Favourite Vintage Montblanc?

[johnkim424]

Long window MB 139s are rare, specially one with good/clear ink window. I got into a bidding war and when the dust settled, I prevailed but at a heavy cost. I paid thru the nose to buy that particular longwindow 139. I still had to put in extra money to restore it and bring it up to spec. When it was all said and done I was out nearly $4000USD, most I ever paid for a pen. Do I regret it? No, but I am still licking the wounds from that battle. I am still looking for a 138. I had a chance to acquire on from ebay but I blew it. As you can see from the picture, MB 138 is missing. Hunt continues....

[Redbarchettayyz]

Long window MB 139s are rare, specially one with good/clear ink window. I got into a bidding war and when the dust settled, I prevailed but at a heavy cost. I paid thru the nose to buy that particular longwindow 139. I still had to put in extra money to restore it and bring it up to spec. When it was all said and done I was out nearly $4000USD, most I ever paid for a pen. Do I regret it? No, but I am still licking the wounds from that battle. I am still looking for a 138. I had a chance to acquire on from ebay but I blew it. As you can see from the picture, MB 138 is missing. Hunt continues....

 

I look at it this way - There will always be more money, but there are only a finite number of long window 139s. Good luck in the hunt for a 138!

 

Can you post one of the feed from the side and a close up of the nib? Thanks!

 

Here you go Andrew. Sorry about the picture quality, these were the best I could get. Also pay no heed to how awful the handwriting above them is, those were quick shop notes :ph34r:

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7590771394_329a195db3.jpg

Side view of nib & feed

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7119/7590774792_ef3f9ac356.jpg

Close view of nib

[Andrew H]

@Redbarchettayyz: Thanks!

[FredRydr]

I agree that the L139G is the favorite Montblanc, especially due to my being able to find the specific nib that I wanted: a fine extra flex 139 nib. It flexes more like a No. 6 nib, not a No. 9! BUT, the drawback is the pen's value. The 139 is a risky pen for me to carry, for I've been known to lose pens. Alas, it doesn't go out much, a shame. So, with that with that in mind, I'd have to say that my favorite Montblanc is the N.O.S. Dostoevsky OBB that bought at well below wholesale (no box or papers), and then had retipped to a BB cursive italic. I take that anywhere, and it never fails to please when I put pen to paper.

 

Fred

[peterpen53]

I'll get some up later today by the time I get home, as I don't know if I'll be around my office computer very much today. I looked closer, and the nib actually seems to be an Oblique, so that's neat. I've never had one.This is also my first (semi)hooded pen, and the feed is definitely different than the style I'm used to, but it performs at 110%. I'll post the pics later today.

 

If it's an oblique, treasure it. A month or so ago I bought a 121 OB, just a bit younger than yours, and I always have a hard time putting it down, it is so much fun. See here.

[peterpen53]

I'll get some up later today by the time I get home, as I don't know if I'll be around my office computer very much today. I looked closer, and the nib actually seems to be an Oblique, so that's neat. I've never had one.This is also my first (semi)hooded pen, and the feed is definitely different than the style I'm used to, but it performs at 110%. I'll post the pics later today.

 

If it's an oblique, treasure it. A month or so ago I bought a 121 OB, just a bit younger than yours, and I always have a hard time putting it down, it is so much fun. See here.

[Redbarchettayyz]

I'll get some up later today by the time I get home, as I don't know if I'll be around my office computer very much today. I looked closer, and the nib actually seems to be an Oblique, so that's neat. I've never had one.This is also my first (semi)hooded pen, and the feed is definitely different than the style I'm used to, but it performs at 110%. I'll post the pics later today.

 

If it's an oblique, treasure it. A month or so ago I bought a 121 OB, just a bit younger than yours, and I always have a hard time putting it down, it is so much fun. See here.

 

 

I'm reasonably certain it is now, and it is an incredible amount of fun to write with- I inked it Monday afternoon after soaking the section and lining the piston, and have been writing with it pretty much constantly since then, I can't put it down. It also holds an incredible amount of ink, it's still almost full!

[sunnerd]

Just took some family shots.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8158/7597031316_98280c1443_z.jpg

139 short ink window with Pd nib, 139 long ink window, 138, 136 long ink window, 136 war time, 136 demo, 134, 132, 2 x 234 1/2

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7119/7597036096_efe10e5206_z.jpg

#53 pencil, #30, #25, #20 coral red, #72G PL, 234 1/2 PL, 146 green striated, 144 grey striated, 246 and 244 green marbled.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8004/7597043606_609ebd6fac_z.jpg

322 azure blue, #30 x 2, #25, 146, 146, ID, Brahms, 146 silver barley, Collodi.

 

Of all of them, I like the 136 best - fits my hand better than the 139, but the best nib is a flex #30 medium I got from another FPN member.

