The Montblanc Meisterstuck Black Ballpoint Pen 164

Back in the days of my highly ego-motivated management work, I bought myself a present. I went walking into an Office Depot store one day and, with a sense of worthiness and self-deservedness, laid down about $80. to buy myself one of these pens. I had coveted them in the pockets and in the hands of others for many years - now it was MY turn! I bought a couple of extra (Medium Black) refills, put the thing in my shirt pocket and went on my way feeling as though I had just invested in acknowledging my own success.

Over the ensuing years (nearly 20 of them), I have used this pen nearly daily and while, at first, it seemed a bit to heavy and wide, my hand quickly adjusted to it's feel. I simply love it. The refills manufactured for it by Mont Blanc are, incidentally, FAR superior to the second-rung "Fits Mont Blanc" refills available at most office supply stores and are consistent with the instrument itself.

But, I am writing this review, in large part to comment on my experience with the Warrantee - said (and written) to be "... for the lifetime of the original owner." I have seen many such warrantees and guarantees in my life and have adjusted my expectations about their fulfillment down to a level commensurate with my actual experience. The Mont Blanc was an exception. Together with its flawless heavy highly polished black resin case, 24-karat gold appointments and amazingly smooth scripting, one needs to hold and write with it to fully appreciate both its enduring beauty AND functionality.

Pelikan Tradition Series 200 Black GT Medium Point Fountain Pen - 994004

I have owned this FP for over 20 years. One of my very favorites. For an inexpensive pen it writes very smoothly. The window lets the writer see how much ink is left. The piston refill is simple to use and the pen cleans up easily. Very flexible nib and leaves an excellent line with any ink. Highly recommended for those first trying a fountain pen. It is truly a shame that few people use fp's any more. They are very elegant to use and using a piston means saving a lot versus throw away cartridges. One becomes very attached to their beauty and function.

Cross Century II Medalist Fountain Pen with Polished Chrome and 23 Karat Gold Plated Appointments and 23 Karat Gold Plated Nib - Medium

As both an amateur writer and artist, I was looking for a pen that would fulfill several roles. Here are some points on this pen from both points of view, categorized:

I just seem to like fountain pens, despite my young age. Also, if anyone wants to know why I'd use a fountain pen over a dip pen for drawing, its the mobility - I can use them anywhere.

2.) Ink - width, cartridge-loading, converter & bottle-loading: Ever since I first used a rollerball as opposed to a normal ballpoint, I loved the strong, black line that some of them gave. It made my work stand apart from others. Fountain pens are even better. The stroke this pen gives is a powerful, thick black (assuming, of course, that black ink is used! I'm willing to bet that for those who like, for example, blue, that this would look beautiful with blue ink. =:o).

When used with the provided Cross black ink cartridges (I bought some extras), it goes on fluid & slick, and dries quickly.

Montblanc Meisterstuck Legrand Fountain Pen Black - Medium

No reviews yet.

Pelikan M200 GREEN MARBLE Fountain Pen-Broad

Excellent Pen for the money; smoother than most similarly priced pens. The one drawback is the small size of the 200 which makes it more difficult to hold comfortably for those with arthritic and/or large hands. In that case the 600 or 800 (and similar size pens)will be much better, particularly if writing a lengthy exposition such as a Blue Book or professional exam. Of course, they cost quite a bit more but you do get an even better nib and stronger construction. I have generally found Pelikan pens to be superior to Mont Blanc when is comes to reliability, leakiness, etc.

Cross Century II Black Fountain Pen with 23 Karat Gold Plated Appointments and 23 Karat Gold Plated Nib - Medium

My work demands a lot of interpersonal contact, face-to-face, over-the-phone, and written. Recently I have moved the more intimate of these communications off the electronic impersonality of email and onto quality stationery. At the same time, I've bought two fountain pens, my first ever, combining this black Cross Century II with its silver-and-gold twin. One stays at the office and one by my writing desk here at home.

In the mix, I find that I'm discovering a new art form and means of personal expression. Always an illegible writer, the stationery and the fine pen slow me down just enough to realize that I actually *can* write.

It is difficult to overestimate the potency of a hand-written note in the Age of Email. It is a bit of chosen retro-referencing upon which the recipients of my letters comment with appreciation. And it doesn't take *that* much time.

The Cross Century II can be considered near the top of the entry-level pens. I chose them because of good experience with Cross ballpoints, not wanting to spend too much until I figured out whether this was going to work, and my routinely bad experience with base-entry-level products.

I believe this pen is likely to serve me for years to come. As I learn the beauty of a fine or solid stroke, however, I also widen my peripheral vision and discover there's a high-end pen store at my local shopping center.

Uh-oh.

MontBlanc Meisterstuck Platinum Line Classique Ballpoint Pen - Black

If you want to know how it feels to write with a pen that is the epitome of "class"--then this pen is for you! Its weight is perfect; the line is smooth and even; and every word feels exquisite.

I've never been so happy with a pen--and I'd wanted this very pen for the longest time. Best buy I've ever made!

