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Thread: Managed to crack my MB pen!

  1. #1
    Master
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    Managed to crack my MB pen!

    Hi
    Found that I have managed to crack the body of my MB rollerball pen - just noticed it when I took it out of my bag today. Haven’t dropped it or anything so not sure how it happened.
    Is it possible to get it repaired or to get a replacement body? Would it be economical?

    Really annoyed and frustrated.

    Guidance, help and general sympathy welcomed.

  2. #2
    Master Gavbaz's Avatar
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    I know that feeling, dropped mine last year and cracked the lid.

    Took mine into my local Selfridges (Trafford Centre). They sent to MB and it was repaired quickly.

    Not cheap from memory but fixable.

  3. #3
    Craftsman
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    Their repair service is on their website.

    https://www.montblanc.com/en/custome...r-service.html


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Grand Master mart broad's Avatar
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    Fixable as quoted but in the meantime pop by Argos for a few replacements they come for free.

  5. #5
    Master Templogin's Avatar
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    That precious resin is expensive stuff. It must need specialist adhesive.

  6. #6
    The barrel of my 149 cracked next to the ink reservoir.

    Although I had owned the watch for some years (a gift from my wife) we dropped it back into the local Montblanc dealer and it came back like new - and no charge whatsoever.

    We were never sure why the repair was completed for free, but it was a very pleasant surprise and my estimation of Montblanc and their post-sales service went up considerably.

  7. #7
    Master senwar's Avatar
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    Same here, MB replaced mine FOC when I noticed a crack on the resin

  8. #8
    Grand Master Neil.C's Avatar
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    Funny isn't it?

    I have Parker 51's here from the 1940's with no cracks.

    Must be the precious resin.
    Cheers,
    Neil.

    My Speedmaster website:

    http://www.freewebs.com/neil271052

  9. #9
    Grand Master Carlton-Browne's Avatar
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    I dropped mine into their Bond St shop a few years ago when they offered servicing for a flat fee of £60; they replaced most of it for that price.



    Trigger's Meisterstück
    In the Sotadic Zone, apparently.

  10. #10
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Carlton-Browne View Post
    I dropped mine into their Bond St shop a few years ago when they offered servicing for a flat fee of £60; they replaced most of it for that price.



    Trigger's Meisterstück
    Liking the tag line.

  11. #11
    I was given one as a gift about 30 years ago, replaced literally every part with the exception of the clip and end cap. The last time the barrel split, I had some ludicrous quote in the £100’s and on my return home dumped it in the bin in disgust. Felt fantastic!
    The resin is certainly very fragile, just dropping them from an inch onto a wooden desk (repeatedly over time) seems to weaken them until they eventually split or shatter.


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  12. #12
    Master
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    Had a crack in my MB Boheme, sent it back to Hamburg and I think the bill was about £60ish for a service with new barrel inc shipping back.

    If you are near a MB Boutique, drop it in there and they will do the rest. I have also sent via MB in Harrods without any fuss.

  13. #13
    Master
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    Wow I’m impressed by their service and low prices. I’ve twice now had to pay for the ‘rusting’ or corrosion on the platinum band below the clip.

    I don’t sweat HCL, but their service was terrible in making me pay what was probably £90 twice in 4 years. I have a MB leather pen holder, the second compartment of which stays empty as a reminder that they will not get another pen from me.

    I’d ditch the brand completely, but both pen and holder were anniversary gifts from my wife.


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  14. #14
    Master
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    Well made the rounds and popped into the boutique today. The body of the pen is £68, so not too bad I thought. Then they noticed that there are a couple of hair line cracks on the lid as well - to replace that is another £68. So all in, £136. I bought it used (on here actually) for less than the cost of the replacement parts so now I'm thinking I'll just leave it and maybe see what they have in the MB outlet in Bicester.

    It seems they don't do the fact-rate, replace everything option anymore. You can buy the replacement parts but each of the main body parts is £68.

    Real bugger as I like writing with the pen and had just bought 2 refills as well! Luckily the damage doesn't really affect the way it writes, but it annoys me every time I see the crack in the body.

    At some point I must have dropped it and not noticed as it normally sits on my desk at home and I don't think anyone else has used it (or not that they'd admit to now anyway!).

