Cross vs Mont Blanc

[goodguy]

Do the Mont Blanc pens offer that much more compared to the Cross, or is there a brand name factor that commands higher cost?

 

Mont Blanc pens do not offer more compared to the Cross. Mont Blanc pens are hyped and there are many complaints about the quality/quality. Probably that is why Mont Blanc fp's come with 2 year warranty and Cross fp's with lifetime warranty.

 

see also:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=91772

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=75455

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=35243

 

 

 

I have personally owned over 30 MontBlanc and never had a problem with one. The are always 2 sides to the story. I am sure there have been issues with Cross pens and NO pen is perfect by any means. It all boils down to personal preforance.

 

Todd

I second Todd's reply.I own quit a few MB pens and they are all very reliable and are true workhorses.on top of that they look great and of the best quality.

I bought and will continue to buy these pens some north of 1K and know they will serve me well.

I never bought a MB that was a lemon.

 

[memphislawyer]

I am with Todd, you can always find an exception to any rule.

 

Now, as one other poster said, you don't get a reputation without something to back it up. Rolex may be hyped, like Montblanc, but they are extremely rugged. There were a number of firsts that Rolex is credited with horologically. I desire a Patek but Patek did not make all of their own movements for a while and even had problems with production that JLC had to help with. Rolex is able to withstand a trip to the beach, hot tub outing, banging up against a file cabinent and yes, there is something to be said about the 'everyone knows what it is" aspect.

 

Now, I do not presume to think that the MB146 I got is going to be the ultra-uber pen and will not be the best writer. I also have a Cross ballpoint pen (standard graduation gift of 10k filled gold thin one) that, with the lifetime warranty, is coming back as new for $10.00.

 

I don't see this as a Cross vs. MB thread as much as there are differences in the market.

[MDI]

It's worth pointing out that an American company with manufacturing facilities in China and design bureau, corporate offices, warrantee services, quality control, customer service and ultimate control stateside is different from a Chinese company selling pens in the US.

[LouisA]

Cross pens will not impress shallow folks who are into status symbols where the MBs will. I love my Crossi and am very pleased with them. However, in an upscale business setting it might be seen as "common" whereas the MB might be a deal maker. Having never owned or even written with a MB, I cannot speak of the quality or elegance of the maker.

MB=Jaguar XKE 12 cylinder

Cross=Chevrolet 1 ton Pickup?

 

1 Ton Pickup? Surly you jest. The original post spoke of the Cross Ball Point and I would have to say that the Cross Ball Point is vastly superior to the MB second only to the original Bic stick as the best writing ball point ever. As far as fountain pens go I have had plenty of MB and I could not get rid of them fast enough. My favorite pens have always been the Waterman Le Man series which I consider superior to the MB MS series. Comparing the MB to a Jaguar is pretty funny because for it's entire history the Jaguar has been known for it's extremely poor quality control. The old saying about Jags was that you saw more of your mechanic than your wife. I would say a good Cross is like a 'Vette. Good quality and performance at a fraction of the price.

 

[LouisA]

....a price of about $650 for the black plastic Montblanc...

 

That's not black plastic, it's precious resin.

[yachtsilverswan]

The dichotomy of opinions on Montblanc pens always amazes me.

 

There never seems to be a smooth Gaussian curve distribution of opinion - there are never many users who have neutral impressions. To the contrary, it always seems that opinions on Montblancs form an inverted bell curve. Montblancs are usually felt to be either the best thing since sliced bread, or a pox upon all of pendom.

 

As my avatar suggests, I'm a fan. But I believe the opinions of those less than thrilled with the brand.

Edited January 27, 2009 by yachtsilverswan

[DeaconKC]

Please understand when I compared the Cross to the truck, it was a compliment as far as being a workhorse you can't kill. as far as the XKE comparison, that was intended to reflect the beauty and when they sre performing they are dream machines.

[churl]

To address the OP's question regarding 'brand name factor'

Someone mentioned watches. For years, I owned a Timex. It told time reliably. It was accurate. It was rugged. It did everything I needed it to do. Now, I wear a Tissot and a Citizen which both run about 5-10x the cost, and are no more accurate or rugged or reliable. It would be hypocritical for me to say Rolexes are a waste of money. My Citizen doesn't tell time any better than a Timex.

 

Similarly, I used to do everything with Sanford uni-ball pens. When I became a doctor, I switched to FP's. Now I have a good number of pens in the $50-250 category. They don't write more reliably than the rollerballs. All things considered, the RBs are probably more reliable than my FPs. And what's $100 or $400 when a reliable tool for the job can be had for <$1?

