TRFers who like PENS!

[DSJ]

It seems that a lot of TRF members like high-end pens too. Of those, I am seeing a disproportional number who favor Montblanc over all others. Is this because they are so well known because of marketing? I'm wondering if there is a correlation to owners who buy both Rolex and Montblanc for this reason of them being "household names" in luxury items. There are MANY other fine brands (I'm partial to Visconti), including:
Acme
Aurora
Caran d'Ache
Cartier
Conklin
Conway Stewart
Cross
Curtis
David Oscarson
Delta
Dunhill
Dupont
Faber-Castell
Fisher
Jac Zagoory
Jean-Pierre Lepine
Krone
Laban
Lamy
Libelle
Loiminchay
Mackinnon
Marlen
Michel Perchin
Montblanc
Montegrappa
Monteverde
Namiki
Noodlers Ink
Omas
Parker
Pelikan
Pentel
Pilot
Platinum
Porsche
Private Reserve Ink
Retro 51
Romet
Sailor
Sheaffer
Stipula
Taccia
Venlo
Visconti
Waterford
Waterman
Yard-o-led
Yoropen

Your thoughts?

[frostie]

I've heard of pelikan, pilot and parker

These are the only brands i know from the ones you mentioned

I don't know much about pends the only thing i know is that they are expensive but they are quite interesting to be honest :thumbsup:

[seantk]

I have a Cross Titanium

Here is a great place for pens

http://www.joonpens.com/


Sean

[DSJ]

This is my "pen guy."

http://www.penstore.biz/index.htm

[Widows Son]

I like fountain pens but don't have any expensive ones, just a couple of Sheafers (sp?).

[Mort]

It seems that a lot of TRF members like high-end pens too. Of those, I am seeing a disproportional number who favor Montblanc over all others. Is this because they are so well known because of marketing? I'm wondering if there is a correlation to owners who buy both Rolex and Montblanc for this reason of them being "household names" in luxury items. There are MANY other fine brands (I'm partial to Visconti), including:
Acme
Aurora
Caran d'Ache
Cartier
Conklin
Conway Stewart
Cross
Curtis
David Oscarson
Delta
Dunhill
Dupont
Faber-Castell
Fisher
Jac Zagoory
Jean-Pierre Lepine
Krone
Laban
Lamy
Libelle
Loiminchay
Mackinnon
Marlen
Michel Perchin
Montblanc
Montegrappa
Monteverde
Namiki
Noodlers Ink
Omas
Parker
Pelikan
Pentel
Pilot
Platinum
Porsche
Private Reserve Ink
Retro 51
Romet
Sailor
Sheaffer
Stipula
Taccia
Venlo
Visconti
Waterford
Waterman
Yard-o-led
Yoropen

Your thoughts?

I sell pens for living so I like most of the brands you mentioned.

Montblanc is a lot like Rolex, in the fact that is the brand that got me into collecting pens and further into the business.

I am like you, I really like most of the Visconti designs.:thumbsup:

[seantk]

This is my "pen guy."

http://www.penstore.biz/index.htm

David,

You make an appointment and he consults with you about pen selection based upon price point and other preferences - now that is service!!

Sean

[bsodmike]

To share some of my collection, which is heavily Montblanc influenced, hey I love their pieces :p

I purchased a brand new MB 149, the Helmut Jahn Limited Ed. It now holds my Dad's vintage (I use it too!) 149.

http://www.bsodmike.com/gallery2/d/20138-3/DSC00663.jpg

To this I have the 149 pen holder (not pictured) and ink well by MB.

http://www.bsodmike.com/gallery2/d/20136-2/DSC00661.jpg

My entire MB collection is listed here for the most part, some pieces are still missing though.

http://www.bsodmike.com/gallery2/v/my_life/Collections/Pen_Collection/Montblanc_Collection/

This is a portion of my FP collection:

http://www.bsodmike.com/gallery2/d/15487-1/DSC02299.jpg
http://www.bsodmike.com/gallery2/d/15482-1/DSC02298.jpg

Pelikan M1000 (fine), New DuoFold Centennial, Dad's vintage Duofold Centennial with Marble blue barrel and cap, Montblanc Meisterstück Le Grand, the new 149 I got with the Limited Ed. case, and Dad's older 149.

