Classique Or Le Grand Ballpoint?

[Paul Raposo]

Hey all.

 

First time posting here in the MB forum.

 

Looking for some input on MB ballpoints--the Classique and Le Grand. I've been looking at both at my local authorized agent's shop, and I like them both. What I'm looking for is real world experience with these pens. How do they handle as daily writers?

 

Right now my everyday pen is a Parker Duofold ballpoint. The Classique appears to be closest in size to the Duofold. But the Le Grand is just that--big. It has a nice presence and in hand feel. But how it is as a daily writer?

 

What surprises me is the lightness of these pens. Before heading out to see the MB's, I was looking at a Waterman Exception ballpoint. Beautiful pen, but because it's brass and lacquer, it feels like a lead pipe in my hand. I think I could write all day with the MB, and never get tired of holding it. Yet at the same time, it's not a lightweight.

 

One thing I did notice about the Le Grand, (besides the dust on it, from sitting unsold ) is when I turned the cap to open it, the tip of ink cart doesn't stick out as far as the Classique does. Is this normal?

 

I was offered a good price on either pen, but even then it's quite an outlay of cash. So I want to be sure I choose the right pen. So if anyone could give me some advice on these pens, I'd appreciate that.

 

If you've managed to make it all the way to end of this post--thank you! Looking forward to any advice you can share.

[yachtsilverswan]

To paraphrase Gordon Gecko, on his return to the big screen, "Girth is Good..."

 

The LeGrand will likely be a more comfortable writer than the Classique because of the LeGrand's wider girth, allowing the fingers to relax in the grip rather than crowding together in a narrower pen.

 

I always keep a LeGrand Ballpoint in my jacket pocket to hand over when someone needs a pen to sign a document - I never hand over my fountain pens.

[bayport714]

I have and use both. The LeGrand is far more comfortable for extended use. I also us the LeGrand pencil for my daily Sudoku.

[meiers]

I have and use both. The LeGrand is far more comfortable for extended use. I also us the LeGrand pencil for my daily Sudoku.

 

 

+1

 

I like them both equally. I find the legrand more comfortable for longer writing sessions.

[Paul Raposo]

Thanks for the info! I think I'll try out the 161 and see how it works out.

 

Any opinions about the ink cartridge? I've seen some pics online, and the tips on those ink carts seems to stick out a bit more than the one I was looking at. However, in the catalogue they gave me, the 161 pictured, appears to be the same as the one I saw in the shop.

[Trooper]

One thing I did notice about the Le Grand, (besides the dust on it, from sitting unsold ) is when I turned the cap to open it, the tip of ink cart doesn't stick out as far as the Classique does. Is this normal?

 

The ink cartridge is not screwed in all the way. Unscrew the top and then ensure the refill it is tightened. Put the top back on and it should be good to go.

 

I have carried the LeGrand everyday for going on 13 years. Great pen.....

[Paul Raposo]

 

The ink cartridge is not screwed in all the way. Unscrew the top and then ensure the refill it is tightened. Put the top back on and it should be good to go.

 

I have carried the LeGrand everyday for going on 13 years. Great pen.....

 

Thanks, Trooper! Hopefully I will have time to visit the shop today, and give this a go.

[meiers]

I purchased a 161 a couple of weeks ago and love it: a very ergonomic pen.

 

Matt

[Paul Raposo]

I purchased a 161 a couple of weeks ago and love it: a very ergonomic pen.

 

Matt

 

What do you think of the twist action, Matt? I found it to be very subtle. For some reason I thought it would be a hard snap when turning. But it's fairly smooth.

[Silvermink]

My LeGrand (146) FP is about the perfect size for me, so I'd vote for the LeGrand BP too.

[meiers]

I purchased a 161 a couple of weeks ago and love it: a very ergonomic pen.

 

Matt

 

What do you think of the twist action, Matt? I found it to be very subtle. For some reason I thought it would be a hard snap when turning. But it's fairly smooth.

 

 

I agree.

 

Matt

[mr. abulia]

I have and use both. The LeGrand is far more comfortable for extended use. I also us the LeGrand pencil for my daily Sudoku.

