Category Archives: m-nib

Pelikan M700 Tolédo

In 1931, Pelikan adopted a technique of Damascus steel engraving into a design of its fountain pen. This method, brought to Spain by the Arabs and perfected in Tolédo, involves engraving patterns into steel or iron surfaces, overlaying them with a thin sheet of gold, and heating the object to oxidise the steel while leaving the gold to shine brilliantly​​. Today, Pelikan still uses this technique for two Souverän series: M700 and M900. The elegant M700 has arrived last week.

The M700 Tolédo features a decorative sleeve made from a single piece of 925 Sterling Silver, which is intricately hand-engraved and covered with a layer of gold. This results in a beautifully contrasting design that combines the dark oxidised silver with the luminous gold patterns. The cap, front piece, and end piece of the pen are crafted from high-quality black resin, adding to its overall elegance and durability​​.

Pelikan M700 Tolédo is similar in size to the Pelikan Souverän M400, with a length of approximately 12.5 cm when capped and 14.7 cm when posted. It has a comfortable weight of about 23 grams, making it well-balanced and easy to handle for prolonged writing sessions​​.

One of the most distinguished features of the M700 is its nib. The pen is equipped with an Au750 (18K gold) nib adorned with rhodium accents, available in various sizes. Mine has medium size. This bi-color nib not only enhances the pen’s aesthetic appeal but also ensures a smooth and pleasurable writing experience. The pen utilizes a high-capacity piston filling system, which is both efficient and easy to use​.

Each M700 fountain pen is a unique piece, individually designed, hand-signed, and numbered. The intricate hand-engraving process means that no two pens are exactly alike. Due to the extensive manual labor involved, only a limited number of these pens —up to 200— can be produced each month. This exclusivity adds to the pen’s allure as a collector’s item and a piece of art​.

The pen is presented in a luxurious silk-lined wooden gift box, adding to its prestige and making it an excellent choice for a cherished gift. This thoughtful presentation underscores Pelikan’s attention to detail and dedication to providing a premium product experience​.

M700 is not just a writing instrument — it is a piece of history. The pen’s design has remained virtually unchanged since its introduction, preserving the heritage and craftsmanship of the Tolédo technique. This makes owning a Tolédo M700 akin to owning a small piece of art history​.

Le Petit Prince #3 — Montblanc

As a personal joke, I call it an example of a cognitive dissonance, or specifically on the aspect of cognitions importance — the greater the perceived value of something, the greater the magnitude of the dissonance in the relation. The dissonance on the importance values result sometimes in unpredictable things. An example is the activity of collecting fountain pens (in the 21st century nonetheless). Another example is the cohesion to the books and other artefacts related to Le Petit Prince. That is the reason that I choose this very day to exhibit another, or two other, artefacts from both collections: Montblanc, Le Petit Prince Series of the 3rd Year, in burgundy.

I have also explored my other Montblanc pens collection related to Le Petit Prince:

Obviously, I skip MB The Meisterstück Le Petit Prince #3 on purpose — albeit an inapparent reason.

This Montblanc LPP Series #3 were launched in 2020, with burgundy colour, and with gold nibs (Au 585) carved with The Little Prince cleaning his planet from the sprouts of bad seeds. The Chapter 5 of Le Petit Prince book describes on the little prince’s planet, as on all planets, there were good plants and bad plants, and so of course there were good seeds from the good plants, and bad seeds from the bad plants. But seeds are invisible. They lie dormant hidden deep in the dark of the earth until one of them has the notion it would be a good idea to wake up. This little seed will first have a stretch, then grow slowly, ever so slowly, up towards the sunlight, until at last there it is, a sweet little innocuous twig of a plant. If it is the first shoot on a radish perhaps, or the early sprig of a rose, then it can be left to grow on as it wishes. But if this is a bad plant, you should pull it up at once, the moment you recognise it for what it is. “It’s just a question of self discipline,” the little prince explained later.

I have two size of this excellently designed pen: Le Grand (146 size, above) and the Classique (145 size, below). The Meisterstück 146 is larger and has a slightly thicker barrel compared to the Meisterstück 145. The 146 is often considered a full-sized pen, while the 145 is slightly smaller and more compact. Both have similar nib design, albeit with obviously different size, and consequently different detail. The 146 has an internal piston, while the 145 is equipped with a cartridge.

Having two fountain pens with different size and similar design makes it easier to compare the experience of using these quite standardised pen (in term of size). Since the Meisterstück 146 is larger, it tends to be slightly heavier than the Meisterstück 145. The weight difference is generally not substantial, but some individuals may have a preference for either a lighter or heavier pen. While both pens offer a smooth writing experience, some users find that the larger size of the Meisterstück 146 provides a more comfortable grip and balance. However, this can vary based on personal preference and hand size.

