Mb 149 Expression Nib - Calligraphy?

[mjchuang9]

I got the expression nib 149 today.

I am so exciting.

Edited August 23, 2019 by mjchuang9

[mjchuang9]

Not as flex as I expected. Maybe need some practice.

Edited August 23, 2019 by mjchuang9

[adim]

Is it not officially released yet? Are pictures and more details allowed?

 

Also, is the Expression nib the one that comes with the new Calligraphy line, with the pens with "gold flakes" on the body?

 

I would love to learn more, given that I've read of a very decent price (for Montblanc, at least) of around 1000 euros, which I'm giving the benefit of doubt until I learn more.

[arcfide]

Is it not officially released yet? Are pictures and more details allowed?

 

Also, is the Expression nib the one that comes with the new Calligraphy line, with the pens with "gold flakes" on the body?

 

I would love to learn more, given that I've read of a very decent price (for Montblanc, at least) of around 1000 euros, which I'm giving the benefit of doubt until I learn more.

 

I was able to pick up my 149 with the flex nib for about $1000 give or take. I imagine prices are similar elsewhere. The Gold Solitaire with Flex Nib is the one that is priced about double that, and that's the one with the gold leaf inside of the lacquered barrel and cap.

[SchaumburgSwan]

I'm new here, but while I was doing some more research on my recent purchase, I saw that this is about the only place that I can find people discussing the new flex nib from Montblanc, so I had to join and share my excitement. I bought a 149 Meisterstuck Calligrapy with the Calligraphy Flex Nib on the 21st of this month, and I've been using it the past few days to do some writing.

 

It must have been some great fateful serendipity or the like, because I was browsing the nearby Montblanc store and brought in my LeGrande for a second opinion because I bought it maybe 15 years ago with an EF nib and the nib was writing much broader than I felt was suitable. The salesman agreed and we were discussing all sorts of options and the like, when finally, he pulled out the Solitaire and 149 both in the Flex Nib. He had been showing me his personal flat nib on his own pen and while it had some spring, it isn't a proper flex nib. However, the moment I started writing with the expression nib I knew I was in trouble (rather, my wallet was). I really, really liked the Solitaire with its gold leaf, but for a daily writer, I felt that I couldn't quite justify the $1800 price tag (or something like that), and I was attracted by the larger nib on the 149.

 

They apparently had just received their shipment, and I didn't quite believe the guy when he said I might be one of the first customers, but now that I hear others are still waiting for them to be shipped, maybe he wasn't just pulling my leg.

 

To give some background, I've spent some time in Spencerian penmanship with both monoline and steel pointed flex nibs. I have a Namiki Falcon with a Spencerian grind on it as well as a Visconti medium, and the MB LeGrande mentioned above in EF (but really writing like a wet F nib), an older Waterman circa late 1990's, and a MonteVerde. Even before this expression nib has come out, the Namiki and the MB were my main daily writers, but I've been gradually spending more and more time with the MB and less with the Namiki. The largest reason, I think, was that I got more consistent ink behavior from the MB, and the MB tended to travel a little better. The Ink reservoir on the Namiki converter was always too small for me (I do a lot of normal writing), even though the flex nib was excellent. I also felt that the flex on the Namiki was just a little to delicate to really feel "bold" when using it, if that makes sense.

 

So I've been doing mostly monoline Spencerian, Smithhand, and NAC for a while with the MB. The 149 with this nib has a killer combination that I couldn't really say no to once the salesman showed it to me. Granted, I don't think he even realized the extent of desirability he was handing me in these two pens, so, I'm not sure he was doing anything but throwing things at me and seeing what stuck, but it worked.

 

I spent some time in the store working over the three samples that they had to ensure that I got the one that behaved the most like I wanted it to write, which, for me, since I'm using it as a daily writer, I wanted a very fine line for small Spencerian, and a good ink flow that didn't drip too much. I wanted to be able to provide shading more in line with Business practice rather than the heavy Ornamental shading of latter periods. Just a little something to create character without really slowing my handwriting down too much during the day. To that effect, I was pleased by the slightly stiffer feeling of the expression nib versus the very soft feeling of the Namiki Spencerian nib. The MB 149 requires more pressure to spread the tines and I think is, on the whole, less responsive than the Namiki, which is of course an advantage and disadvantage all at the same time.

