Mb 149 Writing Sample

[spraine]

Hi MB'ers-

 

Finally got my 149 back.

 

This was the one where the Feed cracked (I think it already was) while the seller was working on a skipping issue.

It was a 2-tone, 14C Fine. I liked it.

 

I got two 149s in return to try out.

1) the original ('83-84) body with a new feed & different nib: a 2-tone, 14C Extra Fine,

2) late '70s pen with a 14C 2-tone Medium, with an Italic "flair" (the seller thinks).

 

Beauty made the writing sample (you haven't seen my penmanship). As soon as she wrote with the Italic, she immediately commented on the tip difference (she's done a little calligraphy.)

 

Anyway...

the two Waterman pens I already own. Beauty now uses the Fine, leaving me the EF.

 

Game plan right now is to select one of the two 149s.

Seller commented that if I want my original F nib on the original body, there's a risk that the new Feed might crack, too.

Are they that fragile? (I know nothing of the task and its dangers.)

 

Anyway, here's a sample.

 

Blessings,

Steve

[Gilberto Castaneda]

Keep them all!

You will regret not keeping them all.

I know, I know, nut such is life.

Enjoy ALL of them.

 

Cheers,

 

Gilberto

[meiers]

I don't think I could part with any of them.

The italic writing sample looks particularly nice.

 

Matt

[talkinghead]

Keep em' both if you're able...

 

The "EF" is the new .... "BB" ....though the bi-toned 14c typically not quite as springy as the 14c tri-toned, to get that "flex" look.

 

The "Italic" flair, if original and not ground is also sweet, a stubbish medium maybe, or possibly an oblique?

 

 

Rick

[fpupulin]

Make some practice with the italic nib. The line variation of that nIb looks gorgeous IMO, but nibs with non-rounded edges may be a bit more difficult to write with when one is not used to. I, personally, would take the plunge for the italic, which is more difficult to find. You can always buy an EF in another moment. My two cents.

[Mags]

The italic nib would be my pick on a large 149 pen. The EF nibs make sense when used on a smaller pen used for long writing sessions.

[spraine]

Hi-

Pretty much decided on keeping the Italic.

 

Can an EF be ground to an Italic? Or too little to work with?

A fine ?

 

Thx,

Steve

[jar]

Hi-

Pretty much decided on keeping the Italic.

 

Can an EF be ground to an Italic? Or too little to work with?

A fine ?

 

Thx,

Steve

 

I have a couple fine italic pens but there is not all that much variation with them. I prefer at least a medium and wider is better.

[spraine]

Hi-

Pretty much decided on keeping the Italic.

 

Can an EF be ground to an Italic? Or too little to work with?

A fine ?

 

Thx,

Steve

 

I have a couple fine italic pens but there is not all that much variation with them. I prefer at least a medium and wider is better.

 

 

Thanks, jar.

Steve

[Gilberto Castaneda]

I f you do not want the XF and you are interested in a swap I have a MB 149 with a BB stub ground by Greg Minuskin. E-mail me gilbertocastaneda at me dot com.

 

It is recent production, has a S/N in the clip ring.

Edited April 14, 2013 by Gilberto Castaneda

[talkinghead]

I f you do not want the XF and you are interested in a swap I have a MB 149 with a BB stub ground by Greg Minuskin. E-mail me gilbertocastaneda at me dot com.

 

It is recent production, has a S/N in the clip ring.

 

 

See.... I told you.....the EF is the new BB!!

 

 

 

 

 

Rick

[jsph]

i love the ef line, and glad to see it's actually extra-fine, not too far from good japanese note-taking / math pens. maybe even german pens used to be finer than they are now. i think i've seen pendleton say he can do a very fine italic/cursive, though i don't know if he's done MBs.

[spraine]

Hi all-

Hope FPN is completely up & running again.

 

UPDATE: on my adventure with my first 149.

 

1. I kept the Italic, and sent the EF back, to have the original F nib put back on the original body ('83-'84). (with new feed to replace the cracked one.)

 

2. Got the pen back a week ago. It wrote beautifully, but I didn't use it much.

 

3. Friday evening, I wrote a congratulatory note to a "bridging" Girl Scout, and gave it to Beauty for her signature, too.

Looked down and I had ink on my writing thumb. She did, too, after writing with it.

 

4. Incredible disappointment. Just tried it again right now, and re-confirmed: touching the threads puts ink on my thumb or finger(s).

Most likely causes? New feed is cracked, too? Threads cracked? Or...?

 

5. Seller (who has been beyond fabulous throughout this experience) offered: 1) return pen for refund, or 2) he'll pay for MB to repair.

I really don't want to start this process all over again...!

 

But:

6. I presume having MB repair it will mean: I'll get back the same nib and cap, but a new, modern "everything else". Is that correct?

 

Beauty is advising me, "Who cares about '83-84? All you want is a pen that writes well & works right!" I suppose a brand new piston wouldn't be a bad thing.

 

VERY GRATEFUL for some wisdom from you MB Forum folks.

 

*** Almost forgot... Later this week, we're going to a training meeting, and will be near a Boutique, for their input.

 

 

Thanks!

Steve

[georges zaslavsky]

congrats and enjoy your pen