Whats The Best Montblanc Pen You've Ever Written With?

[Nicholas Green]

Montblanc pens come in all shapes and sizes, and the limited editions are usually only dressed up versions of the standard pens, with the performance to match. (As the nib geometry usually doesn't differ from that of the standard pens)

 

I personally have quite a few Montblanc's in my collection, including some 888's and other limited editions. For the largest part, I've been rather disappointed, especially in the performance of the various limited editions in my collection, barring one.

 

I have one pen in my collection that's so good, that I would take it from this world I could.

 

The look may not appeal to everyone, but I can assure you that when it comes to the build quality, weight, balance and feel of this pen, I doubt whether any other pen compares, regardless of price. (As far as it's look goes, you need to see it in the flesh and personally handle it, to appreciate it.)

 

The solidity of this pen, and the effortless way in which it puts ink to paper is really something of an experience! (It's incredible! I would strongly suggest that you try one of these pens out if you can!)

 

Precious resin feels dead to the touch (Just like all other plastics), but the solid white gold body of this pen has a feeling that I can't really describe, you really have to experience it for yourself.

 

The best pen that I've ever written with personally is my A380 Skeleton Fountain Pen, bar none.

 

What's yours?

Edited October 5, 2019 by Nick_Green

[penwash]

After 2 years and a few other MB's pass through, still this guy:

 

[pajaro]

Montblanc 144R medium.

[visper]

I really like the classic 149 with M nib.

[Pravda]

Montblanc pens come in all shapes and sizes, and the limited editions are usually only dressed up versions of the standard pens, with the performance to match. (As the nib geometry usually doesn't differ from that of the standard pens)

 

I personally have quite a few Montblanc's in my collection, including some 888's and other limited editions. For the largest part, I've been rather disappointed, especially in the performance of the various limited editions in my collection, barring one.

 

I have one pen in my collection that's so good, that I would take it from this world I could.

 

The look may not appeal to everyone, but I can assure you that when it comes to the build quality, weight, balance and feel of this pen, I doubt whether any other pen compares, regardless of price. (As far as it's look goes, you need to see it in the flesh and personally handle it, to appreciate it.)

 

The solidity of this pen, and the effortless way in which it puts ink to paper is really something of an experience! (It's incredible! I would strongly suggest that you try one of these pens out if you can!)

 

Precious resin feels dead to the touch (Just like all other plastics), but the solid white gold body of this pen has a feeling that I can't really describe, you really have to experience it for yourself.

 

The best pen that I've ever written with personally is my A380 Skeleton Fountain Pen, bar none.

 

What's yours?

Im happy to come across a post that praises this particular piece. My understanding is that it hasnt done well (our local boutique has had one for years unable to find a buyer for it, even after discounting it by 35%).

 

I personally passed on it, but it remains one of the more unusual designs (particularly the nib/section) Ive come across. I was excited to see it in person however.

 

As to your question, by best do you mean most enjoyable writing experience or rarest/priciest elaborate design?

[Tom Kellie]

Precious resin feels dead to the touch (Just like all other plastics), but the solid white gold body of this pen has a feeling that I can't really describe, you really have to experience it for yourself.

 

The best pen that I've ever written with personally is my A380 Skeleton Fountain Pen, bar none.

 

~ Nick_Green:

 

Thank you so much for this interesting question.

I fully agree with Pravda's astute comments about the unusual design.

As it's the premier pen on your writing desk, would it be possible for you to share an image or two here?

Few of us have had the good fortune to see it, therefore images from one who loves it for writing would be an inspiration.

Tom K.

[Uncial]

I have a 149 and a Blue Hour which both have BB nibs; the best and most enjoyable nibs I've ever used.

[Joe in Seattle]

Edgar Allan Poe in F nib. The stars just converged for this one.

[oldrifleman]

Mine is my Agatha Christie in Medium, such a perfect pen❤️

[Nicholas Green]

Im happy to come across a post that praises this particular piece. My understanding is that it hasnt done well (our local boutique has had one for years unable to find a buyer for it, even after discounting it by 35%).

 

I personally passed on it, but it remains one of the more unusual designs (particularly the nib/section) Ive come across. I was excited to see it in person however.

 

As to your question, by best do you mean most enjoyable writing experience or rarest/priciest elaborate design?

 

It's great pity that you didn't buy it when it was discounted, you wouldn't have been sorry!

 

For me it definitely wasn't love at first sight either! I first encountered on of these pens in Marseille, France back in 2009, while doing simulator training in the Super Puma simulator at what was then Euro Copter (Now Airbus Copter, interestingly), located in Marseille.

