Today I'd like to talk about one of my earliest Holy Grails. As note, this is by far the most photogenic pen I have had the opportunity to review! (Seriously—all I had to do was point and shoot).
Montblanc is a luxury brand created in Germany in 1906. Their lineup includes not only fountain pens, but watches and high-end accessories. Montblanc fountain pens range from slim (114) to large (149). The Boheme line is known for the retractable nib and filling mechanism.
This particular Boheme was part of their Moongarden collection and caught my eye over a year ago. I was incredibly late to the fountain pen scene and was unable to purchase it. I spent many hours searching eBay, international sellers, and browsing Reddit. These searches were fruitless and I eventually concluded that my Grail would always be out of reach. But as luck would have it, I happened across this very model on eBay! I immediately snagged it and it arrived less than two weeks later from the United Kingdom.
Design (5/5): The Bohéme can be described as a pocket pen as it measures only 5.25 inches (13.4 cm) long . It is a solidly weighted pen (25 g; 0.9 oz). Unlike my other pens, this Montblanc has a unique writing mechanism with a retractable nib design. The nib “hides” inside of the pen which gives it further protection from unwarranted jostling or scratching. It is meant to be posted as the cap screws onto the end of the pen and extends the nib. There is a small hinge at the end that pops open and allows you to insert cartridges. Unlike other Montblanc pens, the brand is engraved on the section instead of the cap.
Color (5/5): I would describe this as a classy, feminine pen. The solid gray cap matches well with the rose-gold accents and provides it an elegant, stately feel. The body is glossy with golden leaves scattered throughout. Lastly, the clip is set with a gold and amber gemstone which ties the colors together.
Nib (4/5): My Montblanc came with an 18k <M> nib. The nib is two-toned with silver and what I believe is rose-gold.I had some difficulty getting the pen to start, but it has flowed smoothly without fuss since. The nib is firm and solid, and places down a line that is a true medium. I am debating on whether or not to send it off to a nibmeister to provide it a wetter flow.
Ink Capacity (3/5): The Boheme takes short international cartridges as it is too small to use a converter. One cartridge holds approximately 0.8 mL of ink which is nothing out of the ordinary.
Overall (4.5/5): I’m very happy with this Holy Grail. The Boheme size is perfect for my hands and the nib is solid and firm without give. I recommend taking a look at the Boheme line if you are interested in a small pocket pen.
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