Montegrappa 1930 Extra

[Ghost Plane]

Been running about $1100 - see Pear Tree Pens listing

[raging.dragon]

Oddly enough, this is my only celluloid pen that does not emanate the distinct camphor smell. Other than that, this is one of the most beautiful pens in my collection, and I do not regret having paid the money.

 

Perhpas Montegrappa age the celluloid? I've heard that OMAS (for example) to great lengths aging celluloid before using it, and between manufacturing stages, so that it doesn't shrink and crack. I imagine aging would allow much of the camphor to escape before you recieve it, thus reducing the camphor smell.

[raging.dragon]

I have a few nice inexpensive pens (a TWSBI and an Indian ebonite pen with german nib and converter) to carry in my pocket; however, the majority of my collection collection is in the $500 to $1500 price range. I find your synopsis of the appeal of $1000 pens to be completely accurate - my reasons for buying these pens are pretty much identical to your own.

 

Whether or not limited editions were meant to be used, I certainly use the ones I own! Now my LE's aren't super expensive diamond encrusted testaments to gratuitous excess; however, a few of them were made in very small numbers. Yes I'm careful with them, but I'm careful with *anything* I own which is difficult to replace (due to expense and/or scarcity).

 

I have a Montegrappa 80th Anniversary and while it's a bit smaller than I'd prefere, I love how it writes. I'm considering adding a 1930 Extra to my collection sometime in the next few years. However, considering the small ink capacity I'd prefere to have the flexibility and easy cleaning of a coverter.

[Ghost Plane]

In which case you'll get c/c convenience and nearly identical bodies by picking up a Miya. It's got a hump in the body rather than the thick cigar shape, but if that doesn't bother you, there are some gorgeous colors.

[raging.dragon]

In which case you'll get c/c convenience and nearly identical bodies by picking up a Miya. It's got a hump in the body rather than the thick cigar shape, but if that doesn't bother you, there are some gorgeous colors.

 

Just looked at the Miya. You're right about the colours. I like the curved body; however, it looks like the section is more tapered which I probably wouldn't like (as I hold my pens on the section and prefere thicker sections).

[jar]

In which case you'll get c/c convenience and nearly identical bodies by picking up a Miya. It's got a hump in the body rather than the thick cigar shape, but if that doesn't bother you, there are some gorgeous colors.

 

Just looked at the Miya. You're right about the colours. I like the curved body; however, it looks like the section is more tapered which I probably wouldn't like (as I hold my pens on the section and prefere thicker sections).

 

There's the large Privilege Deco too.

[raging.dragon]

In which case you'll get c/c convenience and nearly identical bodies by picking up a Miya. It's got a hump in the body rather than the thick cigar shape, but if that doesn't bother you, there are some gorgeous colors.

 

Just looked at the Miya. You're right about the colours. I like the curved body; however, it looks like the section is more tapered which I probably wouldn't like (as I hold my pens on the section and prefere thicker sections).

 

There's the large Privilege Deco too.

 

I've read your review, and the Privilege Deco is definetly a nice pen and pretty much perfectly sized for me; however, the aesthetics of the Privilege Deco don't really grab my attention. I think it's the silver body with plastic section and blind cap which doesn't do it for me (though I do like silver overlay pens which allow some of the underlying plastic to show through - for example Henry Simpole's work). Conversly the silver section of the 1930 does appeal to me.

 

EDIT: when I reread my initial response it sounded sarcastic, which wasn't intentional, so I edited it to remove any unintended sarcasm.

Edited August 29, 2011 by raging.dragon

[raging.dragon]

In which case you'll get c/c convenience and nearly identical bodies by picking up a Miya. It's got a hump in the body rather than the thick cigar shape, but if that doesn't bother you, there are some gorgeous colors.

 

Just looked at the Miya. You're right about the colours. I like the curved body; however, it looks like the section is more tapered which I probably wouldn't like (as I hold my pens on the section and prefere thicker sections).

 

There's the large Privilege Deco too.

 

I've read your review, and the Privilege Deco is definetly a nice pen and pretty much perfectly sized for me; however, the aesthetics of the Privilege Deco don't really grab my attention. I think it's the silver body with plastic section and blind cap which doesn't do it for me (though I do like silver overlay pens which allow some of the underlying plastic to show through - for example Henry Simpole's work). Conversly the silver section of the 1930 does appeal to me.

