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Mb 146 - Keep Me From Wasting Money


Regulateur

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I have made a few costly acquisitions over the years. Few examples:a Conway Stewart Wellington IF and an Omas Old Style Paragon M. Don't get me wrong: those pens are working great, no skipping, great craftmanship, etc., but they are too springy and too wet for my taste. It makes my handwriting looks horrible.

 

Now, I have been thinking to get myself a 146 for more than 18 months and I am about to pull the trigger. I have a strong preference for italic or stub nibs, my go-to pens are Edison 1.1mm, Delta stub (gold and Fusion nibs), Lamy and TWSBI 1.1mm. I read several posts stating that the MB B and BB nibs are stubs even though MB doesn't seem to indicate this in their specs.

 

I have an early '90 MB 144 F nib. I used it extensively for about 15 years. It liked it a lot but that was before getting in love with italics. I never had the impression that it was to flexible for me.

 

I am nervous about acquiring a ''drawer diva''. Are you seeing an obvious mismatch between my likings and a 146?

 

I am planning to visit to our local MB authorized dealer this coming week end to test the various nibs. Thanks

Cheers,

Pierre

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Definitely try out the tester set at a MB boutique if you can. MB broad nibs are "stub-ish" but in my experience they wont give you as much line variation as a nib that is properly called a stub or italic.

 

A nibmeister should be able to help you with the flow characteristics of your other pens. Modern OMAS nibs have a tendency to be very wet and if you don't like that I am not sure that a MB B or BB nib is going to be a good choice for you.

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While I would not like to put you off buying a MB146 they do write wet as for line variation evey nib is differnt so ask to try a couple of each .

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I'd chased MB's with nibs with some flex from the '50s. Caught two.

My Woolf has a springy nib....my to me new 146 (have not dated it yet) seems to have good regular flex-springy. MB does not have as far as I know a reputation of making modern nails nibs.

 

I have an old '60-80's 320 that is a nail. Some of the older 2xx MBs must have also been offered as nails.

 

The modern Pelikan 800 is a nail, Cross Townsend also.

In reference to P. T. Barnum; to advise for free is foolish, ........busybodies are ill liked by both factions.

 

 

The cheapest lessons are from those who learned expensive lessons. Ignorance is best for learning expensive lessons.

 

 

 

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You test one, you'll buy it. There's no going back once it's in your hand and you write with it.

It's not what you look at, but what you see when you look.

Henry David Thoreau

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It's worthwhile doing a test for nib experiences, but I am not sure it will give you a true idea as to how wet the pen writes. I would say all my MBs are reasonably wet but I like that.

 

The BB nibs on my 144/5/classique and 149 do give line variation but nothing so precise as your CS nib (I have modern IF and IM CS nibs).

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Using the tester set in the boutiques, as others have said, is the way forward, to find out if the nib style suits you.

 

But, as da vinci points out, it may not give you an accurate idea of the wetness of the pen you buy.

Both the nibs and the flow of these pens can be variable, in my experience.

There is a free period after purchase, during which the pen can be returned and the nib swapped, if you are unhappy with your first choice.

I'm not sure, but I'd imagine that they could carry out flow adjustments etc during this period also?

So you could end up with the pen that's just right for you.

 

I guess that you've done this many times, but have you tried drier inks?

 

Good luck

Edited by CS388
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Definitely try out the tester set at a MB boutique if you can. MB broad nibs are "stub-ish" but in my experience they wont give you as much line variation as a nib that is properly called a stub or italic.

 

A nibmeister should be able to help you with the flow characteristics of your other pens. Modern OMAS nibs have a tendency to be very wet and if you don't like that I am not sure that a MB B or BB nib is going to be a good choice for you.

 

Thanks for your input on the stubish nib. The test run this week end should help me figure out if this is what I want. Being too wet is not a big issue. It will only keep me from using it on cheaper paper.

Cheers,

Pierre

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While I would not like to put you off buying a MB146 they do write wet as for line variation evey nib is differnt so ask to try a couple of each .

 

Will try but the 2 boutiques I visited so far are strict about not testing the pen. You test = you pay. I walked out both times. This week end, I will go to the authorized dealer who should have test pens.

 

I'd chased MB's with nibs with some flex from the '50s. Caught two.

My Woolf has a springy nib....my to me new 146 (have not dated it yet) seems to have good regular flex-springy. MB does not have as far as I know a reputation of making modern nails nibs.

 

I have an old '60-80's 320 that is a nail. Some of the older 2xx MBs must have also been offered as nails.

 

The modern Pelikan 800 is a nail, Cross Townsend also.

 

Scary... I don't like springy nibs. You are right about Pelikan. I have a M600 OB that I love

 

Testing the 146 is a great idea.

Yup, on my to-do list

Cheers,

Pierre

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You test one, you'll buy it. There's no going back once it's in your hand and you write with it.

 

Given my impulsive nature, I am a bit concerned about that...

 

It's worthwhile doing a test for nib experiences, but I am not sure it will give you a true idea as to how wet the pen writes. I would say all my MBs are reasonably wet but I like that.

The BB nibs on my 144/5/classique and 149 do give line variation but nothing so precise as your CS nib (I have modern IF and IM CS nibs).

My penmanship being what it is, I tend to rely on italic/stub nibs rather than on the art of varying pressure on a flex nib to produce line variation. If the MB B nib is somewhat stubish, I should be happy

 

Using the tester set in the boutiques, as others have said, is the way forward, to find out if the nib style suits you.

 

But, as da vinci points out, it may not give you an accurate idea of the wetness of the pen you buy.

