Eye On The Obb Prize

[Uncial]

Right around Christmas I had a chance to play with a double broad. It made me very happy. This may not seem a strange thing to anyone else versed in the delights of the BB world, but I tend to write with fine's and extra fine's so it was a pleasant surprise to me that I liked it for extended periods. I'd tried them before in stores and enjoyed them, but I'd never written anything more than a line. I like the stubbish quality and the wetness.

 

Now it's not that there will be a Montblanc purchase in my immediate future, but I am wondering if I should give the OBB consideration for the future. I've never tried one so I'm looking for your advice. I've been told they are slightly more stubbish than the BB. I write my words at an angle to the right and (probably a little weirdly) use a combination of both finger writing and arm writing. I've tended to write slightly small, but I can write larger without discomfort.

[Tom Kellie]

~ Uncial:

 

It may be premature to say: “Welcome to the Broad Side”, but your words bring a smile.

Yours truly used EFs for years, and even now has a marked taste for EEF.

Yet BB and OBB have charmed me to the point where I've been using several.

OBBs would fit what you've described about your own writing style.

Like you, I've had small, even cramped, handwriting, yet adjustment to both BB and OBB was natural and immediate.

Friends who opted for OBB later noted that BB worked best for them, after all.

Why? Because they liked what was described as being the “un-angled” feel.

For yours truly, I like both. Perhaps OBB a wee bit more, as they've given pleasant line variation when I didn't expect that.

In any case, it will be great if you eventually settle on one or the other, as such broader nibs are fun!

Tom K.

[zaddick]

From my experience the only difference in 146 and 149 OBB vs. BB is the way my cursive looks. With a BB the thick strokes are on the North/South direction and thin are Wedt/East. For an OBB, the thick strokes are North West/South East and thin are South West/North East. I like th as the look a little better.

 

Otherwise there are no special skills needed and the large amount of tipping will promote a smooth experience as long as you let the nib find the paper and write with both tines making proper contact.

 

Also, to those who worry about writing small I say write bigger. Paper is cheap and FPs are a luxury item. You can use a free ball point to fill out little form tick boxes if needed. Sometimes giving yourself permission to do things differently can bring its own joy.

 

If you get a 149, just go ahead and get the OBBB and get it over with.

[Ghost Plane]

They’re just stubs pointing in different directions as Zaddick says. Enjoy!

[Uncial]

Thank you.....you enablers you.

[jconn]

Thank you.....you enablers you.

Grant me the serenity

to accept the broad nibs I do not have;

courage to buy the oblique nibs I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

[littlepen]

I have only last week joined the OBB club opting to send a 149 for a nib exchange . ( the 149 was a 2nd hand cheap auction find) For me I liked the line variation the OBB gave over the BB . The added bonus of the 2nd hand option for me at least was not only did Montblanc effectively give me a new pen for a £250 level 3 service but they returned the old nib .

[Ghost Plane]

Grant me the serenity[/size]

to accept the broad nibs I do not have; [/size]

courage to buy the oblique nibs I can; [/size]

and wisdom to know the difference.[/size]

I just snorted coffee the wrong way! That is brilliant! I might have to borrow it for my screensaver.

[pugsmanias2]

When I saw an OBB 146, used, I jumped on It! I have an F and B 149 and M 144. I like how the nib glides across paper lubricated with ink. Somehow my letters form much better than with the F or M. I love the "B"s!

[Lam1]

... Sometimes giving yourself permission to do things differently can bring its own joy.

...

 

Hard to put it better than this! For everything, not just FPs.

 

As for the OBB, I agree with everybody else. They are wonderful and you'll not regret it.

In fact, hear Zaddick's advice, go with the 149 OBBB and be forever spoiled .

The only risk is that you may not want to use your F's and EF's anymore.

[Tom Kellie]

As for the OBB, I agree with everybody else. They are wonderful and you'll not regret it.

In fact, hear Zaddick's advice, go with the 149 OBBB and be forever spoiled .

The only risk is that you may not want to use your F's and EF's anymore.

 

~ Lam1:

 

Yours truly uses three 149 OBBBs as daily writers.

A Montblanc 32 OBBB arrived this week.

However, the three EFs and three EEFs on my desk also see regular use.

One may simultaneously enjoy both the narrowest and the broadest nibs.

I do indeed feel spoiled with three 149 OBBBs!

Tom K.