Comparing Six Large Nib Pens

[jar]

I thought it might be fun to compare six quite different pens that have large nibs. The pens are the iconic Montblanc 149, the Montblanc Alexander Dumas which is based on the Montblanc 139 which was the predecessor of the 149, The Montegrappa Extra 1930, Delta's Dolcevita Oversize, the Sheaffer Legacy family of pens that in turn were based on Sheaffer's PFM from the late 50s and early 60s and the Pelikan 1050.

So to get the Boring Details out of the way before the fun, without further ado here are ...

The Boring Details

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And the six pens we will look at:

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The first pen we will look at is the iconic Montblanc 149. Too often when big pens are mentioned it is the Montblanc 149 that is listed first, and it is a nice pen; but even more boring than the boring details. It doesn't have any real weak points, it holds lots of ink, works well and reliably, has good manufacturer's support, is readily recognized and either appreciated or despised. But there is simply nothing there to fire the imagination, kinda like that Little Black Dress on a manikin.

The one I'm using in this review is an early resin model with a nice, soft 14C nib.

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The 149 is one of the lighter pens in the comparison, is a piston filler with a large inkview window and so far I've never found an ink that it refuses to use.

The next pen, while certainly not a peacock, definitely is a showoff. It is the Montblanc Alexander Dumas (the père) and is among the shortest of the group. It is based on the Montblanc 139 which came before the 149 and is a piston filler. The nib is an 18K medium nail but smooth, wet and responsive, a foil instead of a broadsword.

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The body material appears to be inset Mother of Pearl but may well be a fine resin with panels set off by inlaid gold lines. The cap and piston knob are very dark brown resin about the color of grenadilla with the authors signature on the cap.

The nib is decorated with a fleur de lis and is the same size as on the 149.

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The Montegrappa Extra or Extra 1930 is without a doubt Italian. It's loosely based on a design from the 1930s and is celluloid and Sterling silver. The Extra was introduced in 1999 and is the same size as the later Extra 1930 that was reintroduced in 2005. Other than the color and packaging differences the biggest change was that the historic body imprint of the mountain was dropped when reissued.

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The celluloids look deep enough to drown in and the balance and performance are far more Alfa Duetto than Mercedes sedan. But it is here that the Italian nature shows, a fast responsive beautiful piston pen that takes a Brazillion turns to cap or uncap.

The other Italian at the table is the Delta Dolcevita Oversize. Delta is a new company without the pedigree of the others but their attention to detail is certainly no less than any of the others. It is short when capped and so fits in shirt pockets easily (but not in any of the dedicated pen slots in my shirts) but tied as the longest when posted and the heaviest in the group.

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The cap band is Sterling Silver and the nib is a luscious wet stub that is very unforgiving about being kept on the paper. Rotate the nib so it is not flat on the surface and it simply stops writing. Keep the wheels on the road though and it is an absolute joy to use and gives great shading with the right ink.

The pen is a Cartridge/Converter using standard international cartridges and a threaded converter and also incorporates an o-ring should someone wish to use it as an eye-dropper.

Next is the Sheaffer Legacy family which are based on the late 50's through 60's PFM (Pen for Men). While the original was Sheaffers snorkel filling system, the Legacy series are cartridge/converter pens. The one included in this group is a Jim Gaston Cobalt Blue limited edition of just 300 pens.

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All of the Legacy family use the superb Sheaffer 18K inlaid nib and all that I have tried have been wet, reliable, smooth and the stubs the finest stubs of any pens I've tried.

The Legacy family consists of three variations, the first simply called Legacy has a faceted endcap and using the Sheaffer Touchdown filling system. The touchdown sac in this case is removable so that Sheaffer cartridges can also be used or a Sheaffer squeeze converter substituted should it need repairs. The Legacy 2 is similar except that the endcap is a smooth conic cylinder. The most recent iteration is the Legacy Heritage that dropped the touchdown mechanism and simply uses cartridges or the any of the standard size Sheaffer converters.

The final pen considered is the Pelikan 1050 which was introduced in 1998 and discontinued just one year later. It is basically a Pelikan 1000, their largest pen with a Sterling silver vermeil cap. It's among the longest of all six pens capped, posted and just the body and the second heaviest. The nib is a springy 18C fine.

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The pen has one annoying habit which really limits its pocket time. The cap tends to loosen in your pocket and more than once I pulled just the cap out with pen, nib up sitting in my shirt.

So which of them get more than their fair share of pocket time?

The Sheaffer Legacy family (especially the ones with the FT Madison stubs) probably get the most followed by the Delta Dolcevita. My preferred filling system is C/C so the Delta shines there. Next is likely the Montegrappa Extra or 1930 Extra but not if I will be capping or uncapping a lot.

The Montblanc Dumas is likely to get some pocket time just because it's so purtty. The 149 and Pelikan 1050 almost never get to go out and play.