 

I'm not going back to my Timex, and I'm sticking with my FP's, because I do get some worthwhile experience from them. If you are happy with your Cross pens, then more power to you. If you want to look at MBs, try them out. In the end, they are all pens, and one should not forget that much like watches, function can be had for quite cheap. The form is what is pricy.

[jsroe]

Thanks everyone for your response and insight. I've gone out and looked at more Montblanc pens and have to admit they are beautiful pens. From the few responses from people that own both Montblanc and Cross, the general consensus seem to be:

1. Both are comparable in quality and peformance

2. Both Montblanc and Cross pens command distinction

2. Montblanc is more prestigious because of it's established image for highend luxury.

3. Montblanc pens tend to be more fancy and the Cross more plain. Exotic Jaguar versus rock solid dependable pickup truck.

3. Cross offers tremendous value and backs up every pen with a great life time warranty

 

If I receive a Montblanc as a gift I will be a proud owner of one of their impressive pens, but at the fraction of the cost and comparable quality and peformance I find the Cross more special and appealing. That is my opinion. So I will take everyones advice and stay with Cross.

 

All the best

[Pensee]

I'd love to replace the matte black & gold Cross I received as graduation gift from H.S. (1983) Got me through 4 years of college - never had any problems.

 

Guess I'll have to watch marketplace tho. Don't think I'd want a new 'retro' Century or Townsend or whatever make my pen set was.

 

As for MB-- +1 for QM_2's comparison & reasoning. (Funny they both have the same initials, "My MB pen is for signing payments for my MB "S" class!")

 

Was seriously considering new 146 (xf point / gold trim) from FPH-- (on sale for only $450 compared to $670 or something.)

 

Then a friend PM'ed this link where Richard Binder basically tears 'new' MB to shreds.

 

Click here for Ouch! (Reply #4)

 

With so many MB knock-offs on flea-bay, & Richard making the new ones sound like they'd fall apart in your hand or shatter like glass if you dropped them...

 

Don't think I'd buy either 'new'... : /

 

From a simple cost/benefit standpoint though, (for a medium nib)-- I'd put my money on Cross (even if assembled in China.)

 

FWIW

 

--Bruce

[TheWalrus]

Cross pens will not impress shallow folks who are into status symbols where the MBs will. I love my Crossi and am very pleased with them. However, in an upscale business setting it might be seen as "common" whereas the MB might be a deal maker. Having never owned or even written with a MB, I cannot speak of the quality or elegance of the maker.

MB=Jaguar XKE 12 cylinder

Cross=Chevrolet 1 ton Pickup?

 

If you're going to compare something to a Jaguar e-type, at least choose a decent Jag. 1961 Series I Cab. with the 3.2 L I6 namely. Not the clunky, heavy, overly plasticized V12 version that had lost all of the early cars spirit without any noticeable increase in performance, and a very distinct decrease in reliability.

[georges zaslavsky]

MB is often compared to Mercedes like Rolex, so let's take the 560sel from 1989-1991 or the 600sel v12 from years 1992-2002. It is highly reliable, smooth and classic. My daily writer is a 1985 MB 149 and it has never failed me. MB is my choice.

[niksch]

I appreciate mr T's comments, even though I disagree.  He has been thoughtful and has provided some validation in support of his argument.  I'm not a debator or member of a debate club, but I appreciate when someone takes an opposite stance and justifies it.

 

Do the Mont Blanc pens offer that much more compared to the Cross, or is there a brand name factor that commands higher cost?

 

Mont Blanc pens do not offer more compared to the Cross. Mont Blanc pens are hyped and there are many complaints about the quality/quality. Probably that is why Mont Blanc fp's come with 2 year warranty and Cross fp's with lifetime warranty.

 

see also:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=91772

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=75455

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=35243

 

Edited March 20, 2009 by niksch

[wspohn]

If you're going to compare something to a Jaguar e-type, at least choose a decent Jag. 1961 Series I Cab. with the 3.2 L I6 namely. Not the clunky, heavy, overly plasticized V12 version that had lost all of the early cars spirit without any noticeable increase in performance, and a very distinct decrease in reliability.

 

I assume you meant a 3.8 l inline 6, as Jaguar never made a 3.2. A 2.8, 3.4, 4.2, yes. 3.2, never in the historic period. I expect you are confusing the nice old DOHC engine with the newer (1990 and later) A16 (which never came to North America).

[TheWalrus]

If you're going to compare something to a Jaguar e-type, at least choose a decent Jag. 1961 Series I Cab. with the 3.2 L I6 namely. Not the clunky, heavy, overly plasticized V12 version that had lost all of the early cars spirit without any noticeable increase in performance, and a very distinct decrease in reliability.

