Montblanc 149 Buying Tips - What To Look For, Price, Where To Buy, Etc

[AndWhoDisguisedAs]

Once again I come to the FPN to help me navigate tricky and often unknown fountain pen waters.

 

I've decided to gift myself with my first expensive fountain pen - the Montblanc Meisterstuck 149. Fine nib.

 

I know next to nothing about buying expensive pens (expensive, at least for me). I would like a gold nib, but of course, I don't know the difference between 14K and 18K or which one I'd want. Or, if it makes a difference.

 

Background: I am not a collector or reseller. The few fountain pens I have - Opus 88 Demonstrator, TWSBI Eco T, Kaweco Sport, Lamy, and Waterman Phileas, all have Fine nibs and ALL are workhorse pens. I write everyday, I expect my fountain pens to write as well. I am not looking for anything temperamental or finicky. I do not live near any fountain pen stores or clubs.

 

With those caveats out of the way, here are my questions:

 

1. What should I expect to pay for a used Montblanc Meisterstuck 149 in good to great condition? Is $300 realistic or a pipe-dream?

 

2. What years are good, what years should I avoid (or doesn't that matter).

 

3. Where are places to look to purchase - besides here. eBay? Is there a better time of year to make this purchase? I'm in no rush, but if something great comes along, I can act quickly.

 

4. What else do I NOT know that I should know in order to negotiate a fair-to-great deal?

 

I realize the next question is subjective but (5) is the Montblanc Meisterstuck 149 the right pen to buy or might another MB like the 146 be better? I tried a friend’s MB 149 with a Medium nib and I like the size of my Opus 88 Demonstrator which are the basis of my decision.

 

Any other information would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks everyone!

[Tom Heath]

If you live near a Mont Blanc Botique that would be a great place to start

 

Heve u ever been to a Nation Pen show, a great place to oggle all the pens available.

 

ask the dealer / seller if you can write with it a bit, not always possible with a Brand New pen

 

 

Buying elsewhere ask the sell what happens f I don;t like can it be returned ,unde what condition.

 

You could be very happy for this purchase with a vintage 146, many nib choices, good size, the next step if you want bigger is the 149

But many find them hard to use as a go to writer, due to the heftiness of it it does take getting use to.

 

My 149 is in a Desk base always ready to writer, I use it for signatures and brief writing personal notes.

 

My daily write are about 50 pieces ready to write and clean often , You may want to consider a Parker 51, lots to choose from many available features

 

I am sure you will get more advise here .. I have been at this hobby over 30 years, yesterdays purchase a Rare OS Schnell Pencil Pen

cost as much as a MB 149

 

 

TJ

Good luck in your un-ending search for the Pur-fect Pen

[KAC]

Aside from style and size (you've already seemingly seen and tried a 149 and decided to pursue a purchase), price was identified by you as a prime consideration.

 

You mentioned the 146 v 149: The 149, in general, will be more costly than the smaller models. If prodigious ink capacity is a factor, the 149 wins.

 

Brand new 149 models are costly (MB has carefully studied the target demographic and prices accordingly). On the used market, they're quite reasonable and $300 for an "everyday use" pen in good condition is +/_ realistic. Since you've already stated that you're not near any shops or clubs, that leaves the internet as your source.

 

Ebay is problematic unless you know the seller (not a consideration in your case) or the seller has copious and uniformly super-duper feedback. Since you're not in a hurry though, Ebay remains an option.

 

This site has a "marketplace" and many sellers are regular forum contributors. That establishes credibility and interest. You may not be able to try the pen to absolutely determine that it writes to your satisfaction but a good used pen will probably do the job.

 

Specialty online sellers will have thoroughly vetted pens for sale but they charge accordingly. That premium is (in my opinion) not worth paying for a daily user, in this case a mundane 149. On the other hand, for a rare item, the backing of an expert seller is worth my money.

 

I'm not aware of any "bad" years for the 149 but some vintages are more desirable for whatever reason(s) and will cost more.

 

As for "negotiation", just look for something in your price range and that step vanishes. Regardless, there are no "rules" for haggling but some sellers don't care for that approach.

 

So, in summary, a used 149 in good shape should be available here and elsewhere in your price range. Being that you're not a fp novice, you know the pluses and minuses of using a fp. A 149 ought to do the trick for you.

 

KAC

[meiers]

http://www.fountainpenhospital.com

 

The fountain pen hospital and the classified section here on this site would be my first choice.

[tamiya]

I've decided to gift myself with my first expensive fountain pen - the Montblanc Meisterstuck 149. Fine nib.

