Mont Blanc Starwalker

[QM2]

Well, went to the MB shop, they ground the Nib as the salperson didi say 'that it isn't a EF in my opinoin'. Came back with finer lines but very scratchy. Hadit ground down in the shop was a lot better, BUT not very smooth and blotchy. My Cross Century FP with a fine nib is miles better, as is my Cross Solo XF. Seems pricew and 'brand' doesn't guarantee quality after all.

 

Current Montblanc nibs generally run very wide, this is to be expected.

 

My recommendation would be to not even bother trying to get the nib reground by the MB shop; people have reported only trouble with this. Instead, pay $40 to get it done by Richard Binder, and your MB will write flawlessly. I've had 2 MBs reground by Richard so far and I am beside myself with the results. Not only are they now true extra-fines, but any imperfections in the ink flow, etc., have magically disappeared. And yes, I know that your pen is under warranty and it's MB's job to provide good customer service, etc., but if we're talking about the reality of things as opposed to what "should" be happening, forget arguing with MB and send your pen to Richard.

 

 

Also, for those asking about a converter for the cartridge-only Starwalker, they are available:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...p;mode=threaded

Edited December 25, 2007 by QM2

[kubalai]

Thanks for the info QM2. Dose anyone know of te reliable nib grounder in London UK?

[michel23]

Thanks for the review Dawn.

 

While an apparent drawback to the pen is the lack of a converter by MB, you can use an international size converter that will fit the pen very nicely.

 

Might be easier than refilling cartridges.

 

 

[jthole]

My recommendation would be to not even bother trying to get the nib reground by the MB shop; people have reported only trouble with this. Instead, pay $40 to get it done by Richard Binder, and your MB will write flawlessly. I've had 2 MBs reground by Richard so far and I am beside myself with the results. Not only are they now true extra-fines, but any imperfections in the ink flow, etc., have magically disappeared. And yes, I know that your pen is under warranty and it's MB's job to provide good customer service, etc., but if we're talking about the reality of things as opposed to what "should" be happening, forget arguing with MB and send your pen to Richard.

 

What I still don't understand after a couple of years, is how "high end" pen companies can get away with producing bad nibs. I mean, buy a cheap Parker Jotter with a mass produced steel nib, and it writes every time. So why can't manufacturers of expensive pens produce flawless nibs? In my opinion, there is no excuse for e.g. producing nibs with a baby bottom tip or feeds with an extremely stingy ink flow. Is it lack of interest? Frugal quality control? Or don't we hear about the bad Parker Jotters because they are thrown out without much fuss?

 

Sending a pen to Richard or another specialist will probably solve the writing problems, but that should not be needed on such an expensive pen anyway!

Edited February 1, 2008 by jthole

[PigRatAndGoat]

Thanks for the review Dawn.

 

While an apparent drawback to the pen is the lack of a converter by MB, you can use an international size converter that will fit the pen very nicely.

 

Might be easier than refilling cartridges.

 

:clap1: :clap1: :clap1:

Any international size converter will fit? Doesn't MB use proprietary cartridges, meaning this one won't form a tight seal when attached to the feed? Either way, I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU! I'm so going to get a MB Starwalker whenever I can! The cartridges were the only thing holding me back, and I don't like mini fillers! I wonder if this will fit in the Greta Garbo, or the Dietrich? (want to convert sister, cartridges are pricey, and I don't want to play with needles...)

[marnixmoed]

Well, went to the MB shop, they ground the Nib as the salperson didi say 'that it isn't a EF in my opinoin'. Came back with finer lines but very scratchy. Hadit ground down in the shop was a lot better, BUT not very smooth and blotchy. My Cross Century FP with a fine nib is miles better, as is my Cross Solo XF. Seems pricew and 'brand' doesn't guarantee quality after all.

 

I concur, I had a medium nib on my starwalker. I returned to the shop, they could have it send for me to montblanc, where it would be exchanged for an XF nib. I too suspect it is being groud, since I got it returned I noticed the nib is a little a-symmetric. Don't know how it exactly was before, but after receiving it back, the shape suddenly seems different.

 

About the the actual writing, the lines are indeed finer/thinner, but like kubalai, also very scratchy. What a shame...

I am pretty disappointed with montblanc in this matter.

 

Grt,

m

[andyg30]

It s a great looking pen and I was close to buying ne duty free at Chicago airport recently, was talked out of it by a colleague, now seeing the price in the U.K. and the reviews part of me is saying I should have bought one part of me is saying I'm glad I didn't as I've purchased about six pens for the price I would have paid for the MB need to start saving again!

[GJC]

i've gotten 2 starwalkers and they both work excellent, maybe it's because i got them here of of FPN With one i had to tweak the nib a bit, but now runs smoothly. I enjoy writing with then, but i like the 146 more..but that's a different writing experience i have to say....

[lovemy51]

Thanks for the review Dawn.

 

While an apparent drawback to the pen is the lack of a converter by MB, you can use an international size converter that will fit the pen very nicely.

 

Might be easier than refilling cartridges.

 

i might be missing something, but the pen in this pic is not of the MB Starwalker... right????

 

 

edit: darn pic didn't show... i'm refering to the pic of the Baoer????!!! a few posts before this one, dated feb 1, 2008.

Edited August 26, 2008 by lovemy51

[marnixmoed]

Well, went to the MB shop, they ground the Nib as the salperson didi say 'that it isn't a EF in my opinoin'. Came back with finer lines but very scratchy. Hadit ground down in the shop was a lot better, BUT not very smooth and blotchy. My Cross Century FP with a fine nib is miles better, as is my Cross Solo XF. Seems pricew and 'brand' doesn't guarantee quality after all.

