Enjoying Montblanc Pens — Broad, Oblique, Extra Fine, Le & Bespoke

[tinta]

My Flügelfeder BB feels like it was customized by one of my fave nibsters to a smooth yet responsive stub, but no,... it's a factory virgin. Just a tad of feedback & surprising line-width-variation.

[Ghost Plane]

Yum!

[tinta]

Yest thanks,...yumm!

[Tom Kellie]

~ After receiving a Bespoke EEF nib from Montblanc's Hamburg, Germany workshop,

it's become an exceptionally useful fountain pen. During the past two and a half years

it's written smoothly, never skipping or scratching, producing unusually slender strokes.

Engraved on the right side of the nib is ‘Panthera pardus’, the binomial nomenclature for

‘Leopard’, which is engraved on the left side, visible when writing. It's become my

‘Leopard Pen’, useful in so many ways. A Bespoke nib is a deeply satisfying tool.

Panthera pardus

Leopard

Bespoke EEF Nib

Edited November 24, 2017 by Tom Kellie

[Blueberry567]

I would like to know what produces the finest line of the following three: Sailor's saibi togi, M. Masuyama needle point or Tom K's xxf?

[Tom Kellie]

I would like to know what produces the finest line of the following three: Sailor's saibi togi, M. Masuyama needle point or Tom K's xxf?

 

 

~ Blueberry567:

 

That's a tough question, which needs to be asked.

Based on scrutiny of Internet images, I'd guess that Mr. Masuyama's needle points are finest, followed by the Bespoke EEF, then the Sailor saibi togi nib.

Please discount what I've written, as it's no more than conjecture, hence unreliable.

The needle points fade into remarkably fine lines, which the Bespoke EEF doesn't produce.

Yet its’ finest lines on graph paper or in book margins seem to be a bit more slender than comparable images by Sailor saibi togi.

Nevertheless, should others feel differently, they'll be more objective and thus worthy of being heeded.

What sets the Bespoke EEF apart is the solidity of the nib. It never feels scratchy, or prone to bending, but rather has the sensation of a regular Montblanc fountain pen nib.

As the image above shows, the refined point occurs at the very tip, where the metal becomes thin. The remainder of the need feels sturdy under normal writing conditions.

Acquiring the Bespoke EEF was one of the most satisfying fountain pen purchases I've made, as it's exceeded expectations.

Thank you so much for raising this question. I hope that others who are better informed might favor us with more solid comparison information.

Tom K.

Edited November 24, 2017 by Tom Kellie

[Barry Gabay]

Hello Blueberry,

 

Having used 2 of the 3 nibs you asked about, I will attempt to describe my experiences. I do not have specific measurements, so must use a holistic approach in relating the writing experiences.

 

On a red & black ebonite Sailor King of Pen, I have a Masuyama needle point which he ground for the previous owner. Its line is extremely narrow, yet smooth and consistently wet. I always use a cartridge with it, often filled via syringe with something other than Sailor Gentle. Also had Mike Masayama grind a King of Pen silver-trim Pro Gear to an XF. It was very narrow, smooth, & satisfying though I have since sold that pen. I have photos of both nibs, but don't think I have writing samples of the KoP Pro Gear.

 

My friend Brian Anderson of Anderson Pens allowed me to play for a while with his Saibi Togi. Though I am a fan of extra fine and needle point nibs, I found this one almost unusable. I had met my match. Just as there may be a champagne which is too dry (though I have never encountered it), the Saibi Togi was simply too narrow for me. Regardless of how I held it or how gently I touched it to the paper, It was a scratchy razor in my hand. That's my problem though, not the pen's. Clearly, it is a quality product for very discriminating writers.

 

Though not a part of your question, may I add another model to consider? My wife is a decades-long fan of EF nibs. She has had several Platinum fountain pens which were razor fine and wet, smooth writers. She also has an XXF Parker 75 which is a smooth razor.

 

Finally, Tom, thank you for the great photos. Your 90th Bespoken EEF Leopard looks lovely. So glad it is completely satisfying. Would love to test a 149 nib of that grade some day. Enjoy it for many years, sir! It's a beauty.

 

Best wishes,

Barry

[yeepers]

If you were going to buy 2 149s which nibs would you choose? One would have to be an O3B but what about the other?? Already have M and EF. Or if going with just the O3B would you choose Platinum or Rose Gold??

Edited November 25, 2017 by yeepers

[jmccarty3]

 

My friend Brian Anderson of Anderson Pens allowed me to play for a while with his Saibi Togi. Though I am a fan of extra fine and needle point nibs, I found this one almost unusable. I had met my match. Just as there may be a champagne which is too dry (though I have never encountered it), the Saibi Togi was simply too narrow for me. Regardless of how I held it or how gently I touched it to the paper, It was a scratchy razor in my hand. That's my problem though, not the pen's. Clearly, it is a quality product for very discriminating writers.

 

My experience with the Saibi Togi was identical. I ended up selling it. It probably, for Westerners at least, is more a tool for the artist than for the writer.

[jmccarty3]

If you were going to buy 2 149s which nibs would you choose? One would have to be an O3B but what about the other?? Already have M and EF. Or if going with just the O3B would you choose Platinum or Rose Gold??

 

If you have M and EF, I would choose F or B. In my set, there's quite a bit more of a jump between EF and F than between F and B.