 

Methinks the moment one reaches the enlightenment that requires buying a Mont Blanc to make one's constitution complete... you'll be short changing yourself by buying your first MB preowned.

 

Bite the bullet.

 

Buy a new unit from a boutique! Get your very own name on the warranty!

 

Go when they're less busy or book ahead. Savour how they fuss over you, show you every available nib option, let you try out their entire ink palette (BYO favourite paper/s) etc etc.

 

And I'm only popping in for a bottle of ink!

 

 

 

 

On the resale market... anecdotal price guide what I'm seeing suggests around 40-50% of new RRP is the usual going rate, where I am anyways. I'd be expecting a functional mint/unmarked unit with no impact damage on body, nib is good, piston operates smoothly etc. Don't know how many ppl sell their pens "fresh from service" but I rarely see that being boasted by sellers unless they're also pen restorers themselves.

 

If you're going to be making it your daily writer, IMHO newer/younger the better. Doesn't seem to be much price difference between one that's 40yo or one that's from this century afaik. If you need to send it into MB for proper service... well, that's gunna cost$$$ and the older ones might come back with newer parts as frankenpens.

 

You owe it to yourself, buy new!

[Tom Kellie]

Methinks the moment one reaches the enlightenment that requires buying a Mont Blanc to make one's constitution complete... you'll be short changing yourself by buying your first MB preowned.

 

Bite the bullet.

 

Buy a new unit from a boutique! Get your very own name on the warranty!

 

You owe it to yourself, buy new!

 

 

~ tamiya:

 

That's the spirit!

I love what you've written above!

Tom K.

[tamiya]

~ tamiya:

 

 

That's the spirit!

I love what you've written above!

Tom K.

Sadly I'm a well worn veteran I live a mere short walk from our city MB boutique.

 

Soon as you hear those white gloves get put on, one knows one's wallet is up for a rogering so might as well just bend over and enjoy it some might think it's crazy expensive for a pen, others... well IMHO there's many less healthy ways to blow $500 getting pampered for a whole morning - they really know how to make one feel like a millionaire in there.

 

 

 

 

 

@OP

 

Dunno how heart-set you are that it must be a 149 & nothing else, but do try out for yourself the difference between precocious plastic vs a metalbody pen with pianoblack lacquer. Even if they're both cigar shape they'll feel very different in the hand.

 

MB nibs are much of a muchness, writes adequately for that price bracket. Some say gold nibs "wear in into the hand of the owner" (let's not mention that pesky iridium blob between friends, hey?); ergo a used pen might be umm worn in wrongly? Buy new & they'll swap/tune/massage your nib until you're fully happy.

 

 

And once you've paid, tell 'um it's a gift and ask it to be gift wrapped your pen box goes into a cardboard dustsleeve, then they'll wrap it in iconic MontBlanc black wrapping paper. And then usually into a shiny black Montblanc carry bag.

 

The extra ("FREE" ) layers help to shield shelfwear from your Montblanc box.

[zaddick]

Aside from style and size (you've already seemingly seen and tried a 149 and decided to pursue a purchase), price was identified by you as a prime consideration.

 

You mentioned the 146 v 149: The 149, in general, will be more costly than the smaller models. If prodigious ink capacity is a factor, the 149 wins.

 

Brand new 149 models are costly (MB has carefully studied the target demographic and prices accordingly). On the used market, they're quite reasonable and $300 for an "everyday use" pen in good condition is +/_ realistic. Since you've already stated that you're not near any shops or clubs, that leaves the internet as your source.

 

Ebay is problematic unless you know the seller (not a consideration in your case) or the seller has copious and uniformly super-duper feedback. Since you're not in a hurry though, Ebay remains an option.

 

This site has a "marketplace" and many sellers are regular forum contributors. That establishes credibility and interest. You may not be able to try the pen to absolutely determine that it writes to your satisfaction but a good used pen will probably do the job.

 

Specialty online sellers will have thoroughly vetted pens for sale but they charge accordingly. That premium is (in my opinion) not worth paying for a daily user, in this case a mundane 149. On the other hand, for a rare item, the backing of an expert seller is worth my money.

 

I'm not aware of any "bad" years for the 149 but some vintages are more desirable for whatever reason(s) and will cost more.

 

As for "negotiation", just look for something in your price range and that step vanishes. Regardless, there are no "rules" for haggling but some sellers don't care for that approach.

 

So, in summary, a used 149 in good shape should be available here and elsewhere in your price range. Being that you're not a fp novice, you know the pluses and minuses of using a fp. A 149 ought to do the trick for you.

