Mb 149 Calligraphy Flex Initial Impressions And Gripes

[loganrah]

Caveat: I just received this pen a few hours ago, so I'm sure these impressions will change over time. I almost never feel the same about a pen after a month as I did the day I got it.

Just received my first Montblanc that I've been waiting for the last few months: 149 Calligraphy Flex.

 

My initial impressions of the pen are generally good. The pressure required for flex is about the same as my Pilot #15 FA, which I consider quite good (not as flexy as the #10 FA, but still very nice for a modern nib). The snap back seems pretty good. I have two small gripes though, the first fixable (hopefully), the second built into the design:

 

1. Without any pressure at all the pen writes a rather dry and nice Western XF. However, as soon as you flex the pen becomes a gusher, putting down an insane amount of ink. I'm not a big fan of overly wet pens, but I could deal with it except: the amount of ink that is put down means that even when all flex is released the line does not return to the nice XF for quite some time. The amount of ink still at the end of the nib and on the page turns the resulting line into an M or so. This rather ruins the line variation effect from the flex when writing small or quickly. If anyone has any advice (apart from switching inks, I will be going through my collection to see what fits best) on how I might reduce this problem I'd love to here it. It is very noticeable that the line is quite dry without flex and extremely wet with flex:

 

2. A less serious problem, but still something to note: the nib on this pen is actually slight upturned (so that the tipping is a bit higher relative to the centre line of the pen than where the nib meets the section). This is quite unusual for a flex nib in my experience, which, if anything, are usually down turned (to compensate, presumably, for the change in angle when flexing). The effect of this is that when you are flexing the resulting tipping to page angle is very shallow, so you may need to hold the pen a little higher than usual. Especially if, like me, you have a naturally low writing angle.

Again, I'd love to hear any thoughts on how to remedy or reduce the problem with the wetness when flexing.

[max dog]

Hi Loganrah. Congrats on your pen, I got mine now about a week and a half ago and just love it. I think it could be the only pen I ever use! Well maybe not, but I'm sure happy with mine.

 

For me the wetter the nib gets the more you flex and put pressure on it is a blessing, which I think all modern flex nib makers, including Pilot with their FA fall short on. It behaves a lot like vintage flex in this regard, reducing railroading when you flex. The feed keeping up with the flex has always been an issue with modern flex nibs. I can push the flex quite far with the MB flex nib and not experience any railroading, just like with vintage. The snap back is not a great as my Waterman's Ideal no 2 flex nib, but I think it is better than the Pilot FA. The MB flex nib when you put no pressure on has a moderate ink flow (mine increased a bit with use) making it a very practical everyday writer for me. This is where my Waterman vintage flex falls short. It is too wet to be practical for use on regular office paper for every day use. I've been using my 149 on Moleskine with MB Royal Blue, without ink bleeding right through. Well behaved nib, with vintage like flex on tap when I want it.

 

I do notice the nib tip is sightly up turned but I haven't had an issue with it. Will observe my writing angle a little when flexing.

Edited February 24, 2020 by max dog

[ItsMeDave]

Loganrah, I agree about how slow the nib is to bounce back after being flexed, mine writes pretty wet.

I play with flexy writing from time to time, but I mostly use the pen as if it had a conventional nib.

 

In profile, doesn't my nib look flat?

 

[loganrah]

For me the wetter the nib gets the more you flex and put pressure on it is a blessing, which I think all modern flex nib makers, including Pilot with their FA fall short on. It behaves a lot like vintage flex in this regard, reducing railroading when you flex. The feed keeping up with the flex has always been an issue with modern flex nibs. I can push the flex quite far with the MB flex nib and not experience any railroading, just like with vintage.

 

I agree this is a problem with the stock Pilot feeds, not so much with replacement ebonite ones. I guess I'd say that with flex nibs wetness/flow is a balancing of (at least) four considerations: 1. general wet/dry preference. 2. Avoiding railroading with long periods of flex. 3. Keeping the minimum line width fine. 4. Making sure that the minimum line width is reached quickly after release of pressure.

 

I'm finding that 4. is the problem with this nib. It is definitely a generally wet nib, which isn't my preference but I understand that is personal. My issue is that I think there could be a much better balance between 2 and 4 here. And I'm wondering if there is some way to adjust the pen to help with that. Though I won't do anything drastic until I've had time to run through 5 or 6 different inks to make sure it isn't just the two inks I've tried so far (Diamine Sapphire Blue, GvFC Havelnut Brown).

 

In profile, doesn't my nib look flat?

The nib is pretty close to flat (though the tipping definitely at least looks turned up to me), but it looks to me like it is coming out of the feed at a bit of an angle. Compare it to two other modern flex nibs, from top to bottom a pilot #10 FA, #15 FA, MB:

 

I suspect in this case that this is a deliberate design choice from MB. Perhaps partly to accommodate users more used to ball points who are likely to hold their pens at very high angles. I hold mine at a particularly low one.

[tinct]

I just received mine as well. Overall impressions are good but with minor complaints.

