please do not mourn me, I have gone on a trip to see the world. I will write to you about my adventures.”

The meetings and the letters from the beloved doll continued. The little girl was comforted. When the meetings came to an end, Kafka presented her with a new doll. The doll obviously looked different from the original doll. An attached letter explained: “Do not be surprised at my appearance, my travels and adventures have changed me.”

Many years later, the now-grown girl found a letter stuffed into a deep fold in the cherished replacement doll. Kafka had written, “Everything you love, you will eventually lose, but in the end, love will return in a different form.”

 

I first heard that story a few years ago and I think its beautiful, I hope it is true.

 

How does the pen reflect the author?

 

The references to Kafka within the design of the pen are all based around the Metamorphosis novel, indeed the pen experiences its own metamorphosis as it changes from a cylindrical shape at the cap end to that of a cube at the end of the barrel – I think this effect is achieved excellently by MB and doesn’t detract from the comfort of using the pen at all.  The highlight pf the pen in my opinion, and the reason why I chose it as my first limited edition purchase is the 18k platinum coloured, Rhodium tipped nib which features a magnificent cockroach, how could anyone not love that detailing and it’s one of my very favourite Montblanc nibs.  As a general note I think MB detailing on all of their nibs is superb and there are many that deserve further analysis, perhaps a blog for another day.

 

Overall I think this pen is very well themed to its topic, the references are well conceived, relevant and excellently executed.

 

What are the other features of note with the pen?

 

The pen is made with a very dark red ‘special’ resin (I still think this is just Montblanc’s description of high quality plastic but I’ll happily be corrected!).  At the perimeters of the pen the light filters through the translucent resin to allow a glimpse of the stunning deep red colour of the barrel and cap which creates a beautiful effect – its very hard to replicate this in a photograph (all of the limited edition pens are better in the hand than on the page) but it is truly eye catching.

The pen’s trim is sterling silver (it was issued with a silver cleaning cloth which I believe to also be unique amongst MB limited edition pens?) and there is an elegant curve to the clip which is longer than the average pen - I don’t tend to clip these pens to a shirt pocket but I have read elsewhere within the forum that this could be challenging with this pen. The distinctive Montblanc snow cap is quite understated and recessive at the end pen’s cap and is much smaller than the equivalent branding on the Mark Twain or Catherine The Great which I currently have to hand for example.

 

The internal piston filler is also worthy of note for this pen as it’s design is in my opinion unique amongst Montblanc pens that I have seen.  It could easily be mistaken as a converter as it is entirely visible once the barrel is unscrewed but it cannot be removed from the pen and I don’t think this should be attempted, or certainly not by amateurs such as me.

The pen is one of the longer (longest?) MB pens at 14.8cm long and I have added a photograph to demonstrate the length of the pen against a couple of the shorter writers pens, Fitz and Faulkner, and my 146.  

 

The Kafka's cap (circular) and the barrel (cuboid) are different shapes and so it is obviously not a pen to cap, Aside from Bohemes I’m not a ‘capper’ as a general rule anyway as I tend to hold my pen quite low on the section (this might explain my spidery handwriting!) and so I am less concerned than many in terms of heavily stepped sections – more on that to follow no doubt but it’s not an issue that requires further discussion with the Kafka - there is a step it's not especially pronounced in my opinion.

 

How does it write?

Absolutely beautifully, this pen has one of the smoothest nibs that I have ever used, and it writes immediately and entirely consistently, my medium cockroach embellished nib lays a lovely wet line of ink and never skips, it really is a joy.  That said, my only criticism in this respect would be that the ink doesn’t flow as well as one might expect when the piston filler is less than half full – this is fixed when the piston is tightened 9although it then rattles a little within the barrel)  but it feels that the natural flow of the fountain pen shouldn’t require this procedure and it’s not a problem that I have noticed with other piston fillers – perhaps that is unique to my pen and it needs a service, I’d be interested to hear if this is a common observation? 

Overall though this pen writes beautifully and i always look forward to writing with it when I pick it up having not used it for a while.

 

Ink Pairing?

 

I use MB Burgundy with this pen, the colour matches the barrel well and it’s a pen that just feels like it needs a red ink – fortunately it’s a colour that I like writing with away from work and a lot of my favourite inks are reds.

 

Conclusions - How do I rate Kafka against the other MB writers?

 

There are 30 writers up to and including Victor Hugo and for me Kafka rates as my 8^th favourite, as a point of reference the Imperial Dragon rates 7th and George Bernard Shaw ranks 9th.  The nib of the Kafka is quite literally a piece of art and is one of the smoothest writers that I own.  I like the metamorphosis references in the pen - the changing shape of the pen is well executed by Montblanc which makes an interesting pen that is comfortable to use and provides an excellent writing experience, if you think you might like to own this pen I’d recommend that you pull the trigger – I bought the pen for £750 but it can generally be obtained for anything between £550 and £850 and is therefore on the cheaper end of the spectrum in terms of the writers (Woolf being usually the cheapest and Hemingway the most expensive).

 

Acknowledgements are due to davyr and hsianloon who came before me and did a much better job, their reviews helped me to decide that this was going to be my first writer and I have never regretted it. Thanks for taking the time to read my first fountain pen review, I'm not sure of the value of adding a review of a pen that's fifteen years old, these reviews have been helpful for me but not sure if there is much of a population of readers that are still actively collecting these older limited edition pens, I have tried to add a little more about the author as a small point of difference if not. 

[Turquoise88]

Great review and a gorgeous pen I was completely unaware of!  I want one now!

[TSherbs]

Thanks for the review. The size comparisons are likely very helpful for fellow collectors of Montblanc special editions.

