Montblanc 146 Vs Pelikan M800

[dezzick3]

These two are from two of the more 'premier' manufacturers, and they are both the model below the flagship pen of that company, the 149 and the m1000 respectively. A lot of people, including me, will not be looking at the flagship models for such reasons as they are simply too big or too expensive. With that in mind I decided to compare the two more affordable (?!) and smaller pens.

 

 

Price.

I managed to pick up the Montblanc on the 'Bay for just over £200 which I thought was a very good deal considering that its retail price in the UK is well over £400. The Pelikan I bought from Pelikan Pens UK for £266. The Montblanc is more expensive when bought new but deals for pre owned ones are there to be had.

Winner: Pelikan (if both pens are purchased at RRP)

 

Size.

As you can see from the photos, the two pens are about the same size when capped and when posted the Pelikan is a fair bit longer. Although I forgot to take a photograph, the Pelikan is about 2mm longer when not posted. The nib of the Pelikan is also noticeably bigger. Both pens feel very comfortable in the hand, I post neither but I just prefer the feel of the MB, I think it's the balance I prefer.

WInner: Montblanc

 

Filling mechanism.

Both pens use a piston filling mechanism and as such hold a large quantity of ink, however the piston in the Pelikan is far smoother and nicer to use.

Winner: Pelikan

 

Nib.

Both pens have a medium nib, and whilst I am very happy with the nib on the MB I wish I had bought the Pelikan with a fine nib as the medium on it runs really quite wide. Although one advantage of the Pelikan is that one can simply unscrew the nib and replace it with another one, although the nibs themselves are far from cheap. Both nibs are very smooth although it took me a while to find an ink that the Pelikan liked, Noodlers Black was far too dry but Diamine Midnight performs very well. I also think the nib on the Montblanc looks nicer, although the Pelikan's nib is by no means unattractive.

Winner: Montblanc

 

General appearance.

I bought the Pelikan in the 'traditional' green straited material and it looks very pretty, the semi transparent barrel also allows one to see the piston at work and the amount of ink remaining. The Montblanc is the 'classic' cigar shaped design, and the white star on top of the cap is very distinctive. I like the appearance of both, the slightly different look of the Pelikan and the more classic appearance of the Montblanc.

Draw.

 

Verdict.

If I had to choose one pen, what would it be? It would be the Montblanc, just. I prefer the more classic look of it, I think the nib is prettier and, at least for the moment, I prefer writing with the Montblanc as the nib on the Pelikan is just a bit too wide. However, both are excellent pens for those who cannot afford to splash out on the flagship models or those who prefer a slightly smaller pen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[I like mango cheesecake]

I have the 146 and still want the m800

[jar]

Here's a picture of the two uncapped, unposted.

 

http://www.fototime.com/D38EB63E4BC42C9/medium800.jpg

They are both very nice pens.

[Bemo]

I have both and to me it's a toss up. My 146 dates from the early 90's and the nib may have a bit more flex than my m800.

[Albinoni]

I have both the 146 and M800 and I'd take the M800 any day.

[penmanila]

i've had several specimens of both pens, and while i think the m800 is the handsomer pen, the nibs of my 146s have been more interesting, with more variation. that's my beef with modern pelikans--except for the M1000 and its wonderfully springy nib, the nibs have been generally stiff and boring.

[Joe in Seattle]

I have multiples of both. I spend more time writing with the Pelikans. I agree it's a close call.

[georges zaslavsky]

I have both and find them equal

[Baric]

I have only an M800, and want a 146.

[JonDoh]

I have only an M800, and want a 146.

I have owned a M800 for 25 years and just acquired a 146. Both pens are fantastic and along with my Bexley form my top three pens in terms of writing. Get one, if you can. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Edited September 22, 2014 by JonDoh

[maverink]

any comparison with the pilot 823?

[torstar]

M800 any day, much bigger

 

the 149 is the MB to compare it to, and that would be a toss up depending on how many pens you plan to hoarde

 

if you want to get a MB Limited Edition some day, they mostly are 146s and the frills make it worth it

[Diderot]

I have and use both.

I like both.

[Rowingbiker]

Thank you for this review.

 

I have never used the MB, but I am a fan of the Pelikan M800. Large, but not too large, just right!

 

If you are unhappy with the Pelikan medium nib, can't you exchange it for a fine as you bought the pen new from an official dealer?

Regards,

Rob

[alexander_k]

any comparison with the pilot 823?

 

Until recently I had a couple of 146s and M800s, all of them good pens. The M800 was my benchmark from the late 1980s. Unfortunately I sold them all before getting an 823 so the comparison is from memory: in terms of size there is little difference between the three. The capacity of the 823 is probably bigger. I must admit to a preference for Pilot nibs and the 823 I've got hasn't disappointed me. It feels smoother and the flow is more consistent even than that of the M800. It may be so that I've grown accustomed to the 146 and M800, which have therefore lost their appeal to me, but at this moment I'd certainly go for the 823.

[mrchan]

I have both the 146 and the M800 and I think that they are quite different entities for me. The MB looks sleek and classic, writes beautifully and the size fits my hand just right.

When I am in a different mood though, the M800 Brown tortoiseshell looks quite shiny and beautiful to me too. Writing experience otherwise, it feels a little different to the MB as the pen feels like a longer more solid rod. If there is a need for no-nonsense quick note taking, I find that the Pelikan is what I prefer. The MB I prefer when I have a bit more time for a more flowy cursive script.

 

In conclusion, while they are different entities, they are both equally nice to use. I don't think one is particularly better than the other, but if given an ultimatum between the two, I prefer the 146.

[Z-Tab]

Certainly two of the greatest pens available today. Who can choose between two virtually perfect pens?

 

I do wish that Montblanc would release a modern 146 Demonstrator to go with my M800 Demo. That would be a killer duo.

[bluejay]

I have owned both. I prefer the 146. The m800 is a tad back heavy. The grip on the m800 is larger so my hands don't touch the threads. The m800 is larger. I find the 146 the perfect shape.

[ulmensis]

any comparison with the pilot 823?

 

 

Until recently I had a couple of 146s and M800s, all of them good pens. The M800 was my benchmark from the late 1980s. Unfortunately I sold them all before getting an 823 so the comparison is from memory: in terms of size there is little difference between the three. The capacity of the 823 is probably bigger. I must admit to a preference for Pilot nibs and the 823 I've got hasn't disappointed me. It feels smoother and the flow is more consistent even than that of the M800. It may be so that I've grown accustomed to the 146 and M800, which have therefore lost their appeal to me, but at this moment I'd certainly go for the 823.

 

I own all of them: 146, M800, and 823. 823 is a little bit longer than 146 and M800. But the balance (cap posted or unposted) of these three pens is very similar, perhaps due to metal parts in the barrel. The point is: I like all of them, especially how they write!

 

[mirosc]

for me the M800 looks way too busy: not only a bitone nib but they had to blob another gold spot in the middle, the striped body, the overly adorned cap with all kind of forms and lines pointing in all possible directions, too many goldbands (what's the use of two bands at the knob except for showing off? especially the section band is prone to degrading)

 

nah, I don't like the look of the regular M800s.

I'm in for the 146 - if it only had a better section! The straight section is quite uncomfortable and so I've settled for the older, curved version.