Montblanc Meisterstuck 149

[tanalasta]

First Impressions

 

To quote Barry Gabay, the MontBlanc 149 is an icon, a prototypical writing instrument of the age. It is a pen that eventually at some time crosses the mind of any avid fountain pen user or collector.

 

The first MB 149, circa 1952 is one of the most prized and sought after non-limited edition pen. Since then, there have been minor and major revisions including the change from celluloid to prescious resin, the plastic feed and changes in both nib material and design.

 

When I bought my first MontBlanc, I struggled to decide between the MB 146 and MB 149 and decided on the former due to the more practical sizing and platinum trim. But I was told on FPN that one day, in all likelihood I would have both.

 

And so, I now find myself reviewing the modern MB 149 of today. A model that was ordered from my local authorised retailer new from Germany. I dipped it in an inkpot of Iroshizuku ku jaku and filled it in store the day it arrived, after which it has remained filled ever since.

 

Included in the large square box is the warranty booklet and a 60mL bottle of the new Mystery Black.

 

The MontBlanc Meisterstuck 149 with a 18k extrafine nib.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/MontBlanc149_1.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/MB149_2.jpg

 

Appearance

 

The MB 149 does not really need a description. The photos alone do it justice.

 

It is an oversized, cigar shaped pen that exudes sheer majesty. The current models are made of thick precious resin, significantly thicker than that of the smaller Meisterstuck models.

 

Design/Size/Weight

 

The Meisterstuck is a masterpiece and the epitome of a cigar shaped pen.

 

Made of precious resin with a brass threaded piston filler, it is well balanced unposted although with a slight emphasis on the top end. It is a large, thick pen with a corresponding section so those used to narrow grip sections or write with the tight, modern ballpoint grip will need to adjust.

 

Since 1985, the barrel is made in two parts with the junction just above the ink view window which is barely visible.

 

That said, the prescious resin is still lighter than the equivalent metal pen and it is certainly light enough to place in the breast pocket should one wish.

 

The pen is not designed for home maintainance. Special tools are required to disassemble the piston or the nib unit and the bubblegum sealant used is not something one usually keeps at home. This makes it all the more important to properly flush and maintain the pen to avoid clogging issues or a trip to the MB service centre. From reading FPN, it seems periodic maintainance is required every 10 to 15 years.

 

Nib

 

As an everyday writer, I settled for an extrafine. It writes like I would expect from a MontBlanc. A beautiful, tri tone 18k nib.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/MB_149_nib2.jpg

 

Well controlled moderate flow, smooth but with enough tactile feedback as the nib whispers and glides across the page. I would describe the nib as quite rigid. The oversize 18k nib is quite rigid despite the size and not as soft or flexible to the comparable Pelikan M1000 nib. I have not used the Sailor King of Pen which would be the other comparison.

 

The medium and broad nibs are smoother, with the BB and oblique broad nibs by reputation having stubbish characteristics with line variation.

 

All MB nibs are hand finished meaning there is the potential for variation between samples. The line of my MB 149 EF is very similar to my Aurora fine, MB 146 EF.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/MB_149_020710.jpg

 

Filling System

 

The brass threaded piston is smooth, though not Pelikan or Aurora butter smooth. There is a bit of give before the the piston locks.

 

The MB 149 is one of the most capacious of any pen due to its large size and I would estimate holds around 2mL of ink. There is a thread related to the Piston Design pinned on the MontBlanc forum.

 

A note of warning is that the plastic spindle is prone to shearing if abused and a stiff piston should be sent off for maintainance rather than forced.

 

Cost and Value

 

An absolute bargain at the Australian retail of 1100 AUD, equivalent to 850US according to the current exchange rate.:embarrassed_smile:

 

You can purchase for less from the Fountain Pen Hospital at the US retail or market price. I do not think a discussion of the cost and value of this pen would be fair. It is a beautiful pen and I do not regret it. But I would be unlikely to pay full Australian retail again and there are many other pens that I could potentially obtain at that price.

 

But a Meisterstuck. A Masterpiece. An exceptional writer. One of my best. Something I had to have and hope to use a lifetime. You cannot put value on that.

 

Conclusion

 

If you are serious about fountain pens, in particular oversized and well crafted pens, this is one you should have. Or at least one you have tried.

