The Montblanc 149. Should I Get One?

[sub_bluesy]

Its a classic for sure but Im debating adding one to my collection mostly due to cost. I only have one other Montblanc fountain pen, a Starwalker Midnight extreme. Also have a Starwalker Midnight ballpoint.

 

The ballpoint was my first fine pen. Ill never forget the experience of calling up World Lux (now defunct) and placing the order. I even remember the sunlight coming through the window in the morning as I was calling. The call was very short and easy but the aftermath of I spent THAT much on a pen!? I will never forget. Really, the call was only about 5 minutes max. I even got a great deal honestly! Its funny the things that youll never forget and the reasons why. I mean, I remember all the details of that call. I even got up early to make sure I made the sale in time. It was very significant in my pen collection. Well, it was my first fine pen many many years ago and Im now bumping up against 100 pens. I rarely use either Montblanc these days but neither are really a classic Montblanc design. I have a high regard for the brand despite not really owning a significant Montblanc. I kind of feel like I should add a 149 to get the full effect.

 

In FPNs opinion, is it worth picking up a modern 149 for the noted reasons? Is it really a worthy pen? The 149 I would use for sure. The Starwalker extreme is down because of a scratch in the finale plating. The other I rarely use because ballpoint even though its a great pen. The 149 though, I would rock that pen regularly. For my purposes the size is not a concern. I can get away with using unposted Kaweco Liliputs as well as 100g Jinhao dragon pens in the same day so Im not worried about the size of the pen. Im more or less buying the pen for what it is, I guess, but it still has to be a good writer for short sessions.

[Fermata]

When I was debating buying one, someone said to me buy a $5 Jinhao 159 and give $600 to a charity. After I made the donation that person loaned me his 149 and said keep it as long as you want.

 

I still have that pen but ended up buying my own when someone gave me an $800 Starwalker fineliner, which I took back for a 149 (and jewelry)

 

If the 149 earworm is there then go ahead and buy one if you can afford it.

[praxim]

My basic answer is yes. However, my experience is of few Montblancs and of those over 25 years old, so naturally I will suggest looking for one over 25 years of age. Those 14k nibs may not sound the schizz but they are damn good to use. I read conflicting opinions on the current 18k nibs, mostly positive from those with experience.

[jar]

The 149 is a wonderful pen but fortunately today the world is filled with wonderful pens.

 

You're in NorCal so get thee to one of the pen posses and fondle, fondle, fondle.

[minddance]

Of course not, you shouldn't get just one.YOu should get all of them in different nib widths

[Charles Rice]

If you didn't want one, you would not have written three paragraphs. So get one and be happy. I have a 14K version and love it. It is ALWAYS inked.

[benbot517]

At least for me, the answer is dependent on what nib size you're getting. Ef,f, and m are all very rounded grinds, designed for no line variation. For some people that may be appealing, however for me I feel getting a 149 with one of these is a waste of money. Getting into the wider grinds is where it starts making more sense, at least in my opinion, as Montblanc's broad and up grinds are noticably stubby, something I really like. They also do obliques, and those are some special nibs! I've enjoyed mine greatly over the year I've had it, and I bought it new to get the nib I wanted.

[Ghost Plane]

Use the opportunity to get an interesting nib. Here's some pen porn from my Skeletons for inspiration.

[ParkerDuofold]

Deleted by yours truly in the interest of good taste.

 

 

- A.C.

Edited April 19, 2018 by ParkerDuofold

[Bo Bo Olson]

You have 100 pens...so I don't see why not. I don't have a 149 nor will ever get one, they are too Huge for me; same goes for the 1000.

 

The modern 'post 1970 Large 146 is a nice light, nimble pen for Large. I have a '70-80 one with a regular flex nib.

The more modern ones would have the 'normal' MB 'Springy' nib; nice tine bend but only 2 X tine spread, from a nice light down stroke.

 

I do prefer my medium large '50-60's 146, as having better balance and a nicer nib....a maxi-semi-flex....but that flex is all luck, more than likely it would be a semi-flex.

 

The Writer LE's, give you lots of choice in balance and looks.

I like this my eyes only bling of the nib on the Large Virginia Woolf pen.....the 146 has better balance.

Permission of Pentimes.

[sandy101]

I would suggest you try before you buy if that is possible. Unless you are buying second hand there is no significant price difference between buying online or in a MB boutique.

 

The 146 and 149 are different sizes. The 149 is too big for me, but the 146 is just right for writing all day, every day.

 

The 146 was better balanced for my hand - but your hand will be different.

[mitto]

I agree that the 146 is a better balance for some people. But the 149 is a must for those having a taste of larger pens if in case they can afford it.

[almoore]

I tried one out at a Montblanc Boutique and shouldn't have done, it's an amazing pen and the nib was so smooth. I didn't want to hand it back, sadly the alternative was a lot of money I don't have

 

If this is an itch in the brain you won't be happy until you have one, so make yourself happy and buy one.

 

Al

Edited April 18, 2018 by almoore

[VRI39C]

I have wanted a 149 for as long as I can remember, but I did not want to spend the sticker price for one from the boutique with the chance I may not like it. A couple of years ago at Scriptus Toronto 2016, I was lucky to find a mid 1990 149 with a 14k nib. I grabbed it immediately. I liked it so much I went to the Montblanc Boutique and picked up a brand new one. So now I have 2 and I love them both. My preference is a pen with a bit of girth, so the 149 is perfect for my. I also have a Pelikan M-1000 and a Conid CAISO Kingsize. My advice is to pick one up on eBay or a pen show at a decent price. Take it for a test drive. If you like it all is good in the world, but if it is not the pen for you, then re-sell it. No harm, no foul. Good luck.

[sdbruder]

If you can afford it, go for it.

[Driften]

If you want one, you should get one. I bought mine used as well as my two 146's. I found for me I like my 146's better but it is a good pen. It seems you don't mind the weight so you might find it perfect for you.

[sidthecat]

If you have the patience, seek out a vintage one with a flexible nib. Much more fun.

I saw a guy in Florida try to pull chicks with his...I was tempted to wander over with my Moore cracked-ice ringtop but his game wasn’t about pens.

[katerchen]

I saw a guy in Florida try to pull chicks with his...

 

Wait, what

[Bo Bo Olson]

My basic answer is yes. However, my experience is of few Montblancs and of those over 25 years old, so naturally I will suggest looking for one over 25 years of age. Those 14k nibs may not sound the schizz but they are damn good to use. I read conflicting opinions on the current 18k nibs, mostly positive from those with experience.

 

I like the '50s-70 semi-flex; MB 234 1/2 Deluxe ('52-54 only), rolled gold, 742 (51-55?) and a medium large 146, which has better balance and nib than the Large 70-now 146. I lucked out with

the 146 nib in it's maxi (which I'd been looking for)....but you can not count on that. Maxi was not marked outside of Osmia. In that era, 1 in 5 could be maxi, from my experience.

My '70-80's Large 146 has a regular flex nib....not stubbish at all.

My 2006 Woolf has the modern 'Springy' stubbish, good tine bend but only 2 X tine spread.

 

If you want a stubbish semi-flex nib, go for the '50-60's 149. Be a lot cheaper too.

[Ghost Plane]

Wait, what

He obviously didn’t realize it’s the WOMEN with the 149s that rule the world.