Montblanc Nib Sizes

[Trouble]

Well, one day that is a task I should get myself to do then.

[skibunny]

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.

Thanks for the comparison.... this gives a very good perspective of the writing that is produced by different nib sizes

[jslallar]

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?

I wouldn't recommend MB for calligraphy. Their thicker nibs (B, OB, BB, OBB, and O3B) tend to be stubbish but not enough for proper calligraphy - well maybe O3B yes.

I would think that for calligraphy you would need an Italic nib, or at least a CI.

[jslallar]

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

TTBOMK the measurements are the averages of actual line thickness laid down by these pens / nibs.

 

And welcome mshepp3, you don't have to own a MB to contribute here, just have to be interested in the brand.

 

Lastly the MB nibs tend to run a bit wider than most comparable brands, for the same listed width. What I mean is that an Ef or F of MB would be equal to or thicker than most other brands' M, and so on. Anything above a B (B, BB, OB, OBB and OBBB) tend to be stubbish ex factory.

[jslallar]

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

Simple differences in ink flow, which can be adjusted by you or by any nib meister if you do not feel confident doing it yourself (by pushing the tines closer together), or by the MB service if you send the pen to them and a sample of what you want. The line width seems equal in both the pens.

 

Personally I like wetter pens and would have the ink flow of the 146 increased if I were you (by widening the distance between the tines, splaying them a bit if you want)

[jslallar]

deleted - double post

Edited April 14, 2014 by jslallar

[jslallar]

Here are my basic MB nibs and how they write

The 149 stubs were retipped and stubbed by Greg Minuskin #s 7 & 8

all other are factory nibs including #9

I do not have a Vernier Calliper, and the measurements are approximates as judged by me looking at the lines with x10 loupe and ruler

the squares on the paper are 5mm each side

the ink is MB Blue Black (color change in editing to make the pic brighter) - it is a phone pic!!

[Centurion]

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.

 

For the B nib, when you say "Much wetter and smoother than above" do you mean Much wetter and Much smoother than above? Or only just "much wetter"?

 

Thanks!

[Mister Mont Blanc]

Here are my basic MB nibs and how they write

The 149 stubs were retipped and stubbed by Greg Minuskin #s 7 & 8

all other are factory nibs including #9

I do not have a Vernier Calliper, and the measurements are approximates as judged by me looking at the lines with x10 loupe and ruler

the squares on the paper are 5mm each side

the ink is MB Blue Black (color change in editing to make the pic brighter) - it is a phone pic!!

Thank you very much for this! I am thinking of a 146 B or BB for the line variation instead of my usual EF but this has helped to determine if it will be too thick for my handwriting.

[Tom Kellie]

EEF is not currently offered. I think they were in the past, and they maybe available on special request.

 

~ Darius

 

In my small collection of 6 149s, there is one EEF.

It's a bespoke EEF nib ordered in December, 2014 from Montblanc's Hamburg workshop, handcrafted, delivered to me in mid-April, 2015.

The ink flow is remarkable. The feedback is extraordinary.

No other fountain pen I've ever held compares.

Tom K.

[Zdenek]

 

~ Darius

 

In my small collection of 6 149s, there is one EEF.

It's a bespoke EEF nib ordered in December, 2014 from Montblanc's Hamburg workshop, handcrafted, delivered to me in mid-April, 2015.

The ink flow is remarkable. The feedback is extraordinary.

No other fountain pen I've ever held compares.

Tom K.

Hi Tom,


It would be interesting you send a picture of EEF nib writing sample together with EF.

Edited August 31, 2015 by Zdenek

[carlos.q]

I remember the awesome pictures that Darius presented in this post. Truly an excellent reference for comparing MB nibs.

 

 

 

Now the pictures are all gone.

[Beranga]

Yes, the original links are dead!

 

I´m a new user looking for samples that would let me decide on the nib size of a new MB (B, BB, OBB). Do anyone know if the pictures can be seen on another thread/site?

[dubhe]

I took this picture in the MB boutique in February having created it with the test set of 146 pens, it also displays the different MB colours available.

 

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

 

~ Darius

 

In my small collection of 6 149s, there is one EEF.

It's a bespoke EEF nib ordered in December, 2014 from Montblanc's Hamburg workshop, handcrafted, delivered to me in mid-April, 2015.

The ink flow is remarkable. The feedback is extraordinary.

No other fountain pen I've ever held compares.

Tom K.

Hi Tom,


It would be interesting you send a picture of EEF nib writing sample together with EF.

 

 

[rvthof]

Yes, the original links are dead!

 

I´m a new user looking for samples that would let me decide on the nib size of a new MB (B, BB, OBB). Do anyone know if the pictures can be seen on another thread/site?

 

I downloaded the original pictures and have them available.

I don't know if it is allowed to re-post them here. After all they were made by Darius, not me.

 

Anybody in the know?

 

Rob

[carlos.q]

I downloaded the original pictures and have them available.

I don't know if it is allowed to re-post them here. After all they were made by Darius, not me.

 

Anybody in the know?

 

Rob

I guess only a moderator can answer that. But I strongly believe that if you re-post the images in this thread, and clearly state that they are the original Darius pictures, you would be doing the FPN community a great public service.

[Zdenek]

 

 

Hi Tom,

Thank you for a nice presentation of your EEF nib in practice. It doesn't matter how long the delay was. It is the final result that counts.

The choice of width of FP nib is what I love on the pens. You can decide according to the purpose or on your mood how bold you are going to write (including the colour of the ink). Both the narrow and the very bold trace on a paper have their own charm. They are many ways how to use different nibs alone or their combinations in one "document." Even such a prosaic thing like a shopping list when written by hand using FP can be a remarkable thing.

Thanks again for sharing.

Edited May 21, 2016 by Zdenek

[bbs]

I guess only a moderator can answer that. But I strongly believe that if you re-post the images in this thread, and clearly state that they are the original Darius pictures, you would be doing the FPN community a great public service.

+1 I was looking for this recently, would be a great resource to gave back.

[rvthof]

As requested the original pictures from Darius.

He started this thread in 2009 and he is the maker / owner of these pictures.

 

The Montblanc straight nibs: