Custom Edition

[niksch]

The 149 nib will not fit for a couple of reasons, but most of all because the diameter of the sections between the two are different, and therefore the arc on the base of the nibs are of separate sizes. If you tried to put a 149 nib into a 146 section, you would crimp the nib so much flow would be affected and I suspect the pen would not write.

 

We've have some strong winds here in CO, I'll send them back west.

 

edited to add:

You didn't ask this question, but given the direction we're headed I'll answer it in anticipation of it being asked. We are not pursuing a 149 because the 149 was not made in this striated material, and the fact that the 149 has not been altered from the traditional Black material with Gold accents (excepting for those solid gold ones). I believe that MB holds the 149 as 'sacred' and not for modification--because they would have already done so otherwise.

 

I'm watching this thread very closely.... If it's a 149 nib, that might push me off the fence. (Probably a fairly moderate wind would push me off the fence at this point. Ha.)

Edited March 6, 2009 by niksch

[QM2]

The way the descriptions of their pens are worded, suggests that even the unusual materials are produced either within the company's manufacturing empire, or by special order of some sort. (niksch added emphasis)

 

 

Exactly. A special order.

 

By "special order" I meant commissioning a manufacturer to make a one-off batch just for Montblanc, as opposed to using a commercially available acrylic. And that sort of special order, just might make the pricing prohibitive for such a small batch, no? That issue is my biggest cause for concern in this project.

[niksch]

I see your point, but I suspect there are business agreements already in place for eventualities such as this. Maybe not this specific case, but for 'just in case'.

 

Do you really think they made the material for the Wilde, Dumas or Poe? And I ask this merely for opinions, and not confrontationally.

 

By "special order" I meant commissioning a manufacturer to make a one-off batch just for Montblanc, as opposed to using a commercially available acrylic. And that sort of special order, just might make the pricing prohibitive for such a small batch, no? That issue is my biggest cause for concern in this project.

Edited March 6, 2009 by niksch

[Wael El-Dasher]

Well...however this pen ends up, I want in for sure. If for nothing more than to have a special FPN pen.

 

I like the idea Archie brought up of the FPN logo or even engraving.

 

cheers and God speed.

 

Wael

[sumgaikid]

I'm for keeping it as vintage as possible--but do like the idea of the vintage two-tone nib

matching an MB girdle flanked by two sterling silver capbands.

 

.........meanwhile sumgaikid watches intently while rhetorically sitting on the fence.............

 

John

[niksch]

John-

 

The silver cap rings were only on the 149. I'll mark this down, since this is a very common comment, and will advise when we get to the point of design negotiation.

 

Eric

 

edited:

OBTW, these strong winds are heading east. Seriously, we had hurricane gusts here today! They may bow you off that barbed wire fence!

 

I'm for keeping it as vintage as possible--but do like the idea of the vintage two-tone nib

matching an MB girdle flanked by two sterling silver capbands.

Edited March 7, 2009 by niksch

[niksch]

:mad:

 

 

 

operator error

Edited March 7, 2009 by niksch

[Bryant]

Not sure if this was mentioned already, but it would be nice to have a choice of silver/platinum trim or gold. It this pen had silver trim, it would be a fantastic.

[Wael El-Dasher]

Not sure if this was mentioned already, but it would be nice to have a choice of silver/platinum trim or gold. It this pen had silver trim, it would be a fantastic.

 

I think for $1000 its fair to ask for silver trim...

Edited March 7, 2009 by Wael El-Dasher

[Wael El-Dasher]

Just one more idea...if MB won't make a reissue of the L139, what about a 138 in Striated Resin or Celluloid?

 

cheers

 

W

[QM2]

By "special order" I meant commissioning a manufacturer to make a one-off batch just for Montblanc, as opposed to using a commercially available acrylic. And that sort of special order, just might make the pricing prohibitive for such a small batch, no? That issue is my biggest cause for concern in this project.

I see your point, but I suspect there are business agreements already in place for eventualities such as this. Maybe not this specific case, but for 'just in case'.

 

Do you really think they made the material for the Wilde, Dumas or Poe? And I ask this merely for opinions, and not confrontationally.

 

I have been wondering that, both about those materials and about the pens with reconstituted amber and malachite parts.

 

My thinking is that MB did not make those materials inhouse, but commissioned another company. The key however, is that I believe the materials were made for MB exclusively and were not generally available commercially. I am sure business agreements with manufacturers already exist for eventualities such as this, but that still does not eliminate the startup costs (R&D, testing, etc.) associated with creating each new material. As such, there is probably either a minimum order for such an arrangement, or very high prices per pen if only a small batch is to be made.

 

 

 

Edited March 7, 2009 by QM2

[FredRydr]

If there is anyone who has placed their name on the order list and who is a solicitor or barrister in Great Britain, please PM me. No troubles! Just need an address for this project.

 

Thank you.

 

Fred

Edited March 7, 2009 by FredRydr

[Ghost Plane]

+1 for the silver trim preference.

[Wael El-Dasher]

Here is sort of what I was talking about in post #110 above

 

http://fountainpen.de/old-128-platinum-set.htm

 

 

[niksch]

I'm in complete agreement with you.

 

I have been wondering that, both about those materials and about the pens with reconstituted amber and malachite parts.

 

My thinking is that MB did not make those materials inhouse, but commissioned another company. The key however, is that I believe the materials were made for MB exclusively and were not generally available commercially. I am sure business agreements with manufacturers already exist for eventualities such as this, but that still does not eliminate the startup costs (R&D, testing, etc.) associated with creating each new material. As such, there is probably either a minimum order for such an arrangement, or very high prices per pen if only a small batch is to be made.

[Bryant]

Just one more idea...if MB won't make a reissue of the L139, what about a 138 in Striated Resin or Celluloid?

 

cheers

 

W

 

I would be more into this than a 146, even a 136, but I'm game for either/both!

[sumgaikid]

John-

 

The silver cap rings were only on the 149. I'll mark this down, since this is a very common comment, and will advise when we get to the point of design negotiation.

 

Eric

 

edited:

OBTW, these strong winds are heading east. Seriously, we had hurricane gusts here today! They may bow you off that barbed wire fence!

 

I'm for keeping it as vintage as possible--but do like the idea of the vintage two-tone nib

matching an MB girdle flanked by two sterling silver capbands.

 

I knew that they were only on the celluloid 149--just thought that for this one it would look nice to match

the two-tone on the "vintage" nib.

 

John

 

[memphislawyer]

I could be seriously tempted, since it appears that a WE may be what I was aiming for. Silver or platinum trim over gold, yes. Piston fill preferably.

[jobojangles]

Put me on the list!

Jo

[RSVP]

+1