My New 149

[Harunie]

Hello all!

 

I am happy to announce that i am now a fellow member of the montblanc party joining in with a rose gold 149

As a newbie to the fountain pen world, is there anything i should watch out for in my new pen?

Edited May 29, 2016 by alexandero

[Valdair]

If the 149 is your first fountain pen I STRONGLY suggest you look thoroughly into how to write with and clean the pen before you damage it.

[Harunie]

If the 149 is your first fountain pen I STRONGLY suggest you look thoroughly into how to write with and clean the pen before you damage it.

 

Oh haha it isnt my "first first" per se, i had the safari and a lamy 2k but then wasnt really "into" fp's but now that i feel like ive become more of an adult graduating from university i treated myself haha, but in all intents and purposes i read the heck out of the 149 and how "unwieldy" some people think it is. My medium nib seems a tiny bit scratchy at the moment is that normal? if so how long is the break-in period on average?

[Valdair]

There isn't really any such thing as a "break-in" period for nibs, as paper is not abrasive (therefore there's no real mechanism for material to be removed). Did you clean the pen thoroughly before inking it up? Some will say all Montblancs arrive in perfect condition to be inked up immediately but it's just not true. If cleaning it out doesn't help, check the alignment of the tines with a loupe. If the pen also seems to require pressure to write, it is possible the tines are too close together (this happened to me with a BB nib 146 I ordered recently - still awaiting a replacement). Both of these are issues that Montblanc should address for you.

 

EDIT: If the issue is very slight and the tines are aligned and all is otherwise well with the pen, you could try a few passes with the nib on micromesh (Goulet and other pen-focused stores have plenty) to smooth it out a tiny bit. As long as you don't do anything drastic it should not be noticeable and therefore void your warranty should you run into other, unrelated problems.

Edited May 29, 2016 by Valdair

[Harunie]

There isn't really any such thing as a "break-in" period for nibs, as paper is not abrasive (therefore there's no real mechanism for material to be removed). Did you clean the pen thoroughly before inking it up? Some will say all Montblancs arrive in perfect condition to be inked up immediately but it's just not true. If cleaning it out doesn't help, check the alignment of the tines with a loupe. If the pen also seems to require pressure to write, it is possible the tines are too close together (this happened to me with a BB nib 146 I ordered recently - still awaiting a replacement). Both of these are issues that Montblanc should address for you.

 

EDIT: If the issue is very slight and the tines are aligned and all is otherwise well with the pen, you could try a few passes with the nib on micromesh (Goulet and other pen-focused stores have plenty) to smooth it out a tiny bit. As long as you don't do anything drastic it should not be noticeable and therefore void your warranty should you run into other, unrelated problems.

 

It appears i have been brainwashed into the "arrives in perfect condition" haha, i literally just inked it up and went, this may solve a lot of my issues, thanks for the advice, its wonderful to see such a supportive community here

[Mastiff]

Congratulations, on your graduation and on your new acquisition.

 

From my experience the MB 'boutique' in Auckland is quite helpful and the turn around time for nib exchange for ordinary pes is quite fast. You should consider sending it back if it indeed is scratchy.

[Harunie]

Congratulations, on your graduation and on your new acquisition.

 

From my experience the MB 'boutique' in Auckland is quite helpful and the turn around time for nib exchange for ordinary pes is quite fast. You should consider sending it back if it indeed is scratchy.

 

Thank you for your kind words

I have been writing a bit (like 3 hours or so lately) its gradually getting better, and the inkflow has drastically improved

I think i may give it 2 days or so and see how it progresses, i have a 2 year manufacturers warranty right? haha

[meiers]

And six or so for a nib exchange.

(I think it's a one-warranty.)

[meiers]

 

It appears i have been brainwashed into the "arrives in perfect condition" haha, i literally just inked it up and went, this may solve a lot of my issues, thanks for the advice, its wonderful to see such a supportive community here

They should arrive in perfect condition new out of the box.

[Harunie]

They should arrive in perfect condition new out of the box.

 

After a few days of writing, the nib feels every bit as "tactile" but wet and ecstatic as i have read on reviews. Best fountain pen i have had/tried to date (although i havent had/tried that many)

[meiers]

 

After a few days of writing, the nib feels every bit as "tactile" but wet and ecstatic as i have read on reviews. Best fountain pen i have had/tried to date (although i havent had/tried that many)

I agree.

[Erik Dalton]

There you go. Just make sure you're not pressing too much on the nib while you're writing. It should take no pressure to get ink to flow. Once you find the sweet spot and the pen adjusts to your hand that 149 and you will be best friends for life.

After I bought my first one, it wasn't long before I had to buy a second. One is a fine, the other a medium and they are a treasure to me.

Congrats on ur graduation, enjoy your pen, and welcome to the group.

[Beranga]

My 149 had some ink flow issues when new. I did not clean it before using it either, but after a couple refills, the problem went away and the flow is now wonderful. I don´t know if the refills cleansed the nib and feed, or if there was some air in the piston mechanism the first few times I inked it, but it really improved with use.

Edited June 1, 2016 by Beranga

[Harunie]

My 149 had some ink flow issues when new. I did not clean it before using it either, but after a couple refills, the problem went away and the flow is now wonderful. I don´t know if the refills cleansed the nib and feed, or if there was some air in the piston mechanism the first few times I inked it, but it really improved with use.

 

This is exactly what i have experienced, thought i was crazy haha. Glad to hear others have a similar experience.

This pen has been absolutely amazing to me i thank you all for inspiring me to get one haha