 

But as a somewhat devotee of Kafka and of some of the other authors and artists in their list of special editions, I have to object to this "Kafka" version.

 

Firstly, the "bug" (or "vermin") in the story of the Metamorphosis is never called a "cockroach" (in German there is another word for this specific creature). Kafka, in fact, uses only a vague general term ("vermin" is probably closest in English, but sometimes "bug" or "beetle" is used) for a disgusting animal/insect that is beneath contempt and full of disgust and annoyance. After all, Gregor has this transformation as a result of the alienation at both work and in his home: his family is reviled by his presence, and his father basically kills him (throws an apple at him which embeds in his side and rots there). There is nothing beautiful or romantic or wealthy in this story, which is the tale of a young man's existential alienation, ostracism, and death at the hands of society and family. Gregor's transformation is the tale of a bleakly tragic rotting of the psyche and sense of self, while no one cares (even his somewhat affectionate sister abandons him). 

 

That Montblanc has commodified this story and used his signature to sell expensive plastic and silver to people is another reminder of the form of corrosive parasitic relationship between business machinery and the individual that Kafka was actually writing about. The irony is so fitting. Yes, Kafka is gone and exempt from the injury. But his work deserves better. 

 

I am glad that the nib, such as it is, writes well. And yes, the red seems lovely in the light.

 

 

[sansenri]

Thank you for the very interesting review.

I find the pen attractive (and I think the metamorphosis idea transferred to the body shape is greatly executed!), it also has a rather streamlined rigorous design that I find positively unusual for a MB LE.

You however don't show the part that is usually most critical for me to judge a pen and that is the transition barrel to section (big step-downs tend to be uncomfortable for the way I hold pens) and the length of the section itself.

[The Mustard]

1 hour ago, sansenri said:

Thank you for the very interesting review.

I find the pen attractive (and I think the metamorphosis idea transferred to the body shape is greatly executed!), it also has a rather streamlined rigorous design that I find positively unusual for a MB LE.

You however don't show the part that is usually most critical for me to judge a pen and that is the transition barrel to section (big step-downs tend to be uncomfortable for the way I hold pens) and the length of the section itself.

here you go Sansenri, thanks for pointing out the oversight! 

[Aysedasi]

I have to be honest and say that I'm probably a lone voice in the 'cockroach' camp.  The looks really do little for me and I'm not that struck by the nib detailing either. As TSherbs says, having read 'Metamorphosis' (albeit many years ago), it seems a little bizarre to use such a bleak and disturbing novel as the idea for a pen design.    I'm sure it must look a lot better 'in the flesh' (hopefully not rotting!).  

[Uncial]

It's a striking pen, but I'm not sure it can be called a beautiful pen. I guess that's the point though. Of all the WE pens I feel MB nailed it with this one. They had to include Kafka but how else would you do it other than having a fountain pen that is actually a pencil that doesn't write? This, on the other hand, is a clever design and surprisingly comfortable writer. I really like Kafka but would I want a pen to remind me of the toxic existensial angst of our age? Hmm.....probably not. Ive been tempted by it though.

 

By the way, i think the clip is meant to represent an insect leg.

[Mysterious Mose]

Aysedasi,

'Metamorphosis' is a short story, not a novel.  The only novels Kafka wrote are 'Amerika,' 'The Trial,' and 'The Castle.'  'The Trial' is the only complete novel; he did not complete 'Amerika' or 'The Castle.'  

 

I was introduced to Kafka's writing in college, 52 years ago and I still love it.

 

However, I think I would find a nib with a cockroach on it a little creepy.

[TSherbs]

1 hour ago, Uncial said:

...By the way, i think the clip is meant to represent an insect leg.

 

And maybe that cap finial represents the apple buried in Gregor's abdomen....

[The Mustard]

6 hours ago, Uncial said:

It's a striking pen, but I'm not sure it can be called a beautiful pen. I guess that's the point though. Of all the WE pens I feel MB nailed it with this one. They had to include Kafka but how else would you do it other than having a fountain pen that is actually a pencil that doesn't write? This, on the other hand, is a clever design and surprisingly comfortable writer. I really like Kafka but would I want a pen to remind me of the toxic existensial angst of our age? Hmm.....probably not. Ive been tempted by it though.

 

By the way, i think the clip is meant to represent an insect leg.

 

5 hours ago, TSherbs said:

 

And maybe that cap finial represents the apple buried in Gregor's abdomen....

Great call on the insect leg Uncial, I’d never considered that before but I’m sure you are right!

[MANC]

In MHO a 'cockroach'.  Sorry

[HyperCamper]

Thanks for this great review! 👍

 

I've always thought about buying one of these, but in the end I never was able to justify it... Way too expensive, but from your review understandably so.

[Aysedasi]

On 3/16/2021 at 12:11 AM, Mysterious Mose said:

Aysedasi,

'Metamorphosis' is a short story, not a novel.  The only novels Kafka wrote are 'Amerika,' 'The Trial,' and 'The Castle.'  'The Trial' is the only complete novel; he did not complete 'Amerika' or 'The Castle.'  

 

I stand corrected...  It's a very long time since I read it..... 

[HDoug]

Once upon a time I had a Kafka set: fountain pen, pencil, ball pen. Had to sell it to pay the rent but I really liked it. One of the few writers series with a captive converter rather than an actual piston.

Here's my Flickr album:

 

 

[The Mustard]

Thanks for sharing Hdoug, I’m sorry you had to let them go - great photographs though. 

[chromantic]

Fortunately for my wallet, I've never been much drawn to MBs, as boring and/or downright ugly. The Kafka, however, is quite striking.