Montblanc Nib Sizes

[Darius]

So you're saying the F and M nibs write equally smooth?

 

I just bought a 146 with an M nib, with this in mind, would you guys recommend I buy the 149 with an F nib?

No two MB nibs of the same designated size write the same. So, it's difficult to say that if you get a good M, then you'll like all M's, but it wouldn't be difficult to use them.

[Gcouch]

Thanks, really helpful.

[Sagar_C]

Since many people have been asking about the different tip sizes MB offer, I thought that writing sample scans of all the currently offered nibs was a good idea.

 

All these are modern size 6 MB nibs (ie 146 sized nibs), except for the O3B which is a modern size 9 MB nib (ie 149 sized nib). To keep a standard, all samples are writen on 2 pages of the same paper with the same ink.

 

As most know that MB nibs are hand ground, some variation within a designated size is expected.

 

The straight tipped nibs:

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

High resolution scan.

 

The oblique tipped nibs:

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/5403/mbnib02lr.jpg

High resolution scan.

 

Regarding the obliques, the OM seems to lay a thicker line in comparisson to the OB. However, on the page, the line is not thicker, but it is darker.

 

Is there any difference in line width between EF and F? Looks same to me from the pictures.

[colex]

Is there any difference in line width between EF and F? Looks same to me from the pictures.

 

 

For my experience, I tryed both nib F an EF on a new 146 before buy one, and the real difference are in this samples, with different inks and the same paper:

 

http://i.imgur.com/0Awlo.jpg

 

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

 

 

Sorry, for text write in italian.

 

 

For my experience, the ink flow in any MB is very wet and the nib width line of 146's EF is like a Medium line af a Aurora or a Fine line of my OMAS Paragon Celluloid old style... This is my two cents.

Edited April 11, 2012 by colex

[Keyser]

is it me, or is the OB is actually finer than the EF?

[Ghost Plane]

It's perspective. Also varies according to the nib, paper and ink combo. Some OBs are as narrow as a skinny M, others write true to B. One of the fun things about the handmade nibs - they all vary.

[Chi Town]

Thank goodness for Google.

 

Darius - this is sensational and exactly what I was looking for - I completely agree on the line variation......my eye really likes the BB sized nibs. I just received a BB nib yesterday and will be springing for an OBB shortly.

 

Cheers

Adam

 

Did you have to get your nib from MB, or is there an after market source that you can get nibs from for your MB?

[G4RHL]

I am new to Montblanc, very new, but have enjoyed owning fountain pens for many years. In a rapid space of time I have acquired 3 MBs and one (146) is away having its nib changed to OB. I have no idea what the nibs are in the other two (149 and a Traveller) but the former seems to be M and the latter possibly B. The problem I find is it varies so much depending on the ink used. If I use MB's brown then my MB Traveller for example appears to be in line with the B sample above, but change to Pelikan's Edelstein Onyx and it writes more like an M. With the 149 the difference is not so marked but generally I have usually found brown ink results in a broader thicker image.

 

I like the balance of the MB pens and it is fair to say that they are some of the smoothest I have found to write with. Eyes now set on the Johannes Brahms pen! Just waiting for the 146 to come to see how I like the nib.

[Montblanc owner and lover]

I use a 146 with EF ambidextrous,very nice,really fit to me,wet and very smooth

[ko6]

I have a Mark Twain with a BB nib. It took about a month for this nib exchange through a retail in the U.S.

 

Just for your reference, I did the same for my Grace Kelly. It was so quick. It took about a week or so through the same retail.

 

A wonderful sample I believe I saw a while ago.

A big thanks to Adam for resurrecting it nearly six months later- well done mate.

 

Does anyone know about getting a nib exchange on a WE to try and get a BB or OBB??? I am thinking my Cervantes.

[akustyk]

Thanks for this very nice comparison! One thing that I conclude from your samples is that the line width gets slightly broader, along with the increase in wetness. That has also been my own experience, though I only have two modern 146 (F and M) to base my observations on. I absolutely love my Montblanc pens, and what I particularly like is the consistency in ink flow, line width, and smoothness. That is a rare trait.

[Emperor]

Thanks man This scan helped me a lot~

 

Question: What kind of paper did you write this on? o.O Because I will probably use Montblanc in school, and sometimes ink on poor paper run like the Grand Canyon o.O

[colex]

Thanks man This scan helped me a lot~

 

Question: What kind of paper did you write this on? o.O Because I will probably use Montblanc in school, and sometimes ink on poor paper run like the Grand Canyon o.O

 

 

My pleasure.

 

Navigator 90gr. m" paper.

[mat1]

I posted the following photos from the Mont Blanc web site (http://www.montblanc.com/246.php?showSubKat=true) on another thread but I think these photos maybe useful to others following the real samples from Darius.

 

 

Hello

I finally decide to register, this forum is great.

My question is which NIB size is best for a person that is new using Montblanc fountain pen?

thanks

[dannytang]

Personally speaking, I think those new to fountain pens should stick to EF or F nibs, simply because fountain pens are wetter than ballpoints and as such tend to lay down a thicker line. That said, if you buy a new Montblanc pen, they have a 6 week nib exchange policy so if you don't like the nib, you can bring it back and they'll change it to another one of your choice. Not to mention you can also try out the nibs in store!

[longweight]

I currently use an EF nib in my Le Grande 149, I'd like to get a pen just to keep at home for calligraphy, would a BB or OBB nib be a good choice? Or are MB's generally not great for calligraphy?

[dascott]

Since flushing and re-inking my Tribute edition, I've noticed it writes much thicker and wetter than my 146 (see samples in pic) despite both having fine nibs. Is such a difference between two fine nibs normal? I'm pondering whether to exchange the Tribute to a EF nib. Thanks again folks

 

 

[mshepp3]

Good day all - I do have a MB 146 (Platinum trim) in my collection, so for me posting here is legit... So I was just looking at the tipping size chart on the Classic Fountain Pen / nibs.com / John Mottishaw website, and I noticed that Montblanc is not listed. Does anyone have the that information for the MB line of nibs, i.e. what their widths in millimeters is? How does one go about measuring that anyway... what I mean is: what exactly is being measured? Is it the width of the part of the nib which actually touches the paper?

I am others are curious as well, so thanks... MS

[Trouble]

Just when I was wondering what my nib was I came across this part of the forum where I was saved by Darius.

 

Okay....can I ask a question now?

 

Where can we find the sizes of all the nibs MB have made and are out now? Is there a site that you know of?

[jar]

Just when I was wondering what my nib was I came across this part of the forum where I was saved by Darius.

 

Okay....can I ask a question now?

 

Where can we find the sizes of all the nibs MB have made and are out now? Is there a site that you know of?

Nowhere. No.