 

I have decided not to include ratings in this review as much of what I have said is subjective. At this price range, you really need to try before you buy. And fortunately, my pen store lets me dip and test even the MB 149.

 

There is much discussion on the different nibs and the heritage of the MontBlanc 149. It was, is and forever will be a flagship fountain pen to what others are compared.

 

Enjoy the photos!

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/MB_1495.jpg

Edited July 4, 2010 by tanalasta

[hari317]

Amazing photographs! thanks for reviewing the icon.

[jasam]

Great review, tanalasta but I can't see the photos :embarrassed_smile:. Everytime I think I should get a WE first this comes and makes me want to get it.. the size, the shape, the color, it is just beautiful, and the nibs, oh the nibs, they are BEAUTIFUL.

 

 

P.S. now I can see the photos!

Edited July 4, 2010 by jasam

[jigesh]

Nice review and pictures; thanks.

[Brian]

Hooray, another 149 review and point of view. Always appreciated and thank you.

[HBlaine]

Very well done. Thank you for the excellent review!

 

Years ago, I was in the crowd that turned its collective nose up at the MB 149. I swore I'd never have one, because (insert tired, retreaded arguments here). Well, never say never, I guess. I now own two of them, 80s models, and they are two of the pens that I know I can count on, no matter what. They are great, great pens.

 

Congratulations on yours! Enjoy!

[karmakoda]

I will echo the comments of HBlaine, above. There was a time when my opinions about the 149 were of the classic "sour grapes" nature, and "never" did I aspire to own one.

A friend revealed to me that he was a collector of Montblanc pens, and noting my attitude, showed me a 1980s 146 that was unused, sticker in place. I liked the quality and feel of the pen and he sold it to me.

That was the beginning. Four 149s later, I can only agree with everything that tanalasta has said so very well.

Thank you.

[Tsujigiri]

Your pictures really do the pen justice. I agree that there is a certain undescribable quality about this pen that makes it so appealing, and worth the price.

[aldi]

Thank you for sharing with us your review of this timeless state of the art writing instrument!

[Yuki Onitsura]

Beautiful photos! MSRP on fountain pens in Australia is a bit on the absurd side, sometimes 3 or 4 times higher than the MSRP in Europe or the States.

 

Yuki

[SamCapote]

What a superb review. You captured everything about the pen's legendary reputation. I especially loved your description below which evoked sleek, beautiful women, 30 year old Scotch, Montecristo cigars, being back at The Graycliff---all at the same time.

 

Well controlled moderate flow, smooth but with enough tactile feedback as the nib whispers and glides across the page.

[GavH]

Great review! I handled one of these in the flesh (in the resin?!!) at a store at the weekend and was wowed by it instantly. It's definately on my 'must have' list.

[Blade Runner]

For me it's the pen. If I were to lose my entire collection, the 149 would be the first to buy again.

[Abhik]

I liked your matter of fact statement in this review. Your photos are stunning! Enjoy your new pen.

A

[tuotuo1121]

Your pics are brilliant, enjoy the pen.

[judgetim]

First Impressions

 

To quote Barry Gabay, the MontBlanc 149 is an icon, a prototypical writing instrument of the age. It is a pen that eventually at some time crosses the mind of any avid fountain pen user or collector.

 

The first MB 149, circa 1952 is one of the most prized and sought after non-limited edition pen. Since then, there have been minor and major revisions including the change from celluloid to prescious resin, the plastic feed and changes in both nib material and design.

 

When I bought my first MontBlanc, I struggled to decide between the MB 146 and MB 149 and decided on the former due to the more practical sizing and platinum trim. But I was told on FPN that one day, in all likelihood I would have both.

 

And so, I now find myself reviewing the modern MB 149 of today. A model that was ordered from my local authorised retailer new from Germany. I dipped it in an inkpot of Iroshizuku ku jaku and filled it in store the day it arrived, after which it has remained filled ever since.

 

Included in the large square box is the warranty booklet and a 60mL bottle of the new Mystery Black.

 

The MontBlanc Meisterstuck 149 with a 18k extrafine nib.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/MontBlanc149_1.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/MB149_2.jpg

 

Appearance

 

The MB 149 does not really need a description. The photos alone do it justice.

