The Meisterstück 149 Calligraphy Appreciation Thread

[fpupulin]

9 hours ago, a student said:

 

[...] I wonder if it is too much to ask about a thread on a comparison between the 146 and 149 Calligraphy pens, sharing your thoughts and images, should the matter interest, or at least intrigue, you? [...]

 

Well @a student, our friend @JulieParadise is probably right in saying that such a comparison is made a bit difficult by the amount of variables in the equation, so at the best what we can do (collectively speaking) is conveying our subjective feelings and showing our tests. In cases like these, nothing is more true that a "picture is worth thousand words".

 

So, here I am doing my part, proposing a test that I have wanted to do for a long time, the two flexible Montblanc Calligraphy next to each other, 149 vs 146 (or Le Grand, as Montblanc marketing now calls it). The 146 is a great pen. For me, for my sensation, the nib is very "Omas Extra Lucens" (if you ever had the chance to try one), very reactive and not excessively soft. I know there are differences between nibs, but in my experience Omas Extras (not Lucens) nibs are usually a little more flexible, with the same elasticity.

 

 

What to say? Spectacular! You can see by yourself what the two nibs can do, despite the sadly sloping line spacing (when I realized that there was not enough space for ten lines of text, it was too late...). One line each, starting with 149 and Iroshizuku chiku-rin ink and continuing with 146 and Montblanc's Irish Green (a darker and a little "colder" ink).

 

The 149 has a more flexible nib (even compared to an Omas Extra), with a lazier "snapback". Once you learn how to tame this laziness it provides, in my opinion, the most enjoyable writing experience. The nib of the 146 is more elastic and therefore easier in pointed calligraphy, even if it requires a little more pressure to obtain the strokes of the shadows.

 

I hope that the comparison may be useful, at least in part, to "see" how he two nibs behave and to explain you my feelings about them.

 

For me, they are two marvels. The best that Montblanc has done in the last half century.

[a student]

52 minutes ago, fpupulin said:

 

Well @a student, our friend @JulieParadise is probably right in saying that such a comparison is made a bit difficult by the amount of variables in the equation, so at the best what we can do (collectively speaking) is conveying our subjective feelings and showing our tests. In cases like these, nothing is more true that a "picture is worth thousand words".

 

So, here I am doing my part, proposing a test that I have wanted to do for a long time, the two flexible Montblanc Calligraphy next to each other, 149 vs 146 (or Le Grand, as Montblanc marketing now calls it). The 146 is a great pen. For me, for my sensation, the nib is very "Omas Extra Lucens" (if you ever had the chance to try one), very reactive and not excessively soft. I know there are differences between nibs, but in my experience Omas Extras (not Lucens) nibs are usually a little more flexible, with the same elasticity.

 

 

What to say? Spectacular! You can see by yourself what the two nibs can do, despite the sadly sloping line spacing (when I realized that there was not enough space for ten lines of text, it was too late...). One line each, starting with 149 and Iroshizuku chiku-rin ink and continuing with 146 and Montblanc's Irish Green (a darker and a little "colder" ink).

 

The 149 has a more flexible nib (even compared to an Omas Extra), with a lazier "snapback". Once you learn how to tame this laziness it provides, in my opinion, the most enjoyable writing experience. The nib of the 146 is more elastic and therefore easier in pointed calligraphy, even if it requires a little more pressure to obtain the strokes of the shadows.

 

I hope that the comparison may be useful, at least in part, to "see" how he two nibs behave and to explain you my feelings about them.

 

For me, they are two marvels. The best that Montblanc has done in the last half century.

 

Many thanks indeed, and much obliged. Your deep interest and skill with paper and pen are a marvel for me, and of course the visual aspect is a most enjoyable and educational experience. Thank you for your generosity in sharing your work, your knowledge and your time. (When next in a shop with a MB 146 Calligraphy in stock, I shall try it out just to get a first feel)

[fpupulin]

24 minutes ago, a student said:

 

[...] When next in a shop with a MB 146 Calligraphy in stock, I shall try it out just to get a first feel.