 

The nib was extra fine and extra scratchy right out of the box. It improved with a few pages of writing, but I think reverse writing is smoother than writing in the correct orientation. Checked the tines under a lens and it appears aligned with the upward tipping. I may have been spoiled by Japanese fine nibs.

 

The pen is filled with Waterman South Sea Blue, which has previously behaved well in my vintage pens (Waterman Ideal, Mabie Todd), but it is on the dry side in this pen. My other 149 in Medium gushes ink, so I was surprised. The pen tends to have hard starts if I set it down for a moment, or if writing too fast. I don't put much pressure on the pens in everyday writing, it just takes a moment for the ink to start. I'm hoping for spontaneous improvement.

 

Otherwise, good line variation. The nib is stiffer than the Pelikan 400 I usually use (comparison attached) and writing experience not yet as good as the Pelikan. Overall, the pen does feel nice, and I am satisfied. Maybe with more nib tinkering. Maybe if the nib didn't need tinkering given the price...

[max dog]

Ink flow was very light on mine under no pressure writing, but after a few days of use, flexing it occasionally,ink flow increased. I'd let it break in with use and see if the minor issues go away and send it back to MB for adustment if it does not resolve with use. I dont recommend tinkering with such an expensive pen.

[mjchuang9]

As an owner of three 149 flex, I found flex nib is more sensitive than normal nib in choosing inks. I have tried many inks on 149 and gold leaf flex, some write well, some don't. I recommend MB mystery black, I didn't like the ink before but it did work excellently on flex. None of three was scratchy out of box, but the first one was hard, the other two were softer.

 

Flex nib isn't adjustable but change only, I have changed one of my 149 because the tines were too tight that caused click sound and nib creep.

Edited February 26, 2020 by mjchuang9

[Uncial]

I've had the chance to try three of these and, to be honest, I've been distinctly underwhelmed. I found them to be quite scratchy and the flexibility didn't impress me much. Pity really, but my wallet is pleased.

[gerigo]

Hmmm... while my experience is exactly the same as Loganrah, I would agree that snap back is the one issue that I am most displeased with. Otherwise, I find the nib to be quite a nice modern flex nib.

[tinct]

I have changed one of my 149 because the tines were too tight that caused click sound and nib creep.

 

My nib sounds like a not-as-bad version of that. There's a sporadic click once or twice a page and a constant splotch of nib creep a third of the way up.

 

The hard starts are frustrating tonight. I feel like most of my pens tell me how they like to be held - even the finicky oblique fine will glide on the page when held at the right angle. The constant scratchiness on the Montblanc is leaving me a bit lost, almost feels like there's no sweet spot. I'm going to take the advice and resist the urge to tinker and give it a few more days to break in.

Edited February 27, 2020 by tinct

[BlueJ]

Loganrah wrote:

 

"even when all flex is released the line does not return to the nice XF for quite some time."

 

This seems to be an issue with a number of flex or semi flex fountain pen nibs I've tried. So far I've only found dip pen nibs (whether dipped or kluged/bodged into fountain pens) to return really quickly to hairline when pressure is released.(I have not tried a Montblanc Calligraphy flex yet.)

 

I'm not certain it is just a matter of the tines quickly snapping back together; it may be that even when they do, too much ink has flooded toward the tip and broadens the line well into the following upstroke.

[SchaumburgSwan]

Loganrah wrote:

 

"even when all flex is released the line does not return to the nice XF for quite some time."

 

This seems to be an issue with a number of flex or semi flex fountain pen nibs I've tried. So far I've only found dip pen nibs (whether dipped or kluged/bodged into fountain pens) to return really quickly to hairline when pressure is released.(I have not tried a Montblanc Calligraphy flex yet.)

 

I'm not certain it is just a matter of the tines quickly snapping back together; it may be that even when they do, too much ink has flooded toward the tip and broadens the line well into the following upstroke.

 

Hi,

 

exactly!

At that moment the feed should be able to resoak the ink. I'm restoring vintage english Swan nibs, mostly with flex, so I have observed that. Those feeds (hard rubber/ebonite) often have to be heat setted to get rid of that "after flex ink overflow effect". Very proper alignment (up/ down as well as the rotation of each tip and the pressure between the tines) of the tines helps, too. Like tuning a fine musical instrument...

 

Best

Jens

[loganrah]

I've now had the chance to play around with a few different inks. I haven't found one that quite hits the spot yet, but I did find that using a much drier ink, namely Noodler's Kiowa Pecan mixed 2:1 with distilled water (that I've been using in a different flex pen) made the line variation much better. Unfortunately that ink was too dry, causing hard starting issues. I've got it filled up with Iroshizuku Yama-Budo at the moment, which is a very wet ink, and is performing reasonably well. I'll keep trying and hopefully find the right balance eventually, but I'm more optimistic about being able to find it after trying a few more inks.

 

At that moment the feed should be able to resoak the ink. I'm restoring vintage english Swan nibs, mostly with flex, so I have observed that. Those feeds (hard rubber/ebonite) often have to be heat setted to get rid of that "after flex ink overflow effect".

