OK... Just a couple more fountain pens for those who have asked.

[Bisquitlips]

So, not to turn TRF into a pen forum, but I have had many PM's about what is involved in collecting fountains pens so I thought I would post a couple more new acquisitions that I can recommend to anyone looking for nice quality moderately priced FP's.

I picked both of these up yesterday. I know... I know... I have gone overboard this month on pens, but alas, I am a hopeless Rolex and fountain pen addict. At least my addictions compliment each other! :thumbsup:

Remember, it just ain't fittin' for a man to be seen with a 8K timepiece on his wrist and a 4 dollar pen in his pocket! how absurd!!!

This is a Montblanc 149 from the 1980's. New these cost about $760.00. You can pick a pristine pre-loved example up for about $400.00 - $450.00. Some with signs of wear for a little less. I own two of these and have plans for about 4 more. Each one with a different nib and from a different era. Each of them writes entirely differently.

The 149 is a LARGE pen so if you find that these are a bit uncomfortable to write with, then a 146 would probably be perfect in size.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2503/4053774239_14d6af8015_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2589/4053772173_169a911a6c_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2549/4054513646_8ea3f24ff8_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2780/4053771087_e48900a044_b.jpg


And this is a Conway Stewart Churchill in Bracket brown. The retail on these is about $715.00 new, but can be had at around $570.00 or so. Conway is an excellent writing instrument and has a great history.

The Conway Stewart is an English writing instrument and extremely well made and respected world wide by Pis's. (Pen Idiot Savants of course!!). They have been around since about 1905 and below is a photo of their company site post blitz in WWII.

It is also known that the Conway Stewart FP was a favorite of Winston Churchill during the war years.

http://www.mvburke.com/images/history/hist1cs.jpg




http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/4054478632_7f61c07c52_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2609/4054480238_43034960d1_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2524/4053741755_32cfae73da_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/4054482112_1fab9636a0_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2650/4053742561_d587c7920f_b.jpg

[sleddog]

Wow Richard..! You have got some sweet looking pens.....
You could buy another Rolex with them on trade!!!:chuckle::chuckle:
Thanks for posting..!:cheers:

[Taffi Abernathy]

Hard to say which is more impressive, your pen collection, watches or matching Beemers!:bye:

[Kokyuryoku]

Beautiful pens Richard. Thanks for sharing :thumbsup:. Do you practice calligraphy as well? If so, I'd love to see some examples. :cheers:

[R1@160@alltimes]

Wow. Richard those fantastic pictures of great FPs!!!

Does Conway Stewart come supplied with a real cigar? :smokin:

[iSellJerseyShore]

FABULOUS collection you have there Richard! I really like how you justified having writing instruments of that caliber. $8K time piece with $4 pen.... LoL ... You are right, it just doesn't look right!

I need to work on my hand writing.. It is so sloppy for a few reasons:

1.) I don't write that often since I am a nerd and make use of a keyboard.
2.) My mind operates faster than my hand can get the words down on paper
3.) I am usually pressed for time and tend to write too fast.


:dummy:




-Frankie

[Bisquitlips]

Beautiful pens Richard. Thanks for sharing :thumbsup:. Do you practice calligraphy as well? If so, I'd love to see some examples. :cheers:

No Ryan. I tried it one time and just do not have the patience for it.

I do have a rather nice penmanship when I want to though. I will try to post a few examples to this thread later.

[Omega_Precision]

Nice 149 Richard.

I was thinking of getting one but have found a lot of options at that price.

Stupid pen forums, more things to buy :lol:

[Bisquitlips]

Wow. Richard those fantastic pictures of great FPs!!!

Does Conway Stewart come supplied with a real cigar? :smokin:

It actually does come with a real Churchill sized cigar. Kinda humorous if you ask me, but I don't think the set would be complete without one. Probably should have included a bottle of Cointreau also.

“You, Mr Churchill, are drunk.”

“And you, Lady Astor, are ugly. But I shall be sober in the morning.”

