Mb 149 Expression Nib - Calligraphy?

[Tom Kellie]

~ Dare I say, this image gave me a laugh.

Free publicity for...Lamy!

Tom K.

[Cyrille81]

 

 

~ Cyrille:

 

As ever, your high resolution fountain pen images are highly appreciated.

The 149 flex nib images are especially interesting to me.

You've candidly mentioned that the gold leaf 146 didn't make a favorable impression on you.

Was that due to the craftsmanship? The design? The concept?

I respect your experience and connoisseurship, therefore it would help me to better understand the nature of your assessment.

Thank you so much for the images!

Tom K.

When I watched the pens from the window few meters away, I found the pen cheap, the body seemed in plastic, etc. After of course when you have the pen in hand, the weight is pretty heavy and we notice the pen is in metal lacquered but it is difficult to explain but I'm not impressed by the work of the MB craftsmen. Maybe I'm not really receptive to the gold leaf in general. I have never seen in real maki-e Japan pen to know if I would prefer to the one of MB.

 

Thank you Cyrille for the photos!

 

I suspect the 146 Gold Leaf is a disappointment with the Ruthenium nib attached, wished your first glimpse of this model had the golden Expression nib may it had made a different impression on you.

 

I personally loved the heft and darkness of the black lacquer, but what sold me at the end was seeing the gold shimmer when you hold the pen vertically under strong light. When the pen is horizontal or flat it doesn't show in 3D as much

 

Yes I just had it few minutes in hand, not to strong light, etc. So maybe I could had a different feeling I don't know if I would have a different opinion with the calligraphy nib on it. It is more the general design of the pen that didn't appeal a lot to me.

[bstnnyc]

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share videos, photos, and detailed accounts of their personal experiences using these new pens!

[SchaumburgSwan]

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share videos, photos, and detailed accounts of their personal experiences using these new pens!

 

+1

 

It looks the MB team did it well with the 149 flex nib. :-)

[fpupulin]

I am not sure if I will buy this great 149, but in any case I sincerely applaud Montblanc's initiative.

 

Above all I strongly appreciate Montblanc’s decision to make the calligraphic nib available on the Meisterstück 149 in gold trim, one of his most iconic pens, but at the same time a standard pen, without further embellishments. A wise decision, consistent with the long tradition of the brand.

[TheDutchGuy]

 

 

Above all I strongly appreciate Montblanc’s decision to make the calligraphic nib available on the Meisterstück 149 in gold trim, one of his most iconic pens, but at the same time a standard pen, without further embellishments.

 

Agreed. I only wish they'd do it on the 146 as well.

[hawpunch]

Thank you all for these wonderful images and reviews. Helps when trying to determine whether the wallet should take another hit for this hobby .

[zaddick]

Thank you all for these wonderful images and reviews. Helps when trying to determine whether the wallet should take another hit for this hobby .

A hit? Pound that sucker to pulp.

[zaddick]

Does anyone who owns one of these nibs also have a flexy 1950s or early 1960s 149 nib to compare it to? I'm curious how the experiences are different and similar.

[hawpunch]

A hit? Pound that sucker to pulp.

 

I’ve been a good boy this year so far. Don’t make me turn to the dark side and empty out my wallet . My kids need to eat. Are you planning on getting one?

[hawpunch]

Does anyone who owns one of these nibs also have a flexy 1950s or early 1960s 149 nib to compare it to? I'm curious how the experiences are different and similar.

Would like to know this as well. The videos I’ve watched seem to indicate that the flex is decent when compared to vintage flex nibs.

[gerigo]

Wow everyone keeps comparing flex between modern and vintage? How do you even compare? Is there a standard that all of us reference to in feel and outcome? I guess what I am referring to is the subjectivity of this comparison. At least for modern comparisons, we can say it's better or not as great as ...

 

While what I really want to know is how this pen can enhance or inhibit my writing/ lettering. I keep reading glowing and positive comments and yet I just can't get the pen to come close to the outcome you get with a dip pen or a Mottishaw Spencerian mod. I have tried altering between different fonts and can't get any that I know to work. It's not fine enough and does not spring back quickly enough for spencerian, and it's too mushy for business cursive. Still learning...

Edited September 10, 2019 by gerigo

[BillH]

gerigo, very pertinent comment, thank you. For folks like me who are still on the fence, if you get a moment could you please post a picture or two of your results comparing the 149 and the dip pen and the Spencerian? That would be so very helpful! Thanks.

