Montblanc 146: Signature For Good Special Edition

[Kaych]

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Well, this review has been a long time coming: I bought this pen about half a year ago here on FPN at a substantial discount. Since then, it has become my favourite pen and the only one in my collection that has not been sold/replaced. I now feel comfortable giving an accurate review after using it for some time.

 

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First Impressions

8/10

I’ll admit, what originally drew me to this pen was the United Nations motif on the cap. Given my background in International Relations, I was immediately attracted to a pen that was related to my field of study.

 

While I was satisfied with the pen overall, there are several factors that left me wanting more. Firstly, the packaging. It seems like an oversized common pen box that you would find for a run of the mill MB or Parker. It’s the classic clamshell and faux leather design. For the price of this pen ($760 retail) I was expecting a nice wooden box ala Faber-Castell or similar. Also given the size, I was half hoping there would be a bottle of ink alongside the pen like with the 149.

 

The thing about the pen that disappointed me overall was the size of the sapphire. Granted, I wasn’t expecting much for the price of the pen and MBs track record for being generous for this kind of thing, but the ads made seem so much…BIGGER. If I had to give a comparison, I would say a period (“.”) in Times New Roman size 40 pt font. Also the color isn’t as vibrant or deep as depicted in the advertisement. It’s a really dark blue, almost black under some lighting conditions.

 

On the good side though, depending on how you look at it, the pen is much lighter than you would expect. I’d never held a MB before I picked up this pen and perhaps due to the gravitas of the brand, I was expecting a much heavier pen. Even inked it is quite light.

 

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Appearance and Design

9/10

What can I say? This pen is perfect for any situation with the classic cigar shape and conservative finish. Like the regular 146, this pen is made out of MBs (in)famous precious resin and has a glossy finish. While some may find the gold ostentatious, I find it matches the black resin beautifully.

 

As for the crowning feature of this special edition pen, the top of the cap is reminiscent of the UN’s logo with the laurel wreath and sapphire representing the earth. The detail on it is stunning. The background is a very rough texture while the wreath is polished smooth. Its detailed enough to be admired when noticed, but is small enough to not be pretentious.

 

Many here were disappointed that MB did not design a custom nib for this pen, myself included, but I guess you get what you pay for…Nonetheless, the stock nib features a classic and attractive design. Perhaps the dove nib of the donation pens would have been an appropriate choice? One point off for this deficiency.

 

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Construction and Quality

10/10

I was wary at first about buying an MB pen as I’d heard so many horror stories about the so called “precious resin”. Boy, was I wrong. I’ve dropped this pen twice on linoleum flooring (posted, not capped!) and both times this pen came out unscathed. Perhaps there are microcracks or something on the inside, but I’ve had zero problems thus far.

 

I’ve had this pen for about half a year now and always carry it in a leather case. Apparently, new leather cases can cause microscratching, but I haven’t noticed any. A quick wipe with a lint-free cloth makes the pen look brand new.

 

Overall this pen feels solid. The only place where I think I might run into problems is the piston nob. Once you start turning it, it does tend to wobble around a bit. Maybe this is normal, but I feel like I’m going to break it off, especially whenever I have to rinse out my pen.

 

The cap takes roughly 1 1/3 twists to close fully

 

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Weight and Dimensions

10/10

Not much to say here…fit my medium-sized hands perfectly. The light weight also made it great for long lecture writing sessions.

 

Length capped: 5 5/8 inches / 14.3 cm

Length uncapped:4 13/16 inches / 12.2 cm

Length posted:6 3/16 inches / 15.6 cm

Circumference: 1 9/16 inches / 4 cm

 

The pen is back heavy when posted but not so much that it makes writing while posted uncomfortable. I tend to switch between posted and unposted during a lecture.

 

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Nib and Performance

10/10

Famed Montblanc performance. Buttery smooth nib that glides over almost any kind of paper. I have a medium nib that lays down a nice wet line. Maybe too wet for some of the cheaper notebook paper I use for lecture notes, but generally behaves well with any kind of ink. I’ve left Noodler’s bulletproof black in this pen for weeks without use and it starts right back up with no skipping (and no corrosion! ).

