Investigation New Montblanc 146P Real Nib Size: Is An F Or M?

[colex]

Hi all,

 

I ordered from a store a new MB 146P Medium nib, it's okay, but testing (without loading ink, only dipping the nib) it seems to me a line variation more wide has an Aurora Optima Mini with Medium nib...

 

I had been warned from a member of this forum, that the MB have a stroke more wide, but I did not believe even more than 1 size!!! You think that the retailer has stuck the silver sticker with the letter F (Fine) on the MB barrel, this guise, but it is a real Medium nib?? Is it a genuine MB Fine nib????

 

 

Please write your opinion

 

 

 

I enclose some photos of MB 146 Fine nib

 

http://i.imgur.com/bLW0u.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/48qog.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/tGSrY.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/s2vBL.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/mX3JK.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/lDQZc.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Writing sample

 

http://i.imgur.com/DPsY3.jpg

 

 

 

 

This's a shot with, in order: Aurora Optima Mini Medium, MB 146P Fine, Parker Duofold Junior Medium, Parker Vacumatic Silver Extra Fine, Sheaffer Balance Vac Fill Fine:

 

http://i.imgur.com/HwDIh.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/xQ5b2.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/O7Amw.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for your intervention

Edited January 21, 2012 by colex

[Inked]

Hello

 

Looks like a fine nib, with a generous ink flow.

 

Very nice handwriting!

 

Inked

Edited January 21, 2012 by Inked

[jar]

Looks like a fine nib.

[colex]

Thanks for the answers ....

 

But with this generous flow, I will need a ton of ink to write with this pen!

[meiers]

I like wet writers. Enjoy.

[orfew]

Yep, looks like a fine nib. Concerning ink capacity...that pen holds a very good amount of ink. I know mine does.

[Michael R.]

yes, most likely F

 

Michael

Edited January 21, 2012 by Michael R.

[tanalasta]

Looks like a fine nib and even has the sticker.

 

Aurora nibs write on the finer side so I would not be suprised that your MB writes more broad than your aurora.

[colex]

Looks like a fine nib and even has the sticker.

 

Aurora nibs write on the finer side so I would not be suprised that your MB writes more broad than your aurora.

 

Thanks for your kind reply ...

 

Forget the sticker with letter F, I was doubtful because the pen has been purchased through Internet shop, and the seller insisted to take a Medium nib that was immediately available, that's why I have doubts about the real size of the this MB 146 nib; my question is if the seller has pasted a sticker of other fountain pen on the barrel?!?

[bartl]

... which reminds me of certain practices of dubious sellers. They offer several similar pens for sale (on Ebay), but they only have one. They come up - after having collected your money - with a lame excuse: "I just noticed there is a dent in the cap and I've had to send it to MB for repair but I have a very nice other pen, similar to that and will give you a [small] discount"

It happened to me once.I refused and ask for immediate refund. I got refund but it was an uncomfortable experience.

[colex]

... which reminds me of certain practices of dubious sellers. They offer several similar pens for sale (on Ebay), but they only have one. They come up - after having collected your money - with a lame excuse: "I just noticed there is a dent in the cap and I've had to send it to MB for repair but I have a very nice other pen, similar to that and will give you a [small] discount"

It happened to me once.I refused and ask for immediate refund. I got refund but it was an uncomfortable experience.

 

Right!

 

I've bought this MB as new (and actually it is, no scratches, dent or other)... I paid it 360 euro tax included in Italy.

 

This request was due to my doubts if indeed the pen had the right nib size FINE as declared or not, for the rest this pen is really new and the warranty has just been stamped with the name of the seller ... If everything is ok, then I have done a great deal and I'm very happy!

 

I was expecting a line variation Fine and not Medium, I'm afraid to get an Extra Fine nib, because i think it may be too scratchy on the paper!!

 

 

 

Looking at this picture I do not think there is much difference between a Fine nib line and the Medium line variation, or it's only my impression?

 

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8228/mbnib01lrw.jpg

[osnofian]

Hi,

 

I think it's definitely a Fine nib.

Montblanc nibs have some significant variation between them. Nevertheless, my experience, is that F, M and B are more or less the same. Let me explain. Fine has a finer tip, but it's usually more flexible, providing comparable line width. Medium has a larger tip but is more rigid. Broad has a stubbier tip, providing some line variation, but it's not significantly wider than the medium.

 

Since you've bought it new, you can send it to Montblanc for a free nib change. An EF shouldn't be scratchy, if you receive one that is, just complain straight away.

