Mont Blanc makes a well-crafted, beautiful pen and I wouldn't say that they're overhyped. Now, if you asked me if they worth the money, that is a different question and the answer is going to be different for everybody. As a writing experience, it's honestly not hugely better than a $100-200 pen. As a piece of art that has utility, though? That's where the value is and if the craftsmanship of it appeals to you, then it might be worth it.
I would say their somewhat overhyped after owning a 146 but it’s hard to explain. Like it’s awesome I got to achieve owning such a impressive pen, but it’s like a Rolex where it’s a pen that functions pretty nicely, but you could get better options for cheaper
Like a rolex, the value will likely increase. So you may end up selling it later on in life and making profit off of it. Another thing, is things such Rolex and montblanc are perfect for family airlooms, especially of you'd like to keep the art of calligraphy/fountain pens in your family
I wouldn’t say overhyped but definitely overpriced. That though is true of most high-end fountain pens (see e.g. the Sailor KOP, One of the 149’s rivals). MB is one of those where you really pay a lot for the brand, rather than what the pen has to offer.
@@wnJhntn well not really. Mont blanc doesn't go up in value. Because they still sell the exact same pen. You'll never get out of the own what you paid for it. Never. I wouldn't have one of it were given to me. It's just foolishness.
@@wnJhntn I disagree about the Rolex being valuable because of it's ability to be an heirloom. Watches at a fraction of the cost can last just as long, if they're regularly serviced. I'm currently wearing a watch made in the 50s by a brand I have never heard of, and it still ticks away just fine, despite having an unjeweled movement. There are even many cases of low end (under $100) watches that haven't had any maintenance for 30+ years, yet still keep time today. I can't really comment on the Montblanc thing, since I'm not very knowledgeable about pen quality.
@@Dawn24Michele well I like slim pens, and the slimline or noblesse would be what I consider a grail slim pen, and would love to get one someday if they didn't discontinue them. Not really a huge fan of buying used.
There's almost a reverse snobbery about Montblanc pens now, with I think a lot of serious pen people showing some disdain for MB pens as a pricey trinket, made for people who buy them as jewelry or status symbols, with no real appreciation for fountain pens. And there has been some basis for that, when MB started selling non-pen items. Me, my favorite FP for many years was a Montblanc 149, Broad nib. I now have and appreciate many other brands of pens, some much cheaper than others among my favorites. Montblanc fountain pens are good, just not the only good pens. Interesting that they require a "brick and mortar" presence. I got most of my Montblancs in the 1980s-90s from a place that does have a store, but I got only one pen in the actual store, the others from their catalog.
Very well said. In reality, MB pens are very good, and the standard is quite high. They wrote smoothly and it is a joy to write with them. Most people buy them for status, so the shop itself is geared toward that custom. The salesman was very pleased when I enquired and tested one, and showed real penmanship. It’s just the way it is. They’re still very good pens, albeit overpriced. To be honest, I don’t mind paying for brand recognition and history, if that is what is sought and as long as one understands this.
Well said. Commence slow clap. I'll buy higher end Pilot, a Lamy 2000, a vintage pen, a Sailor... any number of fabulous gold nib options before I drop an additional 200 dollars JUST for the name recognition. It's about the writing experience, not flexing on your peers. Nobody outside of (and likely most inside) fountain pen circles is gonna give a fuck. 🙄
Translated from German Edelharz - "Edel" in this case showing that it is to certain specifications (see Edelmarzipan - at least 70% raw marzipan compared to regular Marzipan); thus of course "expensive", but also qualitatively better plastic. Direct translation might sound more excentric to you than the original does to me - get over it.
Yes. they take us for fools. The latest Pelikan M805 i purchased have a far more exclusive feel and look - compared directly to a lot of Montblancs on my desk. MB will perhaps not losse many customers, but their pricepoint is now directly crazy. They have no respect for clients with such hypet brand prices
I have owned a Montblanc for over 30 years. Its a nice pen that really looked elegant in my pocket, but it was expensive and I found that it simply didn't hold up to regular use - I found myself having to send it in for refurbishment every couple of years, and that was getting quite expensive. I have also owned a Waterman for about 20 years - and in fact its my EDC for today. Good pen, writes well, but the 'fit and finish' is a bit crude compared with some other pens I own. As to Montblanc and Waterman inks - meh! There are lot of others that are more interesting.
1:11 I just wanted to buy a MontBlanc pen, but now it seems I'm not allowed 'cause I have no marble floor at home. Well, there *are* brands with prettier desings anyway.
I have a Montblanc 146 Le Grand with the gold trim and the extra-fine nib and I love it! The nib is whisper smooth with subtle line variations and a nice bit of bounce. I'm not a heavy handed writer, and this nib writes perfectly with the lightest touch. My favorite nib (so far)! I even bought tools to take it apart for cleaning and to keep the piston lubed with silicon grease. This pen is worth it to me. It is a great writing experience every time.
Montblanc strikes me as the Nike of the pen industry. That is to say they make extremely high quality pens, but they also artificially inflate the price well beyond the cost of manufacturing solely based on name recognition. I do believe I'm a lot better off with my Pilot Custom 823 for the money, although I'd still love to get a Meisterstuck some day.
I do agree with your comment about the inflated initial costs, however the iconic brands, Montblanc, Parker’s, and Waterman etc. hold their value for decades. Go to any pen show and look at the pens the vintage pen sellers are selling. Most of the time they will be the those iconic brands. So if these sellers can make a living selling decades old pens, that means those pens worth the initial investment. Does make them the only pen to buy? No it’s just an observation.
@@ch.illmatic Only meant in the sense of 'premium for name recognition alone' but I appreciate that nuance! I stand by my post from three years ago but I'll admit and happily concede that Montblanc makes actual quality products even if I think the premium for them is largely unjustified, whereas Nike makes horrible, shitty products at the cheapest cost possible and then sells it at a price that's COMPLETELY unjustified.
@@mikequinlan9585 Okay the vintage pen thing tracks and you're right there. And a significant portion of the fountain pen community favors vintage pens, too! Not saying I wouldn't buy one, but I probably wouldn't buy some MontBlanc recycled-ass overpriced ink color to go in it either.
Yeah but Cult Pens is owned by WHSmiths in the UK, and perhaps the owner of WHSmiths has a retailer MB is happy with. Moreover, it's also possible MB has since waived the B&M requirement (and if you watch the video, you will notice they do point out at 0:42 that they have not proactively chased up MB on retailing the brand). It may be the case MB now waives that requirement they previously had, but if GCP doesn't want to check up on that, they won't ever know. Totally possible that GCP could retail MB products if they really wanted to, but perhaps they don't see the demand levels for such expensive pens to justify the cost of building up that relationship.
