After some thought, I have decided that the MB 146 is my best option, I think. I can actually test this pen before I buy it, so that is why I have decided against other brands: plus I like the look of the MB. So, I would just like to have some input from the community (good choice? Beware of anything? etc...) and if I'm lucky, I might end up with a new MB by September!

I just got a MB with a M nib. It writes like a smooooooth paintbrush.

If you have the cash. Just do it!

Get the silver, not the gold.

GReat choice! I really like this model, because it's a piston filler, there's no metal trim around the section, has timeless good looks,
and has great balance. It also comes in a variety of beautiful materials. The standard resin model is not heavy by any means, but doesn't have that ultra light, insubstantial feel of some plastic pens. I have 5 146s ranging in age from a 1980s era pen to a current model with platinum trim, and they have all performed perfectly out of the box, and none have cracked or given me any major problems.
It's a very good idea to try out a pen to make sure the nib writes the way you like it. MB nibs have a particular feel that I really like, but it's something you should determine.
Good luck!

I would never buy an expensive pen as a first pen. Get a Lamy Safari, Pelikano, or Waterman Kultur - $20 on ebay - and use it for a few weeks to see what features you really want in a pen, how you hold it, what size of pen and shape of section you want.

The "to be aware of's" for the 146 are the usual ones with modern MBs - you might get a dog, and have to fight to get it fixed, the pen is more than usually fragile - possibly MUCH more. Nibs are broad and of variable quality. Good MBs can be very smooth though, the filler is nice, and the 146 is a sensible size pen to buy, and looks great.

The most direct rival for a 146 would be a Pelikan M800, if you want to look at alternatives. Same size, same filler, tougher, interchangeable nibs, vastly better reputation among people who collect and use fp's, but no recognition from "civilians". Or you could save a lot of money by buying the slightly smaller M600 from Pam Braun - I think she has them in blue for about $100. Final option: look at a lesser known variety of vintage MB - a classic era 146 will be too pricey, but for 146 money you could buy an excellent vintage user that would hold its value and probably write better than a modern MB. Oh - or you could get the Pilot 823 that people are raving about, probably for about half the price of a 146 (I'm not sure of US MB prices) and it could be easily re-sold if you didn't like the pen. See "Reviews".

I like the silver colour too! The gold just seems a bit too gaudy for my tastes.


I have noticed the same thing when reading around the forum, so that is why I am going to an authorized dealer and testing the pen before I purchase. I like to be able to test products before I purchase, so that is why I have not seriously considered Lamy or Pelikan pens. There is, however, a Waterman retailer near by that I think I may be able to test pens, so anything else to recommend?

I've read information that's led me to believe that modern Montblanc meisterstucks aren't as hardy as their predecessors...I think I'm beginning to notice this...but that aside, I stand by what I'm about to say -

The Montblanc Meisterstuck is a famous pen and a good writer. The nibs are definately good quality and are very smooth. I wish you several hundred pages of happy writing.

On the subject of all the fittings & trims - I prefer GOLD trim on my Montblancs. I've seen so many with gold trim, I sorta prefer it over the platinum.

Also - Platinum is more expensive.

Gold is starting to look a little nicer...

LOL!!

When I first set my mind on buying a Montblanc Meisterstuck 145, I first went to the MELBOURNE PEN DEPOT - it's a pen & ink shop in Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Center, here in Melbourne, Australia. It's a small place, but it has very competent and helpful [Damn it! This is the second time today I've made this mistake...]stuff STAFF. I believe it's a family-run business. It has it's own website somewhere, if you can find it.

Anyway, while I was there, I was speaking to the saleslady about Montblanc Meisterstucks, asking her questions about what might be the best pen, what was more expensive etc. She said that because platinum is a rarer (and therefore more expensive) metal, that the PLATINUM-trim Montblancs would be significantly more expensive than the GOLD-trim ones. I never wanted a platinum in the first place, so I went with gold. I have no doubt in my mind that the platinum would have been significantly more expensive, though.

1. Contact Pam Braun, Richard Binder, John Mottishaw and find out what their return policies are.

2. If you get a bad Pel or Pilot, it will get fixed. This is 100% certain. (Unless you buy from a shady "grey market" dealer.) This is not the case with an MB - there are some long, complex stories about trying to get MBs fixed - and the testing you can do at a boutique won't really tell you much. An MB might not be quite the nightmare an Italian pen is capable of being, but it isn't the scrupulously supported precision German writing machine that people imagine either.

3. If you merely dislike an 823 or M800, etc, they're easy to re-sell at a higher proportion of their value than a 146, and cost less to begin with.

4. The Lamy 2000 is worth considering, but quality control is going through a dodgy patch. Otoh, its only $100 for an excellent pen, and I'm sure Pam Braun would replace a dog for you by return of post. And it is vastly tougher than the 146, if that matters.