[R1@160@alltimes]

It actually does come with a real Churchill sized cigar. Kinda humorous if you ask me, but I don't think the set would be complete without one. Probably should have included a bottle of Cointreau also.

“You, Mr Churchill, are drunk.”

“And you, Lady Astor, are ugly. But I shall be sober in the morning.”

:rofl::rofl::rofl: I can just picture this scene

...and the cigar does the make the set :cheers:

[Bisquitlips]

Wow Richard..! You have got some sweet looking pens.....
You could buy another Rolex with them on trade!!!:chuckle::chuckle:
Thanks for posting..!:cheers:

Thanks Rob!

Actually, and this isn't going to set well with some folks, but I have more than a few Rolexes wrapped up in pen "investments" I have just under 100 total. But I have been collecting for about 25 years or so. :dummy::dummy:

[Bisquitlips]

Hard to say which is more impressive, your pen collection, watches or matching Beemers!:bye:

Taffi,

The Roadsters are now gone and all I have is a 325xi. Just never drove them anymore and it was painful to see them sitting in the garage.

Ah, but life does bring its changes. :thumbsup:

[Bisquitlips]

FABULOUS collection you have there Richard! I really like how you justified having writing instruments of that caliber. $8K time piece with $4 pen.... LoL ... You are right, it just doesn't look right!

I need to work on my hand writing.. It is so sloppy for a few reasons:

1.) I don't write that often since I am a nerd and make use of a keyboard.
2.) My mind operates faster than my hand can get the words down on paper
3.) I am usually pressed for time and tend to write too fast.


:dummy:




-Frankie

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Skullring]

Thanks for the post Richard. Beautiful pens. I never agree a bic pen does not match a Rolex very well. I am doing my home work so I appreciate any tips or advice.

[kyle L]

Fantastic pens and pics Richard. :thumbsup:

[iSellJerseyShore]

Hey Richard, what do you store all of your fabulous writing instruments in? Can you show us that too?


-Frankie

[Bisquitlips]

Hey Richard, what do you store all of your fabulous writing instruments in? Can you show us that too?


-Frankie

Sure, I will take some photos tomorrow and post them.

[iSellJerseyShore]

Sure, I will take some photos tomorrow and post them.

Much appreciated Richard, looking forward to them! :cheers:



-Frankie

[gmh1013]

Well I have 4k watch and a 4 dollar papermate PHD pen!...if that counts
problem is I have tendency to "misplace" them...lucky to keep one a month.
The only way I have kept my old MB ballpoint is to leave in home in my desk.
If I lost a 500 dollar pen I would cry all night

[Bisquitlips]

Thanks for the post Richard. Beautiful pens. I never agree a bic pen does not match a Rolex very well. I am doing my home work so I appreciate any tips or advice.

Feel free to PM me with any questions. I will be glad to help.:cheers:

[Bisquitlips]

Well I have 4k watch and a 4 dollar papermate PHD pen!...if that counts
problem is I have tendency to "misplace" them...lucky to keep one a month.
The only way I have kept my old MB ballpoint is to leave in home in my desk.
If I lost a 500 dollar pen I would cry all night

I was the same way until I spent my first 200.00 on a pen. That was back in 1989 and I still have that pen!

[2th DR]

Remember, it just ain't fittin' for a man to be seen with a 8K timepiece on his wrist and a 4 dollar pen in his pocket! how absurd!!!



I couldn't agree with you more! :thumbsup:

[gmh1013]

I was the same way until I spent my first 200.00 on a pen. That was back in 1989 and I still have that pen!

The MB was given to me by an old GF I think for Bday in 1992....I found the box it came in a few weeks ago after all these years. Its price tag was 95.00 dollars back then....to me very expensive for a BP pen.....but a steal at the price they are today
I was going to try and take a pic of the case with the price sticker from N-M but the battery is to low for flash....darn.

[JBat]

Beautiful pens Richard! I've been eyeballing a new 149 myself, but haven't handled one yet. Everybody says they're big, but they're also a classic. I'll have to hit one of the local boutiques and check them out.

