Oh, I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it! I have a couple Aldo Domani’s and they both came with Monteverde nibs, so you might want to check with the seller. You might also try the cartridges that came with it to see if they are any better. I suspect there was a nib swap. Maybe it was even a returned item? I have tons of Monteverde pens, and literally the only one that doesn’t work for me is the Monza. Well, hopefully you get it figured out.
I'll try the cartridges as well. I was hoping to indeed enjoy this as one of my workhorse journal fountain pens, so I won't give up on this brand just yet.
Jowo helps the Yafa pens. Their original nibs tended to be all over the place in quality, as was their build. And they still seem to be not that great, even with the change. Yafa tends to have a reverse Midas Touch. 😁 If you like the looks of this pen, and aren't scared away by lever fillers, looks like a modern interpretation of the 1948-55ish Esterbrook J types. Frankly, the Esterbrook celluloid is prettier, IMO. 😉 Realize that Monteverde, no matter the claim, is generally just a badge engineered Chinese pen. For example, the Monza (except maybe the new one sold to be eyedropper filled) is historically just a badge engineered Jinhao 992. A pen still available for around $2-3 they slapped their brand on and originally charged at least $30. And don't get me started on what they did to Conklin. Originally a top tier brand actually made in Toledo, Ohio, hence the Toledo on those nibs, the fit and finish leaves something to be desired still, in comparison. The modern ones should have "Taiwan" on the nibs, as until Yafa, the place of manufacture was on the nib (company was sold in the 1940s & moved to Chicago, Illinois, and the nibs then read "Chicago." And were never steel.) Many resurrection of vintage brands are nothing like the original ones... But, can you get a decent Yafa brand pen? Yes. The Monteverde lines seem to be improving, and they're generally a decent price.
I'll will truly try to keep a positive attitude with Monteverde. I'll try to make the nib wetter and try one more time with a wetter lubricate ink. It's a very nice looking fountain pen and feels good in the hand so I am being hopeful.
I have dozens of Monteverde pens, and the only ones I’ve ever had a problem with are the Monzas. What I like about Monteverde pens are the unique designs, such as the Ritma and Regatta. And you’re right, many of their pens are budget-friendly.
@@writeralwayswrite Wishing you success with it! I've gravitated towards vintage pens, so when a brand has issues today, I tend to think of them like the dimestore pens of years ago. And they tend to be usually the same price range as a vintage Esterbrook's modern equivalent, I tend to expect at least their quality. ($3.50 then, about $38 today, equivalent.) But the price range tends to a vintage Wearever today. Leaky or otherwise unreliable. And when a more expensive pen is just as bad... (Certain Italian brands come to mind occasionally.) Like I said, Monteverde seems to be at least making an effort to improve. Was every vintage pen great right away? No. The big difference is they were sold in either a brick and mortar shop with an in-house service department, or were sold out of a cup by the cash register, so not a great loss. (69¢ to 89¢ was a far cry from even the day's wages of even an Esterbrook, let alone the week or so of the more "top tier" brands.) So I can expect some work needed on a nib. Fortunately, many today know what to do to fix them. Hope you get yours to "play nice."
Oh, I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it! I have a couple Aldo Domani’s and they both came with Monteverde nibs, so you might want to check with the seller. You might also try the cartridges that came with it to see if they are any better. I suspect there was a nib swap. Maybe it was even a returned item? I have tons of Monteverde pens, and literally the only one that doesn’t work for me is the Monza. Well, hopefully you get it figured out.
I'll try the cartridges as well. I was hoping to indeed enjoy this as one of my workhorse journal fountain pens, so I won't give up on this brand just yet.
Jowo helps the Yafa pens. Their original nibs tended to be all over the place in quality, as was their build. And they still seem to be not that great, even with the change. Yafa tends to have a reverse Midas Touch. 😁
If you like the looks of this pen, and aren't scared away by lever fillers, looks like a modern interpretation of the 1948-55ish Esterbrook J types. Frankly, the Esterbrook celluloid is prettier, IMO. 😉
Realize that Monteverde, no matter the claim, is generally just a badge engineered Chinese pen. For example, the Monza (except maybe the new one sold to be eyedropper filled) is historically just a badge engineered Jinhao 992. A pen still available for around $2-3 they slapped their brand on and originally charged at least $30.
And don't get me started on what they did to Conklin. Originally a top tier brand actually made in Toledo, Ohio, hence the Toledo on those nibs, the fit and finish leaves something to be desired still, in comparison.
The modern ones should have "Taiwan" on the nibs, as until Yafa, the place of manufacture was on the nib (company was sold in the 1940s & moved to Chicago, Illinois, and the nibs then read "Chicago." And were never steel.)
Many resurrection of vintage brands are nothing like the original ones...
But, can you get a decent Yafa brand pen? Yes. The Monteverde lines seem to be improving, and they're generally a decent price.
I'll will truly try to keep a positive attitude with Monteverde. I'll try to make the nib wetter and try one more time with a wetter lubricate ink. It's a very nice looking fountain pen and feels good in the hand so I am being hopeful.
I have dozens of Monteverde pens, and the only ones I’ve ever had a problem with are the Monzas. What I like about Monteverde pens are the unique designs, such as the Ritma and Regatta. And you’re right, many of their pens are budget-friendly.
@@writeralwayswrite Wishing you success with it! I've gravitated towards vintage pens, so when a brand has issues today, I tend to think of them like the dimestore pens of years ago. And they tend to be usually the same price range as a vintage Esterbrook's modern equivalent, I tend to expect at least their quality. ($3.50 then, about $38 today, equivalent.) But the price range tends to a vintage Wearever today. Leaky or otherwise unreliable. And when a more expensive pen is just as bad... (Certain Italian brands come to mind occasionally.)
Like I said, Monteverde seems to be at least making an effort to improve. Was every vintage pen great right away? No. The big difference is they were sold in either a brick and mortar shop with an in-house service department, or were sold out of a cup by the cash register, so not a great loss. (69¢ to 89¢ was a far cry from even the day's wages of even an Esterbrook, let alone the week or so of the more "top tier" brands.) So I can expect some work needed on a nib. Fortunately, many today know what to do to fix them. Hope you get yours to "play nice."
@@pensane Like I said, they are improving. I'm behind any decent budget pen. 😁