    Hmmm.....
    Last edited by bambam; 16th July 2019 at 19:00.

  15. #15
    Grand Master number2's Avatar
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    Some years ago there were quite a few comments on the web regarding the fragility of MB pens, I subsequently bought Parker which I've never had any issues with and Cross with their lifetime guarantee.
    Last edited by number2; 16th July 2019 at 19:20.
    "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."

    'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.

  16. #16
    Grand Master Sinnlover's Avatar
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    I too have cracked the body of my Montblanc pen in the past.
    Dropped it in to the Montblanc shop in Royal Exchange and they changed the barrel there and then along with the bit inside the cap free of charge. Took about 10 minutes
    Threw a refill in as well.
    The watch was well past it’s warrantee date and leads a hard life. This was about 6 years ago though.

  17. #17
    Master Templogin's Avatar
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    I own a few pens, so would like to offer a recommendation or two. If you must have a plastic pen then Pelikan's Souveran range is worth a look. I have the 205, 605 and 805. Absolutely superb workmanship, and they look stylish without the snowflake logo.

    My recommendation for a metal pen would the Yard-o-Led Viceroy Grand. I have one of these and the pocket version, the latter being too small without the cap posted. The high-end Parker pens are good.

    If you want something less costly then the Cross range is very good.

  18. #18
    Grand Master dkpw's Avatar
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    I was given a couple of Montblancs by a lawyer friend whose firm bought oodles of them branded. Both lasted a couple of years and then split.
    If you want the look of a MB but a better build quality, I'd recommend Sailor Pens from Japan. Beautifully smooth nibs and after five years of use, mine looks as good as new.
    David
    Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations

  19. #19
    Master Ruggertech's Avatar
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    I used to work for British Airways who sold these pens on board for I believe up to £400 at the time. We regularly used to find crushed ones in the mechanisms of first and business class seats when removing them for a cabin refit. Sometimes alongside crushed bics, the mechanisms have no respect for price! ;-)

  20. #20
    Quote Originally Posted by bambam View Post
    Well made the rounds and popped into the boutique today. The body of the pen is £68, so not too bad I thought. Then they noticed that there are a couple of hair line cracks on the lid as well - to replace that is another £68. So all in, £136. I bought it used (on here actually) for less than the cost of the replacement parts so now I'm thinking I'll just leave it and maybe see what they have in the MB outlet in Bicester.

    It seems they don't do the fact-rate, replace everything option anymore. You can buy the replacement parts but each of the main body parts is £68.

    Real bugger as I like writing with the pen and had just bought 2 refills as well! Luckily the damage doesn't really affect the way it writes, but it annoys me every time I see the crack in the body.

    At some point I must have dropped it and not noticed as it normally sits on my desk at home and I don't think anyone else has used it (or not that they'd admit to now anyway!).

    Hmmm.....
    Burrells had some in their sale. Worth a look.

    https://burrells.co.uk/sale/collection=montblanc
    Last edited by dougair; 17th July 2019 at 13:50.

  21. #21
    Grand Master Neil.C's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bambam View Post
    Well made the rounds and popped into the boutique today. The body of the pen is £68, so not too bad I thought. Then they noticed that there are a couple of hair line cracks on the lid as well - to replace that is another £68. So all in, £136. I bought it used (on here actually) for less than the cost of the replacement parts so now I'm thinking I'll just leave it and maybe see what they have in the MB outlet in Bicester.

    It seems they don't do the fact-rate, replace everything option anymore. You can buy the replacement parts but each of the main body parts is £68.

    Real bugger as I like writing with the pen and had just bought 2 refills as well! Luckily the damage doesn't really affect the way it writes, but it annoys me every time I see the crack in the body.

    At some point I must have dropped it and not noticed as it normally sits on my desk at home and I don't think anyone else has used it (or not that they'd admit to now anyway!).

    Hmmm.....
    I'd definitely be having a go at wicking some super thin CA glue into the cracks.

    Used often on guitar repairs I'm sure it would be fine on a plastic pen part.


    https://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Onlin..._or_thick.html
    Cheers,
    Neil.

