500 euro pen for the resin version and only 5 euros goes to charity? I think it's great that they're donating, but only 1 percent? Still beautiful pens though.
I have the Ultra Black version and use a Cross 8751 converter.... I’ve had the pen since December and no issues so far! 👍🏻 Unsure if the Ultra Black and the Red Version is different but I think the Cross converter I mentioned will fit both! 👍🏻
From the different shots, it looks like the cap does not align perfectly with the star on the plateau and is off a few degrees towards the left of it. Ive seen that problem on the resin models of the M as well.
Apparently only the metal version of the pen features an 18K nib, the two resin versions (black and red) are 14K, according to the descriptions on Appelboom's site.
I personally did not have good experience with Mont Blanc products. I own their Heritage 1912, the design of that fountain pen is so flawed that its cap scratches its barrel and leaves a permanent scratch mark within the first month of use. Sent it back to Mont Blanc for repair and they said they couldn't do anything about it as it's considered "normal". I bought their Urban Racing Spirit backpack and its strap has torn within 6 months of light use, it took them 4 months to repair and the backpack doesn't keep its shape anymore. My friend owned a Mont Blanc wallet and its logo felt off. Now this M Red Signature costs well over $1000 and they are only donating 5 Euro to the charity? and it's cartridge only so you need to keep buying cartridges from them? Mont Blanc products are way overpriced for their quality.
Schmidt (aka Pelikan, Kaweco, Faber Castell, Graf Von Faber Castell, Visconti) converters work in the pen. MB converters don't. Same goes for the Starwalker series.
I always enjoy your macro shots, and the one at 3:38 of the logo is intriguing. I'd like to know how they did that, as it looks like the snowcap was milled out and a separate piece inserted inside. How did they create that neat texture I wonder?
I use an Online Germany branded converter in the resin version of the M. It fits perfectly and contains a decent level of ink (I have a video of the M if someone wants to see how it looks).
Major design flaw is magnetic cap. It collect tiny iron particles when daily using the pen and iron stick in pen cap causing catastrophic failure in locking mechanism of the pen. To remedy I took off the screw in the cap and took plastic magnet holder and removed magnet completely. magnet is impratical Gimmick.
Nice review and a very cool looking pen that's supporting a good cause but the cartridge only would kill it for me. Also surprised because for many people refilling cartridges isn't an option so these become another source of disposable plastic.
I feel like they could have raised a lot more money had they released a special edition of the 144, 146, and 149 with the white snow cap changed to that bright red resin. Folks love special editions, and that would have been a small change that would have stood out.
Montblanc's jumping on the AIDS bandwagon by donating a token 1% of each "M" pen's sale price to some fatuous designer's equally fatuous AIDS charity won't do anything to help AIDS patients, and neither will raising "a lot more money" by donating 1% of sales of models that are even more overpriced than this rubbish. The only things I can think of that will save those babies are keeping your legs crossed and the dope needles out of your arms!
I use a Kaweco Sport push/pull piston converter in both my M and Starwalker. Fits fine in both. Not the largest ink capacity, but you can use any ink you want.
Using any ink other than Montblanc's is one of the very large number of excuses Montblanc will cite for refusing to honour your pen's warranty. Not that the warranty is worth the paper on which it's written in my humble opinion, given that a one year guarantee is a joke for an item costing hundreds to thousands of Euros that's supposed to last several lifetimes so that it can be passed from father to son and mother to daughter.
Thank you for the thorough review. I have the original M fountain pen. I noticed that the cartridge dries out very easily if I don't use the pen for a few months, whereas my Meisterstuck LeGrand doesn't dry out nearly as quickly. Is it an issue with the cap not screwing in (on the M) to create a more air free space for the nib from drying out)?
So it costs almost 15 hundred dollars but they are “so generous” with the donations. They could donate 200 bucks and still make profit. Typical Montblanc
The BrickShooter both that and then the designer, which prob takes three times of what a normal designer would take, but it’s also low margins from a “sales pitch” perspective from RED, lower margins means that they can work with more companies without them needing to heighten the price more than they already have. I agree that the donations are slim to non compared to the price but that’s the pain of the game...
I rolled my eyes at that too. A measly five euros.... MB gets to look all caring with that red branding, while only actually offering up the amount of money per pen I typically blow on snacks at a gas station. It honestly comes across as an exploitative marketing tactic more than anything, like they're cheating the system somehow just to look good.
For that money., in my opinion it has to be one of the best, fault free fountain pens ever made. Sadly this is not the case when it comes to a generous, well designed converter.
Interesting cap. Also, just a suggestion, would you consider subscripting an s, 14, or 18 to indicate the nib material after the nib size? (Fs an example cause I can’t subscript in the comment.) thanks again for your insight on these pens.
