Montblanc Nibs Pushing The Envelope

[max dog]

It seems with the new special edition Calligraphy pens, Montblanc has upped the game in the industry. Montblanc has always offered the widest variety in nib widths from EF to Oblique double broads. EF, F, M, B, BB, OB, OBB, and I believe BBB and OBBB still for the 149.

 

Now with the latest calligraphy nibs, they've upped their game even further I think eclipsing the Japanese brands that were always known for their soft nibs in the modern flex nib aspirations. Hopefully, the MB Calligraphy flex nibs will become a standard offering across the 146 and 149 line. See SBRE Browns review of the 149 Calligraphy pen. In his expert opinion, MB has come out with the best modern factory flex nib to date in the industry (no after market modifications required). I think he is correct.

 

I like this video that goes over the MB nib making process and the pride that goes into it.

 

Review of the MB 149 Calligraphy flex nib:

Edited February 27, 2020 by max dog

[zaddick]

3B is not a standard option since mid 1970s. O3B is still available and a favorite of mine.

[Karmachanic]

A view from the bottom of the valley.

 

Calligraphy Flex is a good high ground start. Wake me up when MB reintroduces semi-flex nibs across the full line, like those found in earlier pens: 13x, 23x, 33x,14,12,13 and so on, for example. This would certainly "push the envelope."

 

Thankfully, earlier pens with semi flex nibs are readily available.

[gerigo]

Don't disagree that Montblanc is upping their nib game. I wonder whether this stems from their bespoke service? These more esoteric nib options were always available but you had to pay an extremely high premium for it. However the flex nib does not seem like it would stay as part of their standard offering. I believe it will be discontinued when the architect grind comes out later in the year.

[loganrah]

While I am enjoying my 149 flex, I definitely wouldn't say it is a massive improvement over the Pilot FA nibs in terms of flex performance. In fact I'm not sure it is an improvement at all.

 

I'm glad MB has produced it, and I hope this inspires more modern brands to introduce flex nibs as a more standard offering, but I don't think Montblanc is doing anything particularly innovative here. The most important thing is Montblanc's prestige image and penetration of the less nerdy parts of the (Western) fountain pen user base, which might help to spread the love of flex and demand for flex nibs.

[max dog]

I cant comment on modified Pilot FA nibs with ebonite feeds or with other enhancements, but compared to a stock FA nib, the MB calligraohy flex is an improvement in reliability. Stock FA nibs hard start making them impractical as a work horse note taking pen for me. The MB nib in contrast is very reliable, Ive been using it as my daily writer at work with confidence, with no hard starting. While Ive had good flex results with the FA, it railroads much sooner that the MB, in fact I havent had the MB railroad on me yet. The stock MB nib outshines the stock FA in these two areas. It sounds like there are good aftermarket modification options for the FA which is good and perhaps a better comparison to the MB factory calligraphy flex nib.

Edited February 28, 2020 by max dog

[loganrah]

I cant comment on modified Pilot FA nibs with ebonite feeds or with other enhancements, but compared to a stock FA nib, the MB calligraohy flex is an improvement in reliability. Stock FA nibs hard start making them impractical as a work horse note taking pen for me. The MB nib in contrast is very reliable, Ive been using it as my daily writer at work with confidence, with no hard starting. While Ive had good flex results with the FA, it railroads much sooner that the MB, in fact I havent had the MB railroad on me yet. The stock MB nib outshines the stock FA in these two areas. It sounds like there are good aftermarket modification options for the FA which is good and perhaps a better comparison to the MB factory calligraphy flex nib.

This may well be the case, I never used either of my FA nibs for more than a few days before replacing the feeds with ebonite ones.

 

However, it is likely much easier to modify/replace feeds, or for companies like Pilot to upgrade their feeds for their flex options, than it would be to develop a new flexible nib.

 

Just to be clear: I commend Montblanc for producing these new flex pens, and I hope (though I doubt) that they will make them a standard part of the lineup. I'm just not convinced that they are doing anything particularly revolutionary with them.

[TheInkSpot]

It´s nice to see Montblanc launching new products and expanding options.

Along with Pilot, platinum and Aurora, they probably have the widest range of nib options.