Montegrappa Muhammed Ali Limited Edition Pen

If you are a fan of boxing then odds are that you are fan of Muhammed Ali. What Pele is to Soccer,what Jordan is to Basketball,Tiger Woods is to Golf, Ali is to the world of boxing.Undoubtedly Ali is the greatest boxer the world has seen till date. Possession of Montegrappa’s special addition on Ali would be a great collection item that would look just awesome to any collector .

The design of the pen reflects elements of Muhammad Ali’s career as a professional boxer and celebrity boxer.The limited edition pen also addresses key elements of Muhammad Ali's life. 1942 is the year of his birth. He fought 61 fights. He won 56. His wins by knockout numbered 37. Inspired by these astonishing figures, Montegrappa has created 1942 fountain pens and 1942 roller balls in resin with sterling silver trims, 61 fountain pens with solid gold trims and 56 roller balls with solid gold trims.That’s a quite impressive figure for both Ali and Montegrappa.

The barrel bears the colors of his boxing shorts in white pearlized resin with black stripes. The solid gold clip is reminiscent of the stitching on Ali’s boxing gloves. The cap’s profile follows the arc of a speed bag, crowned with the squared shape of the “World Championship” diamond-encrusted ring worn by Ali. Ali's signature is found on the cap, with the legend “The Greatest of All Time” engraved around the top.

The pen has been crafted with amazing craftsmanship and the best part of the entire pen (atleast my favorite ) is the nib, with its gold inlaid silhouette of the classic Ali pose with his hands raised in the air. Keep staring at those winning moments whenever you write with this pen.


Also available is an exclusive "knock-out" edition, gold-trimmed and set with diamonds in the cap's end-piece. Only 37 in total this was produced with the client selecting either a fountain pen or roller ball. Each solid gold version will bear a number corresponding to a specific opponent and fight, the pen engraved with the fighter's name, as well as the date and location of the event.


The year 2010 has been a exemplary year from Montegrappa in Limited editions. It saw the release of Montegrappa Alfa Romeo Limited Edition pen, Montegrappa St Andrews Links Limited Edition Pen being the top ones.

It comes packed in a beautiful Gift Pack which secures the pen and gives it the collectors look and feel.

Prices on Pen Boutique website is

Montegrappa Icons Muhammad Ali Sterling Silver Limited Edition Fountain Pen $2595

Montegrappa Icons Muhammad Ali Gold Limited Edition Fountain Pen $18,500

Montegrappa Icons Muhammad Ali Sterling Silver Limited Edition Rollerball Pen $2195

Montegrappa Icons Muhammad Ali Gold Limited Edition Rollerball Pen $21,500

Montegrappa Icons Muhammad Ali Gold with Diamonds Knock-Out Rollerball Pen $25,000(yes I haven't misspelt it )

Montegrappa Icons Muhammad Ali Gold with Diamonds Knock-Out Fountain Pen $21,900

Call out Customer Care executives (1-800-263-2736 ) for discount of these prices.
One of the famous dialogue of the movie Cars is “Float like a Cadillac and Sting like a beemer” . Well its an adaptation from the fighting style of Muhammed Ali which he described in his own words as “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee”.  I would rephrase it for Montegrappa’s special edition ,that the Special edition of this pen right now “writes like butter and sells like hot cake” . Get it before its all gone..

Conklin Mark Twain Crescent Filler Fountain Pen

Conklin Mark Twain Crescent Filler Fountain Pen 

The name Mark Twain means many things to many people – it may conjure images of the Mississippi river; jog memories of mandatory school reading; or just remind us of one of the greatest writers to have put pen to paper.  While it would be very hard to find anyone who did not know who Mark Twain was and what he accomplished, it is likely that most give little to no thought of his most important tool – his writing instrument.  During the later years of his life, it was the Crescent fountain pen manufactured by Conklin Pen Co which became Twain’s instrument of choice.  He enjoyed it so much that he became Conklin’s official spokesman in 1903.  Conklin has continued to manufacture the Crescent fountain pen, now dubbed the Mark Twain Crescent Filler collection in honor of his patronage, to the same specifications as when it was available in the early 1900’s.  The Crescent pens derive their name from the crescent half ring which protrudes from the body – rotate a safety ring so that a gap is lined up directly under the crescent, press on the crescent to deflate the bladder located inside of the body, release the crescent and ink will fill the bladder via suction – the safety ring is then rotated to avoid any spill issues.  Twain’s appreciation of this particular pen was due to the half-moon crescent – it kept the pen from rolling off of his desk when he set it down.