That asymmetrical cutout design on the pen's barrel is nearly as fugly as that damn chair, plus Montblanc doesn't stand behind their crummy products. Every time I've contacted them about problems that have either cropped up during the warranty period or were already present when the pen was brand new out of the box, and so far there's always been something and in most cases several things wrong with their pens, they have unfailingly come up with all kinds of reasons to refuse to do anything about it. Enough and no more of this ultrapremium priced garbage.
Thank you for this review. I figure if someone would gift me this pen, it would make me very happy. Not likely purchase I am afraid. But it is really good to see it in action.
Great review Dave. Mont Blanc has a lot of chutzpah. A cartridge only pen for $1300 and they a giving a whole 5 euros to charity? I really can’t see the appeal for a MB. Definitely a “tourist trap”. I appreciate the review though.
Every purchase of a 650 dollar pen gets a less than 1% profit donation on a pen that maybe cost $60 to make? How generous of mont blanc. I love my 80's 149 but I hate this brand more and more every year.
I say this as an admirer of modern design. Montblanc M is possibly the worst pen design ever. It’s all about the form. Function is secondary and it’s a terrible writing instrument. What happened to form following function? If form would really follow function you wouldn’t have that horrid step down from the barrel to the section.
Please continue to review during these times. Good to get my mind off the current troubles. Thank-you!!
Red cubes! The extra touches are greatly appreciated. Thanks for another great review
I could watch that capping footage for days. Mesmerizing. I want this so badly.
500 euro pen for the resin version and only 5 euros goes to charity? I think it's great that they're donating, but only 1 percent? Still beautiful pens though.
I wonder if it is still just 5€ with the 1300€ metal version :)
I have the Ultra Black version and use a Cross 8751 converter.... I’ve had the pen since December and no issues so far! 👍🏻
Unsure if the Ultra Black and the Red Version is different but I think the Cross converter I mentioned will fit both! 👍🏻
From the different shots, it looks like the cap does not align perfectly with the star on the plateau and is off a few degrees towards the left of it. Ive seen that problem on the resin models of the M as well.
Quite a stunning pen if I may say so. thanks for the review.
Apparently only the metal version of the pen features an 18K nib, the two resin versions (black and red) are 14K, according to the descriptions on Appelboom's site.
I personally did not have good experience with Mont Blanc products. I own their Heritage 1912, the design of that fountain pen is so flawed that its cap scratches its barrel and leaves a permanent scratch mark within the first month of use. Sent it back to Mont Blanc for repair and they said they couldn't do anything about it as it's considered "normal". I bought their Urban Racing Spirit backpack and its strap has torn within 6 months of light use, it took them 4 months to repair and the backpack doesn't keep its shape anymore. My friend owned a Mont Blanc wallet and its logo felt off. Now this M Red Signature costs well over $1000 and they are only donating 5 Euro to the charity? and it's cartridge only so you need to keep buying cartridges from them? Mont Blanc products are way overpriced for their quality.
That brushed finish looks to be the result of lathe turning, reminiscent of the surface finish on a Tactile Turn’s Gist, albeit much more “hi-res”.
Schmidt (aka Pelikan, Kaweco, Faber Castell, Graf Von Faber Castell, Visconti) converters work in the pen. MB converters don't.
Same goes for the Starwalker series.
Good job keep making
Good to see 149
I always enjoy your macro shots, and the one at 3:38 of the logo is intriguing. I'd like to know how they did that, as it looks like the snowcap was milled out and a separate piece inserted inside. How did they create that neat texture I wonder?
Place a stencil and sandblast the star.
I use an Online Germany branded converter in the resin version of the M. It fits perfectly and contains a decent level of ink (I have a video of the M if someone wants to see how it looks).
Major design flaw is magnetic cap. It collect tiny iron particles when daily using the pen and iron stick in pen cap causing catastrophic failure in locking mechanism of the pen. To remedy I took off the screw in the cap and took plastic magnet holder and removed magnet completely. magnet is impratical Gimmick.
Great review thanks.
Nice review and a very cool looking pen that's supporting a good cause but the cartridge only would kill it for me. Also surprised because for many people refilling cartridges isn't an option so these become another source of disposable plastic.
Love the Montblanc brand I currently own 5
Kaweco converter works fine on the pen
I feel like they could have raised a lot more money had they released a special edition of the 144, 146, and 149 with the white snow cap changed to that bright red resin. Folks love special editions, and that would have been a small change that would have stood out.
A bright red 149 would look pretty sweet.
Montblanc's jumping on the AIDS bandwagon by donating a token 1% of each "M" pen's sale price to some fatuous designer's equally fatuous AIDS charity won't do anything to help AIDS patients, and neither will raising "a lot more money" by donating 1% of sales of models that are even more overpriced than this rubbish. The only things I can think of that will save those babies are keeping your legs crossed and the dope needles out of your arms!
I use a Kaweco Sport push/pull piston converter in both my M and Starwalker. Fits fine in both. Not the largest ink capacity, but you can use any ink you want.
