Newbie (to pens) advice please...

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Bling72

Fair call. Yes I would guess I would eventually find a use for my Mechanical Pencil :)

When I get to the stage where I could sketch and get more skilled in using a pencil.

The more pens you try the easier it will be to find something that really suits you.

Good luck.

I have a Classic MB Pencil (.7 mm) and find it quite useful. It is hard enough to be seen and soft enough to be easily erased. It is also not easily seen from a few feet away. So, if you are taking notes or doodling, it will not be easy to see if you are in a meeting.

If someone asks you to comment on a document, you can write a quick note that can be erased. If you are having a meeting, and do not have time to do a PowerPoint and are use using a paper chart, you can write side notes to yourself that no one else can see.

If you have to scramble to find a piece of paper to write a phone number down, if you write it on something important, you can erase it. jmho

[Bling72]

Good points. If I was to take something to work I would take only one pen and it would be my fineliner. I know I would definately use that more :)

[Rusty888]

This is the world we live in. We all have different views and requirements/ tastes.

Look at all the different rolexes we have.

[Bling72]

Meh speak for yourself, I have only 1 :( lol.

Oh if I kept on buying Rolex's I would never be able to travel again. Travel is very nice.

So much untapped potential to catch the travel bug :P

[Lion]

There are many reasons as to why we have many different types of writing instruments and they all have and serve a purpose. Pencils are used by growers at greenhouses because pencils do not not fade or wash off label sticks. As for pens...like everything else we have choices just like in every other facet of the retail market!!!

Btw. I forgot to mention earlier but here in America they have stopped teaching 'Cursive Writing" in Elementary Schools(they only teach Printing now)...but I have not heard why.....such a shame!!!

[Bling72]

Oh Lion, that's it, that is the nail in the coffin as far as Cursive writing goes.

We are too dumb and stupid to pick up pens now and have to rely on a printer lol.

This is becoming a de-evolving dumber race. No wonder our history's world finest minds
are already long gone, and the new untapped genuis could never match the brilliance of
the ones of the past.

Australia will follow suit for sure regarding printing instead of writing.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by Bling72

Oh Lion, that's it, that is the nail in the coffin as far as Cursive writing goes.

We are too dumb and stupid to pick up pens now and have to rely on a printer lol.

This is becoming a de-evolving dumber race. No wonder our history's world finest minds
are already long gone, and the new untapped genuis could never match the brilliance of
the ones of the past.

Australia will follow suit for sure regarding printing instead of writing.

Yes, it is a sad statement leveled against our young people and culture...already they can not do simple math without having a calculator to use. Here in most retail stores they rely on the "cash register's computer" to tell them how much change to give back. And then some do not understand how to count back to you your change!!!

And now not learning Cursive Writing coupled with program cutbacks in schools so they have limited after school programs or clubs to join and the "Arts" have been cutout as well so their education suffers.....

What's next???

[OmegaJJH]

Hello all....

An update:



Just stopped for some lunch and a beer.

Full report (and pics) to follow.....

[Rusty888]

I actually thought about this thread the other day. Can't wait to see the pics and report.

[OmegaJJH]

Hi guys,

Well the wait is over, it's finally here.

Today was my second trip to play with the Mont Blancs. The first being a visit to the Mont Blanc boutique in Lisbon. They treated me so very well. I got to try all the different styles of pens, different variants and different sized nibs etc just as you all suggested.

It's funny, I started off this thread (having never seen a Mont Blanc in the flesh before) wanting a ball point. I asked the nice man if I could see the Meisterstück Le Grand ballpoint and he kindly obliged. I hadn't even finished writing my name when I realised this wasn't for me. It just didn't look special enough on the paper in any way and really could have been a 99p bic.

As I've stated earlier, the fountain pen just isn't for me at this point in my life but definitely one for the future

So that leaves the rollerball. It looks so lovely on the paper and just feels more special to use. The pen feels so comfortable and natural in my hand.

As you'll see from the pictures, I also took the opportunity to pick up a new wallet as mine has seen better days and I really don't ever carry cash anymore.

All round a great day!

Thank you to all who have contributed to this thread especially Shaun, Leo, Roy and Larry and thank you all for your friendly advice. TRF really is a great community!

I really didn't have a clue about pens when I set out on this journey but you've all helped to steer me in the right direction ending with........

The Platinum Meisterstuck Le Grand Rollerball.

Well, here's some pics...

[OmegaJJH]

[OmegaJJH]

(I've no idea why the pictures have gone on twice)

[Rusty888]

Well that is a stunning choice. It looks great. So much so that that line is the next fountain pen for me. It's simple, elegant and all class.

Good choice with the rollerball. Some could say it's a gateway pen. Us fountain pen lovers try to convert others but I must admit choose the one that you love.

We can only share our advice and let you make the decision as your the one that writes with it. And the best pen is the one that you write with

[Lion]

James, very nice pen you bought...enjoy!!!

[Frosty]

What a great trio, outstanding!

Rollerballs are a pleasure to write with, but, the ink is a little more volatile and will dry out faster if care is not taken.

There is a simple solution for that. Always put the cap back-on when you are done with it. The gentleman at the Boutique told me not to post the pen (put the cap on the end of the pen while writing) because it could stretch the cap enough for air to get through when you re-cap it, drying out the ink.

I also had a hard time finding Le Grande refills in this area. When I did find them, the sales person told me they were old. Two out of the five were dried out and would not work, so I was hesitant to use the others.

MB, being the great company they are, replaced them, free of charge. Now, I buy them directly from MB.

You are going to be very happy with your pen!

[SUBversive]

Fantastic. Best of luck with it. Looks great

[OmegaJJH]

Thank you for all of the kind comments.

I'd had the same advice about not putting the cap on the end but for a different reason... It can scratch the platinum.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

Thank you for all of the kind comments.

I'd had the same advice about not putting the cap on the end but for a different reason... It can scratch the platinum.

Remember the body of most of the pens can crack and break if dropped or stretched. It then must be sent back to MontBlanc for repairs. Which of course can become quite expensive to get them fixed.....

Take care.....Leo

[OmegaJJH]

I've only gone and ordered another one......

[OmegaJJH]

My wife has just got a new job so thought I'd treat her.

Just ordered her a Cruise Collection rollerball. I've had it engraved with her initials.

Should be here next week and should be gift wrapped as I'm terrible at that.

[Passionata]

great gifts,great pix, congrats

[Rusty888]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

My wife has just got a new job so thought I'd treat her.

Just ordered her a Cruise Collection rollerball. I've had it engraved with her initials.

Should be here next week and should be gift wrapped as I'm terrible at that.

Welcome to the addiction

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Rusty888

Welcome to the addiction

Roger, that!

[OmegaJJH]

My wife's present has arrived.

Will let you all know her reaction.

(And I'll post some pics)

A teaser...

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

My wife's present has arrived.

Will let you all know her reaction.

(And I'll post some pics)

A teaser...

[Cyclops888]

Congrats!

Nice to follow this topic with a good follow up. I am new here and just found this topic. I think the fountainpen will be purchased sooner than you think. Hahaha...
Your writing is very legible and I think with a fp it will even do it more justice.

[OmegaJJH]

Hello everyone.

I finally got round to surprising my wife with her Mont Blanc.

She's thrilled with it! Seems like I made a good choice (phew!!!!)

It's from the Cruise collection and I've had it engraved with her initials to celebrate her new job.

Some pics as promised...

[OmegaJJH]

[Cyclops888]

You have chosen a nice font for the initials with matching colour!

Thanks for sharing.

[Frosty]

Very nice!