 

I concur, I had a medium nib on my starwalker. I returned to the shop, they could have it send for me to montblanc, where it would be exchanged for an XF nib. I too suspect it is being groud, since I got it returned I noticed the nib is a little a-symmetric. Don't know how it exactly was before, but after receiving it back, the shape suddenly seems different.

 

About the the actual writing, the lines are indeed finer/thinner, but like kubalai, also very scratchy. What a shame...

I am pretty disappointed with montblanc in this matter.

 

Grt,

m

 

My local pen shop re-grinded the nib, now it is not so XF anymore, but at least it flows very nicely. Not scratchy anymore.

 

Also, I used a tip from another forum member (a surgeon if I remember correctly), he uses medical injection needles to transfer bottled ink to the cartridge. And it works perfectly so far for all my fountain pens. Although I do change the cartridge every once or twice a year. I fear that removing the cartrigde to many times it might cause leakages. So far, no problem with it... yet.

 

Grt,

m

[Yellowshock]

I don't think you're breaching etiquette here. It is important that unbaised/wide variety of reviews are available to flush out product or company flaws. I for one have been VERY disappointed by my Starwalker. I received it 1 year ago and now it sits ina a drawer quietly leaking ink. The cap also no longer fits snugly as the thread (!!!!) wore out. Not sure what warranty I have as I have yet to hear back from the company. I get the distinct sense that some of the current Montblanc's are nowhere near the craftsmanship instruments they used to put out.

Anyways, I have since steppen over to Nakimi for my daily FP needs but that is another review.

I'd give my Starwalker 2 out of 5 Stars, mainly for the looks and as an 'ooh and aaah' conversation starter. As a FP it has missed its mark for me. 400$ should have given me a LIFETIME of use and warranty...

[cholupa]

I would like to add my two cents here too. I've had my Starwalker for about a year and half now, and its smoothness and consistant character still surprise me. My usual rotation consists of vintage/antique pens from several makers with a variety of nib types. I'll agree that my medium point writes a litttle wider than most other mediums, but I've never had a problem with blotching or anything else for that matter. I'm sorry to hear about some of the problems that people have had with this pen. I guess I can count myself lucky for getting this beautifully made, wonderfully tuned pen straight out of the box. I hope that, in the future, my great experience may be enjoyed by other buyers as well.

 

Good luck to all,

 

Cholupa

 

 

 

 

 

[Bultaco]

The Starwalker is the only Mont Blanc pen that I own, I was lucky enough to receive it for my birthday. In terms of styling I really like the design of the pen as it moves away from the traditional black Mont Blanc style. It looks modern yet classic and stylish.

 

It is a well constructed pen and it feels solid and of good quality. It is made of black resin and has platinum trim. The threads are all metal and it screws together securely. The section is also metal. When using the pen unposted it is light and comfortable to use, in my opinion it feels a little top heavy when using posted, but then I don’t like to use any of my pens posted.

 

My pen has a medium nib and writes smoothly, the nib has just a bit of give to it. It is not an overly wet writer but it is by no means dry. I like the styling of the nib it is chunky and solid looking. The nib is 14K and has the usual Mont Blanc logo.

 

The cap is a screw on type and also screws on to the end of the body for secure posting when writing.

 

The only thing that disappoints me about this pen is that it is a cartridge filler; this is due to the slim size of the pen which is about the same size as a 144 or Generations model. Mont Blanc say that it does not take a converter as the body is too slim to take one and I don’t have one to try so I will take their word for it. I will refill the cartridge myself when it’s empty.

 

My conclusion is……

 

I like this pen very much :)9 it will be in my regular rotation. I do feel that the brand is overpriced in comparison to other brands of similar quality but I am glad that I have this pen its lovely and is a wonderful gift which writes beautifully and looks good. I am really going to enjoy using it and it has already received some complimentary comments at work.

 

Dawn

 

Edit - photo from World Lux as I didnt have one

 

[ldb]

My biggest problem with cartridges is that I'm picky about my inks. Give me some cartridges with PR Ebony Purple and I might feel compelled to keep them around. In the meantime I keep syringes full of my favorite inks with short, dull needles and refill my converters or existing cartridges at the office or hospital. At home, of course, I break out the trusty bottle when possible.

 

I have tried to use temp plugs on open cartridges , but could not find something that works reliably.

 

Hi guys

 

Yes I agree Jeen it makes sense to have a cartridge filler for those times that I run out of ink, I have popped a box of cartridges in the pocket of my pen case so I am ready to go. The only think I dont like about cartridges is the ongoing cost for relatively small amounts of ink it seems like a waste of money, but I have to agree they do have a place in the pen world.

 

I will certainly check out the Targa convertor, thanks for that Meanwhile.

 

Cheers

Dawn

 

 

 

[Anaru]

I justed picked up a rubber skywalker at a silent auction at a charity event...got it for $200! So far I am loving the pen...it writes beautifully, and easily competes with some of my favorites (Bexley, Aurora, Namiki, Pelikan, Omas) in even flow, smoothness with just a bit of tooth, and it writes well on all different sorts of paper. I wanted to add that the pen DOES take a standard pelikan converter just fine, so you can dispense with all the concern about cartridges. At first I thought I was relegated to using cartridges after measuring the free board with a chopstick and it seemed too short to fit a cartridge, but my local pen shop guy took a look and tapped the body, removing the extra cartridge stored in there, and suddenly there was plenty of room.

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

I have a suspicion that the Rotring converter (based on the Waterman and Parker converters) should work. I have used it in a number of very slim pens that could not use the Schmidt converter that everyone seems to use these days. It is of the international size.

 

Dillon