 

It is an oversized, cigar shaped pen that exudes sheer majesty. The current models are made of thick precious resin, significantly thicker than that of the smaller Meisterstuck models.

 

Design/Size/Weight

 

The Meisterstuck is a masterpiece and the epitome of a cigar shaped pen.

 

Made of precious resin with a brass threaded piston filler, it is well balanced unposted although with a slight emphasis on the top end. It is a large, thick pen with a corresponding section so those used to narrow grip sections or write with the tight, modern ballpoint grip will need to adjust.

 

Since 1985, the barrel is made in two parts with the junction just above the ink view window which is barely visible.

 

That said, the prescious resin is still lighter than the equivalent metal pen and it is certainly light enough to place in the breast pocket should one wish.

 

The pen is not designed for home maintainance. Special tools are required to disassemble the piston or the nib unit and the bubblegum sealant used is not something one usually keeps at home. This makes it all the more important to properly flush and maintain the pen to avoid clogging issues or a trip to the MB service centre. From reading FPN, it seems periodic maintainance is required every 10 to 15 years.

 

Nib

 

As an everyday writer, I settled for an extrafine. It writes like I would expect from a MontBlanc. A beautiful, tri tone 18k nib.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/MB_149_nib2.jpg

 

Well controlled moderate flow, smooth but with enough tactile feedback as the nib whispers and glides across the page. I would describe the nib as quite rigid. The oversize 18k nib is quite rigid despite the size and not as soft or flexible to the comparable Pelikan M1000 nib. I have not used the Sailor King of Pen which would be the other comparison.

 

The medium and broad nibs are smoother, with the BB and oblique broad nibs by reputation having stubbish characteristics with line variation.

 

All MB nibs are hand finished meaning there is the potential for variation between samples. The line of my MB 149 EF is very similar to my Aurora fine, MB 146 EF.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/MB_149_020710.jpg

 

Filling System

 

The brass threaded piston is smooth, though not Pelikan or Aurora butter smooth. There is a bit of give before the the piston locks.

 

The MB 149 is one of the most capacious of any pen due to its large size and I would estimate holds around 2mL of ink. There is a thread related to the Piston Design pinned on the MontBlanc forum.

 

A note of warning is that the plastic spindle is prone to shearing if abused and a stiff piston should be sent off for maintainance rather than forced.

 

Cost and Value

 

An absolute bargain at the Australian retail of 1100 AUD, equivalent to 850US according to the current exchange rate.:embarrassed_smile:

 

You can purchase for less from the Fountain Pen Hospital at the US retail or market price. I do not think a discussion of the cost and value of this pen would be fair. It is a beautiful pen and I do not regret it. But I would be unlikely to pay full Australian retail again and there are many other pens that I could potentially obtain at that price.

 

But a Meisterstuck. A Masterpiece. An exceptional writer. One of my best. Something I had to have and hope to use a lifetime. You cannot put value on that.

 

Conclusion

 

If you are serious about fountain pens, in particular oversized and well crafted pens, this is one you should have. Or at least one you have tried.

 

I have decided not to include ratings in this review as much of what I have said is subjective. At this price range, you really need to try before you buy. And fortunately, my pen store lets me dip and test even the MB 149.

 

There is much discussion on the different nibs and the heritage of the MontBlanc 149. It was, is and forever will be a flagship fountain pen to what others are compared.

 

Enjoy the photos!

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/MB_1495.jpg

 

Very informative, excellent review.

[geoduc]

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Tanalasta/Fountain%20Pens/MB_1495.jpg

 

Since you have photographed it next to the S.T. Dupont, I have to ask how you would compare the two pens. If you had to choose between them, which would you prefer and why?

[Edgar Allan Bo]

Very nicely written review!

[Guest Pjay]

Sweet photography, tanalasta, and a very enthusiastic review

 

I'm afraid I have to agree with Yuki Onitsura on the absurdity of Aussie pen prices - for example, a Duofold purchased for sub $200 costs over $800 in Brisbane, and my recently acquired MB 149 cost US$605 including shipping. That's $1,000 saved on just two purchases...

[KJY]

Very nice review.

I love the pics of THE Nib.