I have a vintage Montblanc (a 82 from the early 60's) and it's pretty much my dream pen. It looks great, it fits my hand perfectly and it has a very soft oblique nib that seems to be made for my handwriting. That being said, I think their modern pens are.. okay, in terms of value for money. They write well, but they're certainly not offering an experience you can't find anywhere else and at that point, you're just paying for the brand (which can be a reason for people to get one, but I'm just a university student so that's not really my style haha)
The only i miss is the waterman inks. I think they are the best basic ones: inexpensive and reliable. I think the Lamy inks can somewhat substitute them. Montblanc i don't care much. Some people say their inks are good but I have never tried. Their pens are overpriced, but great for what I have tried.
Parker Quink, blue-black. Not fancy, but best flowing, used ist for many years - leave your pen uncapped, continue writing 10 minutes later -, until I recovered Diamine, Iroshizuku and others. But none of these is that well behaved.
Getting in on this late, but I recently bought a 146 F and so far I love it. I used to be part of the crowd that turned their nose up at Montblancs, but honestly it's a very well made pen. Having only used Japanese pens before (big fan of Pilot and Sailor) the European fine nib is basically like a medium for me. Also my first piston filler too. No complaints so far, if you don't mind paying the premium price it's a fantastic pen.
Let me answer that question... 'Overhyped' isn't nearly a strong enough word for it... I owned two or three Mont Blanc pens many years ago. They were incredibly easy to scratch, and when I called Mont Blanc about getting one of my scratched pens "repaired", I was met with a snotty, snobbish, stuck-up attitude, and an obscene quote for the "repair" itself. Buy a Mont Blanc, and you're paying for the name and prestige, and not much else. I'd much rather own pens from independent, small companies that are passionate about their craft - Edison and Leonardo come to mind, but I'm sure there are many others.
Just curious; how did your Montblanc pens get scratched? I have had my 146 for over a year now, and it could be sold listed as in nearly new condition.
@@ExSkyCyclePilot I have to admit that I do take extra care with my 146. If it's not in my hand, it is safely in its case. I do not put it in the hustle and bustle of a busy work environment. Also curious, if you care enough about fountain pens to get a Montblanc, what are some of your favorite, more robust pens?
@@JerryBearry I've had a lot of pens over the years. I have a Parker Pearl and Black International Duofold that I've had for decades. I also have a TWBSI Diamond Mini Rose Gold, and some Chinese pens, such as Jinhao Century 100s and X450s. I've owned other Parkers, a Lamy or two, etc. My next purchase will probably be a Leonardo Furore.
@@ExSkyCyclePilot My first "nice" fountain pen is a made in France Parker Sonnet with the 14k nib. Truly a solid pen and an excellent writer. Does the Duofold feed unscrew like the Sonnet? My Sonnet is still my easiest to clean ever! (if only its nib was a bit longer like the Falcon...) Oh great! Now you've got me looking at Duofolds! 🤣
I own 3 MB's. And my Starwalker Fineline is my favorite non-fountain pen. My Le Petit Prince (146) is beautiful and writes okay. When i bought the "legendary" 149 several months ago, it had a hard start, skipped, and offered too much feedback for my taste. The retailer did nothing. I finally had it tuned at the Commonwealth Pen Show this past weekend and it now writes beautifully. Are they overhyped, overpriced for what you get? Absolutely. And I can say this supported with the evidence of all the other pens out there that provide the same, if not better writing experience, made with the same, if not more premium materials, at a lower price.
My Mont Blanc black slimline tungstem fountain pen has lasted beautifully since I bought it in 1986. I give it a regular gentle clean out and it still writes smoothly. I have a Cross Bailey fountain pen that's also a pleasure to use. These are durable and hard-wearing pens.
I have always loved Waterman pens. In France, they had (have?) a range of student pens sold in supermarkets and ordinary stationery stores for only a few euros. Some had fun designs and colors while others were just basic pens. I'd buy one every year or two and never had a bad nib or one that leaked. While strongly identified with France, Waterman was founded in the US and is currently owned by a US company that also owns Parker pens. I think the brand awareness is relatively low in the US while Parker is strong. Pity.
I'm considering buying myself a Montblanc as a sortt of gift tto myself once I complete my PhD and I would really prefer to buy it from Goulet if possible. I hope Montblanc has reconsidered their rule about having a physical presence/store! That'd be great news.
I love my Waterman fountain pens. But, I get it. As a business, you have to carry what your customers want. A bit of interest or just curiosity isn't good enough to stock their pens. I get it.
I think it depends on what MB you buy. Standard models don’t do it for me. When you get into their Patron of the Arts, Writers series or Artist series, that’s what I’m in to. Still over priced, but the art work and research that goes into each limited edition pen is amazing. I own a Le Petit Prince, Beatles, Andy Warhol, and Ludwig (Swan King). Enjoy the pens but definitely paid way too much if all I wanted was a writing instrument.
Well, that was diplomatic. I am glad I have a big ole Mont Blanc in my collection, I wouldn't go out of my way to buy another. Cross is a sad story indeed. Well done video.
Montblanc might shift their policy eventually, but since you can get most of their regular pens online, it is hard to see the value of adding an additional enterprise to the supply chain.
I will say I do enjoy my Cross fountain pens as well as my Sailor.... Solid pens they are... I really enjoy my cross black ink... I actually use it in my Sailor haha Personally I think Cross makes a lot of nicely priced but also nice quality pens for the price... I guess during covid they have had some problems with sorcing though and seem to have a small fountain pen selection right now... but I have been told there will be more and that includes more ink
i have waterman expert III, i love it. looks expensive and professional, perfect grip width, zero hard starts, decent nib (actually, the one i got was more than decent; i got an extra EF nib unit and it apparently had architect grind on it).
Just saw this video. I have to ask if you sell The Goulet Pen Company T-shirt? Love it. And yes, we have a few Montblancs in our collection but we are enjoying using our Twsbi's and Lamy's at the moment.
Waterman inks are very good and I have tried a Carène which is a good classic fountain pen. I have a Cross ballpoint that was my father's but I have never tried a Cross fountain Pen. My Montblanc 149 is absolutely spectacular. Top-quality pen.
I’d get one, but I’d have to get the nib ground to a Japanese EF or F stub. Why not just get Pilot Penmanship, Pluminix, and Plumix at that point? ✒️✒️✒️🤔🧐
If Goulet would show the Waterman Carene or the Cross Peerless on their channel, they would sell plenty of them as both are among the best and most unique pens currently available. And I wonder about Parker. They have weird line up these days of inconsistent quality, but they are pretty unique in their nibs.
I agree with Goulet Pens that MB are not overhyped. I used a MB 146 as a workhorse for years before I started collecting, and it proved durable and reliable. And, I've never had a MB pen that didn't write well out of the box, which is more than I could say about others of my more expensive pens. As others have commented, whether they are overpriced or not is a different, and subjective, question.
I have collected Montblanc for 40 years, but the latest three years the prices have increased in tiger speed. Compare them to Pelikan and Pilot - as quality examples - and its becomminx unfortunate and clear, that the brand now squeeze the last drop out of the pens. I have sadle purchased the last new Montblanc.
