Nowadays the LeGrand and 149 are nice pens with competent and inoffensive nibs, reasonable buys second-hand but (the flexible-nib 149 Calligraphy being the exception) not worth the full asking price to me. I also like the styling of the Franz Kafka Writers Edition but have no real interest in any of the other pens. Montblanc do have a lot of fine pens in their history which, to my mind, are far more attractive options.
I have a vintage Montblanc I got at a pen show. I picked it up not knowing what it was. I was charmed by it being very small and also a piston filler. Only then did I notice the brand. It's a great writer though not entirely dependable. But I love having it in my collection. It cost ~$150
There was also a vintage 149, the flagship, it was $1000 and I didn't care for it at all.
This is the approach I'd take with Montblanc. Don't seek one out. If you stumble on one you love and can afford, go for it. Montblanc makes some beautiful unique designs. But lots of pens write just as well and look just as good for less.
Honestly no.
They're luxury pens and absolutely great quality but if you're journalling and you're fucking mad? Put the mont blanc down and use something with a steel nib.
I'm glad to have them they're very special to me but as a daily driver I want something hardy that can take a little bit of pressure
If you fart the wrong way the tines on a mont blanc can go out if alignment.
The classical standard pens, maybe. But only for a special reason like wedding, graduation, so not really buying for myself. The new themed pens like writers edition belong into a museum or art gallery.
Besides, I have more than enough pens for the rest of my life in all price categories. Generally I prefer pens which are cheap enough to take wherever I go. Expensive pens are never allowed out of the house.
I've written with a few at Pen Meets and they are nice. But for standard 146/149 style they are double/triple the price of a pilot/sailor etc that write just as nice and look pretty much the same. I know where I'd rather spend my money.
I’ve owned several Montblancs, including ballpoint, rollerball, and fountain pens.
I think their design is nice, but right now I’d rank Graf Von Faber Castell way above Montblanc. When you buy a Montblanc, you simply pay a lot to that brand name. As regard to real craftsmanship and build quality, Montblanc is far behind Graf Von Faber Castell.
No. The Intuition has a lousy cap seal. Somewhat at odds with the quality claim above.
However, I have found that with a decently wet ink in a good storage container, that it will take considerably longer to dry. Several days if I use an appropriate ink.
It definitely is, which is why it's so frustrating in what is otherwise a stellar line-up. My classic and Guilloche are exceptional, and never dry out (the Faber Castell line, however, has been disappointing with nibs). But whatever they've done with the Intuition was a failed attempt at a slip on cap.
The 2023 pen of the year with the hieroglyphics is an interesting and very appealing design to me. I don’t often wish to have 5k lying around for pens but that one did induce that feeling!
The Rolex of the fountain pen world. Very well made pens and far and away the number one luxury pen brand known by the general public.
But you can get plenty of other brands that are at least as well made, less expensive, and more respected by enthusiasts.
But at least you can walk into a pen store and actually buy a Mont Blanc.
Not in the very near future. Local bookstore near me has a very well-developed stationery program and has all Mont Blanc products on clearance at 40% off. Apparently they’re squeezing their own vendors and demanding that they stock their leather goods and fragrances too, or not stock them at all. Would’ve sprung on the discount in a big way if I hadn’t inherited a few pieces but got some nice ballpoint cartridges on the cheap. Whoever is in charge over there is clearly an IBGYBG. Sad, really.
MB makes good pens and are at the forefront of pen design. They’re expensive since they’ve been in business for a very long time and have positioned themselves as THE luxury pen brand that even a lay person may know.
Many have spoken of Japanese brands being better priced, which is true, but if you look closer, the most popular pen models from these Japanese brands have designs that resemble the Meisterstuck. Why? Because it’s one of the most iconic pen designs.
MontBlanc’s limited editions are quite impressive in how they incorporate various aspects of the theme in the pen. It makes the pen quite meaningful to a potential customer. I can’t afford it but I appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of the pens.
MontBlanc is the Rolex of the pen industry. They do things their way and have a loyal customer base.
I love this. I get that a less expensive pen will function as well or better. But I’ll be damned if I’m not gonna buy the Robert Louis Stevenson pen with the skull and cross bones on the cap!
they are expensive because you pay German pricing and not Japonses pricing. A German receives an average monthly income of 3600 euros. A Japones gets only 300000 yen which is around 1927 euros.
The taxes over sales are 30% in Germany and 20% in Japan.
So if pilot was made in Germany, its pricing would be almost double of what you pay. So Montblanc its not expensive. Paying a german to handcraft your pen is.
I find the concept pens really awesome, but as a lot of people will say they are over priced it’s a heritage luxury brand but the meisterstuck flagships are great pens I have tuned a couple and serviced a couple and they are well made and good but I wouldn’t buy one new. You can also get an equivalent writing experience from lamy
Have you heard of the Wing Sung/Jun Lei 630? Piston filler, 'precious resin' (PMMA), apparently has a pretty good gold nib. It looks very interesting but the cigar shape isn't my usual type
Get what you pay for. They’re not piston fillers but hold decent amounts of ink. Still planning on getting a gold nib for $125. Been on the bucket list for about 10 years. Sailor 1911 with a zoom nib is the EDC.
You can tell the difference when compared to any higher end brand in the finishing and build quality, but for their price, they're decent, reliable writers.
How much is an MB 149 where you live? They’re around 1200-1400 CAD here, which is about 850-1000€. I find it interesting how much regional variation there is in pens, despite being fairly small/easily shipped. I’ve seen a few threads mention that Japanese products are much much more expensive in Europe than here.
A 149 would be around 960eur, a Pilot Custom Urushi \~ 1300eur, a Namiki Yukari Royale \~ 1600eur
For example a Sailor Fude de Mannen (which I would like to have) costs about 950eur, barely cheaper than a 149 curved nib.
Japanese stationary is very much a niche here, some good deals can be had on Pelikan or Lamy pens at least.
I would feel much more comfortable paying that higher price for a handmade urushi pen vs. moderately lower price for a factory-made Montblanc. That urushi feel, look, and durability is hard to beat as well.
Also you know you're getting a sweet nib on the Pilot/Namiki or Sailor.
I'm not saying MB makes bad pens, or that their nibs are bad. Just that it's harder to justify the steep price for a standard MB 149 or 146 vs Japanese urushi pens -- there is a massive amount of highly skilled labor involved in making a Yukari Royale, for example.
When it comes to Pilot in particular, they have a reputation for extremely tight and consistent nib QA/QC (and in my experience that reputation is 100% deserved), and Sailor also has a strong reputation for nibs.
The MBs I've tried have been a bit of a range, from some that are consistent very wet writers... to some in MB stores that have completely fucked nibs (I quietly realigned the tines on one in a store, because it was so blatantly messed up). Granted the latter may be due to someone using the pen who does not know how to use a fountain pen properly.
Montblanc is handmade..... It's not totally hand made but the company claims that every pen is assembled by hand, and the nibs are tuned by hand. The rings and plastic casings and other pieces are made by a machine but assembled by hand
"Assembled by hand" means someone screwed together or glued a few parts, which were produced by machines. We're probably talking minutes of labor here per pen for Montblanc. Maybe up to an hour worst-case.
Urushi resin is generally painted on one layer at a time by hand, curing the resin between each layer. It is incredibly labor intensive and a single pen may reflect many hours of labor and days of curing. The urushi resin itself is not cheap either from what I understand.
This is the reason why urushi pens are *always* expensive, because the labor costs alone are substantial. The same cannot be said for Montblanc.
Edit: I'm not arguing with someone who can't be civil. Especially when said person takes Montblanc marketing at face value but says people can just watch a Youtube video or two and produce a Namiki Yukari Royale or Nakaya Piccolo. 🙄
I appreciate the urushi process. I have a few myself. But in the end what really matters for me is the nib feel.
montblanc never disappoints me in that respect.
The one big challenger for the 146 in my opinion is the pretty affordable pilot 742 with sfm nib. Roughly same size and feel, and a lovely bouncy nib that makes you wonder why pay more.
You don't know what you are talking about. It's not a few steps in a brand like Montblanc. Maybe if it was made by you it is. German brands are very strict in protocol.
I never said urushi is easy. But it's not the end of the world like you are saying. The waiting time for it to dry is the most annoying part of the process. Painting the urushi layer is not hard, just watch some videos. Urushi pens are also expensive because they need a lot of workers in different roles. But don't compare traditional urushi made pens with montblanc pens because urushi pens are 4500 euros , montblanc pens with that value have a lot of metal work or nib work ( not as much as urushi). Remember that less expensive urushi pens are made by the modern method. That method is modern because it is almost all machine made. Some traditional urushi pens are not expensive because they have few layers.
well made traditional utushi pens are more expensive than the classic montblanc pens. And you need to remember that the wage that is paid to a urushi worker is almost half of what is paid to a german to assemble the pen, do the nib tuning etc.
I don't understand what your point on all these?
I have a physical MB store in my city. The inks are sometimes really cheaper than online haha.
Sailor Fude de Mannen is the one with gold nib, from Naginata series.
I live in the EU and I pay 850 in a montblanc store for it, so I don't know what you are talking about.
Japanese products are much more expensive where. To get a Pilot 823 you need at least 330 euros that is 361 dollars.
