New 149 Expressive Nib released in December?

[Centurion]

I removed the sticker immediately. I think the sticker is there to confirm the nib on the pen and to also quickly inform Montblanc workers what nib is inside the pen without uncapping it.

 

I also don't mind that Montblanc doesn't engrave "M" or "B" etc on nib because you might have the nib re-ground. Besides, one manufacturer's "B" is another's "M".  

[dftr]

well it's a nice problem to have to the 149 calligraphy and this one... but it irks me to have to unscrew the cap... I suppose I need to remember which pen is on the left or right...

 

as for the nib, the do have different scrollwork and it's of course pretty easy to tell the difference on the point.

 

[fpupulin]

I found, on another pen forum, a comment by Giorgio Gaetani, a renowned Italian calligrapher, about the 149 Calligraphy Curved Nib, accompanied by a nice picture of a couple of lines handwritten by him. I reproduce here, translated and with his permission, Gaetani's comment, together with the image of his pen and his notebook:

"After almost a month of use I can say with some confidence that this Montblanc is my favorite of the Calligraphy series (not counting the Fritz Schimpf which unfortunately I never got to try). Compared to the 149 flex and 146 flex, this 149 curved is a pen that is really fun, with its variation of strokes and its smoothness. Someone will forgive me, but from a calligraphic point of view, it seems to write with a brush pen.  Maybe you need to get used to it a bit to figure out how to get stroke variations, but after that it's really hard to stop writing. The ink flow is fast, absolutely enough to write quite dynamically too. I was expecting a fude nib given the "curved" wording, instead it's more like an architect. But okay, it's a marvel and not a day has gone by for a month without me picking up this pen, even if only for 10 minutes, for the sake of writing with this nib. za also writes very well in reverse, with a stroke that I would define as extra fine. The price makes your legs shake but among the Calligraphy it is the one that has impressed me the most so far. "

 

Image by Giorgio Gaetani

[a student]

35 minutes ago, fpupulin said:

Maybe you need to get used to it a bit to figure out how to get stroke variations

 

If Giorgio Gaetani, a renowned Italian calligrapher, judges that to apply in his case, then for plain enthusiasts it might mean, as I see it, a fair amount of sustained effort with the pen before some line variation can be accomplished.

 

That said, the sample of Giorgio Gaetani's writing is a most appealing and inspiring example of the possible

[axio]

Thanks for sharing @fpupulin

I wish I got to see how Giorgio holds the pen.

5 hours ago, fpupulin said:

I found, on another pen forum, a comment by Giorgio Gaetani, a renowned Italian calligrapher, about the 149 Calligraphy Curved Nib, accompanied by a nice picture of a couple of lines handwritten by him. I reproduce here, translated and with his permission, Gaetani's comment, together with the image of his pen and his notebook:

"After almost a month of use I can say with some confidence that this Montblanc is my favorite of the Calligraphy series (not counting the Fritz Schimpf which unfortunately I never got to try). Compared to the 149 flex and 146 flex, this 149 curved is a pen that is really fun, with its variation of strokes and its smoothness. Someone will forgive me, but from a calligraphic point of view, it seems to write with a brush pen.  Maybe you need to get used to it a bit to figure out how to get stroke variations, but after that it's really hard to stop writing. The ink flow is fast, absolutely enough to write quite dynamically too. I was expecting a fude nib given the "curved" wording, instead it's more like an architect. But okay, it's a marvel and not a day has gone by for a month without me picking up this pen, even if only for 10 minutes, for the sake of writing with this nib. za also writes very well in reverse, with a stroke that I would define as extra fine. The price makes your legs shake but among the Calligraphy it is the one that has impressed me the most so far. "

 

Image by Giorgio Gaetani

 

[dftr]

@fpupulin thanks for the image.  Do you or Giorgio have any tips.  The cross on the T is so narrow.  The upper part of the bowl on the p and b likewise are really narrow.

Is he maintaining a similar hand position or turning the nib as he writes.  How much is he doing as a printed vs continuous form?  I'd love to see a video of his writing!  

[empliau]

I wonder if Signor Gaetani refers to the Fritz Schimpf Expressive or the Italic Edge? Anyone know?

[Uncial]

I think he must be lifting and flatening the nib for the expressiveness of line. Its a slightly counter intuitive way of writing with a fountain pen but I can see that you would get used to it and have a lot of fun with it. Not sure you could do much else with it other than that modern italic type style.

[Bad Calligraphy]

7 hours ago, empliau said:

I wonder if Signor Gaetani refers to the Fritz Schimpf Expressive or the Italic Edge? Anyone know?

Hello. To both of them, actually. Unfortunately I cannot find them anywhere anymore to buy but I would be really curious to try them on day.

[empliau]

8 hours ago, Bad Calligraphy said:

Hello. To both of them, actually. Unfortunately I cannot find them anywhere anymore to buy but I would be really curious to try them on day.

If I should come to Germany I'll bring mine for you to try! I find the Italic Edge easier to use than the Expressive, but I have little experience with flex and am timid about pressing hard.  

