montblanc franz kafka

[AKAGodSent]

Thanks for the review, I had thought the filling system was a converter, so now I see it's something wholly different, meaning I can see a Kafka for myself in the future

[Mike S.]

Based on this excellent review, I bought one of these today at my local pen store. The one I got came with a medium nib and it is incredibly smooth right out of the box. The quality of the pen and its overall fit-and-finish are exemplary and the feeling of pride of ownership I get from looking at, holding, and writing with it is well worth the price of admission.

 

Although this is a "limited edition," since there are more than 18,000 of them in circulation, I didn't feel one second's remorse about inking and writing with the pen. I might have felt bad if the pen had not proved to be a good writer. The fact that it writes almost as well as any pen I own right out of the box makes me that much happier I didn't hesitate to ink it.

 

Thanks for giving me the idea for buying this pen. I can already tell it's going to become one of my favorites.

 

Mike

[boylstein]

Just wanted to say this review went a long way into me purchasing the Kafka last November. After using it over these past months I must say I agree with pretty much everything stated in this review. I believe a lot of thought went into the design of this pen (Kafka lovers should love this pen) and the nib performs wonderfully as originally stated. So, thank-you for such a thought out review. After getting a taste of the Writer's Series with the Kafka I now am wanting more.

 

[Richard]

As with several other Writers Series pens, I fail to see the connection between the attractive elegance of the pen and the nightmarish, almost dystopic, world of Kafka's writings.

 

I also found when I tried to post a client's pen that the cap threads damaged the edges of the barrel's squared-off end.

[JJBlanche]

As with several other Writers Series pens, I fail to see the connection between the attractive elegance of the pen and the nightmarish, almost dystopic, world of Kafka's writings.

 

I also found when I tried to post a client's pen that the cap threads damaged the edges of the barrel's squared-off end.

 

I'm going to have to agree. Besides the "monstrous vermin" on the nib (which was a nice touch), I fail to see any connection.

[xmattxyzx]

I believe the whole deal (I've posted this elsewhere) is that the pen undergoes a "metamorphosis." Also the pen is sleek and elegant, much like Kafka himself (and I suppose, if you want, you could extend that to his prose--his writing is very simple).

 

edit: Though I've never seen it in person, it seems the red tones represent the phantasmagoria element in his naturalistic style. Of course, I may just be making it all up but the pen seems to fit perfectly with the man and with the writing.

Edited June 25, 2008 by xmattxyzx

[JJBlanche]

Upon first glance, I didn't notice the red component. Either way, it's pretty hard to distill a man and his art into a pen, of all things, so the effort is appreciated to begin with. The price tag, however, is not.

[QM2]

As with several other Writers Series pens, I fail to see the connection between the attractive elegance of the pen and the nightmarish, almost dystopic, world of Kafka's writings.

 

I also found when I tried to post a client's pen that the cap threads damaged the edges of the barrel's squared-off end.

 

Damaged, huh... Was that my pen by chance? : )

 

To me, the pen actually does look like it has nightmarish, dystopic qualities embedded in the elegant design: the red glow is both sinister in itself, and reminiscent of blood; the insect on the nib is quite expresive, and the metamorphosis of the pen's shape creates an unconscious sense of dissonance that gnaws away at your sanity as it mesmerises you. Or am I being too sensitive?...

 

In any case, this is no doubt one of the most interesting modern MBs. Last year there was a way to get it at an extremely affordable price, so I pounced. Mine has been away getting its nib reground into a super-fine stub, and I can't wait to use this pen again when I return to the US.

[fishkiller]

As with several other Writers Series pens, I fail to see the connection between the attractive elegance of the pen and the nightmarish, almost dystopic, world of Kafka's writings.

 

I also found when I tried to post a client's pen that the cap threads damaged the edges of the barrel's squared-off end.

 

I'm going to have to agree. Besides the "monstrous vermin" on the nib (which was a nice touch), I fail to see any connection.

 

i think properly executed prose, despite (or perhaps because of) the subject matter, is a thing of beauty. any high school kid can write a story about a person turning into a roach, but it'll probably end up being pretty atrocious. (like a splattered bird, perhaps? )

 

but a writer like kafka tackles existential dread with a certain sense of grace. and i think that's what gives the story character -and yes, beauty.

 

montblanc was probably trying to balance that sense of literary grace with some familiar dystopic design elements. i've never used the pen, but based on looks alone, i think they succeeded.

 

let's just hope it doesn't turn into a giant, chewed-up bic in the morning.

[sherm]

I also found when I tried to post a client's pen that the cap threads damaged the edges of the barrel's squared-off end.

 

 

That's shocks me that anyone would ever try to post a Kafka, I have one and I didn't even think it was possible ?

[zorroflores]

let's just hope it doesn't turn into a giant, chewed-up bic in the morning.

that would be truly kafkaesque!

[HDoug]

I also found when I tried to post a client's pen that the cap threads damaged the edges of the barrel's squared-off end.

 

OMG, you tried posting a round cap onto a square barrel?

 

Mine is leaking at the section/barrel seam and I should really get that fixed. Can I send it to you without the cap?

 

Doug

Edited June 28, 2008 by HDoug

[Allan]

I also found when I tried to post a client's pen that the cap threads damaged the edges of the barrel's squared-off end.

 

 

That's shocks me that anyone would ever try to post a Kafka, I have one and I didn't even think it was possible ?

 

Most of us learned in kindergarten not to try to put the square peg (back of the pen body) into the round hole (cap), I suppose some of us just learn that lesson a LOT later in life! :bonk:

 

Allan