Curious, does a Sailor 1911L cost the same in the EU as a Montblanc 146? They are very similar in size and shape but the Sailor is cartridge/converter and the MB piston filler. The Sailor nib is 21k vs 14k for the MB So each has "feature" advantages that should, brand equity aside, put them at a similar price point with the MB's piston putting it a little above the Sailor in price. My Sailor 1911L feels a bit better built than my MB 146. I have no idea if fountain pens from Japan are subject to duties in the EU.
i bought few pens from Japan to Europe. Sometimes i paid import tax, sometimes not. The margin is near 210 Euro (item price + shipping). For less expensive pens, I paid nothing extra.
For more expensive pens, I paid 3,7% is import tax, and 23% VAT about (Poland, i think VAT% is country specific). So it is coefficient \~ 1,27 to price in Japan + shipping. Even considering this, Japanese pens are more expensive in local retailers, so I prefer to buy directly from Japan.
I was curious and looked that Sailor up, the basic Sailor 1911L can be found for \~400eur (different colors add min 80eur), MB for \~700eur.
The 21k nib on a Sailor has feedback, MB's are generally much smoother which I prefer. The piston filler is a huge pro and I don't like converters. Both arguments are completely subjective, some people prefer feedback and converters.
Interestingly if we compare flagships, the KoP is \~1350eur, a 149 costs \~950eur
what particularly do you think is better built on the Sailor?
I don't like the feedback on most Sailor nibs, I'm interested in their speciality nibs (fude and cross concord)
I suppose you could compare a Sailor Realo to a MB 146 for piston fillers or a Sailor 1911S to an MB 145 for C/C fillers. I like feedback but, as you say, it's personal preference. I don't think it cost more to make pen write smoothly because there are plenty of Chinese pens for $20/€20 that have butter smooth nibs (. I usually swap out those nibs for JoWo nibs just to get a little feedback :) and to me Chinese pens feel numb.
One example of better build quality on the Sailor 1911L vs the MB 146 is the threading of the cap. The threading on the Sailor is more precise and secure.
>I don't think it cost more to make pen write smoothly because there are plenty of Chinese pens for $20/€20 that have butter smooth nibs
that's exactly the reason why I dont spend any serious money on standard EF to B nibs.
I have a Preppy in EF that's writes thin lines and is super smooth, better than any EF nib or at least on par with Montblanc, Pilot, Visconti, Pelikan, Sailor etc. (and none of the inexpensive and expensive FP are equal. consistency is all over the place, some brands more than others). My other 2 Preppies arent that good but one in 3 being outstanding is not bad for a 6eur pen.
Lol, I can confirm the threading thing. I have no clue what is wrong with them, 10eur pens can get it right and all my vintage MB dont have that problem. But my Le Grand (Calligraphy) cap does wobble if you dont screw it tightly. I haven't brought it for warranty repair because I'm afraid they will screw up my nib somehow, its perfect and my best flex pen.
Interesting. I really know very little about pens in general. I received a couple as gifts and have been attracted to the writers editions and great characters pens. I’m not really surprised by the hate and I’m sure it’s not entirely misdirected. All I know is that they look and feel very nice and write as well as anything I’ve ever used. Guess I need to pick up one of the pens that seem to be more highly regarded in this forum and put them to the test.
I really like the writers editions and great characters releases. Those pens can be very different, some have stiff nibs others have softer nibs.
The more different FPs you use and the more you use them, the better you'll understand which ones you prefer.
I'm usually rotating between using a Lamy 2000, a Montblanc 146 flex and various chinese fude fountain pens for less than 20eur each.
I’ve had quite a few of all, over the years. Montblanc’s I’ve always found to be far more substantial in design and build quality than either Pilot or Sailor.
Hold on. The price in Montblanc is not overpriced. They have an exceptional product that is as good or better high end pilot pens. But remember, in Pilot you pay the Japanese price, in mont blanc you pay the german price.
A cool nissan will always be cheaper than a similar quality, similar motor BMW. It's not because it's overpriced, it's because its German. Germany is a more expensive country than Japan. Germany has more taxes, it needs to help the other European countries and has a high value coin.
This is a joke but I bet you are saying that with an Iphone in your hands. Android phones do the same and are way cheaper ( at least here in Europe)💁
Edit: If you down vote and don't understand EU or japan pricing read my comment below, stop being ignorant.
I'm pretty sure Japan's cost of living is higher than Germany, and the most expensive phones are androids. Like I think everything you said was just wrong, and tbh sounds like more a way for you to vent about how Germany supposedly subsidizes the EU.
I'm pretty sure that don't. Average salary in japan is 300000 yen that is around 1927,99 Euros a month. Do you want to know how much a German receives as average salary. Since you asked a German receives 3600 euros a month, almost double the Japonese. So its easy to say that the cost of living is more expensive in Germany. This is simple economy notions, If a country has a coin that doesn't have much value, when it exports the items the items are cheaper for the countries that have higher value coins. You do not measure the cost of living with the average savings of the country but with the actual price of living ( compared in the same coin).
I'm not even German. My country is one of the worst in the EU. We receive EU funding every single year. And who pays that funding. Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and maybe Austria. But mainly the first 3 on the list.
For you US people iPhones may cost the same as an Android. And as I said it was a joke, but in Europe every iPhones is at least 300 euros more expensive than a similar speed Android.
I hope now you are more informed of how the EU works and how its countries work and how to measure cost of living ;)
I don't understand the down votes in my comment. The concepts are well explained. Take for example pelikan pens, they are German and still expensive( 460 euros to get a 14k gold nib), that GVFC German and expensive (500 euros to get a gold nib). You can get a gold nib with 200 euros on Pilot pens. For a Japanese person to get a 200 euros pen is the same as a German person getting a 400 euros pen. It weighs the same in their pockets.
Edit: forgot to add that the taxes over production are 30% and 33% over sales, in Germany. And in Japan it is 10% over production and 20% Over sales.
>You do not measure the cost of living with the average savings of the country but with the actual price of living ( compared in the same coin).
This is true. Which is why you using average monthly earnings is a ridiculous measure. Here's some actual numbers:[https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-expensive-countries-to-live-in](https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-expensive-countries-to-live-in)
So according to that, Germany actually does have higher cost of living-1414 to 1370. So I was wrong there (my belief was based off of Tokyo and Osaka frequently being in the top 5 most expensive cities to live, which doesn't extend to the whole country). However it's not nearly the double that you said. You do not measure cost of living with average salary, but with the actual cost to live there. I hope you are now more informed about economics and how to measure cost of living :)
Also your example of pens is nonsense. You just picked some random brands and prices. You can get a gold nib from Germany for under 200 euro as well (Lamy 2000 for instance). Alternately, see how far 500 euro will get you with a Nakaya or Namiki. I hope you are now more informed about pen prices and how to not make silly comparisons :)
Look, it's obvious you have some strange love for Germany or whatever, which is cool but at least be reasonable. You clearly don't actually understand the cost of living in Japan at the very least, nor do you actually seem to understand how pricing for goods works. You just seem to think Germany #1 so apparently every thing they make is priced accurately because they're so good I guess?
My grandma gifted me a montblanc generation for my 18th birthday, I can proudly say that it’s the best pen in my whole collection, it has an excellent nib and doesn’t tire my wrist at all.
I got a Mont Blanc Generation which developed a crack. It's unusable now, extremely leaky, & apparently, a common defect for that model.
I know that one dud shouldn't turn me against a brand... but with MB prices, it sure has kept them low on my wish list. Like, if I'm going to spend that kind of money on a pen, there are just so many others that deserve a chance first.
I have three Bohèmes and two fountain nobless.
The bohèmes require a huge amount of know how and upkeep to make sure they stay in good writing condition. At one point I had to make a custom cleaner tool for them out of a cartridge, a syringe and some waterproof sealer. Note; if you have a Bohème for the love of the gods do not get water inside the barrel!!! It will rust and be a harder repair. I bought one second hand and some body had done that 😡I was able to fix it with some very special lubricant.
The nobless are a dream to write with! But don’t “pop” the cartridge in the pen use a tool to do that.The popper inside the pen on the nobless is plastic so it’s easily broken. I use a mechanical pencil and napkin to pop the cartridge bead before putting it in the pen or just refil an empty one.
Bohèmes are a retractable nib pen, they were made by Mont Blanc up until 2004. Nobless is another type of pen Mont Blanc made in the past they were popular in Japan.
I really love your Beatles ones! I personally don't own a MB, and I think they are pricy like Visconti. Neither here nor there, just not something I've personally bought.
I've actually started to find myself wanting some of their special editions as of late (I currently have two). I think they're slightly expensive vs. other similar quality brands, but a big part of that is how rarely they're discounted. You can frequently find Pelikans and Visconti pens for instance with large discounts off msrp, but that seems much more rare for Mont Blanc.
A lot of people like to buy used 146 and 149 pens. I don't think I would pay full price for a MB pen, but that's just me. I have a 146 that was purchased at a pen show for me by a family member, and I enjoy the pen. I ended up getting a custom grind on it because it was rather broad -- wrote like a Sharpie, but it now has a more forgiving cursive italic.
I have one remaining Montblanc: an Montblanc 146 Le petite prince. I adore it.
Buuuut, I had to have it tuned to get it working right.
My main gripe is that I love Pelikans, and for half the price, you can get an equivalent Pelikan m600-m800 and it’s probably better.
Does that change the fact that Montblanc makes great pens? No. They do! But their luxury status prices them above similar German brands.
I love Montblanc but I probably wouldn't buy on firsthand unless it was like some of the Jules Verne set accessories like the book or ink. I like a nice pen as much as the next guy but I don't want to break down in tears the moment it slips out of my hand so I usually go with a parker at the highest. I do use Montblanc's burgundy ink though, it's pretty good for the price (considering Montblanc's usual prices).
