Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Montegrappa Monte Grappa - so good they named it twice?

  1. #1
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    North east England UK
    Posts
    22
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Montegrappa Monte Grappa - so good they named it twice?

    Hello, I have a chance to buy a new Monte Grappa but don't know whether to go for a gold nib or steel nib.
    There's about a £200 difference in price but, according to the salesperson, "There is a massive " difference in writing quality with the gold nib.
    I assumed he meant "better".
    Anyone got any knowledge they could share with me?
    Personally, I would have liked to look at Aurora but they seem rarer than hens' teeth in the UK.
    Thanks for looking.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2019
    Location
    US
    Posts
    6,750
    Thanks
    642
    Thanked 897 Times in 689 Posts
    Rep Power
    11

    Default Re: Montegrappa Monte Grappa - so good they named it twice?

    Go for the gold. Over time you'll enjoy the pen more regardless of whether it writes better or not.

  3. #3
    Senior Member silverlifter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Posts
    616
    Thanks
    359
    Thanked 772 Times in 355 Posts
    Rep Power
    6

    Default Re: Montegrappa Monte Grappa - so good they named it twice?

    Quote Originally Posted by topcat666 View Post
    but, according to the salesperson, "There is a massive " difference in writing quality with the gold nib.
    The salesperson is clueless. I'd stick with steel and save that 200 quid for another nice gold nibbed pen down the track...
    Vintage. Cursive italic. Iron gall.

  4. #4
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    North east England UK
    Posts
    22
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: Montegrappa Monte Grappa - so good they named it twice?

    Thanks for the replies.
    I suppose there could be "owner's pride" in having gold,as Chuck Naill touches on, I think.
    However, my tastes have changed in 10 years where I now prefer my steel nibbed pens to gold; a Sailor 1911 with naginata nib I now find uninvolving.
    As silverlifter mentions ( and credit to Brian Gray for his reasoned arument in favour of steel nibs over gold) the price differential is marked betwen steel and gold nibs.
    I do think some salespeople focus more on the appearance over the writing ability of pens so I am wary.
    I'm also wary because,rightly or wrongly, the words "reliability" and "Italian", in the context of fountain pens, don't always go together - but the pens can look so pretty!
    Thanks again for your thoughts.
    Take care.

  5. #5
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    North east England UK
    Posts
    22
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: Montegrappa Monte Grappa - so good they named it twice?

    Having perused various online posts it seems the consensus is: steel - unless one likes the look of gold.
    Since it looks like a silver plated gold nib offering on this pen model, I can pass on it, I think.
    silverlifter makes a point: £200 saved can be used to buy another pen but what!
    Hope lockdown ends soon so we can actually visit B&M shops,assuming they'll open again but the shop I talked to about this pen hopes to be open in mid July.
    Will we be allowed to touch their merchandise or use disposable gloves?
    Strange times.
    Thanks again.

  6. #6
    Senior Member VertOlive's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Gulf of Mexico
    Posts
    3,886
    Thanks
    4,126
    Thanked 3,788 Times in 1,642 Posts
    Rep Power
    14

    Default Re: Montegrappa Monte Grappa - so good they named it twice?

    Are you able to handle it and write with it? For what it’s worth, my Montegrappa Fortuna (steel nib) is my most persnickety pen. But it looks SO cool I bought it online without trying it.
    "Nolo esse salus sine vobis ...” —St. Augustine

  7. #7
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    North east England UK
    Posts
    22
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: Montegrappa Monte Grappa - so good they named it twice?

    Quote Originally Posted by VertOlive View Post
    Are you able to handle it and write with it? For what it’s worth, my Montegrappa Fortuna (steel nib) is my most persnickety pen. But it looks SO cool I bought it online without trying it.
    Sadly,not until lockdown ends and even then will I be allowed to handle their pens (gloves maybe?).
    Rights of return are probably better with online purchases in the UK than buying from B&M shops so I would probably be OK especially if not up to par.
    This model supposedly has a JoWo nib rather than the Bock which I gather Montegrappa previously used so maybe worth a punt.
    If I stick to a steel nib then money left over for maybe a Leonardo Furore in a nice bright Italianate colour?
    Or maybe I should just buy a MB 146 and leave Italian pens alone?!

  8. #8
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    North east England UK
    Posts
    22
    Thanks
    4
    Thanked 12 Times in 8 Posts
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Re: Montegrappa Monte Grappa - so good they named it twice?

    Decided on MG Fortuna Mosaico (Marrakech - the blue coloured one) in fine nib.
    Ordered today so I'll shortly find out how I like my first Montegrappa pen.
    Hopefullly,job sorted.
    Take care,everyone.

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2020
    Posts
    160
    Thanks
    30
    Thanked 79 Times in 44 Posts
    Rep Power
    4

    Default Re: Montegrappa Monte Grappa - so good they named it twice?

    In a fine _steel_ nib, I presume? Hope it arrives soon and you give us a report.

    -s

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •