344, The Humble Montblanc

[Rosetta59]

Thanks to you, Lam1 and mana, I am happy you appreciated the review !!

[Garageboy]

Great article! Always loved the "lower tier" Mont blanc pens - any similar articles for the 264/25x?

[Rosetta59]

Many thanks for your appreciation, Garageboy.

...yes I am preparing another "historical" review about the second tier MBs, i.e. the topic will be the 244, 254 and 264 models (and 246, 242, 256, 252, 242...). This new review, however, will need additional time ...

[alexander_k]

Superb! This is not a review, it's a very comprehensive reference piece for the fountain pen encyclopaedia. Many thanks.

[Rosetta59]

Thanks a lot for your kind comment, Alexander!

Your comment is my best reward!

[Kaveh]

Thank you Rosetta59 for the time and effort you put into making this very informative thread.

 

I recently got a 3-44. G with a KOB nib. It is a wonderful smooth, wet and quite flexible writer. Here are some pics and thanks again:

 

http://i.imgur.com/cAzkchZ.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/JDkeCRP.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/FA5UqRx.jpg

 

 

[Rosetta59]

Thanks a lot, Kaveh, for your comment.

 

Many compliments for your beautiful 3-44 that, in my opinion, should be of the third type [3-44(G1)] in my table, so it is 63-62 year-old, being produced in 1953-54

 

[Kaveh]

Thanks a lot, Kaveh, for your comment.

 

Many compliments for your beautiful 3-44 that, in my opinion, should be of the third type [3-44(G1)] in my table, so it is 63-62 year-old, being produced in 1953-54

 

 

 

Thanks. Yes, I think you are absolutely right, that was also my guess The other side of the knob says "3-44.G"

[Rosetta59]

A marvel, and an affordable one...

If you think that an average to good 344 may cost as low as 150-200 US $, in front of 5-600 US $ of current versions...

Personally, I think my 344 is a better writer than my otherwise superb 145, M, and 100 years historical...

[compulsiveOMAS]

Very interesting review.

Is it possible to download a pdf of this article?

Thanks a lot!

Ciao !

[Havana_Club]

Very interesting and nicely done!

[Rosetta59]

Very interesting review.

Is it possible to download a pdf of this article?

Thanks a lot!

Ciao !

Of course I have it in pdf.

Please, send a pm to me and i will send you the file...

Ciao !

[Rosetta59]

Very interesting and nicely done!

Thanks a lot, Elephant.

I am happy my work may be of interest

[Witsius]

Great review. Frankly, I don't get very excited about Montblancs. They are generally priced way above what I would ever think of spending on a pen. But these vintage models are just what I love about my Pelikan M200's. They are affordable, functional, and discreet. Too bad these pens are no longer available.

Edited December 17, 2016 by Witsius

[simar]

Great information and pictures . What amazes me is that this series is apparently a "third tier" pen like my 342 , and yet for "third tier" they are such good writers and so well made . Thanks for sharing this .

[Rosetta59]

Great review. Frankly, I don't get very excited about Montblancs. They are generally priced way above what I would ever think of spending on a pen. But these vintage models are just what I love about my Pelikan M200's. They are affordable, functional, and discreet. Too bad these pens are no longer available.

Many thanks, Witsius.

You say well, these pens are affordable, functional and discreet. They are surprising indeed: if you leave in a tray an inked 344 (with the cap closed), even after two months the pen starts writing without hesitations...

Best regards

Nat

[siamackz]

I have been thinking about my first MB for a while now. The 146 was on my list. Then, I tried it at a store. I was disappointed with the plasticky build. It's off my list now. But, I am wondering if I might appreciate vintage MBs instead as I hear that the materials they used were more robust. The 342 (and maybe 344) is in my budget. But, my questions are:

1. Is the nib much smaller on the 342 compared to 146

2. Is the pen overall smaller than the 146

3. Is the 342 made of the same light plastic or is it celluloid

 

Thanks

[Tom Kellie]

I have been thinking about my first MB for a while now. The 146 was on my list. Then, I tried it at a store. I was disappointed with the plasticky build. It's off my list now. But, I am wondering if I might appreciate vintage MBs instead as I hear that the materials they used were more robust. The 342 (and maybe 344) is in my budget. But, my questions are:

1. Is the nib much smaller on the 342 compared to 146

2. Is the pen overall smaller than the 146

 

~ siamackz:

 

The images show a 90th Anniversary 146 B nib and a 1953 3-42 G semi-flex B nib.

Tom K.

[siamackz]

That is super helpful! Thanks so much!

[Rosetta59]

Great information and pictures . What amazes me is that this series is apparently a "third tier" pen like my 342 , and yet for "third tier" they are such good writers and so well made . Thanks for sharing this .

Thank you Simar for your kind comments!

Nat