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The Globe Tests

The power of the pen

A stylish stylus is much more than a writing instrument - it's a status symbol for the polished executive

By John M. Guilfoil
Globe Correspondent / August 17, 2008
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Whoever said the pen was mightier than the sword never envisioned keyboards or cellphone text messaging, but the point was made. And it still sticks.

Today, a good pen is often a status symbol. Executives give them to each other as gifts. Employers to employees who hit milestones at the office. Presidents and heads of state have their own pens made for correspondence and for signing legislation, and then they hand them out as treasured keepsakes.

The Globe tested four pens, with the results ranging from chic bargains to utter works of art. We tested a Parker Latitude medium ballpoint pen at $37.99 and the Fisher Space Pen Millennium Pen - the astronaut pen that writes upside-down - at $130. And we carefully handled two pricier pens - a beautiful MontBlanc Platinum-Plated Facet at $795 and a gold Cross Century Signet at $1,500.

All four wrote well. No breakages or leaking. We found the Parker Latitude pen to be a sufficient writing tool, but it lacked the styling, and status, of the other, more expensive brands.

Our favorite was the MontBlanc because as far as pens go, it's top notch: It writes and looks beautiful. We couldn't find a single thing wrong with it - well, except for the high price tag. MontBlanc has pens that cost anywhere from $350 to hundreds of thousands of dollars. It's the ultimate in luxury as far as pens go.

Billy D. Watkins, general manager of Crane & Co. at the Prudential Center who is responsible for keeping the display cases full of designer pens, also favors the MontBlanc. He said that the MontBlanc name and logo also are recognized everywhere.

"There's a lot of quality control that goes into a MontBlanc," he said. "That white star is a status symbol in the pen writing world. If you have it in your front jacket pocket, whoever you're with will look at it and see and know."

Watkins thought $1,500 was a little too expensive for the Cross pen, which is gold filled and weighs under an ounce. He noted that the price is high because the pen is the price of the gold. "Personally, I like a pen with a little bit of a heft - a nice weight to it," Watkins said. "If I had $1,500, I would probably still buy the MontBlanc."

John M. Guilfoil can be reached at jguilfoil@globe.com

© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.

MONTBLANC MEISTERSTÜCK CLASSIQUE PLATINUM-PLATED FACET

Price: $795

Pros: It writes beautifully. It looks beautiful. If it made noise, it would sound beautiful. It's platinum-plated, but not too heavy. It's the definition of class without gaudiness. It's well-designed but not over the top. This pen is also available in roller-ball, which we liked even more, at the same price.

Cons: Unless you count the price, nothing.

The final word: That white star on the MontBlanc pen is up there with the Mercedes symbol in terms of status symbols. The Classique Platinum-Plated Facet is one of their newest pens. If you're a person of means and need a pen, you'd be going in the write direction.

FISHER SPACE PEN MILLENNIUM Price: $130

Pros: This pen is an instant conversation starter. Think of all the references to this pen in the "Seinfeld" episode. Comes in a handsome case for gift purposes. It writes upside-down!

Cons: A bit expensive for a novelty item. The pen is not refillable, but the company claims it will last the average person 80 years. The pen's size puts the clip right at your fingertip - a little uncomfortable to write with. Ink is a little blotty too.

The final word: You can get a Fisher Space Pen for $10 if you just want the novelty. The bullet-shaped, executive-marketed Millennium is an expensive toy, but there's nothing wrong with that now, is there?

PARKER PEN LATITUDE Price: $37.99

Pros: It's sleek and comfortable with good ink consistency. Looks classy but isn't overpriced. The twist to open function locks into place to prevent closure while writing.

Cons: It's not distinctive. You won't look at this pen and think, "Oh, yeah, that's a Parker isn't it?"

The final word: Parker makes a solid pen. People know the name; they respect the name. At just under $40, the Latitude won't do you any harm.

CROSS CENTURY SIGNET 18K GOLD Price: $1,500

Pros: It's solid gold and weighs under an ounce. The Century Signet feels comfortable in the hand and looks wonderful on the desk.

Cons: The price is a big con. You can get the rolled/filled gold edition of this pen for $140. We won't tell anyone.

The final word: The slender form of the Cross Century series pen is one of the most recognizable in the world. The Century Signet is a beautiful, reliable writing instrument.

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