 

I assume you meant a 3.8 l inline 6, as Jaguar never made a 3.2. A 2.8, 3.4, 4.2, yes. 3.2, never in the historic period. I expect you are confusing the nice old DOHC engine with the newer (1990 and later) A16 (which never came to North America).

 

 

Ah yes. You'd be right. Of course I think my point still stands. I love the e-types, but the later models - especially the 2+2s lost a lot of their charm, simplicity, and elegance in my opinion.

[wspohn]

Yeah, I agree with that.

 

In many ways the original 1961 XKE was the purest even though the later 4.2 had more useful torque and the all synch (and much nicer) gearbox. They kept getting heavier and slower, culminating in the V12. I had lots of fun staying right behind a friend in his V12 E type at 130 MPH once in my MG (it was a modified MGC). We were both about topped out.

[Stylo]

Unless we define exactly what we mean by quality, it is almost pointless to compare pens. The $11 Pelikano Jr I got for my son is a great writer: just the right wetness and an incredibly smooth nib, smoother and more reliable than many high end pens I have. Its plastic body is far more rugged than the flimsy lightweights "precious resin" of my $100+ MB ballpoint (same resin as on the 149?). After all, it's made to be banged around by elementary school kids. So what does it all mean in terms of "quality" if I compare the Pelikano Jr to the stunning Honey Almond Visconti Opera Club that is sitting on my desk? Nothing unless we become very specific with what we mean by quality.

 

Let's face it. Most of the qualities we refer to when talking about fountain pens are intangibles or they are very subjective. That Visconti is beautiful. I love looking at it and I like writing with it, even though the nib has a couple of spots that need to be smoothed out. Others may find it gaudy and heavy. The bottom line is that we need precisely defined metrics to compare "quality", but most people have very different ways of defining those quality metrics. That just means that when you see a pen, you have to decide if the price is worth it to you.

 

[welch]

Three quick points:

 

1. If you love your Cross pens, be happy. Use them forever. "Quality" is what you value. (That's actually a maxim from GE's "Six Sigma" quality improvement process: the only form of quality that matters is what the customer sees as quality.) If you can "write for hours" without finger cramp, then you have found your pen. Keep it.

 

2. I have had a Mont Blanc ballpoint Meisterstucke for ten years. Good pen, great ballpoint filler. I don't use it as often because now looks a little pompous. I bought it when "everyone" seemed to be buying them. Still, a good pen. I'd bet that a Meisterstucke fountain pen is also a fine pen, but I wouldn't think of paying so much for one. The ballpoint is about $400 now...whoosh!

 

3. Oddly, for those interested in doing business meetings and such, I've noticed that the really powerful people, at least Americans, often write with $3 pickup ballpoints. They imply: I'm so important that I can write with a BIC.

 

(Incidentally, until my hand collpased from ballpoint-stress, I tended to use drug company pens that I had gotten in trade from my wife for cimputer company pens. Amusing to got to a meeting with a pen that fit my mood.)

 

My European colleagues often write with handsome all-metal pens that I don't recognize, using Red&Black or Clairefontaine grid notebooks. I've got to try some of those notebooks.

 

So, again, I hardly ever see MB fountain pens in business. The reviews -- I remember an article in New Yorker about 20 years ago -- all say the Meisterstucke is the greatest pen ever made. Could well be, but I could buy an awful lot of everything else at $600.

 

So...hold to your Cross pens. You like them. That counts the most.

 

I have only used Cross fountain pens mainly because I have been sold on Cross with their excellent Century I ball point pens that I have use over 20 years. My curent collection is a basalt black ATX with fine nib, Sterling Silver Townsend with medium nib, and my latest Titian Red Apogee with fine nib. I love them all, especially the Townsend as it writes silky smooth and ink flow is so consistent, never skipped a heart beat, and it is so comfortable in my hand. I could write for hours with it without finger cramp. I see a lot of high end pen stores pushing Mont Blanc fountain pens. How does Cross fountain pens compare to Mont Blanc's finest? The Cross pens generally cost a lot less than the Mont Blanc's. Do the Mont Blanc pens offer that much more compared to the Cross, or is there a brand name factor that commands higher cost? I look forward to responses from users who have experience with both brands.

 

[WritingIsMyLife]

It's a little unfair to compare a thin Cross ballpoint from a conference swag bag with the MB 149 I have used for 15 years, but I'll do it anyway: The 149 wins. After hours typing on a Kinesis Ergo, I like the feel of a fat pen on my hand. The Bic stick pens give me hand cramps after a few lines.

 

If you like a pen, use it regardless of brand; most people won't notice it anyway.

[DJJM19951998]

MontBlanc pens are much better.