Love For Mb We Charles Dickens?

[AndyLogan]

I definitely love mine, Such understated elegance, I usually post my pens but learned not to when I got the Charles Dickens fp, & a highly decorated Nakaya fp that does not warrant the cap to be posted. Bought it last year, NOS with an OBB nib from an AD overseas, I think I paid $700 (or less) + shipping, it was still sealed with the signature stickers when I got it, I actually mailed the warranty card back to them to have it filled up, everything was in good working order, piston movement still smooth. They also included a nice montblanc silver polishing cloth.

[Linger]

Apparently MB still has some pens on stock. My dealer ordered one of those NOS for me and it will be delivered straight out of the MB warehouse in Hamburg. I asked for it to be checked prior shipping though, as I assume some 20 years lying down might do something with the silicone grease on the piston. And I just learned that they ran out of F nibs, so they will regrind a M nib to the desired F nib. With a bit of luck it will be delivered end next week, or the week thereafter.

Eehmm, some delays in this story. I phoned with my dealer today and they informed that that they received the pen from the MB warehouse in Hamburg, sent it off to the nib-exhange department (well, in this case, nib-regrind department) of MB in France, while communicating only with the sales organization of MB Benelux... Main bottleneck is France. Due to corona lockdown for weeks, when they were closed, they are battling with a backlog. Current estimate is another two to three weeks. To be continued therefore.

[cll]

Eehmm, some delays in this story. I phoned with my dealer today and they informed that that they received the pen from the MB warehouse in Hamburg, sent it off to the nib-exhange department (well, in this case, nib-regrind department) of MB in France, while communicating only with the sales organization of MB Benelux... Main bottleneck is France. Due to corona lockdown for weeks, when they were closed, they are battling with a backlog. Current estimate is another two to three weeks. To be continued therefore.

Do show us your acquisition when you get it. Cant wait to hear your impressions...

[crod]

I have this pen. I bought it I guess used, but in almost mint condition. After using it a few times the piston gave me a little bit of trouble, but I visited the Dromgoole's store in Houston, they were able to make a simple fix (to be honest if they just disassemble the piston, or added a little bit of lubricant) and they asked me to try it, recommended that if I had any other issues probably to send it directly to Montblanc. However, from that point, the pen has worked great.

The cap is heavy, as it was stated by other users here, but based on the size of the pen and its weight it is very comfortable to use without the cap. I find the combination of the silver cap and the teal colored barrel very elegant. It is actually very interesting that the color of the barrel, depending on the light that you have, may make the pen look almost green, or gray. At some point I remember discussing with a friend who said it is gray, and there was no resemblance to green in the color of the barrel, and as soon as I placed the pen close to something green, the perception of the color changed completely.

[Linger]

My 2001 WE Charles Dickens finally arrived this week – and it was worth the wait!

 

The pen is brand-spanking-new and it shines with enjoyment showing that off. This Writers Edition celebrates its second decennium next year, and much has been said about the features in the various reviews already. I will therefore try not to repeat too much and just give some brief additional comments.

 

I find the looks of the pen stunning. The gargantuan silver cap, reminiscent of Greek columns, the ones Lord Elgin did not “legally acquire” but left where they belong, is a splendid monolithic hunk in a simple, classic design. And where the Pilot Custom 845 has a cap that is, relative to the length/girth of the pen, a very tiny bit off in my eyes, I find this silver monster rather fitting. The over-sizing is done on purpose and it complements the overall proportions.

 

It is b i g & b o l d & b e a u t i f u l.

 

The color scheme with silver cap, black section, and teal/green barrel, is subdued, distinguished and elegant. The small silver band on the teal barrel, and the teal band on the silver cap look good. A well-balanced view. By the way – I am on #teamgreen as I don’s see the grey…well maybe only with very bad light…

 

I personally could do without the engraved autograph on the barrel, and would be satisfied with the initials on the nib, but, to quote a contemporary president: “it is what it is”.

 

The proportions of the pen itself, are very good. It is a hint bigger than the standard 146/147, and the section has a small flare that is surprisingly comfortable. It reminds me of the Parker Duofold. Nice. The weight is good too. I never post a pen, and I guess those who do would not do it with this pen.

 

The nib is, thankfully, the biggest positive surprise. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it is a Medium that was ground down into a Fine. And MB did a great job. The F nib on my 147 has a slight “architect” feel to it (downstrokes slimmer than sidestrokes), the F nib on my Martele is perfect but leans a bit towards an M, and this F nib is exactly what it should be: Fine.

