I've Crowned A Winner!

[bemon]

The contenders:

 

GVFC Classic

MB 146/LeGrand

Pelikan M800

 

I always come back to my Graf because:

 

It's the heaviest of the bunch, it ALWAYS starts and NEVER skips, it feels robust, and (controversy alert), I like a C/C pen for easy long term maintenance. I definitely see Macasser version in my distance future.

 

If I had to pick a runner up it's the M800, though if I did it all over again I'd have picked out the Stresemann finish.

 

Edited April 20, 2020 by bemon

[PAKMAN]

This reminds me I need to take my GVFC classic back out for a ride!

[bemon]

This reminds me I need to take my GVFC classic back out for a ride!

It's been in constant use for about a year now. I always tended to discount it because it's both a finger print magnet and the polished section is a little slippery/thin for my liking. But a piece of thick tape on the section takes care of that issue. And it just always, always always starts and writes.

 

I don't have any reliability issues with the Pelikan, but I like how the Graf feels so much more substantial. None of my Montblancs write well. But when they do perform they feel good.

[WLSpec]

It's been in constant use for about a year now. I always tended to discount it because it's both a finger print magnet and the polished section is a little slippery/thin for my liking. But a piece of thick tape on the section takes care of that issue. And it just always, always always starts and writes.

 

I don't have any reliability issues with the Pelikan, but I like how the Graf feels so much more substantial. None of my Montblancs write well. But when they do perform they feel good.

I don't own a GVFC pen just because I don't hear much about them. Whatever the reason for that is, it's nice to hear that you enjoy yours so much. That design is very attractive!

[bemon]

I don't own a GVFC pen just because I don't hear much about them. Whatever the reason for that is, it's nice to hear that you enjoy yours so much. That design is very attractive!

Thanks! I had to let the design grow on me, but now it's among my favorites.

[DrDebG]

Very nice pens! I am glad that your Classic works well for you. I am sad to hear that you have issues with your Montblancs.

 

I have a eMotion and a couple of Looms. For stainless steel nibs, they are some of the very best.

 

But my two favorite pens are my Montblancs - a Unicef LeGrand and a JFK. Both are exceptional.

 

Let me say, however, that I have had other Montblancs that were not quite as good. I had a Boheme, which was an excellent writer, but had other issues, and I had a Montblanc 144 that was rather scratchy and too small for my arthritic hand. But I have also had Pelikans - both M400's - that were just sad writers, and again, were too small for my hand.

Edited April 20, 2020 by 5Cavaliers

[bemon]

Very nice pens! I am glad that your Classic works well for you. I am sad to hear that you have issues with your Montblancs.

 

I have a eMotion and a couple of Looms. For stainless steel nibs, they are some of the very best.

 

But my two favorite pens are my Montblancs - a Unicef LeGrand and a JFK. Both are exceptional.

 

Let me say, however, that I have had other Montblancs that were not quite as good. I had a Boheme, which was an excellent writer, but had other issues, and I had a Montblanc 144 that was rather scratchy and too small for my arthritic hand. But I have also had Pelikans - both M400's - that were just sad writers, and again, were too small for my hand.

Thanks!

 

I've also got a GVFC Tamitio, which I believe is a re-branded FC Ambition. It's a steel nib and it's an absolute joy to write with. If I'm not mistaken the same nib is used on the Loom, but I don't have one. Maybe someone who's got all three can comment. Great pens though.

 

I've got two MB 146/LeGrand pens and a Classique which I think was the 144 size. They all dry start and skip which is really disappointing. On top of that, the piston on both 146/LeGrand pens needs to be lubricated. So I've either got to buy a tool so I can do it myself or send the pens off. By contrast, I eventually wore out the converter on my GVFC Classic, so I popped in an international converter and it was back on the road in five minutes.

 

I haven't had any writing difficulties with my Pelikans, but my preferences are for a heavier pen.

[langere]

The you might want to try to Pelikan M815, which is all metal. A bit more heavy than the regular Pelikans.

 

For me, my Aurora 88 beats all of those...

