Mb 149 Expression Nib - Calligraphy?

[canibanoglu]

Take it back, it's a 900 euro pen, it should be working nothing short of perfectly at that price

[Vlad Soare]

They will take it back and will replace the nib. However, it would take several weeks, and a new nib might suffer from the same problem. And it's really so easy to fix that it isn't worth the trouble sending it back.

Besides, if a few eight-figures on a piece of micromesh don't solve it, you can then send it back to Montblanc. The micromesh thing won't leave any marks that might give them reasons to deny your warranty claim (unless you overdo it, of course). So why not give it a try? You've got nothing to lose.

 

Just a few eight-figures in each direction, horizontal and vertical, will do. I think I did about six (or perhaps eight) figures in each direction on 8000-grit micromesh, then the same on 12000-grit. No more hard starts.

Edited May 31, 2020 by Vlad Soare

[max dog]

Well I've been using my 149 Calligraphy flex pen everyday since I got it in February, and it's pretty much all I use. Feel bad for my 49 other fountain pens that sit neatly in the 50 pen box uninked.

 

Normal writing is perfection, and I love the super responsiveness of the nib that give my normal unflexed writing line beautiful character, and when I intentionally flex the nib, it flexes flawlessly. The best fountain pen I have ever used bar none! Checks all my boxes.

Edited May 31, 2020 by max dog

[dribs]

Thanks for your replies so far!

I'll order some micromesh tonight, and will also give the boutique a call tomorrow to let them know. It's a bummer as I can't get back to thr boutique until next Monday the earliest.

Here is a write sample.

Notice the first letter of the word hard starting? This usually only occurs in normal writing, ie unflexed.

 

Even the vertical strokes you can see above has skips

When I fully flex it for calligraphic purposes, alot less of it happening though.

I have to agree, I'm addicted to the pen it's great fun. But, I'm a bit OCD about the hard start, and I think a part of me is a bit bummed paying so much for a pen for it not to perform out the box that's all. I mean if it was was $20 Lamy, I wouldn't really care too much, but this 149..

Edited May 31, 2020 by dribs

[Vlad Soare]

The hard start is definitely not right, no doubt about it. I couldn't live with it.

Ironically, I've yet to see a Lamy not writing absolutely flawlessly out of the box.

Edited May 31, 2020 by Vlad Soare

[gyasko]

I wouldnt touch a nib with micromesh unless i knew for sure i had a problem that an amateur like myself could solve with it. Have you eliminated all other possible causes?

 

Considering the many comments right here from folks saying the tines are tight, the diagnosis by distance - sans nib closeups yet - is at the very least premature.

Edited May 31, 2020 by gyasko

[dribs]

Alright, well looks like its set then. I'll give the boutique a call and let them know. I'm a bit anal about it to be honest. Been hammering the nib hoping it would take some time to bed down, but alas no..

 

I'll order micromesh anyway, but honestly? I'd be hard pressed to do anything really simply because I haven't done it before, and its just high risk for something I could just exchange?

 

I've flushed it once already, and have changed inks. Have tried Diamine Sapphire Blue and Pilot Iroshikoyu and same issue appears.

 

Unfortunately, don't have a loupe for a super up close shot.

Edited May 31, 2020 by dribs

[gyasko]

Wise move. An MB 149 Calligraphy is not the place to start with micromesh.

[thewritingraven]

Good grief,

Please do not try using micro mesh on a £800 pen, please send it back.

If you damage the nib you lose the warranty and you will have to pay £300 or more to get it fixed.

It’s not an easy fix, unless you know exactly what you are doing

[etzbseder]

I got the gold leaf 146 calligraphy and it worked flawlessly right from the start.

[max dog]

DRIBS. I dont know how long you've had the pen, but my advice is to use it for a couple of weeks to see if the hard starts go away. On mine the flow improved after a week of heavy use. In the beginning the line was very faint under little pressure. This nib is different from a regular rigid nib and I think opens up and adapts to your hand over time. Dont start adjusting or micro meshing it. If after a couple of weeks of use yields no improvement utilize the MB warranty service and send it to MB repair. It is not a Lamy Safari to fiddle around with the nib yourself.

Edited May 31, 2020 by max dog

[dribs]

I just gave MB a call and they said to bring it in, and will have a look. If its iffy, then will do an exchange on the spot.

 

I will keep trying with the pen and see what happens over the week, if it settles down great, but the hard starts and skips are annoying to me personally. The sales associate said they will test it in store as well with their MB ink, but I sure as heck hope it also hard starts and skips as well.

 

There's another thread I was reading where users were also reporting hard starts, and changing inks to try improve it with some success, but to me, if I have to use a specific ink for the pen to perform (especially if its 1.3K AUD) then its just not good enough.

 

Will update.

