Where to get a good deal on a Boheme retractable FP?

[ParkerBeta]

I don't own any MBs except for a Noblesse, so this my first post on this forum. I am fascinated by the retractable nib mechanism on the Boheme (the small size one), but there seem to be so many models and variations that I'm quite confused. I'm really looking to acquire the mechanism and not the 'bling' on the pen, so I'd like to avoid ornamentation such as the synthetic gemstone set in the clip, etc. I also prefer plain black (this may also be the cheapest option, in which case I'm pleased that my heart and mind are more-or-less on the same page -- though of course being willing to drop a few Benjamins on a fountain pen must count as insanity of some kind ).

 

What I'm really hoping the members of this forum can advise me about is which model of the Boheme most closely meets these requirements, and where to get the best deal on one. I'm in the US and would prefer to buy from a US seller -- all this talk of fake MBs being palmed off on unsuspecting buyers makes me nervous, so I'd prefer to have some legal recourse against the seller if I were cheated!

 

I apologize if this question has been asked ad nauseam before, but a search of prior posts on this forum didn't reveal any that did.

 

 

[PigRatAndGoat]

Look no further, here it is: http://www.montblanc.com/products/black_re..._line.06318.php

As far as I know, this is the only Boheme with no ornamentation on the clip. However, it is only made with platinum trim, which is usually more expensive than the gold trim pens. If you want the absolute cheapest Boheme with the retracting nib, look in the gold trimmed resin line.

Hope that helps!

 

PRAG

[asimplemaestro]

Just fyi...I just bought the Boheme with the Black onyx. Very elegant yet conservatively designed pen. No aura of bling whatsoever.

[Clydesdave]

I have to be clear on this, and you know how clear I can be when I want to. I had a Mont Blanc, Boheme, Vert. I don't like Mont Blanc, didn't really like the way the Vert writes, hate walking around with a fashion statement (symbol) showing. So, I gave it away.

 

Now I have to go buy another one.

 

 

 

 

[Michael R.]

The Bohème Platinum Line and Golden Line have no gemstones inlaid in the clip; the Platinum Line model is still available new, the Golden Line was discontinued some time ago.

 

The costs are pretty similar to the Rouge, Vert or Bleu.

 

New or almost new examples on ebay Germany cost around 200 - 300 Euros.

 

If you prefere a large pen you could get the Bohème Big Size Platinum line which features the retractable nib as well.

 

Michael

Edited December 12, 2008 by Michael R.

[Wael El-Dasher]

I agree with asimplemeastro, the black onyn on the platinum trim is very elegant and looks more understated than the non-gemstone platinum clip, there is much less bling as the platinum clip has a large flat reflective surface on the end of it and it seems, in my eyes at least, oversized. In the end this exercise is entirely subjective.

 

cheers

 

W

[nxtstep]

hey just a heads up... if ur gonna use this pen right away... make sure they ink it in front of u before you leave the store... i bought the doue boheme FP u know the gold with the rubber ...

 

anyways i had them ink it it was scratchy... so i said screw it ill get the regular...so lady opened 3 of them none wrote and were VERY VERY scratchy for a M FP.... i honestly said ok fine ill take the doue only if your gonna take it back if the scratching doesnt stop.. was horrible... and the back cap kept opening for some reason in my jeans while it was clipped....

 

i have the starwalker doue FP and i love it.. writes so smooth and nice never has given an issue.. sorry i know its a bit messy but hope it helps

[QM2]

As Michael said, the Boheme you are looking for is the Platinum Line or Gold Line. They should be available from any MB retailer. But better yet, if there is a MB store near you, go to the Private Sale this weekend! They often have Bohemes at a huge discount. I bought my sterling silver pinstripe Boheme at a MB private sale for 50% off.

 

I have the Platinum Line with no jewel, the Stainless Steel Solitaire with an onyx, and the pinstripe sterling silver with a crystal. I am very impressed with the MB Boheme line and have had no problems with my pens what so ever.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=78429

 

http://queenmargot.com/boheme_switchers3.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/boheme_striped2.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/boheme_triplets1.jpg

[ParkerBeta]

As Michael said, the Boheme you are looking for is the Platinum Line or Gold Line. They should be available from any MB retailer. But better yet, if there is a MB store near you, go to the Private Sale this weekend! They often have Bohemes at a huge discount. I bought my sterling silver pinstripe Boheme at a MB private sale for 50% off.

 

I have the Platinum Line with no jewel, the Stainless Steel Solitaire with an onyx, and the pinstripe sterling silver with a crystal. I am very impressed with the MB Boheme line and have had no problems with my pens what so ever.

 

QM2, I took your advice, and went to the store today. Fred had told me the discount on the Boheme during this Private Sale (I'm not quoting the number here since he PM'ed me with it, but it's very good, though not 50%). I bought the Platinum with no jewel in basic black (the pen at the top of your first photograph), and it really is a gem of a pen! Unfortunately, the store only carried M nibs, which I find a little too wide, so I'll have to send it off to get the nib exchanged (will decide between F and EF in a day or two, but currently leaning toward an F).

 

Thanks, everyone, for your advice and encouragement! PigRatAndGoat and Michael R., thanks for pointing me to the right pen! asimplemaestro, I saw the pen with the black onyx in it, and you're right -- it is just as good as the one without the stone, but I didn't want to pay an extra $55 (list, before discount) for it. Wael El-Dasher, your comparison of the two was very thoughtful, but I beg to differ from your assessment of the stone-less platinum clip -- I don't find it oversized, though I daresay the designers of the pen did, which is why they broke up that expanse of the clip with a stone. nxtstep, I clean forgot about your sage advice, but fortunately the nib is exceptionally smooth! And QM2, I should also thank you for your comparison review of the 3 Bohemes!