Why Mont Blanc pens are such an arument magnet ?

[Bennington1967]

What is so unique about these pens that causes people such strong emotions.

Many times if there is a debate about one subject or another and the name MB pops up the original subject is forgoten and people sharpen there claws against or in favor of these pens ?

 

I am one of these people that get into these debates.Yes I am strongly moved by these pens.

Overpriced is always a word many people like to use.Well many other pens are over priced but they dont cause such a strong feeling in people.

 

Unreliable ?

Good market strategy ?

 

Another 2 arguments people use and again I read about so many other pens that were not reliable right from the box and there makers marketed them as luxury item.

 

And just for the record I LOVE MB pens but I like Parker even more.

 

 

Montblanc attracts arguments because of jealousy. It's as simple as that. This brand is a symbol of success in life and in business - like a Rolex watch - and the 'pen Socialists' don't like it. I have two Montblancs and I am proud to own them - they reflect values I believe in.

 

There are lots of other brands that are expensive, so I don't buy that argument. MB isn't cheap, but - apart from the ridiculous limited editions - it's not a particuarly expensive brand.

Edited October 10, 2007 by Bennington1967

[blak000]

I will preface this by saying that I do not own a Mont Blanc pen.

 

The way I see it, people bash this brand because it's so recognizable by the "normal" public. And while the quality control issues may be present, I have seen many threads on the Lamy 2000 lately that question their quality control. Why isn't there more hatred for that brand? Mainly because if one of your co-workers looks at a Lamy, they will say "nice pen". If you have a Mont Blanc, they will won't say anything and go ask the boss why you are making more money than they are.

 

Personally, Mont Blanc's marketing is genius. Focus all of your attention to middle-managers that have excess money and very little in the way of buying an expensive pen. Just my two cents.

 

John

 

Well, I have to say: even though the 2000 has its issues, when it DOES work, it's a fantastic pen. It's durable, has a wonderful nib, well-balanced, etc.... and it only costs $100. The Mont Blanc's, on the other hand, cost many times more, are made of fragile materials, nibs range from decent to good. The 2000, for all its problems, is still a reasonably priced pen that offers outstanding performance (as with all the pens in the Lamy line). I don't think the same can be said about some Mont Blanc pens.

 

Yeah, the prices are very different, I know. The main reason I brought up the Lamy's is that they seem to be on the boards more these days for QC problems. Insofar as the nib quality, I don't know about the Mont Blanc nibs, but my L2K nib (EF) is fantastic. Compared to the Lamy nibs, how would you compare your Mont Blanc nib?

 

I don't actually own a Mont Blanc pen; however, I do have the Diabolo le Cartier, which is a pen made by Mont Blanc pen and stamped with the Cartier logo. I like the pen a lot... I think it's well-made with a smooth nib. It also happens to cost $700 (gift from the parents). The particular model I have is very expensive, though (platinum finish), and you can get a normal Diabolo for $300-$400 (I'm assuming the pen would have gone for a similar price under the MB name). Is it a good pen? Yeah, as I mentioned, I like it a lot. It works when I want it to and pretty smooth. However, I have a $135 Namiki Falcon with a nib as much of a joy to write with as the Diabolo. I also find the Diablo's nib to be a bit touchy about the paper being used. I don't own any other $300-$400 pens... but I have a slight feeling that I bought one from, say, Sailor, Namiki, or Pelikan... it might surpass the Diabolo in terms of functionality (a c/c filler, by the way, which I have to refill every 8-10 pages... not good for a college person) and smoothness. Of course, that's going off the base price of the pen. What if I had $700 to blow? Man, the type of pen I could get with that much money (from a NON-hype name brand)... *drool*

 

I understand your point about Lamy's recent QC problems, but I also think that they are starting to receive a little negative criticism, at least from what I can see on this forum. However, if you get a bad Lamy, you might be out $50-$100. If you get a bad Mont Blanc, though, how much money did you just pour down the drain? $300? Maybe more??

Edited October 10, 2007 by blak000

[blak000]

I forgot to add that I use my MB at the office a lot. I rotate with my Sailor. And sometimes when I am in a board meeting when I have my Mont Blanc with me and I take it out, I swear this one guy at the end of the table has the weirdest look on his face.