 

I chose Platinum for by O3B. It looks stunning, and there's never any doubt which one of my five 149s is the O3B.

[yeepers]

 

If you have M and EF, I would choose F or B. In my set, there's quite a bit more of a jump between EF and F than between F and B.

 

I chose Platinum for by O3B. It looks stunning, and there's never any doubt which one of my five 149s is the O3B.

Thanks!

 

I went with the Platinum O3B as well. The RG was just a bit too close to YG to make it truly distinguishable. Although...with the current Black Friday sales I was able to get the pen for about $600USD shipped and I'm debating whether I should just spring for another one as it seem this price is ridiculously good???? Help....talk me off the ledge.

[jmccarty3]

Thanks!

 

I went with the Platinum O3B as well. The RG was just a bit too close to YG to make it truly distinguishable. Although...with the current Black Friday sales I was able to get the pen for about $600USD shipped and I'm debating whether I should just spring for another one as it seem this price is ridiculously good???? Help....talk me off the ledge.

 

That is an awesome price!

[mulrich]

Thanks!

 

I went with the Platinum O3B as well. The RG was just a bit too close to YG to make it truly distinguishable. Although...with the current Black Friday sales I was able to get the pen for about $600USD shipped and I'm debating whether I should just spring for another one as it seem this price is ridiculously good???? Help....talk me off the ledge.

I probably would have jumped at that price. Ive been looking for a good deal on an O3B and that tops them all.

[Stanman]

Does anyone know if the bespoke nib service still exists. It seems that the posts surrounding this service are from around 2014. When I checked on the MB website, I could find no mention of this. Maybe it was a pilot project that has been discontinued? Would’ve loved to try this.

[mulrich]

Does anyone know if the bespoke nib service still exists. It seems that the posts surrounding this service are from around 2014. When I checked on the MB website, I could find no mention of this. Maybe it was a pilot project that has been discontinued? Wouldve loved to try this.

I looked into it a couple months ago and also couldnt find anything on the site but the consensus seems to be that a few of the larger boutiques still offer the service (as does visiting MB in person).

[Tom Kellie]

Does anyone know if the bespoke nib service still exists. It seems that the posts surrounding this service are from around 2014. When I checked on the MB website, I could find no mention of this. Maybe it was a pilot project that has been discontinued? Would’ve loved to try this.

I looked into it a couple months ago and also couldnt find anything on the site but the consensus seems to be that a few of the larger boutiques still offer the service (as does visiting MB in person).

 

~ Stanman and Mulrich:

 

Thank you for asking about the continued existence of Montblanc's Bespoke Nib Program.

I'm able to definitively confirm that it continues to be offered globally.

A long-time scientific researcher friend in the eastern United States ordered a Bespoke Nib this year.

In recent weeks I've talked by e-mail with Mr. Axel Nier of Montblanc's Hamburg, Germany Nib Manufacture Team concerning certain refinements available for Bespoke nibs.

Montblanc's Bespoke Nib Program isn't generally advertised. The lack of overt emphasis doesn't suggest that it's been dropped, but rather that it's typically suggested to those most likely to be interested.

By happenstance this afternoon I received a holiday greeting from a friend formerly employed by Montblanc China.

He commented that local boutiques tend to shy away from offering Bespoke Nib information as they view it as a cumbersome process with limited payoff for them.

He also noted that its a great program for clients who're interested in a highly personalized writing experience.

My friend in the USA had a similar impression, as the Montblanc boutique staff seemed hesitant and uncertain about the Bespoke nib ordering process.

It requires patience, persistence and commitment to order a Montblanc Bespoke nib. That shouldn't be, as it's an outstanding service, but what's seldom done tends to seem daunting.

By contrast, when Mr. Nier is visiting a boutique as part of the international Montblanc roadshow, ordering a Bespoke Nib is a comfortable process.

He's a charming individual with extensive experience in all aspects of contemporary Montblanc nibs. He's fully committed to crafting Bespoke Nibs to meet customer's individual preferences.

My Bespoke EEF was ordered in December, 2014 and received in February, 2015. At that time, as now, there was no direct mention of Bespoke nibs on the Montblanc Web site.

I'm truly sorry that Montblanc's Bespoke Nib Program comes across as somewhat vague, arcane and uncertain. It deserves to be better known.

Who knows? Perhaps in 2018 it will once again be more widely publicized.

Tom K.

[yeepers]

Someday....I too shall ascend to the realms of those who own a bespoke nib Until then I shall be content to admire all the beauties here!!

[Tom Kellie]

Someday....I too shall ascend to the realms of those who own a bespoke nib Until then I shall be content to admire all the beauties here!!

 

 

~ yeepers:

 

Thank you for the very kind comment about the pens in this thread.

A Bespoke Nib meant more to me after I'd used several other types of nibs and thereby had a clearer sense of what worked best for me...and what did not.

When it someday comes time for your Bespoke nib, I'm sure that it will be a delightful experience.

Tom K.

[Stanman]

You are a wealth of information Tom K! Good to know that it still exists, but will have to do some research then. Worth it I am sure!

[Tom Kellie]

If you have M and EF, I would choose F or B. In my set, there's quite a bit more of a jump between EF and F than between F and B.

 

I chose Platinum for by O3B. It looks stunning, and there's never any doubt which one of my five 149s is the O3B.

I went with the Platinum O3B as well.