Comparing the 149 nibs...oh they are gorgeous!!!

http://www.bsodmike.com/gallery2/d/15499-1/DSC02303.jpg

http://www.bsodmike.com/gallery2/d/15495-1/DSC02302.jpg

Onto my Montegrappas...

http://www.bsodmike.com/gallery2/d/14182-1/DSC02069.jpg

Got the Turtle Brown last week...

http://www.bsodmike.com/gallery2/d/20792-1/DSC02979.jpg

...and a MB Bohem in Rose Gold that I got a couple weeks back...

http://www.bsodmike.com/gallery2/d/19927-1/DSC02928.jpg

....LOL...I wonder what I've missed...

Enjoy!!!

[DSJ]

David,

You make an appointment and he consults with you about pen selection based upon price point and other preferences - now that is service!!

Sean

Yup, it's great!!!

[OYSTERMANN]

Absolutely staggering pictures, Michael, especially the nibs in the gold with platinum inlays.

That large box with the frosted glass sarcophacus looks very unusual:thinking:.

A fantastic collection and I'm posting my 149 and DJ for members that haven't seen your other thread in the general discussion section.

[DSJ]

I sell pens for living so I like most of the brands you mentioned.

Montblanc is a lot like Rolex, in the fact that is the brand that got me into collecting pens and further into the business.

I am like you, I really like most of the Visconti designs.:thumbsup:

What a fun way to make a living!!!

[Dan Pierce]

Great examples, guys.:cheers: Geez, hope this doesn't start another addiction.:chuckle: Nothing too special here but a few Levengers and a Nextpen roller ball.:thumbsup:
dP

[Mandrake]

Funny, just now I was at the phone organizing the shipment of my new MB 149. Here a picture of a Starwalker and my vintage Omega:

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t305/MANDRAKEFOTOS/df9d9ce8.jpg

Regards

[bsodmike]

http://www.bsodmike.com/gallery2/d/12971-1/DSC01890.jpg

Did you stay 'starwalker' :chuckle: :cheers::cheers:

[oneillba]

David, I own and have owned more than a few of the pens listed above. Like the Rolex brand that I learned to love when I was in my teens, Mont Blanc's aura was cemented into my psyche at a young age as well. Since I was able to satisfy my Mont Blanc lust earlier in life than my Rollie's, I have quite a few of them. I always correlated both brands with quality and the finer things in life. I don't know where I got my first impressions of the brands since my parents were lower middle class people when I was younger and we didn't have "fancy magazines, etc. around the house where I would have have seen ads for them. I seem to remember that I observed these two brands when growing up and associated them with professional and classy individuals who came into my life. In grade school I loved both watches and fountain pens, the later being a bone of contention with the nuns in my school since I was left handed and they always wanted to push me to write with my right. Maybe I had an innate propensity for both watches and pens. In either case, I am glad I can pursue those pleasures now that I am older. Great post!

[samuel002]

I like the Visconti (four season) produced in 94 or eariler (around that time, but I forgot the exact name) they used color celluloid and it is more rare than the plain one.
different color caps respensent the season.

Montblanc, i like it, but I think up to 99, Dumas and Semiramis,
after that, they produced too many different limited edition

Omas is fine, I only have one that is the cinema produced in 94

Parker, I don't like their limited edition,
I collect only Vacumatic 1933-1946
I do buy and sell them
I love their design, of course the vacuum filler and the barrel
and I use a Black Major as a daily pen

[DSJ]

Montblanc has quality and style to be sure, but for me, IMO, I associate them more and more as a "luxury brand," then a "writing instrument company," because of their foray into handbags, watches, eyewear, perfume, etc., whereas a company like Visconti (AFAIK) only do pens, just like Rolex only does watches!

[OYSTERMANN]

Montblanc has quality and style to be sure, but for me, IMO, I associate them more and more as a "luxury brand," then a "writing instrument company," because of their foray into handbags, watches, eyewear, perfume, etc., whereas a company like Visconti (AFAIK) only do pens, just like Rolex only does watches!


You've got a good point there, well made:thumbsup:.

[Thani]

i have 2 tiffany and co pens which i like

and a dunhill fountain pen

[Mrdi]

I have and carry fountain pens daily.
My favorite
1) Pelikan well engineered, simple elegance.
2) Parker clean light.
3) Mont Blanc a little heavy somewhat pre............s

[DSJ]

You've got a good point there, well made:thumbsup:.

Thanks Neil! :thumbsup:

[Mort]

Montblanc has quality and style to be sure, but for me, IMO, I associate them more and more as a "luxury brand," then a "writing instrument company," because of their foray into handbags, watches, eyewear, perfume, etc., whereas a company like Visconti (AFAIK) only do pens, just like Rolex only does watches!