My MB Chopin is 145 sized I believe.

[iSellJerseyShore]

The MB was given to me by an old GF I think for Bday in 1992....I found the box it came in a few weeks ago after all these years. Its price tag was 95.00 dollars back then....to me very expensive for a BP pen.....but a steal at the price they are today
I was going to try and take a pic of the case with the price sticker from N-M but the battery is to low for flash....darn.


Charge that sucker up and take a pic! :dummy:




-Frankie

[Quicksilver]

Seriously nice pens Richard.

I have a MB 149 and love it. I used to have a lovely Conway Stewart that I sold. I now regret that. I think it was the Churchill. It was made of ebonite and gave of a gorgeous burnt rubber smell if you rubbed it.

Have you tried Pelikan fountain pens ? If not, try one - they are beautiful and very reliable, more so than the MB I would say.

[alohanakoni]

beautiful pen. i have one but it's an old fountain pen i used when i was in school in germany. it's a pelikan.

[Bisquitlips]

Beautiful pens Richard! I've been eyeballing a new 149 myself, but haven't handled one yet. Everybody says they're big, but they're also a classic. I'll have to hit one of the local boutiques and check them out.

My MB Chopin is 145 sized I believe.

The Chopin should be a 144 in size I believe. 145 is the actual number of the pen, but it's size would be that of the Meisterstuck 144. If the 149 is too large then try a 146. I love both sizes but I really like the nib size on the 149.

There is a MB 147 which is the same as the 146, but takes cartridges and is very convenient when traveling. They actually call it the Montblanc Traveler! Comes with an optional leather case that holds the pen as well as 6 cartridges. Again, just very convenient when traveling.

Here I am using the 147 in London last month. I was using it unposted (with out the cap places on the end).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2470/3960236661_9501d1ce93_b.jpg

And some nice photos of the set. I can highly recommend this FP.

http://www.akduman.net/kerem/EBAY/images/12090_1_1.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2582/4059336868_8a511562a3_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2491/4058593355_bc5f03c870_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2548/4058593551_261b0fd053_o.jpg

[Bisquitlips]

beautiful pen. i have one but it's an old fountain pen i used when i was in school in germany. it's a pelikan.

Pels are also extremely good pens and I consider them on par with Parker! Superb and very dependable with a great history.

[JBat]

Thanks for the info, Richard. That leather case is awesome. I'd love to get one of those for my pen. I need to get up to Seattle and get my mitts on some of these different models.

[Bisquitlips]

Thanks for the info, Richard. That leather case is awesome. I'd love to get one of those for my pen. I need to get up to Seattle and get my mitts on some of these different models.

John,

Look on the Bay before you pay full fare and also on the Pentrace Green Board. Both good places to pick up a bargain.

[Widows Son]

Pels are also extremely good pens and I consider them on par with Parker! Superb and very dependable with a great history.

I just received a Pelikan 201 as a wedding gift from my best man. I called the Fountain Pen Hospital looking for the refills. Dummy me didn't realize that it was a piston filled FP!!Also own some Conklins, Waterman, and Sailors. Just what I don't need, another expensive hobby!!

[Bisquitlips]

I just received a Pelikan 201 as a wedding gift from my best man. I called the Fountain Pen Hospital looking for the refills. Dummy me didn't realize that it was a piston filled FP!!Also own some Conklins, Waterman, and Sailors. Just what I don't need, another expensive hobby!!

That is a NICE gift from your best man!

And you most certainly do need another expensive hobby! Don't you know that the more expensive hobbies you have the more money you'll make????

Through 2nd and 3rd jobs to pay for them all!!! Totally justifiable in my thinking!

[2careless]

As long as you choose expensive hobbies that retains value, they can be better than stocks or even wifey :rofl: :dummy:

[Lion]

Richard, thanx for all the information on fountain pens and MB's. I was fortunate this past June and August of catching a retailer going out of business(they are closed now)and was able to pick up two MB Starwalkers, one for 57% off of retail and the other for 33% off retail. One was a ballpoint pen and the other was a rollerball. My next pen purchase will be a fountain pen and am on the hunt for the right deal at a favorable price. Patience will be the key because I do not need it!!!
Happy hunting.....

