Buying My First Montblanc 149 This Week. What To Expect?

[anandcp]

This forum was the first one I turned to, when I decided to buy my first Montblanc 149 - this week - new from a Boutique.

 

Need your advice on what to expect in the Box, shop and can I use the pen for my daily usage, etc.

 

I have always loved Fountain pens, and still the own the Sheaffer Sagaris Gold and Sagaris black barrel. Apart from that have used a variety of fountain pens from Parker, Jinhao and Camlin.

 

I came back again and again to the Sagaris black as I simply loved the Nib and writing.

 

1) Is the 149 similar to that or is it better and smoother to write (I prefer a broader, smoother nib)

 

2) Does the 149 come with any other ink other than Black? I prefer Blue-Black, but...

 

3) What kind of paper is best for it? I use school notebook paper to the high-quality 80 GSM.

 

What should I expect in the Box? and how do validate the pen they have sold me is genuine?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

[Wolverine1]

If you buy the pen from a Montblanc Boutique, you dont have to worry about whether the 149 you buy is fake. And just use paper you use regularly to test the pen. Try the medium and fine nibs to find one you like, and then adjust accordingly. I.E. use the fine and medium nibs to figure out whether you would prefer a thicker or a thinner nib. Also dont worry about the box, after all it is the pen that matters, and if it is a legit Boutique, the packaging, and the box ad the ink supplied with the pen, all will be legit. will be genuine.

 

And, once you buy the pen, do give us an update telling us how your experience buying the pen, and how you like the pen.

 

And one question for you. Where in India are you located at? Reason I ask is because there are plenty of us desis here who are FPN members, and maybe someone here can be of additional help and make recommendations about local places.

 

Anyways, best of luck.

Edited July 7, 2016 by Wolverine1

[jar]

The 149 is much bigger than the Sagaris, fatter, longer, entirely different balance. It will also be several orders of magnitude more expensive than the Sagaris. The section of the 149 will be much shorter, wider and more textured in feel than the Sagaris. The 149 can be purchased with nibs from EF to at least BB if not BBB and Oblique nibs as well. The nibs from "B" up whether standard or oblique will be stumpish in nature, more forgiving that full italic nibs but with slightly less line variation. All 149s are piston fill only and so you can use any bottled fountain pen ink you want. The body color will be black resin with either gold or platinum furniture.

 

While at the boutique ask to try several other Meisterstück level pens. The 146 is slightly smaller and closer in size and feel to the Sagaris and also piston filled. The 147 is similar to the 146 but cartridge only and uses International Standard cartridges. It's also called "The Traveler". The 145 is now called the "Classique" and just slightly smaller than the 146/146 and is a International Standard cartridge AND converter model. The smallest is the 114 which is cartridge only IIRC and a really great little pen. The butt is threaded so the cap screws on making it nearly full sized in use.

[anandcp]

Chennai, India.

I wrote to Montblanc asking about authorised sellers and they recommended William Penn store or Helvetica.

Which do you recommend?

(I had bought the refill for my Starwalker from William Penn and also MB Ink bottle for my Sheaffer from them).

 

 

  On 7/7/2016 at 1:01 PM, Wolverine1 said:

If you buy the pen from a Montblanc Boutique, you dont have to worry about whether the 149 you buy is fake. And just use paper you use regularly to test the pen. Try the medium and fine nibs to find one you like, and then adjust accordingly. I.E. use the fine and medium nibs to figure out whether you would prefer a thicker or a thinner nib. Also dont worry about the box, after all it is the pen that matters, and if it is a legit Boutique, the packaging, and the box ad the ink supplied with the pen, all will be legit. will be genuine.

 

And, once you buy the pen, do give us an update telling us how your experience buying the pen, and how you like the pen.

 

And one question for you. Where in India are you located at? Reason I ask is because there are plenty of us desis here who are FPN members, and maybe someone here can be of additional help and make recommendations about local places.

 

Anyways, best of luck.

