Wonderful Burgundy Nos 342 With F Semi-Flex Nib

[TheDutchGuy]

There's a wonderful gentleman in Holland who collects and trades Montblanc pens. I've had the good fortune of obtaining my old 146 EF from him some time ago and today I visited him once more to admire his incredible collection of Montblanc goodness. Many different pens were tried, including F, KF, M, OM, OB, OBB and a slew of other nibs. I personally lean towards nibs that draw a finer line on the page and preferably add character to the text, such as "stubbish" and "architect-ish" nibs. I've learned to ignore MB nibsizes and to just try everything, since variability between nibs is high. Anyway, today I fell in love with a New Old Stock 342 in lovely burgundy red, with a nib labeled "F arrow". I can't display a real downward arrow here, but there is an actual little arrow on the piston knob next to the F. I'm assuming this indicates a semi-flex or flex nib. That, it certainly is. Whether it's an F, well, that's debatable. It's a stubbish nib, just as I like it. Downstrokes are western M, sidestrokes are western F to EF. The nib is extremely bouncy and feathery, very cushiony and totally addictive even if I don't use its flex capacity.

 

 

Inking this old pen up for the first time in its 61 years of existence was a very special experience. It writes like a dream. No other pen I own makes my writing look this good. The writing sample really doen't do it justice, nor do the photos, which were taken indoors by artificial light.

 

 

The price sticker is still on the pen: 32.50 Kr, which indicates the pen was originally sold in Scandinavia somewhere.

 

All things considered, this is one helluva nice pen. Sure, the material doesn't feel as high-end like the Meisterstück pens, but if a pen writes this well, then who cares?

Edited November 23, 2018 by TheDutchGuy

[Tom Kellie]

~ The DutchGuy:

 

What a pleasant surprise to find images of a 342 pen.

Thank you for the two images and the explanation.

As it's writing well for you, that's ideal.

There are two 342 G pens on my writing desk which write well, month after month.

I'm so glad that you shared this positive news here.

Tom K.

[NotAWiz4rd]

The pen looks gorgeous! Looks like you've got it just in time to contribute to the debate whether Montblanc should bring their burgundy coloured pens back ^^

[siamackz]

Lovely pen. I dont think the arrow signifies much (and definitely not flexible nib) because my 342 D rigid/carbon paper nib has the arrow too. My 252 had the arrow as well as my 264. I think it just indicates nib size

[bass1193]

Wow, such a great find! And such a beautiful pen!

[TheDutchGuy]

Lovely pen. I dont think the arrow signifies much (and definitely not flexible nib) because my 342 D rigid/carbon paper nib has the arrow too. My 252 had the arrow as well as my 264. I think it just indicates nib size

Surprising. Thanks.

[TheDutchGuy]

One week later. This is an amazing pen. The nib is so bouncy, it's as if it has air suspension. Writing with this thing is like nothing else. Not a pen to use on trains or to scribble notes when walking down a corridor, but when sitting at a table... wow.