Reasons Not To Get A Mb 149

[Centurion]

Well, thanks all for your feedback. Looks like I got some more research to do. And FPs to try out.

 

I definitely want an oversize big FP. Doesn't have to be cigar shape, but want it to be big and of course well-balanced. I held a big OMAS special edition FP once, and while it looked nice the weight was awkward.

 

I'm going to look into the following FPs:

 

Sailor King of Pen

Pelikan M1000

Visconti LAVA with dreamtouch (whatever that means) nib

Visconti Homo Sapiens

OMAS Milford

Pilot Custom 823

Heritage 912

Sailor Realo

Justus 95

GvFC (don't know what this stands for)

 

vintage 149s from '50-'65 (can't believe they're only $250-$300. I guess I'll have to revise my opinion on only getting brand new)

Edited June 26, 2014 by Centurion

[dneal]

An Omas Ogiva is round like a 149, the Paragon is the largest 10 sided one (with the Milord being one size smaller). The 360 is also a big pen.

 

A Nakaya Portable is a cigar shaped pen just as big as a 149, and a Nakai-Ai, Decapod and Neo Standard are a little bigger. They have great springy nibs (especially the flexible ones).

 

My Sailor's nib (a standard one) is actually quite firm. I wouldn't get a Realo with a "standard" nib for flex. Great writer, but not flexible.

[UK Mike]

I must express a little concern that you are out looking for a $1000 pen without knowing too much about what is available. We all need to learn things for sure, but perhaps the motives for the purchase should be examined?

 

Are you looking for a superlative writing experience? Are you purchasing the pen because you can? Is it jewellery/status symbol or will it be working hard for its existence?

 

"I know what I like" will get you a decent pen, but you may never know what you missed. You should add a few Montegrappa, Onoto, Conway Stewart, Nakaya, Yard-oLed, Aurora, Delta, Caran d'Ache, Platinum, Diplomat, Porsche Design, Visconti, and ST Dupont pens to your list as well ............ the search goes on.

Edited June 26, 2014 by UK Mike

[Sasha Royale]

$1000 is a lot of fountain pen money. I could do a lot with $1000, . . . . . . . . . . . and I did.

[zap210]

Its a good pen but...

Its overpriced

The plastic is brittle

The guarantee is a joke

Repair cost are excessive

 

That being said, it is a classic.

[Michigan]

 

There's a platinum version of the 149?!?!? I don't think I saw that on their website. It must be $10,000?

Yes. MB's website does not feature their best stuff. I'll never figure that out.

 

In addition, I think the platinum 146 in the second photo has wonderful lines as well. It can be yours for $15,250, Centurion. http://www.ebay.com/itm/MONTBLANC-146-MEISTERSTUCK-LEGRAND-SOLID-PLATINUM-FOUNTAIN-PEN-/181436866016?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a3e7adde0

 

At this stage, I kind of feel like we are piling on a bit to the original poster. I think everybody has made good points, but it is kind of a downer to talk about why something is bad. German premier Konrad Adenauer gave his 149 to JFK because he admired it. Is there another fountain pen with anywhere near that level of prestige and class? There are lots of great pens out there. The 149 is one of them.

Edited June 26, 2014 by Michigan

[FountainPages]

Over priced, over large...if you want an Mb get the 146, ideal size, still over priced.

Edited June 27, 2014 by FountainPages

[lurcho]

They're (bleep).

[lurcho]

Sorry. They're (bleep).

[lurcho]

You know that other thing, the one that's not exactly wee...

[aawhite]

Id get a vintage 146 for a fraction of the price

 

+1. Get a vintage.

 

 

On a side note: I do not have a149 nor 146, but I have a 221 and a Carrera (steel nib) instead.

 

The 221 is light and slim, and writes like a dream.

 

The Carrera is one of my early pens given to me by my father. I was about 14 years old then. I love this pen and I still use it often.

 

It is a shame that MontBlanc no longer produces these affordable "low end, school pens".

