Enjoying Montblanc Pens — Broad, Oblique, Extra Fine, Le & Bespoke 2020-2023

[Tom Kellie]

 

Montblanc x Fritz Schimpf 149 Italic Edge on Red

[max dog]

My very first Montblanc was a 145 Classique Platinum purchased new with a medium nib.  Shortly afterwards I sent the pen to MB and got the nib exchanged for an EF.  The EF was unlike any other EF I ever tried.  It had a pronounced architect character to it.   Being pretty new to fountain pens at the time (some 10 to 13 years ago), I didn't really appreciate it, and found the wide side strokes compared to the noticeably thinner down downstrokes a bit unwieldy.  Last year I acquired that pen back in a trade, and I absolutely adore the nib now, so full of character.  It's almost like that new Calligraphy Curved nib, not as pronounced, but very unique.  I can get a true EF line when I hold the pen up more vertically, and really pronounced architect character at 45 or lower angle.  

 

I have had other MB EF nibs since and the architect character is much more subtle; none of them as pronounced as this one on my 145.  I'll never part with it again!  

[axio]

what a journey you have gone through to find your true love. Thanks for the inspiring story

7 hours ago, max dog said:

My very first Montblanc was a 145 Classique Platinum purchased new with a medium nib.  Shortly afterwards I sent the pen to MB and got the nib exchanged for an EF.  The EF was unlike any other EF I ever tried.  It had a pronounced architect character to it.   Being pretty new to fountain pens at the time (some 10 to 13 years ago), I didn't really appreciate it, and found the wide side strokes compared to the noticeably thinner down downstrokes a bit unwieldy.  Last year I acquired that pen back in a trade, and I absolutely adore the nib now, so full of character.  It's almost like that new Calligraphy Curved nib, not as pronounced, but very unique.  I can get a true EF line when I hold the pen up more vertically, and really pronounced architect character at 45 or lower angle.  

 

I have had other MB EF nibs since and the architect character is much more subtle; none of them as pronounced as this one on my 145.  I'll never part with it again!  

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Italic Edge with Carnelian

[Tom Kellie]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[axio]

Hello Tom,

 

how do you compare your Italic Edge with your Signature Small?

I am very tempted to get the Signature Small. Reading through the positive comments in your old posts gave me a better understanding of its performance. But I also noticed how much in love you are with the Italic. So which one would be the one, if the others have to make way?

On 1/23/2023 at 12:29 AM, Tom Kellie said:

 

Montblanc x Fritz Schimpf 149 Italic Edge on Red

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

A Treasured Daily Writer:  Montblanc 90th Anniversary 149 EF

[DrDebG]

On 3/22/2023 at 5:20 PM, Tom Kellie said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a wonderful pen!  I have a couple of MB 220 pens which I absolutely love.  They are lightweight, wonderful piston fillers with great nibs.  Mine are fine and medium.  They are frequently in my rotation. 

[Tom Kellie]

[Tom Kellie]

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Montblanc x Fritz Schimpf 149 Italic Edge on Cap

[helloMB]

@Ghost Plane can you message me. Wanted to talk to you about DC

[helloMB]

Sometimes the 8x and 9x size Montblancs have crazy nibs. Think of it as your Lamy 2000 replacement 😂

[Tom Kellie]

[PerpetualTraveler]

Montblanc Orient Express High Artistry LE1883 149 with an incredible OBBB Nib

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Montblanc x Fritz Schimpf Italic Edge After 1 Year

[ak47]

On 7/11/2023 at 7:45 AM, PerpetualTraveler said:

Montblanc Orient Express High Artistry LE1883 149 with an incredible OBBB Nib

 

Fantastic! Please let us ser an example of writing!

[meiers]

That is a beautiful 149. 

[PerpetualTraveler]

Picked this beauty back up from a nib exchange on Thursday. Interesting story about it. Initially I requested an OBBB to be swapped with the original Medium nib due to my growing fear of Montblanc shaking up their nib exchange policy and nib size options. However, I was told a few weeks later once the pen reached Hamburg that only a F, M, or B was available. In my mind I thought huh, that is so odd a 149 could be limited to 3 nib sizes, maybe my fears are starting to come true. I then believed it had to do with the old 1990s nib being two-tone and not tri-tone (This example dates to 1995 and had never been used/inked aka brand spankin' new). I said ok lets do Broad as that was the next best alternative. Lo and behold 2 months later when I receive back from service I find an OBBB nib! Such a fitting nib size for one of MB's flagship models. The tri-tone nib matches the pen in a smashing fashion. I am thrilled...although it likely has to go back to Hamburg as the piston is still stiff as ever even when my boutique specially made a request to have the piston re lubed...ahhhh cie la vie

 

 

[Uncial]

Beautiful pen