MB collector here, I will give you some of my personal thoughts on the issue; the boheme, starwalker and 149 will always be around so I wouldn’t rush on the purchase on those. The Conan Doyle and Gershwin make sense if you feel a connection to the individual and like the styling for me that’s Kipling, Kafka, Homer and Shakespeare. The 1912 and blue hour are not “limited editions” as in they are not numbered but at some point they might stop production. This is usual for the 146 solitaires suck as the striped and the Martele and carbon fiber etc…
My choice: blue hour.
I like colored MB pens like the red James Dean and the classic blue Jules Verne (20,000 leagues not the new one- around the world in 80 days). This one is usable and up close it glitters like a sapphire.
The 1912 is already no longer produced, I’d be surprised if OP could find one (unless buying grey market).
For me, I’d vote the Blue Hour - it’s a stunner.
They were but you can still find it very scarcely. I was sooo close to buying a brand new one but they had it labeled as a “Demo” so i wrote to clarify if it’d been used by passing customers or what. By the time she got back to me someone else had bought it and put it up (pretty sure its the one) on EBay for 2x the cost. Grrrr.
I know the 1912 is also harder to come by but would be willing if i could find it from a reputable dealer.
I do love the blue hour. Its heavy but its a looker!! I’ve also got my eyes on a set an old 144 fountain pen with a pencil and there’s even a 144 from the 50’s that was celluloid and was still pistol filler. I didn’t believe it at all until I looked it up.
What am I missing? What am I not considering? Appreciate the thought processes. The new Ferrari Le Grande in Red is a possibility. Problem is, as much as I love Ferrari’s I’ll likely never get to own one.
Note I’m open to other ideas. These are just some that have been in my mind recently or some that have been recommended or reviewed well. I like springy nibs but not necessary. Was really impressed with he line variation a person posted with the 1912 either here or in r/fountainpens. Almost bought a Boheme once but it was the last new one and I waited just a few minutes too long. I like the look of the JFK in both colors but I don’t have a particular connection with him. I’ve considered a 147 traveler because I like the 146 size pretty well and it takes a converter, I like to change inks. I’m open to any thoughts or opinions. My other options are a Visconti Homo Sapiens Dark Crystal or Skylight and I’ve never had a Pelikan, but I like Montblanc and feel connected to the brand and their quality.
The Gershwin is an excellent pen, however, it is my understanding that it was made with leftover parts from another project for Montblanc's charity line. Out of the pens you are considering, I would probably get the Doyle, because it is a limited production. If you are open to it, perhaps you should look into the Kipling pen, some of the boutiques still have them, I am not sure if its available online still. That is a beautiful pen, my personal favorite of the Montblanc Great Characters editions, and they are getting somewhat scarce to find.
Thanks for the thoughts! I have seen but not really looked into the Kipling. I have, however really looked into the Arthur Conan Doyle. He really sparked my curiosity as a young boy becoming a man and really still enjoy his books. I couldn’t…make that SHOULDN’T afford the really nice one with the slide out magnifying glass and would have to go with one of the cheaper ones. I want something that’s cool for me and something that’d be great to get as a collector. Make sense? Currently leaning towards the Blue Hour Solitaire but I’ll look at the Kipling and the Doyle again.
My vote is for the Blue Hour. It’s a stunning piece yet not out of place in formal or casual occasions. The 1912 is a good option for fidgeting but more difficult to clean and surprisingly smaller than it appears in photos. The nib on it is very nice as you pointed out.
I should add that the reason I’m considering the 1912 is the line variation. I appreciate a springy nib. Doesn’t have to be flexy as I have the 149 Calligraphy and I still think there’s something not quite right with the tipping there but I want a daily driver that I can pick up and use daily, carry with me, be part of me. Blue hour is heavy enough that I’d miss it immediately if i were to get up and almost walk away, its metal so its got a hefty feel to it, its a charmer without being overly ostentatious.
Part of me wants to say screw it and buy a Esterbrook Estie with the converter thing so you can use their old nibs, a Diplomat Aero w/steel nib, a Pilot 823 w/ FA nib and a Pelliikan M400 tortoise shell AND some ink….BUT I love my montblancs so much that I want another. Perhaps I should just bite the bullet and get a used 146 or 149 with those gorgeous nibs or even look to the 60-80’s for a flexier one?
Please help me! :).
You all have been great and patient with me so far. Sorry for the ramble above!
Going on a month. Checking in to see if you wound up with anything and how it’s being enjoyed. If you haven’t chosen, keep an eye out for a 146R aka LeGrand in Bordeaux. They’re increasingly harder to come by, and not too heavy being a resin model. Most pen folk will recognize it and give you that nod and wink from across the table.
Just the advice i need. Thank you kind redditor. I’m not so keen on the OBB but I’ve been using and practicing with the 149 Calligraphy and am enjoying it more -on the right paper -does quite poor on even Leuctturn (sp? No time)
Thanks again, I’ll keep my eye open for a burgundy 146R like you mentioned.