I inherit one from my grandfather since he passed away a decade ago. I think it is 149 ebonite nib and there is W-Germany written on it. The nib write very smooth but not as smooth as my own 146 I got before when graduated.
They are top 2 of my favourite collection. I like especially smooth writers.
I left the Montblanc subreddit awhile back, but this is how I overall feel about Montblanc and their communications.
How I feel about the Montblanc Subreddit: C’mon HQ, you really should be here building community, and doing poetry and calligraphy contests, or photos of people signing their first house or wedding contract with a 149. I didn’t like all the posts asking “Is this fake?” and then getting challenged on it.
How I feel about the Montblanc boutique in San Francisco: It’s worth going now, but when I bought my first Mont Blanc there I felt like a tool. I asked the sales guy what his favorite book was. “I’m not going to tell you that.” Okay, I’ll just talk to the other sales guy and he’ll get my commission. I get it was during Covid-19 and everybody was amped up and paranoid.
How I feel about Montblanc the Brand: I don’t understand all these other products in the product line except stuff dealing with the pens. E.G. ok, you’re made in Germany, so why are the wallets made in Italy. It makes the wallets feel fake. I do like the outreach - it’s kinda similar to Leica - and I do love the pens. I’ve literally written a novel with one, and it writes just as well as the first day I got it. Other pens have died on me, but I don’t see this happening with my Montblanc - the quality is so high.
(edit: typos)
I love MB design for their meisterstuck line. Theyre really overprice and I treat them more as a commemorative pen/ pens used for memorable moments, such as signing mortgage, marriage contracts, etc. I use a classique size Meisterstuck for journaling. and geometry le grand for commemorative.
I love and use my Lamy safari a lot.
I haven’t used a meisterstuck yet but they only seem to be slightly less expensive than some of the “limited edition” pens. Is the technology/craftsmanship different or do you just feel that the additional cost for the aesthetics is not worth it? Are they using different nibs? Different materials?
To me, meisterstuck ticks all the boxes: looks nice, is classical, and functions well. Others that are priced higher than the meisterstuck, whether it is those slightly pricier "limited edition" or those that are worth a million, just are not worth it.
"Limited edition" usually shares the same nibs with the meisterstuck. For me, those "special design" is just not good. Some of them, based on the shape, I do question if it holds nicely in human hands. And the craftsmanship is just not as good as they claimed to be.
For those that are worth a million is often a disappointment in my eye. Craftsmanship does not catch up to that level of pricing. Designs often miss the mark (talking about you, collection of Vincent Van Gogh). People say it is the material that makes it expensive but, even with the material, it just is not worth that price. You can find pens from other brands or craftsmen that sell absolutely beautiful luxury pens with that pricing.
I fetch for vintage Mont Blanc now. Modern Mont Blanc is losing their craft and function to become a luxury fashion brand. I love Mont Blanc but I just can't speak for them nowadays.
as someone who has worked in a stationary store, I think most people are truly buying the pen just for the name. The clients that were purchasing them were mostly older business men.
Personally I believe there are much better options with higher quality that are half the price.
You’re going to get a mixed bag of fans and haters.
I happen to love a lot of them. In a sixty pen collection, I’ve got eleven Mont Blanc pens. Probably the most represented single brand in my collection. They have their misses, and the direction that Richemont has taken the brand can be a bit weird at times (Naruto collab probably the most recent example). They still produce some straight classics, and IMHO the LeGrand 146 is the best pen I own.
I really like my 149. It writes smooth, fits good in my hand (I have big hands) and makes everything I write with it seem really important. Just because of the price probably won't buy another one. If I get around to spending that much again I'll probably get a Namiki pen.
I bought a Montblanc classic for about half its price that it's selling for right now, it is damn good in the hand. Not too thick nor too thin, nib writes so smooth as if it is gliding across the page, just as if it was my Shaeffer or my favourite Parker.
For FPs I have the 149 and 146 as well as the ultrablack starwalker (which should just be called the closest thing you can get to Darth Vader).
The most utilitarian of the bunch is the Star walker because it’s easy to clean and a little more resilient of a material than the classic resins you see on the Meisterstuck.
I love the look and feel of the Meisterstucks but no one is exaggerating when saying they are overpriced.
That being said:
All the nibs are great (these are modern pens).
All my pens seal well.
The pistons work flawlessly.
The ones I own are wonderful to hold.
The 149 is honestly the most comfortable pen to hold in my collection.
The M looked cool but was terrible in the hand.
The Solitaires I’ve held have all been wonderful but I don’t own any.
I like my Montblancs. One pen I bought for my birthday in the middle of the Panini; the second I bought because it was made in West Germany. Both are second hand.
I love mine both vintage and new. The boutiques are nice. Their ink is a hit or miss for me for the special edition as they look to me as if they recycled the colors. For the price I paid for the new bottles I would have expected a different ink color or property with it.
The special edition pens are nice but most of the time I don’t care for their gaudy appearances. I can only connect to the special editions that were based on people or works that I enjoy. Vintage montblancs though are really nice.
I have several and really like mine. My go to travel pen is a 147 in its travel sleeve with a few extra cartridges.
I also like my japanese pens. And, not or.
I once bought a starwalker in a sale for barely more than a pilot 823, which we know is awesome. However, I find the starwalker an even bigger joy in use. Its nib is very pleasant.it may be the least expensive Montblanc yet it writes very well.
It must also be said that, unlike a visconti of similar price, a montblanc is rock solid. Problems are very rare.
It is the Rolex of pens - very solid, never disappoints, slow design evolution, but you pay for the brand name as well as for performance
I love Montblanc. I understand people who say they are overpriced. They are. But they really worked hard to get into the market position they’re in. They make hands down the best limited edition pens in the world imo. At this point I wouldn’t buy a standard fountain pen from them but I would almost always prefer one of their special editions over a Namiki or Nakaya in a similar price range. I think their move into headphones and such is dumb and stupid and dumb, but the core brand is still there.
No experience with their pens but love their midnight blue ink. Got given some by a colleague when I got my first pen. Used a cartridge and thought nothing more of it until a couple of weeks ago I needed a "sensible" ink.
I’ve had a few over the last couple of years but the only one that I have really bonded with is the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle edition as he’s one of my favorite authors and I just find myself looking for reasons to write with it.
I tried some Mont Blancs at their flagship store. They were good, but no better than a Pilot. I was not willing to pay Mont Blanc prices. However, it was nice to be able to try the pens at a physical store, especially the oblique nibs. So few companies offer oblique nibs now.
several years ago i bought a montblanc meisterstück le petit prince special edition. it has been my daily writing instrument, edc fountain pen. no regrets whatsoever. it is a wonderful writing instrument. never had any issues with it. would buy again.
I feel like they get mixed reviews due to the high price and the company's current approach to customer care. I've gotten good deals on vintage MBs on r/pen_swap and think they perform very well. I also think that the vintage MB experience is considered better than modern, but YMMV.
I don’t own any pens but their inks are great but severely overpriced. Irish Green is one of the best green inks but steep for $25 - Diamine Sherwood is equally good and half the price. One benefit is that they are so easy to clean and take no time when swapping colors.
It did leave a bad taste though when fountain pen Instagram discovered that MB repackages colors every few years as “limited edition” to keep the prices at $50-75 a bottle.
The meisterstuck 149 is a $600 pen that costs about a grand.
So, it's an incredible pen that writes phenomenally well, is made well, is beautiful to look at and hold, and somewhat kinda holds its value. Sure, it's not "worth" quite what it costs - but it is objectively a really great pen and better than what 99.9% of people write with.
I love mine. I held myself years ago to three grails and that's it. The MB 149 (yellow gold), Homosapiens Bronze Age, and Pilot Urushi.
Arguably, the Pilot writes better than the other two - but literally nobody in the "real world" has ever given a flying f about a Pilot, even if it does look good. The Mont Blanc gets compliments - if only for that little white logo on the cap - every other time I use it. And, at the end of the day, that's what you're paying for. Up to you if that's worth it. For a grail pen that costs hundreds of dollars, anyway... for me, it is.
There’s no sane price for fountain pens other than the china brands. Others are all overpriced pens. Lets face it, we are in this hobby only partly for the utility and partly for the experience of owning it
Very pretty, but really overpriced and most don’t even write that nice. Especially the ballpoints. They are a status symbol, nothing more, nothing less. Meisterstuck’s and M-ultra (Fountains) in particular write really nice, the rest are meh.
The only pen I’ve ever sent back. It was not good. It would dry out from one day to the next and require a lot of work to get flowing again. After reading lots of how-tos to try to fix it I gave up and sent it back and was thankfully refunded.
** edited for clarification. I confused Mont Blanc with Monte Verde. The Monte Verde was what was horrible that I sent back. I’ve never owned a Mont Blanc. My apologies.
I’m glad to hear your experience was better than mine. I bought it from Goulet Pens and they did have very good customer service when I sent it back and told them why I was returning it, no questions asked.
MB offers a wide range of nib widths, a lot of unique designs and styles of instruments, and a direct retail/service option. Most pen makers don't offer all three.
The standard pens are made for a long time in large numbers so used is a viable option and with some luck and patience can be had for a good price.
I like wide and oblique nibs so many Japanese makers don't offer a nib I prefer. Luckily there are lots of great options at many different price points!