 

EDIT: when I reread my initial response it sounded sarcastic, which wasn't intentional, so I edited it to remove any unintended sarcasm.

 

Also, I should note that the captured converter wouldn't dissuade me from buying an Extra 1930. I would prefere either the mechanical artistry of a traditional piston or vacuum filler, or the easy flushing of a removable converter, but it really doesn't matter that much to me.

[Ghost Plane]

The Miya section is not only much thinner, but has a sort of waist in it, which things down. I hold mine back on the hump, so you'll definitely want the Extra. Or if you find one of the out of production Classicas, those are a good width. That's the only pen I regret selling. Should have kept it and sold the Miya :bonk:

[raging.dragon]

The Miya section is not only much thinner, but has a sort of waist in it, which things down. I hold mine back on the hump, so you'll definitely want the Extra. Or if you find one of the out of production Classicas, those are a good width. That's the only pen I regret selling. Should have kept it and sold the Miya :bonk:

 

I haven't seen a Miya in person, but it looks to me like it uses the same section as the Espressione which I tried and found uncomfortable. So of the current production Montegrappas the only one that appeals to me is the Extra 1930. The Classica certainly looks nice (I found a few pictures via google).

[camoandconcrete]

The Miya section is not only much thinner, but has a sort of waist in it, which things down. I hold mine back on the hump, so you'll definitely want the Extra. Or if you find one of the out of production Classicas, those are a good width. That's the only pen I regret selling. Should have kept it and sold the Miya :bonk:

 

I haven't seen a Miya in person, but it looks to me like it uses the same section as the Espressione which I tried and found uncomfortable. So of the current production Montegrappas the only one that appeals to me is the Extra 1930. The Classica certainly looks nice (I found a few pictures via google).

 

The Espressione does have an interesting section. At first I thought it was slightly uncomfortable, but now I love it.

[Wael El-Dasher]

I own a Green Marble 1930 Extra and fully agree with the quirks noted by everyone so far...The number of turns to take the cap off is the probably the most annoying item to me.

 

As soon as I get an idea I need to instantly get it on paper before it vanishes and I've lost a few with this pen at work. I stopped taking it with me to the office. I can't afford that time and instead of sketching my idea quickly, I end up getting extremely frustrated at this dumb cap that my mood gets fowl and I lose that moment of inspiration and with it my idea.

 

My nib is EF so the ink capacity, while is an issue, is not as apparent to me on a daily basis. The metal section is a bit cold to the touch, which feels very impersonal. So why is this pen still in my pen box, the only non-German in there? That darn celluloid...is it so beautiful. If MB could use celluloid like this, they would take over the world!

 

Don't get me wrong, the MB Oscar Wilde is a nice resin pen that could probably satisfy the need for a colored barrel, but that Montegrappa Green Marble 'is stunning'. I haven't seen a marble like celluloid that hit me this hard in the chest. Don't get me wrong, the entire Extra 1930 line is fantastic, and if I could, I would buy the entire line. I would probably rarely use it because I don't want to ruin my mood at work.

 

That darn box it comes in gets on my nerves too, just like my Panerai boxes used to...what's up with Italians and big boxes? Is shipping so cheap in Italy? I don't understand...someone tell Montegrappa, Visconti, Paneria and all Italian companies, we don't need such large boxes! They're very heavy, take up too much space, and make it expensive to ship worldwide. Please learn a thing or two from the Germans.

 

At the end of the day, this pen stays un-inked at home and my almost daily companion now is MB L139G with a super flexible stubby B nib that's a joy to use and lets me get my ideas down on paper within a millisecond of a spark firing in my mind, in addition to that, I get the satisfaction of using something that hasn't been improved upon since the 1940's...

 

For now, the Montegrappa 1930 Extra is a pretty pen that sits just looking pretty, like an Italian model that you can't do much with beyond enjoy its beauty with very little practicality.

 

cheers

 

Wael

[raging.dragon]

I own a Green Marble 1930 Extra and fully agree with the quirks noted by everyone so far...The number of turns to take the cap off is the probably the most annoying item to me.

