Fountain Pen Review: Montblanc Monte Rosa 042

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1. I just got a monte rosa from my grandpa. Weird, I wanted to see if their was a little flex and the nib just bent. I had to bend it back to get it writing again... but then through writing it would eventually bend a bit and I'd have to bend it back. After 7 or 8 times of doing that, one of the tines eventually just broke off! So guess I'll see if I can replace the nib, which is a shame, cause it wont be original. Oh well. Nice little "digression" there Pen Habit... I agree... I went pretty heavy into collecting (kinda). And the first thing I noticed: I liked a lot of my cheaper pens more than the pricier ones. (I never owned anything too expensive... a Pelikan 250 is my most expensive, not that crazy but still, I own a lot of 50-80 dollar pens). I have a twelve dollar pen that may be my favorite... a couple antique Parker's that were given to me I like a lot. And I actually write with my Bic 4-color ball point quite often just for writing. Point is... pen collecting can become an end in and of itself, which is fine, but not sure if it's for me. I'd rather collect something that goes up in value. But I like the pens I have, and will acquire a few more probably. I think I like ink varieties better. (my Pelikan is one of my least favorite writers by the way, lots of skipping, and not a very smooth writer, and I have two nibs for it... calling bullshit on a lot of expensive pens... again, my 12 dollar Romus "majestic" is one of my favorite, most consistent writers. So what's the point if my 12 dollar pen is a go to? I guess just cause they look cool?)
2. if I'm not mistaken, the Monterossa is very similar to the 342 which has a gold nib. among my absolute best writers
3. Favorite review! Period. Thanks :)
4. AAAAAANNNDDDD Matt just made me realize i got scammed 1k by montblanc :( why youu do this to me Matt :(
5. "There is no such thing as perfect pen!!" I cannot agree more!
6. Matt, your right about thinking that way. I think we all have been there. I feel guilty about my hobby at times, because I am not always present when I'm with people because I would much rather be writing, or looking at different pens online etc.. I'm trying to fix that last part, I also worry that your right, it kinda is a habit. I have really never had a habit before. I don't like feeling sad if I can't buy something neat for my collection. But I am very strong willed I know I can just stop anytime. (Wow that sounds bad) So what I did is set a time period of no buying ink, paper, or pens, and do like you said I'm just enjoying them for a month. I am just in my first week of no acquiring of any of the before mentioned things. It's kinda harder that I thought. Just saying think good thoughts my way. ;-)
7. Whenever I feel like I "have to" buy a super expensive new pen, I go back to my FC Ambition pearwood, my first pen, and I always remember how much joy that was when I first got it, and it never fails to put me back into that happy state again.
8. I like this pen. It's pretty but simple and not overly flashy, I might look for one of these.
9. A few comments: (1) My boss is always looking for an ink spill. In his mind, fountain pens=messy. If there's dried ink on my hands from the night before which I couldn't get off, he'll notice. And yet he's interested. (2) I cannot stop buying pens. It's been 2 months maybe...? On Sunday I got the Noodler's Konrad. By Thursday I was getting the Retro 51 Tornado in the mail. And on Friday I was getting a nice recently restored vintage unmarked supposedly celluloid but at the very least a beautiful pearlescent white resin and it's a lever filler! My first lever pen. But the acquiring is beginning to outpace the use. The up side is I journal nightly now. And (3) that is a very strangely special experience—the moment in which a really good pen is gliding across quality paper with beautiful ink and the mind is unselfconsciously pouring itself into all three. Love it. But how do I slow down my "getting and spending"?
10. Really digging all the philosophizing and I agree with your "breaking in" theory with vintage pens. Sweet review.
11. Well done Matt, really a great review and thought provoking too! That quote is lovely, and yes we all need to remember to enjoy what we acquire, as my friend says, "A U-Haul isn't going to follow a hurst". My dad says "You can't take it with you, so use it now!". Thanks for another wonderful video! Take care!
12. well for a small tirade let me just say there is no such thing as an inexpensive hobby, every hobby will have costs the one has to put down whether or not it would benefit as a capital at the end of the line, from plastic modeling, coffee brewing, stamp collecting, bottle collecting, or collecting "something" in general will mean a cost is really relevant just as is in the watch business while not evident in the most everyday object sense but once you get into the "luxury" side of things thats when you really see the market, to an ordinary person they might be thinking why buy "expensive stuff", I would still say people will still buy regardless of price as long as they can afford it.
13. Matt- Thanks for the review. Despite your advice to enjoy what I have, I was inspired to acquire a Monte Rosa on eBay. Should be here soon. Can't wait!
14. I can't afford most of the pens you review, Matt, but I sure am enjoying the moment with you.
15. In the grand scheme of things, all human endeavors are ludicrous.
16. where did you get the pen holder it looks pretty cool
17. I disagree. I found my grail one with the Waterman Carene Blue Obsession. Still my go to and favorite.
18. 15.000 subs. Congratulations, Matt, you are doing an inkpendible job.
19. Love your "live in the moment, write in the moment" statement. Thank you... Words I needed to hear.
20. great review as usual and very true real good advice for living the moment and enjoy writing with what we already got.