Thinking about purchasing a Mont Blanc pen, Advice??

[Brain1989]

Hello,

Thinking about treating myself to a Mont Blanc pen as a early christmas present
however i was just wondering if anyone knew of a good retailer thats sells them
at a reasonable price? budget around £250 mark

Cheers

Joe

[Dr_Rick]

I've looked, it appears that the Pen Shop and John Lewis sell at similar prices. Not found any 'deals' so far.

Not to cause confusion, but if you're after value for money and writing excellence, the PH sages have pointed me in the direction of Pelikan pens (I like the look of the new Ductus model), and someone mentioned Montegrappa (NeroUno was mentioned). Both brands can do a pen that is similar looking to Montblanc if that's thats your want.

Personally, for that money I'd want a bit of heft to the pen, but was disappointed at how 'light' the Montegrappa NeroUno felt. But that's just me. Haven't bought anything yet.

Dr Rick

[nobodyknows]

I think I'm right in saying that no official reseller is allowed to sell on-line, this might make it more difficult to find a deal but I'm sure if you go in store & haggle (when no other potential customers are in earshot) you should be able to negotiate a discount. Good luck, mine was one of my better purchases.

[Brain1989]

Thanks for the comments! I think ill have a look at pelikan and montegrappa aswell
i think Goldsmiths in Newcastle sell them so ill have a look there, but im trying my best to
hold off to the new year sales!

[Dr_Rick]

Try some stuff on this link:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

There are some images there.

Dr Rick

[auditt]

Was a fan of mont blanc until it leaked and went over my shirt

Mont blanc was nice enough to replace the faulty cap but no free ink cartridges or letter to say sorry

£200 odd purple label ralph lauren shirt wasted and my love of what i thought was a fine pen has now been lost.

mont blanc of 15p Bic.....

[sparkyhx]

don't go down the MB route, use some imagination - nothing wrong with them per se but like Rolex they just so so common - half a 'meeting' will own one. Don't be a sheep

Pelikan
Montgrappa
Visconti
Laban
Sailor
Faber Castell
Caran D'arche
Marlen
Monteverde
Diplomat
Pilot
Omas
Parker


Personally I'm a big fan of the Parker Duofold

take a look at Fountain Pen Network reviews of every pen you could think of and inks which TBH starts to get a bit geeky

http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?...

[SCEtoAUX]

Hello all. Thread resurrection rather than start a new one.

I have a budget of £300.00 to buy a nice leather case and three writing implements for my son's birthday. Probably two ballpoint pens and a quality pencil. I have decided against rollerballs and fountain pens.

There seems like a good range of nice looking items from about £50.00 and up, so I guess I'm looking at a couple of £100.00 ballpoints, a £50.00 pencil and a £50.00 case or thereabouts.

I know nothing about this subject, but my son likes nice things, he's got enough watches, pens are next...

All any any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[blingybongy]

SCEtoAUX said:

Hello all. Thread resurrection rather than start a new one.

Stuff... he's got enough watches, Stuff

Thank you.

Bet he hasn't.

[witten]

I got one as a present, so not a super expensive one. To be honest I was disappointed. The silver coating has come off of the lid revealing the brass/copper colour underneath. Also I bought a few MB official refills (its a ball point) and most of them leaked.

It's ok but feel from my experience their reputation is based on people having heard of them rather than they are great. Probably better options out there.

[DanL]

I have one of these:

https://www.montblanc.com/en-gb/ballpoint-pens_cod...

It’s great, but also above your budget... Do you need 3 pens and a case? It comes with a nice presentation box, if that helps..

[Dicky Knee]

I'm not an expert on pens but I have several Parker Duofold and Cross Townsend. My mum bought me the Cross as a Rollerball for my graduation.

Something like this:

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/cross-townsen...

There are plenty of different finishes to choose from and often on sale somewhere. My son also chose a Cross Townsend for his graduation. He chose this one:

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/cross-townsen...

I just had a look at the Parker Duofold and they are out of budget but a lovely pen to write with.

Both the Parker and Cross have a thicker barrel but you son may prefer something slimmer, it's just personal preference.

Also, have a try of the rollerball, I really like mine.