I agree with you about Montblanc. They really have shifted to be a luxury company vs being a pen company. When I started in the business the Montblanc modo was "the art of writing". A couple of years ago, MB switched out our displays and quit using that as their recognition phrase.

We still sell MB more than any other brand, on the basis of brand recognition. For the most part when people ask what I do, and I tell them I sell fine writing instruments, they always say "oh like Montblanc?".

I have always said Montblanc is the Rolex of the pen world.

Pen Brands like Visconti, Omas, S.T. Dupont, ect are like Lange, AP, VC or other fine watch brands. The average person who is not a collector may have never heard of them, but still among collectors they are highly regarded.

Good topic by the way.:thumbsup:

[bsodmike]

Montblanc has quality and style to be sure, but for me, IMO, I associate them more and more as a "luxury brand," then a "writing instrument company," because of their foray into handbags, watches, eyewear, perfume, etc., whereas a company like Visconti (AFAIK) only do pens, just like Rolex only does watches!

:chuckle::chuckle:

Don't get me started on their 'leather goods'. I have far too many MB leather products...:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[OYSTERMANN]

:chuckle::chuckle:

Don't get me started on their 'leather goods'. I have far too many MB leather products...:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

I must admit, Michael, the Mont Blanc leather pen holster, made specially for the 149, is beautifully made. I got mine from Goldsmiths and the pen fits inside it perfectly:thumbsup:.

[samuel002]

ps. I like the omas 360

exactly right, nowadays Montblanc has too many products ,
and i'm going to offend someone, but still i'm going to say,
I won't buy any Montblanc watches,
pens I will buy and leather goods yes
for the past 7-8 yrs, i only use montblanc wallet

[topcat30093]

Neil
I see that your photos are living up to there usual standard.:thumbsup:
And your comment about it being a good point, were you refering to a remark made or the point of a pen.:chuckle::chuckle:

[OYSTERMANN]

Neil
I see that your photos are living up to there usual standard.:thumbsup:
And your comment about it being a good point, were you refering to a remark made or the point of a pen.:chuckle::chuckle:

Thanks, Tony:thumbsup:.

You're right - I hadn't realised the accidental pun that I'd made about the good point, well made. How appropriate for a Mont Blanc pen - that certainly is a well made 'point':chuckle:.

[bsodmike]

ps. I like the omas 360

exactly right, nowadays Montblanc has too many products ,
and i'm going to offend someone, but still i'm going to say,
I won't buy any Montblanc watches,
pens I will buy and leather goods yes
for the past 7-8 yrs, i only use montblanc wallet

Same here; I would never even have a MB 'watch' on my radar. When I think MB I think pens, stationary and leather products...

[vh_bu98]

I started with Cross pens...I like the classic gold ones. I've own Parker, Sheaffer and Retro 51. My recent pen is the Montblanc cool blue starwalker rollerball. Why? Because I really like how it looked. Yes, the brand did play a role, but it was more along the lines of history and quality. Most people don't know my pen is a Montblanc unless they recognize the snow cap. People are more familiar with the classic black one.

[sub2004]

Oh if only i was a Mod, i would have loved to edit the topic and insert an "I" inbetween "N" and "S"... LOL

Jokes guys, i love fountain-pens. I also think it impresses my clients when i use them.

I have a montblanc meisterstuck, black with gold.

And i have a waterman, which is very smooth and silky also.

Cheers

[ErikAalto]

Oh if only i was a Mod, i would have loved to edit the topic and insert an "I" inbetween "N" and "S"... LOL

Jokes guys, i love fountain-pens. I also think it impresses my clients when i use them.

I have a montblanc meisterstuck, black with gold.

And i have a waterman, which is very smooth and silky also.

Cheers

It's funny, at first glance, that's how I read it.

[1MAC]

I hear JJ is a BIG fan of pens. The ones that are used to contain sheep!
:rofl::rofl:
:cheers:

[Lol-x]

I do have a thing for Montblanc:
About 10 years ago I went to Hong Kong and purchased 2 Montblanc pens, unfortunately I lost them about a year later, I had this 18K roller ball and it was awesome :crying:

Then I got a standard MB fountain pen and it is cool.
Then I got a MB Limited Edition Louis 13 fountain pen, but found all the gold and silver too heavy so I sold it.

Then I got a MB Limited Edition Oscar Wilde fountain pen, but the nib just wasn't right so I traded it in on a vintage Submariner.