[Lol-x]

149 All the way Richard. I'm waiting on an OBBB special order, and am really looking forward to getting that. :cheers:

I have had a 146 as my daily writer for some years now. I bought it as an OBB and that is how the box is marked. However, I went to a MB boutique this week and compared it to their testing pens and found out it is really only an OB. So I'm getting that nib changed to an OBB like it should be. :chuckle:

I just find the wider nibs just flow so much better for me. I guess it's personal taste but the butter smooth flow of the nib across the page is just magical with the wider nibs for me. :agree:

:cheers:

[Bisquitlips]

149 All the way Richard. I'm waiting on an OBBB special order, and am really looking forward to getting that. :cheers:

I have had a 146 as my daily writer for some years now. I bought it as an OBB and that is how the box is marked. However, I went to a MB boutique this week and compared it to their testing pens and found out it is really only an OB. So I'm getting that nib changed to an OBB like it should be. :chuckle:

I just find the wider nibs just flow so much better for me. I guess it's personal taste but the butter smooth flow of the nib across the page is just magical with the wider nibs for me. :agree:

:cheers:

You can't go wrong there Steve! Make sure you post some good photos of them when you get them back from MB.

And some writing samples would be good also. I have never tried a BBB on a 149 and would like to see a comparison next to a medium 146 which is what I have.

I have two 149's. One is a wonderful fine or XF nib and the other is either an italic or a stub. I can't really tell, but I absolutely love the effects. Much more like an italic I believe. The 149's are an addiction within and addiction if you know what I mean. :chuckle:

[Lol-x]

Yes the 149 does tend to become an addition within the MB affliction :twit:

I see quite a few people not with just one 149, but with many, so there must be something to be said about the 149 as a satisfying writing instrument.

There certainly isn't the same kind of multiple purchases of the same model of Rolex as there is for the 149 of Montblanc.

I guess with every 149 there is still a significant amount of individuality i.e. ink, ink feeds, nibs, etc. etc.

Very interesting and yes I hope the next 6-8 weeks go fast, I'm looking forward to getting my OBBB :cheers:

[Bisquitlips]

Yes the 149 does tend to become an addition within the MB affliction :twit:

I see quite a few people not with just one 149, but with many, so there must be something to be said about the 149 as a satisfying writing instrument.

There certainly isn't the same kind of multiple purchases of the same model of Rolex as there is for the 149 of Montblanc.

I guess with every 149 there is still a significant amount of individuality i.e. ink, ink feeds, nibs, etc. etc.

Very interesting and yes I hope the next 6-8 weeks go fast, I'm looking forward to getting my OBBB :cheers:

You have that correct Steve! The 149 has so much to offer in the way variances.

Have you seen this article on the 149's and their differences by their era of manufacture? A good read!

http://www.pentrace.net/penbase/Data_Returns/full_article.asp?id=405

[Widows Son]

As long as you choose expensive hobbies that retains value, they can be better than stocks or even wifey :rofl: :dummy:

Don't tell her that!!! I collected wives for awhile, but this is the last one. (I'm still one behind Bubba).

[Widows Son]

That is a NICE gift from your best man!

And you most certainly do need another expensive hobby! Don't you know that the more expensive hobbies you have the more money you'll make????

Through 2nd and 3rd jobs to pay for them all!!! Totally justifiable in my thinking!

My Best Man is one of a kind. We're both Past Masters in our Lodge and are always there for one another. My present to him was a vintage fully overhauled vintage Benrus wristalarm. He really seemed to like it. Don't think he's ever had a watch which didn't require a battery. I have an identical Benrus which belonged to my Dad. PS, you have some gorgeous pens!!

[Bisquitlips]

Thanks for the info, Richard. That leather case is awesome. I'd love to get one of those for my pen. I need to get up to Seattle and get my mitts on some of these different models.