 

Maybe he's actually one of the Mont Blanc hate-mongerers on this forum, LOL! :roflmho:

[jaytaylor]

What is so unique about these pens that causes people such strong emotions.

Many times if there is a debate about one subject or another and the name MB pops up the original subject is forgoten and people sharpen there claws against or in favor of these pens ?

 

I am one of these people that get into these debates.Yes I am strongly moved by these pens.

Overpriced is always a word many people like to use.Well many other pens are over priced but they dont cause such a strong feeling in people.

 

Unreliable ?

Good market strategy ?

 

Another 2 arguments people use and again I read about so many other pens that were not reliable right from the box and there makers marketed them as luxury item.

 

And just for the record I LOVE MB pens but I like Parker even more.

 

 

Montblanc attracts arguments because of jealousy. It's as simple as that. This brand is a symbol of success in life and in business - like a Rolex watch - and the 'pen Socialists' don't like it. I have two Montblancs and I am proud to own them - they reflect values I believe in.

 

There are lots of other brands that are expensive, so I don't buy that argument. MB isn't cheap, but - apart from the ridiculous limited editions - it's not a particuarly expensive brand.

 

 

Absolute B.S. jealousy??? There are those who will argue against and for MB who own way more prestigious pens.

 

That is just childish play ground (bleep).

[sleek_lover]

Oh..boy...do I weigh in now---or do I wait a bit for some more folks to speak...Nah...I am gonna wait...More fun that way...Sorta let the suspense build. B'cuz Girliegirl33 and Richard B KNOW I own an MB...and I got street cred... Nah, gonna wait...just let the pot simmer...

 

He he he......

[blak000]

What is so unique about these pens that causes people such strong emotions.

Many times if there is a debate about one subject or another and the name MB pops up the original subject is forgoten and people sharpen there claws against or in favor of these pens ?

 

I am one of these people that get into these debates.Yes I am strongly moved by these pens.

Overpriced is always a word many people like to use.Well many other pens are over priced but they dont cause such a strong feeling in people.

 

Unreliable ?

Good market strategy ?

 

Another 2 arguments people use and again I read about so many other pens that were not reliable right from the box and there makers marketed them as luxury item.

 

And just for the record I LOVE MB pens but I like Parker even more.

 

 

Montblanc attracts arguments because of jealousy. It's as simple as that. This brand is a symbol of success in life and in business - like a Rolex watch - and the 'pen Socialists' don't like it. I have two Montblancs and I am proud to own them - they reflect values I believe in.

 

There are lots of other brands that are expensive, so I don't buy that argument. MB isn't cheap, but - apart from the ridiculous limited editions - it's not a particuarly expensive brand.

 

Your statement would be perfect for a Mont Blanc marketing ad.

 

[Iridium]

Montblanc, along with Bang & Olusen, Leica, Bose, Apple and many other brands seem to offer products at the point where the concept of 'Value For Money' gets (shall we say) a little flaky.

 

I think that you and Cloud nailed the reasons for the controversy. The type of polarization that results, both for and against, is a natural aspect of human psychology. All I want to add is that it's not nearly as bad in the pen world as it is in, say, the audio reproduction world (especially with regard to loudspeakers). Just try bringing up Bose in a speaker forum, and you'll see what I mean. Some forums actually have filters that literally treat Bose as a swear word, replacing it with "****".

 

Note that this is not to compare Bose directly to Montblanc, because in order to make such a comparison valid, Montblanc would have to make pens out of cardboard that have vinyl nibs, charge more money than they currently do, and outsell all of the other pen companies in sheer volume.

 

None of these products is in and of itself any way especially dreadful - it's just that cheaper similar alternatives (often very very very very very very very very much cheaper) exist, and the fact that some companies can get away with charging a premium for whatever reason drives a certain type of person just totally crazy. The fact that they are not enforced by statute to buy the brand in question is immaterial, its availability is enough.

 

Specifically, I think it's the sense of injustice--preying on the ignorant--that gets some people all worked up. I freely admit that I'm one of those people, although nothing in the pen world currently bugs me much because it pales in comparison to what I've seen elsewhere.

