Patron Of Arts: Alexander Von Humboldt Restoration

[OngL]

I have acquired my first PoA pen which is the Humboldt. Although it is new, it seems not taken care well. I see a number of white patches on the wood barrel.

I would like to seek an advice if this can be restored and how to do so. Preferably if It can be done (DIY) rather than sending it to MB which will send to Hamburg for a couple month.

Thank you in advance.
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll206/ongl/E8F04A5E-6345-4F68-8DB8-99399AEC3EFC.jpg
http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll206/ongl/5A801409-DF98-48CA-946B-62A77BC55D11.jpg

Edited January 19, 2015 by OngL

[jamesgibby]

Congrats on the purchase. Please if you have time post a review of the pen as out review board seems to lack a lot of POA and new WE reviews.

 

As for the repair. I'm sorry I can't help there lol.

[OngL]

Hi James,

 

At the moment, I am trying to restore it then decide if I'll keep it, use it or sell it again. I will try to do review when possible. I searched the forum, there was one review of this pen but won't mind adding one more.

 

Regards,

 

  On 1/19/2015 at 8:16 AM, jamesgibby said:

Congrats on the purchase. Please if you have time post a review of the pen as out review board seems to lack a lot of POA and new WE reviews.

As for the repair. I'm sorry I can't help there lol.

[amk]

I know nothing at all about MBs, but have a woodworking workshop, and that looks to me like the slight bloom that comes with damp - just wipe with a slightly warm and damp (not wet) cloth, if that doesn't work rub a little harder and see if it disperses the white dots. If it does then you'll need to dry the pen out by just putting it somewhere reasonably warm and dry (and not in the oven!) for a few days.

 

Other people may know better but I don't think I've suggested anything that will damage the pen.

[Axis]

I have got the pen as well - it is made of grendilla wood. Using it it will darken soon by the touch of your hands and the sunlight. I clean it as written above - you should try that. And don't sell it - this is one of the best POAs to me!

[OngL]

Hi Amk,

Thanks for the tips. I shall give it a try. I hope it'll dispersed. The other possibility, it is a scratch that causes the wood lost its tan (Worst thinking mode ON). Apart from the white spot, two other issues:

 

1) Miniature cracks (pores) which I think it is normal in other pictures I see, would like to validate if that is an area of concern.

2) On first picture on the left, the colour gradiation seems off, like that part of wood has lost its colour partially.

 

  On 1/19/2015 at 9:40 AM, amk said:

I know nothing at all about MBs, but have a woodworking workshop, and that looks to me like the slight bloom that comes with damp - just wipe with a slightly warm and damp (not wet) cloth, if that doesn't work rub a little harder and see if it disperses the white dots. If it does then you'll need to dry the pen out by just putting it somewhere reasonably warm and dry (and not in the oven!) for a few days.

 

Other people may know better but I don't think I've suggested anything that will damage the pen.

 

 

Hi Axis,

You certainly made me feel good like hitting a Jackpot. I didn't plan to purchase this but was recommended by a friend being the only PoA made from wood (or even the first MB pen made by wood). Then, someone wanted to sell at less than ideal condition, which I decided to buy. Still wondering if I should be happy or regret the purchase.

 

  On 1/19/2015 at 9:52 AM, Axis said:

I have got the pen as well - it is made of grendilla wood. Using it it will darken soon by the touch of your hands and the sunlight. I clean it as written above - you should try that. And don't sell it - this is one of the best POAs to me!

[amk]

I haven't worked with tropical woods for a while, but remember many of the blackwoods and rosewoods (grenadilla being one) are fairly porous, with a very marked figure and slight 'crack' effect where the growth rings are. So the pen may not be cracked, just showing its natural grain.You should only worry if the pen appears warped or bulging, in which case you have actually got a crack - otherwise it's just one of those things that makes wood an amazing but sometimes frustrating material to work (and own).

 

Next time you get a chance to go to a pen show take the pen along for some comparisons!

[OngL]

Thanks to AMK and Axis, I was able to restore the pen. The warm damp cloth and a gentle swipe works the magic.

White spots are gone although the overall colour from the pen looks lighter than model photos.

 

I'd likely use the pen along my daily 149 and Heritage 1912.

[OngL]

James,

 

I posted a review of the pen. Link.

It is my first review in this forum, all feedbacks are welcome.

 

 

  On 1/19/2015 at 8:16 AM, jamesgibby said:

Congrats on the purchase. Please if you have time post a review of the pen as out review board seems to lack a lot of POA and new WE reviews.

