Enjoying Montblanc Pens — Broad, Oblique, Extra Fine, Le & Bespoke

[Tom Kellie]

Colobus guereza Near Naro Moru, Kenya

Asking itself: “How are fountain pens connected to food?”

[Tom Kellie]

Tom, are you a wildlife ecologist? I am a wildlife biologist by training — now doing policy work in DC — it was a former boss in a wildlife agency, upon one of my promotions, suggested I needed a fountain pen. That was 25 years ago — the first pen was a Cross Townsend — and the rest is history.

 

~ Toll:

 

Yes, training students in various facets of field ecology has been a joy.

Never in any sense policy-related, the focus has been on learning to be quiet, patient, carefully observing all that happens and doesn't happen.

More like a multi-day BioBlitz, systematically observing and recording what's present and what it does.

I've been especially interested in how unrelated species alert one another of the presence of predators, especially leopards.

The Colobus monkey above was photographed during a stay in Central Kenya.

I use Montblanc fountain pens in the field to record observations and to sketch settings. Their reliability in field conditions has impressed me.

I'm honored to exchange thoughts with a wildlife policy maker!

Thank you for your informative comment.

Tom K.

[Toll]

Tom, I started out as a field biologist and wildlife manager, almost 40 years ago, working mainly with cervids, deer and moose, for a state fish and wildlife agency. Wonderful career.

 

I am impressed that you use your MB’s in the field — seems like a by-line for some future MB ad! Mine basically see the inside of offices, hotels, and airplanes...but I am almost never without a fountain pen and often it will be a MB.

[Tom Kellie]

Tom, I started out as a field biologist and wildlife manager, almost 40 years ago, working mainly with cervids, deer and moose, for a state fish and wildlife agency. Wonderful career.

 

I am impressed that you use your MB’s in the field — seems like a by-line for some future MB ad! Mine basically see the inside of offices, hotels, and airplanes...but I am almost never without a fountain pen and often it will be a MB.

 

~ Toll:

 

That's a terrific beginning, which became a launching pad for greater challenges.

Your career trajectory is what I tell students is possible, if they remain alert, give more than requested, consider a wide range of workable possibilities, and maintain sincere courtesy and respect towards others.

The 90th Anniversary 149 Bespoke EEF “Leopard Pen” has been in my safari vest pocket during numerous leopard close encounters in national parks and wildlife reserves around Africa.

Field use of Montblanc fountain pens is comparable to the Rolls-Royces that were used long ago in fairly rough conditions.

Quality products maintain their reliability in tough situations, which enhances their worth.

Even the diminutive platinum Mozart EF is used to record field notes when hiking around in fairy nasty field sites.

Why not?

Tom K.

[empliau]

Tom - Then you would definitely like Into the Heart of Borneo - Redmond O'Hanlon is a naturalist. His tales of schlepping Smythies' two-volume set The Birds of Borneo around the jungle are extremely funny, and his descriptions of leeches (from thread-like to a meter) terrifying.

[Cyrille81]

 

~ Cyrille:

 

Oops! I chose the wrong symbols.

Poor thinking. Sorry about that.

At home I'm all tea with honey, lemon and a sprinkling of cinnamon. Occasional fruit juice, depending on the season.

The bottle of Chilean Leopard Cabernet Sauvignon in my house is the first alcohol of any kind in nearly one year.

What alternative gentle symbols of France and Belgium?

Maybe macarons vs chocolates?

Or Poodles vs Brussels Griffons?

In any case, the France vs Belgium match should be a classic.

Tom K.

 

I like different variety of tea too: earl grey as daily one and when I have time to savor I have some grand cru of darjeeling, white tea of China, etc. I like food and cook too from France and Belgium. From France there is also the famous French baguette and from Belgium the French fries.

I'm more macarons than chocolates.

We don't have dogs but we like more little dogs than big ones, more in the size of Yubi. My wife had a shih tzu and we like also Cavalier King Charles spaniel and pug as your beloved Zuji.

[Tom Kellie]

Tom - Then you would definitely like Into the Heart of Borneo - Redmond O'Hanlon is a naturalist. His tales of schlepping Smythies' two-volume set The Birds of Borneo around the jungle are extremely funny, and his descriptions of leeches (from thread-like to a meter) terrifying.

