nib Repair broken nib

[Jejurk]

Hello

 

I have a montblanc 146 from the 50s but the nib is broken, so I’m wondering if it’s something that can be repaired?

 

Thanks!

 

[PAKMAN]

You could return it to Mont Blanc for replacement.  To get it repaired will require a nibmister that retips, like Greg Minuskin.

[Jejurk]

Do you know how much it would cost, and is he located in Europe?

[FarmBoy]

I can not tell if the left tine is cracked. 
In my experience:

A retip and basic grind starts at 75

Crack welds start at 30

Unbending starts at 25

 

Mr Minuskin is in California, USA. 
 

I would probably check with MB to see what they would charge first. 

[PAKMAN]

Agree, I would check with Mont Blanc first that nib will require a lot of work to make it right. They would replace it with a new one.

[Seney724]

There is one more thing to consider......

Almost certainly, Montblanc's replacement nib with be a "modern" 146 nib.  They will not provide you with a vintage nib like the one you are asking about.   

If it were mine, I'd far prefer to have the "correct" (and IMO better) 50's nib on the pen.  But, I stress, this is only my opinion, and, others might not agree.

 

Also, you ask about Europe.  There is a wonderful, small company in Spain, FPNibs.com, run by Pablo Gimena and Esther Duran.  Their nib work, including retipping, and their customer service is totally first class.

But, before you get too excited about this option, you'd best look into it.  Pablo and Esther had become so busy they stopped taking new orders.  I'm not sure if that is still the case.

[FarmBoy]

For me it matters what the desired end result is. If it is to write with it replace the nib or get another pen. If it is to preserve history get it repaired.  

[Jejurk]

How much does it cost to replace the nib?

[Seney724]

12 hours ago, FarmBoy said:

For me it matters what the desired end result is. If it is to write with it replace the nib or get another pen. If it is to preserve history get it repaired.  

I agree 100% that what is most important is the desired end result.

But, I'm not so sure things are as black & white as you represent them to be.....

 

Personally, I have written with several vintage nibs which have been straightened, laser welded and re-tipped.  Some were incredibly nice writers and some were not.

Likewise, I've written with quite a few new nibs.  Again, some were incredibly nice writers and some were not.

 

It's not all  "hit & miss;" I have found that a good conversation with the person who would be doing the restorative work of the damaged nib can be very insightful in terms of predicting the likely outcome.  The very few people capable of doing this work well are all overwhelmed with business and are happy to render an opinion even if it means they will lose the revenue opportunity.

 

For me, one thing is for absolute sure.....if this pen (the OP's) were mine I would definitely not let Montblanc put one of their new nibs on it.  Instead, I would take as long as is necessary to find and acquire a replacement nib which is identical to the current, damaged one.  The Montblanc 14x nibs of the 50's are far superior to the ones which are currently being manufactured in their "standard" production line.

[FarmBoy]

Keep in mind a bit that has been welded, retipped and/or straightened isn’t always the same after the repair. 

[Seney724]

3 minutes ago, FarmBoy said:

Keep in mind a bit that has been welded, retipped and/or straightened isn’t always the same after the repair. 

Of course not.

 

Post restoration the nib might be:

• Better.
• Worse.
• Same.

I've experienced all three............

[mke]

from reddit

 

...you could send it to Germany to Horst Max Schrage (maxpens.de). Apparently he's a former Montblanc employee that specialises in repairing/restoring pre-1960s MBs. I think you would have to contact him via “reparatur@maxpens.de”. Here is a thread from someone from FPN who sent his pens to him to have them repaired...

 

 

[hari317]

On 1/23/2025 at 9:57 PM, Jejurk said:

Hello

 

I have a montblanc 146 from the 50s but the nib is broken, so I’m wondering if it’s something that can be repaired?

 

Thanks!

 

That's a valuable 146 made of celluloid with a telescopic piston filler.

the nib can be repaired in the hands of an expert like either John Mottishaw or Greg Minuskin 

Montblanc will simply swap your pen for a huge fee with the modern one not as valuable as this vintage.

[FarmBoy]

Hari-

John is retired from re-tipping.

FarmBoy

[hari317]

5 hours ago, FarmBoy said:

Hari-

John is retired from re-tipping.

FarmBoy

oh ok, thanks! I have a few nibs done by him. Top notch.