The Fakes Are Getting Better

[mmahany]

I've seen many fake Starwalkers, but this is my first "Cool Blue" fake I've ever seen. I took some pictures and made some comments between the two.

 

1.) The fake has no markings under the clip. That was the first thing I noticed when comparing the pens

 

2.) The Serial number was on the clip itself rather than on the clip ring

 

3.) The serial number is NDL 33966L which is a known fake number

 

4.) The pattern is different. Notice the fake has a more swirled pattern. Also the authentic version is smooth were the groove pattern on the fake can be easily felt.

 

5.) The screwable point section was different. Not how the authentic version has only a bit of extra material after the threads (maybe 1-2mm) where the fake has a full half inch.

 

The box was also noticeably cheaper compared to the real thing. The white exterior case was also a slightly darker off white color than the real thing.

 

 

All in all, it was a fairly good fake. It took me literally 2 seconds to realize it wasn't authentic but to the untrained eye, many probably wouldn't notice. It's still a pretty well built pen. They didn't skimp on quality much, but in the end it certainly isn't the real thing.

 

Fake is on the right

 

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b186/mmahany/2013-03-13183544_zps59c536e3.jpg

 

Note the pattern differences

 

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b186/mmahany/2013-03-13183634_zpsb16ebe3f.jpg

 

In this light with a camera phone they look pretty darn close

 

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b186/mmahany/2013-03-13183713_zpsb5bcbe42.jpg

 

Again, note the extra material after the threads on the point section

 

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b186/mmahany/2013-03-13183833_zps5dc762d6.jpg

 

You can't see the serial on the authentic version, but note the placement on the fake. It should be on the clip ring and not the clip

 

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b186/mmahany/2013-03-13183932_zpse55ef69e.jpg

[jar]

Looks like the clip is also simply folded.

[striker27]

From someone who has unfortunately bought a fake I feel for you. I had that exact same serial number... I finally bought a genuine one a few weeks later and I do enjoy it. Lots of fakes seem to be about at the moment. Hope you get this resolved!

[CS388]

Astonishing.

Is the refill also fake?

 

Alarming, yet expected.

Thanks for sharing.

[geruvah]

Interesting. Though I bought mine from Montblanc, I never thought to look at this stuff. I have to remember these things when I sell it.

[mirosc]

Maybe I haven't read it - but did you know you were buying a fake or just realising that later?

If so - I feel sorry for you.

 

Strange, but according to these photos I would prefer the fake one.

[fountainpende]

wow, thank you for this highly informative report and your photos !

[Casexx]

I would also like to say "thank you" for the post. I purchased a Cool Blue Starwalker off of Craigslist in January and even though I talked extensively with the older lady that was selling it - I bought it not being sure how to authenticate it. I had learned, from this forum, what to look for when it comes to the meisterstuck mb's. All I knew to do was look under the clip and mine had the cursive "pix" engraved - so I bought it. I didn't even know where the serial # was engraved. Thankfully, my Starwalker is authentic - but now I know several things to look for - so thanks again for this post!

Edited March 14, 2013 by Casexx

[mmahany]

So people know. I've already received my money back so no need to worry for me. This year alone I've bought 14 used Montblanc pens. Some get sold off to fund other purchases while others I inenvitably keep. With the quantity of pens I buy, it's inevitable that I receive a fake. Again, the seller has already refunded my money and in addition is paying for the pen to be shipped back to her. Aside from my time to run by the post office I'm not out anything.

 

 

EDIT-Yes the refill was authentic and did screw into the point section. I thought that was a fairly impressive detail for a fake to have.

 

 

At the time, I did not know I was buying a fake. I usually check pretty close although I've never actually seen a Cool Blue replica so I didn't look over the listing as hard as I usually do.

Edited March 15, 2013 by mmahany

[Mags]

I would never have known to find the fake faults. They look identical.

[mmahany]

I would never have known to find the fake faults. They look identical.

 

Yes you'd be amazed at how good some of them are getting. I'm working (albeit very slowly) on creating a "guide to fakes" thread.

 

Some people have mentioned that they think it would give conterfeiters a guide to improving fakes, but I strongly disagree. I think it would be much easier for them to just get a hold of the real pen than to go off pictures.

[JLS1]

 

Yes you'd be amazed at how good some of them are getting. I'm working (albeit very slowly) on creating a "guide to fakes" thread.

 

Some people have mentioned that they think it would give conterfeiters a guide to improving fakes, but I strongly disagree. I think it would be much easier for them to just get a hold of the real pen than to go off pictures.

 

I think you're probably right, but I somehow wonder if publishing the general process that an expert uses to discover a fake is more valuable to a counterfeiter than just documenting & cataloging the various faults that distinguish a counterfeit from the real thing?

[mmahany]

 

I think you're probably right, but I somehow wonder if publishing the general process that an expert uses to discover a fake is more valuable to a counterfeiter than just documenting & cataloging the various faults that distinguish a counterfeit from the real thing?

 

Let's be realistic, their goal is to make a pen that looks marketable to 99.99% of people as the real thing. It's obvious that giving each one a unique serial number, stamping "pix" under the clip, and other identifiable marks would be the next step for them but that isn't cost effective for them.

 

I don't see the fakes getting any better because there really is no reason to. Big collectors already know that Montblanc pens can't be advertised from an authorized dealer for under retail. Many big collectors also are going to buy new or only from authorized dealer.

 

In short, if they get any better, it's going to cost the counterfeiters much much more money to possibly gain an extra .0001% market share.

 

Essentially, I'd rather help the new pen buyers out than take the extremely rare chance that I effect the long time collectors in an extremely small way.

 

Hopefuly that makes sense.