Originally Posted by
pajaro
I read Hirchheimer's comment about the pen trim ring. As far as the Sonnet is concerned, I have a couple of dozen of them, and they might be best avoided for other reasons. Like the drying out issue due to cap defect.
The Montblanc 144 is, however, a really fine writing pen. It is about the best C/C pen I have, because it does not dry out for many days, and it is restarted easily. Writing quality of my four 144s is delightful. To damn the pen for one rather minor issue like corrosion on the trim ring is shortsighted.
A greater problem with the trim ring is that the pens with the older section with plastic section threads the trim ring is a clutch ring, making a friction fit with the inner cap. The inner cap wears because of this, and it has to be replaced after about ten years. Also, the stress of capping and uncapping tends to pull the trim ring off of the section. It is adhered somehow at the factory, and I could not reattach mine, but I am sure there will be comments from users who will write that they did reattach it. I sent mine to Montblanc, and I got a new section on the returned pen, Bordeaux to match the pen instead of the original black, and the new section has a trim ring that screws on. So, Montblanc has improved the pen over time.
I value my four 144s as highly as any of my pens, and I use them with great pleasure.