[KCat]

Montblanc attracts arguments because of jealousy. It's as simple as that. This brand is a symbol of success in life and in business - like a Rolex watch - and the 'pen Socialists' don't like it. I have two Montblancs and I am proud to own them - they reflect values I believe in.

 

There's just so much about that statement that screams for a response. But I'll let you imagine it.

 

There are lots of other brands that are expensive, so I don't buy that argument. MB isn't cheap, but - apart from the ridiculous limited editions - it's not a particuarly expensive brand.

 

And yet those other expensive brands do not reflect your values also? Seems to me that as long as it is an expensive pen, that should be enough to say "I'm successful." I can't imagine anyone would look at a Pelikan Majesty, for example, and think "what a cheap piece of junk." Not my style but obviously an expensive pen.

 

I have nothing against MBs. I had one, it was a nice pen but I found I never used it. It just didn't jump out of the box.

 

There are some people who take every opportunity to bash a brand and I can't help but think they're just a tad obsessed. It gets pretty dull when you always know what person is going to come in and start slinging mud about a particular brand. OTOH, at least I know to skip those posts because I already know what they're going to say. Saves me some reading time.

[jd50ae]

Montblanc attracts arguments because of jealousy. It's as simple as that. This brand is a symbol of success in life and in business - like a Rolex watch - and the 'pen Socialists' don't like it. I have two Montblancs and I am proud to own them - they reflect values I believe in.

 

Patently absurd.

[KCat]

Montblanc attracts arguments because of jealousy. It's as simple as that. This brand is a symbol of success in life and in business - like a Rolex watch - and the 'pen Socialists' don't like it. I have two Montblancs and I am proud to own them - they reflect values I believe in.

 

Patently absurd.

 

Oh puuuuleeeze, JD! You know you're jealous. That's the only reason you have that silly little squid pen.

 

KCat - who secretly covets that silly little squid. Uh. Guess it's not a secret anymore.

 

 

[omasfan]

This brand is a symbol of success in life and in business - like a Rolex watch - and the 'pen Socialists' don't like it. I have two Montblancs and I am proud to own them - they reflect values I believe in.

 

This self-adulating pose is pretty revealing in my opinion. I think this is one of the reasons why you are such a well-liked and respected member on FPN.

 

I honestly don't want to know which values you believe in. I am sure they are not mine.

 

"pen Socialist": very apt description. I take it that you are well-versed in the art of socio-political discussion.

[jd50ae]

Montblanc attracts arguments because of jealousy. It's as simple as that. This brand is a symbol of success in life and in business - like a Rolex watch - and the 'pen Socialists' don't like it. I have two Montblancs and I am proud to own them - they reflect values I believe in.

 

Patently absurd.

 

Oh puuuuleeeze, JD! You know you're jealous. That's the only reason you have that silly little squid pen.

 

KCat - who secretly covets that silly little squid. Uh. Guess it's not a secret anymore.

 

[Zwelig]

Just to make clear, about the status-

 

$2,000 Graf von Faber Castell "Pen of the Year" versus $600,00 Mont Blanc

 

Background: any local. A Café, the office of a big corporation, a bussiness meeting, a restaurant.

 

 

In a pocket, which one will call most the attention??

 

Which one would you think that mr. Joe Average (who is not interested in Fountain Pens; that includes ME before I got into pens) will drool upon?

 

Which one will he think that is the most expensive, therefore the greatest status indicator?

 

Answer is easy.

Edited October 10, 2007 by Zwelig

[KCat]

 

okay - now *you're* getting predictable JD. :hmm1:

[Bennington1967]

Montblanc attracts arguments because of jealousy. It's as simple as that. This brand is a symbol of success in life and in business - like a Rolex watch - and the 'pen Socialists' don't like it. I have two Montblancs and I am proud to own them - they reflect values I believe in.

 

There's just so much about that statement that screams for a response. But I'll let you imagine it.

 

There are lots of other brands that are expensive, so I don't buy that argument. MB isn't cheap, but - apart from the ridiculous limited editions - it's not a particuarly expensive brand.