 

Yes, @a student, I would say it is tempting, to say the least...

 

[Toolattack]

This is very interesting @fpupulin. Would it be correct to say that the tines on the 149 nib open a little wider (perhaps due to the length)? The line seems slightly broader and I assume you applied the same pressure?

However, when the tines are together with no pressure the fine lines look very similar and so I assume (maybe wrongly!) the nib tips are very similar on both pens. Thank you so much for doing this comparison and apologies if my assumptions are incorrect - I'm still deciding which I should buy!

[fpupulin]

Well, @Toolattack, remember first of all that calligraphy is in no way an exact science, so my answer is only an approximation, in the form of a graphic representation, to the comparison of the two nibs, something that I would consider no more than a rather imprecise experiment.

 

I did simple curves with both nibs, going from low pressure to medium-high pressure, before releasing, and trying to apply "equal pressure" to both tips. Then, with the same procedure, trying to exert a comparable pressure, I drew two series of calligraphic eights. As the 146 pen is not mine, but just on loan, I did not try to force the nib to what I feel is its maximum capacity of flex, and similarly I did not use maximum pressure on the nib of my 149, even though I know by experience that it can hold a distinctly stronger pressure. 

 

As I told you, the attempt to exert equal pressure on two nibs that behave differently can only be of limited precision. Sufficient however, in my opinion, to have a general impression that probably does not deviate too much from reality.  In the upper pic, the 146 nib did the first, third, and fifth curves; the 149 was used for the second, fourth, and sixth. On the lower photo, the calligraphic eights on the left were done with the 146, those on the right with the 149 Calligraphy, all under comparable pressure.

 

 

 

 

There is no doubt, at least for me, that the tines of the 149 nib spread more easily. The nib of the 149 Calligraphy is more flexible and, under equal pressure, releases a visibly wider line; conversely, it is able to obtain a line of the same thickness with significantly less pressure, compared to the 146 Calligraphy pen. One could perhaps argue that the nib of my 149 has seen almost three years of constant use, while the 146 is almost "new", but the flexibility improvement of my 149 nib since the first day has been very marginal, I have to say, if any, so I think that the comparison is quite on spot from this point of view.

The 146 Calligraphy's nib is less flexible but more elastic, and this gives it a better and more instantaneous "snapback". I find it a fabulous nib, and in some respects "easier" for calligraphic practice, but a little less expressive in everyday writing.

For me, for my style of writing, the flexible Calligraphy nib of the 149 offers a more pleasant experience, because it is more flexible and it allows a certain amount of line variation also under the low pressure of normal, everyday writing. It is a funniest nib. Being less flexible, and with a better "snapback", I feel that the Calligraphy nib of the Le Grand should is easier tool for calligraphic exercises, but I also felt it less comfortable for everyday writing as it requires more pressure to attain a basic, perceptible line variation.  

 

As a final consideration, I would have no hesitation in recommending any of these two nibs even to anyone who wants to have only one Meisterstück in their collection, because they would have an exceptional pen for "normal" writing and an excellent tool for pointed calligraphy.

 

Take this data with all the subjectivity of the case but, even if I find that both are extraordinary pens, I wouldn't trade the nib of my 149 Calligraphy for that of a Le Grand.

 

  

[Toolattack]

Thank you @fpupulin you really go beyond what could be expected and are a credit to this forum. Although subjective, your skill, experience and knowledge gives very useful insight into how both pens perform and will help me make my decision.
Further to your comments I have just rung my nearest boutique and they were kind enough to organise a test for me to try both pens.

Thank you again for all your help and advice, I’m travelling for a little while, but as soon as I get the chance I will test the pens and purchase the one that suits my writing style best.

 

[Seney724]

51 minutes ago, fpupulin said:

Well, @Toolattack, remember first of all that calligraphy is in no way an exact science, so my answer is only an approximation, in the form of a graphic representation, to the comparison of the two nibs, something that I would consider no more than a rather imprecise experiment.

