The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum > Miscellaneous Forums > Pens & Writing Instruments

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 25 April 2012, 02:22 AM   #1
snowbird
"TRF" Member
 
snowbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: USA
Watch: Sea-Dweller 16600
Posts: 2,157
Is Mont Blanc the gold standard in pens?

I'm thinking about getting a nice pen for daily use and notice that Mont Blanc seems to get most of the attention on here. Are these generally considered the best pens?
snowbird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 April 2012, 02:39 AM   #2
Noonan
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: US
Watch: 3570.50
Posts: 2,156
Are you looking for a fountain pen or a ballpoint/rollerball? If you're going the BP/RB route, my opinion is that you're wasting your money buying a Montblanc. At that point, it's an expensive resin shell with a $10 pen cartridge in it. For fountain pens, MB is basically the Rolex of pens. Not the best, far from the worst, and generally the most recognized. Their nibs write extremely well but I like my Pelikan just as much.
Noonan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 April 2012, 03:30 AM   #3
snowbird
"TRF" Member
 
snowbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: USA
Watch: Sea-Dweller 16600
Posts: 2,157
Thanks, that's helpful perspective. I'm looking for a ballpoint pen.
snowbird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 April 2012, 04:09 AM   #4
Zed Homme
"TRF" Member
 
Zed Homme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Chris
Location: usa
Watch: Rolex
Posts: 6,962
Quote:
Originally Posted by snowbird View Post
Thanks, that's helpful perspective. I'm looking for a ballpoint pen.
In my opinion, Caran D'Ache makes the best ballpoint cartridges. I found a simple BP pen from them for about $180. IMHO it writes much nicer than any MB BP.
Zed Homme is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 April 2012, 04:36 AM   #5
snowbird
"TRF" Member
 
snowbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: USA
Watch: Sea-Dweller 16600
Posts: 2,157
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zed Homme View Post
In my opinion, Caran D'Ache makes the best ballpoint cartridges. I found a simple BP pen from them for about $180. IMHO it writes much nicer than any MB BP.
Thanks, I'll check those out.
snowbird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 April 2012, 08:29 PM   #6
Lion
"TRF" Member
 
Lion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Leo
Location: Midwest
Watch: GMT-II 16710 PEPSI
Posts: 21,461
Quote:
Originally Posted by snowbird View Post
Thanks, that's helpful perspective. I'm looking for a ballpoint pen.
Your best bet is to go to a pen store and check out the stock as there are many fine quality pens. This way you can demo the stock and decide on one. I do not know where you live but there is a company called Paradise Pens which have stores in many cities. Happy hunting and take it easy!!!
__________________

SS GMT-II 16710 PEPSI(Z-serial#)
THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND BOYS IS THE PRICE OF THE TOYS!!!
MontBlanc Meisterstuck Doue Silver Barley
MontBlanc Meisterstuck Solitaire Doue Signum
Proud Card Carrying Member of the Curmudgeons.....Yikes!!!
Lion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 25 April 2012, 09:17 PM   #7
How
"TRF" Member
 
How's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Melbourne
Watch: 16610, Tudor 1960
Posts: 1,554
I own a Mont Blanc Meisterstuck Roller Ball. To say that I am far from happy with it is an understatement. Their roller balls are very scratchy and you can only write at a certain angle to get the desired flow of ink. This is partly due to the fact that they use water-based inks, but on the most part I would imagine their roller ball tip design. Would I be wrong in expecting that a Mont Blanc should perform better than that?

I have since given up on that MB, and since have been using a Cross Townsend (roller ball) - the very same pen that Mr President Barack Obama uses. They use gel based inks and their Selectip rollerball tips write as smooth as silk... and it writes perfectly with the pen at virtually any angle!!!

After my experience with Mont Blanc, it completely shot my confidence in roller ball pens (after all, MB IS supposed to be one of the best!). I was going to go back to ball point pen. Until I discovered this Cross... It changed my mind in two seconds. Converted!

I will never go back to ball point so maybe you should check it out too!

Double thumbs up. After all... this IS the 'First Pen'!