 

And yet those other expensive brands do not reflect your values also? Seems to me that as long as it is an expensive pen, that should be enough to say "I'm successful." I can't imagine anyone would look at a Pelikan Majesty, for example, and think "what a cheap piece of junk." Not my style but obviously an expensive pen.

 

I have nothing against MBs. I had one, it was a nice pen but I found I never used it. It just didn't jump out of the box.

 

There are some people who take every opportunity to bash a brand and I can't help but think they're just a tad obsessed. It gets pretty dull when you always know what person is going to come in and start slinging mud about a particular brand. OTOH, at least I know to skip those posts because I already know what they're going to say. Saves me some reading time.

 

 

It's all about marketing. MB positioned itself in the market as a prestige pen, and so gained a huge following. Pelikan just remained a dull, conservative German brand, best known for making black pens and rarely heard of outside the circle of pen lovers. The Majesty is a step in the right direction for Pelikan and I hope the whole Souveran range will soon be revamped and modernised. Parker and Waterman (and to a lesser extent, Sheaffer) have made some excellent fountain pens in the modern, post-ballpoint era (e.g. the new Duofold and the Man 100), but their timid marketing approach left them well behind Montblanc. I hope that Newell Rubbermaid will push these brands into a much higher profile from now on.

[Bennington1967]

This brand is a symbol of success in life and in business - like a Rolex watch - and the 'pen Socialists' don't like it. I have two Montblancs and I am proud to own them - they reflect values I believe in.

 

This self-adulating pose is pretty revealing in my opinion. I think this is one of the reasons why you are such a well-liked and respected member on FPN.

 

I honestly don't want to know which values you believe in. I am sure they are not mine.

 

"pen Socialist": very apt description. I take it that you are well-versed in the art of socio-political discussion.

 

 

LOL!! :roflmho: :ltcapd:

 

I'm not afraid of stating my opinions - nothing wrong with that. Others do the same, and frankly I don't care much about my popularity - I'm not a politician!

[KCat]

Answer is easy.

 

Not for me.

 

Honestly, before I began reading the boards FPs I'd never have recognized an MB. Nor any other brand of FP. My tendency would be to think a flashy gold pen would be more expensive than a plastic one with a white splotch on the top. Of course, I never read fashion or business magazines and never had occasion to hang around with "successful" people. I guess I led a very sheltered life.

 

Heck, there was a guy at my job that showed off his MB ballpoint when I was a poor grunt. He very proudly told me it was a $400 pen (or whatever it cost him) and I recall saying something polite like, "That's nice." but did not commit any of it's characteristics to memory other than it was black plastic.

 

I'm not disagreeing with you as much as just pointing out that not every "Joe" (or Joan) is walking around with the notion that MB is the height of expression of success. Some of us peons just don't know better.

[sleek_lover]

Is it time yet...???  No, the MB apologetics are still being thrown around like cow plops at a Texas Barbeque.  The same worn out words repeated in the same worn out tones...I have arrived...I am better'n you I got a Rolex...the whole "I have bought into the MB LIFESTYLE bit...

 

No...it is not time yet.  Let the poor deluded babies have their say...let them have the time to wind down so we know who and what they are...just the same minions of the EPC that they always have been, are and always will be.  Rolex, my **s...

 

Bill

[KCat]

The Majesty is a step in the right direction for Pelikan and I hope the whole Souveran range will soon be revamped and modernised.

 

Lord help us! Unsuccessful folk like me like to be able to afford their pens. The Souveran range is very popular as it is. No need to revamp it, IMO. Fine to add other pens that appeal to successful people. One of the reasons Pelikan is very popular among FP lovers is that they do have pens that are in all price ranges. They make their money with solid staples and excellent customer service. MB makes their money off of brand recognition. Why do we need another MB-like company? There are plenty out there.

 

Besides, can you really see people walking around with giant nesting Pelicans on their belt buckles or watches? :roflmho:

 

Better yet - big beaks hanging from their ears or on cufflinks.

Edited October 10, 2007 by KCat

[Bennington1967]

Pelikan is gaining a somewhat unwelcome reputation as a pen for old beardies, librarians and school teachers. It needs to shake off the stuffy image and become more exciting and 'shiny'. Then and only then will it be able to challenge MB in the executive market.