The the previous Le Petit Prince -themed pens, these pens were designed in collaboration with Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Estate. Le Petit Prince, authored by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, is a beloved and timeless literary work that has captivated readers worldwide. Montblanc’s collaboration with the Estate of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry allows them to pay homage to the author and his iconic characters while creating a special connection with literature enthusiasts and fans of Le Petit Prince.

Surely we are all curious that Montblanc released three different pen designs related to Le Petit Prince in three consecutive years. Or four, if the pen released in 2017 to commemorate Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is also counted. But releasing the pens in different colours each year has successfully created a sense of exclusivity and limited edition allure. It can also incentivise collectors to acquire all three pens (at least), appealing to the desire to complete a set or collection. This approach allows Montblanc to tap into the passion and enthusiasm of collectors who seek to possess the entire series. Each new colour or design release also keeps the story and its themes fresh in the minds of fans, fostering a continued connection with the narrative. And this is why I started it with a mention of cognitive dissonance.

Waterman Edson

The Waterman Edson Sapphire is supposed to be a luxurious and highly esteemed writing instrument with a stunning design that captivates from the first glance. It features a deep blue sapphire-coloured lacquer barrel with lustrous silver accents, giving it a refined and sophisticated appearance. The pen’s streamlined shape, sleek clip, and intricate detailing demonstrate the meticulous attention to design that Waterman is renowned for. The overall aesthetic of the pen conveys a sense of prestige and luxury.

The Au750 (18k gold) nib of the Edson Sapphire fountain pen provides a remarkable writing experience. It glides effortlessly across the paper, delivering smooth and consistent lines — at least when it was new. The nib’s fine craftsmanship ensures optimal ink flow, allowing for a controlled and precise writing experience. While the pen may come at a higher price point, its exceptional quality, attention to detail, and apparently distinctive design make it a coveted choice for pen enthusiasts. Edson uses a cartridge-converter filling system.

The story of Waterman pens started in 1884, when Lewis Edson Waterman — an insurance agent from New York City — experienced a significant issue with a fountain pen during a business deal. Frustrated by the pen’s unreliability and leaking, he sought to improve the design and functionality of fountain pens. Waterman developed his own fountain pen prototype; and he received a patent for his first practical fountain pen, which featured a capillary feed system and an ink chamber with a regulated flow.

This innovation eliminated the issues of leakage and inconsistent ink flow that plagued earlier fountain pen designs. Waterman’s fountain pen design gained popularity and recognition for its reliability and smooth writing experience. In 1888, he established the Waterman Pen Company in New York City. The company quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality writing instruments.

In the early 20th century, Waterman expanded its operations globally, establishing subsidiaries and manufacturing facilities in Europe and Canada. The company’s pens became popular worldwide. As the 20th century wore on, Waterman’s conservatism allowed its younger and more innovative competitors to gain market share — Parker, Sheaffer, and Wahl-Eversharp in particular. By the later 1920s, Waterman was attempting to catch up; it continued to struggle through and beyond World War II before finally shutting down in 1954. Waterman’s French subsidiary, Waterman-JIF (Jules-Isidore Fagard) later Waterman S.A., continued to prosper and eventually absorbed what remained of the American company and its British arm. Today, Waterman is a French brand owned by the Newell Brands group.

Le Petit Prince #4 — Montblanc

Today we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the first publication of The Little Prince. On April 6, 1943, the first edition of the book was published in the United States, featuring illustrations created by the author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The book tells the story of a young prince who travels from one planet to another, encountering various characters and learning profound life lessons along the way.

The Little Prince was met with immediate critical acclaim and gained a dedicated readership. Despite being initially published in wartime, it managed to capture the hearts of readers around the world with its enchanting storytelling and philosophical themes. It is important to note that the first publication of The Little Prince was in English, not in its original French language. The French edition followed later, published posthumously in 1946.

Since its publication, “The Little Prince” has become one of the most translated and best-selling books in the world, captivating readers of all ages with its poignant exploration of human nature, love, friendship, and the beauty of the imagination. It continues to be celebrated as a literary masterpiece and a cherished work of art.

The mesmerising nib with the rose

For the celebration, I display here a Montblanc Le Petit Prince series that I haven’t previously displayed. It is a special edition! The nib, made from Au750 (18K gold), is delicately engraved with the image of a rose. The rose holds significant symbolism in The Little Prince as it represents the bond between the Prince and his beloved rose. In the story, the rose is a delicate and special flower that teaches the Prince important lessons about love, responsibility, and the complexities of relationships. The rose engraving on the nib of this pen captures this iconic symbol, adding a touch of elegance and meaning to the writing instrument.

Writing with MB LPP Burgundy edition
The starry cap