Last edited by How; 25 April 2012 at 09:25 PM.. Reason: Add more comments
How is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 April 2012, 11:13 PM   #8
Lion
"TRF" Member
 
Lion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Leo
Location: Midwest
Watch: GMT-II 16710 PEPSI
Posts: 21,461
Quote:
Originally Posted by How View Post
I own a Mont Blanc Meisterstuck Roller Ball. To say that I am far from happy with it is an understatement. Their roller balls are very scratchy and you can only write at a certain angle to get the desired flow of ink. This is partly due to the fact that they use water-based inks, but on the most part I would imagine their roller ball tip design. Would I be wrong in expecting that a Mont Blanc should perform better than that?

I have since given up on that MB, and since have been using a Cross Townsend (roller ball) - the very same pen that Mr President Barack Obama uses. They use gel based inks and their Selectip rollerball tips write as smooth as silk... and it writes perfectly with the pen at virtually any angle!!!

After my experience with Mont Blanc, it completely shot my confidence in roller ball pens (after all, MB IS supposed to be one of the best!). I was going to go back to ball point pen. Until I discovered this Cross... It changed my mind in two seconds. Converted!

I will never go back to ball point so maybe you should check it out too!

Double thumbs up. After all... this IS the 'First Pen'!
Other companies make refills which work in MontBlanc pens...so check them out!!!
__________________

SS GMT-II 16710 PEPSI(Z-serial#)
THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN AND BOYS IS THE PRICE OF THE TOYS!!!
MontBlanc Meisterstuck Doue Silver Barley
MontBlanc Meisterstuck Solitaire Doue Signum
Proud Card Carrying Member of the Curmudgeons.....Yikes!!!
Lion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 April 2012, 02:38 PM   #9
snowbird
"TRF" Member
 
snowbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: USA
Watch: Sea-Dweller 16600
Posts: 2,157
Quote:
Originally Posted by How View Post
I own a Mont Blanc Meisterstuck Roller Ball. To say that I am far from happy with it is an understatement. Their roller balls are very scratchy and you can only write at a certain angle to get the desired flow of ink. This is partly due to the fact that they use water-based inks, but on the most part I would imagine their roller ball tip design. Would I be wrong in expecting that a Mont Blanc should perform better than that?

I have since given up on that MB, and since have been using a Cross Townsend (roller ball) - the very same pen that Mr President Barack Obama uses. They use gel based inks and their Selectip rollerball tips write as smooth as silk... and it writes perfectly with the pen at virtually any angle!!!

After my experience with Mont Blanc, it completely shot my confidence in roller ball pens (after all, MB IS supposed to be one of the best!). I was going to go back to ball point pen. Until I discovered this Cross... It changed my mind in two seconds. Converted!

I will never go back to ball point so maybe you should check it out too!

Double thumbs up. After all... this IS the 'First Pen'!
Wow that's too bad. For that kind of money you should at least get a pen that writes well.
snowbird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 30 April 2012, 02:39 PM   #10
snowbird
"TRF" Member
 
snowbird's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: USA
Watch: Sea-Dweller 16600
Posts: 2,157
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lion View Post
Your best bet is to go to a pen store and check out the stock as there are many fine quality pens. This way you can demo the stock and decide on one. I do not know where you live but there is a company called Paradise Pens which have stores in many cities. Happy hunting and take it easy!!!
Thanks, I'll see if there's one of those nearby.
snowbird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1 May 2012, 10:21 AM   #11
Perdu
"TRF" Member
 
Perdu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Real Name: Gary
Location: GMT-6
Watch: GMT
Posts: 3,350
I choose the Meisterstuk because I love the design and lived opposite Mont Blanc. Technically I'm sure there are many brands that are just as good.
__________________
Omega Seamaster 300M GMT Noire
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 8500

Benson 1937 Sterling Silver Hunter
Perdu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1 May 2012, 02:55 PM   #12
2careless
"TRF" Member
 
2careless's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Melbourne, AU
Watch: Pepsi
Posts: 4,369
I think for fountain pens MB is the "Rolex" - borderline A grade but there are other better brands.
Their rollerballs dry up very quickly and as mentioned above are difficult to write with at particular angles. You'll have to check that out for yourself at a store.

BTW Cross has moved most of its production to China. A former Cross employee posted about this around 2 years ago here in TRF.
2careless is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 May 2012, 01:36 AM   #13
Zed Homme
"TRF" Member
 
Zed Homme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Chris
Location: usa
Watch: Rolex
Posts: 6,962
I've had good luck with their rollerballs, but not their ballpoints. I tend to hold a pen pretty vertical though when I am writing. I still prefer FP.
Zed Homme is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2 May 2012, 05:22 AM   #14
Tempusfugitus
"TRF" Member
 
Tempusfugitus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: UK
Watch: Sub 5513
Posts: 187
Pen afficionados rate old Mont Blancs but not new ones, believing that marketing and premium pricing have taken over from true quality. Some of the premium Japanese makes, or Pelikan, probably make a better pen. For me, the answer is a vintage Sheaffer PFM - simply the best but each to his own.
Tempusfugitus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 6 May 2012, 10:21 PM   #15
itsaswiss
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 32
When I buy something from the MB Boutique the sales person gives me a MB ballpoint to sign the receipt, which feels really smooth, it catches my attention. Ownership of one might be in my future.
itsaswiss is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7 May 2012, 01:00 AM   #16
drockadam
"TRF" Member
 
drockadam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Real Name: Adam
Location: Ontario, Canada
Watch: Pepsi.
Posts: 5,749
Quote:
Originally Posted by itsaswiss View Post
When I buy something from the MB Boutique the sales person gives me a MB ballpoint to sign the receipt, which feels really smooth, it catches my attention. Ownership of one might be in my future.
I love my MB Meisterstuck Ballpoint in Gold/Black Resin, it's a fantastic writing instrument! Very smooth!
__________________
- Adam
Instagram: @GMTSUBTIME
drockadam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1 June 2012, 12:57 PM   #17
rolio
"TRF" Member
 
rolio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Real Name: justRay
Location: Back2California
Watch: Birdies
Posts: 1,921
I have the Monte Blanc BP (excellent every day for the last 16 years); a Pelican fp, rb, and bp (great also); a Cartier fp (it's alright); and Waterman bp, fp, and rb. All serve their purposes. I love MB and Pelican best. Try them all out. A watch will make you smile, pens will move you :)
__________________
JJ
"Tranquil? Just wait till I get started!! LOL! LOL!" --JJ

Rolex~By way of an extraordinary life,
and all the simple pleasures it has to offer
~
rolio is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 June 2012, 11:31 AM   #18
jimbones43
"TRF" Member
 
jimbones43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Real Name: Jim
Location: Earth
Posts: 1,067
One of my favs is the Meisterstuck Platinum trim classique ballpoint. I do not like rollerballs (I'd rather write with a sharpie extra fine if push comes to shove)
I like ballpoints for some reason and the MB's are good writers. Probably overpriced but I love the design, weight, girth etc.

To each his own,...
jimbones43 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 June 2012, 11:41 AM   #19
Lol-x
Facilitator
 
Lol-x's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Real Name: Steve
Location: Omnipresent
Posts: 33,197
Montblanc is brilliant in fountain pen quality.
The 149 Montblanc is universally recognised as being THE PEN.

In terms of ballpoints and roller-balls....these are not what you use for penmanship. In rollerballs and ballpoints I think there are better writing options on offer.

I personally love the Fisher Space Pen ballpoint (broad) Cap-o-matic for day to day writing. It has a great feel and the ink under pressure flows freely at any angle.
__________________

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. ~Abraham Lincoln
Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride. ~John F. Kennedy

ROLEXploitation - yeah I'm a victim
Lol-x is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 24 June 2012, 06:31 PM   #20
OrangeSport
"TRF" Member
 
OrangeSport's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Real Name: Jason
Location: Essex, UK
Watch: 14060M
Posts: 2,943
My daily writing instruments in the office are Montblancs. They are used mainly for notes, sketching example graphs etc during meetings and calls. Because of this a fountain pen isn't my tool of choice, so I have three Meisterstuck examples; a classic pencil (Signature For Good edition) and two Le Grands (a ballpoint and a pencil).

I loved the Le Grands. The ballpoint is one of the nicest I have used. It does feel special, and most people who pick it up to use it comment on it. I use the pencils most as I like pencils for note taking and jotting down ideas. The Le Grand is, once again, superb. The Classic is also nice, but the feed mechanism is not so good. It can be less reliable as the lead wears down.

