Montblanc Masterpiece 30 1933 Vintage Bhr Flexible Nib

[Pen_Noob]

I think this is a very rare find. Did not see any review for it here on FPN, so here it is. I think this is full hard rubber, can somebody confirm this. Also it is made for export, not sure if in Germany or Denmark, since it has the Masterpiece title on cap, not Meisterstuck. Maybe somebody has a better idea of year of production?

 

Appearance and size: 10/10
Yay, my favorite size pen. The MB 146 size is the most comfortable for me. As You can see from side by side picture with a 2015 MB 146, this pen is a little longer, wider and has a bigger nib. But it is clearly more comfortable to hold in the hand, since the gripping section is curved and not straight like in the modern pen. It is also lighter than the 146. So for my taste this is the best Montblanc fountain pen I have ever seen, yay again.

 

 

 

Construction: 10/10
Quite balanced pen, very well constructed. Can be used easily posted or unposted. I would have loved to have an ink window (personal obsession of mine), but since the rest is so nice, I am content. One of the most comfortable pens in the hand I have (maybe the most comfortable), quite good for long writing sessions.

 

Filling: 10/10
Very interesting button filler. Normally I do not like button fillers since the button is small and needs a lot of force to press, but in this case the blind cap is the button, it unscrews, then you can use it as a button, then screw back in again. Very very easy, not a lot of force needed. No idea why Montblanc dropped it, it seems to be quite good.

 

Nib: 10/10
Big nib, perfect size for me, wet but controlled, very nice. I would have preferred it to be an F or an M, maybe I will send it for retipping, since it writes like an EF of that era - ready EEF in modern times. But for how thin it writes, it is quite smooth. What I find interesting is how it flexes. It needs a little more force to start flexing, then flexes readily and without issues, and not with much force. Never saw this behaviour in any nib until now. So for daily writing, you will write without flex, but flex is always there when you need it. Not sure to say I like this or not. Have still to experiment with it.

 

Test Drive: 10/10
Very very nice to write with. If it would have an F or M nib, would like it more, so I will probably fix this. To say it is one of my favorites, I think it is not necessary. But I think I begin to have too many favorites. Hmm... what to do ...

 

Overall: 10/10
This may come to a shock to some, but I do not like Montblanc pens. I had 3 MB 149, those I like least, sold them all. MB 146 is more to my taste, but I do not like much how it writes, had 3 of them from various periods, keeping the 2015 one, but still definitely not one of my favorites. This one however is a different beast. Wow, if every moder Montblanc would be like this one ...

Edited December 4, 2015 by Pen_Noob

[limt]

Great review of stunning pen

[mulrich]

Where'd you find it? The pen looks great

[Pen_Noob]

It is in amazing shape imho, some slight discoloration on the blind cap and on the cap, but rest looks awesome.

[bigben]

Danish production 1935-1946.
Four different seizes (20, 25, 30 and 40) and two different colors (black, orangered) available.

[farmdogfan]

Nice review and a nice pen, i have the same penbut in coral red, mine is not as flexible as yours though.