The Long (Maybe Short) Road To A 149

[drafty]

Hi guys,

 

I don't know much about MB. I know more about Waterman and Parker, but MB is new to me. Could someone shed some light for me?

 

Now, I would like a new 149 soon-ish (at least I think I want a 149 - I'll get to this later).

 

Not "previously-owned-but-still-boxed-new" (unless it's from someone on this forum perhaps because everyone seems hugely trustworthy and lovely on here).

 

The fact that I don't know what I'm looking for really on ebay makes me nervous to do it that way. They write things like "149 Legrand diplomat 14K nib" and I'm like, whaaaaat? that's not right!

 

So, I went into an MB store in Montreal. Around this time they are stripping all other 3rd parties of their stock. So it's an MB store or nothing...and they said a 149 would cost me $1000 CAD, straight up. Zero movement on price (of course). The Canadian dollar is taking a beating so I understand the conversion.

 

I am having a child soon and I want it to be an heirloom etc. I mentioned earlier in parentheses that it's probably a 149 I want, but we're having a baby girl and not sure if that's an ideal heirloom over a Legrand...?

 

So, if I just want the current 149 (or LG), where can I look for a better price and, failing that, what should I look for online?

 

Cheers and thanks for reading my drivel.

Ross

[Ghost Plane]

Are you going to use it? Are you going to teach your daughter to use it? And what are the odds you will love the same nib sizes?

 

I ask because my Dad taught me to love fountain pens, but adored F nibs and I'm a broader the better writer. That being said, I adore big, fat pens and have to refrain from seriously injuring the idiots who insist on small and flimsy being described as "feminine."

 

That's a lot of money to spend on a "heirloom" unless you make it a ritual between you. What if your girl is a musician or engineer, not a writer?

 

Nor are these "investments" that will appreciate.

 

Put that money in a good investment account and wait until your child is old enough to need a college fund or at least express a preference. Then buy something YOU enjoy using and let your child see and appreciate your love of a fine tool.

[jar]

A 149 is a nice pen but there are literally hundreds of equally nice pens. Since the things I remember most about my father are the things he used and loved the most, try to find something that you will love using and that will mean "Dad used this when we were ..." to your daughter.

[drafty]

Thanks for the replies. You're way faster than the Waterman section! (*said with love, Waterman guys, said with love*).

 

Okay, maybe I should edit. I know not much of MB but I know I want one. And yes it will be used...a lot.

 

I write for a living and draft a lot in long hand (I love it more that way) so pens really are both important tools and collection pieces for me. I want a 149 (preferably) because I have tried the big standard nib and liked it. It seemed to fit comfortably for long sessions. I also like fat pens.

 

The baby has an account already. I know pens don't appreciate. And I hope I wasn't being an idiot for suggesting the Legrand because none of the women in my life do things flimsily (gosh, that's a word apparently).

 

So...yes I want to use the hades out of it and then pass it on, but it's not the biggest problem if future daughter hates writing and says 'no thanks'. Also, I mentioned trying to get a deal but that's just because something tells me not to be taken for a ride by RRP-loving stores. The expense is not a big deal.

 

Thank you very much for replying. Keep it coming. I love responses. (Waterman guys take note!! haha)

Edited August 9, 2015 by Drafty

[Joane]

If you are going to use the pen for many years before one day giving it to your daughter, speaking as a daughter I say get the pen that feels best for you. Your daughter will love it because it is yours. My dad was an industrial engineer and used a lot of writing instruments. I love using his old writing and drawing implements of various kinds.

[Pen Nut]

^{Edsons are a nice pen to pass on..........just saying thats all}

[drafty]

Hi Pen Nut. That's true, but I think my Edson is going to the grave with me. I love it too much. I have the nib section of an emerald Edson on the way so I'm going to try and source the remaining parts for it (I found an ace deal is all). Love 'em.

 

The missus wants 3 kids (I said try one out first, you know!) so I might have to spread the pen love, one day. Or just hoard them all like an old miser.

[Ghost Plane]

I write a lot longhand, so your preference makes sense. The 149 is more relaxing to my hand than the 146 after an all day marathon. That being said, there are some lovely used 149s going begging in the board classifieds. I've slowly acquired multiples for those sessions when I'm "in the flow" and don't want to stop to refill.