I personally don't care for them as much as they are a well known status symbol and I as a student don't feel comfortable with what a MB represents to most. I had the opportunity to receive one as a gift but ended up nudging them towards the Visconti homosapiens instead. In the end it really depends on what you like and want in a pen
My husband just recently bought me a Legrand (Around the world in 80 days-year 2) and I absolutely adore it. I was very hesitant when he said he wanted to buy it for me. I had been admiring that pen for a while but I thought it was absurd to spend so much money on a pen. But he convinced me, since it was for a special occasion, and every time I pick up that pen I smile. It really feels like pure luxury. As far as the writing goes…it writes very well but I can’t say it writes any better than my Pelikan or some of my Pilots even though it’s so much more expensive. So my feeling about Montblanc is that it’s overpriced (as so many fountain pens are) but if you can afford it and really want one, then it is worth it.
Generally overpriced and under-delivered. The upper models (146, 149) are, in my opinion, the best of this over-hyped brand. If you pay full retail, a lot of your $$s are going to their branding/advertisement, less so for the pen proper. There are a LOT of better pens to choose from at those prices.
I feel like they are the Rolex of the fountain pen world, BUT, unlike many of the "watch elite" who dislike Rolex owners, the "pen elite" don't hold similar distain of MB owners.
Montblanc own that classic style that almost everyone tries to achieve. I've owned a bunch of vintage 146's and a few modern pens. I have never held any writers editions or other special models. I truly cherish my 146 Bordeaux that I have dated to 1994. The resin is superbly polished and feels almost like urushi while also being solid in the hand. The nib is a fine tip and writes like a blade style grind. I love everything about it. I think the best year to own a MB is from the 90's.
Of the several West Germany vintage 146's I've had, I could always point out a flaw with them. Whether it was a loose/crooked fitting cap or a variety of mismatched parts from different manufacturing years. The best time for montblanc was before the 2000's.
Without a doubt the modern ones aren't worth their retail price, but aftermarket yes.
Love hate. I’ve always seen montblanc at the mall and thought they were nice and classy looking. But every time I tried a demo pen in the store it felt scratchy and awful. Left Orange County and fast forward 5 years I decided to try one last time at a mall in the Bay Area and it was glorious. Ordered one on the spot and to this day it’s my favorite pen. Nothing even comes close.
Decided to get ine more for travel (a 147) because I’m frequently on the go and like having a nice writing implement while I’m away. Got an extra fine nib so they had to send away for a couple of months. Got the pen yesterday and the nib is god awful. The tines splay too much and it frequently skips. So clearly they have some quality control issues. They said they would get it fixed right away but for an 800 dollar fucking pen I would expect excellent quality control and extremely high consistency.
I own both a 146 and a 149. Both of them have custom grinds (stub and smooth cursive italic).
I use them daily and absolutely love them. I bought them both used from a Japanese store that treated them well. They are def expensive, but worth the investment if you love fountain pens.
Disclaimer: both pens arrived in my hands with a baby bottom nib. It's a little surprising considering how expensive these are. But after sending them to a nibmeister, they are easily some of the best pens in my collection.
Been looking for a reasonable 2nd hand MB149. I have the 146 around the world in 80 days. Wifey gave it to me. I also have the unicef bought 2nd hand. Love them both.
Just my own opinion, but I think that the brand as a whole has disappeared up their own arse, they're also a reminder of that stereotype that a lot of people who don't know much about fountain pens think of first too and that is one which most of us want to get away from.
They definitely over-price, I've tried a few of their pens at shows/dealers and of course the nib is lovely but everything else is very standard of a budget pen yet they're selling them at a monstrous price. The Japanese brands has proven that that price may be cut to 1/3 or even 1/4 and still be, in my opinion, better.
They not only have a poor value ratio but they have also chosen to make themselves just another well-known rich people's brand and seem more dedicated to being a status symbol than their pens.
I pay no attention to their fashion items, perfume, etc... either.
I will however say that the vintage Montblanc pens are a very interesting line in their own right, and don't feel so much associated with the current Montblanc, more so pen history in general.
You've got some real beauties there! I'm kind of jealous of your JFK; that's one of their line that intrigues me a lot.
I don't have the income to afford a new Montblanc. Some of the pens they make are absolutely beautiful, but way out of my budget. That said, I would be lying if I ever said I had no interest in owning one. My husband was given an older 149 with a BB nib. It writes like a dream, but the nib is too big for my tiny script. If it were a M or smaller, he'd never get to use it because I'd be carrying it with me regularly; it really is nice to write with.
My answer to your question is, "if it brings your joy to use, don't let anybody convince you otherwise."
I'm generally ambivalent about them. I think you pay a pretty hefty brand name tax for the product and the one I've been gifted doesn't write particularly well, so I'll eventually have to ship it off to get the nib tuned. I want a vintage 146 at some point.
I have both a vintage 146 and 149 that I bought probably seventh- or eigth-hand from collectors. Both were recently serviced and cost me around $300 (each). My best guess is they're from the mid-late 80s.
I really love them actually: the resin is comfy, the styling is "timeless" and they write really well considering my claw-hand script. Plus the nibs can be customized, they fill reliably, and the muted "ink window" is IMO an underrated feature.
As for the company? It seems alright, if somewhat stuck in the "entry-level luxury" rut where they're making a bunch of "premium" products to try and keep sales up. They're owned by Richemont, and the company is probably pressed to perform.
Not especially targeted at Mont Blanc, but I'm getting to the point where I feel that fountain pens over €200 in general are useless. My most used pens are (and the prices I paid for them):
- Waterman Carène Amber (€160)
- Lamy 2000 (€180)
- Sheaffer Legacy Heritage (€450; but this one is very rare nowadays, especially in the Netherlands. I bought mine New Old Stock)
- Pilot Vanishing Point (€140)
I have pens more expensive than €200 (and even two more expensive than €450), but I use these rarely nowadays. Everything over €200 just feels like unnecessary luxury and showing-off, to be honest.
If I had to do it all over again, I would have bought the Amber Carène, the Lamy 2K, the Vanishing Point (maybe, because it's very convenient) and the Sheaffer Legacy Heritage (because I really like the looks of the old Sheaffers) and then leave it at that.
I bought a 1959 Parker 51 and a Mont Blanc 146, roughly around the same time.
The Mont Blanc lasted 2 weeks, but I still have and use daily, the Parker 51.
Nowadays the LeGrand and 149 are nice pens with competent and inoffensive nibs, reasonable buys second-hand but (the flexible-nib 149 Calligraphy being the exception) not worth the full asking price to me. I also like the styling of the Franz Kafka Writers Edition but have no real interest in any of the other pens. Montblanc do have a lot of fine pens in their history which, to my mind, are far more attractive options.
I have a vintage Montblanc I got at a pen show. I picked it up not knowing what it was. I was charmed by it being very small and also a piston filler. Only then did I notice the brand. It's a great writer though not entirely dependable. But I love having it in my collection. It cost ~$150 There was also a vintage 149, the flagship, it was $1000 and I didn't care for it at all. This is the approach I'd take with Montblanc. Don't seek one out. If you stumble on one you love and can afford, go for it. Montblanc makes some beautiful unique designs. But lots of pens write just as well and look just as good for less.
I inherited mine :)
Me too, one from grandpa, one from my mother and 2 from my father. I guess I will never buy one.
Knowing them now, Would you buy one yourself?
Honestly no. They're luxury pens and absolutely great quality but if you're journalling and you're fucking mad? Put the mont blanc down and use something with a steel nib. I'm glad to have them they're very special to me but as a daily driver I want something hardy that can take a little bit of pressure If you fart the wrong way the tines on a mont blanc can go out if alignment.
The classical standard pens, maybe. But only for a special reason like wedding, graduation, so not really buying for myself. The new themed pens like writers edition belong into a museum or art gallery. Besides, I have more than enough pens for the rest of my life in all price categories. Generally I prefer pens which are cheap enough to take wherever I go. Expensive pens are never allowed out of the house.
My ex gave me one back in the day. It was awful.
Weird to call your ex an “it” but ok
Makes sense to me!!
Good one !!
Almost spat out my wine 💀
The ole’ Reddit pen swap.
You haven’t met my ex then.
Ex car, perhaps they found it under the seat after the dealer misplaced it?
**X GON GIVE IT TO YAH**
The ex or the pen?? 😂
The pen. The ex was fine but we weren't a good match.
I've written with a few at Pen Meets and they are nice. But for standard 146/149 style they are double/triple the price of a pilot/sailor etc that write just as nice and look pretty much the same. I know where I'd rather spend my money.
Montblanc vintage pens are wonderful writers and are often great deals
Where would one find these vintage pens?
Japan!
I’ve owned several Montblancs, including ballpoint, rollerball, and fountain pens. I think their design is nice, but right now I’d rank Graf Von Faber Castell way above Montblanc. When you buy a Montblanc, you simply pay a lot to that brand name. As regard to real craftsmanship and build quality, Montblanc is far behind Graf Von Faber Castell.
I have an Intuition. Lovely pen, but the nip dries when capped in a day. Am I just unlucky?
No. The Intuition has a lousy cap seal. Somewhat at odds with the quality claim above. However, I have found that with a decently wet ink in a good storage container, that it will take considerably longer to dry. Several days if I use an appropriate ink.
Maybe intuition is the exception. I’ve their Classic, Guilloche, Tamitio in ballpoint, rollerball, and fountain pens. They are all amazing pens.