Edited June 27, 2014 by aawhite

[penrivers]

Empty pockets but if sombady wants 20 dollars for one...well....maybe.

[FriendAmos]

If you want a pen solely to make people go ooh and aah, i.e. as a "status symbol", then the MB 149 will do nicely. Otherwise, at that price range there are many pens that are far better writers, far better lookers, far better made, .... OMAS is a good place to start.

[MX5l]

Reasons to not get a 149:

-The Pelikan M1000

-The Sailor King of Pen

 

But really, it Is a great pen and I'm sure you're aware of the price and how many high end pens you can buy with that kind of money. Unless you want an MB because it's an MB (or because it's a 149) then you should also consider the other two pens because they're in a similar league yet still rather different

[Keyless Works]

If you are up for spending $1,000 on a pen you could check out Romillo pens: http://www.romillopens.com/

I haven used one or seen one in person but I want one and from the looks of them they are much easier to justify than a new 149.

 

Not afraid of vintage? get an early 50s 146...I have one and its easily one of the best writing pens I have owned. I like my early 70s 149 but its huge and depending on how you hold your pen it might not be comfortable for you. I don't write with mine for long periods of time because it's too fat.

[welch]

I have a 146 and like it. Bought it second hand and would never have paid new-pen price...at least not 2014 price. Given the money, I'd pick the 146 over the 149: nibs are pleasantly springy, but the 149 is too big. The 146 is big, but within reason.

[Lyander0012]

If you're looking for a large pen with a nice and springy nib, might I recommend the Ebonite Sailor King of Pen? The body is notably more durable than that of the 149 which is, as you are well aware, not all that strongly constructed. The simple black aesthetic is also understated enough not to attract too much unwanted attention, which is going to be a plus if you'll be carrying it outside. Oh, and the nib on the pen is really springy, almost a semi-flex. Needless to say, it's quite a bit more affordable than the MB as well

As for the cons of the MB 149 excepting direct comparisons with other pens:

* The nib isn't really springy, though it is quite smooth.

* Yes, it's grossly overpriced for what it is, unless you're the type to acknowledge brand recognition as a factor in the cost of an item; most people would recognize it in your pocket.

* The ink capacity is actually quite unremarkable for a pen as large as it is, around 1.7mL. If you're the type to change inks often, though, that'll probably count as a good thing.

* Though the design is indeed quite conservative, anyone who knows fountain pens is likely familiar with the White Star logo. Not everyone want a lot of attention, I'm thinking.

 

 

Cheers!

Kevin

[Namo]

Stated needs:

Big pen

Springy nib

Price:

Up to 1,000$

 

MB is not springy

Pelikan m1000 would be a better choice

Visconti homo sapiens (aka lava; same pen). Maybe a little fussy to fill for a newbie?

 

For that price, buy the pen you want from a seller that will also tuned the nib to your needs. That will add maybe 75$ to the price of your pen.

 

If that was me:

I would get a Romillo hand made pen. They even make their nibs, can take all of your needs in consideration, now offering piston filling with the Soul.

 

But of course, thus isn't me... *sigh*

[perth]

I've been really lucky to have been passed on one, so the cost was not a factor in my opinions. However, the nib seems awfully mediocre (even after I aligned it) and the design was quite comical, with regards to size. It's been an attention-magnet, since everyone can immediately identify one, and the status and monetary power behind it. Which is all pretty ironic, since the only payment I've put on it was the new feed which I got replaced for about $25 or so. It's quite ergonomic, though, and has a large capacity.

[Algester]

if I were you I would have the the prestige of having a hand made pen half the retail price of an MB149 such as Edison pens or the pen turners in the pen turner forums heck if I ever have a 1000 USD to spend I'll get an Edison Beumont pneumatic in shale with Binderized flex for the hell of it and probably get a mini Nox by C.E. levi if the budget fits

else I'll spend it on a Hakase pen in ebonite yeah... or or a Nakaya

Edited June 27, 2014 by Algester