Do you fall in the Montblanc trap?

[Eeyore]

I must admit that, when I have a business meeting, I sometimes carry a MB deliberately, because I know the snowflake is all that many people recognize. Am I alone? Or are there others who take a Montblanc with them for (semi) official occassions, because they know that these are being recognized as serious pens? Or do you wear whatever you want, because most people don't care about pens anyway? (like a sales manager writing with a Bic ... shudder!)

To my credit ... usually it is a vintage MB

 

[Krodor]

Maybe I'm not in the cool crowd (I'm an engineer), but I consider myself reasonably average. That being said, my guess is:
I would not likely notice a pen in the pocket...
I wouldn't know what a snowflake meant (I just learned from this post)
Before a few weeks ago, I wouldn't know what MB meant other than Mama Bears soap.

The only time folks notice I carry a fountain pen is after I take the cap off.

 

[maxman]

I love the MB and for a long time it was the only pen I used.
One of the big problems with them is because the are instantly recognizable a lot of people will jump to the conclusion that you are showing off. I've always loved the style of them.
The LeGrand series just fits my hand so perfectly.
When I bought my 149 I waited a lifetime to find a vintage one from the early '70's with a nice slightly soft nib.

Its too bad that the brand is seen in negative light around the pen community.
I love mine and I really don't care what people think.

all mine are excellent writers. Especially my vintage 149

 

[RichieRich3902]

I'm a sales rep and rotate between a vintage MB no 31 and a lamy 2000. More people recognize the MB than the Lamy, which they just say nice pen. I do sometimes carry it in my coat pocket just because it is a MB [shrug].

 

[Austin]

I have been using MB since 1991 when I received one as a best man's gift at my best friend's wedding. Count me as a fan of both vintage and modern.

 

[brianw]

Nope... never cared for them

 

[brianw]

Hers's a great thread

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...Pens-at-another-pen-forum?highlight=ont+Blanc

Post 26 was a experience I had.....

 

[Mr5x5]

The folks I interact with wouldn't know the difference between a Pilot Varsity and a MB so I don't need to try to impress anyone, nor could I afford or justify a MB.

 

[mmack66]

Nope... never cared for them

Same here.

 

[Beerhunter]

Vintage ones and the high end ones I lust over. But really a everyday MB in my book is nothing to get worked up over. Heck mine sits down in the den unused. Only because I can't find it.

 

[nemo]

I don't really care about what others think, I use nice pens for me and not them.
That said, I have a few Montblancs that I carry and use simply because they are high quality fountain pens.

 

[syngent]

I got nothing against the brand, people I trust own them so I wouldnt mind getting one. But Ive never seen on that matched what I like in style, Its just my own eyes on what I prefer, and its the only reason I havent thought about getting on really.

I think they get picked on a lot because everyone knows the name. same thing happens to Dom Paerignon or Armani suits and other well known brand names in high end markets

 

[PaulGeo]

I do own the classic and would love to get a Starwalker. I rarely use mine though, not because of the name or anything... it just doesn't stand out when I go to pick a pen to ink up.

 

[macjager]

they are a bit of a status symbol, and perhaps sometimes I want to just stick it in someone's eye, to say that yea, I have a few pennies extra to spend on a fancy pen, but to be honest, I really like the way it feels and writes (I have big hands). The people I work with will write with everything from a MB146 to a Parker FP to a bic, and as most are very bright people, impressing them is based on your ideas, not what you write them down with. As with everything, some think its cool, and want to know more, while others are not interested. Those that are interested fall into two camps the "wow those are expensive, even at the airport duty free", and the others, "yea, bought it on line, used for half the price". The pen guys are impressed with that more than the fact you have the pen.

cheers

george

 

[maxman]

Hers's a great thread

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...Pens-at-another-pen-forum?highlight=ont+Blanc

Post 26 was a experience I had.....

That is a great thread. Lots of good reading there.
I'm not biased towards it in the least....

 

[Alacrity59]

I have too many negative associations with people who carried this brand of pen only to impress. They make nice pens but are outside of my preferred cost to value ratio.

 

[maxman]

I have too many negative associations with people who carried this brand of pen only to impress. They make nice pens but are outside of my preferred cost to value ratio.

That's the problem really. Too many bad apples spoil the bunch.
Maybe I should start walking around with a Waterman and be huge jerk.
Help even things out a bit.

 

[oc_in_fw]

I do own the classic and would love to get a Starwalker. I rarely use mine though, not because of the name or anything... it just doesn't stand out when I go to pick a pen to ink up.

I like the looks of the Starwalker, but will never pay over $80 for a cartridge/converter pen. The price MB commands is ludicrous.

 

[cursethis]

I'd only buy a collector Montblanc to keep in a nice display case and admire in a collection... like a Hemmingway or Christie.

Love their inks though.

 

[RichieRich3902]

I guess I'll add that my little 31 was cheap off FPN and I bought it because I wanted another vintage piston filler, as I agree with the sentiment toward c/c pens after a certain price point.

In the near future I am planing on buying two MB's a 149 and a F. Scott Fitzgerald. The 149 because I always wanted one and I'll buy it once I earn my way to a director or exec position. The F. Scott because I love how it looks and he is my favorite writer, I'll be picking up a Pelikan m215 to g later this mo th since I like Art Deco designed so much!