Interesting 342G - DEF nib, blue captop

[CS388]

I am very close to buying this pen, but am unsure about what to expect with the rigid nib. I love the colour, but want to make sure that the nib is not uncomfortable to write with. None of my pens are flexi or 'soft'. I have a Safari, Kaweco AL Sport, Platinum 3776, Pelikan m400 (new), etc. Would this 'rigid nib' be very different from the non-flex of my current pens?

 

This would be my first MB. I was contemplating between a 146 and this one. The 342D is smaller, I know, but seems to have more character than the 146 for me.

 

Thoughts?

 

Yes. It is a very rigid nib, indeed.

 

Years ago, I got a broken one, in a lot of parts. I played with the nib a while. It was incredibly stiff.

Totally functional, but not representative of a 'typical' Montblanc writing experience.

 

I completely understand your interest in the blue-topped pens, they look great and date back to a time when fountain pens were the only pens, so these specialist variants are of true interest.

 

If this is to be your first Montblanc, I'd probably go for the 146.

I still use my 146 every day, but got rid of the blue-top shortly after I got it, in a parts swap.

 

Good luck

[siamackz]

Thanks for sharing! I'll keep you posted on the final outcome

[siamackz]

Siamackz, I believe that some of the people who were posting in this thread when it was active, back in 2010, are no longer active on the Fountain Pen Network.

 

If you like stiffer nibs, then the 342G with a "D" nib would probably be just fine for you. They are uncommon enough that you should be able to sell it for the same price at which you bought it if it doesn't work out for you.

 

I love the blue cap-top in the pictures in this thread, and wouldn't mind having one of the 342D's myself.

Just ordered it. Will share my review once it's here!

[CS388]

Just ordered it. Will share my review once it's here!

 

Nice work.

Looking forward to it.

Enjoy.

[Kalessin]

 

Yes. It is a very rigid nib, indeed.

 

Years ago, I got a broken one, in a lot of parts. I played with the nib a while. It was incredibly stiff.

Totally functional, but not representative of a 'typical' Montblanc writing experience.

 

 

 

It strikes me that we love certain nib (and pen) characteristics now as collectors and lovers of fine writing that weren't as useful when fountain pens were mostly office supplies.

 

But even then, you'd perhaps pull the blue-topped pen out of the cup on your desk only if you needed the extra-stiff nib for carbon copies or the like.

[CS388]

 

 

It strikes me that we love certain nib (and pen) characteristics now as collectors and lovers of fine writing that weren't as useful when fountain pens were mostly office supplies.

 

But even then, you'd perhaps pull the blue-topped pen out of the cup on your desk only if you needed the extra-stiff nib for carbon copies or the like.

 

True.

 

It's also likely that this pen just precedes the ballpoint revolution.

Within a few years, many of these pens (and other fountain pens) would be relegated to the back of the drawer, while people signed their carbon-copies and triplicate sheets (and near- everything else) with the new fangled ballpoints!

[siamackz]

Siamackz, I believe that some of the people who were posting in this thread when it was active, back in 2010, are no longer active on the Fountain Pen Network.

 

If you like stiffer nibs, then the 342G with a "D" nib would probably be just fine for you. They are uncommon enough that you should be able to sell it for the same price at which you bought it if it doesn't work out for you.

 

I love the blue cap-top in the pictures in this thread, and wouldn't mind having one of the 342D's myself.

I just got the pen. Its a beautiful little pen with a truly interesting nib. It wasn't writing well when I got it. But after opening up the tines a bit, and smoothening out some baby's bottom, it writes excellent! Its a wonderful M nib now! And the blue cap top is great. The nib is hard, but just like my platinum or Kaweco or TWSBI. Nothing different really. I am glad I started by MB collection with this beauty!

[Kalessin]

That's great to hear! Enjoy the pen!

[CS388]

Nice one. Congratulations - and welcome to the club!