90Th Anniversary 149 Bespoke Eef Nib

[Tom Kellie]

90th Anniversary 149 Bespoke EEF Nib — “Leopard”

~ In the first week of December, 2014, Montblanc arranged for a week-long visit to Beijing’s Mall at Oriental Plaza of a comprehensive roadshow of what was then their current product line. Various specialists stayed in Beijing to demonstrate their craftsmanship. They also attended a gala dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel where Montblanc Global CEO Jérôme Lambert gave an address introducing China brand Ambassador LIN Dan, an Olympic badminton gold medalist. Among the product specialists, Montblanc nib production manager Axel Nier attended, explaining the bespoke nib program to interested visitors.

At the dinner I was seated on the right-hand of Mr. Lambert, who graciously answered my questions with wit and candor. Mr. Nier sat opposite, adding trenchant comments to various nib-related matters. In my jacket was a recently purchased 90th anniversary 149 EF nib. While Mr. Lambert handled the pen, he mentioned the possibility of a bespoke nib, to which Mr. Nier added that a bespoke EEF might suit my specialized writing needs. They were both aware that at times I write very small script to label plant or animal specimens, as well as to write detailed notes about wildlife safaris in Africa or concerning nature photography in China.

The decision to order a bespoke EEF nib was made at the dinner with a handshake. Specific details and full advance payment occurred several days later, at which time the pen was handed over to be sent to Montblanc’s Hamburg, Germany nib atelier. About four months later the 90th anniversary 149 returned with the bespoke EEF nib. Immediately after being inked, it was apparent that it was an exceptional nib for writing, with ultra-fine lines, excellent feedback and neither skipping nor scratching.

When a bespoke nib is ordered, the option is given to add customized wording on the rolled flange edges of the nib, as a means of personalizing what amounts to a one-of-a-kind nib. In line with my interest in wildlife photography and the ecology of larger predators, I requested that “Leopard” be engraved on the nib’s left side, which would face me while writing, with “Panthera pardus”, the binomial nomenclature for leopards, on the nib’s right side.

The bespoke EEF has been a reliable pen both at home and in the field. It’s accompanied me on several wildlife photography safaris in both Kenya and South Africa, being in my pocket when only a few meters from leopards. Fellow safari goers who’ve seen the pen have included distinguished cricket player Sir Ian Botham and respected performer Rowan Atkinson. One side benefit of an EEF nib is that it uses very little ink. Following are various images of the pen itself and associated events and individuals, including a comparison shot of the EEF with an OBBB nib. I’ve been fully satisfied with Montblanc’s bespoke nib program, enjoying regular writing with the EEF nib every week.

At Ease

This female leopard was photographed at midday in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. She exemplifies the elegance of leopards, which is reflected in the bespoke EEF nib.

Nibs

These sample nibs were displayed at the Montblanc roadshow where the bespoke EEF nib was ordered.

Portrait with Montblanc Nib Production Specialist Axel Nier

Mr. Axel Nier has met with me twice in Beijing, knowledgably answering my questions. He’s a genial, patient gentleman with a keen interest in the subtleties of nib design and usage.

Portrait with Montblanc Global CEO Jérôme Lambert

This portrait includes the 90th Anniversary 149 which would become a bespoke EEF. Montblanc Global CEO Jérôme Lambert is an especially genial dinner companion.

The remaining images were made this afternoon in my Beijing apartment, after being inspired to prepare this thread by member Pravda.

In Case

As with the 149 OBBB pen, the 90th anniversary 149 bespoke EEF pen has its own dedicated pencase.

Bespoke 149 EEF

The bespoke EEF was photographed on the cloth bag which protected the Montblanc Extreme leather shoulder bag purchased at the same time that the bespoke EEF was ordered.

Panthera pardus

The right side of the bespoke EEF nib is engraved with “Panthera pardus”, the binomial nomenclature for leopards.

Leopard

The left side of the bespoke EEF nib is engraved with “Leopard”, to honor the agile and adaptable predator.

EEF and OBBB Nibs

This image shows the difference in scale and form of the bespoke EEF nib and the OBBB nib. Both nibs are treasures, albeit used for very different purposes.

[Pravda]

What a wonderful story and experience thank you Tom K. for this post.

 

I actually read it inside the Montblanc boutique while I wait for something and in my half mind I'm contemplating ordering one right now!

 

The customization is incredible, particularly the engraving on the side tantalizes me. You see.. My name 'Fahed' means exactly 'Leopard' in Arabic!! It was like what.. Wait.. What!?

[dennis_f]

That's a beautiful nib and a great story. I hope you get many, many years of pleasure out of what is truly a one-of-a-kind creation.

 

D.

[Zdenek]

"Majority wears ready-to-wear but some individuals wear bespoke."

 

Great nib, Tom, congrats. Use it with joy.

Edited July 1, 2016 by Zdenek

[jsolares]

Now that looks great! thanks for sharing and enjoy!

[CS388]

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af351/shoulderhead/tk%20med%20-%201_zpsgtacrexs.jpg

[meiers]

Thank you Tom for this narrative and the pen pictures.

Edited July 2, 2016 by meiers

[fpupulin]

A really interesting story, and a really fabulous nib (but the OBBB also looks genial).

 

Out of pens, which notes are you writing on specimen labels?

[mulrich]

I really like the idea of engraving the edges of the nib unfortunately my nib preferences are pretty mainstream so I would never have a need for a custom nib. I'm not even sure what I would engrave if I were to customize.

