Hi

I went to my favorite penshop to test a modern 149 second hand pen for sale with an extrafine nib that I have seen on their website. The nib was a semi flex nib, very pleasing and very responsive. The pen was used a very little.The cap had no scratches and the barrel was in absolute pristine condition. I didn't bought it but it could be a pen I will purchase because I am looking for a 149 with a fine or extra fine nib. The price of the pen is very reasonable 340€. I might think about it.

regards

georges

I bought my 149 a few weeks ago, and you are correct its a nice pen. As for the price, that sounds steep when converted to us $ its around $503. You can find them for less.

I am glad you liked the 149, Georges. I do not use finer nibs much. I have one 146 with an EF nib that I use only occasionally; and one 149 with a F nib, again used only occasionally. I have to depend on others for their impressions of the finer nibs.

Bart wrote:

" ... As for the price, that sounds steep when converted to us $ its around $503. ... "

I think the exchange rate says a lot in our (U. S.) understanding of the price. The exchange rate is pretty bad right now. I would like to buy more things from my favorite EU vendor, Susanna at Giardino Italiano, who is a member here, but the exchange rate is just too poor right now.

As a Canadian I think the weak US dollar makes everybody happy.
I get most of my pens from the USA so now that the US dollar is almost up to par with Canadian dollar that makes these pens more affordable.
The seller is happy and I'm happy-its a win win situation

Reserved that pen after having tested other pens to compare with it, this 149 will be my third and final 149 as well as my final MB, my next will be a pelikan m1000.

Do the newer ones seem lighter than the older ones?

No, the newers are not that light, they are the same weight than the older ones. In fact, they are a little beat heavier than the older ones.

Georges, you have excellent taste in pens! The Montblanc 149 and Pelikan M1000 are both beautiful, hefty, well-performing pens. If you like these pens, you should also try the new Omas Paragon and the Dupont Orpheo. You can get both in the same black-with-gold-trim color scheme as the 149 and M1000.

thanks I laready have the new paragon and it is a damn good writer. I also have two vintage 149, one from 1966 a medium oblique and a 1977 medium both with flexible nibs and extremely good writers. I don't own a m1000 but have an older style m800 from 1987 which writes excellently well so yes a m1000 will be certainly on my purchase list. The Orpheo is not my thing, it is a converter filled pen. The nib on that pen is not in my tastes. I will wait when Sailor realizes a piston filled King of pen as was the Realo then I will consider it because a King of Pen with a converter it is not enough for me especially with the heavy price tag.

Georges: I admire your commitment to piston-filler pens. They are absolutelly the best. The only reason I am willing to pay the high prices for ST Dupont cartridge/converter pens is the fantastic metalwork and lacquer techniques.

thanks I can't deny that dupont makes nice pens but aside lacquer techniques and metal work, I want a trouble free filling system like a piston filling, eye dropper, button filler or vacumatic and a good nib. Of course I pay attention to the level of craftsmanship that is brought to the pen with the barrel and the nib. A 149 or an M1000 or an Omas Paragon are hard to beat: classic and proven filling system, big nibs and good ink capacity. I tried many other of their competitors like the Delta Dolce Vita OS which has a too firm nib and is often subject to leaking, Visconti Wall Street with piston filler which has an average nib and mediocre piston filling and Aurora which nibs are tooty as a pitchfork. I also tried an Edson but the nib is not really comparable to the Montblanc149, Pelikan 1000 or Omas Paragon nib because it is too firm and not smooth. The Serenenite's nib is nightmare, toothy as a pitchfork. The only Watermans that equal the 149 and the 146 are the Exception and the Man 100. Classic pens are good values. I also can tell you that the 149 EF nib I tried and that I reserved was as glass smooth as the Sailor KOP. I prefer something that is sure and reliable that piece of marketing hype.

That's what you need..... a nice shiny black Waterman Man 100 with gold trim! Waterman designed the Man 100 to compete against the Montblanc 149. They clearly failed to achieve their original business plan for this pen, but they succeeded in designing a wonderful and dignified large-sized fountain pen.