 

I'm way more cocky than you: I use my Chopin fountain pen for the sudoku

[Paul Raposo]

My LeGrand (146) FP is about the perfect size for me, so I'd vote for the LeGrand BP too.

 

Thanks, Silvermink! Have you noticed the tip of the ink cart being a bit shorter than the Classique?

[tanalasta]

The LeGrande is a much more ergonomic size. Once one becomes accustomed to a more relaxed grip on a wider girth pen, it is difficult to go back to the narrow ballpoints.

 

So I'd vote the LeGrande without hesitation.

[pengem]

the length of the ink tip varies by small amounts even with my 2 legrand ballpoints. i was a little bothered by that but it is normal. i have noticed this variation with my other montblancs, too. my legrand unicef, for example, is didderent in this regard, from my regular legrand ballpoints-it is not due to the refill. the length that protrudes from my sterling silver solitaire is different from my classic meisterstuck. i think the legrand is the best style of all montblanc, especially when you consider the small price differential relative to the classic size. the legrand unicef is even better. the legrands are very comfortable to write with, too. i have so many montblanc pens but i love to use my legrands. the twist mechanism, by the way, is excellent. i especially appreciate it after having a new montegrappa and cartier roadster with flimsy twist mechanisms

[Paul Raposo]

the length of the ink tip varies by small amounts even with my 2 legrand ballpoints. i was a little bothered by that but it is normal. i have noticed this variation with my other montblancs, too. my legrand unicef, for example, is didderent in this regard, from my regular legrand ballpoints-it is not due to the refill. the length that protrudes from my sterling silver solitaire is different from my classic meisterstuck. i think the legrand is the best style of all montblanc, especially when you consider the small price differential relative to the classic size. the legrand unicef is even better. the legrands are very comfortable to write with, too. i have so many montblanc pens but i love to use my legrands. the twist mechanism, by the way, is excellent. i especially appreciate it after having a new montegrappa and cartier roadster with flimsy twist mechanisms

 

Thanks for all this info, pengem!

 

I know it's a nit-picky thing to go on about, but I just wanted to know if this was common, or uncommon. By the looks of it, quite normal, and nothing for me to worry about.

 

I did end up buying the Le Grand today. I haven't had a chance to really look at it yet, as I've been busy, but I did notice that the ink cart tip sticks out a bit more than I had originally thought. I think the bad lighting at the shop was throwing me off. When I have some time, I'll do what Trooper suggested, and make sure the ink cart is screwed in all the way.

 

I think I got very good price on the pen, considering it's a B&M shop. Not as low as I'd get buying pre-owned; but surprisingly better than if I'd bought new online. But I felt more confident buying my fist MB from an authorized shop, and actually handling the pen.

 

I like what you wrote about the twist mechanism. I was originally looking at the Waterman Exception ballpoint. Gorgeous pen, but the twist mechanism was like turning the crank on a Model A! Between the weight of the brass and lacquer body, and the twist mechanism, I'd get a work out every time I used it.

 

Thanks to everyone for helping me with this decision. Frankly, I never thought I would buy a Mont Blanc, because all I've ever heard about them was negative. But in the age of the internet, and through the Fountain Pen Network, I've learned that one bad batch is just that--one bad batch. I look forward to years of writing with this pen, and as soon as I get my camera up and running again, I'll post some pics.

[yachtsilverswan]

Hi Paul - congrats on pulling the trigger on your new LeGrand Ballpoint. Great pen, and I too like the smooth detante in the twist mechanism.

 

You should consider trying some of Yafa's gel refills designed to fit the Montblanc ballpoints. Gel ink flows better than does the standard paste ink of ballpoint refills. http://www.yafaoutlet.com/rethfitmoblp.html

[Paul Raposo]

Hi Paul - congrats on pulling the trigger on your new LeGrand Ballpoint. Great pen, and I too like the smooth detante in the twist mechanism.

