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

[Tom Kellie]

Montblanc Monotone Yellow Gold 149 Bespoke Small Signature Nib

~ In the afternoon of the day after Zuji’s health began to fail, a student delivered a package to me. I knew that it was from Montblanc China, although their name didn’t appear, in order to deter pilferage.

As Zuji’s condition required round-the-clock palliative care I did very little Internet or e-mail communication. The package sat in an out-of-the-way location, awaiting a less stressful time to be opened.

After Zuji passed away late this afternoon, I returned home in a deeply unsettled condition. He’d been such a robust, active puppy that his precipitous decline was a shock for which I was ill-prepared.

Sitting in tearful silence at 5 pm, with fading daylight, it seemed like the right time to open the Montblanc China package to see what had arrived from Hamburg by way of Beijing.

***********************************************************************************

In late October, 2017, more than five months ago, I made the decision to order a second Bespoke nib from Axel Nier and his talented Bespoke Nib Team in Montblanc’s Hamburg, Germany offices.

My original Bespoke nib was an EEF which was and remains a wonder, writing with verve on a wide variety of paper grades, yet without any hint of scratchiness.

Accordingly, after Axel gave his enthusiastic approval to my tentative Bespoke request, in early November I shipped a yellow gold 149 to Montblanc China in Beijing, to be shipped to Hamburg.

The pen I selected was a BB nib. I’d considered several 149s, concluding that the yellow gold BB was the least frequently used, unlike the regularly used 90th Anniversary 149 BB.

The pen was in excellent condition until two days before it was shipped. Cleaning it in the kitchen sink, I dropped it, which sprung the nib tines. They wrote, but were unsightly.

As the pen was destined for an entirely new nib, I gave little thought to the damage, which had no relation whatsoever to my choice of the pen for a Bespoke nib.

After the pen reached Beijing, there was a multi-month delay, preventing the pen from being shipped to Hamburg, despite Axel Nier expressing his Team’s eagerness to begin work on my request.

Suffice it to say that Montblanc China balked at my Bespoke request, as it was unique and thus entirely outside of their experience. They were highly reluctant to possibly incur blame for what they regarded as being a quixotic request.

In early 2018 Axel intervened, requesting the pen and indicating that my request was to be accepted. However, due to the months of delay, I’d already arranged for another pen to be sent to Hamburg for my original Bespoke request.

That other pen was handled through the Tysons Galleria Montblanc boutique in McLean, Virginia. The highly competent manager there readily agreed to my Bespoke request, all of which is another story to be told in the future.

Therefore when Montblanc China finally agreed to send the yellow gold 149, my original Bespoke request was already being handled in the United States, yet the yellow gold 149 BB was sitting in Beijing.

After considering the alternatives, I decided to order what amounted to a third Bespoke nib, feeling that the craftsmanship in Hamburg was such that any Bespoke creation was a rare treasure.

Accordingly, after extensive consultation with Axel, I requested a Bespoke Small Signature, with a monotone yellow gold nib. I further requested optimized ink flow for fast writing, yet not such that it would be a wet writer.

The first Bespoke nib was a “Leopard pen”, therefore it seemed fitting that the Small Signature would be a “Lion pen”. I requested “Lion” to be engraved on the left side of the nib, towards the writer.

On the right side of the nib I requested “Panthera leo”, the binomial nomenclature for lions. I asked Axel to use his discretion as to the engraving style, feeling that his taste would be best.

Axel has met me several times, has had dinner with me, and has a clear understanding of my writing style, which varies from slow block lettering to rapid and extended cursive writing.

During the two months that the pen was in Hamburg he kept me up-to-date on the progress being made, tweaking the pen’s characteristics after asking me for additional details about my writing style.

After it was completed, he sent several high quality images, which I greatly appreciated. The photos showed the superb craftsmanship of the monotone yellow gold Small Signature nib.

This evening I’ve used the pen several times — an initial note in Montblanc Royal Blue, followed by several notes in Montblanc Swan Illusion, thanking FPN friends for their kind words about the untimely loss of Zuji.

Without question, the Bespoke Small Signature is the finest writing pen that I’ve ever used. It’s far beyond smooth, with an ease of writing that I’d never imagined being possible.

After writing with it tonight, I feel that it would have been ideal to have ordered several Bespoke Small Signature nibs in the past, as it’s exactly what I would want in a daily writer, lacking nothing.

In fact, I like it so much, I may eventually order another one. The nib has optimal ink flow, no matter how fast I write. For one who writes pages and pages at a fast rate, it’s a dream nib.

The twin slits in the nib keep ink flowing at a steady rate without any skipping. Nevertheless, Axel’s Team were exquisitely sensitive to my request that it not be a wet writer. They found the balance, for which I’m grateful.

Once again Montblanc has graced my life with one of their superlative creations. This reinforces my commitment to Bespoke nibs as a fine option for acquiring premium personalized writing tools.

As it is, this nib joins the Bespoke EEF on my writing desk as cherished fountain pens. It bears noting that the other Bespoke nib from McLean, Virginia is now undergoing Customs clearance in southern China.

Tom K.

Package from Montblanc China

Inner Wrapping

Montblanc China Transmittal

Yellow Gold 149

Bespoke Nib Unveiled

Panthera leo

Lion

Monotone Gold

Montblanc Monotone Yellow Gold 149 Bespoke Small Signature Nib

Edited April 13, 2018 by Tom Kellie

[Cyrille81]

 

I hope your package from MB received will help you to comfort you. The nib is splendid.

[A1979]

Dear Tom, I am deeply touched by Zuji's passing and your loss. Having experienced this myself, I know how difficult it is - please accept my sincere condolences. St. Augustine is often quoted as having said that “The dead are invisible beings, they are not absent”. Zuji will always accompany you and help you to “overcome” his loss.