 

Myself and one of my colleagues found the Montblanc Boutique wile walking around in the town, and when the man in the shop asked us where we came from, and what we were doing in Marseille, we answered that we were doing simulator training at Euro Copter, he smiled and told us that he had the Airbus A380 Skeleton in the shop and asked us if we would like to see it. Of cause we said YES!!!.

 

When he opened the box, I was initially disappointed as to it's extremely unassuming (contemporary) appearance! I then went on to look at some other pens and watches in the shop, but the A380 started to nag me in the back of my mind, so I asked if I could look at it again. This time I picked it up and removed the cap to reveal it's nib. (The pen was sold at this point, I knew that I simply had to have one.)

 

The interesting thing as well is that the pen in the shop also bore my favourite number: 36.

 

Eventually the opportunity to own one of these pens came up and I ended up with pen number: 75. (also not a bad number, as far as numbers go!)

 

When I evaluate things, I like to use the principle, "it's not what it does, but how it does it". All pens should effortlessly put ink to paper, that should be a given, otherwise they wouldn't serve the purpose of being pens.

 

When it comes to the A380, I've personally never experienced another pen that's so pleasant in terms of the way it feels in the hand, especially when capped, and the stability and solidity it offers while being written with.

 

When you hold it in your hand, the combination to textures that it possesses go together beautifully. There's the soft feel of the large polished white gold surfaces, combined with the slight roughness offered by the windows, and because the diamond settings protrude a bit, but not too much, they offer yet another layer of texture to the pen when its held in the hand. (Carrying out blindfold tests holding various Montblanc's and Waterman's, this pen by far feels the best in the hand, in my opinion anyway.)

 

This pen also has some rather unique features as far as Montblanc pens are concerned. For one, it's the only pen that features a solid gold Montblanc Star on it's cap. It's the only Montblanc that I've come across that has a solid metal clip (similar to that of the Waterman Edson). It's also the only Montblanc pen that I've come across that has a metal thread inside the cap and on the barrel, to secure the cap in place. (For example, the Pop Julius II 888 has a metal thread on its barrel, but a plastic thread inside it's cap) And lastly, it has a unique nib design, which works incredibly well.

 

Here's the pen's solid white gold Montblanc Star:

 

 

Here's the Pen's solid metal clip:

 

 

 

Here's the metal thread inside the cap:

 

 

Here's the pens nib:

 

 

 

Some light showing through the windows:

 

 

And lastly, "An Airbus within an Airbus"!

 

 

 

 

~ Nick_Green:

 

Thank you so much for this interesting question.

I fully agree with Pravda's astute comments about the unusual design.

As it's the premier pen on your writing desk, would it be possible for you to share an image or two here?

Few of us have had the good fortune to see it, therefore images from one who loves it for writing would be an inspiration.

Tom K.

 

 

Hi Tom K, I hope that the pictures that I posted are to your liking.

 

Nick

Edited October 6, 2019 by Nick_Green

[Pravda]

 

It's great pity that you didn't buy it when it was discounted, you wouldn't have been sorry!

 

For me it definitely wasn't love at first sight either! I first encountered on of these pens in Marseille, France back in 2009, while doing simulator training in the Super Puma simulator at what was then Euro Copter (Now Airbus Copter, interestingly), located in Marseille.

 

Myself and one of my colleagues found the Montblanc Boutique wile walking around in the town, and when the man in the shop asked us where we came from, and what we were doing in Marseille, we answered that we were doing simulator training at Euro Copter, he smiled and told us that he had the Airbus A380 Skeleton in the shop and asked us if we would like to see it. Of cause we said YES!!!.

 

When he opened the box, I was initially disappointed as to it's extremely unassuming (contemporary) appearance! I then went on to look at some other pens and watches in the shop, but the A380 started to nag me in the back of my mind, so I asked if I could look at it again. This time I picked it up and removed the cap to reveal it's nib. (The pen was sold at this point, I knew that I simply had to have one.)

 

The interesting thing as well is that the pen in the shop also bore my favourite number: 36.

 

Eventually the opportunity to own one of these pens came up and I ended up with pen number: 75. (also not a bad number, as far as numbers go!)

 

When I evaluate things, I like to use the principle, "it's not what it does, but how it does it". All pens should effortlessly put ink to paper, that should be a given, otherwise they wouldn't serve the purpose of being pens.

