Should I defect from Parker?

[Izzy]

I have the MB traveller and it's a great pen (although only cartidge feed). I find it a great writer and a good size pen.

 

As to quality, I have never had a problems at all with any of my MB's.

 

But I do know of several people who have dropped them from the roof of very tall buildings, then had them run over by a truck and wonder why they crack!!! :roflmho:

 

Kind regards

NIGEL

Edited October 5, 2007 by Izzy

[Lloyd]

Let the new person get the feel of FP-ing BEFORE, then they will not be disappointed by the letdown of paying hundreds of dollars for a pen that Frank Dubeil believes costs, at best, $20 to make..and writes, in my opinion WORSE than an M215 or a Wing Sung or a Hero 329...

 

Bill

Whether or not MB has poor quality control and is made of a brittle material aside, I find it hard to believe that one can find an equivalent nib for $20. Look at the up-charge from steel to gold that most pen manufacturers charge. Most of their 149 nibs write as good as any other top-tier company's and is (IMHO) gorgeous. The 149 may be very overpriced at $600 but $20? Perhaps Mr. Dubiel was exaggerating a bit.

[Pen Nut]

Hello Quink,

 

The decision is yours in the end mate and may advice is try one.......... oh and if it is a traveller you are seeking please contact me direct as I have a as new example in the desk.

 

Regards,

 

Ian.

[mr T.]

Years ago a salesperson at a London pen shop had warned me off Mont Blanc on quality grounds. Was this fair advice?

 

I know that everyone has their own preferences, and it's a far from exact science, but are there any quality reasons why I should not switch to MB.

 

It was a fair advice. Some reasons not to switch to MB: overpriced mass produced pens, cracking, selling Plexiglass as 'precious resin' (the use of cheap low quality materials), feed problems, weak nibs that run broad and bad service. The warranty MB offers is only two years (most other manufacturers offer longer or lifetime warranty and better warranty conditions).

[Bennington1967]

Let the new person get the feel of FP-ing BEFORE, then they will not be disappointed by the letdown of paying hundreds of dollars for a pen that Frank Dubeil believes costs, at best, $20 to make..and writes, in my opinion WORSE than an M215 or a Wing Sung or a Hero 329...

 

Bill

Whether or not MB has poor quality control and is made of a brittle material aside, I find it hard to believe that one can find an equivalent nib for $20. Look at the up-charge from steel to gold that most pen manufacturers charge. Most of their 149 nibs write as good as any other top-tier company's and is (IMHO) gorgeous. The 149 may be very overpriced at $600 but $20? Perhaps Mr. Dubiel was exaggerating a bit.

 

 

Who the heck cares about Dubiel? The guy was an opinionated so-and-so who appointed himself as the world's greatest expert on fountain pens! Much of what he said was BS, especially what he said about Montblanc.

Edited October 5, 2007 by Bennington1967

[Bennington1967]

Years ago a salesperson at a London pen shop had warned me off Mont Blanc on quality grounds. Was this fair advice?

 

I know that everyone has their own preferences, and it's a far from exact science, but are there any quality reasons why I should not switch to MB.

 

It was a fair advice. Some reasons not to switch to MB: overpriced mass produced pens, cracking, selling Plexiglass as 'precious resin' (the use of cheap low quality materials), feed problems, weak nibs that run broad and bad service. The warranty MB offers is only two years (most other manufacturers offer longer or lifetime warranty and better warranty conditions).

 

 

OK, so Pelikan or Parker resin is better? Yeah, right. The nibs are smooth and very nice to use.

[Lloyd]

It was a fair advice. Some reasons not to switch to MB:

(1) overpriced mass produced pens,

(2) cracking,

(3) selling Plexiglass as 'precious resin' (the use of cheap low quality materials),

(4) feed problems,

(5) weak nibs that run broad and

(5) bad service.

(6) The warranty MB offers is only two years (most other manufacturers offer longer or lifetime warranty and better warranty conditions).

(1) Who's to say what is overpriced? Is the Pel 800 worth $200-$300 more than the M605 or $300-$400 more than a Pel Go?

(2) I haven't experienced this but I do believe others' experiences. They are fragile but so are many other brands' pens.

(3) It isn't plexiglass. For one, plexiglass is not fragile.

(4) I don't believe they're feeds are inferior to any other manufacturers' feeds. I've yet to hear otherwise.

(5) Many, including myself, have experienced top-notch service. However, it appears to be hit-or-miss as others have complained. I've read similar mixed reviews of many other companies' service.

(6) Two years insn't stellar but isn't horrible either.

