My Bespoke Adventure, Or How To Write With A Spade

[gerigo]

Everyone, thanks for all the wonderful responses.

 

Pravda, now that I have gone through this experience, I would recommend getting a nib that would really leverage the expertise of Montblanc exactly where the sweet spot it. They offer quite a few more unique nibs that are not part of their nib exchange. Such as an ultra fine, a flexible nib, a signature nib that looks very similar to my nib, and also nibs for non English calligraphy. In all honesty, the Japanese such as Sailor own the super and ultra fine category so don't really bother with those. I also would not bother with the flex nib because it's really more of a bouncy nib than a flex. The only ones I will whole heartedly recommend are the super extra wide calligraphy and signature nibs. Those are unique to Montblanc and you really can't get it from any one else.

 

Dcharles, I personally have not seen a Montblanc music nib so I don't know how different or similar it is. I have many other music nibs including those by the big 3 Japanese pen makers, the Franklin Christoph and even an old Waterman music nib. Japanese music nibs are pretty much stub nibs, the FC nib is really a 1.9 calligraphy nib, and the old Waterman a flexy italic nib. This is a very stiff nib designed for calligraphy. The way Axel described it was that this nib is designed to deliver ink consistently across the entire width of the nib with clean edges. He told me that was not an easy design brief to deliver to.

 

Here is a picture of it compared to other wide nibs I own. The Pilot Parallel 2.4 and the Franklin Christoph 1.9 Music. There is also small cursive at the bottom of the page. That was written with the corner of the nib.

 

It truly is a privilege to own this grail pen/ nib, and I am happy to be able to share the experience with you all.

[amberleadavis]

Oh, that's a nice comparison.

[Tom Kellie]

~ gerigo:

 

You're many rays of sunshine breaking through on an overcast, rainy morning.

Such beauty! The strokes you've shown from your pens are magnificent.

Thank you for the clarity with which you've explained your experience and pens.

Also, thank you for such a colorful image above. The comparison is definitive.

Your bespoke experience is ‘the very stuff of dreams’.

With Happiness and Appreciation,

Tom K.

[Cryptos]

Nobody has asked so I guess I shall have to. How much does this cost?

[thygreyt]

I think it was about 1k on top of the pen, iirc.

[Soot]

I thought it was around US$ 2,500...

[otw]

WOW! This is a very cool story and amazing nib. It's a good thing you had your calligraphy notebook with you when you went to the mall!

[thygreyt]

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/214967-bespoke-mb-nibs/?hl=%2Bbespoke+%2Bnibs

[gerigo]

It's definitely more than 800 at this point in time. I believe with both the pens, which was a platinum 149 and an ultra black 146 plus the 2 nibs, we are talking close to 4.5k USD give or take 500. They made some errors in the calculation, and overcharged me, and I got an M out of the price I paid as well.

 

Also please keep in mind prices in China are about 10-20% higher. I sort of decided not to think too much about since this was going to be a once in a lifetime experience. It's definitely not cheap but considering the uniqueness, I'd do it again in a heart beat. I might consider doing a narrower width nib, maybe 1.8 or 2.0 to go with my 90th skeleton.

Edited March 12, 2017 by gerigo

[jmccarty3]

Your calligraphy nib is magnificent. Wish I had the talent to use such a thing!

[Tom Kellie]

Your calligraphy nib is magnificent. Wish I had the talent to use such a thing!

 

 

+1

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

Also please keep in mind prices in China are about 10-20% higher. I sort of decided not to think too much about since this was going to be a once in a lifetime experience. It's definitely not cheap but considering the uniqueness, I'd do it again in a heart beat. I might consider doing a narrower width nib, maybe 1.8 or 2.0 to go with my 90th skeleton.

 

~ gerigo:

 

Everything you've expressed is identical to my own experience and thoughts about Montblanc's Bespoke process.

You're doing a great service by patiently explaining all of this.

Thank you!

Tom K.

[Ghost Plane]

The thought of a 2.0 in a Skeleton... *swoons*

[Astronymus]

Beautiful nib and a beautiful way to use it.

[888007888]

 

 

 

+1

Tom K.

+2

[meiers]

Thank you for the writing sample. It made my day.

[awl1688]

Wow!

 

I wish my writing was good enough to deserve a bespoke nib as yours. Congrats on finally getting your pens and sharing such a wonderful story.

[Havana_Club]

Lovely piece of art, that one!

[BlueJ]

I'm pleased to see this, because it shows that Montblanc, or at least some part of the company, is still serious about handwriting and not just about personal or desk ornaments, "lifestyle accessories" and so on.

 

It is especially great that they test the customer to see that he or she can actually use the instrument as intended before they agree to the sale!

[fpupulin]

gerigo: this is probably the most outstanding nib I have ever seen! And your calligraphic skills well deserve it. It is fantastic to think that such a gorgeous nib has found such an extraordinary hand to work with. Great, great, great!