Conklin has created a Limited Edition transparent version to allow users to see the inner workings of the Crescent line.  Available with either Rose Gold or Black Titanium coated metal accents, only 1898 pieces are available.  This quantity was chosen as it was the year in which Conklin was founded.  The limited edition number can be found on the metal ring at the bottom of the cap, right underneath the re-creation of Mark Twain’s signature which is present on all of the Crescent pens.  The body and cap are constructed of a clear acrylic.  The material from which the bladder is made is also transparent, which leads to a very clean appearance when empty.  The nib on either version is stainless steel, with the Rose Gold in Conklin’s usual two tone and the Black Titanium coated to match the other metal pieces.  It is available in Fine, Medium or Stub.  The Medium nib is a smooth writer, with just a hint of wetness displayed with light to medium pressure.  A little more pressure, like what you would find yourself using for a ballpoint, and the nib was wet enough to feather on cheap paper.  The cap is light so it is not bothersome when posted.  The safety ring located between the crescent and the body of the pen is graduated – it is slimmer at the gap and gets thicker as it goes around the body.  This allows you to turn the ring so that it rests squarely between the two pieces and does not allow any movement of the crescent.  My one caveat – if you are even the least bit OCD, you will find yourself continuously threading and unthreading the cap onto the pen until the clip lines up with the crescent, even more so with the transparent edition since you can see the nib!

The Conklin Mark Twain Crescent filler line gives us the ability to experience writing with the same instrument used by one of the most influential and celebrated writers of all time.  The crescent alone is a conversation starter, not even taking into consideration Mark Twain’s use.  The pen itself feels like a quality piece and the nib provided a smooth writing experience.  I like the Limited Edition’s transparency, though any of the Crescent line pens would work just as admirably.  This is definitely a piece to add to your collection whether you’re a history buff, a literary fan or just fond of unique writing instruments.

- Joe

Sheaffer 300 Fountain Pen and Rollerball Sets for the holidays with extra holiday gift box

Sheaffer 300 Fountain Pen and Rollerball Sets for the holidays with extra holiday gift box

                                 Sheaffer Fountain and Rollerball set for $75 ( Retail for $150) 

Sheaffer Fountain and Rollerball set

We have created a unique Sheaffer fountain pen androllerball set for the holiday.  We chose the Sheaffer 300 which has a nice width and a good balance with a wonderful writing quality.  The color we chose was the red ( like a marble finish) which will symbolize with the joyous holiday occasions.

PACKAGING:

The packaging of the  pen comes with a Sheaffer black box with Sheaffer dot logo.  It has the Fountain pen, rollerball pen, 2 cartridges ( one black and one blue ) and one rollerball refill which is black in color.  The fountain pen does come with the converter ( Sheaffer) and you do not have to buy another one. 

SHEAFFER ROLLERBALL PEN:

The rollerball pen has a nice balanced weight on it and has a chrome plated steel cap.  The pen is a snap cap and has black refill in it.  It takes only Sheaffer rollerball refill and the Sheaffer rollerballs write so smooth.  

 

Pleasure of writing with Sheaffer Pens

The writings as shown in the picture do write smooth and on Rhodia meeting book that we used, it was a pleasure to write.  It will make you feel like taking some notes in the meeting ( don’t know if it is going be meaningful  but these notes might come handy some day!).

SHEAFFER FOUNTAIN PEN:

Sheaffer Fountain Pen

The fountain pen is an identical twin to the rollerball pen.  The Nib is a standard Sheaffer like nib – stainless steel with Iridium nib.  Sheaffer steel nibs are sturdy and not flexible. The nib does write smoothly even for a fine point filled with the Pelikan Edelstein Green Adventura ink . For our test we used the fine point. 

  Sheaffer 300 pen set with Pelikan EdelsteinGreen Adventura ink

The writing is surprisingly smooth even for a fine point.  The fountain pen comes with a converter and can use cartridge also.  Converter is included in the box and also a blue and a black ink cartridge.   The cap is a snap type cap and snaps in and out nicely with a click.  The clip is a nice big clip and has a sheaffer dot on it.   Many of our customers have expressed their love for the clip.

CONCLUSION:

The final conclusion is that these are a great every day pen.  You can use the rollerball to note down quick notes and then alternate with the fountain pen to cherish your writings or flow your ideas on to the paper.  Either way these are great pens and value for the money . The 50% off sale is icing on the cake.  These pens are  no longer be produced from Sheaffer and hence our idea of making a set !!!

Click here to purchase this set from Pen Boutique!  Shipping is also free with in USA

                               We would love to hear from you...so do comment !!

10th Anniversary Special Giveaway Contest - NOW CLOSED

***************************CONTEST CLOSED**********************

Pen Boutique’s 10th Anniversary Special Giveaway Contest is now closed. Hence, we would like to put you all out of your misery and reveal the correct answer. Mount Everest is located in NEPAL.
We would like to take this opportunity to inform you all that the contest received an overwhelming response and Pen Boutique is thankful to all the participants for their unmatched enthusiasm and zeal. We will announce the Lucky Winner of the contest shortly, who will get a Pelikan Mount Everest Fountain Pen, as promised.