 

When it comes to the A380, I've personally never experienced another pen that's so pleasant in terms of the way it feels in the hand, especially when capped, and the stability and solidity it offers while being written with.

 

When you hold it in your hand, the combination to textures that it possesses go together beautifully. There's the soft feel of the large polished white gold surfaces, combined with the slight roughness offered by the windows, and because the diamond settings protrude a bit, but not too much, they offer yet another layer of texture to the pen when its held in the hand. (Carrying out blindfold tests holding various Montblanc's and Waterman's, this pen by far feels the best in the hand, in my opinion anyway.)

 

This pen also has some rather unique features as far as Montblanc pens are concerned. For one, it's the only pen that features a solid gold Montblanc Star on it's cap. It's the only Montblanc that I've come across that has a solid metal clip (similar to that of the Waterman Edson). It's also the only Montblanc pen that I've come across that has a metal thread inside the cap and on the barrel, to secure the cap in place. (For example, the Pop Julius II 888 has a metal thread on its barrel, but a plastic thread inside it's cap) And lastly, it has a unique nib design, which works incredibly well.

 

Here's the pen's solid white gold Montblanc Star:

 

 

Here's the Pen's solid metal clip:

 

 

 

Here's the metal thread inside the cap:

 

 

Here's the pens nib:

 

 

 

Some light showing through the windows:

 

 

And lastly, "An Airbus within an Airbus"!

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Tom K, I hope that the pictures that I posted are to your liking.

 

Nick

 

 

Hello Nick.. Look what I have found:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/313079-montblanc-airbus-a380/

 

We did talk about this fountain pen here on FPN back in 2016, after the first time I have across it at the boutique and you told me more about it then

[Tom Kellie]

Hi Tom K, I hope that the pictures that I posted are to your liking.

 

~ Nick_Green:

Due to issues with the government server through which I connect to the Internet, numerous international Web sites are unavailable here, including imagur.

Thanks to the kindness of Pravda, who sent the images to me, I was able to see the A380 Skeleton.

Your posting of such an array of images is much appreciated.

Thank you for making them available in this thread.

It's a fountain pen design unlike any other.

I'm glad that it's such an exceptional writer for you.

This is an inspiring post for all who love writing with great Montblanc fountain pens.

Tom K.

[Nicholas Green]

 

 

Hello Nick.. Look what I have found:

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/313079-montblanc-airbus-a380/

 

We did talk about this fountain pen here on FPN back in 2016, after the first time I have across it at the boutique and you told me more about it then

 

 

Hi Pravda, I remember our discussion from back then. Thanks very much for helping out in getting the pics to Tom Kellie, It's much appreciated!

 

 

 

~ Nick_Green:

Due to issues with the government server through which I connect to the Internet, numerous international Web sites are unavailable here, including imagur.

Thanks to the kindness of Pravda, who sent the images to me, I was able to see the A380 Skeleton.

Your posting of such an array of images is much appreciated.

Thank you for making them available in this thread.

It's a fountain pen design unlike any other.

I'm glad that it's such an exceptional writer for you.

This is an inspiring post for all who love writing with great Montblanc fountain pens.

Tom K.

 

 

It's a pleasure, I really hope it inspires others on this forum. It's an absolutely fantastic pen and I would really like to see more people writing with them and telling of their experiences!

[eangelo]

 

It's great pity that you didn't buy it when it was discounted, you wouldn't have been sorry!

 

For me it definitely wasn't love at first sight either! I first encountered on of these pens in Marseille, France back in 2009, while doing simulator training in the Super Puma simulator at what was then Euro Copter (Now Airbus Copter, interestingly), located in Marseille.

 

Myself and one of my colleagues found the Montblanc Boutique wile walking around in the town, and when the man in the shop asked us where we came from, and what we were doing in Marseille, we answered that we were doing simulator training at Euro Copter, he smiled and told us that he had the Airbus A380 Skeleton in the shop and asked us if we would like to see it. Of cause we said YES!!!.

 

When he opened the box, I was initially disappointed as to it's extremely unassuming (contemporary) appearance! I then went on to look at some other pens and watches in the shop, but the A380 started to nag me in the back of my mind, so I asked if I could look at it again. This time I picked it up and removed the cap to reveal it's nib. (The pen was sold at this point, I knew that I simply had to have one.)

 

The interesting thing as well is that the pen in the shop also bore my favourite number: 36.

 

Eventually the opportunity to own one of these pens came up and I ended up with pen number: 75. (also not a bad number, as far as numbers go!)