[SCEtoAUX]

blingybongy said:

SCEtoAUX said:

Hello all. Thread resurrection rather than start a new one.

Stuff... he's got enough watches, Stuff

Thank you.

Bet he hasn't.

He says he has for now, though I suspect a Black Bay will appear sometime soon :-)

Thanks for the other thoughts, Mont Blanc was already ruled out.

Cheers

[Salted_Peanut]

witten said:

I got one as a present, so not a super expensive one. To be honest I was disappointed. The silver coating has come off of the lid revealing the brass/copper colour underneath. Also I bought a few MB official refills (its a ball point) and most of them leaked.

It's ok but feel from my experience their reputation is based on people having heard of them rather than they are great. Probably better options out there.

I agree. Mont Blanc is living off its reputation, IME, and there are significantly better options.

For ballpoints, Faber-Castell pens use one of the very best refills with which to write. Parker ballpoints are also excellent (but Parker rollerballs are poor). For fountain pens, Pelikan is rightly renowned.

[ResQ1]

From personal experience of all the "name" brands, I'd stay clear of Mont Blanc.

The Parker Duofold range are great pens, with Heritage, but are on the large size with some real Heft.

Montegrappa provide Italian panache and style with typical Italian flare which isn't for everyone.

Pelikan, German engineering, precision class and heritage that goes back as far, of not further than Parker.

Visconti are more modern Italian style, very nice nibs and some innovative ideas.

Pilot / Sailor some beautiful pens from a nation that pries itself on the art of writing.

[Harry Flashman]

I have two Mont Blanc fountain pens - one was my Dad's, and one was a later gift from my wife.

Both leak like sieves. I never use them.

On the other hand, my far cheaper Faber Castell is fantastic Use it all the time. E-motion in (non-sapient, sadly) pearwood, as below. Sure, not as special as the Mont Blancs, but a far better pen, and a great deal cheaper.

https://www.hamiltonpens.com/products/faber-castel...

[The Moose]

Harry Flashman said:

I have two Mont Blanc fountain pens - one was my Dad's, and one was a later gift from my wife.

Both leak like sieves. I never use them.

On the other hand, my far cheaper Faber Castell is fantastic Use it all the time. E-motion in (non-sapient, sadly) pearwood, as below. Sure, not as special as the Mont Blancs, but a far better pen, and a great deal cheaper.

https://www.hamiltonpens.com/products/faber-castel...

Which do you have that leak? I’ve not had an issue woty several models

[Salted_Peanut]

Harry Flashman said:

On the other hand, my far cheaper Faber Castell is fantastic Use it all the time. E-motion in (non-sapient, sadly) pearwood, as below. Sure, not as special as the Mont Blancs, but a far better pen, and a great deal cheaper.

Faber Castell, and Pelikan for that matter, are fountain pens for people who enjoy using fine writing instruments. Not always but often, Mont Blanc pens are bought for other reasons.

And several brands make pens that feel special to use – including many a Faber Castell, Pelikan and Parker Duofold.

[Harry Flashman]

I absolutely love my Faber Castell (was my choice of pen unlike the MBs). Ultra fine nib suits my small, neat writing very well.

But the Mont Blancs are nicer objects to own. Or will be, once I fix the leaks!

Used an MB to write my wife's birthday card this morning. Cleaned it, filled it, blotted it.

I have inky fingers now. It leaked. Again.

[AndrewCrown]

SCE

I defy any chap not to be happy with Graf Von Faber Castell

https://www.graf-von-faber-castell.co.uk/products/...

You may need to modify gift to one pen, one case....

Or consider

Kaweco

Traditional old German brand...lots of choice and your £300 would go a long way..

Alternative

Caran d’Ache


On Mont Blanc...
Every gentlemen should have one...for the leak reporters...use them more they don’t if you do...anyway this is a ballpoint project so no leak potential..

This one
https://www.montblanc.com/en-gb/ballpoint-pens_cod...

Second hand...lightly used...

On EBay there is a seller called Dylan*Stephen.... have bought a few pieces from them...excellent

Edited by AndrewCrown on Tuesday 22 December 19:32