Montblanc_When they Made Writing instrument

[henrico]

I ain't no yuppie and I enjoy my MB147 because it is plain and a very smooth writer even though the only way to ink it is with carts. You can't say that MB FP's lack quality because quality is their trademark. I have never seen a shabby MB and I've never seen one that didn't have a smooth nib. I think that our imaginations are running wild when we say that vintage MB's are better writers....IMHO.

 

Henrico

[RevAaron]

Your imaginations should be running wild! If you are impressed by modern MBs, you'll probably keel over once you've used a real vintage MB. Once we hear the thud, we'll come running to play vulture over your pen collection!

[henrico]

It's called the nostalgia effect..........anything old was always made better and with better materials than the products of today. It's true of some products but not of FP's............IMDHO. But I know that pen collectors will swear that this just ain't true. Nostalgia.............

 

What we are really referring to is that life in general was better in the olden days than today. That's true because we weren't so doggone preoccupied with the materialistic and had more time to share with people. Technology has had a devastating effect on mankind. The population explosion has forced us to develop faster methods of dealing with life . Our temples are the shopping malls where we seek solace..........Now we blog.........

 

I use FP's strictly out of nostalgia, nothing else. I think that a recipient of one of my letters will enjoy reading an inked letter more than a typed one. Not true....sorry. But if it makes me happy, why not.

 

I guess I'm out of tune with pen collectors but my pens are communicating tools, nothing else

 

Henrico

[goodguy]

It's called the nostalgia effect..........anything old was always made better and with better materials than the products of today. It's true of some products but not of FP's............IMDHO. But I know that pen collectors will swear that this just ain't true. Nostalgia.............

 

What we are really referring to is that life in general was better in the olden days than today. That's true because we weren't so doggone preoccupied with the materialistic and had more time to share with people. Technology has had a devastating effect on mankind. The population explosion has forced us to develop faster methods of dealing with life . Our temples are the shopping malls where we seek solace..........Now we blog.........

 

I use FP's strictly out of nostalgia, nothing else. I think that a recipient of one of my letters will enjoy reading an inked letter more than a typed one. Not true....sorry. But if it makes me happy, why not.

 

I guess I'm out of tune with pen collectors but my pens are communicating tools, nothing else

 

Henrico

I agree with most of what you write.

Indeed we dont see eye to eye in our approach to FP's.

For me FP's has 2 different aspects.

 

1.As a tool-the feel of a finly tune F nib flowing on a sheet of paper is like a good wine to me.I feel all giddy when I use one of my beloved FP's.It never fails to give me joy.The feel in the hand,the balance,the size and design.

2.As a collector I also enjoy of simply owning the pen.Some people enjoy buying a painting or a car and I enjoy owning the pen.

 

2 different aspects for one wonderful thing-the fountain pen

Edited December 22, 2008 by goodguy

[Peter from Sherwood Park]

Thank you for the review -- I am anticipating the arrival of a 342 G by mail, so your review whetted my (already strong) appetite.

[adamselene]

Thank you for the review -- I am anticipating the arrival of a 342 G by mail, so your review whetted my (already strong) appetite.

 

Peter, How was your 342? I am now awaiting mine. "Minty," from the *bay.

 

I got a 344 that was very brassed, soaked it overnight and inked with Pelikan RB, and it is WONDERFUL. As said above, it is light in the hand.

 

 

I picked it up tonight after about three weeks sitting there, and it took one shake to have it writing. Feels wonderful, very slightly scratchy M nib.

 

So when I saw a minty 342 with ten minutes left. I couldn't resist.

 

I would love to post pics, but have not idea how!

 

Adam

[Duckiputz]

unfortunately, that blog is no longer reachable

[piembi]

Try the 146 or 246, far better made pens that are meant for use, and write superbly, that are visually highly appealing as well especially in the striated colours.

 

I do have several 1980s 146 MBs and they don't work for me. Too big, too heavy, modern nib is too stiff and too dry - you name it. Never had a 246 but I got a 1950s MB 144 recently and love it. The pen has the perfect size and the nib is a soft, smooth, wet stubbish BB with some flex that writes as nice as my 342 nibs

[archie001]

If they are for shows, I love to see them, especially those which cost by the 100 thousands of dollars. It's by no way I am jealouse or envious instead, I admire the fact that thre are such kind of Montblancs.

[georges zaslavsky]

nice review thanks for sharing

[breaker]

nice review

[Rosetta59]

Nice review.

 

Turning to a former question (the size of the 342...) the dimensions of the 34x series are:

 

The model 342 is 125 mm (5 in.) long when closed, its diameter is 13 mm and the weight is 15.8 gr.

The model 344 is 134 mm (5 1/4 in.) long when closed, its diameter is 13.5 mm and the weight is 17.5 gr.

Variations do exist among the models.

From 1950-51 up to 1960 (when the 34x were withdrawn) we have at least six different 34x models.

The last samples from 1957 to 1960 show a marvelous star (similar in proportions to the 149).

 

The star is represented below

 

Greetings from Italy !!!