I recently acquired a Platinum president (broad) and damn it's a good pen at much lesser a price compared to, say, a MB 146. I do like their inks and ink bottles, though.
@@ashisheady8841 they only compare by looks. In terms of function, one has a piston, the other can sever a toe at the right force since it's all metal. As for writing, the slight advantage goes to Jinhao for being able to swap nibs on your own as opposed to the 149 where you need a special tool or access to a MB boutique to swap anything.
I only take an interest/curiosity towards Montblanc pens which are exquisite and unique in their aesthetics and designs. I rather go for their metal/heavier materials due to their higher durability, compared to their “precious resin” classique/mozart-sized models. Till this day, I’m currently using a Waterman black-&-gold rollerball & ballpoint pen set for my everyday carry & work/study use. For fountain pens, I own the Waterman and Kaweco Sport versions. I will still purchase a Montblanc (probably rollerball and not a fountain) because it’s more of an intrinsic value and a status symbol due to the client-facing nature of my job. It’s a sign of significance, respect and something important in whatever I do with the pen. But it will probably not accumulate in quantities of collection 😂, and will probably own at most 1-2 of them. Cheers! 🎉
Personally I tend to avoid products that are perceived as status symbols, there are many 'unknown' craft watches that I would buy rather than a Rolex, for exactly that reason. In pens, the exquisite hand lacquered pens from Japan are far more personally meaningful.
I've actually wondered that because my friend had a Waterman for a while, but ehh, I'm a Pilot and Noodler's with custom ex-dip flex nib guy. Basically always have a Metro, VP, and my custom created flex inked up for use. Also just got Kiowa Pecan and that brown is a beautiful and colorful contrast to my all time favorite Manjiro Nakahama Whaleman's Sepia. *Chef's Kiss on both of those inks
As long as you’re answering questions about things you used to carry - Is there any news about a possible relaunch (if that’s what it’s called) for the Vanishing Point LS, and if so, when?
I do like water man inks, the turquoise is lovely and the Brown is quite nice. The largest variety of colors of ink in my collection come from waterman actually. As for their pens I only own a couple of entry level ones, one is good the other is bad. Cannot comment on them really. I own a few MB inks and a 149 pen. I was not particularly interested in the brand but I got good deals on them. Tha midnight blue ink is quite pretty but far from unique. Now, the fountain pen is a second hand one from the late nineties I think and it works perfectly, it is confortable and very well made. It is a solid pen that always lays down a very precise line. I like it. MB prices and requirements are weird and useless. Curiously the few brick and mortar places where they were sold no longer carry the brand, but one department store does which is silly. I do like Parker and Sheaffer, particularly those inlaid nibs. But those are not even made now. I think both of these brands just became very plain and kinda boring. Even Twsbi and the chinese brands are making more interesting pens now. One brand i am sad to see fading is Inoxcrom. Perhaps it is rare on the US but for me they always have made well behaved and inexpensive pens, which I appreciate a lot.
I owned 2 Montblanc pens and gave one to my dad. I am down to a 149 and love it..I uncap it and place the nib to paper and it writes.Many pens give me trouble even after a few days of non-use. There are many pen companies that sit around but when I need a writer the work with no problem.
I haven't dabbled in pens in 30 years. Found this channel. I have a number of vintage pens. Hard for me to relate to the new stuff and associated attitudes, such as requiring brick and mortar storefront. But I will poke around the videos and see if it sparks interest. Are Montblanc pens overhyped? I have no idea what is going on today with pens, so I have no idea. All of my pens are older than the guys in this video though...some by 100 years I would imagine. I am going to see if you guys do any videos on "vintage" stuff. "Legacy" brands? Is that what such things are today? LOL! Funny. It's hard for me to relate to the "better options for cheaper" when I come from a "price is no object" background. I guess I am just getting old, like my pens. It seems excellence is not so much a thing today and has yielded more to "value".
I own MB pens but I do think they're overpriced and overhyped. MB isn't a stationary company anymore, nowadays you can easily buy better pens with cheaper price. I wouldn't be surprised if MB stops making fountain pens.
There are so many Mont Blanc pens for sale online that they are not really that exclusive. It’s interesting that a limited edition can be 18,000. Where a limited edition for my Benu is 300 and that pen looked different from any other. Even allowing for fakes, that’s a lot of barely used Mont Blanc pens. I’m interested in the more unusual older ones.
Laughing at the concept of a 'MB Van' 😂(in a trailer park)...I consider that far too many brands over emphasise their product, insofar as they've become elitist. With the exception of two models, all my MB's are vintage - the build quality is superior to the modern contemporaries - & that is where I find the disparity; it's a shame, but hey, if (they) require a "bricks & mortar" establishment to vend their goods, that (I think) is to their disadvantage - cannot see how it would blight the brand. To me, it's the worst kind of inverted snobbery...
Montblanc's refusal to sell to online stores leaves me baffled. I understand the concept of being a luxury brand that communicates through a luxury shopping experience, indeed, on a marble floor. A kind of precursor of the Apple shop. Montblanc had that. That were amazing shops one went to, not to buy but just to look. But THAT was in the 80 and started to go away in the mid to late 90s! Today a swift google revealed one little Shop in Hamburg (Germany), that listed a stock of pen that looks laughable in comparison with Goulet! It makes me wonder if Montblanc is still reading the sign of the time! That doesn't look like someone who survives the Covid crisis. I don't need pens that cost 1000 €, but Montblanc is also a cultural heritage and it would be sad if they were to go! Incidentally their ink is standing on my desk right now, wonderful ink!
I’ll take my Visconti Homo Sapiens any day over any of my Montblanc instruments. It’s made out of friggin Lava and can take a hit much better than “Precious Resin” aka plastic. That being said, Montblancs are nice but egregiously over priced.
I can understand how people would find it hard to support Montblanc, because I don't know whether they are interested, or passionate, about the writing experience more so than the status symbol effect of their pens.
It all comes to purchasing power and the associated tendency, to show it off. A mansion to live, private jets, a few chauffeurs & chefs on payroll, louis Vuitton bags, chanel, diamond studded mobile phones, ferraris.... if these are labelled excesses, remember, they are also badges of achievement.... why not a Montblanc 149 for the smaller achiever and limited editions for the bigger ones? As Humans we need to show our fellow humans that we have come higher you, call it snobbishness or whatever, it exists right from the stone age.... a raw, natural tendency which exists even among birds and animals... competition begets ambition and competing is an extension of survivalist tendency. We all want to reach the snow peaked summits and freeze the frame for posterity or if possible, carry the feather in our caps and pockets. If not, I still have to see a super rich monk who lives in a 1000 sq. ft. apartment populated by the middle class 😊
i am fickle in regards to fountain pens. montblanc may be beautiful pens but just not my style unfortunately. i love/hate pelikan. i only own demonstrators, m800, m805, m200 have all performed beautifully in regard to writing (3b, bb, b respectively) but every single one of them has lost the threads on the barrel so the cap is not able to secure. i have not owned other models from pelikan and wonder if that is a common thing, it sure would have been nice to know before i spent a small fortune acquiring them. rant off. good job.