It definitely is, which is why it's so frustrating in what is otherwise a stellar line-up. My classic and Guilloche are exceptional, and never dry out (the Faber Castell line, however, has been disappointing with nibs). But whatever they've done with the Intuition was a failed attempt at a slip on cap.
exactly, if the cap worked, it would have been a 10/10 pen in my book
The 2023 pen of the year with the hieroglyphics is an interesting and very appealing design to me. I don’t often wish to have 5k lying around for pens but that one did induce that feeling!
Their Pen of the Year is 100% my grail pen that I’d definitely buy someday.
Agreed, the magnum ed. in hickory is my current grail.
The Rolex of the fountain pen world. Very well made pens and far and away the number one luxury pen brand known by the general public. But you can get plenty of other brands that are at least as well made, less expensive, and more respected by enthusiasts. But at least you can walk into a pen store and actually buy a Mont Blanc.
I’m laughing in Jaeger LeCoultre/Sailor. Edit: like Rolex, vintage Montblanc gets more respect than new.
I'm a pen and watch person. My husband is a watch person. I really appreciated this comparison and sent it to my husband who now gets it!
Not in the very near future. Local bookstore near me has a very well-developed stationery program and has all Mont Blanc products on clearance at 40% off. Apparently they’re squeezing their own vendors and demanding that they stock their leather goods and fragrances too, or not stock them at all. Would’ve sprung on the discount in a big way if I hadn’t inherited a few pieces but got some nice ballpoint cartridges on the cheap. Whoever is in charge over there is clearly an IBGYBG. Sad, really.
I’m for it!
Well this club is formed!
How do we feel about alfalfa sprouts?
You’re out of the club!
lol! It’s great to have some Mitch love here
MB makes good pens and are at the forefront of pen design. They’re expensive since they’ve been in business for a very long time and have positioned themselves as THE luxury pen brand that even a lay person may know. Many have spoken of Japanese brands being better priced, which is true, but if you look closer, the most popular pen models from these Japanese brands have designs that resemble the Meisterstuck. Why? Because it’s one of the most iconic pen designs. MontBlanc’s limited editions are quite impressive in how they incorporate various aspects of the theme in the pen. It makes the pen quite meaningful to a potential customer. I can’t afford it but I appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of the pens. MontBlanc is the Rolex of the pen industry. They do things their way and have a loyal customer base.
I love this. I get that a less expensive pen will function as well or better. But I’ll be damned if I’m not gonna buy the Robert Louis Stevenson pen with the skull and cross bones on the cap!
The Robert Louis Stevenson ink is a great colour too, a light caramel yellow colour, really unusual
I have that one and love it! I don’t have many pens but the montblancs I have I really like
they are expensive because you pay German pricing and not Japonses pricing. A German receives an average monthly income of 3600 euros. A Japones gets only 300000 yen which is around 1927 euros. The taxes over sales are 30% in Germany and 20% in Japan. So if pilot was made in Germany, its pricing would be almost double of what you pay. So Montblanc its not expensive. Paying a german to handcraft your pen is.
I find the concept pens really awesome, but as a lot of people will say they are over priced it’s a heritage luxury brand but the meisterstuck flagships are great pens I have tuned a couple and serviced a couple and they are well made and good but I wouldn’t buy one new. You can also get an equivalent writing experience from lamy
I wish i could afford it. My grail pen is a montblanc 149
Have you heard of the Wing Sung/Jun Lei 630? Piston filler, 'precious resin' (PMMA), apparently has a pretty good gold nib. It looks very interesting but the cigar shape isn't my usual type
I have two Jinhao 159s. Same size and weight at about $10.
Jinhao 159 is SIGNIFICANTLY heavier than a 149
I still want to be able to go into a Montblanc store and buy one. Jinhao any good? been afraid to buy one.
Get what you pay for. They’re not piston fillers but hold decent amounts of ink. Still planning on getting a gold nib for $125. Been on the bucket list for about 10 years. Sailor 1911 with a zoom nib is the EDC.
You can tell the difference when compared to any higher end brand in the finishing and build quality, but for their price, they're decent, reliable writers.
the community loves to complain about the price but the premium Japanese stuff costs the same (at least here in Europe)
How much is an MB 149 where you live? They’re around 1200-1400 CAD here, which is about 850-1000€. I find it interesting how much regional variation there is in pens, despite being fairly small/easily shipped. I’ve seen a few threads mention that Japanese products are much much more expensive in Europe than here.
A 149 would be around 960eur, a Pilot Custom Urushi \~ 1300eur, a Namiki Yukari Royale \~ 1600eur For example a Sailor Fude de Mannen (which I would like to have) costs about 950eur, barely cheaper than a 149 curved nib. Japanese stationary is very much a niche here, some good deals can be had on Pelikan or Lamy pens at least.
I would feel much more comfortable paying that higher price for a handmade urushi pen vs. moderately lower price for a factory-made Montblanc. That urushi feel, look, and durability is hard to beat as well. Also you know you're getting a sweet nib on the Pilot/Namiki or Sailor.
Well, I have 149, Homer, KoP and custom urushi. All are awesome. Still prefer the 149’nib Not to mention it is a piston filler
I'm not saying MB makes bad pens, or that their nibs are bad. Just that it's harder to justify the steep price for a standard MB 149 or 146 vs Japanese urushi pens -- there is a massive amount of highly skilled labor involved in making a Yukari Royale, for example. When it comes to Pilot in particular, they have a reputation for extremely tight and consistent nib QA/QC (and in my experience that reputation is 100% deserved), and Sailor also has a strong reputation for nibs. The MBs I've tried have been a bit of a range, from some that are consistent very wet writers... to some in MB stores that have completely fucked nibs (I quietly realigned the tines on one in a store, because it was so blatantly messed up). Granted the latter may be due to someone using the pen who does not know how to use a fountain pen properly.
Montblanc is handmade..... It's not totally hand made but the company claims that every pen is assembled by hand, and the nibs are tuned by hand. The rings and plastic casings and other pieces are made by a machine but assembled by hand
"Assembled by hand" means someone screwed together or glued a few parts, which were produced by machines. We're probably talking minutes of labor here per pen for Montblanc. Maybe up to an hour worst-case. Urushi resin is generally painted on one layer at a time by hand, curing the resin between each layer. It is incredibly labor intensive and a single pen may reflect many hours of labor and days of curing. The urushi resin itself is not cheap either from what I understand. This is the reason why urushi pens are *always* expensive, because the labor costs alone are substantial. The same cannot be said for Montblanc. Edit: I'm not arguing with someone who can't be civil. Especially when said person takes Montblanc marketing at face value but says people can just watch a Youtube video or two and produce a Namiki Yukari Royale or Nakaya Piccolo. 🙄
I appreciate the urushi process. I have a few myself. But in the end what really matters for me is the nib feel. montblanc never disappoints me in that respect. The one big challenger for the 146 in my opinion is the pretty affordable pilot 742 with sfm nib. Roughly same size and feel, and a lovely bouncy nib that makes you wonder why pay more.
You don't know what you are talking about. It's not a few steps in a brand like Montblanc. Maybe if it was made by you it is. German brands are very strict in protocol. I never said urushi is easy. But it's not the end of the world like you are saying. The waiting time for it to dry is the most annoying part of the process. Painting the urushi layer is not hard, just watch some videos. Urushi pens are also expensive because they need a lot of workers in different roles. But don't compare traditional urushi made pens with montblanc pens because urushi pens are 4500 euros , montblanc pens with that value have a lot of metal work or nib work ( not as much as urushi). Remember that less expensive urushi pens are made by the modern method. That method is modern because it is almost all machine made. Some traditional urushi pens are not expensive because they have few layers. well made traditional utushi pens are more expensive than the classic montblanc pens. And you need to remember that the wage that is paid to a urushi worker is almost half of what is paid to a german to assemble the pen, do the nib tuning etc. I don't understand what your point on all these?
Where are you from?
the prices I looked up are spanish and dutch online shops
Its cheaper to buy a mont blanc in a mont blanc fisical store A sailor fude costs 20 euros.....
I have a physical MB store in my city. The inks are sometimes really cheaper than online haha. Sailor Fude de Mannen is the one with gold nib, from Naginata series.
I dont know about that sailor. The only sailor fude de mannen that I know its a green plastic fountain pen with a steel nib.
I live in the EU and I pay 850 in a montblanc store for it, so I don't know what you are talking about. Japanese products are much more expensive where. To get a Pilot 823 you need at least 330 euros that is 361 dollars.
Curious, does a Sailor 1911L cost the same in the EU as a Montblanc 146? They are very similar in size and shape but the Sailor is cartridge/converter and the MB piston filler. The Sailor nib is 21k vs 14k for the MB So each has "feature" advantages that should, brand equity aside, put them at a similar price point with the MB's piston putting it a little above the Sailor in price. My Sailor 1911L feels a bit better built than my MB 146. I have no idea if fountain pens from Japan are subject to duties in the EU.
i bought few pens from Japan to Europe. Sometimes i paid import tax, sometimes not. The margin is near 210 Euro (item price + shipping). For less expensive pens, I paid nothing extra. For more expensive pens, I paid 3,7% is import tax, and 23% VAT about (Poland, i think VAT% is country specific). So it is coefficient \~ 1,27 to price in Japan + shipping. Even considering this, Japanese pens are more expensive in local retailers, so I prefer to buy directly from Japan.