Edited July 18, 2012 by sunnerd

[Redbarchettayyz]

Just took some family shots.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8158/7597031316_98280c1443_b.jpg

139 short ink window with Pd nib, 139 long ink window, 138, 136 long ink window, 136 war time, 136 demo, 134, 132, 2 x 234 1/2

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7119/7597036096_efe10e5206_b.jpg

#53 pencil, #30, #25, #20 coral red, #72G PL, 234 1/2 PL, 146 green striated, 144 grey striated, 246 and 244 green marbled.

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8004/7597043606_609ebd6fac_b.jpg

322 azure blue, #30 x 2, #25, 146, 146, ID, Brahms, 146 silver barley, Collodi.

 

Now that is a stunning family shot! Those old "snake" clips are really starting to grow on me too. For someone looking to start a vintage Montblanc collection, these pictures are an inspiration

[johnkim424]

Love your "demo" MB 136! Rest is not too shabby either. Thanks for sharing!

[Andrew H]

@Redbarchettayyz: Do you/are you suppose to post your 24?

[Redbarchettayyz]

@Redbarchettayyz: Do you/are you suppose to post your 24?

 

Please disregard and refer to sunnerds post

Edited July 19, 2012 by Redbarchettayyz

[tenney]

Great family pix...

 

When you ink a pen for a few days use, how do you de-ink it to store it? Sure, you rinse/flush it.. but before that, do you put the unused ink back into that ink's bottle or "throw the unused ink away"?

[leod]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8004/7597043606_609ebd6fac_z.jpg

322 azure blue, #30 x 2, #25, 146, 146, ID, Brahms, 146 silver barley, Collodi.

 

what model is that dragon clip?

[sunnerd]

Great family pix...

 

When you ink a pen for a few days use, how do you de-ink it to store it? Sure, you rinse/flush it.. but before that, do you put the unused ink back into that ink's bottle or "throw the unused ink away"?

 

I force myself to ink as few as possible and write with the inked ones until empty.

Do not throw away ink as that is wasteful, do not return ink to bottle as I don't know if there are pigments from previous fills that can contaminate the bottle.

[sunnerd]

@Redbarchettayyz: Do you/are you suppose to post your 24?

 

I don't post any of my pens out of personal preference, but I just checked for you since I had it in my hand and if one did want to post it I'd say it posts quite well. The cap stays on very securely, and the point of contact is below the piston knob, on the barrel, so no chance of accidentally twisting it. If you are a poster, I'd say it posts excellently (although I still don't post).

 

Edit: also I should add the balance is great either posted or unposted.

 

Unless you are prepared to pay for repairs of cracked lips, do not post on vintage pens :-)

[sunnerd]

what model is that dragon clip?

 

That's the Imperial Dragon.1993 writers edition for Asia as Asians hate snakes.

[Redbarchettayyz]

@Redbarchettayyz: Do you/are you suppose to post your 24?

 

I don't post any of my pens out of personal preference, but I just checked for you since I had it in my hand and if one did want to post it I'd say it posts quite well. The cap stays on very securely, and the point of contact is below the piston knob, on the barrel, so no chance of accidentally twisting it. If you are a poster, I'd say it posts excellently (although I still don't post).

 

Edit: also I should add the balance is great either posted or unposted.

 

Unless you are prepared to pay for repairs of cracked lips, do not post on vintage pens :-)

 

I don't post any of my pens anyways, as I dislike the feel and prefer to either hold the cap or stand it on the desk, but thanks for the heads up.

[Andrew H]

@Redbarchettayyz: Do you/are you suppose to post your 24?

 

I don't post any of my pens out of personal preference, but I just checked for you since I had it in my hand and if one did want to post it I'd say it posts quite well. The cap stays on very securely, and the point of contact is below the piston knob, on the barrel, so no chance of accidentally twisting it. If you are a poster, I'd say it posts excellently (although I still don't post).

 

Edit: also I should add the balance is great either posted or unposted.

 

Unless you are prepared to pay for repairs of cracked lips, do not post on vintage pens :-)

What do you mean "cracked lips"?

[sunnerd]

@Redbarchettayyz: Do you/are you suppose to post your 24?

 

I don't post any of my pens out of personal preference, but I just checked for you since I had it in my hand and if one did want to post it I'd say it posts quite well. The cap stays on very securely, and the point of contact is below the piston knob, on the barrel, so no chance of accidentally twisting it. If you are a poster, I'd say it posts excellently (although I still don't post).

 

Edit: also I should add the balance is great either posted or unposted.

 

Unless you are prepared to pay for repairs of cracked lips, do not post on vintage pens :-)

What do you mean "cracked lips"?

 

Cracked cap lips... The sickening sound of a crack on the cap lips... especially on celluloids as they are so brittle, when you post it. It's painful, absolutely painful...