Mb 144: Identifying Nibsize

[KaB]

I'm cleaning my MB144 that's been inactive for many years. (3rd day of soaking today)

Now, I wonder: what's the nib size?

On the nib it says:

 

4810

M

18K

MONTBLANC

750

 

 

 

dit they come in only one size? which?

[AndrewC]

Came in different sizes. Good luck figuring out which one you have, but it looks like a F to me. Any markings on the piston knob? Older MBs had nib sizes marked there. Other than that, I have yet to figure how they mark nibs.

[Dillo]

Came in different sizes. Good luck figuring out which one you have, but it looks like a F to me. Any markings on the piston knob? Older MBs had nib sizes marked there. Other than that, I have yet to figure how they mark nibs.

 

It's likely a 144, so there won't be a piston knob.

 

It does look a bit like an F or EF, but it's hard to tell because MB pens usually came with little stickers that had the nib sizes on the them. Montblanc doesn't put the nib size on the nib, so without the sticker, it's really anyone's best guess. You can narrow down the possible nib size to a range of sizes, but beyond that, you can't really tell for certain. As long as it writes well for you, then all's good. In the future, you may want the trim ring around the nib replaced by Montblanc. It looks a bit corroded, and that can be common with the 144 pens.

 

Dillon

[AndrewC]

"It's likely a 144, so there won't be a piston knob." Right. I even read that... *sigh* Long day. I based my guess on the nib width to pen size wild guesstimate, informed with my familiarity of the M nibbed 146 I have, and the vintage MBs I have that have "F" on the piston knob.

[Bananabender]

The nib sizes came in ef , f , m , b . plus the om ob etc.

Mb do not stamp size.

I have an m and the tip is slightly bigger than yours so my guess is f

I think it unusual to have 18 k two tone nib in 144 . The two tone indicates post 1990 yet I thought they were 14 k

[Azura]

I have never seen such a nib on 144s and I far as I know MB do not stamp nib size on the nib.

[Dillo]

I have never seen such a nib on 144s and I far as I know MB do not stamp nib size on the nib.

 

It looks to be a newer one, and I think it's real.

 

Dillon

[HermetiC]

It looks like a F to me

[KaB]

I think it unusual to have 18 k two tone nib in 144 . The two tone indicates post 1990 yet I thought they were 14 k

 

 

I never knew!

I must have bought it (at an MB dealer, new) somewhere in the very beginning of the nineties, probably in '90 (I know since I paid for it with my very first payraise ever). Used it a lot until some ten years ago. Never was entirely happy: always leaked, had to replace inner cap (didn't close any more), now I should replace the entire cap (nasty crack in it). Yet, I'd like to start using it again (maybe only at home... leakeage!)

 

Some years ago, I threw away all packaging materials etc (yes, I know....). I now, I just wanted to learn more.

And I did, thanks to you all.

 

So I understand it's a very rare piece

[gclyn]

I think Montblanc's Fine nib writes a 0.45 mm line..if you have a measuring instrument that can measure that finely...then you can "guesstimate" the size nib you have.

[plumista]

My advice for KaB is, how about going to an official MB boutique, then ask the workshop chief to check himself this nib, according to MB criteria? What can be better than an answer from MB itself? Enough of further guesswork, go to the source and get sure and safe data.

 

I mean, do not ask the sellers in the boutiques, since they probably know only what is already written in the usual MB sticker any MB pen carries while still for sale; my experience with them is that they prefer not to know anything for sure if the sticker is missing.

 

This was my decision when I wanted to ascertain the nib size for this 144 I have now for sale here. In fact I first thought it was a B, but it turned out to be a BB. Important for an exact sale description, don´t you think so?

 

plumista

[gclyn]

The MB boutique here in Toronto, does not have a workshop chief on site, only sales persons...they would have to send it to the service centre in Ontario. Hopefully the Belgium boutique where KaB is located has an onsite tech.

[orfew]

The MB boutique here in Toronto, does not have a workshop chief on site, only sales persons...they would have to send it to the service centre in Ontario. Hopefully the Belgium boutique where KaB is located has an onsite tech.

I have had some minor work done in the Toronto boutique. They replaced a Starwalker clip for me, changed a cracked barrel on a Meisterstuck RB, replaced the cap of a Meisterstuck MP, and replaced a cracked cap for another Meisterstuck RB.

[Dillo]

I think Montblanc's Fine nib writes a 0.45 mm line..if you have a measuring instrument that can measure that finely...then you can "guesstimate" the size nib you have.

 

Mine are a lot broader than that, and I still have the original packing, so I know they are supposed to be Fine nibs. It's variable and also depends on the model of the pen itself it seems.

 

Dillon

[gclyn]

I have had some minor work done in the Toronto boutique. They replaced a Starwalker clip for me, changed a cracked barrel on a Meisterstuck RB, replaced the cap of a Meisterstuck MP, and replaced a cracked cap for another Meisterstuck RB.

orfew, did they do it in shop, or did they send it out to the service center? I just sent mine in for a nib adjustment and they had to send it to the service center, there was no one on site to do it.

[gclyn]

 

Mine are a lot broader than that, and I still have the original packing, so I know they are supposed to be Fine nibs. It's variable and also depends on the model of the pen itself it seems.

 

Dillon

 

Dillon, that's one thing I don't like about the MB nibs, especially the classified "fine" nibs...as they are so variable and not so fine.

[orfew]

orfew, did they do it in shop, or did they send it out to the service center? I just sent mine in for a nib adjustment and they had to send it to the service center, there was no one on site to do it.

They did all the work I mentioned in the boutique as I waited. Perhaps nib adjustment have to go to the service centre. Keep in mind that about twice a year they bring in a nib expert to the boutique who will look at and adjust your nibs. I believe this is a free service for MB customers. I got the invite to this twice last year. Perhaps you need to be invited?

Edited July 23, 2014 by orfew

[I like mango cheesecake]

that's an F nib.

 

I have MB mediums and that's way finer than a M nib. My 144 is an M nib.

[orfew]

 

Dillon, that's one thing I don't like about the MB nibs, especially the classified "fine" nibs...as they are so variable and not so fine.

The nibs are hand finished so some variation is normal. MB nibs also tend to be wider than the same size from other companies.

[I like mango cheesecake]

yes, their nibs and hand finished. I had two different B nibbed 149's and they were both different sizes. Even different than the boutiques test nib pens.