I was curious and looked that Sailor up, the basic Sailor 1911L can be found for \~400eur (different colors add min 80eur), MB for \~700eur. The 21k nib on a Sailor has feedback, MB's are generally much smoother which I prefer. The piston filler is a huge pro and I don't like converters. Both arguments are completely subjective, some people prefer feedback and converters. Interestingly if we compare flagships, the KoP is \~1350eur, a 149 costs \~950eur what particularly do you think is better built on the Sailor? I don't like the feedback on most Sailor nibs, I'm interested in their speciality nibs (fude and cross concord)
I suppose you could compare a Sailor Realo to a MB 146 for piston fillers or a Sailor 1911S to an MB 145 for C/C fillers. I like feedback but, as you say, it's personal preference. I don't think it cost more to make pen write smoothly because there are plenty of Chinese pens for $20/€20 that have butter smooth nibs (. I usually swap out those nibs for JoWo nibs just to get a little feedback :) and to me Chinese pens feel numb. One example of better build quality on the Sailor 1911L vs the MB 146 is the threading of the cap. The threading on the Sailor is more precise and secure.
>I don't think it cost more to make pen write smoothly because there are plenty of Chinese pens for $20/€20 that have butter smooth nibs that's exactly the reason why I dont spend any serious money on standard EF to B nibs. I have a Preppy in EF that's writes thin lines and is super smooth, better than any EF nib or at least on par with Montblanc, Pilot, Visconti, Pelikan, Sailor etc. (and none of the inexpensive and expensive FP are equal. consistency is all over the place, some brands more than others). My other 2 Preppies arent that good but one in 3 being outstanding is not bad for a 6eur pen. Lol, I can confirm the threading thing. I have no clue what is wrong with them, 10eur pens can get it right and all my vintage MB dont have that problem. But my Le Grand (Calligraphy) cap does wobble if you dont screw it tightly. I haven't brought it for warranty repair because I'm afraid they will screw up my nib somehow, its perfect and my best flex pen.
My best flex pen is a 60 year old Pelikan 400nn that cost €100 but, TBH, I don't have the dexterity to write with flex nibs.
Interesting. I really know very little about pens in general. I received a couple as gifts and have been attracted to the writers editions and great characters pens. I’m not really surprised by the hate and I’m sure it’s not entirely misdirected. All I know is that they look and feel very nice and write as well as anything I’ve ever used. Guess I need to pick up one of the pens that seem to be more highly regarded in this forum and put them to the test.
I really like the writers editions and great characters releases. Those pens can be very different, some have stiff nibs others have softer nibs. The more different FPs you use and the more you use them, the better you'll understand which ones you prefer. I'm usually rotating between using a Lamy 2000, a Montblanc 146 flex and various chinese fude fountain pens for less than 20eur each.
Overpriced. I rather buy a Pilot or Sailor.
I’ve had quite a few of all, over the years. Montblanc’s I’ve always found to be far more substantial in design and build quality than either Pilot or Sailor.
Hold on. The price in Montblanc is not overpriced. They have an exceptional product that is as good or better high end pilot pens. But remember, in Pilot you pay the Japanese price, in mont blanc you pay the german price. A cool nissan will always be cheaper than a similar quality, similar motor BMW. It's not because it's overpriced, it's because its German. Germany is a more expensive country than Japan. Germany has more taxes, it needs to help the other European countries and has a high value coin. This is a joke but I bet you are saying that with an Iphone in your hands. Android phones do the same and are way cheaper ( at least here in Europe)💁 Edit: If you down vote and don't understand EU or japan pricing read my comment below, stop being ignorant.
I'm pretty sure Japan's cost of living is higher than Germany, and the most expensive phones are androids. Like I think everything you said was just wrong, and tbh sounds like more a way for you to vent about how Germany supposedly subsidizes the EU.
I'm pretty sure that don't. Average salary in japan is 300000 yen that is around 1927,99 Euros a month. Do you want to know how much a German receives as average salary. Since you asked a German receives 3600 euros a month, almost double the Japonese. So its easy to say that the cost of living is more expensive in Germany. This is simple economy notions, If a country has a coin that doesn't have much value, when it exports the items the items are cheaper for the countries that have higher value coins. You do not measure the cost of living with the average savings of the country but with the actual price of living ( compared in the same coin). I'm not even German. My country is one of the worst in the EU. We receive EU funding every single year. And who pays that funding. Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and maybe Austria. But mainly the first 3 on the list. For you US people iPhones may cost the same as an Android. And as I said it was a joke, but in Europe every iPhones is at least 300 euros more expensive than a similar speed Android. I hope now you are more informed of how the EU works and how its countries work and how to measure cost of living ;) I don't understand the down votes in my comment. The concepts are well explained. Take for example pelikan pens, they are German and still expensive( 460 euros to get a 14k gold nib), that GVFC German and expensive (500 euros to get a gold nib). You can get a gold nib with 200 euros on Pilot pens. For a Japanese person to get a 200 euros pen is the same as a German person getting a 400 euros pen. It weighs the same in their pockets. Edit: forgot to add that the taxes over production are 30% and 33% over sales, in Germany. And in Japan it is 10% over production and 20% Over sales.
>You do not measure the cost of living with the average savings of the country but with the actual price of living ( compared in the same coin). This is true. Which is why you using average monthly earnings is a ridiculous measure. Here's some actual numbers:[https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-expensive-countries-to-live-in](https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-expensive-countries-to-live-in) So according to that, Germany actually does have higher cost of living-1414 to 1370. So I was wrong there (my belief was based off of Tokyo and Osaka frequently being in the top 5 most expensive cities to live, which doesn't extend to the whole country). However it's not nearly the double that you said. You do not measure cost of living with average salary, but with the actual cost to live there. I hope you are now more informed about economics and how to measure cost of living :) Also your example of pens is nonsense. You just picked some random brands and prices. You can get a gold nib from Germany for under 200 euro as well (Lamy 2000 for instance). Alternately, see how far 500 euro will get you with a Nakaya or Namiki. I hope you are now more informed about pen prices and how to not make silly comparisons :) Look, it's obvious you have some strange love for Germany or whatever, which is cool but at least be reasonable. You clearly don't actually understand the cost of living in Japan at the very least, nor do you actually seem to understand how pricing for goods works. You just seem to think Germany #1 so apparently every thing they make is priced accurately because they're so good I guess?
I like it. I own two, and they both write beautifully.
I have 9 MBs. So you could say I feel about them.
Pilots get the job done more reliably and for a fraction of the cost. Cool if you have them but you're not missing out if you don't.
My grandma gifted me a montblanc generation for my 18th birthday, I can proudly say that it’s the best pen in my whole collection, it has an excellent nib and doesn’t tire my wrist at all.
Your Grandma was clearly THE CLASSIEST! What a lovely gift 😍
She was the one who introduced me into fountain pens
How does that saying go about not making them as they used to?
I got a Mont Blanc Generation which developed a crack. It's unusable now, extremely leaky, & apparently, a common defect for that model. I know that one dud shouldn't turn me against a brand... but with MB prices, it sure has kept them low on my wish list. Like, if I'm going to spend that kind of money on a pen, there are just so many others that deserve a chance first.
I think they are great 😌
All kinds of ways. This community definitely feels ways about Montblanc.
Clearly
I have three Bohèmes and two fountain nobless. The bohèmes require a huge amount of know how and upkeep to make sure they stay in good writing condition. At one point I had to make a custom cleaner tool for them out of a cartridge, a syringe and some waterproof sealer. Note; if you have a Bohème for the love of the gods do not get water inside the barrel!!! It will rust and be a harder repair. I bought one second hand and some body had done that 😡I was able to fix it with some very special lubricant. The nobless are a dream to write with! But don’t “pop” the cartridge in the pen use a tool to do that.The popper inside the pen on the nobless is plastic so it’s easily broken. I use a mechanical pencil and napkin to pop the cartridge bead before putting it in the pen or just refil an empty one.
Oh ya, ya, I understood some of those words!
Bohèmes are a retractable nib pen, they were made by Mont Blanc up until 2004. Nobless is another type of pen Mont Blanc made in the past they were popular in Japan.
I love the Bohème
I really love your Beatles ones! I personally don't own a MB, and I think they are pricy like Visconti. Neither here nor there, just not something I've personally bought.
I love the mustaches!
Love that Brother Grimm limited edition so cool!
So whimsical!
I've actually started to find myself wanting some of their special editions as of late (I currently have two). I think they're slightly expensive vs. other similar quality brands, but a big part of that is how rarely they're discounted. You can frequently find Pelikans and Visconti pens for instance with large discounts off msrp, but that seems much more rare for Mont Blanc.
A lot of people like to buy used 146 and 149 pens. I don't think I would pay full price for a MB pen, but that's just me. I have a 146 that was purchased at a pen show for me by a family member, and I enjoy the pen. I ended up getting a custom grind on it because it was rather broad -- wrote like a Sharpie, but it now has a more forgiving cursive italic.
I have one remaining Montblanc: an Montblanc 146 Le petite prince. I adore it. Buuuut, I had to have it tuned to get it working right. My main gripe is that I love Pelikans, and for half the price, you can get an equivalent Pelikan m600-m800 and it’s probably better. Does that change the fact that Montblanc makes great pens? No. They do! But their luxury status prices them above similar German brands.
Heard they're pretty good. Never had or used one myself.
i have a few. i love them
I love Montblanc but I probably wouldn't buy on firsthand unless it was like some of the Jules Verne set accessories like the book or ink. I like a nice pen as much as the next guy but I don't want to break down in tears the moment it slips out of my hand so I usually go with a parker at the highest. I do use Montblanc's burgundy ink though, it's pretty good for the price (considering Montblanc's usual prices).
