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

[zaddick]

BBB is not a standard exchange option for #9 nib pens. It is available as a bespoke offering in that width. OBBB is a standard offering though. BBB was last a standard #9 nib offering in the early to mid 1970s. There are no tester pens for the O3B nibs but a boutique may have one to try (thought I would consider that lucky).

Edited November 10, 2018 by zaddick

[1nkulus]

BBB is not a standard exchange option for #9 nib pens. It is available as a bespoke offering in that width. OBBB is a standard offering though. BBB was last a standard #9 nib offering in the early to mid 1970s. There are no tester pens for the O3B nibs but a boutique may have one to try (thought I would consider that lucky).

 

I was unaware, thank you.

 

It is annoying that OBBB is standard and BBB bespoke. What is the logic, or is it just 'because we can'?

I had suspected that there would be no option to try O3B and 3B.

[zaddick]

I can give you no discernable reason. I suspect they found O3B was more popular and reserved it on the flagship pen for special requests. They may seem a dime a dozen around these parts of FPN but they are pretty uncommon in the larger world. I think previously it was considered the signature nib for important people to sign important documents. I find it delightful for to do lists and drafting memos.

[1nkulus]

I can give you no discernable reason. I suspect they found O3B was more popular and reserved it on the flagship pen for special requests. They may seem a dime a dozen around these parts of FPN but they are pretty uncommon in the larger world. I think previously it was considered the signature nib for important people to sign important documents. I find it delightful for to do lists and drafting memos.

 

Surprising, that O3B turned out to be more popular than 3B. I would have gone 70:30 in favor of 3B.

 

Memos, to do lists and signatures are the uses for my OBB nib too.

The jump to O3B could be a while although they definitely seem like 'dime a dozen' on FPN.

[Tom Kellie]

65th Birthday Surprise Hot Pot Dinner

[Tom Kellie]

~ zaddick and 1nkulus:

 

Were it only possible to convince Montblanc boutiques and sellers of older Montblanc fountain pens that OBBB nibs ought to be valued at “a dime a dozen”!

The five OBBB on my writing desk are all priceless, as they each write with ease and panache.

Tom ‘dime a dozen’ K.

[Tom Kellie]

Wow, this is quite a thread!

I've been reading through it since yesterday evening (currently at page 36) and I am in awe from all these beatiful pens, handwriting samples and pugs.

I really love all the pictures in here and I am really looking forward to adding a few pictures of my own sometime next week (once the Meisterstück 149 I bought on ebay arrives) - even though it's just a fine nib.

Because of you guys and girls, I'm already tempted to buy more inks (ordered irish green and corn poppy red yesterday), and I'm really looking forward to trying all of those different nibs at some point (the OBBBs are really impressive, but I think an OB might be more fit for me - I'll have to wait and see though).

 

As a newcomer, it's all very much to take in. Maybe one of you knows a place where I might be able to try some of the more unique nibs here in Germany? - apart from going Montblanc Bespoke - as a student, that's waaaayyyyy out of my price range...

 

[Zdenek]

 

I was unaware, thank you.

 

It is annoying that OBBB is standard and BBB bespoke. What is the logic, or is it just 'because we can'?

I had suspected that there would be no option to try O3B and 3B.

 

 

I think BBB nib would not be very practical for normal writing. The vertical strokes would be too broad.

[NotAWiz4rd]

 

 

Aaaand I might have just gotten hooked on pen photography

[Tom Kellie]

[1nkulus]

Tom ‘dime a dozen’ K.

 

[AndyLogan]

 

 

Aaaand I might have just gotten hooked on pen photography

 

Wow you're using a W.E. Poe, I was having a look at this pen on ebay but could not find a much BROADER nib thanks to the enablers ( Will not mention names as they're pretty much everywhere). I still have a couple of M nibs but am finding them a bit boring.

[Tom Kellie]

 

 

Aaaand I might have just gotten hooked on pen photography

 

[Ghost Plane]

I think BBB nib would not be very practical for normal writing. The vertical strokes would be too broad.

Au contraire! I used a 3B as a daily writer until I foolishly sold it to scrape together down payment for my current house.

[NotAWiz4rd]

[NotAWiz4rd]

@Ghost Plane

I'd think it also depends on the size you are writing in (please correct me if I'm wrong). For taking notes at university (daily) I write on checkered paper, so I tend to write quite small (using one line of checkering as one line to write in). Even when writing with an M nib, I sometimes find it too big.

[Shannon]

 

My first new MB! A beautiful geometric cut Doue.

 

Inked with Swan Illusion. It seems a bit dry -- some skipping on the down strokes on several different types/brands of paper. Maybe it just needs a flush? Suggestions?

[meiers]

My Heritage 1912 behaved like yours for a couple of weeks and then turned into a rock star. My approach was to refill it very day with MB midnight blue and write.

Edited November 12, 2018 by meiers

[amberleadavis]

Happy Birthday Tom and Not4Wizard and congrats Shannon!

[Mags]

I'm super sad that at the time I saw it on ebay, I couldn't afford the unicorn vintage MB 146 OBBB. siiiiiiiiiigh. So a few months later I consoled myself with what I think was a pretty good deal - a mint burgundy MB 146 still stickered, with a BB nib that I won for a mere $410 USD.

 

As soon as it shows up, I promise to take lots of pictures!

 

I wish more MB 146s came with OBBB nibs. I really want to try one, but a 149 is just to big for me to comfortably use.

 

Did you have a moment to post pictures anywhere? I am not on FPN as often as in the past but would like to see the 146 and curious if it was a wet writing BB nib