Montblanc 146 & 149 are more about the historic era they represent - with all due respect, they are certainly not the best writers. The overhyped Mont Blanc’s are the Alexandre Dumas, and their other limited editions - there are far better writers out there, costing far less. Example: Mont Blanc Great Characters ‘The Beatles’ fountain pen costing £750. I would rather spend that on a holiday and a wardrobe.
I was given an MB meisterstuck for a long service award at work. For 10 years I kept it in its box, until I’d improved my handwriting enough to do it justice. I didn’t like it, the medium nib is more like a wet broad and it suffers from baby bottom. It’s a statement object, but any of my Pilots are better pens.
I don’t think Montblanc and Waterman are overhyped at all. I own a burgundy Montblanc 144 with a matching pencil, and a sterling silver Waterman “Ideal” gentleman’s godron. They were both gifts from my parents - the Montblancs in 1987, the Waterman a few years later. I love them, they’re comfortable to hold, they write well, they’ve held up well. But I’m not interested in buying more of the same. I don’t like Montblanc’s writers’ and great masters edition pens; they’re way over-embellished for my taste. The models I do like all look the same, and I don’t need more than one in my life. I enjoy writing with my Montblanc, but I’m not in the least interested in collecting Montblancs. Or Parkers or Cross pens. My Parker is beautiful - another gift from my parents, late 1970s, sterling silver cisele pattern. It’s perfect. I don’t want or need another. I just bought my first Namiki Yukari Royale maki-e fountain pen and am staggered by how beautiful it is. If I win the lottery, I can easily see myself collecting Namiki pens. I certainly don’t need another, but I want one. Or two or three or ten. It’s almost beside the point how well Namikis write (perfectly, as it happens, but beside the point). I think they’re more gracefully artistic than the high-end Viscontis and Montegrappas and the special edition Montblancs, which are all impressive and beautifully made pens, but more architectural, more demanding on the eye, more massive-looking than I like. The Namiki is just beautiful. Precious. My Preciousss. GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF OF IT! Uh oh, I may owe my wife a sapphire ring and a kidney if she ever needs it for that outburst. She’s quite taken with Yard-o-Led. I’ve ordered a Viceroy Victorian fountain pen for her. If it looks as nice in person as online, I’ll probably get a Grand Victorian for myself. Why don’t you carry Yard-o-Led? Underhyped?
Montblanc fkn sucks. I got one back in April and its just been a whole back and forth thing with each new nib having different issues. Doesnt help that they also make YOU pay to send it back because of their sub par quality control.
@@denmarkleopesi7108 you have to send it in to Montblanc themselves. Its free, but you have to pay to ship it out. They dont give you a prepaid label surprisingly.
Montblanc overhyped, absolutely not. Price of admission is indeed expensive. Worth it, in most cases a big yes. My first MB was a 145 with EF nib. That EF nib with architect character is a dream. My last MB acquisition, 149 Calligraphy flex. A modern well behaved daily writer with a vintage like flex nib. Best fountain pen I've ever owned.
Montblanc is like Rolex. Rolex has people waiting to get on a waiting list to pay 50 grand for a watch that might be worth 5. Same thing with Montblanc. I own both. Neither were worth the hype, nor most importantly; the price paid.
I prefer to speak about nibs, not pens. In this sense, the modern Montblanc nibs are nothing special (including the recent calligraphy "flex" and "curved"). The real flexibility you will find in the nibs from 50-ies - 60-ies - and those are extremely fine. I own both the new 149 flex and several 149 "old school" nibs - the modern one is actually a waste of money. C'est nul. Concerning the "curved" - I think there should be an objective comparative test with Sailor Concord and Fude nibs, to be honest - "curved" is not the european thing, IMHO.
Ummm yeaaaah...I have a question. Soooo long did the doctor tell Drew he had to wear those shirts? Good Lord!!! He always looks like he should be at Disneyland selling cotton Candy. I dare you Drew to wear a solid button down shirt. I bet you'd shit a green worm or two if you did......that Is all.
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
Mont Blanc makes a well-crafted, beautiful pen and I wouldn't say that they're overhyped. Now, if you asked me if they worth the money, that is a different question and the answer is going to be different for everybody. As a writing experience, it's honestly not hugely better than a $100-200 pen. As a piece of art that has utility, though? That's where the value is and if the craftsmanship of it appeals to you, then it might be worth it.
I would say their somewhat overhyped after owning a 146 but it’s hard to explain. Like it’s awesome I got to achieve owning such a impressive pen, but it’s like a Rolex where it’s a pen that functions pretty nicely, but you could get better options for cheaper
Like a rolex, the value will likely increase. So you may end up selling it later on in life and making profit off of it. Another thing, is things such Rolex and montblanc are perfect for family airlooms, especially of you'd like to keep the art of calligraphy/fountain pens in your family
I wouldn’t say overhyped but definitely overpriced. That though is true of most high-end fountain pens (see e.g. the Sailor KOP,
One of the 149’s rivals). MB is one of those where you really pay a lot for the brand, rather than what the pen has to offer.
@@wnJhntn well not really. Mont blanc doesn't go up in value. Because they still sell the exact same pen. You'll never get out of the own what you paid for it. Never.
I wouldn't have one of it were given to me. It's just foolishness.
@@wnJhntn I disagree about the Rolex being valuable because of it's ability to be an heirloom. Watches at a fraction of the cost can last just as long, if they're regularly serviced. I'm currently wearing a watch made in the 50s by a brand I have never heard of, and it still ticks away just fine, despite having an unjeweled movement. There are even many cases of low end (under $100) watches that haven't had any maintenance for 30+ years, yet still keep time today.
I can't really comment on the Montblanc thing, since I'm not very knowledgeable about pen quality.
@@Dawn24Michele well I like slim pens, and the slimline or noblesse would be what I consider a grail slim pen, and would love to get one someday if they didn't discontinue them. Not really a huge fan of buying used.
There's almost a reverse snobbery about Montblanc pens now, with I think a lot of serious pen people showing some disdain for MB pens as a pricey trinket, made for people who buy them as jewelry or status symbols, with no real appreciation for fountain pens. And there has been some basis for that, when MB started selling non-pen items. Me, my favorite FP for many years was a Montblanc 149, Broad nib. I now have and appreciate many other brands of pens, some much cheaper than others among my favorites. Montblanc fountain pens are good, just not the only good pens. Interesting that they require a "brick and mortar" presence. I got most of my Montblancs in the 1980s-90s from a place that does have a store, but I got only one pen in the actual store, the others from their catalog.
