14K or 18K nib?

[Sirius33]

Hi Everyone,

 

Interested in your thoughts on the advantages and/or disadvantages of a 14K versus an 18K nib. I ask because I was recently in a shop has several MB 146 LeGrandpens sporting either nib.

 

Thanks.

[jar]

Hi Everyone,

 

Interested in your thoughts on the advantages and/or disadvantages of a 14K versus an 18K nib. I ask because I was recently in a shop has several MB 146 LeGrandpens sporting either nib.

 

Thanks.

 

Generally I have found that the difference between individual nibs was greater than between different compositions. See if they will allow you to dip and try and pick the one that writes best for you.

 

[Pen Nut]

Hi Everyone,

 

Interested in your thoughts on the advantages and/or disadvantages of a 14K versus an 18K nib. I ask because I was recently in a shop has several MB 146 LeGrandpens sporting either nib.

 

Thanks.

 

Generally I have found that the difference between individual nibs was greater than between different compositions. See if they will allow you to dip and try and pick the one that writes best for you.

 

 

In the 149 department I have always found the 14k nib to be more 'springy' than the 18k. Might just be me but no doubt any others who agree or not will contribute.

 

[Blade Runner]

In regards to my modern 146s (1980s to present) I haven't noticed much of a performance or feel difference that I can attribute to the gold content.

[archie001]

The new more expensive modern montblanc pens do have 18K gold nibs compared with the new but cheaper ones that have only 14K nibs. Though I don't have yet a pen with 14K nib, what would matter with me is how the pen writes. Qualitywise, 14K nib should be more rigid than the 18K one but then again it depends on the design of the nib itself. 18K gold nib is mostly common to the high end pens.

 

[niksch]

Your 146s don't have 14K nibs?

 

 

 

The new more expensive modern montblanc pens do have 18K gold nibs compared with the new but cheaper ones that have only 14K nibs. Though I don't have yet a pen with 14K nib, what would matter with me is how the pen writes. Qualitywise, 14K nib should be more rigid than the 18K one but then again it depends on the design of the nib itself. 18K gold nib is mostly common to the high end pens.

[archie001]

Your 146s don't have 14K nibs?

 

 

 

The new more expensive modern montblanc pens do have 18K gold nibs compared with the new but cheaper ones that have only 14K nibs. Though I don't have yet a pen with 14K nib, what would matter with me is how the pen writes. Qualitywise, 14K nib should be more rigid than the 18K one but then again it depends on the design of the nib itself. 18K gold nib is mostly common to the high end pens.

 

The 146 SS Pinstripe Solitaire I have has a 2-tone 18K nib. The traveller 147, which I gave to my brother recently has 14K, so I just only have one 146 as of now. The other 146 I had was actually swapped with a new S.T. Dupont Orpheo but I forgot to update my signature.

 

 

[niksch]

The 146 SS Pinstripe Solitaire I have has a 2-tone 18K nib. The traveller 147, which I gave to my brother recently has 14K, so I just only have one 146 as of now. The other 146 I had was actually swapped with a new S.T. Dupont Orpheo but I forgot to update my signature.

 

Just trying to keep you honest.

[troglokev]

Qualitywise, 14K nib should be more rigid than the 18K one but then again it depends on the design of the nib itself. 18K gold nib is mostly common to the high end pens.

Why would you say that 14K gold should be more rigid? Many of Montblanc's vintage nibs are 14K and far more flexible than their modern nibs. The design is the most important factor, of course, but the truth is that there are alloys of 14K gold that have better material properties than any 18K alloy.

 

Technical discussion here.

[varmas]

Did MB have a reason performance wise for why there are both 14k and 18k nibs on MB 149 pens (besides the years of manufacture)?.

 

When you pay several hundred dollars for a pen the difference in nib composition won't play a significant part cost wise.

 

Just an idle mind at work Personally I can't tell the difference between the two.

 

Many thanks,

Solomon

 

[archie001]

Did MB have a reason performance wise for why there are both 14k and 18k nibs on MB 149 pens (besides the years of manufacture)?.

 

When you pay several hundred dollars for a pen the difference in nib composition won't play a significant part cost wise.

 

Just an idle mind at work Personally I can't tell the difference between the two.

 

Many thanks,

Solomon

 

Performancewise, it's hard to say as both sides will dispute each other endlessly but, it is wise to consider that Montblanc has reasons using 18K instead of 14K in their modern 149s and other more expensive models. Whether its technical or marketing I can only speculate. However, should both 14K and 18K nibs perform the same, I personally would choose the 18K one provided the price is insignificant.

 

Archie

 

[varmas]

Performancewise, it's hard to say as both sides will dispute each other endlessly but, it is wise to consider that Montblanc has reasons using 18K instead of 14K in their modern 149s and other more expensive models. Whether its technical or marketing I can only speculate. However, should both 14K and 18K nibs perform the same, I personally would choose the 18K one provided the price is insignificant.

 

Archie

 

Thanks Archie. I suppose even if MB were to say why they are doing what they are, it will still be open to speculation

 

Solomon

 

[Kalessin]

Richard Binder, a craftsman who alters nibs for extra flexibility and other special effects, wrote a brief article about 14k versus 18k (and other nib materials), and has posted it on his website.

 

http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref_info/nib_materials.htm

 

[niksch]

Joel--Where have you been lately????

 

 

Eric

Edited March 24, 2009 by niksch

[troglokev]

Richard Binder, a craftsman who alters nibs for extra flexibility and other special effects, wrote a brief article about 14k versus 18k (and other nib materials), and has posted it on his website.

 

http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref_info/nib_materials.htm

 

Hmm... Richard has a theory, and I think he may be right:

Why, if 14K is better than 18K, do pen makers insist on using nibs made of 18K or even 21K gold? Laws in many countries restrict what can, or cannot, be labeled as gold, and 18K is the break point. It is illegal in these countries to sell an object as gold if it is made with less gold than 18K.

That would explain a lot (including the timing of the change).

[varmas]

Hmm... Richard has a theory, and I think he may be right:

Why, if 14K is better than 18K, do pen makers insist on using nibs made of 18K or even 21K gold? Laws in many countries restrict what can, or cannot, be labeled as gold, and 18K is the break point. It is illegal in these countries to sell an object as gold if it is made with less gold than 18K.

That would explain a lot (including the timing of the change).

 

That had crossed my mind. In Italy, for example, the minimum gold standard for sale is 18K, anything lower is labelled yellow metal. You find Stipula and Visconti, to take 2 examples, from Italy having 14k as well as 18k nibs

 

That would mean performance, goldwise, doesn't come into play. More of horses for courses.

 

 

Solomon

 

Edited to say I can't seem to open the richardpens link.

Edited March 24, 2009 by varmas