Search the Community

I thought I'd start a topic to show a the working surfaces of a few of my nibs, and to show a bit of the variety of designs that are out there. Montblanc B The Montblanc broads are more of a stub than a pure broad, which makes them very much nicer than the more usual fines and mediums. If you buy a Montblanc, get a B or a BB! Pilot MYU 701 A fine nib from the 70s, it provides a very nice, fine line. 1970s era Pilot Elite F This one is another older Pilot F nib, and is great to write with, if you get the angle right. Pilot Elite 95S F A more modern version of a Pilot F nib. The tipping is a lot longer than the older nib. This nib is smoother over a greater range of writing angle. Pilot SF Another modern version of the Pilot fine. Almost a lozenge shape, these provide a very smooth writing experience. Sailor HF The Sailor fine uses much less tipping, and like the older Pilot, is smooth provided the angle of your pen is right. Sailor Naginata Togi NMF The famous Naginata nib gives broad lines on the cross stroke, and can be used for Japanese calligraphic effects. Sailor Saibi Togi A super-fine nib with the tipping ground to an inverted pyramid, gives a very fine line, but requires a light touch and is somewhat finicky to use. Pre-war SSS The tipping is a bit wonky, but this is a flexible nib, so the spreading of the tines compensates for the tipping. Stipula CI A crisp italic nib grind. Quite sharp edges here, by comparison with the Montblanc, it gives more pronounced variation, but is somewhat finicky about the nib being flat on the page.

Hey everyone! So, in the past month or so that I've been active on the forum, I've really fallen in love with you all. I've been thinking of a way to show it and, as the title suggests, I think I came up with a great one. From now until September 30th, if you grab one of the "Ultimate Pen Polish" kits, you will get an entry to win a BRAND NEW Montblanc LeGrand Fountain pen. http://i.imgur.com/ZJQCtE5.jpg As always, you will get the FPN discount of ~20% off, as well as free domestic shipping, at-cost international shipping, and a free micro-fiber polishing cloth! And, of course, you will still be getting the same kit as before: enough for ~50 uses! http://i.imgur.com/qQNPbsF.jpg Since it's obvious that there is a 99.99% chance I will be losing a great deal of money with this contest, you might be wondering why I am doing it. Two reasons: First, I want to show you all that I am here for the "long haul" and that I truly consider myself part of the community. I've loved our jibs and PMs back and forth, etc. Second, I want to get the "Ultimate Pen Polish" in the hands of more people. Everyone who has used it so far loves it, and I know that the more people use it, the more people will talk about it to others! To get your hand in the cookie jar, use the following link. If you are international, make sure to select it from the dropdown under the arrow: >>> ***CLICK HERE TO GRAB A KIT AND ENTER TO WIN A MONTBLANC LEGRAND (146)*** <<< Let me know if you have any questions! ps. Obviously Montblanc, the company, has nothing to do at all with this promotion!

When started Montblanc to use steel nibs instead of solid gold nibs on their Meisterstücks? Was it before WWII because the nazis forbid the use of gold for nibproduction or was it during the war due to shortage of raw material?

So here's a comparison of my two Montblanc reds. CPR is red, whereas AH has a purple tone. AH fares better in water dripping test. I think I like the colour of CPR more. http://s0.homezz.com/201412/5915/49037_o.jpg

I have the Edgar Allen Poe Set what is a fair price to offer this at, it is new un used original box, books, 3 piece set thanks for the help

Presentation : Hello everyone, i'm here since 1 month and i'm just starting my journey into the pen habit It's like i'm more and more loving pens, inks etc searching the forums ,watching videos, it's very nice ! To begin with i purchased a dollar i717 unexpensive demonstrator pen, with a medium nib and i didn't like it, to be honest i used it one week because to my taste M-nibs are simply too big, i didn't know and now i have : A Charcoal Lamy Safari F-nib filled with Noodler's Qe3 + Montblanc Meisterstruck Classic (family pen) with blue-black i guess, it's a 18k nib. Here are pictures : http://image.noelshack.com/fichiers/2014/46/1415810414-img-20141019-170055.jpg http://image.noelshack.com/fichiers/2014/46/1415810419-img-20141112-171841.jpg I want also to ask for choice advices : For Christmas, I plan on getting a new pen, and also probably a new ink (maybe before). About Pens : I looked for a good but not too expensive vintage pen (40-60s), and i really like the "softness" of the montblanc nib, it is because of the gold ? If yes, it would be better if i could find one with a similar feeling approach, on ebay because US sites are not possible because of shipping. I saw this thread : https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/165644-recommendation-vintage-pen-for-beginner/ So maybe the Shaeffer Snorkel is good choice, because of the nib ? My second favorite (of this thread) choice would be the Parker 21 as it's very unexpensive with a good avaibility (but don't know the filling systems of both). If you have classifieds, future offers or advices i'm in About inks : It would be more like in a few weeks (sooner!) I'm currently with Noodler's Qe3 as i'm a leftie, it dries fast but my problem is feathering.. With a fine nib i don't like it a lot when just filled, there is a wonderful flow but it's like the nib become Medium-Fine (too wet at first, mid-used is perfect). First were Diamines Majestic + Midnight, too wet = bad DT and feathering. I tried R&K Salix, feathering & dry-time were excellent, with the fine nib no problems but i didn't like the color, and i want to stay away from iron-gall inks as about cleaning it's probably not a good choice even if it's cheap. I'm writing a lot as a student (highschool). An ink : Available on UK sites/Ebay or wathever except US sitesFast Drying ( Salix)With minimal featheringCommon blue/black, or black if onlyNot too hard to clean Let's see what you have to say/propose/advice to me !

