The pens of Monteverde have been around for a while now. Long enough to have developed a bit of a reputation at any rate! The reputation? A good choice for simple, reliable writing instruments. When I say "simple", I don't mean boring or plain. Just down to earth, designed to write.
The latest pair of Monteverde pens we've gotten our hand on are nothing new in terms of design. Rather, they are two new versions of existing pens. But the materials are different enough to make them seem like all new pens.
The new version of the Charisma is the same compact fountain pen and capless rollerball that was a big hit for it's "small pen, big cap" design. But this time, it's in a bright turquoise color. The new color makes for a huge difference in the looks of the pen, the original colors were beautiful, but not quite as "in your face" as the turquoise is. This is definitely a pen for those who don't mind being noticed!
The Monteverde Black Tie is the Invincia pen, in carbon fiber. But this time, the fiber is done in a black and white pattern. It's elegant, if not quite as striking as the turquoise of the new Charisma. The Invincia is more of a "conventional" pen design, being a full sized fountain pen or rollerball.
We'll start with a close up look at the Black Tie Invincia. This is what I guess most folks would call a "mid-sized" pen, to me it's a bit on the large side, but the section slims down very nicely, allowing for a comfortable grip even if you like thinner pens.
The Black Tie is not unduly heavy. While I wouldn't call it a lightweight pen, either, it's comfortable to use, and that's what counts to me. The carbon fiber barrel looks to be done over a brass liner, so the barrel weight matches the cap weight, allowing for the cap to be posted without the pen feeling out of balance. The cap posts very securely on the barrel end.
The Black Tie uses a click on cap, and just as with the posting, closing the cap takes a real push to get it to seat. Once in place with an audible snap, it's not going to slip off! The section and barrel end are done in bright chrome plate, to match the trim on the cap.
This brings us to the nib, the heart of any pen. The nib used on the Black Tie is surprisingly small for such a large pen. It's one size down form that used on the Charisma! However, if you recall what I said about that section narrowing down? The nib looks perfectly in proportion to the section, if maybe not the rest of the pen.
In any case, it's strictly looks. In terms of actual use, the nib is great. Your basic steel nib, marked Iridium Germany, it proved to be a firm, smooth fine nib. Nothing fancy, just very usable.
In
fact, that would be the way I might describe the Black Tie Invincia. It's
not a "fancy" pen, just a good one. Reliable, good looking,
and not expensive. Just about everything I like in a pen, as a matter
of fact! If it were a bit more slender overall, it would be close to perfect
for me. As it is, I wouldn't feel shortchanged having to use one as my
"only pen" for a day or two.
The Black Tie is also available in rollerball and ballpoint versions The rollerball is the same basic size and shape as the fountain pen. It even has a section that tapers down to close to the same dimensions as the fountain pen version's section. If your tastes run towards the nibless in fine writing, this might be a good choice, or it makes a nice companion to the fountain pen.
Either alone or in concert with the rollerball or ballpoint, the Black Tie proved to be a pleasant experience.
Pleasant,
yes. But a bit overshadowed, I will admit. The Charisma has been of interest
to me since they were launched. I like the idea of a compact little pen,
yet one that can be used in "real life". Unlike my previous
favorite "compact pen", the Sheaffer Tuckaway, the Charisma
feels bigger in use. It's not really much larger, but thanks to
a much wider cap, which posts far down on the barrel, it comes across
that way.
The result is a pen that seems larger than it actually is, and ends up being a very handy pen. I can't think of a pocket that wouldn't accommodate the Charisma! Closed, it's under five inches long, and ready to write, it's only about half an inch longer.
Of acrylic construction, it's a lightweight pen, but still has a solid feel to it. I think this is due to the fairly thick cap walls, the barrel itself is so short that when it's posted for writing, you're really holding the cap for the most part.
The
Charisma is also being made in a capless rollerball version. And, while
I love the fountain pen version, the capless rollerball.... It goes beyond
words! This is what I would go so far as to call a "must have"
pen. It's a short, chunky, little go anywhere pen that is very easy to
take along. While it may not get used continuously, you will find yourself
using it for quick notes, signing receipts, maybe addressing envelopes.
All those little chores that don't really call for hauling out
the fountain pen, uncapping it, and taking your time to "write pretty".
The Charisma rollerball is for the quick and dirty jobs!
The pair make a nice team. I don't want to rave about the rollerball so much that you think the fountain pen version isn't very good in it's own right. It is! The rollerball just manages to take the lead in the handiness department.
Returning to the fountain pen version, the business end is equipped with a steel nib, as with the other Monteverde pens. It is also marked "Iridium Germany", but is one size larger than that used on the Black Tie. This makes the Charisma look maybe a little more "impressive" when uncapped, but it has nothing to do with the writing performance.
The nib feels almost identical to the one used on the Black Tie, smooth, rigid, and if anything a bit finer line. I might give the edge in smoothness to the Black Tie, but only by the slightest of margins. Both nibs were very good in that regard.
The Charisma has one disadvantage in the writing department, in that it's a cartridge only pen. This is due to the very short barrel, there's barely room for one short international cartridge in there!
That's
the only downside I could find to the Charisma. It would have been kind
of neat to mix up a converter full of custom ink, colored to match the
bright turquoise of the cap and barrel. It's not much of a down side.
Heck, I probably couldn't have gotten a good match for the color anyway!
Aside from the cartridge only aspect, the Charisma is just about perfect
for what it is, a handy little pen that practically begs you to take it
anywhere.
Both of these latest offerings from Monteverde seem to be very good pens. While I was most taken with the little Charisma, either one looks to be a good choice for someone requiring a good, reliable, "starter pen". The Black Tie has a simple elegant design, and should be rugged enough to stand up to "real world" use. The Charisma has that "portability factor" in abundance, and should be popular for those who want a pen that doesn't get in the way. Or heck, maybe you just don't want to spend a fortune on the latest and greatest LE.
Whatever the reason you look at the Monteverdes, I don't think you'll be disappointed. I know that I wasn't!
copyright 2002 Phillip Tucker