MB poll :)

November 11, 2006

In the handgun world thre is similar disdain for Kimber 1911's. The gun forums treat them like some fancy high priced poseur, red-headed step child.
But the question would be- are they?

No, they make fantastic guns. I own 5 Kimbers and 11 or 12 MB's (MB's are cheaper). I enjoy both marks very much.

November 12, 2006

In the handgun world thre is similar disdain for Kimber 1911's. The gun forums treat them like some fancy high priced poseur, red-headed step child.
But the question would be- are they?

No, they make fantastic guns. I own 5 Kimbers and 11 or 12 MB's (MB's are cheaper). I enjoy both marks very much.

That's a little side point, if the Kimber is a good pen at a reasonable price or a good pen at an excessive price.

It comes down to personal taste and willingness to spend money. It is a argument on taste one that can't be won!

K

November 12, 2006

I have owned a dozen or so vintage Montblanc pens and still have 8 or so. They are all amazing pens with fantastic nibs. I've owned two modern MBs, the infamous 144, which was an okay pen, although I didn't like the corroding trim ring by the nib (not there aren't a dozen other pens from several other makers with this fault) and the other was a Boheme which I thought was a very fun pen, although I finally traded it away.

best, Dan

November 12, 2006

I have owned a dozen or so vintage Montblanc pens and still have 8 or so. They are all amazing pens with fantastic nibs. I've owned two modern MBs, the infamous 144, which was an okay pen, although I didn't like the corroding trim ring by the nib (not there aren't a dozen other pens from several other makers with this fault) and the other was a Boheme which I thought was a very fun pen, although I finally traded it away.

best, Dan

Cool! I'd love to see or hear about your vintage Montblancs one day.

Cheers,

Jeen

November 12, 2006

I'm not likely to buy an MB for my own use. It would have to come pretty cheap, and call attention to itself, as it's just not a pen I look for. While they're expensive, I suppose they aren't neccessarily much more than say, an OMAS. You can bet I'd go looking for the right OMAS. I don't have any experience of them shattering, just leaking. You'd think that they'd be a little more selective about which pens they use for demonstrators in their boutiques.

I voted option 4, but I'd have said "too expensive" rather than "overpriced."

That's about as far as I'd go in trying to discourage somebody from buying an MB (unless you also consider encouraging them to buy something else to be discouraging them from buying an MB). I suppose if I sold MBs I'd be able to develop more appreciation for them.

From what I've heard about it, the term "precious resin" isn't quite so pretentious as one would think. The story is that it starts as resinous tree sap (most likely poplar), to which they add dye and fiberglass, for reinforcement. It is then subjected to an industrial process they call "amberizing" which polymerizes the sap. As amber is fossil tree sap, and is considered a semi-precious to fancy stone, the whole idea isn't quite as unreasonable as it initially sounds.

November 12, 2006

My 146 is at Montblanc for some expensive repair after the barrel shattered.

I wish somebody would have a chance to test the resistance of the MB pen with some precision instruments, somekind of MB Mythbuster.

I'm a cycling nuts and bike are tested with very precise tools, they flex the frame, resistance test, etc.

Hey Mythbuster, please go on some comparative pen dropping!

Samovar

November 13, 2006

Oh yeh I want to add.

On top of my 149 I also have a MB slim line and its a nice pen that cost very little.

I also have a new MB Generation and even though its not at the same level as the 149 it is a nice pen and a very very good writer.

November 13, 2006

I have fallen in love with the Meisterstuck platinum hommage a Frederic Chopin. I think it's a beautiful design, and Chopin is my favourite composer. I hae not yet tried it out, so I don't know how it writes, but it is mainly for this pen that I would like to own a MB someday.

November 14, 2006

I coveted MBs a lot earlier. Just the way I used to desire BMWs.

Not much any more. Mainly due to price. I would'nt want to shell out $$$ for something that had a durability doubt hanging over it. I agree the resin brittleness is probably exaggerated, but it does have some substance to it. To me its simply not acceptable at the price.

If I could find one at a decent price (at least one third the full retail), I may get one for myself.

If the objective is to write, I'm sure there are less expensive reliable + durable pens out there that look decent.

If the objective is to make a statement, then there are too many of them out there to be disctinctive (I know I am being a snob)

As a gift, different matter, altogether (in fact I am on the market for a new one now)

Anyone have experiences of the durability+reliability of the starwalkers (resin or rubber+metal)?

January 3, 2007

Option 2 for me. I was a offered a Montblanc 146 for this Christmas which my uncle baught from one of his elder cousins in 1989. The pen after I went to a specialized vintage pen shop was identified as a 1965 Montblanc 146. The pen in excellent condition and the nib is perfect. The pen has never leaked as my uncle used it and feels great in the hand. Last week I baught a 1979 MB 149 at a pawn shop for a ridiculous price, the refill piston was broken but the barrel, nib and cap were in almost new condition. I tested the pen despite the broken refill piston and yes it wrote perfectly. I baught it and sent it to repair. If I have the opportunity to but another 149 or 146 I will not hesitate to do it.

Edited January 3, 2007 by georges zaslavsky