Does anybody know how much it would cost to add signature engraving onto a 146 Legrand fountain pen please?

Everything in the store is on sale today. EVERYTHING. 15% off MontBlanc, 25% off all other items. 2515 Rice Blvd., Houston, Texas 77005 | 713.526.4651 | dromgooles.sbcglobal.net

I bought a Kaweco Dia, medium nib, about a week ago and I love it - the design is understated and sophisticated, it feels great in the hand, etc, etc. I initially inked it up with Lamy black, which is my go-to ink and works well in every pen I own, and it was a nice pairing. The flow was on the wet side, but not overly so; good. I took a trip to my local Montblanc boutique in the King of Prussia Mall and picked up a bottle of the 90th anniversary Permanent Grey, an ink I was excited to try and which I thought would be a nice companion, thematically, with the Dia's classic looks. However, the two would not play nice together. The pen was plagued with hard starts and often the flow would cease altogether. Permanent Grey must have a high surface tension, as it sticks to the sides of the converter in a way that the Lamy does not, and I assume that a bubble of air was forming at the bottom of the converter and keeping the feed from working properly. When I cleaned the grey out and refilled it with black, it went back to working like a charm! It's a bummer that my vision could not be realized, but some inks just do not like some pens. I love the shade of Permanent Grey and will try it in my piston fillers - my Pelikan m200 or Lamy 2000. As for the Dia, I still envision it writing with a nice grey and will seek out an alternative. I figure the tale may be of interest to others here.

Hellow ~ I have found many article and document for a long time about 146 14c monotone. But I can't find official article & document about 146 14c monotone. Who say "in 1970s" but I don't have idea. Is there who show me a official article or document or explain or link? Thank you everyone.

excuse me if this has been noted before... I just coudnt stop laughing.... here goes... montblanc royal steel ballpoint pen http://i.imgur.com/SxCTcaP.png cost 8900$ only. in that you can have 2 of these limited edition... http://i.imgur.com/6pyb4gC.png @ 4000$ each approximately and still have money left to buy a new 146 and ink. oh montblanc....you are so funny

I decided to make a little post showing the fake versus real montblanc boxes. As you all know, the fake pens and boxes are starting to get better and better. They now use "red" precious resin, they engrave serial numbers, they add the "pix" to the back. I mean, cmon, they even goldplate brass! If we are spending a bunch of money on a pen, we should be sure it's the real thing. I don't want anyone here to get taken for a ride. Since the fake pens are so good, one of the easiest indicators as to whether it is a fake or real MB is the actual pictures of the boxes. The boxes might seem "real" at first, but when compared to a REAL MB, there are painfully obvious differences! Below is a comparison of the fake and real box. I will mark the pictures to make it easier to tell which is which... I don't want to accidentally do the opposite! First things first... here is a shot of the real and the fake next to each other. You can immediately see some differences. http://i.imgur.com/LnRDO19.jpg First off, the logo of the fake box is larger, thicker, and more reflective than that of the real box: http://i.imgur.com/VyCEO75.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/Z1gfvKF.jpg In the above picture, you can also note that the material the box is made of is different too. The fake box is a matte material with very deep engraving... it is almost like rayskin. The real box, however, is extremely shiny and the engraving is superficial-- it feels relatively smooth and nothing like "sandpaper"... which is what the fake one feels like. http://i.imgur.com/vQfmMKJ.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/kPA4YFi.jpg Next, let's look at the creme filling in this Oreo! Again, if you are holding one or the other, you might be fooled... but comparing both side by side, the differences are obvious. First off, you can't tell as much in the pictures here... but the filling of the fake Oreo is a pearlescent color. It has hints of yellow and shimmers a bit. The real version has no pearl in it and is, instead, just a shiny, bright white. http://i.imgur.com/OlGeMOV.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/ZBTDaXw.jpg Next is the back of the box. On the fake version, the creme filling is just "painted" on the black material. However, on the real version, the cream filling is actually a separate, white piece of material that goes under the black portions. At the same time, you can see the quality control on the fake is nowhere near that of the real version: the edges end abruptly but, on the real version, you are hard pressed to find a seam (I think they seal the seams off!) http://i.imgur.com/GBIzOgB.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/ukc7DAu.jpg Now, let's start looking at the inside of the box. First things first, you can immediately tell that the fake has a much larger logo and the snowcap is also noticeably thicker (just like on the top of the box). At the same time, it is much higher than the real one as well. The printing might also be "hazy" or faded -- again, quality control! On this fake box, the bottoms of the word "BLANC" are half printed. http://i.imgur.com/PcZOnDq.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/ml40Xva.jpg At the same time, looking at the slot for the pen, you can see that on the fake version, it is MUCH larger. The sides of the slit also have a weird "diamond" shape where the open up and then close back, almost like a nib! The real version, by contrast, is just a small slit and has a much tighter interference fit for the pen. http://i.imgur.com/3L4mnqm.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/UaYyZNF.jpg Here is a better picture that shows, more clearly, the yellow "pearlescent" hue of the creme filling in a fake Montblanc box. http://i.imgur.com/L2jh3sH.jpg Now, does this mean that every fake box is going to look like this? Maybe not (though I am willing to bet that 99.99% will). Also, does it mean that if you have a fake box, you have a fake pen? Again, maybe not... though if someone is selling a fake box as real, they might also be selling a fake pen! The point is that if you are purchasing a pen on ebay or somewhere else and notice that the box is fake, you should pause for a second and put your guard up. Nobody wants to deal with a long, time-consuming return process or with "proving" the pen is fake! Let me know if you have any questions!