Parker Vector Blue Fountain pen Medium nib, SM50136042

Vector is Parker's answer to the array of nouvelle lightweight fountain pens that have come on the market in recent times. Like many of its competitors, Vector utilizes cartridges to make for cleaner easier use for fountain pen novices or those wanting to use something a little different than the standard cheap Bic disposable. Much like today's lightweight ballpoint pens, the Vector is quite lightweight and is also very stylish, streamlined, and attractive. The Vector is a little thicker than a standard ballpoint, making for a nicer writing experience, but may not be as thick as some may want. The refills aren't always easy to find outside of a stationary store or pen shop, but thanks to online they're also not as hard to find as you may think. The pen operates without the mess and staining usually associated with fountain pens thanks to the largely contained cartridge operation. While the nib does seem rather cheap compared with the Parkers of old it's still a nice fountain pen that gives your everyday writing use a touch of flair!

Montblanc Meisterstuck Legrand Document Marker Bordeaux

No reviews yet

MontBlanc Meisterstuck Classique Rollerball Pen Black 163 / 12890

I ordered this pen early for a Christmas present. I had some reservations as the price was excellent, and there are so many knock-offs out there. Much to my delight the pen was everything I expected and more! It is in a beautiful gift box, and because it was shipped from Germany and there was a minor delay, they also included two ink refills and a Montblanc carrying case (so it doesn't get scratched in your purse??!!), or a gent could put the pen, in case, in his jacket pocket. Anyway, beautifully packaged, all the paper work authenticating the product. And I can't wait to give it to my son for Christmas. I would order again.

Pelikan M200 GREEN MARBLE Fountain Pen-Broad

Excellent Pen for the money; smoother than most similarly priced pens. The one drawback is the small size of the 200 which makes it more difficult to hold comfortably for those with arthritic and/or large hands. In that case the 600 or 800 (and similar size pens)will be much better, particularly if writing a lengthy exposition such as a Blue Book or professional exam. Of course, they cost quite a bit more but you do get an even better nib and stronger construction. I have generally found Pelikan pens to be superior to Mont Blanc when is comes to reliability, leakiness, etc.

Montblanc Patron of the Arts - Francois I - Fountain Pen

No reviews yet.

Parker Latitude Fine Writing Medium Point Fountain Pen, 1 Black Ink, Silky Black Barrel Pen

I bought one of these to use at work, because 1) it has a steel nib - it takes more abuse than a gold nib, without damage / bending. 2) it's quite inexpensive for a fountain pen. I also use, at work, a Cross Century II fountain pen which I also class as inexpensive even though it was about $25 more than the Parker Latitude. It also has a steel nib. If you leave it uncapped, for just a few minutes, it will dry out - although tapping the nib against the paper will generally restart it. Or, just placing 1 drop of water on the nib will definitely restart it. My Parker Latitude is somewhat lighter than the Cross, slightly wider grip, and I like it better. If anything, it I think it is less problematic to use than the cross. I also have a couple of gold-nibbed fountain pens at home, and honestly, if someone wants a pen that they can leave idle for days and then it writes instantly, well, that's what made ballpoints so popular! If you want a pen that can write a bold solid line without voids, can vary that line width so you can write with expression, they you DO want a fountain pen, and you adapt to it. Fountain pens are beautiful, excellent writing instruments for actually writing, ie, a letter or a journal entry - that will keep the ink flowing. Conclusion: I'm very happy with my Parker Latitude because I bought exactly what I wanted, it writes beautifully and feels good, and otherwise behaves as I expected. It does not behave like a ballpoint, and I've never seen a fountain pen that did.

Mont Blanc Starwalker Black Resin Fountain Pen

No reviews yet.

Refilling a Fountain Pen Ink Cartridge

Fountain Pen History

The earliest historical record of a reservoir pen dates back to the 10th century. In 953, Ma'ād al-Mu'izz, the caliph of Egypt, demanded a pen which would not stain his hands or clothes, and was provided with a pen which held ink in a reservoir and delivered it to the nib via gravity and capillary action. As recorded by Qadi al-Nu'man al-Tamimi in his Kitdb al-Majalis wa 'l-musayardt, al-Mu’izz commissioned the construction of the pen instructing:

‘We wish to construct a pen which can be used for writing without having recourse to an ink-holder and whose ink will be contained inside it. A person can fill it with ink and write whatever he likes. The writer can put it in his sleeve or anywhere he wishes and it will not stain nor will any drop of ink leak out of it. The ink will flow only when there is an intention to write. We are unaware of anyone previously ever constructing (a pen such as this) and an indication of ‘penetrating wisdom’ to whoever contemplates it and realises its exact significance and purpose’. I exclaimed, ‘Is this possible?’ He replied, ‘It is possible if God so wills’.

Mont Blanc Pen History

Montblanc International GmbH is a German manufacturer of writing instruments, watches and accessories, often identified by their "White Star" logo.

