A Life Well-Lived - Montblancs In Action

[Pen Nut]

Good idea for a thread ! Will post pics of my 146 vermeil which was retired from pocket use to a desk pen. Not the most pretty pen on the block but been around me for sometime. Actually was 'missing in action' for over six months but found hiding from further abuse in a coat lining

[Shannon]

I think this is one of the most interesting threads I've followed in some time

[CS388]

My favourite thread of the moment. Thanks zaddick.

 

146G. Hard working, reliable, dependable.

All I could ask for in a pen.

No longer pretty, but who cares?

Superb writer.

 

 

Edited to add correct photo!

Edited July 12, 2018 by CS388

[Tom Kellie]

Great topic! I'll play...

I've noted any number of times that my 149 was my high school graduation present in 1970 from my parents, who had just returned from their first trip abroad. It was my EDC until appr 1995, when I dropped it on Ninth Avenue in Manhattan and chipped the cap. Since then, it has been my desk pen, and has not spent more than a week uninked since, well, 1970! It has also never been serviced, just flushed by me every time I switch inks.

It has an assortment of scratches, but no applied dentistry. The imprint was by wherever my parents bought the pen, which I don't think I have ever known; and yes, it's the rare imprint that has one's own last name...

 

 

 

~ tmenyc:

 

Thank you for the background about your 149.

The photos are delightful. I especially like the handwriting sample.

“It writes, too!”

That is the wonder of older pens.

Tom K.

[Tom Kellie]

My favourite thread of the moment. Thanks zaddick.

 

146G. Hard working, reliable, dependable.

All I could ask for in a pen.

No longer pretty, but who cares?

Superb writer.

 

 

~ CS388:

 

I really like the photo you've posted.

Your 146G has no pretensions to anything.

It simply gets on with it and writes.

That's a pen's pen.

Thank you.

Tom K.

[CS388]

Thanks, Tom. Very kind.

 

144G. Old, bruised and battered.

But, stll able to lay ink on a page, like no other.

Wet, generous line, with plenty of flex, if needed.*

 

 

* I seldom flex nibs, but it's nice to have it for a bit of variation on special occasions!

 

 

[meiers]

Lovely pen!!!

May we have a writing sample?

[CS388]

Lovely pen!!!

May we have a writing sample?

 

Sure. Here's a quick scribble in Blueblack. Thanks.

 

[Tom Kellie]

 

Sure. Here's a quick scribble in Blueblack. Thanks.

 

 

~ CS388:

 

Your reliable “old, bruised, battered” pen is still capable of kicking up a lively line.

Thank you for the terrific image.

It's reassuring to me to see further evidence that older doesn't necessarily mean impaired performance.

That's a question which passes through my thoughts every morning when looking in the mirror.

Tom K.

[Ghost Plane]

A reminder that ALL my pens are users.

[meiers]

What a delightful writing sample. Thank you, CS388!!!

Edited July 18, 2018 by meiers

[penmaxwell919]

 

2000 Writers Edition Schiller Bespoke Sketch Nib

 

 

Does Bespoke mean that i was ground by a nibmeister? The nib looks like it came out of the factory. It's so symmetrical.

[blottingpaperforlife]

My understanding is that all Montblanc nibs are handmade. But there is use of technology/machines to give clinical perfection to a particular nib.

[zaddick]

All MB nibs are hand checked and

smoothed as needed. They are not handmade.

 

Bespoke nibs are made by a specialist team at MB in partnership with the individual who commissions the nib. There are a lot of variables available far beyond standard offerings including added flex, extra narrow tips, broad nibs, music nibs, calligraphic nibs, custom feeds, custom ink flows and personalized engraving. They are by special order only and a significant upcharge. But like bespoke suits they fit you like no other.

[Tom Kellie]

Does Bespoke mean that i was ground by a nibmeister? The nib looks like it came out of the factory. It's so symmetrical.

 

 

[johntdavis]

Thanks for this thread, everyone.

 

I really needed to see this. I've got a pristine (NOS when I got it possibly, or if not, used by someone who kept it in great shape) 1950s 142-G with right oblique M round nib. I'm a lefty, so finding a non-italic factory right oblique is enough of a magnificent event on its own.

 

I've been too afraid to use it and still won't take it out of my office because I'm afraid of Liquids of the World getting on the casein star.

 

But reading this thread gave me the courage to finally ink it, and it is just wonderful.

 

 

[Ghost Plane]

YES! Love to see a pen doing what it was born to do. *happy sigh*

[zaddick]

Great news John. You can get so much more joy out of a pen that is a pleasure to write with. These old MB pens were never meant to just be collected. The 1950s nibs also provide a unique writing experience. Glad you are actually getting to experience it for yourself!

[meiers]

Thanks for this thread, everyone.

 

I really needed to see this. I've got a pristine (NOS when I got it possibly, or if not, used by someone who kept it in great shape) 1950s 142-G with right oblique M round nib. I'm a lefty, so finding a non-italic factory right oblique is enough of a magnificent event on its own.

 

I've been too afraid to use it and still won't take it out of my office because I'm afraid of Liquids of the World getting on the casein star.

 

But reading this thread gave me the courage to finally ink it, and it is just wonderful.

 

 

Did Montblanc still use casein in the 1950s?

[johntdavis]

Did Montblanc still use casein in the 1950s?

 

 

I could be wrong--it's even likely--but it is my understanding that the ivory star on 1950s-era MBs is indeed casein. The rest of the pen is celluloid.