[mr T.]

OK, so Pelikan or Parker resin is better?

 

Indeed, Pelikan and Parker use for their higher end models better quality resin.

 

It isn't plexiglass. For one, plexiglass is not fragile.

 

The material most MB pens are made of is Plexglass. It's been sold as 'precious resin'. In Germany they call this material 'Edelharz'. It's basically the same material that is sold by DIY stores. It's not surprising that there are quite a lot reported problems with scratched and cracked MB pens. Plexiglass is a material that is known for it's scratching and cracking and is a soft and weak material. When used transparant, it also becomes a little yellow after a while too. According to www.fountainpen.de, MB probably buys it from chemicals company Degussa (Röhm & Haas). Plexiglass is as 'precious resin' or 'Edelharz' also used on some Faber Castell models (Ambition and E-Motion pens). If this material is derived from plants or trees, it means that material is even weaker than the material derived from oil (and would be called 'Naturharz').

For information about 'precious resin' and the way MB uses it in their products see this and this link (both in German). It's for Faber Castell not really a problem to admit that Edelharz is 'precious resin'. See for that this catalogue. (pdf-file). On page 7 and 9 they state that Edelharz is 'precious resin'. And yes: MB makes pens from this material with a retailprice over € 500/$ 500.

 

6) Two years insn't stellar but isn't horrible either.

 

Compared with other manufacturers it is.

 

the bad:

 

Montblanc warranty: two years international warranty, one year limited for North America.

 

Platinum/Nakaya: one year guarantee.

 

Lamy: "Lamy guarantees that our products will be repaired at no charge in case of possible flaws in material or workmanship during a period of 2 years from the date of purchase except for damage from improper use or normal wear." (their products are better than their warranty, the US distributor, not the manufacturer, gives lifetime warranty)

 

ST Dupont: "In addition to the legal guarantee for latent defects, S.T. Dupont pens, lighters and accessories are guaranteed for 2 years under normal usage conditions."

 

Omas: "Omas writing instruments are covered by a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects according to the conditions listed below. Any defective writing instrument should be returned to an authorized Omas dealer together with the guarantee certificate provided at the time of purchase duly filled, dated and stamped by the selling authorized Omas dealer. Any defective product, assuming that the defect is verified by our service centre, will be repaired or replaced for free. Nevertheless, after 24 months from the date of purchase, the cost of labour will be charged even if the replacement of the defective parts is covered by the guarantee. The lifetime guarantee does not cover damage caused by improper use, breakage due to accident, repairs made by a non-authorized service centre, the use of components other than those recommended by Omas, or natural aging and normal wear and tear."

 

the average

 

Parker: only the latest models (2+2=) 4 years, some in stock in shops still lifetime guarantee.

 

Pelikan: "The guarantee period for any faults in material or manufacture is three years as from the date of purchase. The guarantee does not apply in cases of improper use, tampering by unauthorized persons, loss or wear to due to use."

 

Waterman: 3 years international guarantee. some in stock still lifetime guarantee.

 

Namiki: at least three years. on some expensvie models liftetime

 

Aurora: "Aurora Writing Instruments are guaranteed for 5 years against any defective materials and workmanship."

 

the best:

 

Visconti: "International Warranty. Visconti fountain pens are guaranteed to be free from any and all mechanical defects for the lifetime of original owner,

provided the writing instruments has not been improperly handled and any service to it is performed by an authorized Visconti service person."

 

Shaeffer: "These Sheaffer® writing instruments are guaranteed against mechanical failure due to original factory defects in materials and workmanship, for the lifetime of its first owner." (for the Legacy Heritage and Prelude) or "These Sheaffer® writing instruments are warrantied against mechanical failure due to defects in material or workmanship for a period of three (3) years from the date of purchase from an authorized Sheaffer Retailer" (for the Valor, Prelude MPI, Agio, Agio Compact or Star of Egypt)

 

Montegrappa warranty: "Each Montegrappa pen is guaranteed for 24 months from the date of purchase against any functioning defects and for an unlimited period against manufacturing defects." (that means: lifetime guarantee)

 

Caran d'Ache: "Every product is in perfect condition when it leaves our factory and is guaranteed against any manufacturing defects which may subsequently come to light. This worldwide guarantee is confirmed by the certificate which accompanies the product." (one of the best)

 

Faber Castell fp's/Porsche Design: lifetime guarantee.

 

Ballograf: lifetime guarantee.

 

Cross: lifetime guarantee

 

Bic: warranty against manufacturing defects (without any timelimit, just send it back to France for a new one)

Edited October 5, 2007 by mr T.