Very well said. In reality, MB pens are very good, and the standard is quite high. They wrote smoothly and it is a joy to write with them. Most people buy them for status, so the shop itself is geared toward that custom. The salesman was very pleased when I enquired and tested one, and showed real penmanship. It’s just the way it is. They’re still very good pens, albeit overpriced. To be honest, I don’t mind paying for brand recognition and history, if that is what is sought and as long as one understands this.
Their executives show their contempt for consumers by calling it precious resin. That literally means expensive plastic.
I have to agree. Advertising methods alone will turn me off of some items. I don't like supporting companies that use those tactics.
Well said. Commence slow clap. I'll buy higher end Pilot, a Lamy 2000, a vintage pen, a Sailor... any number of fabulous gold nib options before I drop an additional 200 dollars JUST for the name recognition. It's about the writing experience, not flexing on your peers. Nobody outside of (and likely most inside) fountain pen circles is gonna give a fuck. 🙄
Translated from German Edelharz - "Edel" in this case showing that it is to certain specifications (see Edelmarzipan - at least 70% raw marzipan compared to regular Marzipan); thus of course "expensive", but also qualitatively better plastic. Direct translation might sound more excentric to you than the original does to me - get over it.
Yes. they take us for fools. The latest Pelikan M805 i purchased have a far more exclusive feel and look - compared directly to a lot of Montblancs on my desk. MB will perhaps not losse many customers, but their pricepoint is now directly crazy. They have no respect for clients with such hypet brand prices
Their customer service is also condescending and pretentious.
I have owned a Montblanc for over 30 years. Its a nice pen that really looked elegant in my pocket, but it was expensive and I found that it simply didn't hold up to regular use - I found myself having to send it in for refurbishment every couple of years, and that was getting quite expensive.
I have also owned a Waterman for about 20 years - and in fact its my EDC for today. Good pen, writes well, but the 'fit and finish' is a bit crude compared with some other pens I own.
As to Montblanc and Waterman inks - meh! There are lot of others that are more interesting.
1:11 I just wanted to buy a MontBlanc pen, but now it seems I'm not allowed 'cause I have no marble floor at home.
Well, there *are* brands with prettier desings anyway.
I'm sure they're marvelous pens but I'm happy with my Japanese Platinums, Pilots and Sailors. I do like MB inks though.
Agreed! - Drew
Agreed 👍
I have a Montblanc 146 Le Grand with the gold trim and the extra-fine nib and I love it! The nib is whisper smooth with subtle line variations and a nice bit of bounce. I'm not a heavy handed writer, and this nib writes perfectly with the lightest touch. My favorite nib (so far)! I even bought tools to take it apart for cleaning and to keep the piston lubed with silicon grease. This pen is worth it to me.
It is a great writing experience every time.
Montblanc strikes me as the Nike of the pen industry. That is to say they make extremely high quality pens, but they also artificially inflate the price well beyond the cost of manufacturing solely based on name recognition. I do believe I'm a lot better off with my Pilot Custom 823 for the money, although I'd still love to get a Meisterstuck some day.
I do agree with your comment about the inflated initial costs, however the iconic brands, Montblanc, Parker’s, and Waterman etc. hold their value for decades. Go to any pen show and look at the pens the vintage pen sellers are selling. Most of the time they will be the those iconic brands. So if these sellers can make a living selling decades old pens, that means those pens worth the initial investment. Does make them the only pen to buy? No it’s just an observation.
Comparing Nike to montblanc is a little absurd, considering Nike quality is absolute garbage
@@ch.illmatic Only meant in the sense of 'premium for name recognition alone' but I appreciate that nuance!
I stand by my post from three years ago but I'll admit and happily concede that Montblanc makes actual quality products even if I think the premium for them is largely unjustified, whereas Nike makes horrible, shitty products at the cheapest cost possible and then sells it at a price that's COMPLETELY unjustified.
@@mikequinlan9585 Okay the vintage pen thing tracks and you're right there. And a significant portion of the fountain pen community favors vintage pens, too!
Not saying I wouldn't buy one, but I probably wouldn't buy some MontBlanc recycled-ass overpriced ink color to go in it either.
@@45scienceproject I'm a very big advocate against Nike, I'd liken Montblanc more to Mercedes
Nice little nugget video. Please do loads more of these clips from the full podcast!
Yes....but this B&M claim is interesting since both Cult Pens and Pure Pens in the UK don't have B&M's and roll with MB.
Yeah but Cult Pens is owned by WHSmiths in the UK, and perhaps the owner of WHSmiths has a retailer MB is happy with. Moreover, it's also possible MB has since waived the B&M requirement (and if you watch the video, you will notice they do point out at 0:42 that they have not proactively chased up MB on retailing the brand). It may be the case MB now waives that requirement they previously had, but if GCP doesn't want to check up on that, they won't ever know.
Totally possible that GCP could retail MB products if they really wanted to, but perhaps they don't see the demand levels for such expensive pens to justify the cost of building up that relationship.
I have a vintage Montblanc (a 82 from the early 60's) and it's pretty much my dream pen. It looks great, it fits my hand perfectly and it has a very soft oblique nib that seems to be made for my handwriting. That being said, I think their modern pens are.. okay, in terms of value for money. They write well, but they're certainly not offering an experience you can't find anywhere else and at that point, you're just paying for the brand (which can be a reason for people to get one, but I'm just a university student so that's not really my style haha)
The only i miss is the waterman inks. I think they are the best basic ones: inexpensive and reliable. I think the Lamy inks can somewhat substitute them. Montblanc i don't care much. Some people say their inks are good but I have never tried. Their pens are overpriced, but great for what I have tried.
Diamine. Cheap for the volume, well saturated, nice range of colors. Best ink on the market in both value and performance.
@@jacknemo8021 sadly diamine isn't easy to get where I live, but for what I have seen they are very nice!
Parker Quink, blue-black. Not fancy, but best flowing, used ist for many years - leave your pen uncapped, continue writing 10 minutes later -, until I recovered Diamine, Iroshizuku and others. But none of these is that well behaved.
Lamy inks even work for crappy paper. They're boring but pretty good
@@houghwhite411My Lamy inks are amazing for writing in crappy paper. The Lamy Black and blue-black are my workhorse inks
Getting in on this late, but I recently bought a 146 F and so far I love it. I used to be part of the crowd that turned their nose up at Montblancs, but honestly it's a very well made pen. Having only used Japanese pens before (big fan of Pilot and Sailor) the European fine nib is basically like a medium for me. Also my first piston filler too. No complaints so far, if you don't mind paying the premium price it's a fantastic pen.
What about Waterman serenity blue? I know that ink is really popular right? You could carry that at leas?
Let me answer that question... 'Overhyped' isn't nearly a strong enough word for it... I owned two or three Mont Blanc pens many years ago. They were incredibly easy to scratch, and when I called Mont Blanc about getting one of my scratched pens "repaired", I was met with a snotty, snobbish, stuck-up attitude, and an obscene quote for the "repair" itself. Buy a Mont Blanc, and you're paying for the name and prestige, and not much else. I'd much rather own pens from independent, small companies that are passionate about their craft - Edison and Leonardo come to mind, but I'm sure there are many others.