[Joane]

Colex, you did a very nice comparison test to see the results. I have tried MB pens in pen stores and found some variation among fine nibs. I also use a MB F. In one store I was interested in a 144 F in burgundy. When I tested it both the salesman and I thought it was a M but sure enough it was F. I did not buy it because of the wider line. Same thing in the MB store where I bought a 145. I tested two Fs to see the difference and bought the "finer" one. I hope you can get the nib exchanged or adjusted to your taste.

[fpupulin]

Hi colex:

 

even though I agree with other members about the "individuality" of each Montblanc nib, I nevertheless can see a quite consistent difference in width line among the different nib sizes. I am not an expert on number 6 nibs, but you can check some results made with number 9 nibs at:

 

 

As you can see, there is more similarity between Extra-Fine and Fine (as one can guess) than between them and a Medium nib. Montblanc Extra-fines are not scratchy at all, but Fines give you a wetter line, perhaps more pleasant to use. Mediums are definitively stiffer, but really good and consistent nibs.

 

If you really want a finer width line, have your nib swapped for an EF. But, IMO, your calligraphy looks particularly nice with the F nib you already have.

 

Enjoy your new pen in great health.

[colex]

Hi colex:

 

even though I agree with other members about the "individuality" of each Montblanc nib, I nevertheless can see a quite consistent difference in width line among the different nib sizes. I am not an expert on number 6 nibs, but you can check some results made with number 9 nibs at:

 

....

 

As you can see, there is more similarity between Extra-Fine and Fine (as one can guess) than between them and a Medium nib. Montblanc Extra-fines are not scratchy at all, but Fines give you a wetter line, perhaps more pleasant to use. Mediums are definitively stiffer, but really good and consistent nibs.

 

If you really want a finer width line, have your nib swapped for an EF. But, IMO, your calligraphy looks particularly nice with the F nib you already have.

 

Enjoy your new pen in great health.

 

 

All right!!!

 

In fact in my page test the two Aurora Optima Mini have the same Medium nib, but write different! The Black one is on Medium wet side, and the Burgundy write at Fine dry side... And the two Aurora's are identical!!!

Incredible

Edited January 21, 2012 by colex

[jar]

 

In fact in my page test the two Aurora Optima Mini with the same Medium nib, but write different! The Black one is on Medium wet side, and the Burgundy write at Fine side... And the two Aurora's are identical!!!

Incredible

 

Actually, pretty common among hand finished nibs. I can't think of any of my better quality pens where the line width is identical from sample to sample within the same nib width.

[colex]

Since I have a free morning and would like to resolve my doubts I attach more images to be discussed ...

 

http://i.imgur.com/1DAYp.jpg

 

 

Not being sure of the test Aurora Blue ink on 146 MB Fine, maybe there was still some water remaining in the nib/feeder, I repeated the test with the Aurora Optima Mini with Medium nib inked with Aurora Blue ... This to compare the "real" MEDIUM of another brand!

 

http://i.imgur.com/7xEi1.jpg

 

 

However, today, trying all the ink in my possession, and thanks also wide line of 146 MB (Fine???) I could appreciate these inks Noodler's .... They are spectacular!

The Noodler's Bulletproof Black is really a very deep black, not unlike the black smudge at all I thought, was very good already, and Aurora makes the line of 146 MB more wide!

 

Blue, I think that the scan (however imperfect) leaves no doubt that the Noodler's Baystate Blue a "true" blue! And on this MB make it a perfect companion (Who knows if it does not leave stains in the barrel???)... In one word PERFECT!

 

The Aurora Blue on this MB is a "ciofeca", italian word to define a very bad cofee!!!... Perhaps, there are some residual of water in the nib/feeder? Well I do not know, the nibs, but suddenly with nib to large/wide side large, it is best to leave it "alone", seems to have "bleached"!

 

The Visconti Blue is a little more saturated / full then Aurora Blue, but this tends to spread a little and help to wide the line of the MB 146 "FAT" Fine nib; although I used a paper very "thick" the Navigator, 90 grams square meters: BRIGHT WHITE INKJET PAPER.

 

For completeness of information I used a bench A4 Canon Lide 100 (I know is not the best on the market!)

 

 

 

Sorry for my imperfect english. Have a nice day to all.

Sergio

 

 

 

 

To see the writing test at full resolution and uncompressed, can download the files from here:

 

TEST SCRITTURA MB 146P FINE.jpg

TEST SCRITTURA AURORA BLACK MEDIA Blue.jpg

Edited January 22, 2012 by colex

[Blade Runner]

To get a finer line without nibmeister, I suggest trying Pelikan inks - very dry.

[colex]

To get a finer line without nibmeister, I suggest trying Pelikan inks - very dry.

 

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Particular Pelikan ink? Example 4001 or Edelstein...?

[Blade Runner]

The standard 4001 - Royal blue, blue black are ones I use. They have dropped the line width a half size on some pens.