If you have submitted the right answer, then you might as well win this fabulous pen. Keep an eye out for a notification from us. Cheers!!

Penmanship for Holiday Season

Parker Red Sonnet Fountain Pen

In this fast paced world of new technology and busy days it is not often we get a reason to stop and reconnect to our traditions. Sending holiday cards allows us that excuse to connect. When carefully addressing aunt Betty's or cousin Bill's card we have the opportunity to not only use our best penmanship, it grants us permission to utilize our finest writing materials and ink. I enjoy getting into the spirit by using a red fountain pen and green ink. In the wonderful world of fountain pens there are many, many options of green ink to grace your cards and letters. Some of the most fitting green colored ink includes Diamine Evergreen, J.Herbin Vert Empire, Noodler's Polar Green, Montblanc Irish Green along with a multitude of others. One of my favorite descriptions of an appropriate green is the Pilot/Namiki Iroshizuku Forest Green: "It embodies the unchanging color of a dense evergreen forest in a long winter."

I have found my perfect pen & ink combo to script my holiday cards. The Parker Sonnet red lacquer gold trim fountain pen and Sailor Four Seasons Special Edition Tokiwa Matu Green bottled ink fit the task with bells ringing. The intensity if the green and the easy feel of the Sonnet complement each other in an exacting manner.

So take some time off from your baking and wrapping this year and choose the ideal fountain pen and bottled ink for you. If you realize that you enjoy the experience so much you decide to use it year long, for all your correspondence, your secret is safe with me. I won't tell Santa!

By Vicki M

Retro51 Tornado - Love, Peace and Happiness Review

Retro51 Tornado Love, Peace and Happiness Rollerball Pen

The Tornado line has been and still is Retro51’s bread and butter.  Offered in many different colors and designs, it is a workhorse pen that blends comfort and reliability.  Each Tornado pen arrives with a capless rollerball, extended by twisting the rear knurled grip, which provides a smooth writing experience.  The body of the pen is brass and is generally covered in lacquer or a design, after which a layer of protective clear lacquer is applied.  The body tapers from back to front, with a clip protruding from beneath the branded ring at the back end of the pen.  Retro51 has released a good selection of numbered Limited Edition Tornado pens and their newest is the Love, Peace & Happiness edition in a run of 500 pieces.  This particular edition boasts an antique brushed look to all of the brass pieces, with the body covered in 25 different languages for the words “love,” “peace” and “happiness.”  The words expose the brass body beneath a matte cream lacquer.

This is a striking piece, helped in no small part by the antique brass accents.  The limited edition number is engraved into the ring above the clip and is finished in the same matte cream color as the body – a nice touch as it can sometimes be hard to locate this number depending on its placement.  The cream and brass complement each other very well.  As with most of the Tornado line this piece has a nice weight to it – not too heavy, not too light – and feels very well balanced when in use.  The diamond pattern grip at the rear makes it easy to extend and retract the refill.  An interesting note is that if you have a favorite Parker style refill which you prefer over the capless rollerball that comes with the pen, the Tornado line allows you to switch between the two.  This opens up the types and colors of refills that can be used in conjunction with these pieces.

The Retro51 Tornado checks all of the right boxes – affordable, attractive, is available in many different colors and designs, has a good weight and feels good in the hand.  Add to the equation that two different types of refills can be used and it makes these hard to resist.  The Limited Edition Retro51s always go fast, especially since they are priced at the same level as the other pieces in the line.  Whether you are a collector or an enthusiast, the Retro51 Tornado Love, Peace & Happiness is a great pen for just about everyone.

- Joe (Pen Boutique Limited, 5560 Sterrett Place, Suite 101, Columbia, MD 21044)

Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen

Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen

The newest Platinum Preppy Fountain Pen is here and ready for shipment.  The latest choice is now an Ultra Fine, 0.2mm.  It is available in Red, Black and Blue/Black.  This is the perfect pen for sketches and taking notes.  There was minimal scratchiness when writing with this pen.  The price point is very reasonable for a re-fillable fountain pen.  The variety of colors makes them great for drawing and the see-through barrels lets you know the exact ink level.

The Preppy is still available in the Fine, 0.3mm, and Medium, 0.5mm.  There is also the highlighter and marker options.  The pens will work with a Platinum converter or ink cartridges.

The ink cartridges are available in Black, Red, Pink, Purple, Blue/Black, Yellow, Green, Light Blue or Brown.  The highlighter colors are Yellow, Blue, Pink, Orange or Green.
The Preppy makes a great Holiday gift for under $10.00.

- Joy