Just curious; how did your Montblanc pens get scratched? I have had my 146 for over a year now, and it could be sold listed as in nearly new condition.
@@JerryBearry Frankly, I don't remember, but I've never had a pen so fragile.
@@ExSkyCyclePilot I have to admit that I do take extra care with my 146. If it's not in my hand, it is safely in its case. I do not put it in the hustle and bustle of a busy work environment. Also curious, if you care enough about fountain pens to get a Montblanc, what are some of your favorite, more robust pens?
@@JerryBearry I've had a lot of pens over the years. I have a Parker Pearl and Black International Duofold that I've had for decades. I also have a TWBSI Diamond Mini Rose Gold, and some Chinese pens, such as Jinhao Century 100s and X450s. I've owned other Parkers, a Lamy or two, etc. My next purchase will probably be a Leonardo Furore.
@@ExSkyCyclePilot My first "nice" fountain pen is a made in France Parker Sonnet with the 14k nib. Truly a solid pen and an excellent writer. Does the Duofold feed unscrew like the Sonnet? My Sonnet is still my easiest to clean ever! (if only its nib was a bit longer like the Falcon...) Oh great! Now you've got me looking at Duofolds! 🤣
I own 3 MB's. And my Starwalker Fineline is my favorite non-fountain pen. My Le Petit Prince (146) is beautiful and writes okay. When i bought the "legendary" 149 several months ago, it had a hard start, skipped, and offered too much feedback for my taste. The retailer did nothing. I finally had it tuned at the Commonwealth Pen Show this past weekend and it now writes beautifully. Are they overhyped, overpriced for what you get? Absolutely. And I can say this supported with the evidence of all the other pens out there that provide the same, if not better writing experience, made with the same, if not more premium materials, at a lower price.
My Mont Blanc black slimline tungstem fountain pen has lasted beautifully since I bought it in 1986. I give it a regular gentle clean out and it still writes smoothly. I have a Cross Bailey fountain pen that's also a pleasure to use. These are durable and hard-wearing pens.
For info, Cult Pens in the UK don't have a shop (they are online-only) but they started stocking Montblancs during the covid-19 lockdown.
I have always loved Waterman pens. In France, they had (have?) a range of student pens sold in supermarkets and ordinary stationery stores for only a few euros. Some had fun designs and colors while others were just basic pens. I'd buy one every year or two and never had a bad nib or one that leaked. While strongly identified with France, Waterman was founded in the US and is currently owned by a US company that also owns Parker pens. I think the brand awareness is relatively low in the US while Parker is strong. Pity.
I'm considering buying myself a Montblanc as a sortt of gift tto myself once I complete my PhD and I would really prefer to buy it from Goulet if possible. I hope Montblanc has reconsidered their rule about having a physical presence/store! That'd be great news.
GPC team, do you know a blue ink that is really really saturated without crazy properties(like nitrogen), dry time doesn't matter though.
Brian reccomended Herbin Eilat de Saphir as an alternative for Baystate Blue. Really saturated looking blue.
I realy love Diamine Blue Velvet.
I love my Waterman fountain pens. But, I get it. As a business, you have to carry what your customers want. A bit of interest or just curiosity isn't good enough to stock their pens. I get it.
I do like the idea of an ice cream truck-esque situation to come around the neighborhood, except it sells pens and paper.
Now we just need a catchy song to play! - Drew
I think it depends on what MB you buy. Standard models don’t do it for me. When you get into their Patron of the Arts, Writers series or Artist series, that’s what I’m in to. Still over priced, but the art work and research that goes into each limited edition pen is amazing.
I own a Le Petit Prince, Beatles, Andy Warhol, and Ludwig (Swan King). Enjoy the pens but definitely paid way too much if all I wanted was a writing instrument.
Well, that was diplomatic. I am glad I have a big ole Mont Blanc in my collection, I wouldn't go out of my way to buy another. Cross is a sad story indeed. Well done video.
Montblanc might shift their policy eventually, but since you can get most of their regular pens online, it is hard to see the value of adding an additional enterprise to the supply chain.
A pen truck would be great! Like a Snap-On tools truck 😊
I will say I do enjoy my Cross fountain pens as well as my Sailor.... Solid pens they are... I really enjoy my cross black ink... I actually use it in my Sailor haha Personally I think Cross makes a lot of nicely priced but also nice quality pens for the price... I guess during covid they have had some problems with sorcing though and seem to have a small fountain pen selection right now... but I have been told there will be more and that includes more ink
Just bought a Waterman Carene. Beautiful pen.
i have waterman expert III, i love it. looks expensive and professional, perfect grip width, zero hard starts, decent nib (actually, the one i got was more than decent; i got an extra EF nib unit and it apparently had architect grind on it).
I would love for you guys to have at least Mont Blanc inks, I love their midnight blue and their Irish green inks.
Remember that they’re just made of injection molded PMMA plastic, same as most other pen brands. “Precious Resin” is just pure marketing.
Interesting. Cultpens in the U.K. have no physical shop that I’m aware of and they’ve become an official retailer of Montblanc pens and ink.
Just saw this video. I have to ask if you sell The Goulet Pen Company T-shirt? Love it. And yes, we have a few Montblancs in our collection but we are enjoying using our Twsbi's and Lamy's at the moment.
Waterman inks are very good and I have tried a Carène which is a good classic fountain pen. I have a Cross ballpoint that was my father's but I have never tried a Cross fountain Pen. My Montblanc 149 is absolutely spectacular. Top-quality pen.
I’d get one, but I’d have to get the nib ground to a Japanese EF or F stub. Why not just get Pilot Penmanship, Pluminix, and Plumix at that point?
✒️✒️✒️🤔🧐
I would love to know what you guys think about the whole only use MB ink in MB pens?
It's bs. I recently used some Iroshizuku in my 149 and it didn't explode.
for "mass produced" Montblanc and ST Dupont are the best, you have to spend 5-10X as much from smaller boutique builders to get a better pen.
Not a lot of options anymore for me to get oblique or specialty nibs. So I go where I can find OBBs or 3Bs. I miss the Waterman Carenes 😭
If Goulet would show the Waterman Carene or the Cross Peerless on their channel, they would sell plenty of them as both are among the best and most unique pens currently available. And I wonder about Parker. They have weird line up these days of inconsistent quality, but they are pretty unique in their nibs.
I agree with Goulet Pens that MB are not overhyped. I used a MB 146 as a workhorse for years before I started collecting, and it proved durable and reliable. And, I've never had a MB pen that didn't write well out of the box, which is more than I could say about others of my more expensive pens. As others have commented, whether they are overpriced or not is a different, and subjective, question.
