Love The Nib, Hate The Spontaneous Cracks.

[Parker51]

Friday was a bad day for me. My Model Number 32 spontaneously developed a long crack. Fortunately, there was no leakage onto anything as ithe crack is in the part of the barrel which the cap covers, so all the ink stayed contained under the cap. I couldn't figure out why this occurred, given that the pen was capped, in a soft leather case in a zippered pocket in a leather bag to which nothing had happened, and there was no sign of damage to anything. The cap was screwed on and the pen is unblemished in every way. Literally, there was no way for the pen to have been damaged from outside as the cap and everything else was in order. The pen even still wrote, wonderfully. But then I remembered I have a Model Number 221 which had developed a simialer crack, but in its cap. Both cracks are longitudinal, are clean and in both cases no force was put on the pens prior to the cracks appearing. I researched this situation and it appears that this is unfortunately a recurring problem with the "contemporary" designs of that era and the resin being proprietary can only be repaired by Montblanc, if it can be repaired. And so, I now have a fine pen with a wonderful nib that I cannot use. The other one with the cracked cap is still quite useable as the crack appears stable and being in a cap, does not have ink inside it to leak out. So, if anyone has any suggestions, I welcome them. I have thought of contacting Montblanc, but the Model Number 32 was made for only a couple of years, with production having ended over 50 years ago and alas, it wasn't and isn't an expensive pen and so even if it could be repaired, the cost might excede it value.

Edited January 28, 2018 by Parker51

[niksch]

Yes, situations like this are frustrating. Please post a photo. Maybe we can provide a solid course of action for a repair.

[CS388]

...snip...

 

I researched this situation and it appears that this is unfortunately a recurring problem with the "contemporary" designs of that era

 

Yes, I think so. Especially if it's on the section, coming up from the nib. The resin is quite strong in itself, but cannot withstand certain pressures and stresses in the long term, which would be experienced in a pens working life.

 

As niksch says, a picture may help to fully understand the damage. You could also post in the Repairs Q&A sub-forum. There are some experts there (eg Ron Zorn) who know much more about plastic/resin repairs and may be able to offer suggestions.

 

Often, a replacement part from a donor pen is the only cure for this, but as you point out, the cost of this may exceed the value of the pen?. I can remember (back in the day) you could pick up old 32's and 34's (etc) for peanuts - now, anything with the white snowcap demands a premium price.

 

Good luck.