John,

You can occasionally find the 147 Traveler cases on eBay for about 50 - 100$$. Buy them new from MB and they'll cost you over 200$.

They will only fit the 144 / 147 size pens. Remember that they also hold cartridges for the 147 so buying one for the 146 (bottle filled) is pointless. In that case you can just pick up a reasonably priced leather case for about $30.

[JBat]

149 All the way Richard. I'm waiting on an OBBB special order, and am really looking forward to getting that. :cheers:

I have had a 146 as my daily writer for some years now. I bought it as an OBB and that is how the box is marked. However, I went to a MB boutique this week and compared it to their testing pens and found out it is really only an OB. So I'm getting that nib changed to an OBB like it should be. :chuckle:

I just find the wider nibs just flow so much better for me. I guess it's personal taste but the butter smooth flow of the nib across the page is just magical with the wider nibs for me. :agree:

:cheers:

Hey Stevo,

When you say wider nibs, do you mean the actual physical dimensions of the nib itself or it being fine or medium, etc? I ask because sometimes my Chopin doesn't flow as well as I expect it to. I'm not sure if it's my writing style or what, but if a bigger nib helps with that, maybe that's the way I should go.

Thanks.

[JBat]

John,

Look on the Bay before you pay full fare and also on the Pentrace Green Board. Both good places to pick up a bargain.

John,

You can occasionally find the 147 Traveler cases on eBay for about 50 - 100$$. Buy them new from MB and they'll cost you over 200$.

They will only fit the 144 / 147 size pens. Remember that they also hold cartridges for the 147 so buying one for the 146 (bottle filled) is pointless. In that case you can just pick up a reasonably priced leather case for about $30.

Thanks Richard. I'll just use the boutique to see how I like the different sized pens and how they write. Unless a store can match prices I find online, I'll buy them on the web. I'll check around for the case as well. Yours is really sweet and looks to be perfect for its intended use.

Is the Fountain Pen Hospital a good outlet also? They seem to have pretty good prices.

[Bisquitlips]

Thanks Richard. I'll just use the boutique to see how I like the different sized pens and how they write. Unless a store can match prices I find online, I'll buy them on the web. I'll check around for the case as well. Yours is really sweet and looks to be perfect for its intended use.

Is the Fountain Pen Hospital a good outlet also? They seem to have pretty good prices.

FPH is great as a resource and they will typically give a 20% discount on their pens. They will also instantly email you prices on any MB's as MB doesn't allow any of their AD's to post pricing on their websites.

Good luck!
:thumbsup:

Hey, have you filled up that journal yet?? :chuckle::chuckle:

[JBat]

FPH is great as a resource and they will typically give a 20% discount on their pens. They will also instantly email you prices on any MB's as MB doesn't allow any of their AD's to post pricing on their websites.

Good luck!
:thumbsup:

Hey, have you filled up that journal yet?? :chuckle::chuckle:

Not quite, but I've been using it daily! :chuckle: I really like it, but there's one question, do you have issues with your fountain pen ink bleeding through paper? I do and have mostly been using a ballpoint or rollerball pens as a consequence.

[Bisquitlips]

Not quite, but I've been using it daily! :chuckle: I really like it, but there's one question, do you have issues with your fountain pen ink bleeding through paper? I do and have mostly been using a ballpoint or rollerball pens as a consequence.

No, no problem. The key is to use a very fast drying ink and there is a huge variation in characteristics of inks.

I would suggest Parker Quink in blue. It has great color variations and drys quickly.

A lot of it also depends on the pen/nib. Heavier lines mean more ink and thus more drying time and more chance for the ink to go through the paper.

Moleskine's have very good paper for what they are and so what I would do is take your favorite FP into your local pen shop and ask them if you can dip your pen into various inks and then try it on your Moleskine. They should let you dip away without hesitation. Lots of fun to discovering how inks really work.