[drafty]

Yeah that's my problem with the Edson. It's a converter refill too so I get even less from it, especially with edelstein onyx, which goes down like wet tar on a hot day. Annoying when I'm in the zone and I'm nowhere near my ink.

 

I'll check out the classifieds, I saw a 149 for $360 there the other day. I just though it couldn't be in good condition, surely.

[dubhe]

Put a wanted advert in the classifieds, I did this a month or so ago when looking for a 149 and had plenty of replies.

 

On the heirloom thing, I have an early 80's 146 with monotone nib that my 6 year old son likes to watch me use because he is in to all things gold (good boy). I have given the pen a name and when it comes to writing a birthday card or something, my son asks me if I'm going to use it. I think making a connection they can remember is important. He is likely to want my 146 in the future.

[Nathanb]

My 2 cents;

 

I too wanted a 149 for my daily writing and soon found it was too big to fulfill this task - it's been replaced with a 146 which I have found refreshing to use!

 

Good luck on your search

[drafty]

Put a wanted advert in the classifieds, I did this a month or so ago when looking for a 149 and had plenty of replies.

 

On the heirloom thing, I have an early 80's 146 with monotone nib that my 6 year old son likes to watch me use because he is in to all things gold (good boy). I have given the pen a name and when it comes to writing a birthday card or something, my son asks me if I'm going to use it. I think making a connection they can remember is important. He is likely to want my 146 in the future.

Thanks for the advice. I can't seem to do that yet; I think I have to be a Gold member or something. Will do as soon as I can though.

 

Your son has his priorities right I see

 

Cheers

[drafty]

My 2 cents;

 

I too wanted a 149 for my daily writing and soon found it was too big to fulfill this task - it's been replaced with a 146 which I have found refreshing to use!

 

Good luck on your search

thanks Nathan. I need to write with the 146 more I guess, to see the difference.

 

The 146 is aka Legrand right?

[jar]

thanks Nathan. I need to write with the 146 more I guess, to see the difference.

 

The 146 is aka Legrand right?

Correct. I must admit I have far more 146s than 149s and they do get used far more often but also like the early 50s 146s more than the reborn 146s.

[I like mango cheesecake]

I bought all my pens to one day pass down to my two girls. All I want to keep for myself is the 149. I have over a dozen pens, some "heirloom" some basic run of the mill. But one day all I'll keep for myself is the 149.

Same thing for my wristwatches. I'll keep one for myself and eventaually pass them down. I too have over a dozen.

[meiers]

You can easily purchase two outstanding used 149's for the price of a new one. There are excellent pens to be found here in the classifieds.

Edited August 12, 2015 by meiers

[Ghost Plane]

I can't get on with the 146s. Too small for extended writing sessions. The 149 relaxes my hand. So try both. (enabler mode)

[drafty]

I can't get on with the 146s. Too small for extended writing sessions. The 149 relaxes my hand. So try both. (enabler mode)

Thanks Trinity...I mean Ghost Plane,

 

You've gone from telling me to save the money like a good boy, to 'try both' (I assume while caging your fingers, grinning maniacally and laughing like Dracula in an echoey room).

 

I prefer enabler mode.

 

I'm going to try both tomorrow. I have been informed of a good retailer in Montreal.

[Ghost Plane]

Cackling like a broody chicken might be more accurate. As a mod, I figure it's incumbent to give financially responsible advice until posters prove themselves hopelessly addicted to pens. Then I go into enabler mode while maniacally clucking like Mike Meyers with Mini Me

[Cryptos]

Drafty, off-topic question. The image you use for your avatar, it looks familiar. Would you mind telling me where it came from? Backchannel is fine if you don't want to say publicly. Of course it could be my old and failing memory that is playing tricks on me. Wouldn't be the first time.

 

And to echo what other people say, I have very few things that belonged to my father. In part this was due to practicality - he had a lot of art gear that Mum eventually donated to the local art society (boy, were they surprised!), and I heartily approved of this. In the end I have a couple of Kolimsky sable brushes, his old watch (just a Pulsar, nothing heirloom-like), a St Christopher he always wore, several of his original art works, and more memories than I can shake a maulstick at.

 

Things are just things until we use them. Then they have the potential to become things with associations. The association is everything.