 

I did simple curves with both nibs, going from low pressure to medium-high pressure, before releasing, and trying to apply "equal pressure" to both tips. Then, with the same procedure, trying to exert a comparable pressure, I drew two series of calligraphic eights. As the 146 pen is not mine, but just on loan, I did not try to force the nib to what I feel is its maximum capacity of flex, and similarly I did not use maximum pressure on the nib of my 149, even though I know by experience that it can hold a distinctly stronger pressure. 

 

As I told you, the attempt to exert equal pressure on two nibs that behave differently can only be of limited precision. Sufficient however, in my opinion, to have a general impression that probably does not deviate too much from reality.  In the upper pic, the 146 nib did the first, third, and fifth curves; the 149 was used for the second, fourth, and sixth. On the lower photo, the calligraphic eights on the left were done with the 146, those on the right with the 149 Calligraphy, all under comparable pressure.

 

 

 

 

There is no doubt, at least for me, that the tines of the 149 nib spread more easily. The nib of the 149 Calligraphy is more flexible and, under equal pressure, releases a visibly wider line; conversely, it is able to obtain a line of the same thickness with significantly less pressure, compared to the 146 Calligraphy pen. One could perhaps argue that the nib of my 149 has seen almost three years of constant use, while the 146 is almost "new", but the flexibility improvement of my 149 nib since the first day has been very marginal, I have to say, if any, so I think that the comparison is quite on spot from this point of view.

The 146 Calligraphy's nib is less flexible but more elastic, and this gives it a better and more instantaneous "snapback". I find it a fabulous nib, and in some respects "easier" for calligraphic practice, but a little less expressive in everyday writing.

For me, for my style of writing, the flexible Calligraphy nib of the 149 offers a more pleasant experience, because it is more flexible and it allows a certain amount of line variation also under the low pressure of normal, everyday writing. It is a funniest nib. Being less flexible, and with a better "snapback", I feel that the Calligraphy nib of the Le Grand should is easier tool for calligraphic exercises, but I also felt it less comfortable for everyday writing as it requires more pressure to attain a basic, perceptible line variation.  

 

As a final consideration, I would have no hesitation in recommending any of these two nibs even to anyone who wants to have only one Meisterstück in their collection, because they would have an exceptional pen for "normal" writing and an excellent tool for pointed calligraphy.

 

Take this data with all the subjectivity of the case but, even if I find that both are extraordinary pens, I wouldn't trade the nib of my 149 Calligraphy for that of a Le Grand.

 

  

This is a wonderful reply!  Your method of analysis and then your communication of your impressions of what you encountered are just fantastic!  Thank you for doing it for us.

[a student]

Thank you @fpupulin once again for sharing your experience and skills to elaborate on aspects of the comparison; and thank you also @Toolattack for bringing up the specific issue.

 

One learns much here

[Toolattack]

2 hours ago, a student said:

Thank you @fpupulin once again for sharing your experience and skills to elaborate on aspects of the comparison; and thank you also @Toolattack for bringing up the specific issue.

 

One learns much here

Thanks @a student FPN is the richer for fantastic members like @fpupulin

[ak47]

11 minutes ago, Toolattack said:

Thanks @a student FPN is the richer for fantastic members like @fpupulin

 

3 hours ago, fpupulin said:

Well, @Toolattack, remember first of all that calligraphy is in no way an exact science, so my answer is only an approximation, in the form of a graphic representation, to the comparison of the two nibs, something that I would consider no more than a rather imprecise experiment.

 

I did simple curves with both nibs, going from low pressure to medium-high pressure, before releasing, and trying to apply "equal pressure" to both tips. Then, with the same procedure, trying to exert a comparable pressure, I drew two series of calligraphic eights. As the 146 pen is not mine, but just on loan, I did not try to force the nib to what I feel is its maximum capacity of flex, and similarly I did not use maximum pressure on the nib of my 149, even though I know by experience that it can hold a distinctly stronger pressure. 

