The 144 of Yesteryear- a Review
Anyone who knows me in fountain pen lingo knows that I like both Montblanc and Pelikan. A Pelikan M200 was the first “fine” German fountain pen that I owned. I felt that any fountain pen I owned before this was not a “fine” fountain pen. This is not to say that I had not written with, or knew, what a “fine” fountain pen was before that.
I have a theory, that is, if the first time someone writes with a fountain pen is enjoyable they will come back to it, eventually. This is not a theory that I thought of while staring blankly at the computer’s monitor but one I experienced the main idea of first hand.
In seventh grade, at thirteen, Mr. Green, my math teacher, was an enigma as well as an important role model. Hardly a “normal” adult, most everyone who was taught by Mr. Green looked to him as a role model. We looked to him because he was an obviously good person and a person who fascinated us too. There was something about his seemingly odd choices that fascinated me- he wrote with a fountain pen and rode a motorcycle. He was the President of the local humane society but loved to barbecue excessive amounts of beefsteak.
In a way though, Mr. Green using a fountain pen was only obvious. It just fit him. Mr. Green was probably hardly the type of person Montblanc would want writing with their pens. A fine reasoning for this is the way he would call them the “bird poop pen.” In another respect he was exactly the kind of person who they would want to use their pens- he was soulful. This soulful energy is exactly what led me to approach him one day after class. At that time I didn’t know him well so, sitting at that desk across the room was not the man I would come to know so intensely but only my math teacher and his “neat” pen. Upon approaching him the insolent white star was my object of desire and conversation. After asking him if I could write with his pen- I knew that he had never been asked that question before. I also knew that we would soon have something big in common.
As the first fountain pen that I wrote with, the Montblanc 144 proved to be one I would remember forever- not only because of the sheer significance of that moment but because I found my favorite fountain pen. Now, two and a half years later I own a Montblanc 144. Most would say that it is impossible and unfair to choose the first fountain pen you wrote with as your favorite. But, the 144 really is mine- it is perfect. It may not write especially smoothly or have a giant fancy nib but it is perfect. It is perfect because it’s the pen that makes me feel like I can do anything. My Montblanc has soul, it wasn’t built into it, it wasn’t in its precious resin or it’s nib- I crafted it out of the sheer love I have for it. I can pick up this 144 and write myself to anywhere- except to the classroom in seventh grade. This is because, I was finding myself at this time but I was also acting like someone else- Mr. Green. Striving to be someone I’m not led me to the Montblanc 144 and finding myself led me to the Montblanc 146, my other favorite; The 144 in his right and the 146 in mine. This does not mean that my Montblanc has been cheapened; this means that I give it more soul. This pen’s soul allows me to do anything, though; this pen’s soul and mine are one in the same.
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Sweatin' pens
Mr. Bossert decided that his making a travesty of an otherwise fine health class had raged on long enough. He looked over the class one last time, turned, and sauntered off to sit in his desk clicking the cap on one of his numerous ballpoint pens. During his entire drawl every student in the room did only three things- look at the clock, occasionally lower their pen from their mouth to fake writing a note, or snore. It never occurred to Mr. Bossert that his unintentional puns and overlay intentional jokes dating from 1945 didn't appeal to most of the class.
During the first half of class I sat in my desk trying to listen to Mr. Bossert. A task that proved harder than I ever could have imagined. During this entire chore- my vintage no-name BCHR fountain pen sat upright between my two sweating hands. My eyes grew lumpy and my lids quickly gave under the extreme pressure of gravity. When the class was liberated by Mr. Bossert's leaving, we all stood for our 5 minute, short, break. Before I could mingle I had to fill in the rest of a worksheet that I had put off until the end of the class. I uncapped my new treasure, began to write, and was surprised to see that my hands were covered in Visconti Royal Blue. From far off across the room some clown taunted...
"That’s why I don't like fountain pens!!!"
Justin
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"Fountain WHAT???"
I am constantly amazed by the amount of people who don't know what fountain pens are. It seems everywhere I go, especially in school, I get odd looks. People constantly tell me I'm weird because I collect fountain pens, funny thing is- most of these people don't even know what a fountain pen is. They just hear "pen".
I don't see colleting fountain pens as bizarre or taboo. We have to use pens- they are a necessity. And, you can use fountain pens- it's one of the select collections that can be put to good use. They are the perfect combination of "beauty and brains" and they come in countless styles! I can't think of a better thing to collect.
Today while walking through the hall this conversation took place:
Girl One: "...so! You collect pens!"
Me: "No- I collect FOUNTAIN pens"
Girl two: "Fountains?"
Me: "No... fountain pens."
Girl two: "Fountain pens?"
Me: "Yes!"