 

You should consider trying some of Yafa's gel refills designed to fit the Montblanc ballpoints. Gel ink flows better than does the standard paste ink of ballpoint refills. http://www.yafaoutlet.com/rethfitmoblp.html

 

Thanks for the link, Ray. I have to say I wasn't too interested in gel ink because of all the negative comments I had heard about it. Then I tried the Parker gel ink, and I was really impressed with it. I'll have to give these Yafa carts a try.

[Paul Raposo]

Well, I've had a chance to really examine the Le Grand ballpoint.

 

Overall I'm impressed with it. It's about the same diameter as my Duofold ballpoint, so it doesn't feel odd writing with it. It's not nearly as top heavy as I thought it would be, what with the oversized cap. The length isn't uncomfortable either.

 

The first time I saw it in the flesh, I thought it looked like a cartoon pen. Something Porky Pig would write with in a 1940's Merry Melody cartoon. But the shape and design has grown on me over the last hour. It's really comfortable to hold, and even though it's large, it's not terribly heavy. At the same time, it doesn't feel like a drugstore $5 plastic pen. It feels solid, considering it's resin.

 

The ink cart is a black bold. Not really feeling the bold, but it's not horrible. It glides across the page with some skipping, but not nearly as bad as the Lamy Safari ballpoint I had. But at the same time, not as smooth and consistent as the Chinese made ink cart I have in my Cross Classic Century. It does pick up a lot of fiber from the paper as I write, requiring constant wiping of the ink cart tip.

 

The twist action, as discussed here, is smooth, and short. Not a long throw like on a Cross pen, and not all loosey goosey. At first the opening and closing twist felt a bit vague. But after a few tries, I got a feel for it.

 

The fit and finish is pretty nice, especially the brass fittings inside. Everything fits together nicely. Unscrewing and closing the pen feels firm, but not tight--like I'm putting together a threaded gas pipe. It opens and closes like a Mercedes Benz door used to.

 

Right now my only concern is while examining the pen, I noticed a tiny dent in the clip. Like all jewelery shops, the store where I bought this pen keeps items in the store window display, placing them in a safe at night. Clearly, over the years that this pen has been displayed, and put away, it must have hit the glass window, and left a 1mm dent on the bottom of the clip face. I thought it was a scratch, but looking at it through a loupe, it's clearly a dent. I noticed it straight off at home, because I have better lighting than the jewelery store.

 

Big deal, I'm sure most readers are thinking. This isn't an issue that will make me return the pen, because if I had bought this pen used, I would risk any number of the previous owner's use marks on that pen. And I won't get a better new price here in Canada, than I got on this pen, (at least I don't think so.) But at the same time, I would expect a new pen to be free of marks. I'm sure if it really bothers me, I can buff it out, as I have done with so many watches over the years. Or just return it. But I really don't want to return it.

 

The other "issue", is when I looked at the clip sideways, the small "bump" on the reserve side of the clip, on the end of the clip, has some bubbling of the gold plate. That seems like some sloppy work I'd see on a $10 Chinese made quartz watch, not a fine German made pen. Again, big deal, most must be thinking. I suppose it isn't, since the great majority of people will never see what I've just described, even if they took the pen in hand and examined it. That's the curse of the watch collector!

 

Aside from those two points, I really like this pen. I haven't owned it long enough to love it, as I do my Duofold. But I'm sure love will come with time

 

Well, that's my initial review. Please feel free to discuss, critique, and lambaste as you see fit! Also, please feel free to tell me about your pen's scars and war wounds. Anytime a watch collector feels bad about a nic, or scratch on their watch, the fellow collectors come out and tell their war stories.

 

For a pen I thought I would never own, I'm quite pleased with it. I do feel I got my money's worth, and I don't regret buying it. To be honest, spending this kind of money on myself always makes me a bit jittery. But we do have to spoil ourselves occasionally, right

[meiers]

You are absolutely right. You have to treat yourself once in a while.

I love the legrand BP that I purchased two weeks ago.

 

Re: the bubbling on the clip. If it bothers you, ask for an exchange or a partial refund.

 

My authorized dealer gave me a substantial discount on a 149 that had a surface scuff mark in the plastic resin of the cap - due to careless handling by a staff member.

 

 

Matt

Edited October 24, 2010 by meiers