 

Finally, for its maiden voyage, I inked it up with Shikiori Yamadori. I don’t pair inks with pens as a rule, but sometimes I do, and this combination is rather complementary.

 

 

[cll]

Great review. Thank you

[EliH]

Apparently MB still has some pens on stock. My dealer ordered one of those NOS for me and it will be delivered straight out of the MB warehouse in Hamburg.

Now how does one find such a dealer?

[Linger]

My preferred dealer is La Couronne du Comte in NL.

 

It might be coincidental, but this is what happened the other week:

 

- I hear from another MB dealer that the Rouge et Noir Tropic Brown is (1) out of the collection (which I knew as it is no longer listed on MB's website) and that (2) "it cannot be ordered anymore";

- I ask a second opinion with LCdC;

- they phone me the next day to explain that MB has three pens left in stock;

- none of the three as an EF nib, but the existing F nib will be exchanged or ground down for me;

- at no additional cost.

- (lead-time will be 2 to 3 weeks so I am counting the days)

 

So I am not saying that no other dealer would have been able to achieve this, I am just saying that LCdC did. Again.

Edited August 18, 2020 by Linger

[cll]

My 2001 WE Charles Dickens finally arrived this week – and it was worth the wait!

 

The pen is brand-spanking-new and it shines with enjoyment showing that off. This Writers Edition celebrates its second decennium next year, and much has been said about the features in the various reviews already. I will therefore try not to repeat too much and just give some brief additional comments.

 

I find the looks of the pen stunning. The gargantuan silver cap, reminiscent of Greek columns, the ones Lord Elgin did not “legally acquire” but left where they belong, is a splendid monolithic hunk in a simple, classic design. And where the Pilot Custom 845 has a cap that is, relative to the length/girth of the pen, a very tiny bit off in my eyes, I find this silver monster rather fitting. The over-sizing is done on purpose and it complements the overall proportions.

 

It is b i g & b o l d & b e a u t i f u l.

 

The color scheme with silver cap, black section, and teal/green barrel, is subdued, distinguished and elegant. The small silver band on the teal barrel, and the teal band on the silver cap look good. A well-balanced view. By the way – I am on #teamgreen as I don’s see the grey…well maybe only with very bad light…

 

I personally could do without the engraved autograph on the barrel, and would be satisfied with the initials on the nib, but, to quote a contemporary president: “it is what it is”.

 

The proportions of the pen itself, are very good. It is a hint bigger than the standard 146/147, and the section has a small flare that is surprisingly comfortable. It reminds me of the Parker Duofold. Nice. The weight is good too. I never post a pen, and I guess those who do would not do it with this pen.

 

The nib is, thankfully, the biggest positive surprise. As I mentioned in an earlier post, it is a Medium that was ground down into a Fine. And MB did a great job. The F nib on my 147 has a slight “architect” feel to it (downstrokes slimmer than sidestrokes), the F nib on my Martele is perfect but leans a bit towards an M, and this F nib is exactly what it should be: Fine.

 

Finally, for its maiden voyage, I inked it up with Shikiori Yamadori. I don’t pair inks with pens as a rule, but sometimes I do, and this combination is rather complementary.

 

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IMG_0717.jpeg

 

How does this compare to your Hakase?

[Linger]

Ehh, tough one, how do you compare an apple to a banana? Both fruit, both healthy, both delicious, both colourful - but very different nonetheless.

 

The Montblanc is in the end a "mass" produced item. Granted, with minuscule manufacturing tolerances, but still machine-produced in a batch, and that shows. It is perfect, but that shows. The Hakase is a one-off, hand-made, with the dimensions and proportions tailored for me. If you want 2mm more on the section, or 5mm more on the barrel, you can. With Hakase, you can also choose the material. My celluloid jade green is perhaps not very exotic, but still rare. The resin of the Montblanc is more common.

 

The feel of the pen in your hand is not comparable due to the different weight and balance, but I like both. The nibs are not comparable, but are both perfect. Perhaps I was lucky that Montblanc had to grind a M to a F, meaning it got special attention from one of their professionals. The result is very nice. The Hakase has an OEM Sailor nib, tuned to my preference. In the ordering process you have to give all those choices (tilt, slant, grip, pressure, etc.) and I sent some pictures of my grip of a pen to paper. Based on these choices Hakase individualises the nib to your specifications.

 

Ultimately, I am happy with both. If I have to make a choice, it would be the Hakase, but I am happy that I don't have to make that choice :-)