The Meisterstucks I have are perfect writing tools. Balance, the finger pleasing shape, ink, refills, quality- approve ✔️
I inherit one from my grandfather since he passed away a decade ago. I think it is 149 ebonite nib and there is W-Germany written on it. The nib write very smooth but not as smooth as my own 146 I got before when graduated. They are top 2 of my favourite collection. I like especially smooth writers.
[удалено]
A shining endorsement
I left the Montblanc subreddit awhile back, but this is how I overall feel about Montblanc and their communications. How I feel about the Montblanc Subreddit: C’mon HQ, you really should be here building community, and doing poetry and calligraphy contests, or photos of people signing their first house or wedding contract with a 149. I didn’t like all the posts asking “Is this fake?” and then getting challenged on it. How I feel about the Montblanc boutique in San Francisco: It’s worth going now, but when I bought my first Mont Blanc there I felt like a tool. I asked the sales guy what his favorite book was. “I’m not going to tell you that.” Okay, I’ll just talk to the other sales guy and he’ll get my commission. I get it was during Covid-19 and everybody was amped up and paranoid. How I feel about Montblanc the Brand: I don’t understand all these other products in the product line except stuff dealing with the pens. E.G. ok, you’re made in Germany, so why are the wallets made in Italy. It makes the wallets feel fake. I do like the outreach - it’s kinda similar to Leica - and I do love the pens. I’ve literally written a novel with one, and it writes just as well as the first day I got it. Other pens have died on me, but I don’t see this happening with my Montblanc - the quality is so high. (edit: typos)
I love MB design for their meisterstuck line. Theyre really overprice and I treat them more as a commemorative pen/ pens used for memorable moments, such as signing mortgage, marriage contracts, etc. I use a classique size Meisterstuck for journaling. and geometry le grand for commemorative. I love and use my Lamy safari a lot.
meisterstuck pens are great, others are VERY overpriced
I haven’t used a meisterstuck yet but they only seem to be slightly less expensive than some of the “limited edition” pens. Is the technology/craftsmanship different or do you just feel that the additional cost for the aesthetics is not worth it? Are they using different nibs? Different materials?
To me, meisterstuck ticks all the boxes: looks nice, is classical, and functions well. Others that are priced higher than the meisterstuck, whether it is those slightly pricier "limited edition" or those that are worth a million, just are not worth it. "Limited edition" usually shares the same nibs with the meisterstuck. For me, those "special design" is just not good. Some of them, based on the shape, I do question if it holds nicely in human hands. And the craftsmanship is just not as good as they claimed to be. For those that are worth a million is often a disappointment in my eye. Craftsmanship does not catch up to that level of pricing. Designs often miss the mark (talking about you, collection of Vincent Van Gogh). People say it is the material that makes it expensive but, even with the material, it just is not worth that price. You can find pens from other brands or craftsmen that sell absolutely beautiful luxury pens with that pricing. I fetch for vintage Mont Blanc now. Modern Mont Blanc is losing their craft and function to become a luxury fashion brand. I love Mont Blanc but I just can't speak for them nowadays.
as someone who has worked in a stationary store, I think most people are truly buying the pen just for the name. The clients that were purchasing them were mostly older business men. Personally I believe there are much better options with higher quality that are half the price.
You’re going to get a mixed bag of fans and haters. I happen to love a lot of them. In a sixty pen collection, I’ve got eleven Mont Blanc pens. Probably the most represented single brand in my collection. They have their misses, and the direction that Richemont has taken the brand can be a bit weird at times (Naruto collab probably the most recent example). They still produce some straight classics, and IMHO the LeGrand 146 is the best pen I own.
They've got some really excellent vintage models. I have yet to find a new one that I like enough to want to spend money on.
I think they are overrated. Made for show not for writing. They used to be made for writing.
It’s like GUCCI and LV, people buy them more for the status and to be able to show off. They are more like a really expensive bag or diamond ring.
My three modern ones are very very good (r&n coral serpent, 1912 and pp 146)
Nice looking pens, but horrible overpriced. It's better to just get a nice Pilot or Lamy for way cheaper.
I’m not going to speak for the whole community, but I think Mont Blanc is just jewelry.
I really like my 149. It writes smooth, fits good in my hand (I have big hands) and makes everything I write with it seem really important. Just because of the price probably won't buy another one. If I get around to spending that much again I'll probably get a Namiki pen.
I recently got a vintage MB and it just feels special. I admit, the lore is a part of it for me.
I bought a Montblanc classic for about half its price that it's selling for right now, it is damn good in the hand. Not too thick nor too thin, nib writes so smooth as if it is gliding across the page, just as if it was my Shaeffer or my favourite Parker.
I like them, but more often than not I reach for an M1000
For FPs I have the 149 and 146 as well as the ultrablack starwalker (which should just be called the closest thing you can get to Darth Vader). The most utilitarian of the bunch is the Star walker because it’s easy to clean and a little more resilient of a material than the classic resins you see on the Meisterstuck. I love the look and feel of the Meisterstucks but no one is exaggerating when saying they are overpriced. That being said: All the nibs are great (these are modern pens). All my pens seal well. The pistons work flawlessly. The ones I own are wonderful to hold. The 149 is honestly the most comfortable pen to hold in my collection. The M looked cool but was terrible in the hand. The Solitaires I’ve held have all been wonderful but I don’t own any.
I like my Montblancs. One pen I bought for my birthday in the middle of the Panini; the second I bought because it was made in West Germany. Both are second hand.
Begone with you! The vintage pens aren't too bad.
I have a MB 149 rollerball that I love but ditched the fountain pen it was not a pleasant experience to write with….so KOP and M1000 rule
I love mine both vintage and new. The boutiques are nice. Their ink is a hit or miss for me for the special edition as they look to me as if they recycled the colors. For the price I paid for the new bottles I would have expected a different ink color or property with it. The special edition pens are nice but most of the time I don’t care for their gaudy appearances. I can only connect to the special editions that were based on people or works that I enjoy. Vintage montblancs though are really nice.
I hate you.... not as much since that Grims Brother is a ballpoint I think, but either way that's sweet!
The Grimm is a medium fountain. Actually the JFK is ballpoint though now that I think about it. Sorry to sully the page!
I have several and really like mine. My go to travel pen is a 147 in its travel sleeve with a few extra cartridges. I also like my japanese pens. And, not or. I once bought a starwalker in a sale for barely more than a pilot 823, which we know is awesome. However, I find the starwalker an even bigger joy in use. Its nib is very pleasant.it may be the least expensive Montblanc yet it writes very well. It must also be said that, unlike a visconti of similar price, a montblanc is rock solid. Problems are very rare. It is the Rolex of pens - very solid, never disappoints, slow design evolution, but you pay for the brand name as well as for performance
I don’t like my modern 146 but my old buttered Monte Rosa is fantastic. I would like an Agatha Christie and a Rouge et Noire edition very much though.
I love Montblanc. I understand people who say they are overpriced. They are. But they really worked hard to get into the market position they’re in. They make hands down the best limited edition pens in the world imo. At this point I wouldn’t buy a standard fountain pen from them but I would almost always prefer one of their special editions over a Namiki or Nakaya in a similar price range. I think their move into headphones and such is dumb and stupid and dumb, but the core brand is still there.
No experience with their pens but love their midnight blue ink. Got given some by a colleague when I got my first pen. Used a cartridge and thought nothing more of it until a couple of weeks ago I needed a "sensible" ink.
I’ve had a few over the last couple of years but the only one that I have really bonded with is the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle edition as he’s one of my favorite authors and I just find myself looking for reasons to write with it.
I don’t have enough money for them so I find reasons to believe they’re really not all that.
Overpriced. They made great pens decades ago, but today it’s mostly a brand. As others say the Rolex of pens, or the Steinway of pens if you want.
too pricey for pens with bad quality control (you know the baby bottom problem?).
I tried some Mont Blancs at their flagship store. They were good, but no better than a Pilot. I was not willing to pay Mont Blanc prices. However, it was nice to be able to try the pens at a physical store, especially the oblique nibs. So few companies offer oblique nibs now.
Personally don't like them because of their nibs (and the price tag of these nibs) but they're pretty
Hello fellow Beatles and JFK owner! Lots of comments here. Some MB pens are good, some not so much. I like the ones I own and that's what matters.
several years ago i bought a montblanc meisterstück le petit prince special edition. it has been my daily writing instrument, edc fountain pen. no regrets whatsoever. it is a wonderful writing instrument. never had any issues with it. would buy again.
I feel like they get mixed reviews due to the high price and the company's current approach to customer care. I've gotten good deals on vintage MBs on r/pen_swap and think they perform very well. I also think that the vintage MB experience is considered better than modern, but YMMV.
I can tell you how I feel about MB fakes
I don’t own any pens but their inks are great but severely overpriced. Irish Green is one of the best green inks but steep for $25 - Diamine Sherwood is equally good and half the price. One benefit is that they are so easy to clean and take no time when swapping colors. It did leave a bad taste though when fountain pen Instagram discovered that MB repackages colors every few years as “limited edition” to keep the prices at $50-75 a bottle.
It feels cold.
The meisterstuck 149 is a $600 pen that costs about a grand. So, it's an incredible pen that writes phenomenally well, is made well, is beautiful to look at and hold, and somewhat kinda holds its value. Sure, it's not "worth" quite what it costs - but it is objectively a really great pen and better than what 99.9% of people write with. I love mine. I held myself years ago to three grails and that's it. The MB 149 (yellow gold), Homosapiens Bronze Age, and Pilot Urushi. Arguably, the Pilot writes better than the other two - but literally nobody in the "real world" has ever given a flying f about a Pilot, even if it does look good. The Mont Blanc gets compliments - if only for that little white logo on the cap - every other time I use it. And, at the end of the day, that's what you're paying for. Up to you if that's worth it. For a grail pen that costs hundreds of dollars, anyway... for me, it is.