    My Speedmaster website:

    http://www.freewebs.com/neil271052

  22. #22
    Grand Master number2's Avatar
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    Plastic pen, special resin I'll have you know.
    "Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."

    'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.

  23. #23
    Master
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    if you bought a knock off on ebay the barrel/cap etc may fit. I know that special resin is made deep within the seekrit bunkers of MB but knock off resin may just look the part from a distance

  24. #24
    Grand Master Neil.C's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by number2 View Post
    Plastic pen, special resin I'll have you know.
    Special very fragile resin.
    Cheers,
    Neil.

    My Speedmaster website:

    http://www.freewebs.com/neil271052

  25. #25
    Master
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    Thanks chaps.

    I'll have a look to see what other options may be out there in terms of brands, but I do like Mont Blanc (have a ballpoint that is now over 20 years old).

    I'll also have a look at the glue option to see if it will stabilise the lid - depends on if I get the glue into the cracks as they are pretty fine at the moment.

    Thanks for the links to the sale - definitely worth a look. Any other sales that anyone sees please let me know, especially for Starwalker rollerballs...

    Cheers, will update as I go...

  26. #26
    Master
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    For good prices on preloved (and in many instances unused!) Montblanc - www.izods.ink is the place to start.

    It is run by a chap called Roy Brink Van Budgen who is well regarded in the pen community as a Montblanc guru. If its not on his website, he can source anything :). I have have bought at least half a dozen Montblanc fountain pens off him and his service is impeccable.

    He may also be able to advise on replacement parts for your broken rollerball.

    There are also spares available on Ebay.

    Surprised about the Montblanc repair pricing policy change, I would be tempted to confirm with Montblanc Customer Service (have always found them to be very helpful). I have never been quoted by a boutique direct, they have always sent the pen to Hamburg and they have quoted the repair cost.

  27. #27
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by LuBee View Post
    For good prices on preloved (and in many instances unused!) Montblanc - www.izods.ink is the place to start.

    It is run by a chap called Roy Brink Van Budgen who is well regarded in the pen community as a Montblanc guru. If its not on his website, he can source anything :). I have have bought at least half a dozen Montblanc fountain pens off him and his service is impeccable.

    He may also be able to advise on replacement parts for your broken rollerball.

    There are also spares available on Ebay.

    Surprised about the Montblanc repair pricing policy change, I would be tempted to confirm with Montblanc Customer Service (have always found them to be very helpful). I have never been quoted by a boutique direct, they have always sent the pen to Hamburg and they have quoted the repair cost.
    Thanks. I’d come across him before so will have a look at his site and see what the options may be.

    Will have a look on EBay but a bit risky given the number and quality of the fakes available.

    Re the repair costs - Selfridges wanted to send the pen away to get a price but the boutique on Bond St actually carry spare parts so they were able to quote direct.

    Cheers

  28. #28
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by bambam View Post

    Re the repair costs - Selfridges wanted to send the pen away to get a price but the boutique on Bond St actually carry spare parts so they were able to quote direct.

    Cheers
    Thats fair enough :(

    Look at a seller called Dylan Stephen on Ebay he is a reputable seller and sometimes has parts.

  29. #29
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by LuBee View Post
    Thats fair enough :(

    Look at a seller called Dylan Stephen on Ebay he is a reputable seller and sometimes has parts.
    Thanks, will look him up....have messaged Izod to see what he may be able to supply.

  30. #30
    Master
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    The best fountain pen ever made was the Parker 51. Most pen collectors love them.

    They are as tough as old boots, ultra reliable, the small nib is well protected and fairly bash proof and it has a very large ink sac.

    They are a bit art deco-ish and don't date in appearance.

    Every man should have one.

  31. #31
    Grand Master Neil.C's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mick P View Post
    The best fountain pen ever made was the Parker 51. Most pen collectors love them.

    They are as tough as old boots, ultra reliable, the small nib is well protected and fairly bash proof and it has a very large ink sac.

    They are a bit art deco-ish and don't date in appearance.

    Every man should have one.
    Agreed.

    I have quite a few.
    Cheers,
    Neil.

    My Speedmaster website:

    http://www.freewebs.com/neil271052

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