How to tell the nib size

[LouisA]

How can you tell the nib size on a 145, 146, 149? On e-bay a lot of times all the seller knows is that they are selling a Montblanc. Most don't know the model. When I ask them what the nib size is that have no clue. Since I don't own one I can't tell them how to tell. Can anyone offer suggestions or help.

[jaytaylor]

How can you tell the nib size on a 145, 146, 149? On e-bay a lot of times all the seller knows is that they are selling a Montblanc. Most don't know the model. When I ask them what the nib size is that have no clue. Since I don't own one I can't tell them how to tell. Can anyone offer suggestions or help.

 

Your best bet is to study photos of the three pens to help you determine what you are looking at.

 

I find it easier to determine a 146 from a 149 by the cap, the 149 has a more bulbous cap top and the clip looks somewhat smaller against it. As for the 145 - it has no ink vue window.

 

see links for help.

 

http://www.pensplus.co.uk/mont_blanc.htm

 

http://hotpens.stores.yahoo.net/monmeiscol.html

[PigRatAndGoat]

If you are talking about nib sizes like EF, F, M, B etc, there are no markings on the nib that denote a certain size.

[LouisA]

If you are talking about nib sizes like EF, F, M, B etc, there are no markings on the nib that denote a certain size.

 

so how does one what size the nib is?

 

[jaytaylor]

If you are talking about nib sizes like EF, F, M, B etc, there are no markings on the nib that denote a certain size.

 

so how does one what size the nib is?

 

When purchased new they are labelled on the cardboard outer packaging and sometimes a small sticker on the barrel of the pen. Otherwise there are no marks to indicate nib size and you simply have to look at the nib tipping material size and ask questions on the thickness of the line it puts down.

Edited October 1, 2007 by jaytaylor

[Shangas]

Nib-sizes for Montblanc pens...by which I think we've determined by now, you mean the WIDTH of the LINE, is shown either:

 

A - On the box. If the pen is brand-new, the box will have a sticker on it with F/M/B (or something similiar - XF/EF/F/M/B etc etc), which will tell nib-width.

 

B - On the pen itself. No, it's not engraved anywhere, so don't start looking. A brand-new pen will have a little gold sticker on it with either F, M or B, denoting FINE MEDIUM or BROAD.

 

Of course, I always recommend TRYING before BUYING. Otherwise you'll have a white elephant on your desk.

[LeonW]

Thanks for clearing up this question for me, power to the Internet. ☺

[Opooh]

As long the first owner didn't have a nib exchange.

[Chrissy]

I often wish that Mb FP's had some way of showing the nib size even after the sticker or the box have long gone. Sadly though, they don't.

[Mister Mont Blanc]

As mentioned above, unfortunately there's no sure way to know the nib width from just the nib alone. But as I have done, you can notice differences between the variations of nibs. With a good close-up pic of the nib, it can be easy to tell if it is in the fine, medium, or broad range. It can be harder to tell the difference between a Broad and Double Broad nib. But the modern EF nibs have a little pinch to them in the tipping which is only on the EF. The F tip has a narrow tip that isn't pinched while the Medium is more rounded and wider. The B-BBB of course is much wider and usually obvious.

 

I've had this same problem with eBay sellers also which is really annoying when it's a good deal!

[NibNewbie]

With a good close-up pic of the nib, it can be easy to tell if it is in the fine, medium, or broad range. It can be harder to tell the difference between a Broad and Double Broad nib.

 

Can anyone tell me the approximate nib size of this one?

 

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPD5v0XBK8xgg7BcdovWnM3xlSimrfq0Hca0wIXPfwxN-C-Eac1L3rrxz6plkmYlQ/photo/AF1QipMegg9x8EJ4mjhR-nLnu09ZfVJKcAF_B5Xl7xaK?key=dVBzMnBFRzJ2aTJYU1BMYXpwQjVxemJxaWlyTWZR

 

 

[jar]

 

Can anyone tell me the approximate nib size of this one?

 

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPD5v0XBK8xgg7BcdovWnM3xlSimrfq0Hca0wIXPfwxN-C-Eac1L3rrxz6plkmYlQ/photo/AF1QipMegg9x8EJ4mjhR-nLnu09ZfVJKcAF_B5Xl7xaK?key=dVBzMnBFRzJ2aTJYU1BMYXpwQjVxemJxaWlyTWZR

 

 

First. welcome home. Pull up a stump and set a spell. Looks to be a medium or broad.

[NibNewbie]

First. welcome home. Pull up a stump and set a spell. Looks to be a medium or broad.

 

Thanks, I was thinking M. Pen has never been inked and I haven't decided whether I'm keeping it yet or looking to trade, so I didn't want to ink it to find out.

[niksch]

Since the tipping looks more rounded, I'd judge it an M.

[teeitup418holes]

Since the tipping looks more rounded, I'd judge it an M.

Agreed. I'd say Medium

[Erik Dalton]

+ 1 for medium

[Barkingpig]

Is there any other company who sells their pens without indicating a nib size? I mean engraved upon the nib, not a "sticker," which can obviously be incorrectly placed, or a box simply mixed up.

 

I sent two 146's in to MB for service of one, which had come in a clearly marked box, the other pen for piston repair. I requested & paid for the new pen to have it's medium nib replaced by an OBB nib. When it returned it was not noticeably different from the other "medium nibbed pen." After calling service, they said the work order was NOT the same as the service order & admitted the nib was NOT correct. Away I went, shipping again the pen for it's return visit; it would seem to reduce error of such, or general confusion by simply marking the nibs.

[jar]

Is there any other company who sells their pens without indicating a nib size? I mean engraved upon the nib, not a "sticker," which can obviously be incorrectly placed, or a box simply mixed up.

 

I sent two 146's in to MB for service of one, which had come in a clearly marked box, the other pen for piston repair. I requested & paid for the new pen to have it's medium nib replaced by an OBB nib. When it returned it was not noticeably different from the other "medium nibbed pen." After calling service, they said the work order was NOT the same as the service order & admitted the nib was NOT correct. Away I went, shipping again the pen for it's return visit; it would seem to reduce error of such, or general confusion by simply marking the nibs.

Many. Many Sheaffer pens and Parker pens were sold with chalkmarked details which wiped right off. Often the only model and nib type information was on that chalkmark. Sheaffer also used plastic bands on the pens for information.

[Philip W]

I know this is an old post, but I found something interesting about a  Montblanc's 220 nib when I dismantled the pen for cleaning. At front of the 220 nib is only with '585' inscribed, at the back of the nib, it has 'MONTBLANC' and the number '7' underneath the word 'MONTBLANC'. Not sure what the number designates? The size of the nib or the nib size. Can someone comment on this? Thanks