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Old 21 September 2018, 11:45 PM   #1
rb120134
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Montblanc vs Graf von Faber Castell ballpoint pens wich is better for everday use?

Hi,
I am looking for a nice ballpoint pen for everyday use. I am using it for my study Mechanical engineering.
I was looking at either a Montblanc Meisterstuck classique ballpoint pen or a Graf von Faber Castell classic ballpoint pen Platinum.
I know they both use 10 dollar refills but which ballpoint would be better for everday use? Also, alot of pens are made of "precious resin" but I red that this scratches very fast,
Graf von Faber castell has ballpoint pens from Platinum, will these also scratch? Does one of these brands write smoother or last longer? I dont bother about the price.
I know Montblanc is very well recognised but Graf von Faber Castell also looks very high quality. Both brands are German, which would we the best for everyday use?
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Old 22 September 2018, 04:08 AM   #2
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Most everyday use implements will show signs of wear. I'm assuming that is your main concern? Most resins will show scratches, it depends on its texture/pattern. Metal bodies are tougher, with precious metals showing more wear due to their softness.

In an everyday pen I look for comfort first, then quality of the ink/cartridge/tip, then its aesthetic appeal.

Good luck.

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Old 22 September 2018, 04:20 AM   #3
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Montblanc vs Graf von Faber Castell ballpoint pens wich is better for everday use?

Do you like a fat or slim pen? Heavy or light?

My EDC ball pen is an old Parker 75 Cisele in sterling silver. Low key (less stealable than a MB). Tough, durable, slim with some heft. And refills are cheap.




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Old 22 September 2018, 04:32 AM   #4
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I am no expert by any means, but I agree that comfort should be the most important factor, especially considering everyday use. I haven't had my MB precious resin pens long enough to notice any significant wear, so I cannot offer any feedback on that part of your question. I have no experience with Graf von Faber Casell, but in my opinion, MontBlanc ballpoint pens write smoother than any other pen I have used. The broad tip feels almost like a Rollerball on paper. The ink will last longer or shorter depending on your use, not so much the pen. I recommend trying out both pens before making your decision. Best of wishes with making your choice. Let us know what you decide.
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Old 22 September 2018, 04:41 AM   #5
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What does low key mean? I saw this term earlier
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Old 22 September 2018, 04:52 AM   #6
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don't touch a montblanc. the black plastic is really fragile and cracks on the barrel appear with normal use. google it and you will see what I mean.

the Graf von Faber perfect pencil is pretty cool, but you may be better with a rotring.

I would be very tempted by the Classic rollerball in platinum.
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Old 22 September 2018, 08:40 AM   #7
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So all Montblanc precious resins will show cracks on the barrel even with normal use?
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Old 22 September 2018, 11:56 AM   #8
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Montblanc vs Graf von Faber Castell ballpoint pens wich is better for everday use?

Quote:
Originally Posted by rb120134 View Post
What does low key mean? I saw this term earlier

Low key = Discreet, discerning, unpretentious.

The MB is a nice pen but also a loud status symbol. If you want to signal that you have status, taste and disposable income as a mech. eng. student then that’s the pen for you.

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Old 22 September 2018, 01:02 PM   #9
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So all Montblanc precious resins will show cracks on the barrel even with normal use?
Don't believe everything you see on the web.

I never had a single Montblanc crack and had quite a few of them, both modern and experienced.
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Old 22 September 2018, 02:16 PM   #10
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Quote:
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Don't believe everything you see on the web.



I never had a single Montblanc crack and had quite a few of them, both modern and experienced.


Ditto. I have 5 in my desk/briefcase. And not a one has ever had a crack or issues.

3 are Legrande rolerballs. One of each finish. And they get put thru their paces. My JFK rollerball and Tolstoy FP get less use.