As for the repair. I'm sorry I can't help there lol.

[Axis]

Congrats on the successful restoration. This pen is easy to clean: use a Cloth for silver (I have got one directly from Montblanc) and the Sterling silver will shine again. The grenadilla Wood Needs no further cleaning - your Hands will do the best to it

[Wolverine1]

Ong- if you have a friend who is either a clarinet or a bassoon player, who owns an instrument made of grenadilla, ask him for a drop of the oil that he uses to lubricate the bore of his instrument. Use this oil lightly over the body of your pen, let it sit for a day so that the oil is fullt absorbed. Then, wipe it with a clean, dry cloth, and your pen is ready for action. Repeat this treatment with the oil, maybe once a year.

[OngL]

Wolverine,

Thanks for the tips. I will drop by to musical instrument shop and get the oil.

 

I did a google search and some more info here (for future reference of current and new owner of the pen):

Link

 

Excerpt quoted:

 

  Quote

OILING

There are more myths and legends regarding oiling than with any other aspect of grenadilla

instrument maintenance. Even reputable manufacturers do not agree, with some recommending

that no oiling is necessary while others supply their instruments with “bore oil”. It seems that the

jury is still out and has been for a couple of hundred years!

For new instruments, follow the manufacturer’s instructions so as not to void the guarantee. For

everyday maintenance, I will cover the general consensus in the repair industry and let you

decide.

Types of oils

There are two types of oil in general use;

- Petroleum based oils.

These are the “bore oils” most commonly sold in music stores and that are provided with some

new instruments. Consensus amongst repairers seems to be that these may do some good and

don’t do any harm. (Unless used to excess and seep onto pads)

- Organic oils.

 

 

 

 

  On 1/20/2015 at 2:57 PM, Wolverine1 said:

Ong- if you have a friend who is either a clarinet or a bassoon player, who owns an instrument made of grenadilla, ask him for a drop of the oil that he uses to lubricate the bore of his instrument. Use this oil lightly over the body of your pen, let it sit for a day so that the oil is fullt absorbed. Then, wipe it with a clean, dry cloth, and your pen is ready for action. Repeat this treatment with the oil, maybe once a year.

Edited January 21, 2015 by OngL

[jamesgibby]

  On 1/20/2015 at 10:58 AM, OngL said:

James,

 

I posted a review of the pen. Link.

It is my first review in this forum, all feedbacks are welcome.

 

 

Great Review! enjoy the pen in good health

[OngL]

Posted a follow-up review which relates to care and maintenance.

----

 

Follow-up review: Credits: amk, wolverine, axis)

Care and Maintenance

1) Silver sections

Montblanc original silver polishing cloth will take care of the stain/tarnish. There will be hairline scratches due to polishing. The clothes can be requested from boutique or authorised distributors at no cost.

2) Silver inlays

Similar to above with careful polish on small area one at a time. It seems the inlays are 'glued' to the wood, hence a force caused from polishing cloth that get stuck may take that away.

3) Wood section

I used a bore oil from Yamaha (or any music stores). Drop a couple drop to cotton bud and slowly apply the oil to the wood section. Leave it for half an hour and use a clean cloth to wipe any excess oil. The wood becomes dark and shining again. The oil supposed to protect the wood.

My pen looks all new again - Crisis averted I hope this will be useful in the future.

[amk]

Thanks for coming back with the follow-up. It's nice to know I've helped, but even nicer to find out all the things you've done and how they worked out - terrific resource for FPN!

[OngL]

Last bit of information:

 

1) Tools / Parts needed:

a. Montblanc Silver polishing cloth

b. Anti-Tarnishing bag (for storage)

c. Bore oil to protect the wood and make it shine

 

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll206/ongl/20150124_092935-1.jpg

 

2) The pen after restoration

 

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll206/ongl/20150124_093118.jpg

 

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll206/ongl/20150124_093044.jpg

[da vinci]

  On 1/24/2015 at 1:46 AM, OngL said:

Last bit of information:

 

1) Tools / Parts needed:

a. Montblanc Silver polishing cloth

b. Anti-Tarnishing bag (for storage)

c. Bore oil to protect the wood and make it shine

 

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll206/ongl/20150124_092935-1.jpg

 

2) The pen after restoration

 

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll206/ongl/20150124_093118.jpg

 

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll206/ongl/20150124_093044.jpg

Thanks for your helpful posts

 

Its a great looking pen now