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Thread: The "Flashlight" Test

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    Default The "Flashlight" Test

    How reliable is the flashlight test for detecting real vs. counterfeit Montblanc pens?

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    pajaro (October 26th, 2018)

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    It works on some of the really old, really bad fakes. New fakes though look just like the authentic thing.

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    pajaro (October 26th, 2018)

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    Quote Originally Posted by jar View Post
    It works on some of the really old, really bad fakes. New fakes though look just like the authentic thing.
    Any idea if the IR test works on the newer fakes?

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    I don't think it could be called "reliable" as I've heard of some newer fakes passing the test. I believe that's what jar meant too.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    I was wondering because everything about my 1990 149 checked out but I was not getting the translucence. Turned out my crappy flashlight was not bright enough and I had been checking it in a room that was too bright near a window. I checked it earlier in a dim room with a better flashlight. The translusence is there.

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    You don't really need a flashlight test for a 149 that has the correct piston filling system.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    You don't really need a flashlight test for a 149 that has the correct piston filling system.
    I have learned a lot in my MB research and have seen some good information from you along the way. I was just being overcautious I guess after reading that there are some very good fakes that fool even the experienced people. I assumed that meant the new better fakes had piston systems as well whereas they did not in the past. Now I have also read that some of the good newer fakes pass the flashlight test.

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    There are some fakes that have a "sort of" piston filler, but it's not the same as the authentic Montblanc version. So you're much safer with 146 and 149 pens than you are with C/C fillers.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    RayCornett (October 29th, 2018)

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    There are some fakes that were being built in Korea as demonstrator models that have a fully functional and near identical piston system to the modern Montblancs.

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    RayCornett (October 29th, 2018)

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    Quote Originally Posted by jar View Post
    There are some fakes that were being built in Korea as demonstrator models that have a fully functional and near identical piston system to the modern Montblancs.
    I've heard that too. They don't pass the flashlight test either.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    RayCornett (October 29th, 2018)

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    At the risk of sounding like a noob (hello, I'm a noob!) can somebody please explain the flashlight test to me? I'm assuming that a reasonable strength light shone down the inside of the pen should not leak light through to the outside? Or is it the other way around - that light should be visible?

    I have searched, but this is the only thread containing "flashlight test" in the MB sub-forum.

    Thank you

    Richard

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    Quote Originally Posted by DickBrowne View Post
    At the risk of sounding like a noob (hello, I'm a noob!) can somebody please explain the flashlight test to me? I'm assuming that a reasonable strength light shone down the inside of the pen should not leak light through to the outside? Or is it the other way around - that light should be visible?

    I have searched, but this is the only thread containing "flashlight test" in the MB sub-forum.

    Thank you

    Richard
    If you search on Google for "Flashlight test on Montblanc resin" and watch Stephen Brown's videos, you should find out about the flashlight test there.

    Here is one of them
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    Quote Originally Posted by DickBrowne View Post
    At the risk of sounding like a noob (hello, I'm a noob!) can somebody please explain the flashlight test to me? I'm assuming that a reasonable strength light shone down the inside of the pen should not leak light through to the outside? Or is it the other way around - that light should be visible?

    I have searched, but this is the only thread containing "flashlight test" in the MB sub-forum.

    Thank you

    Richard
    It is an obsolete test for authenticity. Strong light through the wall of Montblanc resin pens looked red. But the fakers pretty soon made sure that was also true of their fakes.

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    It's worth buying a Montblanc if a) they have the specific pen you want and b) you have the money for it.
    Regards, Chrissy | My Review Blog: inkyfountainpens

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    Yazeh (November 18th, 2020)

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    Quote Originally Posted by BlakeParsons View Post
    Guys, how do you think is it worth buying a Montblanc pen?
    Welcome home. Pull up a stump and set a spell. Montblanc makes generally well made and reliable fountain pens. If they have something you like and can afford then it will be worth buying.

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    I think this test will be effective on older generation models. But that does not mean that modern models cannot be tested properly. For any tests to determine sublimity or efficacy, white or blue light flashlights should be used. The whole point is that a warm light can't fully make all of the required marks. Almost any high-powered flashlight can do the job. For example, I use https://www.amazon.com/Vont-Flashlig.../dp/B089T8HDBV, which I am also handy for hiking. And what do you need a check for? Is there any damage that says tampering?
    Last edited by SaniyahMathis; September 25th, 2022 at 05:22 AM.

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    Quote Originally Posted by Chrissy View Post
    There are some fakes that have a "sort of" piston filler, but it's not the same as the authentic Montblanc version. So you're much safer with 146 and 149 pens than you are with C/C fillers.
    That certainly used to be the case but now there are copies of the 146 with a "real" piston. I have one in front of me and it is a *very* near dupe of my real 146, the caps even interchange. It would be impossible to tell them apart in a photo and difficult even with the fake pen in hand. The only certain test would be to apply a magnet to the nib as gold isn't magnetic.
    Aliexpress calls them 149 but they are actually 146 copies.

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    Recently, a boxed mint Montblanc 145 Chopin was passed around at a pen gathering. I was in a group of serious Montblanc fans who examined the cartridge-fill fountain pen. I was fooled. It looked perfect to me. Others in the group agreed. I suggested a magnet, & the owner of the 145 took one out, having anticipated someone would ask that question. The nib attracted the magnet. It was a fake with a non-gold, metal alloy nib. This fake was flawless. I agree that years ago Montblanc fakes were pretty easy to detect. These days, there are very detailed copies.

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    Chrissy (September 25th, 2022)

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    Magnets don't always work. I have pens with stainless-steel nibs that aren't attracted to a magnet.

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    Default Re: The "Flashlight" Test

    Doesn't Montblanc have a authentication service? If so, you might want to send it to them to authenticate it.

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