My first MB: Quick review of the MB 149

[ondine]

The Story

My father who was a writer passed away a few years back. Among his things was a Montblanc box. The pen however was not to be found. I do have the box and now have a pen as well. I'm one of of those people who believes you come across things for a reason.

 

A local opportunity arose and I traded one of my favorite watches for a MB149. It was a good chance to try out a MB without spending any money, the trade was equal in value and I'm very happy with it. I love watches, but a pen is a tool that can be used for creating which I value more highly than telling time. I keep a daily journal and write some poems now and then.

 

Size

My next pen was supposed to be another Pelikan 800. I had one a few years ago and sold it for no good reason. I later got a Pelikan 600 (in the photo), but wasn't thrilled with the lighter weight compared with the 800. I also photographed the MB with a 51 for size comparison and a fabulous rustic home-made stick ballpoint I use often. Because of the diameter of the stick pen, I wasn't concerned about the size of the 149.

 

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1/sbkrame/Pens/IMG_4010.jpg http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1/sbkrame/Pens/IMG_4014.jpg

 

Reviews

I looked through a number of reviews of the MB149 to get some idea if it would be a pen I would like and use. I was intrigued by the range of reviews from very negative to very positive and some in between. Some folks seem to really hate these pens! This just made me more curious.

 

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1/sbkrame/Pens/IMG_4020.jpg

 

Nib

The nib is a fine that writes a nice wet line. I particularly noticed that it gives a good line variety compared to my Pelikan and 51s (and the stick pen ). I think the shape of the nib is visually attractive but also it seems to create a particular type of line. I'm not sure I've had the pen long enough to describe it. The nib seems to have a bit of flex that is missing in the Pelikans I have used, possibly because the profile shape cuts in a bit toward the nib rather than being a straight line to the nib.

 

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1/sbkrame/Pens/IMG_4023.jpg

 

Precious Resin

I'm an art teacher. I often tell the kids that there are warm blacks or greys and there are cool blacks and greys. This pen is a warm black. When I first saw the pen, I perceived this warmth and how it matched the gold trim. I'm not a fan of gold trim or gold in general but I like the warmth of this pen. I also like old things. My first impression was that this pen looked old and solid like an old Packard automobile, with steel you knock on and doesn't give like the steel on new cars. This is a solid pen.

 

Conclusion

This is a great pen to write with. The look and feel is classic. My hands are average size and I don't find the size of the pen to be a problem. I write with it unposted.

 

I have had and still use a number of Pelikans and never imagined I'd get a Montblanc. I love the Pelikans but they seem very predictable in line quality and function - both a benefit and detraction in my mind. I want to emphasize that I'm not one of those people who believes one pen is the best pen to use. I think there's plenty of room for owning and using many brands, admiring the variety between them. I love all the pens I have pictured here for different reasons. I'm sure I will hang on to the MB149 for a long time to come, not only because I am sure my father enjoyed his too.

 

So if you're contemplating a 149, go for it! I give this pen a definite thumbs up!

[Blade Runner]

I enjoyed your thoughtful review and gorgeous pictures.

Sorry your dad's pen didn't turn up, but finding the box led to one!

Welcome to the MB forum. You'll find many 149 fans here.

[PigRatAndGoat]

Beautiful review. You should try to get it moved to the review forums so more people can appreciate it. Oh, and I love that stick pen! :ltcapd:

[EricB]

I really like your Packard reference, and you're quite right, I can climb on the fender of mind and it won't even move. Your comparison is very true, my 149 is like a finely made automobile, and the Packard was the best, IMHO.

[BerneseMtDogEatsArco]

Welcome! Great review!!! My 149's are among my favorite writers! Considering that I have two 149's and one Delta. But I love the Delta too. Argh!

 

 

[rroossinck]

Nice writeup! That's a pretty snappy stick pen, too!

[Maine Vintner]

Thank you for the great review. I recently lost my Father; he left behind some Cross pens along with the box :-)

I am a big MB fan, including two 149s; you made a great choice. Enjoy your pen and welcome to the Network.

 

Vintner

[OTDoc]

Sounds like an awesome pen! I am a little jealous of the Montblanc owners :embarrassed_smile: because I want one but know I will not be able to afford one. Sigh. Congratulations on your pen and enjoy it!

[Brian]

A really nice review with some thoughtful points. This pen is the flagship of a company that is a kind of lightening rod for the amount of comments it sometimes generates. Too bad because in substance MB's 149 is a great pen (along with many many others). Well designed and built for the marathon writer...not that you have to be one to really appreciate it. Thank you.

 

 

[Akumar]

Thank you for the great review. I recently lost my Father; he left behind some Cross pens along with the box :-)

I am a big MB fan, including two 149s; you made a great choice. Enjoy your pen and welcome to the Network.

 

Vintner

 

My grandfather died when I was quite young. I loved him a lot though we had only few year together. I remember very few things about him but I miss him always. Once I ordered a watch from ebay as i had some extra dollars and could not withdraw it as withdrawl to India was not permitted. I got the watch after 8 days. When I opened the pack and saw the watch tears started rolling down my eyes as that Seiko watch greatly resembled that which my grandfather used to wear. Of course we never got anything or at least not the trinkets that belonged to him since he was a very generous hearted man and probably during his long illness he gave away things like those to people who came to see him. I still cannot forget the feeling that the watch inspired in me.

[Akumar]

Thank you for the great review. I recently lost my Father; he left behind some Cross pens along with the box :-)

I am a big MB fan, including two 149s; you made a great choice. Enjoy your pen and welcome to the Network.

 

Vintner

 

My grandfather died when I was quite young. I loved him a lot though we had only few year together. I remember very few things about him but I miss him always. Once I ordered a watch from ebay as i had some extra dollars and could not withdraw it as withdrawl to India was not permitted. I got the watch after 8 days. When I opened the pack and saw the watch tears started rolling down my eyes as that Seiko watch greatly resembled that which my grandfather used to wear. Of course we never got anything or at least not the trinkets that belonged to him since he was a very generous hearted man and probably during his long illness he gave away things like those to people who came to see him. I still cannot forget the feeling that the watch inspired in me.

 

by the way I am a professional write myself