Also, go over to www.fountainpennetwork and go through their ink reviews. Just priceless information there and you can see hundreds of inks in action. Here is a quick sample.

http://www.riorondo.com/fpn/Dostoyevsky.jpg

[JBat]

Great info! My Chopin has a fine nib, so I guess that surprised me a bit. The lines are also fairly broad, so I'm not sure if I'd like a medium or broad nib. The ink cartridges I use are just MB black, MBR PX 16111 18275. I don't know if those numbers mean anything! :chuckle:

The pen also has a piston converter, which I haven't used yet. Thanks for taking all the time to walk this n00b through the world of FP's, Richard! :thumbsup:

[Bisquitlips]

Great info! My Chopin has a fine nib, so I guess that surprised me a bit. The lines are also fairly broad, so I'm not sure if I'd like a medium or broad nib. The ink cartridges I use are just MB black, MBR PX 16111 18275. I don't know if those numbers mean anything! :chuckle:

The pen also has a piston converter, which I haven't used yet. Thanks for taking all the time to walk this n00b through the world of FP's, Richard! :thumbsup:

No problem John. Love to discuss writing instruments and accouterments.

That converter will open up your world.

[mck22]

anyone have a good place to buy used Mont Blanc pens. I am looking for good ol #1

[Bisquitlips]

anyone have a good place to buy used Mont Blanc pens. I am looking for good ol #1

I am not familiar with a MB #1???? Can you post a photo?

[unclesallie]

It actually does come with a real Churchill sized cigar. Kinda humorous if you ask me, but I don't think the set would be complete without one. Probably should have included a bottle of Cointreau also.

“You, Mr Churchill, are drunk.”

“And you, Lady Astor, are ugly. But I shall be sober in the morning.”

:rofl::rofl::dummy::clap:

[JBat]

No problem John. Love to discuss writing instruments and accouterments.

That converter will open up your world.

Really? It works better than the cartridges?

[Bisquitlips]

Really? It works better than the cartridges?

Yes. Better flow and not to mention you can fill it from any bottled ink and are not limited to what comes in cartridges with is sadly lacking in choices.

Check out Noodlers inks. They are great inexpensive inks and come in just about any color you can imagine. The ink bottles are huge in comparison to most. A really good value.

http://www.noodlersink.com/

Samples!

http://www.noodlersink.com/samples.html

[mck22]

anyone have a good place to buy used Mont Blanc pens. I am looking for good ol #1

Sorry, should have made that clearer. I am looking for my first Mont Blanc pen. That is why I said good ol #1:rofl:

[2careless]

Sorry, should have made that clearer. I am looking for my first Mont Blanc pen. That is why I said good ol #1:rofl:

First, I suggest you look out for penshows in your area. goto www.fountainpennetwork.com under "Clubs, Meetings and Events" near the bottom and find one near you. There is no better way than to attend these shows and see for yourself what's on offer from all the manufacturers. Also, the people there will have show specials that can be jaw dropping.

Second, lurk around the Pentrace green board http://www.pentrace.net/PenMarket.htm
This and Fountain Pen Network's forsale section are the active 2nd hand marketplace. Occasionally there are fakes there but it will be sorted out pretty quickly.

Third, of course you have ebay, but we know the dangers doing business there.

Having said these, I still think first pen goto a good shop, test drive the demo pens first, haggle a bit and buy your first pen from a retail AD. Forget about boutiques as they won't discount for walkin customers. For a new pen, if you can get 20% off MSRP that's a good sign. Sometimes when things are tight/tough the shop will drop more. Standard buying tactics apply :thumbsup:

[Bisquitlips]

Sorry, should have made that clearer. I am looking for my first Mont Blanc pen. That is why I said good ol #1:rofl:

Ah! Ok thanks for the clarification. I really thought there was a MB #1 that I had never heard of. I've been at this about 30 years or so and there is still so much to learn.

I would only recommend a FP. In that case it would be the 144 with a fine nib for a novice FP user. A great pen! I started out with one of these in 1989 and still have it. Lovely writer and still beautiful!

You can go on ebay an research the Montblanc 144 and come up with historical pricing and lots of photos.

[mck22]

Thanks guys for the tips and places to look, I appreciate it a ton!!!!