 

As I told you, the attempt to exert equal pressure on two nibs that behave differently can only be of limited precision. Sufficient however, in my opinion, to have a general impression that probably does not deviate too much from reality.  In the upper pic, the 146 nib did the first, third, and fifth curves; the 149 was used for the second, fourth, and sixth. On the lower photo, the calligraphic eights on the left were done with the 146, those on the right with the 149 Calligraphy, all under comparable pressure.

 

 

 

 

There is no doubt, at least for me, that the tines of the 149 nib spread more easily. The nib of the 149 Calligraphy is more flexible and, under equal pressure, releases a visibly wider line; conversely, it is able to obtain a line of the same thickness with significantly less pressure, compared to the 146 Calligraphy pen. One could perhaps argue that the nib of my 149 has seen almost three years of constant use, while the 146 is almost "new", but the flexibility improvement of my 149 nib since the first day has been very marginal, I have to say, if any, so I think that the comparison is quite on spot from this point of view.

The 146 Calligraphy's nib is less flexible but more elastic, and this gives it a better and more instantaneous "snapback". I find it a fabulous nib, and in some respects "easier" for calligraphic practice, but a little less expressive in everyday writing.

For me, for my style of writing, the flexible Calligraphy nib of the 149 offers a more pleasant experience, because it is more flexible and it allows a certain amount of line variation also under the low pressure of normal, everyday writing. It is a funniest nib. Being less flexible, and with a better "snapback", I feel that the Calligraphy nib of the Le Grand should is easier tool for calligraphic exercises, but I also felt it less comfortable for everyday writing as it requires more pressure to attain a basic, perceptible line variation.  

 

As a final consideration, I would have no hesitation in recommending any of these two nibs even to anyone who wants to have only one Meisterstück in their collection, because they would have an exceptional pen for "normal" writing and an excellent tool for pointed calligraphy.

 

Take this data with all the subjectivity of the case but, even if I find that both are extraordinary pens, I wouldn't trade the nib of my 149 Calligraphy for that of a Le Grand.

 

  

Thank you for your thouths and scriba! I have bought my 149c after reading fpopulin on december 2021!

Thanks a lot

[Toolattack]

37 minutes ago, ak47 said:

Thank you for your thouths and scriba! I have bought my 149c after reading fpopulin on december 2021!

Thanks a lot

That's wonderful to hear @ak47 maybe @fpupulin should get a commission from MB for all the members he inspires to buy these pens!

[fpupulin]

Dear @Toolattack,  if I've served as an honest ambassador for Montblanc's pens fitted with their new flexible nibs, and helped make anyone feel tempted by them, I'm glad, and I think I've done well.

 

The point is that, for me, fountain pens with flexible nibs have always been Omas. Not the modern Omas, of which I greatly appreciate the quality, smoothness and perfect flow, but whose nibs are just elastic or - as in the case of the "Extra Flessibile", soft, but rather those of the 40s, 50s and 60s, before the advent of the pens made in "cotton resin". Omas Extra and later Omas Extra Lucens nibs are often fantastic flexible nibs. I say "often", instead of "always", because I seem to have understood that not all the nibs produced by Omas (or for Omas) were equal from the point of view of flexibility. I don't know if by will or by chance, but apparently Omas used nibs with varying degrees of flexibility even during its golden age.

 

When I say that, for me, the flexible nibs for fountain pens were essentially those of Omas, I in no way mean that they were better than those produced by other brands of the past. Simply, I really like Omas pens, of which I have some experiences, while I have no direct experience with the flexible nibs of other manufacturers, so I refrain from commenting about flexible nibs “in general”.