[Tom Kellie]

[Toll]

Tom, so pleased to read your accolades for the Tyson’s Galleria Boutique. The manager and the staff are true gems in customer care. I have bought nearly all of my MB pens through their capable hands. I will extend your greetings when I go to pick up my blue resin 146 in a week or so.

[Tom Kellie]

  On 4/13/2018 at 9:26 PM, A1979 said:

Dear Tom, I am deeply touched by Zuji's passing and your loss. Having experienced this myself, I know how difficult it is - please accept my sincere condolences. St. Augustine is often quoted as having said that “The dead are invisible beings, they are not absent”. Zuji will always accompany you and help you to “overcome” his loss.

 

[benbot517]

Tom, I feel devastated to hear of Zuji's passing. It was always such a delight seeing pictures of him here. I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a dog sucks in a way that is just so hard to describe.

[Tom Kellie]

  On 4/13/2018 at 9:46 PM, Toll said:

Tom, so pleased to read your accolades for the Tyson’s Galleria Boutique. The manager and the staff are true gems in customer care. I have bought nearly all of my MB pens through their capable hands. I will extend your greetings when I go to pick up my blue resin 146 in a week or so.

 

~ Toll:

 

My former student and trusted friend, Dr. HUANG Xin, is a biochemical researcher with the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

After earning a doctorate from Georgetown University he's had a particularly productive research career.

He told me several times how impressed he was by the product knowledge, professionalism, and superb customer service of Mr. Robert Marciniszyn.

Mr. Marciniszyn is both the Tysons Galleria Montblanc boutique manager and Montblanc's District Manager.

Dr. HUANG told me that he'd strongly recommend the McLean Virginia boutique at Tysons Galleria for anyone interested in ordering a Bespoke nib.

Mr. Marciniszyn and his superb staff offer exemplary customer care as well as up-to-date product knowledge.

I'm so pleased that your bleu resin Le Petit Prince 146 will be handled there.

When you're there, please pass along my gratitude for their can-do attitude and assistance in arranging for the third Bespoke nib, which will be presented in due time, after it reaches me.

If I someday order a fourth Bespoke nib, it will certainly be through Mr. Marciciszyn and the Tysons Galleria Montblanc boutique.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

  On 4/13/2018 at 10:04 PM, benbot517 said:

Tom, I feel devastated to hear of Zuji's passing. It was always such a delight seeing pictures of him here. I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a dog sucks in a way that is just so hard to describe.

 

 

[Ghost Plane]

I have mixed feelings. I’m thrilled with your new nib. But I wanted our puppy there to celebrate with you.

[Autococker07]

Mr Kellie,

 

I hate to have to write a post offering condolences so early in my time here on FPN. I have only been here a minuscule amount of time, yet unfortunately know how the loss of a furry friend is so tragic. I am so sorry that Zuji's time has come prematurely, but it sounds as though he had a wonderful life and great pet human. I wish I could wax eloquently to somehow help your pain, but no words can help the loss. I hope that the flood of wonderful memories envelope you in these rough times.

 

Jim

[CS388]

Ah, Tom, what can be said on such an occasion?

 

I'm sure we all felt as if we knew Zuji, from your photographs and descriptive posts. To be so suddenly and unexpectedly snatched away must be unbearable. I am so sorry for your loss.

 

It feels strange to combine congratulations and condolences in a post, so I'll comment on your amazing nib, later.

 

All strength to you.

[nishantdr83]

  On 4/14/2018 at 12:14 AM, Ghost Plane said:

I have mixed feelings. Im thrilled with your new nib. But I wanted our puppy there to celebrate with you.

This ... +1

[Pravda]

Tom,

 

I am so sorry for your loss, please accept my sincere condolences. Reading about Zuji this morning was heart wrenching as through his many appearances on FPN hes become something like a friend to all of us. Your vivid account of what had happened made me feel like I was witnessing the ordeal youve just gone through, and I am sorry its been so painful. He was truly a wonderful creature.

[Amit.]

Good morning Tom ,

Just saw the update and just wished if one could rewind the clock. Its a loss for the entire forum and all i can say that maybe god wanted Zuji by his side from now on.

I am sure he will have a very happy life there.

We are all here with you in these difficult times and i just wish that you get over this loss soon.

Pardon me for infringing your privacy but we wish to see a baby Zuji with you again.

Regards,

Amit

Edited April 14, 2018 by amitoberai

[Pravda]

After uploading my previous response, the part of the thread that contains the advent of your new nib appeared.

 

Congratulations for a much anticipated and spectacular addition to your collection. It looks amazing.

 

I am very happy that you are pleased with it as I believe alongside your many discussions with Axel, I believe that I originally helped inspire and describe the monotone Signature small? glad it worked out for you as you had hoped and in a way it couldnt have arrived in a better timing.

[max dog]

Tom

 

I am so deeply sorry for your loss, and I don't know what to say other than that myself and many of your friends here in FPN are thinking of you and Zuji. I lost Max suddenly a year ago and miss him very much and feel your pain. Zuji was such a beautiful puppy that brought out a lot of affection and touched many of us here as you shared pictures of him in his short life over the past several months. All I can say is our beloved pets enrich our lives in the relatively short time they are with us and leave us a life time of fond memories.

[Zdenek]

I'm very sorry you lost your beloved dog friend and companion, Tom.

As to the Le Petit Prince; it is downloaded from the net. Thank you for your kind words.

Last but not least, my big congrats to the new pen equipped with such a great nib. Use it with joy in the best health.

Edited April 14, 2018 by Zdenek

[DWR]

Tom,

I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for giving us the details of these past few days, and thank you for your wonderful contributions to this community.

 

Blessings...

D

[Tom Kellie]