[stacybean]

Thank you for this excellent post. It's wonderful to " visit " with some lovely pens that I am not going to purchase such as the Delta Dolce Vita Oversize and M1000's of any variety. They really are too large for me to use comfortably. I will keep my unadorned 149 with a luscious B nib, though.

[zaddick]

Thank you jar for an enjoyable post.

[pelman]

Thank you jar for the wonderful pictorial post. I didn't realize that the Pelikan was so heavy. I have the 149 and a couple of Legacies (if this would be the plural) - enjoy them all. The Dumas would be definitely a consideration just from the pure asthetics.

[jar]

Thank you jar for the wonderful pictorial post. I didn't realize that the Pelikan was so heavy.

 

Remember this is the 1050 with a solid Sterling silver vermeil cap. It is the cap and brass piston filler that make it so heavy. The regular 1000 is a little lighter than the 1050.

[brad7k]

Thanks for the summary. It's interesting how most people would love to get any of those pens, but you are not too enamered with them. I also wanted pens with big nibs and have had the Pelikan, Montegrappa, Delta, and Montblanc 149. I have sold all but the 149 as it was a gift. I currently am using a Danitrio Mikado Urushi with a great #8 nib, that is my favorite of all the large nib pens.

[Russ]

Thank you! The review was great! I have been considering the Delta, and your review really helps me size it up aright. Much appreciated!

[hari317]

Jar, it would be lovely to see a picture of the big nibs standing together. Can you pls share one boring detail? what is the exposed length of the Montegrappa's nib?

 

Hari

[Uncial]

Great post; thank you.

[jar]

Jar, it would be lovely to see a picture of the big nibs standing together. Can you pls share one boring detail? what is the exposed length of the Montegrappa's nib?

 

Hari

 

I'll try to work on it but will need to wait for better weather. Pouring rain here right now. But in the mean time...here is one I did some years ago that shows all but the DV and Dumas.

 

http://www.fototime.com/E53C6F2D0482746/large.jpg

[flipper_gv]

Please, I'd love to get more details about the Montegrappa Extra 1930.

 

It seems to be the pen you always recommend for a big purchase and there isn't a lot of information on the web on high end Montegrappa's.

[jar]

Please, I'd love to get more details about the Montegrappa Extra 1930.

 

It seems to be the pen you always recommend for a big purchase and there isn't a lot of information on the web on high end Montegrappa's.

 

You can start here but if that doesn't help what specifically would you like to know?

[jar]

Jar, it would be lovely to see a picture of the big nibs standing together. Can you pls share one boring detail? what is the exposed length of the Montegrappa's nib?

 

Hari

 

The exposed length of the MG Extra 1930 nib is 23mm.

 

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[hari317]

 

The exposed length of the MG Extra 1930 nib is 23mm.

 

http://www.fototime.com/9C2C748F059BBCF/large.jpg

 

Very nice picture and very informative. Thanks. 23mm exposed length would bring the MG nib into the same length league of the #6 nibs, but I believe it is a much wider nib at the shoulders. The 149, M1000 and Delta should have an exposed nib length of 29-31mm.

[jar]

 

Very nice picture and very informative. Thanks. 23mm exposed length would bring the MG nib into the same length league of the #6 nibs, but I believe it is a much wider nib at the shoulders. The 149, M1000 and Delta should have an exposed nib length of 29-31mm.

 

There is a lot of variation in my MG examples, the Extra is not set as deeply and has about 27mm exposed but both write flawlessly.

 

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[penrivers]

Bravo Jar, as always , you are great, I miss your short storys.

[rpsyed]

I think the Montegrappa Extra may have a #8 JoWo nib unit. Those nibs seem to share the same shape from pictures as the Montegrappa nib, and also are roughly the same length as #6 nibs but much wider.

[flipper_gv]

 

You can start here but if that doesn't help what specifically would you like to know?

 

Just what is it about these pens that set them apart from the rest. Is it the dimensions, the weight, the balance, the nib performance or simply the looks and elegance of it.

[jar]

 

Just what is it about these pens that set them apart from the rest. Is it the dimensions, the weight, the balance, the nib performance or simply the looks and elegance of it.

 

Well, I thought I covered that on the website but maybe I can do better now,

 

The Extra and Extra 1930 are part of the Classica family of Montegrappa pens. The body is the same quality celluloid as all the others in that family and starts about the same size and same shape but since the section is larger the body itself is slight shorter than the Classica. In addition the section is Sterling silver instead of celluloid with just Sterling silver furniture. The nib is also larger than what is found on the Classica or Historia.

 

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Extra on top, Classic beneath

The other differences is that the Extra and Extra 1930 are piston filled and have a wider incised cap band.

 

Feel varies based on section width but I find the balance the same across the whole family.

 

If you still have questions feel free to ask.

[max dog]

Thanks Jar for a wonderful, informative and enjoyable review.

 

The Sheaffer Legacy with one of those wonderful inlaid nibs have been on my radar for a long time. Does Sheaffer offer a stock stub nib in their latest Legacy Heritage?