 

When, in 2019, Montblanc launched its 149 fitted with the flexible Calligraphy nib, I was quite optimistic about it. I was led to believe that a brand like Montblanc, with a century of proven quality in fountain pen production, hadn't taken the challenge of a modern flexible nib lightly. To the test, which in my case came almost seven months after the official presentation of Montblanc's first flexible calligraphic nib, I would say that the Hamburg house has made more than a flexible nib for calligraphy. They have made an extra-fine nib that can be used without problems for everyday writing - and therefore suitable for the thousands of enthusiasts of the brand who have no particular experience in using a pointed calligraphic nib - and which, when desired, also excels in calligraphic exercise.

 

Now that I have had the opportunity to try the flexible nib of the 146 Calligraphy for a few days, I can say that the good performance of the 149 calligraphic nib was not an isolated case. Montblanc knows how to do it!

 

Here below, side by side, the pens with calligraphic virtues that I have found best for my tastes. On the left, the Omases. A Gentlemen (with the "e"), in black celluloid, circa 1967, with an absolutely amazing Extra nib, my best. The nib is original from this pen, which I bought NOS some years ago. Next to it is an Omas Ogiva Arco, a modern pen, to which an Extra Lucens from the 1940s or 1950s has been adapted. Slightly stiffer than the Extra, just as elastic and just a little less fantastic.

On the right, are the modern Montblancs. The 149, with its splendid, large and super flexible nib, perhaps the most flexible of mine, but with a little less spring. And finally the 146 Calligraphy, also amazing, with a nib that is slightly less flexible than that of the 149 but also more elastic, very, very similar to the Extra Lucens nib by Omas. I think that, given the opportunity, I might give serious thought to Le Grand Calligraphy...

 

[a student]

12 hours ago, fpupulin said:

Dear @Toolattack,  if I've served as an honest ambassador for Montblanc's pens fitted with their new flexible nibs, and helped make anyone feel tempted by them, I'm glad, and I think I've done well.

 

Well @fpupulin I may have made this confession before, but I got my 149 Calligraphy on seeing your exquisite work here, and feel lucky to have stumbled on this thread; but I haven't been able to put in the time for any exercises yet, beyond working with what the accompanying leaflet contained.

 

I have watched our good friend @como make remarkably impressive progress, huge strides, and produce wonderful examples of calligraphy with 149C, starting from scratch- and that suggests all is not lost for the rest of us. At some point I'll get around to the exercises on a regular basis. 

 

I am glad that you are trying out the 146 Calligraphy, and people like me are learning by the day.

[Toolattack]

Lovely comparison @fpupulin and interesting to hear your ‘journey’ with the pens.

[fpupulin]

The time has come to return the 146 Calligraphy. I'm glad I had some time in my hands to try and enjoy it, but it's time for the pen to go home.
Before I let her go, I took some pictures of her fine nib with a new microscope that just landed home!

 

 

[fpupulin]

And here, again, the nib tip of the 146 next to that of its older sister, the 149 Calligraphy:

 

 

[fpupulin]

And finally, to round it off, a text written with the 146 Calligraphy on a beautiful sheet of Fabriano Studio Watercolor, which I confirm is an excellent paper for calligraphy.

 

[a student]

10 hours ago, fpupulin said:

And finally, to round it off, a text written with the 146 Calligraphy on a beautiful sheet of Fabriano Studio Watercolor, which I confirm is an excellent paper for calligraphy.

 

 

Thank you again for sharing your experience and reflections on 146C; enjoyed the comparison with 149C too!

[Toolattack]

15 hours ago, fpupulin said:

And here, again, the nib tip of the 146 next to that of its older sister, the 149 Calligraphy:

 

 

 

Love the droplets of 'ink sweat' on these closeups - wonderful photos.

[fpupulin]

Well, the 146 Calligraphy came back to her owner. Time to come back to my trusty 149 Calligraphy. I am glad that I had the opportunity to spend some time with the calligraphic nib of the 146, but I have to confess you that I much prefer the shape and size of the 149 Calligraphy nib, and I prefer its behavior on the paper. I have more fun with my 149 Calligraphy and I like more the bolder line of which this pen is capable.

 

Finally, chances are I can save some money and stick with my 149s (plural) Calligraphy!