Hello...FNG Las Vegas, NV

[SinLoi]

New here, I was just gifted with a Mont Blanc pen...a "Le Grand" (I think)..very pretty...not sure how it writes yet....I did have a medium nib on it.... but found it too "thick" for signing documents and filling out paperwork...I'm not even sure if I got the right ink...blue/black Mont Blanc ink..It looked kind of crummy (scratching on the paper etc.) I took it to a Mont Blanc dealer locally and he is changing the nib to a fine point.... I could probably use some better ink too...I prefer blue for signing documents etc...not sure what type though....they have the one Mont Blanc store here locally and also a Paradise Pens store.... I like the concept well enough to possibly collect a few more...just looking for something that writes as smooth as silk...does the ink make any difference? I am left handed too...and is there any way to smooth out the nib?

 

Like I said, I am a total babe in the woods regarding pens.... I have always liked the concept of a good fountain pen...just want to get a really great pen...something beautiful, that writes like a dream.....

 

I think the pen I got as a gift is gorgeous, but I am certainly no expert...

 

Would you recommend a different brand of ink than the Mont Blanc brand...they seem to really push buying their brand.... I did like the look of the Turquoise Mont Blanc...

 

Sorry for all the questions....but I am pretty stupid in regard to this matter. Any help would be much appreciated!

 

 

 

Davehttp://users.telenet.be/-eva-/animated_gifs_1/smilies2/22-forbiddensmiley.gif

Edited January 12, 2007 by SinLoi

[wdyasq]

Dave,

 

Welcome to the opinionated world of the fountain pen. Please keep us informed on the adventures of your MontBlanc.

 

If you ".just want to get a really great pen...something beautiful, that writes like a dream" go to a major pens show and look at what Susan Wirt has to offer. She is a very knowledgable seller who can daignose your style of holding and handling a pen and will have a pen to 'fit your style'.

 

IMO, the best deals on nice fountain pens are vintage. I doubt there have been any major improvements in pen design since the mid-20th century. The 'science' of fountain pen development came to a near halt with the advent of the cheap ball-point.

 

If you new pen isn't as you woudl like it, after its' trip to MontBlancburg, a trip to a nib specialist may be in order. There is nothing magic about a fountain pen but the real experts have the experience of correcting almost any problem.

 

Ron

[mike1]

Welcome to FPN. You are where you can get the answers to your fountain pen questions. Always plenty of opinions and suggestions here.

[Ruaidhri]

Dave,

 

Welcome to FPN.

Best place to thrash out your question is the Montblanc Forum - full of MB nutters (myself included)

 

Personally I use Watermans ink just just about everything including a few MBs, and have had no problems.

 

Regards,

Ruaidhrí

[Judybug]

Welcome, Dave

 

When I first discovered FPN I thought I was the last person on the planet using a fountain pen, and I thought there were only a handful of pens available to buy. Wow! Did I have a lot to learn! There's a whole world of pens out there in every price range and style imaginable -------- and few that are unimaginable. You'll enjoy exploring all this on FPN.

 

BTW, my favorite blue ink is Private Reserve's Black Magic Blue.

 

Judybug

[SinLoi]

Thanks for the welcome aboard gang, I am pleased to have found this site. I think I'll make a little trip to the fountain pen store to find an unbiased opinion from a retailer. I like the Mont Blanc store would of course try to sell me another Mont Blanc...I would like some variety, but would still like to try a little of everything!

 

Now I'm getting greedy and ahead of myself.

 

 

Dave

[kissing]

Hi, welcome to our obsession passion

I hope you have fun using your MontBlanc. As others have stated, you'll find this place a VERY informative place for all your fountain pen related needs.

 

A MontBlanc is a great start - whoever gave you that gift made sure you experience a fabulous pen to get you started.

 

As with inks - you are completely right, there is no need to use MontBlanc inks in your MontBlanc pens (in fact Mont Blanc blueblack is known to contain iron gall - which is not good for pens!). Just as you presume, the reason that they push for MontBlanc inks is obvious..they want to make more money. There is a plethora of other inks you can use out there of more colours you can imagine For information regarding inks, please take a look at the Inky Thoughts forum

 

Another great thing about fountain pens is, you don't have to spend big to get your hands on a beatifully writing pen

In fact, some of the favourite pens on this forum are those under $100

 

Hope you have fun There is so much to discover, and you never stop discovering in this hobby~

[mike1]

Unbiased pen retailer? Were is this beast? Please let us knowwhere he or she is located.

[anniemac]

Welcome Dave,

I, like you, am new to fountain pens. Had plenty of cheapish cartridge pens through the years but got my first vintage fountain pen in November. A Waterman. Now have 5 - the Waterman, a Burnham, a Conway Stewart, two Sheaffers. And four inks, fave at moment being Private Reserve Black Cherry. Also like Visconti blue.

Look out in Marketplace for your next pen purchase - as all are members, they're very helpful.

Not long back from a visit to your brilliant city in November. First time in US, had a blast, and we hit the roulette wheel for an hour on our last night. Profit of $130. . . . guess how I paid for the Waterman? Thank you Vegas!

 

Ann

[rroossinck]

Unbiased pen retailer? Were is this beast? Please let us knowwhere he or she is located.

Fully agreed. I've never been able to find a totally unbiased retailer.

[southpaw]

Hello and welcome aboard!

 

Your best bet for unbiased opinions is not to ask anything . We're all biased to some degree. But around here, we at least try to admit our biases and tell you right where we stand.

 

As to inks, many very good and safe ones out there. Odds are most retailers would either try to push their slow mover on you, their personal favorite, or their highest priced ink. Truth is, your pen will likely do great with Waterman, Diamine, J. Herbin, and many others. My MB146 currently has Waterman Florida Blue in it, but will undoubtedly see another flavor when it's empty.

 

Anyhow, hope to see you around.

[Bill]

If the NV Paradise Pen is like others I've been in, you will have plenty of choices of blue inks. Try:

--Waterman Florida Blue (good starting ink, well behaved);

--Noodler's (Ottoman Azure and many others);

--Private Reserve (American Blue, Midnight Blues, Black Magic Blue, Navajo [Turquoise], Blue Suede [Teal], and others - stunning colors but typically slower to dry than other brands);

 

After you've run through those, go online and order dynamite blues like Visconti Blue and the Diamine blues.

 

Bill

[Mannenhitsu]

Hello Dave and welcome to the FPN.

[SinLoi]

What a great group of people! Or should I say pen-a-holics?! :ltcapd:

 

 

I am going to pickup my pen tomorrow afternoon after having the nib changed to a fine point...the medium was too heavy for me and pretty scratchy.. (I guess partly because I'm left handed)..My wife is happy 'cuz she thinks this will be cheaper than my old obsession (watches)...I suppose so in some cases...but some of the limited editions I've seen listed are quite pricey...

 

Somebody recommended an S.T. Dupont to me, saying they write smooth as glass. I guess I will have to check this out for myself..

 

any other suggestions?

[SinLoi]

I got my pen back yesterday in fine point. It is a lot smoother, but still not silky smooth. I also tried out an ST Dupont...it was like writing on silk...I'm not sure if this is because I'm left handed or not..

 

I would also like to try some different nibs ala, calligraphy type with these pens, but I'm a little worried..as I don't want to void any warranties and I still want silky smooth.

 

Is there any solution to this?

 

Once again....I've asked a lot, and I don't want to make a pest of myself

 

BTW..the Dupont pen I wrote with and liked was the larger sized pen, with I believe a medium nib...

 

Many thanks in advance for any advice or hints...

 

Dave