 

When I evaluate things, I like to use the principle, "it's not what it does, but how it does it". All pens should effortlessly put ink to paper, that should be a given, otherwise they wouldn't serve the purpose of being pens.

 

When it comes to the A380, I've personally never experienced another pen that's so pleasant in terms of the way it feels in the hand, especially when capped, and the stability and solidity it offers while being written with.

 

When you hold it in your hand, the combination to textures that it possesses go together beautifully. There's the soft feel of the large polished white gold surfaces, combined with the slight roughness offered by the windows, and because the diamond settings protrude a bit, but not too much, they offer yet another layer of texture to the pen when its held in the hand. (Carrying out blindfold tests holding various Montblanc's and Waterman's, this pen by far feels the best in the hand, in my opinion anyway.)

 

This pen also has some rather unique features as far as Montblanc pens are concerned. For one, it's the only pen that features a solid gold Montblanc Star on it's cap. It's the only Montblanc that I've come across that has a solid metal clip (similar to that of the Waterman Edson). It's also the only Montblanc pen that I've come across that has a metal thread inside the cap and on the barrel, to secure the cap in place. (For example, the Pop Julius II 888 has a metal thread on its barrel, but a plastic thread inside it's cap) And lastly, it has a unique nib design, which works incredibly well.

 

Here's the pen's solid white gold Montblanc Star:

 

 

Here's the Pen's solid metal clip:

 

 

 

Here's the metal thread inside the cap:

 

 

Here's the pens nib:

 

 

 

Some light showing through the windows:

 

 

And lastly, "An Airbus within an Airbus"!

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Tom K, I hope that the pictures that I posted are to your liking.

 

Nick

 

UAU!!!! FANTASTIC!!!!

[gerigo]

It is unfortunate a lot of the unique qualities of nibs that were available during the 30’s and 40’s were slowly made redundant through the years that so much so today, most nibs write in the most soulless way. While I have many Montblancs, the reason why they have never been my must have pens is this point. Whether the nib writes with some interesting character. The only Montblancs I currently like a bunch is the 1912, the Stawalker, the 149 expression nib, the calligraphy bespoke nib on a 149 and a medium 146 sterling.

[Nicholas Green]

Here are some direct comparisons between the nib of the A380 and a standard 149:

 

A thicker gauge of gold is used in A380's nib and the geometry of the iridium tips differ slightly, but these small differences have huge impact in the writing performance difference between these two pens.

 

 

 

Edited October 6, 2019 by Nick_Green

[jslallar]

Late 70's 149 B - best balance and writing experience, and nib

 

221 M nib

 

146 BB

 

in that order

 

I am a poster, and that nearly rules out heavier metal pens because they throw the balance off after posting.

[kevinh74]

My 149 with a broad nib and my 161 with a broad ballpoint tip.

[Brandywine]

The only Montblanc pen I ever had was a Carrera i got from an aunt when I started school in the early 70ies.

That was a normal school pen for kids, nothing high end like a 149.

At first we were not allowed to write with a fountain pen in school and i was eager to test it when the time came.

It was the version with the black cap and the orange section and it looked SO COOL!

And no one else had one: they mostly had Pelicanos or Gehas

here's a picture: http://www.fountainpen.de/old-80er-carrera-orange-set.htm

 

Unfortunately that thing would not write! It had a thin nib and probably it was not well aligned and
it would stop whenever I stopped writing for more than a minute, sometimes while I was writing!

It was completely useless, I was devastated :crybaby:

I have heard recently that my experience was quite common: Some Carreras would do well, but many would not.

In the end I got a Pelicano that was boring but would serve without problems.

 

When I got older and more "investigative" I tried to give it another chance and fooled around with it trying to get it working.

Well: Of course, I only made it worse. Using Pelican Brilliant Black in it was not helpful, either ....

 

I have kept it ever since and I must still have it somewhere, but when I looked for it recently, I could not find it.

All my Pelicanos are still there but not the Carrera!

Probably I stowed it away too well and will hopefully find it again some day ...

[leksluthah]

I have a winner and a runner-up: I WANT to say a standard modern 146 with EF nib that I got when my local office supply store lost the ability to sell Montblancs and had them on clearance. I got it for a steal and LOVED it for years. BUT I have to admit the best, smoothest-ever nib and writing experience overall is with a 146 Solitaire Limited 75th Anniversary Edition also with EF nib that I have. I really want to sell it because I know its worth, but I love it so much that I can't! The balance and size are perfect. It's ridiculously gorgeous, and the best nib I've ever written with, bar none.