 

Erick

[DrDebG]

Thanks!

 

I've also got a GVFC Tamitio, which I believe is a re-branded FC Ambition. It's a steel nib and it's an absolute joy to write with. If I'm not mistaken the same nib is used on the Loom, but I don't have one. Maybe someone who's got all three can comment. Great pens though.

 

I've got two MB 146/LeGrand pens and a Classique which I think was the 144 size. They all dry start and skip which is really disappointing. On top of that, the piston on both 146/LeGrand pens needs to be lubricated. So I've either got to buy a tool so I can do it myself or send the pens off. By contrast, I eventually wore out the converter on my GVFC Classic, so I popped in an international converter and it was back on the road in five minutes.

 

I haven't had any writing difficulties with my Pelikans, but my preferences are for a heavier pen.

 

Thank you for the info about the Tamitio.

 

Regarding your MB 146 pens, I would strongly encourage you to send them to a good pen restorer/nib meister. The 146/LeGrand size is my favorite - it is wide enough to be comfortable, but not too weighty. I am not as fond of the 144 though.

[Addertooth]

My daily "workhorse" pen is a Graf Von Faber Castell pen. It is the E-Motion model in black Parquet pattern. It was nice enough that it presents well, but without creating horror if it gets knocked around, worn or scratched. It and a matching Ball Point pen hangs from my lanyard throughout the day.

[Storch]

Not an entirely fair comparison. If you were going for weight, there are better options. As others have mentioned, the M815 would probably be better choice than the M800 (I love mine) and either the Martele or Blue Hour would be better competitors than the standard 146. Similarly, if you have a preference for converters over pistons, that would change the contenders in a different way.

[bemon]

The you might want to try to Pelikan M815, which is all metal. A bit more heavy than the regular Pelikans.

 

For me, my Aurora 88 beats all of those...

 

Erick

Is the 815 still in regular production? I've seen them, but haven't learned much about them yet.

[bemon]

 

Thank you for the info about the Tamitio.

 

Regarding your MB 146 pens, I would strongly encourage you to send them to a good pen restorer/nib meister. The 146/LeGrand size is my favorite - it is wide enough to be comfortable, but not too weighty. I am not as fond of the 144 though.

I could be wrong about the Tamitio sharing a nib and feed with it's FC cousins. But But I think I'm on the right track!

 

Eventually I'll have to send the MB's away. I"ll may sell the gold trim 146 in my picture but keep the silver plated LeGrand I have. It writes worse, but looks better. Jury's out on the Classique. My wife helped me buy it as part of a gift, so for that reason alone I feel I should keep it. Maybe make it write and then pass it on to my daughter later.

 

Yes.. that's what I'll do. She's 4 and loves writing/colouring with her Safari's. When she's older I'll hand her down the repaired Classique. They body is is pristine condition. Thanks for watching me think out loud

[bemon]

My daily "workhorse" pen is a Graf Von Faber Castell pen. It is the E-Motion model in black Parquet pattern. It was nice enough that it presents well, but without creating horror if it gets knocked around, worn or scratched. It and a matching Ball Point pen hangs from my lanyard throughout the day.

Nice pen!

 

That's an unintended benefit of mine as well- as I mentioned above I wasn't crazy about the design for the longest time. I was interested in the pen but for the price didn't want to experiential. Then a friend of mine offered his to me (pictured) for $200, and I felt like that was too good to say no to. So the pen already had some insignificant cuts and bruises on it, so if it gets a knock here or there I don't worry about it.

 

I've since bought another now that I know they perform and it gets babied along with some other more expensive pens. I'll keep this one, but will likely put the other one up for sale down the road to make way for a Macassar version.

[bemon]

Not an entirely fair comparison. If you were going for weight, there are better options. As others have mentioned, the M815 would probably be better choice than the M800 (I love mine) and either the Martele or Blue Hour would be better competitors than the standard 146. Similarly, if you have a preference for converters over pistons, that would change the contenders in a different way.

You could probably make the fair/unfair argument about any line up of pens. There's always going to be a feature that separates one pen from another inside a given class.