 

It looks like there's room for about 2-3 words per side of nib. If you were to have a nib engraved what would you do?

[Ghost Plane]

Oh my! Someday I'll have to treat myself to a 3B.

[JLS1]

Fascinating story - thanks for sharing. I'd be very curious as to how MB's EEF nib stands up to an equivalent Japanese XF nib, such as Sailor's Saibi-Togi or maybe Platinum's UEF nibs? Also, I wonder how long a 'full tank' of ink lasts in Mr. Kellie's 149...weeks? Months? (Years?)

[meiers]

I'd venture to guess that it holds enough ink for a two-week trip to Africa. Am I right, Tom?

[Opooh]

Maybe MB changed their policy on bespoke nibs. When I posted pictures of the O5B nib, I bought last month from Tom Westerich, one of our members mentionned the existence of the EEF nib. I contacted Dennis of La Couronne du Comte and yes last saturday I got my 149 with EEF nib in red gold at the same price as the EF.

[A1979]

  On 7/6/2016 at 11:51 PM, Eugen-of-Savoy said:

Maybe MB changed their policy on bespoke nibs. When I posted pictures of the O5B nib, I bought last month from Tom Westerich, one of our members mentionned the existence of the EEF nib. I contacted Dennis of La Couronne du Comte and yes last saturday I got my 149 with EEF nib in red gold at the same price as the EF.

Interesting and good news!

So, your EEF nib is a "standard" one? Did you have to wait a long time?

[Opooh]

  On 7/7/2016 at 7:02 AM, A1979 said:

Interesting and good news!

So, your EEF nib is a "standard" one? Did you have to wait a long time?

Well at this moment standard by Montblanc are only F,M and B, everything else has to be ordered and comes without the right stickers on pen and package. Same procedure as for the OBBB, except that earlier one had to buy a normal nibsize and return that to MB to get the nibexchange, nowadays they come from MB with the asked nib mounted. I had to wait 3 weeks. I also ordered EEF in gold and platinum but they didn't arrive yet.

[A1979]

  On 7/7/2016 at 7:35 AM, Eugen-of-Savoy said:

Well at this moment standard by Montblanc are only F,M and B, everything else has to be ordered and comes without the right stickers on pen and package. Same procedure as for the OBBB, except that earlier one had to buy a normal nibsize and return that to MB to get the nibexchange, nowadays they come from MB with the asked nib mounted. I had to wait 3 weeks. I also ordered EEF in gold and platinum but they didn't arrive yet.

Thank you very much for the explanations!

I tought that the price for a EEF was much higher than a normal EF.

I usually send my pens to Mike Masuyama for the "grind down process" to EEF.

[Tom Kellie]

  On 7/1/2016 at 1:51 PM, Pravda said:

What a wonderful story and experience thank you Tom K. for this post.

 

I actually read it inside the Montblanc boutique while I wait for something and in my half mind I'm contemplating ordering one right now!

 

The customization is incredible, particularly the engraving on the side tantalizes me. You see.. My name 'Fahed' means exactly 'Leopard' in Arabic!! It was like what.. Wait.. What!?

 

 

~ Pravda:

 

I'd always wondered what the Arabic for ‘leopard’ was...now you've told me.

It's your name! That's truly wonderful!

The serendipity of reading this post in a Montblanc boutique is delightful.

My overall experience with Montblanc's Bespoke Nib service has been 100% positive in all aspects.

They're able to accommodate individual preferences to produce customized nibs with superb quality.

I'm so pleased that you liked it.

Thank you for your very nice comment.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

  On 7/2/2016 at 5:10 PM, fpupulin said:

A really interesting story, and a really fabulous nib (but the OBBB also looks genial).

 

Out of pens, which notes are you writing on specimen labels?

 

~ fpupulin:

 

Thank you so much for your generous comment.

The bespoke EEF nib is a joy to use, but the OBBB is also a pleasure to write with.

In tiny letters, I'll often add location notes written in Chinese characters, i.e. 中文.

I'm a U.S. citizen, but have served in Chinese universities since 1999, teaching life science students.

While binomial nomenclature is the standard for labels, a common name in 中文 is helpful for younger students.

The EEF reliably writes a steady, very fine line in all field conditions, which is appreciated.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

  On 7/6/2016 at 10:51 PM, meiers said:

I'd venture to guess that it holds enough ink for a two-week trip to Africa. Am I right, Tom?

 

~ meiers:

 

Ha! Yes, you're absolutely right!

It has done precisely that several times, both in Kenya and in South Africa.

No matter the climate conditions, it writes smoothly, without any scrathiness or skipping, yet always with the finest of lines.

In my thoughts, it's a “field pen”, albeit a fine instrument in gold.

Thank you for commenting.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

  On 7/3/2016 at 1:13 AM, JLS1 said:

Fascinating story - thanks for sharing. I'd be very curious as to how MB's EEF nib stands up to an equivalent Japanese XF nib, such as Sailor's Saibi-Togi or maybe Platinum's UEF nibs? Also, I wonder how long a 'full tank' of ink lasts in Mr. Kellie's 149...weeks? Months? (Years?)

 

~ JLS1:

 

Never having held any such Japanese ultra-fine nib pens, I'm unable to compare.

As to the length of time a full tank 149 EEF lasts, it must be quite a while, as I've never yet reached the limit of the first tank despite regular use.

Writing with an EEF is certainly one way to limit ink use, unlike the ink guzzling OBBB which I also use!

Thank you for your comment.

Tom K.