Review Of The Montblanc 149 By A Former Anti-Montblancite

[Nelson Sousa]

I agree with most of the posts: the 149 is a desirable pen (the fruits of its design), but costs twice of its value.

When handling one, it just feels like any other cheap plastic pen, with a cap that can't screw tightly (I found this quite awkward and I was told this is common in this model. Can this be true? In a pen that costs 650 euros?!!!!!! ... !!!!!). Anyway, its shape and the looks of the nib keep making me want to have/use one.

For 222,22 euros, from a trusty dealer, I would buy one right now (which is saying a lot if we consider the economical circunstances of our times), but would think I had paid just a bit less than the real value of the pen, if not its whole value.

[meiers]

Lovely strand.

[FountainPages]

Yup, I said the same thing 'bout MB...never own one, no how, no way. Well, that didn't last long when I found a very nice 146 from the 70's from our good Todd at isellpens. Y'know, sometime crow don't taste too bad. Though it does remain a brand I would never buy new, I simply cannot afford them.

Edited March 20, 2015 by FountainPages

[Gloucesterman]

Former wife gave me one when we were married. It was too big for me to use regularly so I changed it for a 146. Much more comfortable.

 

Now I wish I had held on to it. Could have sold it for a lot more money than the 146.

 

Oh well, live and learn - for the next time I get married ;)

[Albinoni]

Do you think that 149's are really worth what they are, here in Australia a brand new Montblanc 149 will set you back around $1300 probably slightly more, including the box and ink bottle.

[MCWB]

Really?? Wow, that's bonkers. Especially so since they regularly go for US$400-500 on the second hand market, which says all you need to know about their intrinsic value. Personally I love mine, but that's because I paid second hand price. At US$500 there are a helluva lot of impressive pens; the 149 holds its own in this price range. I don't think it holds its own at US$1000, in my opinion.

[ANAND ROY]

Hi,

I really liked your honest overview of the pen, straight facts and vivid description, Thank you.

And all things considered I do agree that you came out ahead.

[Tom Kellie]

~ Sirach

Thank you for the inspiring story.

Your candor concerning how you came to accept Montblanc is pleasing to read.

Over 25 years ago I was given an M nib Montblanc 149. It sat in the box for two decades, forgotten, un-inked and hence unused.

Upon encountering it during a desk reorganization, I resolved to use it.

I did so and never looked back.

On my desk the original 149 now sits, accompanied by 4 EF nib 149s all bought from a local Montblanc boutique.

There's another 149, which has a bespoke EEF nib crafted in Hamburg.

They're all a joy to use. My large hands find them comfortable in any situation.

Reading your original post brought a smile of recognition to my face.

Tom K.

[Arkanabar]

I've more or less gone through about half of this same journey. There was a time when I wouldn't have kept a MontBlanc if it was given to me. I'd have sold it uninked, going on and on about the day I walked into the MB boutique that used to be at the Somerset Collection, tried 8 MB 149s in eight widths, and walked out with six colors of ink on my hands, without mentioning how gracious the sales clerk was to an obviously impecunious young man.

 

No more. If I were given a MontBlanc, I'd use it. Perhaps only at my desk, given the relative frangibility of its materials. If I were to buy one, it'd almost certainly be a used 146. I might still sell it, but that's because I'm still desperately poor.

[sirach]

Thank-you for all the lovely comments. I use my MB less these days, but that is only because my Pelikan flock is growing. The luxury brands have such a reputation to keep, that they are going to what it takes to make you happy, and there is something comforting about that.

[Bklyn]

Welcome home!

 

There are lots of things on the internet which you read and then are influenced. Same story here, I believed what i read, that MB was overpriced, bad writing, money paid only for the "bird splat" pen. Then, I bought my first MB a few years back, a mint 74 that i got quite cheap, I have never looked back since...

 

Thanks for sharing your story.

 

Hari

Wonderful review coupled with candor and a very personal story. I thank you sir!

[MikeM0713]

Tom, your timeless review was perfect and very much appreciated. I am renewing my interest in fountain pens and was looking for this kind of information to address problems with my fathers MB 149 that had been stuck away for many years and in serious need of piston repair/overhaul. I’ve been suspicious that it might be a (very good) counterfeit pen and thus not able to get parts. It's marked “W German”, has a plastic threads on the piston mechanism and is missing “Pix” lettering on the underside of the clip. Your comments cleared up my doubts and convinced me to send it off to MB service center in Fort Worth. I’m looking forward to having this “like new” high-end piece in my hands again.

 

I think you will agree with these words to live by...“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.”

 

Thanks again for effort and detail provided in your review. Well done.

[jmccarty3]

Oh well, live and learn - for the next time I get married ;)

 

 

"live and learn" and "next time I get married" in the same sentence?

 

The cognitive dissonance is painful!

 

Reminds me of one of my Abbreviated Aphorisms: "Marry, repent at leisure."