Girl Two: "Like a writing pen?"
Me: "Of course- what else would I be talking about?"
Girls walk away- shaking heads.
Has it gotten so bad no one knows of the predecessor of his or her Bic-Sticks? If so- that is a true shame.
Justin
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The Wal-Mart, MontBlanc Conundrum
I'm sure most everyone has heard, and snickered at, the fact that MontBlanc pens are being sold in Wal-Mart stores. This is humorous- there is no denying it. The mere fact that MontBlanc has even heard of Wal-Mart is hilarious.
I went to the local Wal-Mart this weekend- while there i was sure to see if I could find any MontBlanc pens, and there, between the Bank, Nail Salon, Optometrist's, and grocery "department" was the jewelry "department" which housed three MontBlanc pens. Now, none of these were fountain pens, two rollerballs and a ballpoint, which is a good thing. I would be thoroughly embarressed if any type of fountain pen was sold in Wal-Mart.
We're all pretty familiar with MontBlanc's advertising strategies. They declare themselves a "legend" in the pen world that is "unmatched" in design and quality. Aside from the Carrera, Starwalker and LEs, MontBlanc's designs are pretty much the same- "precious resin" gold or platinum trim and the famous "4810" nib. Even the Generation series reeks of the same Montblanc style- aside from that horrid orange color! This entire advertising strategy makes MontBlanc seem extremely arrogant- almost like they think if you don't write with one of their pens you will be smitten down to hell, forever to be stuck between Scylla and Charybdis- especially if you dare write with any other pen! Now- lets not deny the fact that at one time or another MontBlanc has produced a good pen- be it modern or vintage. Personally I like most of the Montblanc designs out now, except Scenium, the Bohemes being my favorite modern, the MontBlanc 35 Meisterstuck Safety being my favorite vintage. So, one can say that the thing most people don't like about MontBlanc is their advertising- as the "Elite."
This advertising escapade is in extreme contrast to that of Wal-Mart- "Rollin' back prices!" So, why would MontBlanc stoop to the level of disparity to sell in America's #1 wholesale outlet store? They're greedy! Some people say that MontBlanc is desperate and quickly losing the dominative status they once held in the pen world. I highly doubt that. That former statement is like saying that Mozart is just a fad! MontBlanc simply wants more money- I hope that people don't actually believe MontBlanc's entire being is soulful writing insturments. Esterbrook's being was soulful writing insturments- and it shows- few less Esterbrooks have exploded compared to MontBlanc.
In closing I have one last thing to say: why is it that MontBlanc insists that you not buy one of their pens unless it's from an authorized dealer and then sell them at Wal-Mart- who is not "authorized" to do so?
Justin
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Review- Waterman Phileas
There are few people today that haven’t heard of/used the Waterman Phileas. The Phileas has been sold by Waterman as a "starter" fountain pen and, I, like many others, bought mine in the fountain pen starter set. It's my theory that the first fountain pen someone uses should be a good one and the Phileas only helps my theory- it was the second Waterman I used, excellent, and I can almost guarantee that anyone who uses it will be stuck. The starter set comes with a variety of neat accessories- two blotter cards, a "How to Write with a Fountain Pen" booklet, and polishing cloth. It also includes five ink cartridges (black, black-blue, blue, green, and red), a converter and a bottle of Waterman black ink. Pretty generous for roughly $50.00!!!
The pen is a real beaute and screams to be used. Mine is Marbled blue- the blue barrel and cap really show off the gold plate accessories well.
Though the pen is made of plastic it is extremely sturdy and seems like it will last through whatever abuse it has to. The rounded top, clip, and cigar band reek of Art Deco appeal- very lovely. The very first thing that surprised me when I saw the pen in "person" was the nib. It's big and beautiful!
One probably wouldn't expect a two-toned nib on a "starter" fountain pen but, it's there and boy is it pretty! This particular nib, steel, is a medium and, like most other Phileas nibs, writes a bit on the wet side. The nib's a little stiff but what it lacks in flex it makes up for in smoothness- and smoothness= writing pleasure! One advantage the Phileas has over most pens in it's same price range is the spring clip- a nice addition to an already excellent pen! I've had my Phileas for two years now and it looks about as new as the day I got it! The only problem, aesthetically, is a little bit of wear that can happen after posting the cap-, which is to be expected.
All things taken into account the Phileas is one heck of a pen. It's built in a style that, most likely, appeals to both men and women. It also comes in a neat variety of colors from classic black to the blazing Coral Red. Only green and blue left in between. I've seen this pen (pen only) selling for as low as $23.00 on various pen sites. At that price, or more, you cannot go wrong!!!
Justin
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No reproduction without specific permission. Copyright©2003 J. Miller
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