I've got 3 146s of various vintages. All are nice, smooth writers, great size for my hand and not too heavy. I've found that MB nibs (at least on the 146) tend to run a bit more broad than others. My daily writer is a 146 in Fine and the line it puts down is closer to a standard US medium. So, be sure to try out all the nib sizes at the MB Boutique. They should have a collection of tester pens that you can write with and test out.

Hmmmmm. Well, I might try the Lamy or Pelikan as my first pen. Anyone know where I could find these brands in Canada? An internet purchase is out of the question, because I don't want to leave a paper trail that my mom can pick up...

As I am sure you are aware because you live here, Canada is a big place... (bigger than the US, actually, although most people don't know that). What city are you in? Go to the phone book and start phoning stationery stores. Good luck! I like my Lamy, but I like my Montblancs a whole lot more. Let us know what you decided on.

I highly recomend the Mont Blanc 146, I recently got one with a medium nib and the pen writes perfectly right out the box. The piston filler works smoothly and the nib is just beautiful. I know many people say that Mont Blanc's can break easily but I've already dropped the cap of the pen on solid marble and it did not shatter at all. Most of the things people say on FPN that's negative about Mont Blanc is probably BS from my point opf view. I only dare to make this comment in the Mont Blanc forum so that people won't srcutinize me. What can I say you reallly get what you paid for when it comes down to Mont Blanc.

Thanks
Brad

One thing to be aware of with a MB pen is that it is a little like buying designer clothing. There is nothing wrong with the clothing, but a lot of what you are paying for is the style.

I have a MB 149. It is a wonderful pen and a joy to use. I bought it in celebration of a big milestone, so I splurged on the fancy-schmancy birdsplat-ness. It lives in a cigar box in my desk, and is used for signing important documents. I do like my birdsplat!

For context, I have two other pens that are used at work: a Pelikan 805 (F) and a Lamy 2000 (F). The Pel is my favorite pen, and s the one I do pages of journaling with every day. The Lamy has a vastly more durable finish, so it is the one that rides in my shirt pocket next to a matching pencil. It is about to get replaced with the rollerball version because of the FP-incompatible papers (and pen borrowers) I encounter during an average day.

Scott

Good choice. The 146 is also available as a Solitaire model, with vermeil or silver finish, but this puts the price up enormously. Interestingly, the basic black 146 can also be obtained as a 147 'traveller' model, which is a cartridge only pen designed for those who carry the pen around a lot on their travels. You might find the 147 more suitable if you plan to have the pen with you at all times.

There's also 146s that have metal caps and resin barrels.

Thanks for all your opinions! Unfortunately, reality kicked in when I phoned the Mont Blanc boutique. The internet prices were much more misleading than I had originally anticipated. It turns out that the 146 is $595 CND before taxes . I was expecting it to be around $400... So that forces me to remove MB from my options... But still, thank you for all your input!

I bought a Mont Blanc 146 in Hong Kong and it was $360 CDN but of course I didn't get it from retail got it off of a pen store. Maybe you should try pen shops in Canada that are authorized to sell them, they should be cheaper.

Thanks
Brad

I was given my uncle's 1965 mb 146 and baught myself a mb 146 from the 80's, both write perfectly and smoothly.

I was given my uncle's 1965 mb 146 and baught myself a mb 146 from the 80's, both write perfectly and smoothly.

I have the 147 'Traveller' it's a wonderful pen to use, I use when on days when I'm out of the office visiting clients and it's not practical to carry a bottle of ink with me (although I have 5 bottles of ink sitting on my desk), although I tried the 146 and love the Solitaire (was a great writer).

Kind regards

Wrong. Look on Ebay and you'll find the 146 at much less. There is one here for $355: http://www.zeaggars.com/writinginstrument/...anc/146/146.htm

You're crazy if you think you'll get a good deal from a MB boutique. I never buy a pen from there!

As a first pen a 146? Try something cheaper first before starting with a pen like the 146. A Pelikano, Vector, Kultur, Jotter fp or a lower end Pilot are probably much better pens to start with. And in general: MB pens are not worth the money in my opinion and is not a good choice. There a much better and cheaper fountain pens.

I have a 146, and despite the opinion of some members, I am not a die-hard Montblanc lover or hater. I like mine well enough (and reserve the right to enjoy my possessions).

However, for your purposes, I agree with the members in this thread who have said that a 146 is not a good beginner pen. There are many other rather nice ones (like a Waterman Carene) that are expensive, but not nearly as much so as the 146, and will still introduce you to fine FPs.

When you gain more knowledge and experience with the various brands, you'll know later on if a 146 is right for you; you may decide it isn't. It's definitely not for everyone, it seems to make or break FP lovers.