[zaddick]

 

I’ve been a good boy this year so far. Don’t make me turn to the dark side and empty out my wallet . My kids need to eat. Are you planning on getting one?

 

You know there are lunch programs at the kids schools. In all seriousness, the nib is interesting, but I wonder what it offers vs. some of the vintage 149s I already have. I mean, yes the squiggly line nib size sticker is cute and the nib look is interesting, but the rest of the pen I have many copies of already.

 

If I'm honest though, I'll probably order one with a coupon code from Europe. This is one I hesitate to buy used as i have no idea how hard it might have been pushed by a previous user.

[zaddick]

Wow everyone keeps comparing flex between modern and vintage? How do you even compare? Is there a standard that all of us reference to in feel and outcome? I guess what I am referring to is the subjectivity of this comparison. At least for modern comparisons, we can say it's better or not as great as ...

 

Certainly there is no standard for all of us when it comes to qualitative observations. But that is what I am curious about... for someone who has a vintage 149 they consider flexy, how does it the new nib compare to them. Then I have to try to think about that person's other posts and opinions they have posted to consider how to adjust for my own preferences.

 

Many of the comments here are helpful, but I have not noted a comparison to vintage MB 149s which is what I am curious about. Comparisons to Aurora, Omas, etc. are less helpful for me personally. I also have no plans to use dip pens or to write in beautiful scripts which demand specific characteristics of nibs, but I appreciate all the information provided.

[zaddick]

[hawpunch]

 

Lol. I don’t have any Montblanc 149s in the collection so I almost feel like I can justify following the clown into the sewer. “We all flex down here.”

[hawpunch]

 

You know there are lunch programs at the kids schools. In all seriousness, the nib is interesting, but I wonder what it offers vs. some of the vintage 149s I already have. I mean, yes the squiggly line nib size sticker is cute and the nib look is interesting, but the rest of the pen I have many copies of already.

 

If I'm honest though, I'll probably order one with a coupon code from Europe. This is one I hesitate to buy used as i have no idea how hard it might have been pushed by a previous user.

Yeah I hear you! I think if I had a celluloid Montlbanc 149 with a vintage flex nib, I wouldn’t even consider getting this. But since I have no 149s in the collection, this is very appealing. I would love to have a 149 that is “unique” and has a beautiful nib. And that does not cost $10,000.

[gerigo]

gerigo, very pertinent comment, thank you. For folks like me who are still on the fence, if you get a moment could you please post a picture or two of your results comparing the 149 and the dip pen and the Spencerian? That would be so very helpful! Thanks.

BillH

Here you are. Attempt 1 is to try more of a modified spencerian. Attempt 2 is more of a business cursive. And the 3rd hopefully that people will be able to discern is the Mottishaw modified Falcon, which to date is my most expressive flex nib, on par with flex dip nibs.

[lecorbusier]

A photo of a comparison between Omas calligraphy extra flessible (Edelstein Tanzanite) and MB calligraphy flexible nib (MB ultramarine) on pilot letter pad for fountain pens.

Notes:
1. I write fastOmas is wetter and easier; MB is not a chore but holds a thinner, even and drier line.
2. If I write slowermore deliberatelyMB admits to a greater line variation. The thicker lines in the photo show the differences. I sense that MB is more wonderful in a practiced hand and Omas flatters a less skilful hand (as indicated!).
3. I bought mine in a duty free shop (better deal than most) plus free limited ink and a MB cleaning gift set. I bought it blind because I could not get to test it before purchase. After I have paid and dipped to try, I did get that caught ya moment. It is not the worst pen for me because I can still use it, and I use a FP everyday for work. But this pen is really designed for slower and more elaborate script. It is like owning a Ferrari and using it to go grocery shopping. You get the idea.
4. The Omas is slightly more expensive but one gets four interchangeable nibs with a nice case and other writing accessories. It is also more forgiving for the lesser skilled. But MB now gives me a motivation to write better. After seeing all the nice videos, I am likely to do more practising.
5. Final note: I dont adopt the best pen holding position and angle. MB is particular to that and Omas less so. To execute the line differentials, the angle has to be less steep and the nib parallel to the plane of the paper.
Regret? A little. Silly? I was on vacation euphoria and slightly tired so it wasnt a well thought out purchase especially after reading all the accolades. Let me sum up with one more line: if Omas is that friend who is warm immediately, MB is the affable companion that one has to take time to learn more.
(Sorry for the annotated form; I am typing on my phone with font size 2).

 

Edited September 11, 2019 by lecorbusier