Both the nibs and the flow of these pens can be variable, in my experience.

There is a free period after purchase, during which the pen can be returned and the nib swapped, if you are unhappy with your first choice.

I'm not sure, but I'd imagine that they could carry out flow adjustments etc during this period also?

So you could end up with the pen that's just right for you.

 

I guess that you've done this many times, but have you tried drier inks?

 

Good luck

You are right about inks. My prefered ink for my wet pens is the MB midnight blue. Waterman blue works well also.

Cheers,

Pierre

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I have made a few costly acquisitions over the years. Few examples:a Conway Stewart Wellington IF and an Omas Old Style Paragon M. Don't get me wrong: those pens are working great, no skipping, great craftmanship, etc., but they are too springy and too wet for my taste. It makes my handwriting looks horrible.

 

Now, I have been thinking to get myself a 146 for more than 18 months and I am about to pull the trigger. I have a strong preference for italic or stub nibs, my go-to pens are Edison 1.1mm, Delta stub (gold and Fusion nibs), Lamy and TWSBI 1.1mm. I read several posts stating that the MB B and BB nibs are stubs even though MB doesn't seem to indicate this in their specs.

 

I have an early '90 MB 144 F nib. I used it extensively for about 15 years. It liked it a lot but that was before getting in love with italics. I never had the impression that it was to flexible for me.

 

I am nervous about acquiring a ''drawer diva''. Are you seeing an obvious mismatch between my likings and a 146?

 

I am planning to visit to our local MB authorized dealer this coming week end to test the various nibs. Thanks

After having owned both, can I suggest you consider a 149 instead? Unless the size is what you like, the 149 feels so much better in hand and I have a feeling after you get a 146, you're going to want to get a 149 after. Might as well skip straight to 149.

Fountain pens are like weapons. They just make your pocket bleed so much.

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After having owned both, can I suggest you consider a 149 instead? Unless the size is what you like, the 149 feels so much better in hand and I have a feeling after you get a 146, you're going to want to get a 149 after. Might as well skip straight to 149.

 

It's probably not a bad idea to try both pens and see which one fits your hand & writing style better - I found the 149 too big for my hand but the 146 was a perfect fit.

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I definitely agree that if the 149 appeals to you, you should try it. I like the proportions of the 149 better, it is a much better looking pen BUT it isn't as comfortable for me to use for long periods of time..it's just too fat. I really wish they made the 146 with the same proportions that would be an awesome pen.

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There's a lot to be said for pen comfort when you're writing for an extended period. The 149 is a big showy pen, but for purposes of holding one in my hand and writing for a period of time I found it to not be comfortable. Likewise, the 144 was too small. The 146 is the Goldilocks of the Montblancs and is just right. Good size, balance and weight and you can comfortably write forever with it.

It's not what you look at, but what you see when you look.

Henry David Thoreau

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I have tried the 149 a few times and I found it real big. The 146 feels better, for me at least.

 

Besides the size, would a 149 be a better match to what I am looking for, i.e. is the 149 nib B stub-ier than the B nib on the 146?

Cheers,

Pierre

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...snip...

 

is the 149 nib B stub-ier than the B nib on the 146?

 

I don't think so - although I've never compared the two side by side.

 

Because the 149 is a bigger nib, there will be more tine before the tip. So, assuming that the B tip is the same size on both nibs, I'd imagine the 146 to be 'stubbier'? (I'm basing this on my own definition of a stub nib which is (basically) a short and fat nib. ymmv)

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My 146 BB is like a screwdriver. Almost as wide as my lamy 1.1 nib but not as sharp at the edges. A pleasure to use and glides when you get the angle right

<strong class='bbc'>Current Pens</strong>Montblanc 161, 162, 146 Solitaire Silver Barley BB, 146P EF, 149 OBB, Generation BP, Solitaire Steel Doue BP Waterman Edson M, Omas 360 L.E Vintage 2013 B, Omas Paragon HT B, Platinum President B, Pilot Custom 74 B, Sailor King Profit Ebonite B

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Ok, here is where I stand in my quest for my 146.

 

I have been to my local authorized dealer. I was greeted by a nice and polite man. Unfortunately, I quickly realized that I probably knew more about pens than he did. He did not know what a stub nib was, he looked at me as if I was coming from Mars when I talked about italic nibs and he claimed that ''there is only one guy that manually grinds all the nibs at MB'' so no variation from one nib to another. When I asked about the price, he obviously gave me the MRSP. Then he quickly added that ''this is the retail price, it is the selling price and there is no other price''. Talk about pushing a customer into the gray market!

 

So, after this ''induction'' into the fabulous world of FP, I asked to try the pens. Wow! That quickly put back a smile on my face. Those things don't need any sales person. As soon as you start writing with one, you don't want to give it back. The BB was the nirvana, period. Unfortunately, it is a little bit too big for me. My choice will be a B or an OB. I was also very happily surprized by the OM. The M was OK but no line variation. This is not what I want.

 

At least, I got out of the boutique with a much better appreciation of the pens and a very good idea of what I want. I am going to start looking on the net now, thanks to my AD pal!

Cheers,

Pierre

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As a collector, I really couldn't pass on MB so I went used. It took some time and a lot of luck, as I wanted EF, but I finally got my mint 146 at less than half the new price. There were plenty of weeks where I was ready to throw in the towel and just order a new one but I am very glad I kept at it. Plus, the almost invisible nick takes care of that worry of using a spotless $700 pen waiting for that inevitable first scratch.

 

Consider used. Check with people here; I get the impression that MB has a service level that gets the pen looking like new.

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