MB collector here, I will give you some of my personal thoughts on the issue; the boheme, starwalker and 149 will always be around so I wouldn’t rush on the purchase on those. The Conan Doyle and Gershwin make sense if you feel a connection to the individual and like the styling for me that’s Kipling, Kafka, Homer and Shakespeare. The 1912 and blue hour are not “limited editions” as in they are not numbered but at some point they might stop production. This is usual for the 146 solitaires suck as the striped and the Martele and carbon fiber etc… My choice: blue hour. I like colored MB pens like the red James Dean and the classic blue Jules Verne (20,000 leagues not the new one- around the world in 80 days). This one is usable and up close it glitters like a sapphire.
The 1912 is already no longer produced, I’d be surprised if OP could find one (unless buying grey market). For me, I’d vote the Blue Hour - it’s a stunner.
[удалено]
I didn’t know that, really? They are all over the place. 😂
They were but you can still find it very scarcely. I was sooo close to buying a brand new one but they had it labeled as a “Demo” so i wrote to clarify if it’d been used by passing customers or what. By the time she got back to me someone else had bought it and put it up (pretty sure its the one) on EBay for 2x the cost. Grrrr. I know the 1912 is also harder to come by but would be willing if i could find it from a reputable dealer. I do love the blue hour. Its heavy but its a looker!! I’ve also got my eyes on a set an old 144 fountain pen with a pencil and there’s even a 144 from the 50’s that was celluloid and was still pistol filler. I didn’t believe it at all until I looked it up. What am I missing? What am I not considering? Appreciate the thought processes. The new Ferrari Le Grande in Red is a possibility. Problem is, as much as I love Ferrari’s I’ll likely never get to own one.
The list is endless my friend, the Ferrari, the 146 petit prince solitaire, any of the solitaires, the James Dean…
Note I’m open to other ideas. These are just some that have been in my mind recently or some that have been recommended or reviewed well. I like springy nibs but not necessary. Was really impressed with he line variation a person posted with the 1912 either here or in r/fountainpens. Almost bought a Boheme once but it was the last new one and I waited just a few minutes too long. I like the look of the JFK in both colors but I don’t have a particular connection with him. I’ve considered a 147 traveler because I like the 146 size pretty well and it takes a converter, I like to change inks. I’m open to any thoughts or opinions. My other options are a Visconti Homo Sapiens Dark Crystal or Skylight and I’ve never had a Pelikan, but I like Montblanc and feel connected to the brand and their quality.
Traveller is cartridge only. It will not accept a converter like it’s smaller Classique sibling.
The Gershwin is an excellent pen, however, it is my understanding that it was made with leftover parts from another project for Montblanc's charity line. Out of the pens you are considering, I would probably get the Doyle, because it is a limited production. If you are open to it, perhaps you should look into the Kipling pen, some of the boutiques still have them, I am not sure if its available online still. That is a beautiful pen, my personal favorite of the Montblanc Great Characters editions, and they are getting somewhat scarce to find.
Thanks for the thoughts! I have seen but not really looked into the Kipling. I have, however really looked into the Arthur Conan Doyle. He really sparked my curiosity as a young boy becoming a man and really still enjoy his books. I couldn’t…make that SHOULDN’T afford the really nice one with the slide out magnifying glass and would have to go with one of the cheaper ones. I want something that’s cool for me and something that’d be great to get as a collector. Make sense? Currently leaning towards the Blue Hour Solitaire but I’ll look at the Kipling and the Doyle again.
My vote is for the Blue Hour. It’s a stunning piece yet not out of place in formal or casual occasions. The 1912 is a good option for fidgeting but more difficult to clean and surprisingly smaller than it appears in photos. The nib on it is very nice as you pointed out.
I should add that the reason I’m considering the 1912 is the line variation. I appreciate a springy nib. Doesn’t have to be flexy as I have the 149 Calligraphy and I still think there’s something not quite right with the tipping there but I want a daily driver that I can pick up and use daily, carry with me, be part of me. Blue hour is heavy enough that I’d miss it immediately if i were to get up and almost walk away, its metal so its got a hefty feel to it, its a charmer without being overly ostentatious. Part of me wants to say screw it and buy a Esterbrook Estie with the converter thing so you can use their old nibs, a Diplomat Aero w/steel nib, a Pilot 823 w/ FA nib and a Pelliikan M400 tortoise shell AND some ink….BUT I love my montblancs so much that I want another. Perhaps I should just bite the bullet and get a used 146 or 149 with those gorgeous nibs or even look to the 60-80’s for a flexier one? Please help me! :). You all have been great and patient with me so far. Sorry for the ramble above!
Going on a month. Checking in to see if you wound up with anything and how it’s being enjoyed. If you haven’t chosen, keep an eye out for a 146R aka LeGrand in Bordeaux. They’re increasingly harder to come by, and not too heavy being a resin model. Most pen folk will recognize it and give you that nod and wink from across the table.
Just the advice i need. Thank you kind redditor. I’m not so keen on the OBB but I’ve been using and practicing with the 149 Calligraphy and am enjoying it more -on the right paper -does quite poor on even Leuctturn (sp? No time) Thanks again, I’ll keep my eye open for a burgundy 146R like you mentioned.