Founded by the stationer Claus-Johannes Voss, the banker Alfred Nehemias and the engineer August Eberstein in 1906, the company began as the Simplo Filler Pen company producing up-market pens in the Schanzen district of Hamburg. Their first model was the Rouge Et Noir in 1909 followed in 1910 by the pen that was later to give the company its new name, the Mont Blanc. The first pen (a fountain pen) known as the Meisterstück or Masterpiece (the name used for export) was produced in 1925. Today the Montblanc brand is on other goods besides pens, for instance watches.
The company was successful despite its founder, Eberstein, fleeing to the US to avoid prosecution for stealing company funds in 1909. In 1934 the company changed its name to Montblanc-Simplo GmbH, and introduced its first piston filler.
The company was acquired by Dunhill in 1977, following which lower price pens were dropped and the brand was used on a wide range of luxury goods other than pens.
Today Montblanc forms part of the Richemont group. Its sister companies include luxury brands Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chloé, and Baume et Mercier. Since 2000, Montblanc has manufactured all the components for Montegrappa and Cartier branded pens.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montblanc_pens

Pelikan Souveran 400 Black/Green GT Fine Point Fountain Pen - 994855

I have a small fountain pen collection and I'm fortunate enough to own some of the world's best pens, including Montgrappa, Montblanc, Delta and many others.

While not as elite as some, I have always liked the Pelikan pens. They hold up to day-to-day use, and are generally solid performers with few shortcomings.

The Pelikans come in three different sizes ranging from oversized to one that would be appropriate for a woman. I usually prefer this one, which is the middle size...it handles well without feeling too bulky in my hand. It's simple to use...ink filling is a standard piston-type affair, or you can use the supplied adapter to have it work with standard cartridges if you don't like to draw your ink from the bottle.

One other positive is that it's an easy pen to clean. I rotate through my pen collection, using one for a few months and then moving on. Thus, many of my pens sit unused for months at a time, and I prefer to drain and clean them rather than leaving ink in the pen. The Pelikan makes this fairly easy by just running water through the filling system.

With fountain pens, everything comes down to the feel of the nib on the page. Some inexpensive pens have a "scratchy" feel, or tend to skip across the page leaving blank spots because the ink didn't get fed quickly enough. I usually like a fine point, which sometimes makes this tendency worse. The Pelikan excels in this area, with a nib that feels "right" as it glides across the paper, and the ability to put down a smooth, consistent line of ink. Everyone's writing style is different, but to me, the Pelikan feels every bit as good as some pens costing five times as much.

As for inks, I tend to load mine with Pelikan's blue. It lasts a long time and dries quickly on the page. I've noticed some other brands of ink tend to have a gritty feel, or flake off the page in small bits after drying. The Pelikan inks have none of these problems and they tend to be among my favorites.

Overall, highly recommended

Pelikan Refills

Pelikan M150 BLACK Fountain Pen-Fine

I bought this beautiful pen off Amazon.com. I have some other pens, some of which cost $100-350. Pelikan writes better than any of them. It's writing is very smooth and effortless. Excellent finishing and mehanisms. The only thing I was disappointed about is that this pen is about 0.5 inch shorter than a standard size pen. Not a significant problem but I wish it was little larger. Anyhow, this pen immediately catches peoples eyes and they comment me for this "fancy", "beautiful" and "classic" pen.
It is a piece of German manufacturing excellence.

How to Remove Ballpoint Ink from Vinyl

Ballpoint ink is fairly easy to remove from most surfaces, including vinyl. Follow the guidelines below to remove the ink.

You will need:

• All purpose spray cleaner
• Household ammonia
• Mild soap
• Water
  
• Spray bottle
• Paper towels or soft cloths

History Of Ballpoint

 Hungarian journalist Laszlo Biro was well aware of the problems with normal pens. Biro believed that the idea of a pen using a quick-drying ink instead of India ink came to him while visiting a newspaper. The newspaper's ink left the paper dry and smudge-free almost immediately. Biro vowed to use a similar ink in a new type of writing instrument. To avoid clogging his pen up with thick ink, he proposed a tiny metal ball that rotated at the end of a tube of this quick drying ink. The ball would have two functions:

• It would act as a cap to keep the ink from drying.
• It would let ink flow out of the pen at a controlled rate. 

How to Remove Ballpoint Ink From a White Leather Jacket

Many people love a nice bright white leather jacket. It's just a sharp color that looks good on everyone. But every now and then someone will spill ballpoint ink on that brand new white jacket, and it seems impossible to get the stain out. Leather is the hardest material to remove stains from. But there are some steps you can take to get any color ink from a ballpoint pen out of the material of your nice leather jacket.

Instruction

1.Apply hairspray to the area where the ink is. Rub it in gently with a sponge or damp rag but take care not to wipe it off. Keep pets and children away, as hairspray could be harmful to them.

2.Let the hairspray sit on the area for at least 10 minutes. For larger stains, you may want to leave it for half an hour to 45 minutes. This will give the hairspray time to react to the ballpoint ink and lift the stain.