[LDF]

The fact about MB bashers is that they have serious socioeconomic class issues and rail against

what they perceive is the brand of the sucessful. Basic male jealousy thing. :embarrassed_smile:

This is obvious because there are no more complaints about MB pen quality (aside from the few

regular bashers) than any other brand and that MB pens are very popular among FPN members -

see "How many MB pens do you own?" thread in the MB forum.

MB pens are terrific. So are Parkers. The Meisterstucks and Parker 51s are two of my favorites!

[funzoneplanet]

I'm gonna cop more flak than the Dambuster's Squadron for this, but what the hell...

 

If you want to buy a Montblanc, I say, go for it. I bought one and I've never had any problems or complaints with it.

 

I'm with you this. If you want a Montblanc go for it. I have one and don't regret buying it.

[tnt]

I agree completely, Mantblanc makes some wonderful pens, I own two right now. I think the main problem non Montblanc owners have toward Montblancs is that you can buy a high end pen of any brand and people that are not in the know will pay more attention to the least expensive Montblanc because they are so widely recognized. Lets face it, once you have the perfect feed and NIB and comfort for you, spending any more than the least expensive model that has that can be considered a lifestyle choice. I like the Visconti saying 'Art for Arts Sake' and when it comes to collecting art there are only 2 factors that matter - what you like and what you can afford. Of course for me most the things I really like I really can't afford.

[Kimo]

The fact about MB bashers is that they have serious socioeconomic class issues and rail against

what they perceive is the brand of the sucessful. Basic male jealousy thing. :embarrassed_smile:

This is obvious because there are no more complaints about MB pen quality (aside from the few

regular bashers) than any other brand and that MB pens are very popular among FPN members -

see "How many MB pens do you own?" thread in the MB forum.

MB pens are terrific. So are Parkers. The Meisterstucks and Parker 51s are two of my favorites!

 

You are making some incorrect assumptions. I am better off than most people in the country and relatively successful in business. I have formed my opinion of Montblancs based on my having actually owned and used a Meisterstuck for several years before I dropped it from just a few feet and it shattered. It was my first pen and I bought it before I learned very much about a number of other high end pen makers. At this point in time I think that Meisterstuck I owned was of so-so quality and was priced about two to three times what it was worth. I don't often see fellow businessmen using these anymore, mostly it is the young ones who are trying to break in and impress but not being very successful in my eyes. I would be far more impressed if a man pulled out a nicely restored Parker 51 since that shows me the man has an understanding of quality for value.

[piembi]

The fact about MB bashers is that they have serious socioeconomic class issues and rail against

what they perceive is the brand of the sucessful. Basic male jealousy thing. :embarrassed_smile:

This is obvious because there are no more complaints about MB pen quality (aside from the few

regular bashers) than any other brand and that MB pens are very popular among FPN members -

see "How many MB pens do you own?" thread in the MB forum.

MB pens are terrific. So are Parkers. The Meisterstucks and Parker 51s are two of my favorites!

 

You are making some incorrect assumptions. I am better off than most people in the country and relatively successful in business. I have formed my opinion of Montblancs based on my having actually owned and used a Meisterstuck for several years before I dropped it from just a few feet and it shattered. It was my first pen and I bought it before I learned very much about a number of other high end pen makers. At this point in time I think that Meisterstuck I owned was of so-so quality and was priced about two to three times what it was worth. I don't often see fellow businessmen using these anymore, mostly it is the young ones who are trying to break in and impress but not being very successful in my eyes. I would be far more impressed if a man pulled out a nicely restored Parker 51 since that shows me the man has an understanding of quality for value.

 

 

I agree with Kimo - and I would like to add another thought: Someone who really knows about FPs does not need a FP to impress anybody. You will have the pen only for yourself. It is a real pleasure to write with a good fountain pen.

 

The best writers I do have for sure are not the most impressive or expensive pens. I do have vintage MBs (12, 252, 342 - all nice everyday writers, 22 and 32 - ok, 144 - a pain, don't use it anymore), and many Pelikan 400s (vintage 400, 400NN, pre 97 - wonderful pens) and I do have Lamys: 2000 (THE understatement pen, wonderful writer!) and several Lamy 27 (all of them less than 15 Euros!!), The 27 have wonderful smooth gold nibs, it looks a bit like an old Parker 51 and is not at all impressive - but a wonderful writer! And the best thing: if there will be anybody recognize this pen - never happened so far! - this person really knows about FPs ....