Using any ink other than Montblanc's is one of the very large number of excuses Montblanc will cite for refusing to honour your pen's warranty. Not that the warranty is worth the paper on which it's written in my humble opinion, given that a one year guarantee is a joke for an item costing hundreds to thousands of Euros that's supposed to last several lifetimes so that it can be passed from father to son and mother to daughter.
Thank you for the thorough review. I have the original M fountain pen. I noticed that the cartridge dries out very easily if I don't use the pen for a few months, whereas my Meisterstuck LeGrand doesn't dry out nearly as quickly. Is it an issue with the cap not screwing in (on the M) to create a more air free space for the nib from drying out)?
If the cap could post and could use a converter it woul have been an amazing pen for me.
Me too. Would have been an instant buy. Passing on it now.
You can use it with a Kaweco converter
The Cross 8751 converter works fine in my "M".
David did you try the kaweco sport converter looks like it might fit.
Keep it up mate
Wonderful design, way too expensive. ..
They stole my idea about the magnets - I thought of that yesterday night! Haha
Some Visconti pens also have a magnet cap :)
So it costs almost 15 hundred dollars but they are “so generous” with the donations. They could donate 200 bucks and still make profit. Typical Montblanc
The BrickShooter both that and then the designer, which prob takes three times of what a normal designer would take, but it’s also low margins from a “sales pitch” perspective from RED, lower margins means that they can work with more companies without them needing to heighten the price more than they already have. I agree that the donations are slim to non compared to the price but that’s the pain of the game...
I mean, yes, but at least they donate something no? A lot of people and companies don’t
I rolled my eyes at that too. A measly five euros....
MB gets to look all caring with that red branding, while only actually offering up the amount of money per pen I typically blow on snacks at a gas station. It honestly comes across as an exploitative marketing tactic more than anything, like they're cheating the system somehow just to look good.
They do, but the 500 dollars that will be donated this way are nothing more than a bragging right to Montblanc
@@antonioallevi7649 But, 'Five Euro'? Not much, considering how few of these pens are likely to sell...
Montblanc the best for me- Thanks!
For that money., in my opinion it has to be one of the best, fault free fountain pens ever made. Sadly this is not the case when it comes to a generous, well designed converter.
hi David, you can use a cross converter for the Montblanc M :)
Or Kaweco
Very interesting, I have the black resin Mark Newsom, design and I use a standard convertor,. I wander why the RED takes only cartridges?
It can take converters, just that some are too thick.
Super surprised to hear about Lean Six Sigma in a fountain pen review. Are you an IE by any chance? Regardless, great review!
It looks great
Interesting cap. Also, just a suggestion, would you consider subscripting an s, 14, or 18 to indicate the nib material after the nib size? (Fs an example cause I can’t subscript in the comment.) thanks again for your insight on these pens.
Good show! keep it up.
That asymmetrical cutout design on the pen's barrel is nearly as fugly as that damn chair, plus Montblanc doesn't stand behind their crummy products. Every time I've contacted them about problems that have either cropped up during the warranty period or were already present when the pen was brand new out of the box, and so far there's always been something and in most cases several things wrong with their pens, they have unfailingly come up with all kinds of reasons to refuse to do anything about it. Enough and no more of this ultrapremium priced garbage.
I want one!
Can you solve a Rubik's cube? Asking cause of the stack of em in the back.
ruclips.net/video/4-jSyDPmArI/видео.html
Unbelievably more expensive than the resin version...
Heinkle yes but you gotta factor in the €5 donation to Product Red for the markup!
Nothing on this is engraved,, it’s either etched, or probably machined
Thank you for this review. I figure if someone would gift me this pen, it would make me very happy. Not likely purchase I am afraid. But it is really good to see it in action.
What does RED stand for?
@@sketchstackarchive9132 Thanks
just wanted to mention it's pronounced "yo-kay" in poka-yoke
Great review Dave. Mont Blanc has a lot of chutzpah. A cartridge only pen for $1300 and they a giving a whole 5 euros to charity? I really can’t see the appeal for a MB. Definitely a “tourist trap”. I appreciate the review though.
Cool
Every purchase of a 650 dollar pen gets a less than 1% profit donation on a pen that maybe cost $60 to make?
How generous of mont blanc. I love my 80's 149 but I hate this brand more and more every year.
I did a double take on that to make sure I heard correctly: it is just a €5 contribution.
I say this as an admirer of modern design. Montblanc M is possibly the worst pen design ever. It’s all about the form. Function is secondary and it’s a terrible writing instrument. What happened to form following function? If form would really follow function you wouldn’t have that horrid step down from the barrel to the section.
Ah, the Mont Blanc Safari!
Thank you, David. MBs are not for me.
Rip off price
9th comment yes
fave number
Montblanc products are so overpriced!!
$1300 for a pen? damn that's a level of flex for the 1% of the 1%....I'll stick to my Bic : p