 

But these ones are all sized similarly, can be found inside a similar price range if you shop around, are all German and all have gold nibs. Filling systems definitely differ, sure. There is a C/C version of the LeGrand available, but back when I got mine I wasn't as sure about what I liked. The Pelikan and the Montblanc are certainly much more comparable than the Graf as pictured.

 

I should say that I don't mind piston fillers if they can be maintained on their own. I carry a Lamy 2000 as my go-to meeting pen and I like that I can disassemble it and maintain it on my own. I can (have) ordered parts for my aging L2K from the Lamy supplier in Canada for a reasonable cost. I guess I feel like a pen that costs as much as any of these should be reliable for the long haul without needing custom maintenance.

 

But I'm sure there's plenty of people here that disagree. Outside of collecting lavish pens, I'm a pretty practical guy. My friend's all face-palmed when I bought a new Mazda instead of a year old BMW which was being sold for the same price. But I shook my finger old-man style and said "Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance."

 

At any rate, yes I'll look into an M815. I tend to prefer modern pens that can be bought new as opposed to NOS or vintage. But I can definitely look. I want to let this whole Covid situation pass before I buy anything that isn't strictly necessary.

 

I was fortunate to be brought back to work after only a two week lay off, but that could still change. So for now we're keeping our expenses to a minimum.

[85AKbN]

I really like the broad nib on my Loom. Such a smooth writer and unlike any other nib I've written with.

 

[Honeybadgers]

it's funny how tastes differ.

 

I absolutely hate GVFC pens. I'd take the m800 any day and wouldn't complain about a 146. But I'd take a pilot metropolitan over the GVFC (well I'd take the GVFC and sell it, but if I had to pick one to use)

Edited April 21, 2020 by Honeybadgers

[bemon]

it's funny how tastes differ.

 

I absolutely hate GVFC pens. I'd take the m800 any day and wouldn't complain about a 146. But I'd take a pilot metropolitan over the GVFC (well I'd take the GVFC and sell it, but if I had to pick one to use)

I remember being at a pen show and asking for a vendor to let me test fit an pen in my favorite case to make sure it fit. I opened up my case and he saw the Graf, and says "Oh, I can never get those to write." A few people around the table agreed. That surprised me because it's among my most reliable daily carry pens.

 

What don't you like about it?

 

There are things I'd change about it if I was the designer. I'd definitely make the section wider, and introduce a texture so it's easier to hold for long periods.

 

But what makes it a winner is that it never dry starts, or never skips. To me it feels really substantial too. For what it's worth, the Pelikan doesn't dry start or skip either. But it doesn't feel solid.

 

As for the Montblanc.. well if I didn't know I could sell it for more money than it's worth, I'd trade it for a bacon cheeseburger right now.

[mulrich]

I have more M800s than any other pen, so I'm obviously partial to them. That said, I've recently gravitated towards more c/c pens for a couple reasons. 1) they're a ton easier to clean; 2) the smaller ink capacity lets me rotate through more pens and inks.

 

My biggest beef with the GvFC is the snap cap; it doesn't seem to create an airtight seal so the nib tends to dry out. I haven't done any formal (or informal) testing, so my observations may be off (I have other snap caps that seem to create a tighter seal). The nib on my GvFC also sings a little bit, which doesn't always bother me but can be annoying. This is my only GvFC so I don't know if this is a common issue; for comparison, I have one M800 that's also a little noise but the rest are completely quiet.

[OMASsimo]

I only have a GvFC Guilloche, which is essentially the same pen with a plastic barrel. But I can confirm that it's an excellent writer despite being a c/c model. The rather unique design of the cap certainly is a matter of taste. But for sure it is a very robust pen with one of the best nibs when compared to other modern offerings. My newest Pelikans are significantly older (late 90s) but are similarly excellent and reliable writers. However, I'm still much more fond of the GvFC ancestors, vintage Osmia pens, which once were extremely renowned for their outstanding nibs. It's a real pity that such nibs and pens are not made anymore.