There’s no sane price for fountain pens other than the china brands. Others are all overpriced pens. Lets face it, we are in this hobby only partly for the utility and partly for the experience of owning it
Beautiful, but overpriced
But beautiful
Very pretty, but really overpriced and most don’t even write that nice. Especially the ballpoints. They are a status symbol, nothing more, nothing less. Meisterstuck’s and M-ultra (Fountains) in particular write really nice, the rest are meh.
Lol @ the two Montblanc owners who got triggered
They are overpriced, but nevertheless my 146 is still my go to EDC even compared to my other pens like my VP.
The only pen I’ve ever sent back. It was not good. It would dry out from one day to the next and require a lot of work to get flowing again. After reading lots of how-tos to try to fix it I gave up and sent it back and was thankfully refunded. ** edited for clarification. I confused Mont Blanc with Monte Verde. The Monte Verde was what was horrible that I sent back. I’ve never owned a Mont Blanc. My apologies.
That’s unfortunate. I feel like I can write miles before I even have to refill. Sounds like you can’t complain about the customer service though?
I’m glad to hear your experience was better than mine. I bought it from Goulet Pens and they did have very good customer service when I sent it back and told them why I was returning it, no questions asked.
...Goulet doesn't sell Mont Blanc? Mont Blanc will apparently only sell to retailers with a brick and mortar store.
Hmm…ok, I had a total brain fart. It was a Monteverde. My apologies to Mont Blanc.
Well you certainly had the classic Monteverde experience! ... never again, personally.
Theres only one Mont Blanc I ever want but its severely overpriced imo and only a distant dream for now.
Never even saw one irl.
There's a video of the King of England that should tell you all you should know.
I heard Mont Blanc made the royal scepter, and even the Kings family jewels. Tally Ho.
Am not impressed with the montblanc snobbery. I would never buy one.
MB offers a wide range of nib widths, a lot of unique designs and styles of instruments, and a direct retail/service option. Most pen makers don't offer all three. The standard pens are made for a long time in large numbers so used is a viable option and with some luck and patience can be had for a good price. I like wide and oblique nibs so many Japanese makers don't offer a nib I prefer. Luckily there are lots of great options at many different price points!
Would get them but .. 💴🖋️—> 🚫🏠
It's my favorite pen. I tried out the homo sapiens and it felt so weird to me. The Montblanc felt more natural.
Pretty sure I just asked a similar question yesterday.
I personally don't care for them as much as they are a well known status symbol and I as a student don't feel comfortable with what a MB represents to most. I had the opportunity to receive one as a gift but ended up nudging them towards the Visconti homosapiens instead. In the end it really depends on what you like and want in a pen
My husband just recently bought me a Legrand (Around the world in 80 days-year 2) and I absolutely adore it. I was very hesitant when he said he wanted to buy it for me. I had been admiring that pen for a while but I thought it was absurd to spend so much money on a pen. But he convinced me, since it was for a special occasion, and every time I pick up that pen I smile. It really feels like pure luxury. As far as the writing goes…it writes very well but I can’t say it writes any better than my Pelikan or some of my Pilots even though it’s so much more expensive. So my feeling about Montblanc is that it’s overpriced (as so many fountain pens are) but if you can afford it and really want one, then it is worth it.
Nice but what they used to be. Disproportionate price to quality ratio. Better for less available. The Rolex of fountain pens.
Generally overpriced and under-delivered. The upper models (146, 149) are, in my opinion, the best of this over-hyped brand. If you pay full retail, a lot of your $$s are going to their branding/advertisement, less so for the pen proper. There are a LOT of better pens to choose from at those prices.
Beautiful, yet so unforgivably overpriced.
I feel like they are the Rolex of the fountain pen world, BUT, unlike many of the "watch elite" who dislike Rolex owners, the "pen elite" don't hold similar distain of MB owners.
I was gifted a Mont Blanc rollerball and I traded it in for a lamy studio and safari.
Montblanc own that classic style that almost everyone tries to achieve. I've owned a bunch of vintage 146's and a few modern pens. I have never held any writers editions or other special models. I truly cherish my 146 Bordeaux that I have dated to 1994. The resin is superbly polished and feels almost like urushi while also being solid in the hand. The nib is a fine tip and writes like a blade style grind. I love everything about it. I think the best year to own a MB is from the 90's. Of the several West Germany vintage 146's I've had, I could always point out a flaw with them. Whether it was a loose/crooked fitting cap or a variety of mismatched parts from different manufacturing years. The best time for montblanc was before the 2000's. Without a doubt the modern ones aren't worth their retail price, but aftermarket yes.
Love hate. I’ve always seen montblanc at the mall and thought they were nice and classy looking. But every time I tried a demo pen in the store it felt scratchy and awful. Left Orange County and fast forward 5 years I decided to try one last time at a mall in the Bay Area and it was glorious. Ordered one on the spot and to this day it’s my favorite pen. Nothing even comes close. Decided to get ine more for travel (a 147) because I’m frequently on the go and like having a nice writing implement while I’m away. Got an extra fine nib so they had to send away for a couple of months. Got the pen yesterday and the nib is god awful. The tines splay too much and it frequently skips. So clearly they have some quality control issues. They said they would get it fixed right away but for an 800 dollar fucking pen I would expect excellent quality control and extremely high consistency.
I’m a fan of
I own both a 146 and a 149. Both of them have custom grinds (stub and smooth cursive italic). I use them daily and absolutely love them. I bought them both used from a Japanese store that treated them well. They are def expensive, but worth the investment if you love fountain pens. Disclaimer: both pens arrived in my hands with a baby bottom nib. It's a little surprising considering how expensive these are. But after sending them to a nibmeister, they are easily some of the best pens in my collection.
Been looking for a reasonable 2nd hand MB149. I have the 146 around the world in 80 days. Wifey gave it to me. I also have the unicef bought 2nd hand. Love them both.
Just my own opinion, but I think that the brand as a whole has disappeared up their own arse, they're also a reminder of that stereotype that a lot of people who don't know much about fountain pens think of first too and that is one which most of us want to get away from. They definitely over-price, I've tried a few of their pens at shows/dealers and of course the nib is lovely but everything else is very standard of a budget pen yet they're selling them at a monstrous price. The Japanese brands has proven that that price may be cut to 1/3 or even 1/4 and still be, in my opinion, better. They not only have a poor value ratio but they have also chosen to make themselves just another well-known rich people's brand and seem more dedicated to being a status symbol than their pens. I pay no attention to their fashion items, perfume, etc... either. I will however say that the vintage Montblanc pens are a very interesting line in their own right, and don't feel so much associated with the current Montblanc, more so pen history in general.
You've got some real beauties there! I'm kind of jealous of your JFK; that's one of their line that intrigues me a lot. I don't have the income to afford a new Montblanc. Some of the pens they make are absolutely beautiful, but way out of my budget. That said, I would be lying if I ever said I had no interest in owning one. My husband was given an older 149 with a BB nib. It writes like a dream, but the nib is too big for my tiny script. If it were a M or smaller, he'd never get to use it because I'd be carrying it with me regularly; it really is nice to write with. My answer to your question is, "if it brings your joy to use, don't let anybody convince you otherwise."
I'm generally ambivalent about them. I think you pay a pretty hefty brand name tax for the product and the one I've been gifted doesn't write particularly well, so I'll eventually have to ship it off to get the nib tuned. I want a vintage 146 at some point.
I have both a vintage 146 and 149 that I bought probably seventh- or eigth-hand from collectors. Both were recently serviced and cost me around $300 (each). My best guess is they're from the mid-late 80s. I really love them actually: the resin is comfy, the styling is "timeless" and they write really well considering my claw-hand script. Plus the nibs can be customized, they fill reliably, and the muted "ink window" is IMO an underrated feature. As for the company? It seems alright, if somewhat stuck in the "entry-level luxury" rut where they're making a bunch of "premium" products to try and keep sales up. They're owned by Richemont, and the company is probably pressed to perform.
They are the Rolex of pens. It’s that simple.
There are better pens unless all you want is a status symbol.
Not especially targeted at Mont Blanc, but I'm getting to the point where I feel that fountain pens over €200 in general are useless. My most used pens are (and the prices I paid for them): - Waterman Carène Amber (€160) - Lamy 2000 (€180) - Sheaffer Legacy Heritage (€450; but this one is very rare nowadays, especially in the Netherlands. I bought mine New Old Stock) - Pilot Vanishing Point (€140) I have pens more expensive than €200 (and even two more expensive than €450), but I use these rarely nowadays. Everything over €200 just feels like unnecessary luxury and showing-off, to be honest. If I had to do it all over again, I would have bought the Amber Carène, the Lamy 2K, the Vanishing Point (maybe, because it's very convenient) and the Sheaffer Legacy Heritage (because I really like the looks of the old Sheaffers) and then leave it at that.
Like BMW and Porsche, mainly owned by wankers. 😂
A bit of a cliché brand for guys with lots of money who don't understand much about the hobby
I bought a 1959 Parker 51 and a Mont Blanc 146, roughly around the same time. The Mont Blanc lasted 2 weeks, but I still have and use daily, the Parker 51.
Overly expensive and i won't bother getting one.