It is with trepidation that I post my first thread here in the Mont Blanc forum. I have read a lot of negative reviews about Mont Blanc (and of course a lot of positive reviews, too). But the bad reviews create more resonance in my heart than the positive ones.

I was on the lookout for a Visconti Wall Street after recently acquring a neat OPera Club. However, since the Wall St has the same nib as the Opera Club my wife doesn't understand why I wouldn't get a pen that most people have heard of - a Mont Blanc.

I gave her advice some thought and looked on line and noticed that 146 isn't bad looking. In fact I like the two toned nib. I have small hands, so a 149 is a bit too big for me. What do you think about the 146? Is it worth the price? Is it really much less durable than the other 14K nibs? I read on wikipedia about Mont Blanc's iridium nibs being super fragile.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks!!

I've got 2 146s, one from the mid-80s (with solid color nib) and a newer one with the two-tone nib, and they're both smooth and nice writers. The 146 is an excellent size. Not too big and not too small. I don't think MB nibs are any more fragile than any other fountain pen. Most modern nibs have iridium tips and a 14k nib is going to be a bit more flexible than an 18k nib and hence a bit more expressive when writing.

If you're anywhere near a MB Boutique, go in and try them out. They have full complement of demo models in every nib width that you can write with and test. MB nibs do tend to run a bit wider than most (in my experience at least). Yes, they're pricey but you can often find them at a discount from some reputable dealers. Happy hunting.