Why Is The M B Mechanical Pencil Bigger Than The 146?

[Joane]

Years ago I bought a black 146 and mechanical pencil. The pencil is bigger than the pen and I always thought it was a mismatch and the pencil was intended to go with the 149--but I didn't care. Then, recently, I found a bordeaux 146R left over in a store, and a pencil. There again, the pencil was bigger than the pen, but I know the pencil was not intended for a 149 because there is no bordeaux 149.

 

So my question is: what is the design concept behind the pencil being bigger than the pen? In any other pen-and-pencil set I've seen, the pencil is usually the smaller of the two. I love the big pencil, just wondering how this size ratio came about.

[bernardo]

They're about the same size when the pen is posted.

Edited February 14, 2014 by bernardo

[Joane]

They're about the same size when the pen is posted.

Yup. Just tried it. Thanks for the info. When posted, the pen is a few mm longer than the pencil.

 

Does this mean MB pens are intended to be used posted while writing? I usually do post a fountain pen but with 146, which is large for my hand, this is one I use unposted.

[Blade Runner]

Since we're on the subject of MPs, I hope you don't mind if I ask a couple of basic questions:

 

Can anyone tell me what lead size(s) for MB's?

 

Also how does one re-fill the lead in a Meisterstuck mechanical?

 

Thanks!

[Paul80]

I know many don't like posting their pens, but it can be viewed as a safety feature, its much easier for your pen to roll off a desk and hit the floor nib first if you don't post it, when posted the clip stops the pen rolling. That's why I post mine. Don't ask how I know

 

Paul

[BrandonA]

Since we're on the subject of MPs, I hope you don't mind if I ask a couple of basic questions:

 

Can anyone tell me what lead size(s) for MB's?

 

Also how does one re-fill the lead in a Meisterstuck mechanical?

 

Thanks!

Can't comment on the Le Grand but I have three MPs: Classique, Fitzgerald and Starwalker.

 

To fill you have two options:

 

The correct way is to unscrew the pencil. There is then inside a rubber. This rubber can be removed and then a set of leads can be inserted into the chamber. When the current lead is too small you can remove it and then twist the pen to get the next lead from the chamber to load.

 

The not so correct way (but I broke the twisting mechanism on my starwalker doing the above) is to hold the Pencil carefully and twist the mechanism so the lead is not gripped in the pencil, you can then carefully feed the new lead up the channel from the outside.

 

My 3 pencils all take 0.5mm leads. I believe the LE grand takes 0.7.

[Blade Runner]

Thanks Brandon!

[Joane]

Both the black and bordeaux pencils I have take 0.9 lead. These are older models from the 1990s.

[orfew]

I have 2 MB MPs and they both take 0.7 leads. One is the Meisterstuck the other is the 100 year historical. They are both great pencils but I am always on the lookout for more MB MPs. I would like one in the Legrand size which I believe take 0.9 leads.

[Blade Runner]

I too am interested in MPs that take the 0.9 mm. I wonder if any current Meisterstucks take that size?

[peterb]

The LeGrand MPs take 0.9mm. I believe that is the only way to get to 0.9mm on a Meisterstuck

[bernardo]

I too am interested in MPs that take the 0.9 mm. I wonder if any current Meisterstucks take that size?

 

Answer you question?

 

 

It's a current 167 LeGrand pencil.

[bernardo]

Best pencil around BTW, if you ask me...

[watch_art]

Bernardo - that is beautiful. Gives me the case of the wants.

[Blade Runner]

Beautiful pencil. Thanks!

[Opooh]

Unfortunately Montblanc makes the leads only in HB.

[Joane]

Best pencil around BTW, if you ask me...

Excellent pencil. Writes smooth as silk and very substantial in the hand,