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Old 22 September 2018, 05:17 PM   #11
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So if I have a Montblanc ballpoint pen with precious resin and use it everyday but I treat it well, I dont drop it or use it rough, it wont show cracks? And if I put a new refill in every now and then it also wont show cracks on the barrel? Because you have to twist the top piece off to put a new refill in.
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Old 22 September 2018, 06:19 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rb120134 View Post
So if I have a Montblanc ballpoint pen with precious resin and use it everyday but I treat it well, I dont drop it or use it rough, it wont show cracks? And if I put a new refill in every now and then it also wont show cracks on the barrel? Because you have to twist the top piece off to put a new refill in.
I have a starwalker and it requires a twist to remove the cap. the pen has been back to montblanc multiple times to get it fixed because of cracking. if you google "montblanc resin cracking" you will see the number of threads on the matter.

its the twisting that causes the cracking.
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Old 22 September 2018, 06:20 PM   #13
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Quote:
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Don't believe everything you see on the web.

I never had a single Montblanc crack and had quite a few of them, both modern and experienced.
have you googled the problem? its not just my experience.
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Old 22 September 2018, 06:34 PM   #14
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I will check
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Old 22 September 2018, 09:22 PM   #15
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have you googled the problem? its not just my experience.
Nope and will not bother Googling the problem.

After all, you are talking about ballpoints not real pens.
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Old 22 September 2018, 09:53 PM   #16
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I am a huge Mont Blanc fan. There is a pen in the vast collection offered which will check all the blocks for you. It is a status symbol but how loud it is will be up to you.
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Old 22 September 2018, 10:17 PM   #17
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Nope and will not bother Googling the problem.

After all, you are talking about ballpoints not real pens.


Thanks for the laugh.
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Old 25 September 2018, 02:24 PM   #18
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Quote:
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Don't believe everything you see on the web.

I never had a single Montblanc crack and had quite a few of them, both modern and experienced.
X2!

Montblanc makes a great pen. I have owned them for years with no issues.
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Old 26 September 2018, 12:50 AM   #19
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The black plastic lids crack around the base very easily.

and its a common problem.
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Old 26 September 2018, 09:08 AM   #20
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Sorry you seem to be having an issue. But I've owned dozens of pens from Montblanc and still own a half dozen or so and none have cracked.

If there is some issue with Starwalker Ball Points then fine, complain about Starwalker ball points but don't say really stupid stuff like Montblanc pens crack.
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Old 26 September 2018, 12:37 PM   #21
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Quote:
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Sorry you seem to be having an issue. But I've owned dozens of pens from Montblanc and still own a half dozen or so and none have cracked.

If there is some issue with Starwalker Ball Points then fine, complain about Starwalker ball points but don't say really stupid stuff like Montblanc pens crack.
Starwalkers have a known unpublished issue with lid crackings. It is my understanding that this was an issue for 1 year of production. Contact Montblanc and they should take care of you.

Let us know how it goes.

What year is the pen in question?

As Jim stated, not all MB pen have this same problem. As of now I have above 60 MB pens in my collection. I do not have a single problem with mine. But I also have no Starwalkers.

I wish you well!
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Old 26 September 2018, 07:40 PM   #22
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I am huge montblanc fan. Have a lot of fountainpens and also use the Starwalker ballpen (100th year edition). It is a daily user/abuser. Had not one single problem with it.

Just choose what you find most attractive for you.
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Old 23 November 2018, 04:49 PM   #23
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if you want something that's well regarded, but not shouty, look at the Lamy 2000 range. The barrels are Macrolon, a brushed fiberglass type composite that looks attractive and is also very durable

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Old 19 July 2019, 07:28 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rb120134 View Post
Does one of these brands write smoother or last longer? I dont bother about the price.
I know Montblanc is very well recognised but Graf von Faber Castell also looks very high quality. Both brands are German, which would we the best for everyday use?
For what it’s worth, I have Montblanc 164, a Graf von Faber Castell Anello, and a Parker Sonnet, and I use the same Parker ink cartridges in all three of them: $10 for a pack of 6 on Amazon, as opposed to $7 each for the Faber Castell or $10 each for the Montblanc...
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Old 13 November 2019, 01:58 PM   #25
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Don't believe everything you see on the web.

I never had a single Montblanc crack and had quite a few of them, both modern and experienced.
Me either, and I've had mine for 30+ years, had it serviced once.
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