This resoaking effect is exactly the sort of thing I was thinking about, I'm glad I now have a name for it. The ebonite replacement feeds on my Pilot FA nibs are excellent for this. They ensure there is always plenty of ink to avoid railroading, but also seem to control the flow very effectively.

I'm hoping that Flexible Nib Factory will eventually produce a replacement ebonite feed for this MB 149. I think that would make an amazing combination.

I have also noticed, as a few people mentioned above, that flex nibs often have a kind of break in period before they function at their best. I will definitely be writing with my 149 for a while before I settle how I feel about it.

The nib clicking is an interesting effect with this nib. Mine does it quite a bit (and has a lot of nib creep), but it doesn't both me so I'm not going to do anything about it for now.

Finally, the slight upward slant of the nib has forced me to adjust my writing angle a bit, but it isn't as annoying as I was worried it would be at first. A side effect of this seems to be improved line variation, specifically in how quickly the line returns to the thinnest possible line. Inspecting the tipping under a 20x loupe suggests that it has a shape a little like some of the speciality Sailor nibs that can be broader or thinner depending on writing angle (though no where near as pronounced). I think the very low angle I usually hold me pens at my have been combining with this to exacerbate the issues. I would say my normal angle is around 20 - 30 degrees, holding the pen at a more standard 45 degrees improves things.

[max dog]

I've been using mine now as a regular writer at work every day for 2 weeks, taking notes etc, and the ink flow when not flexing has improved and is good. A reliable writer. When I first got it, the ink flow with no pressure was a little too light for my taste, ie a hairline. But with use, it is just right now. I'm a big advocate of just use the pen for a while and let that nib break in.

 

Compared to my other 149 F and 146 EF, it has more feedback, along the lines of my Pilot Falcon Elabo SF. I've gotten use to the feedback and doesn't bother me at all. A small price to pay to have the awesome responsiveness and line variation.

 

Inks used so far are MB Royal Blue, Permanent Blue, and currently using Midnight Blue. I will try MB Mystery Black as suggested here next.

 

Ink: MB Midnight Blue

 

Ink: MB Permanent Blue

Edited February 27, 2020 by max dog

[max dog]

I've had the chance to try three of these and, to be honest, I've been distinctly underwhelmed. I found them to be quite scratchy and the flexibility didn't impress me much. Pity really, but my wallet is pleased.

You can't get a true feel for this nib with just a demo try for a few minutes. It's one I think that gets better with use and adapts to your hand, in my experience so far with 2 weeks of heavy writing use everyday.

[loganrah]

A thought I just had (though I'm worried the answer will be no): does anyone know if vintage 149 ebonite feeds are compatible with modern 149 nibs? Specifically these flex nibs? I'm just thinking that if they are, it might be possible to source an ebonite feed from an older 149 to replace this plastic feed and (hopefully) improve performance.

[zaddick]

A thought I just had (though I'm worried the answer will be no): does anyone know if vintage 149 ebonite feeds are compatible with modern 149 nibs? Specifically these flex nibs? I'm just thinking that if they are, it might be possible to source an ebonite feed from an older 149 to replace this plastic feed and (hopefully) improve performance.

I don't see why not. It may take some mod to the feed for flow. I think Penboard.de had some for sale. Also you can find them on the Bay of Evil.

[loganrah]

I don't see why not. It may take some mod to the feed for flow. I think Penboard.de had some for sale. Also you can find them on the Bay of Evil.

Having a look at the pictures of an older and a modern 149 nib and feed here: https://i2.wp.com/flexiblenib.com/store/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/IMG_2595.jpg?ssl=1 It looks like the older feed (left) is shorter than the new housing, so I'm not certain that a new nib and old feed will be compatible.

 

Either way, I've decided to take the plunge and become a guinea pig. I've ordered an 80s ebonite feed from penboard.de and will try swapping it out when it arrives.

 

From what I can see the old and new feeds are just friction fit, so it shouldn't be a problem to just pull them out and replace.

[tunney]

I got a 149 calligraphy flex Street of December. Out of the box it was rough, not EF without flex and hard started and skipped. I hated it in comparison to my 149 F I raised this in the other (bigger) thread on the same pen and got some good advice, the advice didn't resolve the issue (angles etc) and I returned the pen a bit over a month ago. It was sent back to mont blanc.

I got it back this week and It now writes as I would expect. EF and smooth, no hard starts or skipping.

Anecdotally the supply of these pens stopped early December and has just resumed.

[jchch1950]

 

I got a 149 calligraphy flex Street of December. Out of the box it was rough, not EF without flex and hard started and skipped. I hated it in comparison to my 149 F I raised this in the other (bigger) thread on the same pen and got some good advice, the advice didn't resolve the issue (angles etc) and I returned the pen a bit over a month ago. It was sent back to mont blanc.

I got it back this week and It now writes as I would expect. EF and smooth, no hard starts or skipping.

Anecdotally the supply of these pens stopped early December and has just resumed.

 

 

 

The repair was under warranty?

Edited February 28, 2020 by jchch1950