Honestly I’m down for a fancy pen truck lol, you guys could tour around
I have collected Montblanc for 40 years, but the latest three years the prices have increased in tiger speed. Compare them to Pelikan and Pilot - as quality examples - and its becomminx unfortunate and clear, that the brand now squeeze the last drop out of the pens. I have sadle purchased the last new Montblanc.
I recently acquired a Platinum president (broad) and damn it's a good pen at much lesser a price compared to, say, a MB 146. I do like their inks and ink bottles, though.
It's a pen that everybody recognices. Mine would be a broad 146 with pink gold nib.
*change my mind*
montblacnc 146 is just expensive jinhao 159.
@@ashisheady8841 they only compare by looks. In terms of function, one has a piston, the other can sever a toe at the right force since it's all metal. As for writing, the slight advantage goes to Jinhao for being able to swap nibs on your own as opposed to the 149 where you need a special tool or access to a MB boutique to swap anything.
@@M3T2W01f I agree that inbuilt piston's big thing (pun intended) but better pens do exist in that range like homosapines
@@ashisheady8841 agreed. I like the nib on my HS than the 149. I have mixed feelings on Jinhao nibs.
I only take an interest/curiosity towards Montblanc pens which are exquisite and unique in their aesthetics and designs. I rather go for their metal/heavier materials due to their higher durability, compared to their “precious resin” classique/mozart-sized models.
Till this day, I’m currently using a Waterman black-&-gold rollerball & ballpoint pen set for my everyday carry & work/study use. For fountain pens, I own the Waterman and Kaweco Sport versions.
I will still purchase a Montblanc (probably rollerball and not a fountain) because it’s more of an intrinsic value and a status symbol due to the client-facing nature of my job. It’s a sign of significance, respect and something important in whatever I do with the pen. But it will probably not accumulate in quantities of collection 😂, and will probably own at most 1-2 of them. Cheers! 🎉
Personally I tend to avoid products that are perceived as status symbols, there are many 'unknown' craft watches that I would buy rather than a Rolex, for exactly that reason.
In pens, the exquisite hand lacquered pens from Japan are far more personally meaningful.
Got a 144 doue stripe sterling silver MB , 145 classic, I would like to get a sailor
I've actually wondered that because my friend had a Waterman for a while, but ehh, I'm a Pilot and Noodler's with custom ex-dip flex nib guy. Basically always have a Metro, VP, and my custom created flex inked up for use.
Also just got Kiowa Pecan and that brown is a beautiful and colorful contrast to my all time favorite Manjiro Nakahama Whaleman's Sepia. *Chef's Kiss on both of those inks
As long as you’re answering questions about things you used to carry - Is there any news about a possible relaunch (if that’s what it’s called) for the Vanishing Point LS, and if so, when?
Yes! The LS will be back! We're not sure when, exactly. - Drew
@@Gouletpens Thank you, Herr Brown!
I do like water man inks, the turquoise is lovely and the Brown is quite nice. The largest variety of colors of ink in my collection come from waterman actually. As for their pens I only own a couple of entry level ones, one is good the other is bad. Cannot comment on them really.
I own a few MB inks and a 149 pen. I was not particularly interested in the brand but I got good deals on them. Tha midnight blue ink is quite pretty but far from unique. Now, the fountain pen is a second hand one from the late nineties I think and it works perfectly, it is confortable and very well made. It is a solid pen that always lays down a very precise line. I like it.
MB prices and requirements are weird and useless. Curiously the few brick and mortar places where they were sold no longer carry the brand, but one department store does which is silly.
I do like Parker and Sheaffer, particularly those inlaid nibs. But those are not even made now. I think both of these brands just became very plain and kinda boring. Even Twsbi and the chinese brands are making more interesting pens now.
One brand i am sad to see fading is Inoxcrom. Perhaps it is rare on the US but for me they always have made well behaved and inexpensive pens, which I appreciate a lot.
I owned 2 Montblanc pens and gave one to my dad. I am down to a 149 and love it..I uncap it and place the
nib to paper and it writes.Many pens give me trouble even after a few days of non-use.
There are many pen companies that sit around but when I need a writer the work with no problem.
Same with me. My lamy and pilots skip a lot after a while. The montblanc are far more reliable.
Drew - where do you buy your shirts? They are amazing!
All over the place! That Hawaiian shirt I got at Old Navy about 4 years ago. - Drew
I haven't dabbled in pens in 30 years. Found this channel. I have a number of vintage pens. Hard for me to relate to the new stuff and associated attitudes, such as requiring brick and mortar storefront. But I will poke around the videos and see if it sparks interest. Are Montblanc pens overhyped? I have no idea what is going on today with pens, so I have no idea. All of my pens are older than the guys in this video though...some by 100 years I would imagine. I am going to see if you guys do any videos on "vintage" stuff. "Legacy" brands? Is that what such things are today? LOL! Funny. It's hard for me to relate to the "better options for cheaper" when I come from a "price is no object" background. I guess I am just getting old, like my pens. It seems excellence is not so much a thing today and has yielded more to "value".
I own MB pens but I do think they're overpriced and overhyped.
MB isn't a stationary company anymore, nowadays you can easily buy better pens with cheaper price.
I wouldn't be surprised if MB stops making fountain pens.
I think it is hard to justify a Montblanc when you can get a Sailor 1911L for 1/3 of the price, and its a better writer.
There are so many Mont Blanc pens for sale online that they are not really that exclusive. It’s interesting that a limited edition can be 18,000. Where a limited edition for my Benu is 300 and that pen looked different from any other. Even allowing for fakes, that’s a lot of barely used Mont Blanc pens. I’m interested in the more unusual older ones.
Laughing at the concept of a 'MB Van' 😂(in a trailer park)...I consider that far too many brands over emphasise their product, insofar as they've become elitist. With the exception of two models, all my MB's are vintage - the build quality is superior to the modern contemporaries - & that is where I find the disparity; it's a shame, but hey, if (they) require a "bricks & mortar" establishment to vend their goods, that (I think) is to their disadvantage - cannot see how it would blight the brand. To me, it's the worst kind of inverted snobbery...
I have a 146, and it’s the best writing pen I have.
So why can I order one on Amazon?
Because the vendors they come from may very well have brick and mortar stores.
Montblanc's refusal to sell to online stores leaves me baffled. I understand the concept of being a luxury brand that communicates through a luxury shopping experience, indeed, on a marble floor. A kind of precursor of the Apple shop. Montblanc had that. That were amazing shops one went to, not to buy but just to look. But THAT was in the 80 and started to go away in the mid to late 90s! Today a swift google revealed one little Shop in Hamburg (Germany), that listed a stock of pen that looks laughable in comparison with Goulet! It makes me wonder if Montblanc is still reading the sign of the time! That doesn't look like someone who survives the Covid crisis. I don't need pens that cost 1000 €, but Montblanc is also a cultural heritage and it would be sad if they were to go! Incidentally their ink is standing on my desk right now, wonderful ink!
I have two rooms for you guys here in NYC. How about that? GPC Montblanc People soon?
