Opinions on Montblanc 144

[Juan in Andalucia]

I've had a Montblanc 144 for almost 10 years, although I rarely use it. I've heard that this Montblanc model -for whatever reason- is very fragile and it cracks very easily.

 

Is that true, or just an urban legend? I'm talking about normal use and care, not treating pens a-la-Pete Townshend.

 

Has any of you had problems with a 144 cracking for no reason?

[ruud2904]

I do not know how Pete treats his pens, but he used to abuse his Gibson SG's But returning in topic : I have a MB144 of the good old 50's and I can take it everywhere. No problems with it mechanically spoken. From a cosmatic point of view, this particular pen has seen quite extensve use. Both the smaller cap rings are not straight any more, but otherwise, it's ok. No damage to the black barrel and cap.

I know that the newer ones are different and some say that the material used is more prone to cracks. But : I myself am quite content with my MB144. Not in the least because it has this wonderful OB nib with lots of flex. (see the avatar)

 

best regards

Edited January 23, 2008 by ruud2904

[pilgrim]

Is that true, or just an urban legend?

If it is a legend - it is cruel;

I am frightened to use my 149 daily;

instead of it my daily writer must be pel1000 (and pilot prera ivory)

 

[Kalessin]

It seems to be mostly legend, with a few exceptions:

 

Some MB 144's in the 80s seem to have been made defectively, and were prone to easy breakage. MB's are also made from a very hard resin plastic that is a little more delicate than other softer plastics; the reason for this choice seems to be to get a very high surface shine. This means that drops that might not hurt other pens may hurt a resin MB.

 

Don't drop your pen onto cement, avoid dropping it like you would avoid dropping any fine pen.

 

We have people here who have been carrying these pens for over thirty years. I'm one of them, though my 149 is bigger than I usually want to carry. My father has been carrying his 149 almost every day for the past forty years, and has only damaged one part, when he dropped a cap and the edge chipped (he sent it to MB service for a new cap body).

[Maxpens]

 

Has any of you had problems with a 144 cracking for no reason?

 

 

Hello Juan,

only the first 144 made in the 80th had some problems with a broken forepart. They change the thread from Resin to metal. After this change there is no chance that the forepart break up.

 

kind regards

 

Max

[Pen Nut]

I have a 144 solitaire in silver and it really is one of my favourite pens. Use it quite hard compared to my others and it never gives me a problem

[petra]

I've had my 144 for about 10 years, no problems with cracks.

 

Petra

[girlieg33k]

I have two MB 144s -- one in black and one in burgundy. No problems to report with either one.

[bluemax]

I've had a 144 since the early 90's. It's the pen that truly got me in to collecting

 

Although it is seldom used these days, it is still in an excellent condition for it's age. I should also say that it got an awful lot of use back in the days when I only had a couple of pens.

 

regards

Bren

[Gehaha]

Hello,

 

I dropped my MB 144 (Classical) several times by accident. Nothing happened to it. The same with my other MBs. Only my vintage MB 234 1/2 has got a terrible crack at the grip after clocking with Sheaffer Skrip Black (old bottle).

 

Anna

[Bisquitlips]

I have had a 144 since 1989, The only derogatory comment I have is that it has corroded on the gold plated band at the section and I think the MB ink had a lot to do with that.

 

Other than that one failure, the pen is fine.

 

[Juan in Andalucia]

I have had a 144 since 1989, The only derogatory comment I have is that it has corroded on the gold plated band at the section and I think the MB ink had a lot to do with that.

 

Other than that one failure, the pen is fine.

 

Which MB ink did you use? blueblack?

 

I have a modern Parker Duofold with a corroded ring at the section which should be back from service; I've used a few inks in that pen, but mostly penman saphire. Never again... at least with my expensive pens.

[skma]

I have had a 144 since 1989, The only derogatory comment I have is that it has corroded on the gold plated band at the section and I think the MB ink had a lot to do with that.

 

Other than that one failure, the pen is fine.

 

Which MB ink did you use? blueblack?

 

I have a modern Parker Duofold with a corroded ring at the section which should be back from service; I've used a few inks in that pen, but mostly penman saphire. Never again... at least with my expensive pens.

I'm using montblanc blueblack ink now. I know i would need to be flushing my pen more often because of its precipitate. But i never know that it would destroy my pen in the long run. Is that really true?

[Juan in Andalucia]

I have had a 144 since 1989, The only derogatory comment I have is that it has corroded on the gold plated band at the section and I think the MB ink had a lot to do with that.

 

Other than that one failure, the pen is fine.

 

Which MB ink did you use? blueblack?

 

I have a modern Parker Duofold with a corroded ring at the section which should be back from service; I've used a few inks in that pen, but mostly penman saphire. Never again... at least with my expensive pens.

I'm using montblanc blueblack ink now. I know i would need to be flushing my pen more often because of its precipitate. But i never know that it would destroy my pen in the long run. Is that really true?

 

I think that any ink that leaves some precipitate (something noticeable without a microscope) is likely to spoil a pen. When I used penman ink, I could see sort of little crystals on the nib if I left the pen uncapped for some time.

 

I got a phone call yesterday, and my duofold is back from service waiting for me at the shop where I bought it. They phoned me from the repair service when it was sent, and they asked me whether I had used penman or not.

 

Ask yourself how many different inks have you used in your pen and for how long. The MB BB is it an occasional ink you use or a regular one?

 

Then draw your own conclussions.... you'll probably be right.

 

[ANM]

I have had a burgundy MB 144 for around 25 years. I seldom use it anymore but for at least a couple years I carried it in my jeans pocket (clip over the thick pocket seam) in an art room with lots of clay dust and pulled it out several times a day. It has some light surface scratches, but nothing else, no cracks, not even any sign of gold-plate wear.

[ericthered2004]

I got my 144 about 16 years ago. A crappy nib kept it out of service for quite a while. Now that's fixed it's a nice pen--nicely designed, good weight etc. I did get the corrosion on the nib section gold band, however. Doesn't bother me.

 

Cheers,

 

Eric

[Inkquest]

Yep, chalk up another for the nib gold band corrosion (slightly) here too. Other than just being a little on the skinny side for my taste, it's a gorgeous pen and excellent writer - the Bordeaux/Vermeil combo is rather stunning.. sturdy pen, no cracks. Mine is a few years old and purchased used so I have no idea how it was previously treated, but seems to be quite solid.

[Juan in Andalucia]

 

 

Thanks for the info. As for the gold corrossion; Which ink did you use?. I'm using pelikan black in all my pens which I consider a safe ink.

 

[ericthered2004]

Thanks for the info. As for the gold corrossion; Which ink did you use?. I'm using pelikan black in all my pens which I consider a safe ink.

 

 

I think it was blueblack. Is that significant?

 

cheers,

eric

[PAKMAN]

I have a 144 Bordeaux FP, RB and BP and have never had any problems with them.