Although I have bought my fair share of costly fountain pens over the years, I still feel that one of my attributes, or my “super-power” amongst the fountain pen community, is the ability to enjoy some inexpensive pens, just as much as expensive ones. This is a benefit for which I am most grateful.

In theory, this should enable me to save a lot of money. In practice however, I am still tempted when I come across a more “luxury” pen, especially if it is on a special offer.

Recently, I found myself thinking that I was as happy as can be using the vintage Parker 17, with Parker Quink blue black ink picked up on ebay for a modest £12.00 plus post and packing, with a notebook costing £4.00 from Flying Tiger. So, I should have the courage of my convictions, stand by my principles and act on them. Yet, within the last week or so I have been tempted three times: first by a Parker Sonnet Cisele, (reduced for Clearance in the John Lewis sale, from £366.00 to £183.00), then by a Cross Townsend Medalist, (with 23k gold-plated nib) reduced from £175.00 to £87.50 in Daniels of Windsor and then finally, by a Montblanc 149, black with gold trim, reduced from £795.00 down to (wait for it…) £235.00.

Having withstood the test of the Parker and the Cross, the Montblanc offer pushed me to my limits. I was very surprised to see in Fenwicks, Brent Cross, a glass display counter of Montblanc pens and a few of their leather goods in a glass display cabinet marked “CLEARANCE.” This was extraordinary and I had never seen them discounted before.

I summoned a sales assistant to unlock the cabinet for me. I first wished to check that it was a fountain pen and not a rollerball. The good news was that it was the fountain pen; the bad news was that the nib had been sprung and this was the reason for such a large discount. I recalled having seen the pen and posting a picture of it on Instagram, back in November 2021.

I do not have a Montblanc 149. I have often admired them in Selfridges and elsewhere but had never been tempted to pay full price for one. I had to make a decision. The pen would not write in this condition and would need some nib work. I wondered whether this might be a simple fix, just turning the nib over and flexing it downwards against my thumb-nail, just bouncing it back down very gently until the tines came together and then getting the tipping aligned. Gold is soft and can be bent quite easily but there is a risk of ruining it. Montblanc offer a nib exchange within 6 weeks of purchase but the nib must be in mint condition. Most likely, I would need to get a nibmeister to work on it, possibly at a pen show or else send it away. I wondered how long this would take and what it would cost. However, the discounted price allowed an ample margin to cover nib work, or even replacement and still be well under list price (which has now risen to around £855 I believe).

I did not buy the pen immediately but decided to think it over. I did some research online into Montblanc nib servicing or replacement. I also looked at various Montblanc nib-removal wrenches on ebay.

That evening, I posted a photo of the pen clearance display on Instagram. Three of my friends helpfully chimed in with encouraging comments. Jon wrote “I am sure that it could be fixed at a forthcoming pen show….”. Anthony wrote “That is an irresistible bargain!” and Allie added “You could have it repaired. I am not helping am I?” (laughing face emoji).

I gave myself a night to sleep on it. Do I like a challenge? Does it excite me or do I shrink from it? There is potential for satisfaction and a sense of achievement. But why take the risk? Does the potential benefit outweigh the risk? And how badly do I really want a 149 anyway? I have some Jinhao X159 fountain pens of similar dimensions and the wide girth is not my ideal choice. On the other hand, the pen needed rescuing. If I did not buy it, who would? Do it for the pen, and support the economy and a bricks and mortar shop! Be brave and do something wonderful! All of these thoughts and more were swirling around my head.

Come the following morning, I was leaning towards liberating the pen, and decided at least to go and have another look at it – assuming it was still there. I did not rush to get there at opening time, but gave it an hour and half or so, figuring that if someone else had bought it, the decision would have been made for me.

Back in Fenwicks, the pen was still there in the locked display counter. However, a gentleman was also eying the pen and the other Montblancs, for which the prices were not visible. I knew from my previous visit that these were the Montblanc “Around the World in Eighty Days” edition fountain pens, in 146 (Le Grand) and 145 (Classique) sizes and both were reduced to about half list price and was able to tell him this before the assistant came to open the cabinet for us.

It transpired that this gentleman, who I now know to be Edmond, had seen my post and driven over to look at the pen (if I had not already bought it) and that he was also interested in a cute Montblanc Baby rollerball, which he had also spotted in the photograph.

We both examined the 149 at length and he thought it worth a punt. He proposed to buy it, if I did not do so, but felt that I should have first choice in the matter, it having been my spot. It fell to me to make my mind up. It was undoubtedly a very tempting offer. However, I eventually concluded that I could happily go either way on it and, feeling magnanimous and a gentleman, I announced that I would like him to have it, whereupon he shook my hand and declared that he would buy me a coffee and a pastry.

It was his intention to buy the 149, plus the Le Grand and the Baby rollerball and asked whether a further 10% discount might be available if he bought all three. We were told that this would be up to the manager, who was in a a meeting but would be back in 15 minutes or so. Meanwhile, the assistant put the pens aside for him and we went for our coffee upstairs in Cafe Nero. We had a most enjoyable natter, finding that we had many other interests in common including photography, cameras and watches, as well as fountain pens.

Returning to the pen counter, the manager was now back. No, he was not willing to give any further discount which was a little disappointing. Nevertheless, Edmond went ahead with his purchase of the three Montblancs anyway. I congratulated him and wished him enjoyment with his new acquisitions and we parted on excellent terms.

Later, having time to reflect, I was happy with my decision and also that the 149 had gone to suitable owner who would ensure that the nib received the care and attention that it needed. I meanwhile continue to enjoy my budget priced Parker 17 and a warm and fuzzy feeling of goodwill.