 

The pen as mentioned above is extremely light, especially uncapped. This makes for some great long writing sessions as your hands do not tire at all. The pen also writes with absolutely NO pressure. Just be careful when you have your pen uncapped, who knows what you might get ink onto!

 

This 14K gold dual tone nib, as I said, is extremely attractive engraved with “4810” (the height of Mont Blanc) and an M inside the MB bird splat. There is no flex whatsoever, but I wouldn’t call it a nail.

 

For those who hold the pen in such a way your fingers grasp the threads, you’ll be happy to know that the threads are unobtrusive and feel more like some sort of grip than anything else.

 

Filling System & Maintenance

8/10

Nothing really special here: just a regular piston filler. But I guess that’s at least better than a c/c filler. It works flawlessly though and you can fill the pen up completely without any hassle.

 

The maintenance side of things is where this pen loses marks. Unlike Pelikan’s Souverän line, you need a special tool to remove the nib and piston. So no easy nib interchangeability here folks.

 

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Cost and Value

6/10

I’m a bit torn here. Let me explain why. This pen retails for $690 while the regular edition 146 is only $630. So for $60 more, you get a much nicer and unique pen IMHO AND 10% was donated to UNICEF if you bought it new. If you are planning on purchasing a 146 then by all means treat yourself to this pen instead.

 

On the flip side, you are paying SIX HUNDRED AND NINETY DOLLARS. You could buy a MB William Faulkner Writer’s Edition for only $675 here on FPN. Not to mention some fine Maki-e pens from Namiki. The discontinued Pelikan M1050 could be had for less as well and it has more gold! Relative to other MB Meisterstuck pens the price is quite reasonable, but once you move away from that line, it gets quite ridiculous. Even at my discount this pen was quite expensive.

 

Conclusion

9/10

Overall a solidly built and beautifully designed pen. The UN motif adds that extra wow factor without being ostentatious. The quality of the both the body and the nib will not disappoint. If you are planning on purchasing a 146, or any Meisterstück for that matter, I would recommend this pen wholeheartedly. I can definitely see this pen outliving me. But a word from the wise, if you do plan on purchasing this pen, buy it second hand! The MSRP and even online discounted price is quite pricey. As much as I love this pen, I don’t think it can justify its price tag. Nevertheless, if you find it used, snatch it up quickly! You don't see it on sale too often (if at all...) and it definitely is worth a look. You won't regret it!

Edited July 27, 2010 by Kaych

[jigesh]

Wonderful pictures, beautiful pen, congratulations!

[kaisede]

Thanks for the review, enjoy your pen.

 

Andy

[RussianToronto]

Feel scammed, the last regular 146 I got costed me ~800 dollars, don't boutiques sell at the same price?

 

For myself 146 > William Faulkner Writer’s Edition

[Kaych]

Thanks guys! This pen was, and I guess still is, my grail pen. Once I saw it, I knew I had to have it.

 

RussianToronto, I feel your pain. I quoted the American price as it was easier for me to swallow. Once you convert to CAD and add the HST on, it comes out to $806 CAD We Canucks really do get the short end of the stick when it comes to buying pens, whether it be brick and mortar stores charging us full retail or shipping costs upwards of $20.

 

Although I don't own a Faulkner, I've tried it once and while the 146 looks more classy, the Faulkner looks like a workhorse. Two different ends of the spectrum I guess.

[RussianToronto]

Thanks guys! This pen was, and I guess still is, my grail pen. Once I saw it, I knew I had to have it.

 

RussianToronto, I feel your pain. I quoted the American price as it was easier for me to swallow. Once you convert to CAD and add the HST on, it comes out to $806 CAD We Canucks really do get the short end of the stick when it comes to buying pens, whether it be brick and mortar stores charging us full retail or shipping costs upwards of $20.

 

Although I don't own a Faulkner, I've tried it once and while the 146 looks more classy, the Faulkner looks like a workhorse. Two different ends of the spectrum I guess.

 

It sucks even more that USD is cheaper than CAD atm, and I have/get money in USD... forced to convert it into CAD not to starve hehe.

 

 

Mr Raccoon, are you finished with this donut, can I haz?

 

Poor poor Canadians

[akrishna59]

beautiful pen, it has a cause to support also which makes the buyer feel a sense of satisfaction. my only worry is that the way the cost of an f p is going these days they will be out of the grasp of a not so rich common man. pity.

 

tks.

 

krishna.

[777]

Very nice pen! Love the cap design Great pictures too.

[fabrimedeiros]

http://www.flickr.co...s/45979930@N08/ This is one of my two MB146 beside my Pelikan Souverän M800. This two pens are my best writers, in my oppinion, even better than my M1000 and MB149. Maybe, because my hands are medium (gloves 7 1/2).

 

Thanks for sharing your amazing MB146 Unicef. I do love this pen! I'm happy to see that great review!

 

Regards,

Fabricio

Edited July 27, 2010 by fabrimedeiros

[Silvermink]

I think it's pretty cool that the price difference is so little between this and the regular 146 - the $60 difference is pretty much the portion of the price that goes to UNICEF, too.

 

I'd love to have one (it could keep my regular 146 company) but I'm hesitant to pay MSRP on Montblancs. Maybe they'll start showing up on the used market eventually - preferably when I have more money to burn than I do at the moment.

[RussianToronto]

It does look nice, but it draws to much of your personal attention... I prefer my 146 black gold vs my fully gold plated pen, I just can't stop looking at it... :roflmho:

[Kaych]

Nice collection fabrimedeiros! I'm going to get a M600 within the next couple weeks, and while slightly smaller than the M800, its just as pretty.

 

Silvermink, I personally would never pay MSRP. Especially when you can get substantial discounts, even from authorized retailers.

 

RussianToronto, the reason why I like this pen is because it DOESN'T draw attention to itself. It's a very sublime SE pen. Many times, manufacturers produce special or limited edition pens that are so flash that they scream "look at me! I'm valuable!", but many people might mistake this pen for the regular 146 at first glance.

[jniforat]

geez, i really enjoyed this review. great pictures, very informative! thanks!

 

i still amam still said i sold mine earlier this year

Edited July 28, 2010 by jniforat

[revbyrd1]

The reviews on the Network are truly Impressive!

 

This series is one that has moved to the top of my acquire list. I worked to acquire the 75th Anniversary Series several years ago, and now I want to move on this one. I did not find the 100th Anniversary Series as attractive (IMHO, even though I bought several), but this one caught my eye immediately.

 

Thank you for such an in-depth review.

[sygyzy]

Great review and very honest it seems. Thanks.

[andybiotic]

I know there are people who doesn't like Mont Blanc pens but boy do I love to have one....

 

 

I don't know how much does a "average" MB pen cost normally but the pretty much only retail we have in New Zealand is selling them for over $1000 each! (that is over US$700!!) That is WAY out of my reach... Hopefully I can find one online, either here or ebay (nah... thats risky...) or the NZ online auction site but there is never any good ones...

 

Thanks for the review! and thats one sweet looking pen....

[Blade Runner]

Nice choice, congrats! If I were going to get my first 146, I'd get this one. You are going to get that beautiful matching case, aren't you?

[Inked]

Great detailed and honest review.

 

The pics are really great.

 

Thank-you,

Inked

[alvarez57]

Beautiful pen. I have the 149 and M hands: I just don't cap it. Love how smooth is the nib.

Thanks for posting, I really enjoyed reading the thread.

[josephfabry]

Very nice review.

 

I just got one of these pens and I have to agree with all of your points about the appearance of this pen. It is just beautiful, but the sapphire is a bit less impressive on the pen than it is in the advertisements. I won't tell you how much I paid because I found mine on eBay completely new and unused for screaming cheap (ballpark is less than 500, I made a best offer which was accepted).

 

I have not inked mine, because mine came with a Medium nib, and I wish to do a nib exchange for an EF, which they will do for $50 on an unused nib. So, I'm waiting until I have time to drive up to San Francisco's Boutique to turn it into Service. They'll so it free if it is within 14 days of purchase and you bought it from a boutique. If you just bring in a brand new condition pen without documentation ( ie - from eBay) they send it to service, and if under the microscope, they determine that the nib is, in fact, unused, they charge you $50.00. If the nib appears used, and you still want it exchanged, it costs $275. Anyway, I stray from the point. Your review was fabulous.

 

I do have to agree with you sentiment that if you're going to own just one Montblanc pen; this would be in the top three choices.

 

Thanks so much for your beautiful review.

 

Love,

 

Joe