Montblanc compliments Rolex very, very well.

I also really like Faber Castell's eMotion offerings in wood. I have a ballpoint and a pencil. Both are very nice, and punch above their much lower price point. They are perhaps a little more robust, so ideal when I am out and about.

Hope that is of use.

Some of my threads are here:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=219147

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=217002

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=208181

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=206978
__________________
OrangeSport is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 June 2012, 04:09 PM   #21
inspires
"TRF" Member
 
inspires's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Real Name: Eric
Location: Hong Kong
Watch: 1665
Posts: 1,495
My daily writers are either my MB Le Grand Rollerball or my MB Meisterstuck Rollerball. I usually keep the Le Grand on my desk and the Meisterstuck in my jacket pocket. Being a lefty, I have not found a FB with a suitable tip, and the closest I've come to a FP that is reasonably comfortable is my Pilot Custom 74 with MS nib.
__________________
_____________
All GREEN
inspires is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 July 2012, 03:42 AM   #22
rikz944
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Real Name: Rick
Location: Texas
Posts: 6
I have had a few MB models, and Noonan is right about the resin bodies, they can break.
Like Lol-X, I love my Fisher space ballpoint, but it's not as impressive taking it out of your pocket.

For my money, the Waterman pens work well, certain models have a good feel and some are nice looking And they are brass lined, so they're tough. All that and not nearly as expensive.
rikz944 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 July 2012, 10:30 AM   #23
2th Dr
Banned
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Mark-O!
Location: Arlington, TX
Watch: Rolex
Posts: 12,714
Mont Blanc is the Rolex of pens. It is well recognized, but not THE best. As far as rollerballs go, I would say ST Dupont is the best. I don't use fountain pens so I can't comment on those. For a ballpoint, I'd say they are all pretty much the same, at least in this southpaws hand.
2th Dr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 July 2012, 10:50 AM   #24
Zed Homme
"TRF" Member
 
Zed Homme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Chris
Location: usa
Watch: Rolex
Posts: 6,962
Quote:
Originally Posted by 2th DR View Post
Mont Blanc is the Rolex of pens. It is well recognized, but not THE best. As far as rollerballs go, I would say ST Dupont is the best. I don't use fountain pens so I can't comment on those. For a ballpoint, I'd say they are all pretty much the same, at least in this southpaws hand.
Caran dashe makes ballpoints that put all others to shame. Best ballpoint on the market, and you can get them cheap too.
Zed Homme is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 July 2012, 11:08 AM   #25
2th Dr
Banned
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Real Name: Mark-O!
Location: Arlington, TX
Watch: Rolex
Posts: 12,714
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zed Homme View Post
Caran dashe makes ballpoints that put all others to shame. Best ballpoint on the market, and you can get them cheap too.
Good to know Chris, thanks! I need a good ball point. I'm gonna look at those again.
2th Dr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 July 2012, 04:51 AM   #26
playero
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Puerto Rico
Posts: 20
pen

i usually use Cartier Pasha 1980-90s version with ballpoint. I use the refill from a space pen fisher and adapted the refill easily. Most name brand refill in stores do not move that fast so they do not write that good. the fisher has a parker refill similar that is generic for the industry and another type I usually adapt to a MB also
playero is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17 August 2012, 02:01 AM   #27
Johnny Fever
Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Christmas City
Posts: 16
Check out Waterman
Johnny Fever is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17 August 2012, 02:10 PM   #28
daniel76
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Melbourne AUS
Posts: 110
They are excellent pens
daniel76 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17 August 2012, 02:36 PM   #29
bungcarlo
"TRF" Member
 
bungcarlo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Real Name: Erwin
Location: usa
Watch: Sea Dweller
Posts: 685
I never had any problem writing in any angle with my Classique RB and love it dearly until....I accidently acquired a Montegrappa Espressione RB. This pen IMHO is top notch!
bungcarlo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17 August 2012, 02:40 PM   #30
Mickey®
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Real Name: Mickey®
Location: Atlanta, GA
Watch: Swiss Made
Posts: 5,801
Not in my world. I'd take an Aurora over a MB every day of the year.
Mickey® is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

Asset Appeal

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.