 

As soon as I get an idea I need to instantly get it on paper before it vanishes and I've lost a few with this pen at work. I stopped taking it with me to the office. I can't afford that time and instead of sketching my idea quickly, I end up getting extremely frustrated at this dumb cap that my mood gets fowl and I lose that moment of inspiration and with it my idea.

 

My nib is EF so the ink capacity, while is an issue, is not as apparent to me on a daily basis. The metal section is a bit cold to the touch, which feels very impersonal. So why is this pen still in my pen box, the only non-German in there? That darn celluloid...is it so beautiful. If MB could use celluloid like this, they would take over the world!

 

Don't get me wrong, the MB Oscar Wilde is a nice resin pen that could probably satisfy the need for a colored barrel, but that Montegrappa Green Marble 'is stunning'. I haven't seen a marble like celluloid that hit me this hard in the chest. Don't get me wrong, the entire Extra 1930 line is fantastic, and if I could, I would buy the entire line. I would probably rarely use it because I don't want to ruin my mood at work.

 

That darn box it comes in gets on my nerves too, just like my Panerai boxes used to...what's up with Italians and big boxes? Is shipping so cheap in Italy? I don't understand...someone tell Montegrappa, Visconti, Paneria and all Italian companies, we don't need such large boxes! They're very heavy, take up too much space, and make it expensive to ship worldwide. Please learn a thing or two from the Germans.

 

At the end of the day, this pen stays un-inked at home and my almost daily companion now is MB L139G with a super flexible stubby B nib that's a joy to use and lets me get my ideas down on paper within a millisecond of a spark firing in my mind, in addition to that, I get the satisfaction of using something that hasn't been improved upon since the 1940's...

 

For now, the Montegrappa 1930 Extra is a pretty pen that sits just looking pretty, like an Italian model that you can't do much with beyond enjoy its beauty with very little practicality.

 

cheers

 

Wael

 

I have a different Montegrappa which takes just as long to uncap, yet I couldn't imagine taking a few seconds to unscrew a pen cap ruining my mood. Actually the few seconds spent handling a treasured pen would probably *improve* my mood!

[MidnightBlue]

No other Montegrappa takes 7 turns to uncap. If you're interested, a sleeve can be inserted to cut down on the turns, but then it's not original. (if that's a concern ) Then you CAN take it to work. Celluloid takes too much work to make. It'd turn a MB 149 into a $2000 pen. I love the Extra packaging. It deserves to show off, and is a great desk piece.Thanks

[raging.dragon]

No other Montegrappa takes 7 turns to uncap. If you're interested, a sleeve can be inserted to cut down on the turns, but then it's not original. (if that's a concern ) Then you CAN take it to work. Celluloid takes too much work to make. It'd turn a MB 149 into a $2000 pen. I love the Extra packaging. It deserves to show off, and is a great desk piece.Thanks

 

Ok, only 2 turns for my Montegrappa 80th Anniversary. I love the looks of the Extra and will save up to get one. Eventually.

[MrInkwell]

I don't know why people think this pen is not a real piston filler. Yes, the piston knob doesn't "come out" when unscrewed, and that is because this is a single stage piston filler, unlike the two stage filler on Montblancs most people would be more familiar with. Yes, they originally did not hold much ink, but the first generation are now retro-fitted with the newer seals and mechanism if they go back to the factory for service or repair.

 

Julian

[ArchiMark]

This is one of those pens that I'm sorry that I parted with....was a great writer (especially, after Mike M did his nib magic on it...), felt great in the hand, and so nice to look at (had the turtle brown)...

 

Like others, the only thing that bugged me at all was taking the cap off....

 

Very tempted to get another one.....

 

[ArchiMark]

No other Montegrappa takes 7 turns to uncap. If you're interested, a sleeve can be inserted to cut down on the turns, but then it's not original. (if that's a concern ) Then you CAN take it to work. Celluloid takes too much work to make. It'd turn a MB 149 into a $2000 pen. I love the Extra packaging. It deserves to show off, and is a great desk piece.Thanks

 

Where does one get the sleeve to insert you refer to???

 

Thanks!