 

I also noticed that the nibs were all of a similar feel, but they didn't all write in quite the same way, so the ink flow was a little different between each of them.

 

At the time that I made the purchase, they had, apparently, not yet received their Elixir inks into the store yet, so I hadn't even heard of those. However, I was lamenting to the salesman that they needed to get some good black, pigmented permanent carbon ink, and it's not clear to me whether the Elixir black might not be that ink? I have the Permanent Black and I like that, but I've come to really enjoy carbon pigmented black inks, and I'd love for someone to provide some details for me about the Elixir black ink and what it's all about? Anyways, I can't find any information on the Elixir Black or Gold inks, and I would really like to know more.

 

I have attached a sample of some of the stuff I've been using the nib for, just some quick scratches. I hope you'll forgive the rather messy Spencerian, but it demonstrates how I'm using the pen, as a daily writer with the more subtle and restrained shading that you might use in something for Business penmanship rather than the very heavy contrasting Ornamental style.

 

Overall, this pen is a horrible femme fatale sort of pen for me. It has a large, strong nib with good, functional flex. It has a large ink reservoir and feels great in the hand. It writes very smoothly (for paper I use mostly Rhodia/Clairfontaine/Tomoe River/MB/Southeworth Cotton), and gives a good fine and broad line. Those who are used to more traditional Spencerian dip nibs or the like will find the flex to be somewhat softer, but less springy, and therefore a little less responsive. So, there is less of a shallow gradient of the tine spread versus pressure. Instead, the tine spread vs pressure curve is steeper, so you go from fine to bold a little bit faster, with less responsiveness in the middle ground, at least in my experience with the pen right now. I'm not sure how the pen will break in, so it might gain some more of that dynamic with more use. I think it would be a great sort of sketching pen for those who like to work with ink, and if you want a strong daily writer for Business Spencerian, then that's also a great fit. If you want to really show off your Ornamental penmanship, then it's probably not going to be a great pen, as I don't think the overall flex range (MB's literature reads 0.3mm to 1.6mm line width) designed into the pen is going to be large enough, such as for writing like this: https://www.iampeth.com/artwork/guillard-coming-penman . Also, as with most MB's that I've seen, there is going to be some variation nib to nib, so I'd recommend definition doing some comparison between the nibs to pick what you want, if you're picky about that.

 

Unlike other nibs that are just accidently flexy, the literature included in the box does demonstrate that MB fully intends the nib as a real flex nib, which is a great departure from their norm for me.

 

Given that this is like a merger between my Spencerian grind Falcon and my beloved LeGrande, I'll readily admit that this sort of feels like a pen that MB custom made just for someone like me, and I'm a happy camper in that regard. I did notice that it is a special, but not limited edition, so I'm not sure what that means in terms of overall production? Maybe someone can fill me in on that?

 

I don't know if I'm allowed to post photos of the actual pen? Maybe I'll let others do that at another time. I'm not affiliated with MB, but there appears to be a photo gag order out on them right now for those who are?

 

And, not to belabor the point, but I'm really looking for some info on the Elixir inks! :-)

 

Hi,

 

many thanks for sharing your experiences and the nice writing sample.

 

Best regards

Jens

[bstnnyc]

 

https://www.iampeth.com/artwork/guillard-coming-penman .

 

 

Thank you so much for posting such a detailed and helpful description of your experience with the nib and for sharing your beautiful writing sample! It looks like MB designed this nib with you in mind.

[arcfide]

I've been playing more with this every day doing most of my writing with it. It has broken in a bit more and has become just a little bit more responsive, but not to the same wide range as a traditional steel dip nib would. I don't expect it to ever get that springy or responsive.

 

Something that I think people should definitely be aware of though, is that this nib is going to be more sensitive to writing angle than people who aren't familiar with flex, or who are used to steel needle point nibs, expect. In particular, I think that MB spent some time working on this nib to make it a smooth writing experience. It's smoother in writing than either my falcon or any of my needle point steel nibs, while producing lines nearly as fine. I think part of the cost for this additional smoothness is that the nib is more sensitive to the rotational angle of the nib (the rotation around the axis of the pen body). If you aren't careful with how you angle the nib properly, or if you have poor technique in this respect, you'll find yourself tempted to press harder on the nib to compensate for the skipping or "hard starting" that you'll experience. Don't do this, as the nib isn't designed to be constantly dragged at all angles with excessive pressure applied. If the nib is in the proper angle and held correctly, it has a good flow that starts readily, but the moment you deviate from that angle too much, at the light/feather pressure levels, you can get skipping or the like.

 

This probably will vary to a great degree depending on the nib's individual characteristics, but I specifically picked a nib that was thinner writing, so this sort of issue will be greater with the finer/dryer writing nibs, I expect. The nib is more sensitive to this angle than my needle point nibs, so it's something to keep in mind. The upside is a much smoother writing experience. To me, it doesn't feel "scritchy" at all, really.

[Tom Kellie]

~ I'm looking forward to genuine reports with photographs from those respected FPN Montblanc Forum members who purchase these very special models.

Their description of the pens, the nibs, the unique inks and their comparison with other Montblanc pens they use will be most helpful.

One suspects that these models will be exceptionally photogenic. As the pens are released and available, it'll be a joy to learn more.

I'm not pointing to anyone in particular, although the consistently masterful images and comments of Pravda, Cyrille and Michael R. come to mind.

Tom K.

[Pravda]

 

~ I'm looking forward to genuine reports with photographs from those respected FPN Montblanc Forum members who purchase these very special models.

Their description of the pens, the nibs, the unique inks and their comparison with other Montblanc pens they use will be most helpful.

One suspects that these models will be exceptionally photogenic. As the pens are released and available, it'll be a joy to learn more.

I'm not pointing to anyone in particular, although the consistently masterful images and comments of Pravda, Cyrille and Michael R. come to mind.

Tom K.

 

 

 

Tom Kellie

 

It's almost as if you have a 6th sense and consistently employ it to good use. I just picked up the 146 Expression: Calligraphy Gold Leaf this afternoon and was even 2 Elixir inks (Golden Yellow and Calligraphy Black) complimentary! Very kind of Montblanc Dubai.

 

While I am unable to share pictures until the pen's official release on the 1st of September, stay tuned for first impressions as soon as I ink it later tonight as well as writing samples of the flex nib's performance 146 size.

[arcfide]

Can someone point me to some more information about the Elixir inks? Are there any details about their exact nature?

[Nurmister]

As far as I understand, the Elixir inks are India inks.

 

I find this odd because Montblanc only sells fountain pens, not designed to work with India inks.

 

Speaking of the pens, the new nibs look quite interesting. Not the most elegant design, but novel. That's all I'll say for now.

Edited August 25, 2019 by Nurmister

[Nurmister]

Not as flex as I expected. Maybe need some practice.

 

MJ, if you can make the comparison, how does the flex compare to the Custom Urushi? I heard that has a sharp snap-back. Is this nib "mushy"?

[docdroe]

Appelboom has the new pens and inks available on their homepage now. I think the nib design looks quite lovely.

[Pravda]

Appelboom has the new pens and inks available on their homepage now. I think the nib design looks quite lovely.

 

 

Strange Joost would release the photo prior to release, he has a close relationship with Montblanc.

 

Anyway, for people not to be confused: This is the cheaper non-flex version with a ruthenium (black nib). The flex version is yellow gold and is $800 more

[docdroe]

 

 

Strange Joost would release the photo prior to release, he has a close relationship with Montblanc.

 

Anyway, for people not to be confused: This is the cheaper non-flex version with a ruthenium (black nib). The flex version is yellow gold and is $800 more

 

It appears all the versions are online including the flex.