I’ll take my Visconti Homo Sapiens any day over any of my Montblanc instruments. It’s made out of friggin Lava and can take a hit much better than “Precious Resin” aka plastic. That being said, Montblancs are nice but egregiously over priced.
I can understand how people would find it hard to support Montblanc, because I don't know whether they are interested, or passionate, about the writing experience more so than the status symbol effect of their pens.
Ah, this answers my previous question.
The Rolex of pens: A very well made tool that became a status symbol with an inflated price.
It all comes to purchasing power and the associated tendency, to show it off.
A mansion to live, private jets, a few chauffeurs & chefs on payroll, louis Vuitton bags, chanel, diamond studded mobile phones, ferraris.... if these are labelled excesses, remember, they are also badges of achievement.... why not a Montblanc 149 for the smaller achiever and limited editions for the bigger ones?
As Humans we need to show our fellow humans that we have come higher you, call it snobbishness or whatever, it exists right from the stone age.... a raw, natural tendency which exists even among birds and animals... competition begets ambition and competing is an extension of survivalist tendency.
We all want to reach the snow peaked summits and freeze the frame for posterity or if possible, carry the feather in our caps and pockets. If not, I still have to see a super rich monk who lives in a 1000 sq. ft. apartment populated by the middle class 😊
Short answer from EU: "Yes! alot!" :D
i am fickle in regards to fountain pens. montblanc may be beautiful pens but just not my style unfortunately. i love/hate pelikan. i only own demonstrators, m800, m805, m200 have all performed beautifully in regard to writing (3b, bb, b respectively) but every single one of them has lost the threads on the barrel so the cap is not able to secure. i have not owned other models from pelikan and wonder if that is a common thing, it sure would have been nice to know before i spent a small fortune acquiring them. rant off.
good job.
You should carry at the very minimum Waterman Serenity Blue.
Montblanc 146 & 149 are more about the historic era they represent - with all due respect, they are certainly not the best writers. The overhyped Mont Blanc’s are the Alexandre Dumas, and their other limited editions - there are far better writers out there, costing far less. Example: Mont Blanc Great Characters ‘The Beatles’ fountain pen costing £750.
I would rather spend that on a holiday and a wardrobe.
I was given an MB meisterstuck for a long service award at work. For 10 years I kept it in its box, until I’d improved my handwriting enough to do it justice.
I didn’t like it, the medium nib is more like a wet broad and it suffers from baby bottom. It’s a statement object, but any of my Pilots are better pens.
You could bring it to a MB shop for repair. Their after sale service is outstanding in my experience.
Yes, yes they are!!!
Bought a Montblanc Meisterstuck 146 after watching this video.
I don’t think Montblanc and Waterman are overhyped at all. I own a burgundy Montblanc 144 with a matching pencil, and a sterling silver Waterman “Ideal” gentleman’s godron. They were both gifts from my parents - the Montblancs in 1987, the Waterman a few years later. I love them, they’re comfortable to hold, they write well, they’ve held up well. But I’m not interested in buying more of the same. I don’t like Montblanc’s writers’ and great masters edition pens; they’re way over-embellished for my taste. The models I do like all look the same, and I don’t need more than one in my life. I enjoy writing with my Montblanc, but I’m not in the least interested in collecting Montblancs.
Or Parkers or Cross pens. My Parker is beautiful - another gift from my parents, late 1970s, sterling silver cisele pattern. It’s perfect. I don’t want or need another.
I just bought my first Namiki Yukari Royale maki-e fountain pen and am staggered by how beautiful it is. If I win the lottery, I can easily see myself collecting Namiki pens. I certainly don’t need another, but I want one. Or two or three or ten. It’s almost beside the point how well Namikis write (perfectly, as it happens, but beside the point). I think they’re more gracefully artistic than the high-end Viscontis and Montegrappas and the special edition Montblancs, which are all impressive and beautifully made pens, but more architectural, more demanding on the eye, more massive-looking than I like. The Namiki is just beautiful. Precious. My Preciousss. GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF OF IT! Uh oh, I may owe my wife a sapphire ring and a kidney if she ever needs it for that outburst. She’s quite taken with Yard-o-Led. I’ve ordered a Viceroy Victorian fountain pen for her. If it looks as nice in person as online, I’ll probably get a Grand Victorian for myself. Why don’t you carry Yard-o-Led? Underhyped?
That's not true: I have both! Waterman- and Montblanc-fountainpens and I love them using too.
Yeah there are plenty of pens under 80 bucks that provide literally the same or better experience
Montblanc fkn sucks. I got one back in April and its just been a whole back and forth thing with each new nib having different issues. Doesnt help that they also make YOU pay to send it back because of their sub par quality control.
Nib exchanges are free from proper montblanc retailers. Your comment sounds like bs
@@denmarkleopesi7108 you have to send it in to Montblanc themselves. Its free, but you have to pay to ship it out. They dont give you a prepaid label surprisingly.
My Montblanc fell apart in about a year.
Yikes! - Drew
Montblanc overhyped, absolutely not. Price of admission is indeed expensive. Worth it, in most cases a big yes. My first MB was a 145 with EF nib. That EF nib with architect character is a dream. My last MB acquisition, 149 Calligraphy flex. A modern well behaved daily writer with a vintage like flex nib. Best fountain pen I've ever owned.
I would buy a pen off the pen truck :)
yes
They want you to have a brick and mortar store but they are steadily closing theirs.
Montblanc is like Rolex. Rolex has people waiting to get on a waiting list to pay 50 grand for a watch that might be worth 5. Same thing with Montblanc. I own both. Neither were worth the hype, nor most importantly; the price paid.
Yes, they are. I have two. Very disappointing.
Waterman inks are really solid inks, but I'm not a fan of their pens.
I prefer to speak about nibs, not pens. In this sense, the modern Montblanc nibs are nothing special (including the recent calligraphy "flex" and "curved"). The real flexibility you will find in the nibs from 50-ies - 60-ies - and those are extremely fine. I own both the new 149 flex and several 149 "old school" nibs - the modern one is actually a waste of money. C'est nul. Concerning the "curved" - I think there should be an objective comparative test with Sailor Concord and Fude nibs, to be honest - "curved" is not the european thing, IMHO.
My 149 is my most disappointing pen purchased, went from grail to disappointment with the first use
Pelikan souveran 600,800 and 1000 r much better
Not Overhyped but more to Overpriced
🖋️
just dont get montblanc headphones. audio engineering doesnt appear to be one of montblanc's capabilities
I think that more overpriced than overhyped.
Overpriced 100%
Ummm yeaaaah...I have a question. Soooo long did the doctor tell Drew he had to wear those shirts? Good Lord!!! He always looks like he should be at Disneyland selling cotton Candy. I dare you Drew to wear a solid button down shirt. I bet you'd shit a green worm or two if you did......that Is all.
I'd love to sell cotton candy at Disney! - Drew
Waterman nibs suck 🤮