 

KAC

The ink capacity between a modern 146 and 149 is the same. Ypu have to go back to the 1960s when the 149 used a friction fit piston to have greater ink capacity.

[kmcmichael]

I can’t give any advice. I walked into a dealer, they had one in BB. I wanted a BBB but they were hard to find. I have no regrets.

[zaddick]

A 149 BBB has not been available as a standard nib size since the mid 1970s. You can still order OBBB however on a 149.

 

If you chose to pay for a bespoke nib you can get much wider or even EEF.

[Tom Kellie]

If you chose to pay for a bespoke nib you can get much wider or even EEF.

 

~ zaddick:

 

Both alternatives being truly delightful options.

Montblanc's Bespoke nibs are superb writing tools.

Tom K.

[meiers]

https://www.fritz-schimpf.de/

 

I purchased two pens from these good people recently. They are very good: polite, efficient and competent.

Edited November 19, 2019 by meiers

[AndWhoDisguisedAs]

As usual, fantastic advice.

 

I'm firm on buying used. $300-ish for a fountain pen, for me at least, is a ridiculous amount, especially when I'm happy with my Waterman Phileas (bought new for $40), TWSBI Eco T (new for $25), and Opus 88 Demonstrator (new $88). I'm just not that financial position.

 

I'm currently eyeing a pen in "our" classified section, but the owner is in Hungary, so I'm wary. The friend who turned me onto fountain pens, lives in Los Angeles, regularly attends the Fountain Pen Show in January and said he look for one. So there's that. (But as we all know, once we've made a decision to "buy that pen" we want it NOW.)

 

I'll continue to update this topic until I have the pen, Then, of course, pictures! Thanks everyone!

[kmcmichael]

A 149 BBB has not been available as a standard nib size since the mid 1970s. You can still order OBBB however on a 149.

 

If you chose to pay for a bespoke nib you can get much wider or even EEF.

 

Zaddick, what is your widest nib? At what point does the feed fail to keep up?

[Tom Kellie]

https://www.fritz-schimpf.de/

 

I purchased two pens from these good people recently. They are very good: polite, efficient and competent.

 

~ meiers:

 

I did likewise.

They're top quality in all respects, including service.

Tom K.

[Beechwood]

 

~ meiers:

 

I did likewise.

They're top quality in all respects, including service.

Tom K.

 

 

Agreed, they do things very well. I enjoy doing business with German companies in general and pen people in particular.

 

Perhaps before Brexit is agreed we in the UK can have an option of leaving Europe but not Germany.

[AndWhoDisguisedAs]

Can anyone tell me what the following means:

 

Montblanc Meisterstuck No. 146 Fountain Pen 4810 14K 585 Nib.

 

Is there a way to tell if the nib is a Fine, Medium, Broad, Italic, or whatever by this (or any other) designation? Why doesn't MB stamp the nib with a F, M, etc.?

 

As if buying the pen isn't hard enough! Mont Blanc, you're killing me!

[tamiya]

Can anyone tell me what the following means:

 

Montblanc Meisterstuck No. 146 Fountain Pen 4810 14K 585 Nib.

 

Is there a way to tell if the nib is a Fine, Medium, Broad, Italic, or whatever by this (or any other) designation? Why doesn't MB stamp the nib with a F, M, etc.?

because supposedly they aren't churned out enmass by machine, but lovingly handcrafted by vestigial v inbetween rolling exclusive GalloCuban cigars in their inner thighs...?

 

There's a tiny foil sticker on the barrel when new, but when that falls off or you've done nib change it's anybody's guess.

 

Seems to be a wide range of tolerance too, especially everything "M"... suspect each nib ingeneur just grinds a nib until it writes nice then grades it for size afterwards.

 

 

When buying new that's why it might take hours to find a nib that sings to you. Buying used best in person where you can dip test before paying. Once your planets align and the heavens open, the song of Angels will make you forget the price.

[zaddick]

Can anyone tell me what the following means:

 

Montblanc Meisterstuck No. 146 Fountain Pen 4810 14K 585 Nib.

 

Is there a way to tell if the nib is a Fine, Medium, Broad, Italic, or whatever by this (or any other) designation? Why doesn't MB stamp the nib with a F, M, etc.?

 

As if buying the pen isn't hard enough! Mont Blanc, you're killing me!

Post a decent, clear photo and we can tell you the width.

[DrDebG]

Sadly I'm a well worn veteran I live a mere short walk from our city MB boutique.

 

 

IWhile I am sad that I don't live near an MB boutique and only get to see new offerings via the internet and the very brief dashes through international airport shops (with never enough time!) , it is probably a good thing for my wallet.