Then I bought a MB Limited Edition Proust ballpoint, I got it about 4-5 years ago and have never opened the sealed box, I don't even know if there is a pen inside :banghead:

Then I got a MB Agatha Christie ballpoint, it is great and I write with it daily.

Then I got another MB Agatha Christ ballpoint with box and papers, and I have never used it.

I went back to Hong Kong and purchased a MB Agatha Christie MB (broad) fountain pen, never inked.

Then I got a MB Y2K Golden Dragon, it looks cool with a dragon clip and a pearl in its mouth, never inked.

I then got a MB LeGrand fountain pen with 2xBroad oblique nib, it is my favorite writer and I use it pretty much daily with green waterman ink :thumbsup:

I haven't bought a new pen for a few years now, but I'm pretty happy with my MB collection.

I just haven't seen a MB limited edition that has caught my fancy in quite a while. This lets me concentrate on watches :chuckle:

[samuel002]

I do have a thing for Montblanc:
About 10 years ago I went to Hong Kong and purchased 2 Montblanc pens, unfortunately I lost them about a year later, I had this 18K roller ball and it was awesome :crying:

Then I got a standard MB fountain pen and it is cool.
Then I got a MB Limited Edition Louis 13 fountain pen, but found all the gold and silver too heavy so I sold it.

Then I got a MB Limited Edition Oscar Wilde fountain pen, but the nib just wasn't right so I traded it in on a vintage Submariner.

Then I bought a MB Limited Edition Proust ballpoint, I got it about 4-5 years ago and have never opened the sealed box, I don't even know if there is a pen inside :banghead:

Then I got a MB Agatha Christie ballpoint, it is great and I write with it daily.

Then I got another MB Agatha Christ ballpoint with box and papers, and I have never used it.

I went back to Hong Kong and purchased a MB Agatha Christie MB (broad) fountain pen, never inked.

Then I got a MB Y2K Golden Dragon, it looks cool with a dragon clip and a pearl in its mouth, never inked.

I then got a MB LeGrand fountain pen with 2xBroad oblique nib, it is my favorite writer and I use it pretty much daily with green waterman ink :thumbsup:

I haven't bought a new pen for a few years now, but I'm pretty happy with my MB collection.

I just haven't seen a MB limited edition that has caught my fancy in quite a while. This lets me concentrate on watches :chuckle:


I love Louis 13, I got a chance to buy it from an ebay seller,
at that time, most people sold it for $2000, and this guy would sell it for
$1500. So I paid him via paypal, never got the pen, had file a dispute on him

Oscar Wilde, I boought it in Hong Kong too, actually I'm from HK
I bought most pens in HK, it is quite interesting beacause when i was young, I couldn't afford to buy a watch, of course not a rolex or even a 2-3K watch. But if you buy a 2-3k pen, it would be a very nice one.
like Montblanc, writer series price around $600, and parton of art is around $1800 to $2000. I started to collect limited edition first, and then went into vintage pens. Most of the vintage pens are not as expensive as the limied edition, and I found it more affordable.

[artbypaul]

My wife and I have bought Waterman pens for years. She has collected them long before I met her as her maiden name is "Waterman". :)
They are other brands I like but I'm not a serious collector of pens...yet. :)

Paul

[Gedanken]

I got a Meisterstuck fountain pen as a present and it's turned me off MBs. The ink doesn't flow until I've dragged the nib for a few centimetres, and overall it's too light for my liking.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Gedanken/Meisterstuck.jpg

On a daily basis, I much prefer my Cross Townsends:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Gedanken/Titanium.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Gedanken/QuartzBlue.jpg

Watermans are also pretty good to write with:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Gedanken/Apostrophe.jpg

This Phileas is very light, but the ink flow is just about perfect:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/Gedanken/Phileas.jpg

[buz-lh]

What an interesting thread. I love nice pens but I either misplace them or give to customers when they sign the contract, if they comment on the pen. Right now just a Waterman rollerball, but in the past many MB's and Pelikans. Mort, I'm still coming to see you as soon as my schedule permits. You can educate me and hopefully sell me a nice fountain pen.

[Mort]

What an interesting thread. I love nice pens but I either misplace them or give to customers when they sign the contract, if they comment on the pen. Right now just a Waterman rollerball, but in the past many MB's and Pelikans. Mort, I'm still coming to see you as soon as my schedule permits. You can educate me and hopefully sell me a nice fountain pen.

I look forward to it.:thumbsup: