Length: 5 ¾ inches capped, 5 ¼ inches uncapped, 6 ½ inches posted
Weight: 1.2oz capped, .7oz uncapped (Weighed while full of ink)
Materials Used: Gold plated trim, diamond, black resin, 18 gold/platinum mask nib
*** Of note, the “Special Edition” is not the “Limited Edition” and is not numbered as such***
In celebration of it’s 75th anniversary of the Meisterstuck line, MontBlanc produced a Special Addition line of pens. I purchased this particular pen in 2000 and have used it at least twice a week since then. This was my first “big purchase” in the fountain pen realm. To be completely honest, the prestige of MontBlanc and my employment in the judicial arena with MontBlanc toting attorneys and Judges is what drove me to this purchase. Montblanc is probably about the only recognizable high end writing instrument manufacturer known in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. Here, it’s the brand of choice in the legal field. So, now having confessed of giving into peer pressure and the need to fit in…on with my review. (Wow, that felt great to get off my chest!)
When the 149 arrived in the mail, I gently lifted it from the silk, soft pillow and held it under a close by lamp. Beautiful, more a piece of jewelry then a pen. The glossy, deep black resin of the cap and barrel drew me closer. I read the gold plated band at the top of the cap, “75 Years of Passion and Soul”. Set in the “o” of passion, centered above the clip, was a diamond. A small, but very nice detail. Next I unscrewed the cap and had my first look at the nib of a 149. It was huge! The nib has a platinum mask and is engraved with the 75 anniversary logo. After my look over of the pen, I placed it back down on the pillow, and shut the lid. I loved the pen, but after seeing and holding it, I was afraid to use it. Besides my car and computer, it was the single most expensive item I had ever purchased, more then my newly acquired palm! I didn’t ink the 149 for several days. I even thought about returning it. Then after showing it to my father, he told me it would be a shame not to use it and insured me that I deserved to have such a nice pen. Well, that was all I needed to hear. I went into my bedroom and pulled out a bottle of MontBlanc blue-black and inked the pen for the first time. The 149 was also my first piston filler, and the whole process of filling the ink chamber was thrilling. The nib on paper was fantastic, the smoothest writing experience I had ever had up to that point. I went through the entire supply of ink in one sitting, writing page after page with the wet broad nib. I fell in love.
I have continued to keep the 149 full of ink, though I no longer care for MB Blue/Black. Writing has always been skip free and very smooth. Awhile back, I sent the 149 off for a regrind to a cursive italic. Pendemonium did a great job and writing is even more enjoyable. At first I posted the cap. The cap is not heavy and the pen remained balanced. I have since stopped posting, mainly to protect the barrels finish. Uncapped, the pen still fits very comfortable in my hand. My hands are on the larger side and I believe that those with small hands would find the girth of the grip section to big. If given a choice, I would synch the grip section in just a tad. For such a large pen, the weight is very manageable and I’ve had no problems writing for extended periods of time.
About 2 months ago, I snapped the piston filler. I’m not quite sure what happened, though I did notice it was getting a little tight. I sent if off to MontBlanc for repair. I was worried it would cost an arm and a leg for the repair work since I did not purchase it from a “Authorized Retailer”. Two weeks later I received the 149 back in the mail and under the charges it stated, “Good Will”. I was extremely happy and appreciative of MontBlanc’s willingness to stand behind their product.
In conclusion, though I did make this purchase to “fit in”; I do not regret this decision at all. The 149 has been a fun pen, it’s a great performer and I still find myself captured by it's beauty. I have owned 3 other Montblancs, but none have caught my attention like the 149, and were later sold on eBay. I’ve often wondered why MB is so often bashed on message boards. My experience has been a pleasant one, the 149 will forever stay in my collection.
Bryan
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Great pictures to go with a wonderful, very personal review of a classic pen!
I have two Montblancs--a glossy black Noblesse Oblige that my in-laws gave me and a 121 (I think) with an uber-smooth broad nib, which is probably the best nib in my pen collection.