Montblanc Ef Nibs, "scratchy" Writing, And How To Help Despite Nib Variability

[veri]

Have used recent model F and EF nibs on various recent Montblanc models, most recently a Starwalker in both F and EF, a 149 in EF, and an "M" in F.

 

Here's my basic problem.

 

On halfway decent paper:

1. F nib is just fine, if perhaps just a bit big in line width for me.

2. EF nib is scratchy and a bit dry for my liking with Montblanc inks tried, although size and less ink volume / lack of feathering is nice. A Uni-Ball Vision Elite rollerball feels smoother. This has persisted across two EF nibs now on different models.

 

On more usual copy paper used at work, where I chiefly use these pens:

1. F nib writes like a marker, far too big for my small handwriting.

2. EF nib, more to my liking.

 

Is there a way I can have my cake and eat it too, so to speak? All my FPN research is muddling together in my head right now, so I'm not crystal clear on how to possibly improve the scratchy feeling on better, less absorbent paper while not having to go back to F nibs and have the latter problem.

 

Have just refilled a Starwalker with Montblanc Midnight Blue cartridges and have left inverted overnight to try this "nib soaking" thing which strikes me as perhaps a bit of voodoo, although the pen was recently flushed, so we'll see tomorrow, I suppose.

[siamackz]

Few things to consider:

1. EF nibs are 'scratchier' than thicker nibs, in general

2. Check the tines with 30x or more magnification. See Richard binder's article on how to view a nib through loop correctly. Almost all the EF nibs I have had that were scratchy were because the tines were misaligned. Since the tip is tiny, it's harder to align it perfectly and small misalignements an make it scratchy

3. After alignment if it is still dry, then check the slit between the tines. Can a brass shim pass through with some resistance (not too much). If it's too much resistance then it's too tight and not allowing ink to flow easily. You can find videos to help with opening the tines up carefully.

If after alignment it's still scratchy, then use some 12000 grit micromesh to polish the nib. Lots of videos and articles.

 

All the best

[Tom Kellie]

~ veri:

 

Your detailed post especially interested me, as I currently use EF nibs on a 149, two Classiques and on a Mozart. I've also owned three other 149 EFs which were subsequently changed to much broader nibs.

Thank you for the clarity of your description, contrasting two different grades of paper. That helps me visualize what you've experienced.

In my experience, one of the former 149 EF nibs was noticeably scratchy. No matter the paper grade, it scratched. Perhaps that why it metamorphosed into a BB nib.

As siamackz helpfully commented, there was a tine alignment issue with the scratchy EF nib.

All of the other Montblanc EF nibs I've used have been smooth writers. The four EF nibs I've retained are each a pleasure to use, smoothly writing on all grades of paper apart from very rough weave handmade art paper.

Montblanc EF nibs lay down a reliable line on manuscripts, textbooks, journals and provide accent lines in pen and ink sketches.

I hope that you'll find a means of achieving full satisfaction with your EF nib as I experience with mine.

Tom K.

[ReadyFireAim]

Do as siamackz suggested and then consider switching to another ink.

 

You could try a drop of glycerin per ounce of ink to improve slipperiness.

(more than that may increase drying time)

[Chrissy]

I think EF nibs are bound to feel more scratchy than fatter nibs. It's the nature of the beast. You're writing on a much smaller and sharper point.

 

On cheap copy paper, most ink is going to spread more, so the lines will look fatter.

 

Some of my Montblanc F nibs feel a bit more like M nibs on cheap paper, but I still prefer them to the one EF that I tried.

[Tom Kellie]

~ veri:

 

The Montblanc inks I've used in EF nibs have all been fine.

There is a subjective feeling that the standard inks, as opposed to limited editions, have very slightly outperformed others.

As I often use the various EF nibs to write notes in margins or between lines on double-spaced manuscripts, I use Corn Poppy Red.

Both Corn Poppy Red and Burgundy Red have never given me any trouble in EF nibs on any paper grade.

Tom K.

[veri]

Thank you, Tom and others, for your thoughts. I know I can only expect so much smoothness from an EF but, hey, with pens like this, I'm being picky.

 

Will pick up a loupe and see. For the brass shim bit mentioned here and seen on FPN, what thickness shims are people using to check?

[siamackz]

.002 mm

 

And remember to be super careful. The brass can scratch your nib, so you want to be precise and enter through the vent hole and then drag down through to the tip.

Edited July 30, 2017 by siamackz

[meiers]

I own two EF Meisterstück fountain pens: a 146 and a 149. The 146 was awfully scratchy when it came to me. Thus I sent it to the service centre for a nib tuning. Two weeks later it returned as a wet and very smooth writer. The 149 EF has been perfect from day one. It is as smooth as my 149 B.

Edited July 30, 2017 by meiers

[meiers]

Thank you, Tom and others, for your thoughts. I know I can only expect so much smoothness from an EF but, hey, with pens like this, I'm being picky.

 

Will pick up a loupe and see. For the brass shim bit mentioned here and seen on FPN, what thickness shims are people using to check?

I don't do that sort of thing any more....

I already have two fountain pen nibs on my conscience.

Edited July 30, 2017 by meiers

[siamackz]

Just got my first MB 146 today, it's a 1970s monotone nib. Beautiful body, near mint, I got pretty lucky!

 

The nib is an F, and its (a) scratchy, and ( dry. Sounds similar to your issue. The tines on mine are perfectly aligned. Brass shim passes through with some resistance. I'm using iroshizuku ink, so it's wet. This leaves me with only polishing as an option. Will hit the 12,000 grit, but a little at a time over the coming few days. I'll polish a little and if it gets better, I'll stop, use it for the next day, then polish a little more the next night, use it the next day, and so on till I feel like it's perfect. This way I don't go too far with polishing and really get to know the pen before doing too much work on it.

 

I'll keep you posted on how it works out!

[siamackz]

I'm happy to report that the nib is now writing wet and wonderful!

 

See below the before and after. In the before, you will notice how light the lines are and there is a little skipping too. In the after, the line is dark, wet, and no skipping even when i do fast figure 8s. The flow is wet and perfect now! I will carefully polish the nib over the coming days, a little each day at a time, to bring it to the right level of smoothness.

 

In order to increase the flow, I had to force the tines open a little more. You can see videos and articles of this online. Its no rocket science

 

[veri]

Glad it worked out for you -- thanks for sharing!

[siamackz]

Glad it worked out for you -- thanks for sharing!

What is the status with your's?

[veri]

Actually haven't done much other than some ink switching so far. Still MB products and some time. Interestingly, with a few days of use, seems to be a bit more up my alley. Unclear to me what changed so much with mild to moderate use in a short timeframe, but probably won't make any changes for now unless I notice something under loupe that maybe needs to go back to MB.

[Bluey]

Another option would be to buy a Pilot PO nib. They do EFs much much better and would given you the fineness and smoothness you want. It looks like you're jumping through hoops

Edited August 4, 2017 by Bluey

[Dorf]

I recently bought a 149 with F nib. It was too scratchy and dry for my taste, so they changed to an M nib. Unfortunately they made it too wet, so I had to send it back for ink-adjustment. The nib looked filthy and full of ink, after writing. I hope they can fix it now..

[awl1688]

The EF nib on my Ultra Black 146 has been absolutely wonderful. It's super smooth and fits my writing style.

 

I also have a 149 with a F nib. I enjoy it but prefer the Ultra Black. I may actually look at doing a nib swap in the future.