My "new" 146 A Mini-Review, Or "oh, Darn!"

[Joe in Seattle]

A few years ago I bought a modern 146 (circa 1996) with brass piston, F nib, in pristine condition from FPN seller Sbroglia. The price was reasonable and the pen arrived in flawless shape.

 

I posted a brief review of this, my first Montblanc, at that time praising its size, weight, balance. Overall, I called it a true writer's pen.

 

Over the years I've come to wish it were a finer line and quite a bit drier. I wondered if a vintage EF with ebonite feed might write more in line with what I wanted.

 

As though he sensed a weakness in my part of the world, Sbroglia offerred a mid 80's 146 with monotone nib, split ebonite feed, and the EF nib - again, for a reasonable price. Without hesitation I launched an email: "if it isn't gone already, I'll take it!"

 

In a nutshell, this one has all the merits of the modern 146 in size, balance, and a smooth consistent line, but wetness is a very reliable 5-6/10 and the line a vintage European EF.

 

The star isn't ambered, since this pen isn't celluloid, but it's not stark white, either. The signs of 40 years of use give the pen an appropriate Wabi Sabi and it comes readily to the hand nothing at all like a finicky vintage sports car, rather like a comfortable old friend.

 

The vintage 146 has more soul, or personality. The nib isn't as velvety smooth as the 1996 pen proved to be. They both "want to write", but the older model has more distinction to the line.

 

I'd planned to sell the modern 146, and may yet, but I find I enjoy writing with them both. Oh, Darn!

[Chrissy]

I must admit I haven't tried an EF nib, but I quite like my F nibs.

 

That said I only have one 146 and it has an OM nib which is quite different.

[TLMG]

Wait-- are the older EF nibs more "EF" than the weird, BBB "EF" nibs montblanc makes now?

[Joe in Seattle]

Seems to me more akin to a Parker or Pelikan EF in the 80's or 90's, nothing like the 1940 - 1959 era.

[TLMG]

I might have to check them out, then. I've hated knowing I essentially have to pay a 10% Nibmeister tax to get a modern MB to the specs they claim they are out of the box.

[georges zaslavsky]

I too prefer the 70's-80's 146 to the modern ones

Edited August 17, 2014 by georges zaslavsky

[sd10521]

I too prefer the 70's-80's 146 to the modern ones

 

I have two from the 80's and one from the mid 50's. the one from the mid 50's just writes like a dream. One would think I should stop looking at more pens to buy.

[Opooh]

Sorry, for me 146 are just 3 steps to heaven.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Whoops....was in a live auction....there was a 146 with the sticker still on it...not quite new.

Start bid €150.

F or M, I don't know...wasn't that interested. Thumbnailed to true regular flex...when I checked the 146 & the 149 in a box with some ink for €350.

150 no bids my hand flipped up the number....no bids after.

I bought a modern pen.

 

Sigh....I'd been saving my self for a pre'76....with the bit more flex.

But one does need true regular flex nibs, for shading inks. True regular flex in M&F do well with shading inks....semi-flex is often too wet.

 

The 149 had no bids....and is really to Huge for a guy who grew up with standard sized pens. I'd noticed that before when I checked both out in the B&M.

 

I have a 234 1/2 Delux semi-flex KOB, and a rolled gold 742 'flexi'/maxi-semi-flex F; both are standard sized. I paid a lot more for my Woolf on sale new for €450...down from 750.

 

Got to go over Jewler to see what sort of bracelet box, they have. I have the Woolf in a vintage mottled brown backlite one, and my 742 in a blue velvet one.

When one is bored twddling one's thumbs, waiting for the Dupont right after the MB 146. One can make the right decision.

I have enough ink wells....the ink well was only €20 cheaper start bid as the 146.

The inkwell would only collect dust....with many others. The pens will get use. Got the Dupont too.

Always wanted a Dupont..

Edited September 19, 2014 by Bo Bo Olson

[JonDoh]

I currently have a 146 from the mid 90's with the two toned nib and it is a wonderfully smooth writer. Previously I had a 146 from the 80's with a gold nib and it was scratchy as a nail. Plus it leaked. Although I've never owned a classic Montblanc from the 1940's or 50's my experience with their recent, read modern, pens has been very positive.

[CS388]

Congratulations, Joe. Great pens.

 

I have a couple of older 146s and they are the best pens I've ever had.

It would be foolish to call them 'unbreakable', but they have survived much robust treatment and are still totally reliable, excellent writers.

 

Not quite understanding your flow situation. Is it still too wet for your liking? Or is it now correct?

Agree with some of the above posters: a true EF may require the services of a specialist. As TLMG points out:

 

Wait-- are the older EF nibs more "EF" than the weird, BBB "EF" nibs montblanc makes now?

 

Nice.

 

Like you, I had planned to sell my old 146, when I replaced it with an even older one.

I ended up keeping them both.

No regrets, so far.

 

Enjoy.

 

 

Edited to try and make better use of the 'quote' facility. (Moderate success)

Also, just seen date of this thread and realise that suggestions may be out of date.

Edited September 19, 2014 by CS388

[talkinghead]

I might have to check them out, then. I've hated knowing I essentially have to pay a 10% Nibmeister tax to get a modern MB to the specs they claim they are out of the box.

 

And what are these specs exactly? Is there a list/data sheet somewhere stating mm width of the nib that corresponds to EF, F, M etc? And does EF, F, M mean the actual mm width of nib and/or the width of the written line on paper? Are these specs standardized across all manufacturers, in all regions/countries?

 

Curious...

 

 

Rick

Edited September 20, 2014 by talkinghead

[Matlock]

"Are these specs standardized across all manufacturers, in all regions/countries?"

 

We can only dream

[stevesurf]

 

And what are these specs exactly? Is there a list/data sheet somewhere stating mm width of the nib that corresponds to EF, F, M etc? And does EF, F, M mean the actual mm width of nib and/or the width of the written line on paper? Are these specs standardized across all manufacturers, in all regions/countries?

 

Curious...

 

 

Rick

 

Here's a really nice overview:

http://www.vintagepen.net/grading-flex-nibs.html

 

 

 

• TRIPLE EXTRA FINE (XXXF) ... approximately 0.1 mm
• DOUBLE EXTRA FINE (XXF) ... approx. 0.2 mm
• EXTRA FINE (XF) ... approx. 0.3 mm
• FINE (F) ... approx. 0.45 mm
• MEDIUM (M) ... approx. 0.6 mm
• BROAD ( ... approx. 0.9 mm
• DOUBLE BROAD (BB) ... approx. 1.2 mm
• TRIPLE BROAD (BBB) ... approx. 1.8 mm

[chas0039]

I have yet to see a non-Japanese pen with a width I liked right out of the box. Even EF is not fine enough so I just assume I will have to tinker. Platinum, Pilot, and Sailor however, are perfect.

 

It is all relative, even within companies. I have two Pelikan EF nibs, only a few years apart that are ground in totally different ways. Even ink flow is subjective. I have had to work on many Duofold Centennials that were too dry for me, but would have, for somone else, wonderful shading character.

 

Part of the fun is opening the box and discovering what the line will look like this time.

 

I look at it this way, Japanese pens are precise, exact and accurate. European pens have character and show more individual chraftsmanship. Like comparing a photograph to a painting.

Edited September 21, 2014 by chas0039