 

Edit: Price difference 100€. Price for 149 version also quite reasonable.

Edited August 25, 2019 by docdroe

[alfredop]

I'm new here, but while I was doing some more research on my recent purchase, I saw that this is about the only place that I can find people discussing the new flex nib from Montblanc, so I had to join and share my excitement. I bought a 149 Meisterstuck Calligrapy with the Calligraphy Flex Nib on the 21st of this month, and I've been using it the past few days to do some writing.

 

It must have been some great fateful serendipity or the like, because I was browsing the nearby Montblanc store and brought in my LeGrande for a second opinion because I bought it maybe 15 years ago with an EF nib and the nib was writing much broader than I felt was suitable. The salesman agreed and we were discussing all sorts of options and the like, when finally, he pulled out the Solitaire and 149 both in the Flex Nib. He had been showing me his personal flat nib on his own pen and while it had some spring, it isn't a proper flex nib. However, the moment I started writing with the expression nib I knew I was in trouble (rather, my wallet was). I really, really liked the Solitaire with its gold leaf, but for a daily writer, I felt that I couldn't quite justify the $1800 price tag (or something like that), and I was attracted by the larger nib on the 149.

 

They apparently had just received their shipment, and I didn't quite believe the guy when he said I might be one of the first customers, but now that I hear others are still waiting for them to be shipped, maybe he wasn't just pulling my leg.

 

To give some background, I've spent some time in Spencerian penmanship with both monoline and steel pointed flex nibs. I have a Namiki Falcon with a Spencerian grind on it as well as a Visconti medium, and the MB LeGrande mentioned above in EF (but really writing like a wet F nib), an older Waterman circa late 1990's, and a MonteVerde. Even before this expression nib has come out, the Namiki and the MB were my main daily writers, but I've been gradually spending more and more time with the MB and less with the Namiki. The largest reason, I think, was that I got more consistent ink behavior from the MB, and the MB tended to travel a little better. The Ink reservoir on the Namiki converter was always too small for me (I do a lot of normal writing), even though the flex nib was excellent. I also felt that the flex on the Namiki was just a little to delicate to really feel "bold" when using it, if that makes sense.

 

So I've been doing mostly monoline Spencerian, Smithhand, and NAC for a while with the MB. The 149 with this nib has a killer combination that I couldn't really say no to once the salesman showed it to me. Granted, I don't think he even realized the extent of desirability he was handing me in these two pens, so, I'm not sure he was doing anything but throwing things at me and seeing what stuck, but it worked.

 

I spent some time in the store working over the three samples that they had to ensure that I got the one that behaved the most like I wanted it to write, which, for me, since I'm using it as a daily writer, I wanted a very fine line for small Spencerian, and a good ink flow that didn't drip too much. I wanted to be able to provide shading more in line with Business practice rather than the heavy Ornamental shading of latter periods. Just a little something to create character without really slowing my handwriting down too much during the day. To that effect, I was pleased by the slightly stiffer feeling of the expression nib versus the very soft feeling of the Namiki Spencerian nib. The MB 149 requires more pressure to spread the tines and I think is, on the whole, less responsive than the Namiki, which is of course an advantage and disadvantage all at the same time.

 

I also noticed that the nibs were all of a similar feel, but they didn't all write in quite the same way, so the ink flow was a little different between each of them.

 

At the time that I made the purchase, they had, apparently, not yet received their Elixir inks into the store yet, so I hadn't even heard of those. However, I was lamenting to the salesman that they needed to get some good black, pigmented permanent carbon ink, and it's not clear to me whether the Elixir black might not be that ink? I have the Permanent Black and I like that, but I've come to really enjoy carbon pigmented black inks, and I'd love for someone to provide some details for me about the Elixir black ink and what it's all about? Anyways, I can't find any information on the Elixir Black or Gold inks, and I would really like to know more.

 

I have attached a sample of some of the stuff I've been using the nib for, just some quick scratches. I hope you'll forgive the rather messy Spencerian, but it demonstrates how I'm using the pen, as a daily writer with the more subtle and restrained shading that you might use in something for Business penmanship rather than the very heavy contrasting Ornamental style.

 

Overall, this pen is a horrible femme fatale sort of pen for me. It has a large, strong nib with good, functional flex. It has a large ink reservoir and feels great in the hand. It writes very smoothly (for paper I use mostly Rhodia/Clairfontaine/Tomoe River/MB/Southeworth Cotton), and gives a good fine and broad line. Those who are used to more traditional Spencerian dip nibs or the like will find the flex to be somewhat softer, but less springy, and therefore a little less responsive. So, there is less of a shallow gradient of the tine spread versus pressure. Instead, the tine spread vs pressure curve is steeper, so you go from fine to bold a little bit faster, with less responsiveness in the middle ground, at least in my experience with the pen right now. I'm not sure how the pen will break in, so it might gain some more of that dynamic with more use. I think it would be a great sort of sketching pen for those who like to work with ink, and if you want a strong daily writer for Business Spencerian, then that's also a great fit. If you want to really show off your Ornamental penmanship, then it's probably not going to be a great pen, as I don't think the overall flex range (MB's literature reads 0.3mm to 1.6mm line width) designed into the pen is going to be large enough, such as for writing like this: https://www.iampeth.com/artwork/guillard-coming-penman . Also, as with most MB's that I've seen, there is going to be some variation nib to nib, so I'd recommend definition doing some comparison between the nibs to pick what you want, if you're picky about that.

 

Unlike other nibs that are just accidently flexy, the literature included in the box does demonstrate that MB fully intends the nib as a real flex nib, which is a great departure from their norm for me.

 

Given that this is like a merger between my Spencerian grind Falcon and my beloved LeGrande, I'll readily admit that this sort of feels like a pen that MB custom made just for someone like me, and I'm a happy camper in that regard. I did notice that it is a special, but not limited edition, so I'm not sure what that means in terms of overall production? Maybe someone can fill me in on that?

 

I don't know if I'm allowed to post photos of the actual pen? Maybe I'll let others do that at another time. I'm not affiliated with MB, but there appears to be a photo gag order out on them right now for those who are?

 

And, not to belabor the point, but I'm really looking for some info on the Elixir inks! :-)

It is impressive to read something about a computer science topic written in an old calligraphic style.

Bravo!

 

Alfredo

Edited August 25, 2019 by alfredop

[mjchuang9]

 

MJ, if you can make the comparison, how does the flex compare to the Custom Urushi? I heard that has a sharp snap-back. Is this nib "mushy"?

 

Hello Numister,

 

I have all the three FM, M, and B of Custom Urushi. Compared FM Custom Urushi to Expression Flex 149, if just gliding on the paper, C.U is softer than flex. However putting on pressure, you will find flex can do more line variations than C.U. I don't think flex is mushy, just flexible a little bit though.

 

in addition, Wahl-Eversharp Decoband flexible is softer ( C.U. is the softest among the three ) and flex from F to B, MB can flex from EEF to M ( depends on what inks use also )

Edited August 26, 2019 by mjchuang9

[Pravda]

 

It appears all the versions are online including the flex.

 

Edit: Price difference 100€. Price for 149 version also quite reasonable.

 

 

Said seller is an authorized retailer. Don't be surprised when the pen becomes available to him.

 

$1,089 for 149. $1,633 for 146 and $1,905 for 146 flex I just checked.

[docdroe]

Said seller is an authorized retailer. Don't be surprised when the pen becomes available to him.

 

$1,089 for 149. $1,633 for 146 and $1,905 for 146 flex I just checked.

 

Not surprised at all, quite happy actually. I was just trying to keep the interested fans in this thread in the loop.

Looking forward to receiving the 149 flex and giving it a try!

[Pravda]

Not surprised at all, quite happy actually. I was just trying to keep the interested fans in this thread in the loop.

Looking forward to receiving the 149 flex and giving it a try!

 

 

I meant don't be surprised when the prices change once the pens actually become available to him.