 

 

 

~ empliau:

 

Meter-long leeches ?!?!?!

Naturalists tend toward zany adventures, even when schlepping, groping and stumbling around their local estuaries.

Doing so in Borneo sounds over-the-top loony...and therefore great fun to experience vicariously.

Thank you for the recommendation.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

I like different variety of tea too: earl grey as daily one and when I have time to savor I have some grand cru of darjeeling, white tea of China, etc. I like food and cook too from France and Belgium. From France there is also the famous French baguette and from Belgium the French fries.

I'm more macarons than chocolates.

We don't have dogs but we like more little dogs than big ones, more in the size of Yubi. My wife had a shih tzu and we like also Cavalier King Charles spaniel and pug as your beloved Zuji.

 

~ Cyrille:

 

Darjeeling is an aromatic tea which I also like. At an ornate old mosque here the caretaker served me superb white tea during a visit last autumn.

How could I forget?

Baguette vs French fries.

Both macarons and chocolates would be most welcome anywhere near my writing desk.

My parents had a lovely Shih Tzu with an affectionate temperament. I like photos of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels but have never seen one.

Zuji was a highly intelligent Pug. He was unfailingly interested in playing toss and fetch games. He was also a lively explorer of the outdoors.

I miss him, especially when I walk on the secluded path which is near his grave beneath tall bamboo.

Yubi has very limited ability or interest in chasing balls, and he remains disinterested in outdoor walks. This Summer I hope to persuade him to shift his feelings.

However, he's the most loving, easygoing, gentle dog I've ever known. With his mop of hair and sparkling eyes, he's a charmer throughout the day into evening.

Above is his greeting to your household's guinea pigs.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

[Tom Kellie]

Local Copy of Denmark's Lagkagehuset

[Tom Kellie]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nancyolson/2018/07/09/montblancs-new-epic-writers-edition-pens-are-all-about-homer/

[farmdogfan]

 

Local Copy of Denmark's Lagkagehuset

 

Looks good Tom, both the pastries and the photographs.

 

Regards Per.

[blottingpaperforlife]

Hello, Tom— Is the symbol— coat of arms, crown also draw with the same pen and the nib?

[Tom Kellie]

Hello, Tom— Is the symbol— coat of arms, crown also draw with the same pen and the nib?

 

 

~ blottingpaperforlife:

 

Yes, it is.

What I've sketched is the genuine logo and name style of the Lagkagehuset bakery chain in Denmark.

It's similar but different from the local copy at the bakery I visited.

It was drawn with the same pen shown, which wrote the comment. It was inked with Montblanc Leo Tolstoy Sky Blue.

The Danish-made Coral Red 212 EF nib is as reliable of a fountain pen as I've ever used.

The Extra Fine nib provides superb feedback. It's a highly sensitive yet sturdy small pen.

Because I greatly admired its performance as a writer, I gladly added the slightly larger Danish-made Coral Red Simplo #4 EF last month.

They're jewels on my writing desk, useful for both written communication and casual sketches.

BTW: The non-stop precipitation of yesterday continues today, with severe rain expected to increase in intensity this evening.

Local frogs and ducks are delighted.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Puppy Sofa

~ While calculating final course grades and recording them, Yubi was resting on his puppy sofa beside my feet.

He saw the recently acquired Montblanc platinum Classique M nib “Les Splendeurs de Paris” in use but was more interested in the tea I was drinking.

A more patient, silent, loyal writing companion could not be found. The Spanish classical piano CD playing doesn't seem to bother him at all.

Tom K.

[BillH]

Yubi is a very regal young fellow. Great picture Tom.

[Tom Kellie]

A Major Event In Yubi's Life on His 7 Month Birthday

[Tom Kellie]

Ink Box Pyramid

[Tom Kellie]

Fire Forged

[Tom Kellie]

Yubi is a very regal young fellow. Great picture Tom.

 

~ BillH:

 

Thank you so much for noticing Yubi's special qualities.

He visited his veterinarian today on his seven month birthday.

It was decided to wait one more month before the neutering surgery. His nails were cut.

Happy dog, happy Tom.

Tom K.