Mont Blanc Meisterstuck 149 Fountain Pen

I have owned three MB Meisterstuck fountain pens, and have used one since the 1970's. One was stolen; the other two I keep at my desk. There is no substitute for a fountain pen, and a really good one like the Mont Blanc is a great investment. Writing in ball point, roller ball and other modern devices appears lame beside the confident, fluid strokes of a good fountain pen. It surprises me how many people will concern themselves with the very best in wrist watches and tailoring, and then sign their correspondence with a dime store ball point. As all fountain pen users know, the longer you use a good fountain pen the better it conforms with your writing style and the smoother your handwriting becomes. This is especially true of the Mont Blancs whose nibs are like jewellery. Don't lend your pen to anybody else to write with once you've broken it in - it will scratch. They are sensitive to the ink you put in them too, and should periodically be refilled with fresh ink (preferably the Mont Blanc brand.) It also helps to flush your pen about once a year with a dilute solution of household ammonia in water. With care, your Mont Blanc will last longer than you will and help add pleasure to your penmanship and distinction to your correspondence.

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.