[Wolverine1]

Anand- I am unfortunately in the USA now, am a NRI., so I dont know which place to recommend. But I betother FPN members who are residents of Chennai will drop in to this thread and they will answer your question.

[Raif79]

The 149 is a beast! It is the epitome of awesome. The nibs are pretty stiff and robust. Don't expect a flexy nib. I've owned a few 149's from different eras and they are a delight to write with. I have very large hands so I don't comprehend 'too big' like those with small hands or regular hands might. I've never had an issue with skipping or late starts with any of mine. My favorite was a medium 18k two tone nib from the early 1990's. It was the perfect pen. I bought a new 149 this year. Here's what to expect:

 

A big white box. Inside is a big vinyl black box and booklet. Inside the box is your pen and a bottle of ink. I got mystery black by default.

 

As for paper, go to a stationary store and get something thick. Don't expect standard lined paper to be your friend. The majority of writing I do is in a Black & Red journal that I use for work. It's great and all of my fountain pens write flawlessly without feathering or bleeding.

[anandcp]

Thank you all for the assistance. Buying it today and will post pics as proud owner.

[da vinci]

  On 7/10/2016 at 11:47 AM, anandcp said:

Thank you all for the assistance. Buying it today and will post pics as proud owner.

An exciting day!

 

Looking forward to pictures and your comments on first impressions.

[antipaladin]

Ah...a few days too late. Don't take up the offer from the salesperson to do a "complimentary" first fill on the pen. Prevents a return.

[jar]

  On 7/13/2016 at 1:15 PM, antipaladin said:

Ah...a few days too late. Don't take up the offer from the salesperson to do a "complimentary" first fill on the pen. Prevents a return.

Not true in my personal experience and certainly worth asking about.

[antipaladin]

  On 7/13/2016 at 1:28 PM, jar said:

Not true in my personal experience and certainly worth asking about.

Certainly could have been the specific store (Atlanta, Lenox Mall MB Boutique). The "non-return/non-exchange if it was inked" policy was on my receipt and not on any official MB paperwork.

[jar]

  On 7/13/2016 at 1:34 PM, antipaladin said:

Certainly could have been the specific store (Atlanta, Lenox Mall MB Boutique). The "non-return/non-exchange if it was inked" policy was on my receipt and not on any official MB paperwork.

Certainly possible but I'd ask about that. After all the pen has already been inked at least once before it even left the factory.

 

Now I did invoke the "I already licked it and so no take back policy" once when I bought a Boheme on sale at about half price and instead received one of the Rouge et Noir pens from before the Boheme that were all supposed to be recalled. And it has a BB nib too.

 

http://www.fototime.com/2E09369228DD4F5/large.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/CBD37374B4300AB/large.jpg

[meiers]

Nice!

[Nathanb]

  On 7/13/2016 at 1:15 PM, antipaladin said:

Ah...a few days too late. Don't take up the offer from the salesperson to do a "complimentary" first fill on the pen. Prevents a return.

 

My local boutique allowed me to dip 3 x new 149's the other week, even after testing out the nibs via their 146 demo's - so perhaps it's managers discretion?

[meiers]

I think so.

[anandcp]

Bought it !

 

@antipaladin

Thanks for the advice. Refused ink fill. Did it at home and tested it.

The store manager handled the sale and confirmed with me before stamping the warranty card. It seems if they don't stamp the warranty card, they can do an exchange in case i change my mind.

All:

Thank you VERY much for your advice and suggestions.

It indeed is a massive pen. And the writing is so smooth.

I have attached the photos of the box, the pen and the store bag. First time i opened the box and before i filled ink.

 

 

[Lemajada]

Congratulations. welcome to the club.

[Wolverine1]

And soon you will start looking around for a second 149 !!!!:) That is how I now have 7 MB 149 pens!!!!:)

[SL_BRABUS]

Congratulations......

[Zdenek]

What to expect? Happiness or disappointment. I wish you the first one.