[max dog]

Good luck with it. I hope MB resolves it all for you when you take it in. Maybe before they put their ink in the pen try to recreate the issue with ink you've been using with your own paper so they see it happen. If they fill the pen with new ink or just dip it there, the feed saturates and any issues dont immediately appear until the feed normalizes. Just my 2 cents.

[dribs]

Thanks maxdog for your support.

 

Yeah, I asked her about that aspect. She said bring the pen in as well, all inked up - they can clean and ink themselves as well - and I will show her then, and will also bring in the Rhodia notepad.

 

You're also right in that if they dip or fill the pen with fresh new ink, it will saturate the feed meaning those things might not happen. Any suggestions on what to do if this happens?? I mean, I don't want them to turn around and say, we can't see the problem so tough?

 

I did prime the feed last night and made it super wet, but after a bit where it dried up, it started to skip + hard start, so fingers crossed.

[Vlad Soare]

If the nib does have a real issue, then it will never go away on its own accord by simply using the pen for a week. That's for sure.

Now, it might happen that you hold the pen incorrectly, in which case a few days of writing might allow you to get used to it and to find its sweet spot more easily every time - thus giving you the feeling that the pen has "fixed itself".

But I don't think this is the case. The Calligraphy, unflexed, is as easy to use as a normal EF and has a very generous sweet spot. So I don't think it's your fault. My money is on a baby's bottom. Half of my Montblancs came with a bit of it from the factory. And if I'm right, it won't go away no matter how long you wait.

 

Give her the pen already inked up, and ask her to write with it right there and then, as it is, no dipping, no priming, no nothing. She's bound to see what you mean.

Edited June 1, 2020 by Vlad Soare

[max dog]

DRIBs, hopefully they will notice the issue and replace the pen. If not, and you are not satisfied with the way it writes, they should replace it anyway given how much it costs. If the pen is in brand new condition, it should be easy enough for them to send the old pen back to Hamburg to have a nib mastercraftsman fix it and return it to stock, and let you have another new replacement pen. That is the right thing to do. Thats the kind of customer service I always get from Cross.

 

Edited to add. If they wont give you a replacement pen on spec, then you have a right to demand they send your pen back to Germany for a true nib specialist to look at it. The people at the boutique are not specialists. Hopefully it wont have to go that far. Best of luck!

Edited June 1, 2020 by max dog

[max dog]

Vlad, if it is a real nib issue like babys bottom, I agree the problem is not going away. It should be sent back to MB to resolve. Last thing anyone should do is try to renedy it themselves. Looks like DRIB is on the right track.

[dribs]

  On 6/1/2020 at 9:38 AM, max dog said:

Edited to add. If they wont give you a replacement pen on spec, then you have a right to demand they send your pen back to Germany for a true nib specialist to look at it. The people at the boutique are not specialists. Hopefully it wont have to go that far. Best of luck!

 

I'll have to drop in about a week due to work constraints atm. The lady on the phone (same one who served me) said bring it t to have a look.

 

I hope your right!! I mean, even if they don't spot the issue immediately off the bat, I'm not satisfied... I was thinking of also bringing in my M1000 and Pilot Custom Urushi and show them I know what I'm talking about, and how the nib performs just isn't smooth.

 

Tonight, I spent an hour writing with the 149. I do get skips but it probably isn't bad as I'm making it sound to be maybe?

 

Also, the nib is hella feedbacky/scratchy. I mean yes it will write, but I almost feel the feedback is overdone bordering on scratchiness. When I switch to the Pilot Custom Urushi - that's like gliding on ice, so buttery smooth. Granted, I know their both very different pens.

 

[Karmachanic]

How lovely it would be if I could afford these problems.

[mjchuang9]

  On 6/1/2020 at 12:43 PM, dribs said:

 

I'll have to drop in about a week due to work constraints atm. The lady on the phone (same one who served me) said bring it t to have a look.

 

I hope your right!! I mean, even if they don't spot the issue immediately off the bat, I'm not satisfied... I was thinking of also bringing in my M1000 and Pilot Custom Urushi and show them I know what I'm talking about, and how the nib performs just isn't smooth.

 

Tonight, I spent an hour writing with the 149. I do get skips but it probably isn't bad as I'm making it sound to be maybe?

 

Also, the nib is hella feedbacky/scratchy. I mean yes it will write, but I almost feel the feedback is overdone bordering on scratchiness. When I switch to the Pilot Custom Urushi - that's like gliding on ice, so buttery smooth. Granted, I know their both very different pens.

 

 

Looks like the tines are too tight on your 149 Calligraphy.

 

I have three 149 Calligraphy flex, and they all write differently. no1 is harder, no2 is springier, and no3 is softer. Besides flex nib is ink sensitive, you may try MB mystery black first. I have replaced one of the nib because had nib creep and click sound issues. Flex nib cannot fix but replace only.

The 149 Calligraphy flex is the ultimate nib, compared to normal nibs, flex is like manual transmission that lets you control by yourself.