Visconti Homo Sapiens Vs Mb 146 Weight

[whitedot]

I am accustomed to the weight and dimensions of the MB 146.

 

How does the Visconti HS compare?

 

I would use both uncapped.

 

 

[RobertS]

Are you interested in the standard (large) Homo Sapiens or the smaller Midi? I own the large version of the Homo Sapiens Bronze and compared it to my MB 149 (I do not own a 146).

 

As far as length is concerned, the HS and 149 are very, very close: capped, the 149 is about 5 7/8th inches long. The HS is about 1/16th inch shorter. Uncapped, the HS is about 5 1/4th inches long, with the 149 being about 1/16th inch shorter. (I used a ruler to measure the pens as best I could).

 

Regarding weight, my Tangent Digital Mini Scale gave the following results (with cap/without cap): MB 149 = 30.9 grams/21.1 grams. HS = 44.1 grams/25.9 grams.

 

The pens are very close in thickness at about 1/2" each.

 

Compared against the full size HS, the MB 146 would be much smaller and lighter. The Midi-size HS is closer to the MB146, but I don't have one and cannot provide any measurements. This is not exactly the information you asked for, but I hope it will be of some use.

[Miadhawk]

I have the Midi Homo Sapiens Steel Age F and the Montblanc 149 M. Both are fantastic pens.

 

The Visconti Homo Sapiens is less of a "looker" if that is a factor for you. People tend to notice, recognize, and inquire about the Montblanc more often than the Visconti. In terms of quality both are at odds here, they both hold a great amount of ink, are solid, and can be found for lower than MSRP. The 23kt palladium nib is very soft, and some mistake it for flex, especially on the oversize version. While the modern 149 has a stiff nib, which in certain applications is more practical. The Midi is certainly smaller than the 149, and the Oversize is more comparable to it. The Midi Homo Sapiens is more comparable in terms of size to the 146. Capping either size of the Homo Sapiens really throws off the balance for me, not so much on the 149, but it becomes less comfortable.

 

Here are some photo comparisons between my HS Steel Midi and my 149

 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8438728405_9f75cbf8d9_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8097/8439813996_c5f5f5bc0c_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8093/8439811992_256e788f57_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8329/8438724529_ff4270abde_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8187/8439812934_2fc3c9d004_b.jpg

 

Excuse the nib creep :roflmho: Alfred Hithcock ink tends to do that!

[whitedot]

Thank you very much for such detailed comparisons!

 

I believe that the Midi would suit my hand much better. Is the nib smaller than that on the Standard?

 

Unfortunately it appears that the Midi only comes in Steel, not Bronze.

 

 

[peterpen53]

Thank you very much for such detailed comparisons!

 

I believe that the Midi would suit my hand much better. Is the nib smaller than that on the Standard?

 

Unfortunately it appears that the Midi only comes in Steel, not Bronze.

 

 

 

Maybe I can help you. I don't have a 146 but I do have a Traveller or 147 which is similar in size to the 146. My large HS Bronze (still with power filler) is almost exactly the same in length, the difference is no more than 1 or 2 mm. Unposted, the HS is 25 grams, the 147 only 18, but I would expect the 146 to be heavier being a piston filler, which the 147 is not, so I don't think this would be much difference. The HS has quite a bit more girth, however, which is slightly compensated by its tapered section. Most importantly (to me) the Pd nib on the HS is decidedly softer and also a bit bigger.

I hope this is useful to you.

 

 

Cheers,

Peter

[Miadhawk]

Thank you very much for such detailed comparisons!

 

I believe that the Midi would suit my hand much better. Is the nib smaller than that on the Standard?

 

Unfortunately it appears that the Midi only comes in Steel, not Bronze.

 

 

The nib is significantly smaller on the Midi HS, but is still softer than the 18k 149. Its not nearly as soft as the oversize pd. nib because the oversize has more material to flex. I should also mention that the Midi does not come in a power-filler version like the oversize, rather it has a non-removable converter inside it, and is often mistaken for a piston filler.

[Earthdawn]

Well I have the full size HS Bronze & a 1993 MB 146.... hope this helps

 

Both pens are filled with ink

 

MB 146

Wieght w/Cap 31 grams

Wieght wo/Cap 21 grams

 

HS Bronze full size

Wieght w/Cap 43.7 grams

Wieght wo/Cap 25.4 grams

 

I don't have a digital caliper to measure the grip section but they are very close to the same.

 

Here are a couple of pics. Note that in the first pic I aligned them from the bottom exactly so you could see how much longer the HS is compared to the 146.

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac10/thevaporcafe/60144124-6DF8-4BC5-A067-DFC334DA547B-8952-000002601490FBA2_zps60282712.jpg

http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac10/thevaporcafe/97CCC46F-6990-4455-B022-F9651FADD33F-8952-000002601CEB526A_zpsdb9564d1.jpg

Edited February 4, 2013 by Earthdawn

[akustyk]

Like you, I like the 146 and consider it my perfect pen in terms of size and weight. I almost always write with it posted. And my Homo Sapiens, unposted, fits my hand perfectly. I pick up either pen and feel right at home.

[JefferyS]

What's a Mont Blanc 146? ;-)

[johntdavis]

EDIT: Sorry to reply to such an old thread. I thought it was from 2014 at first, and it speaks directly to my attempt to compare a MB 146 with a Visconti HS Midi.

 

From what I understand, the Midi HS is about the size of a Pelikan M400, right?

 

My preferred size of pen is generally no larger than a MB 146. I have a Pilot Custom 823 which has roughly the same dimensions and love it, though sometimes I wish the grip were slightly thicker.

 

I'm also rapidly growing to love my new Pelikan M600 White Tortoise. At first I thought it was a bit too small, but I'm getting used to it. I'm not sure I'd be able to comfortably use an M400 if it's a lot smaller than the M600, and if the M400 is the same size as the Midi HS I'd be a bit worried it would be too small. I think with smaller pens, at least for me a thicker grip section is important to get a solid hold.

 

Does anyone here with a MB 146 or Pelikan M600 consider the Midi HS too small?

Edited May 31, 2014 by johntdavis

[Tombstone]

Does anyone here with a MB 146 or Pelikan M600 consider the Midi HS too small?

 

Me - but for me also the 146 and the M600 are too small.

 

Mine are 149 / M800 / HS Bronze...

[planet]

I think the Pelikan M800 is close to an ideal size for me, and I love my full-size HS now that the nib has been tuned by Mike Matsuyama.