[Bad Calligraphy]

3 hours ago, empliau said:

If I should come to Germany I'll bring mine for you to try! I find the Italic Edge easier to use than the Expressive, but I have little experience with flex and am timid about pressing hard.  

That would be awesome! I would really like to try the italic to write other styles. I would say, even if I’m used to very flexible nibs, the Montblanc is always a bit worrying to flex too much for me too.  

[Bad Calligraphy]

22 hours ago, dftr said:

I'd love to see a video of his writing!  

 

 I posted a video to show how I use this pen. Unfortunately I could put only 60 seconds, but I hope you can see what I’m doing there  

[axio]

3 hours ago, Bad Calligraphy said:

 

 I posted a video to show how I use this pen. Unfortunately I could put only 60 seconds, but I hope you can see what I’m doing there  

Lucky you being a leftie.

[a student]

19 hours ago, Bad Calligraphy said:

 

 I posted a video to show how I use this pen. Unfortunately I could put only 60 seconds, but I hope you can see what I’m doing there  

 

The video it seems to me suggests that the 149 curved nib involves a significantly higher learning curve and patience than working with the earlier 149 flex calligraphy nib

[dftr]

On 2/14/2023 at 7:08 AM, empliau said:

If I should come to Germany I'll bring mine for you to try! I find the Italic Edge easier to use than the Expressive, but I have little experience with flex and am timid about pressing hard.  

Hi please make sure the flex calligraphy nib is what you try to flex and dont go 😜. The curved nib is not for flex. 

22 hours ago, Bad Calligraphy said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I posted a video to show how I use this pen. Unfortunately I could put only 60 seconds, but I hope you can see what I’m doing there  

Thanks so much for posting. I did not think to use it that way.  As a fellow lefty im weary of smearing the ink. I have tried something similar but using the hook. But yes this pen nib is very good for lefties. Soo smooth and ink flow on demand. 

[empliau]

Fritz Schrimpf's Expressive is meant to be an Italic flex.  That said, they referred to it as the Diva because, though the results are spectacular in the hands of a skilled practitioner, it does take some getting used to.  And though Sebastian can do miracles with it, I am content with less.

[dftr]

On 2/15/2023 at 3:57 PM, empliau said:

Fritz Schrimpf's Expressive is meant to be an Italic flex.  That said, they referred to it as the Diva because, though the results are spectacular in the hands of a skilled practitioner, it does take some getting used to.  And though Sebastian can do miracles with it, I am content with less.

Ah I thought you were referring to the curved nib.

Shoot, I would love an italic flex... I can hope Fritz or MB will release something similar in 2024...

[peroride]

Not sure if this is common to all 149s but add a +1 for ink sealing: My Curved Nib started up right again in its usual normal side wide stroke after sitting for 40 days using Montblanc Toffee Brown.

 

I don't see any inner cap like Platinum Slip and Seal, just a flat head screw at the bottom of the cap.

 

I thought there would be some dry out or line degradation but I guess the feed really keeps up!

[como]

On 2/14/2023 at 8:22 PM, Bad Calligraphy said:

 

 I posted a video to show how I use this pen. Unfortunately I could put only 60 seconds, but I hope you can see what I’m doing there  

@Bad Calligraphy That is very cool! Thank you very much for sharing!! I never imagined one could do this with the Curved Nib, but it just goes to show that it's not just the pen but what you can do with it. Fantastic!

[invisuu]

On 2/13/2023 at 4:23 AM, fpupulin said:

I found, on another pen forum, a comment by Giorgio Gaetani, a renowned Italian calligrapher, about the 149 Calligraphy Curved Nib, accompanied by a nice picture of a couple of lines handwritten by him. I reproduce here, translated and with his permission, Gaetani's comment, together with the image of his pen and his notebook:

"After almost a month of use I can say with some confidence that this Montblanc is my favorite of the Calligraphy series (not counting the Fritz Schimpf which unfortunately I never got to try). Compared to the 149 flex and 146 flex, this 149 curved is a pen that is really fun, with its variation of strokes and its smoothness. Someone will forgive me, but from a calligraphic point of view, it seems to write with a brush pen.  Maybe you need to get used to it a bit to figure out how to get stroke variations, but after that it's really hard to stop writing. The ink flow is fast, absolutely enough to write quite dynamically too. I was expecting a fude nib given the "curved" wording, instead it's more like an architect. But okay, it's a marvel and not a day has gone by for a month without me picking up this pen, even if only for 10 minutes, for the sake of writing with this nib. za also writes very well in reverse, with a stroke that I would define as extra fine. The price makes your legs shake but among the Calligraphy it is the one that has impressed me the most so far. "

 

Image by Giorgio Gaetani

 

Am I the only one that is bothered by the jagged lines? I really like my nibs to put down solid lines with crisp edges. I also saw the video and the nib seems to write beautifully, put from the picture it doesn't look like it puts down crisp lines.