Hi all, I was living in France two years ago and signed up for a sample sales organized by a company called Arlettie to able enjoy some Parisian shopping while on a student budget. Some sales were good and some were terrible. I moved to Boston a year and a half ago but stayed on the mailing list and it looks like they have a Montblanc sale tomorrow and Saturday. I was surprised to see MB because they mainly work with clothing and a few jewelry brands, so I have no idea if they will even have pens, but I'm curious. I thought I would share the invite for anyone living in Paris and also ask if someone has been to one of these before and knows what kind of MB products are offered. This one is a joint sale with DeBeers and Sprung Freres so they may not have much MB. PS If you do go, I will say make sure you sign up on the Arlettie website before making the trek over, because each invite has a bar code and the guest's name printed on the bottom, and the door people can be complete (insert expletive of choice here) http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f99/emrys1221/ScreenShot2014-12-04at60309PM_zpsf880fc60.jpg

We grew up writing with fountain pens in my generation, even in far West Texas. I wrote exclusively with Sheaffers, including a PFM Snorkel, until I was given a Parker 75 when I graduated from high school. I knew nothing of European or Asian pens, and even though fountain pen addiction had already claimed me as a victim, it was in a state of American innocence that I traveled to Memphis, Tennessee in 1967 to begin college at a small school called Southwestern-at-Memphis. One Saturday, I was walking around downtown Memphis when I passed by a tobacconist's shop. There in the front window was the biggest, most beautiful fountain pen I had ever seen, a Montblanc 149, with a card that said "The Diplomat." I knew nothing of its iconic nature, its prestige, or even its origin. All I knew was that I had to have it. And so I ended up paying the full list price of seventy-five dollars for my first Montblanc. It has stayed with me all these years. Once, in the '80s, an aging hippie type called me a "yuppie" for carrying it. He refused to accept my explanation that I had owned the pen for years, and that it had no meaning for me as a status symbol. The pen retains its place of honor in my varied collection, still writing as smoothly as ever--and every time I see a pen that strikes me as particularly unusual or beautiful, I remember that autumn day in Memphis and smile.

Hello everyone, Could you tell from these pictures if the pen is genuine or fake? Pictures are from an auction site.

Hi all, It's time again for the Bonhams Fine Writing Instruments sale, to be held in San Francisco on December 15th. I think this is our best pen sale yet! There are 312 lots, with lots of great Montblanc, Namiki, Pelikan and other fine pens. The pens are overall in excellent condition, and estimates are very attractive relative to retail values. Of special interest are: * Many Special Limited Montblancs, including these models: Alfred Hitchcock, Axis Mundi, Frida Kahlo, Hundertwasser, Gutenberg, Gandhi, L'Aubrac, Sleleton 333, Musee du Louvre, White House, George Washington, Mozart 250, Statue of Liberty, five different versions of the Max Reinhardt, and others. * A vast collection of modern limited and rare vintage Dunhill-Namiki pens and pencils, including pre-Dunhill pens from the 1920s and a set of four bridge pencils in their original decorative box, as well as Namiki Thunder God Vs. Wind God, Setsugekka, Emperor Goldfish, Emperor Shishi Komainu 88th Anniversary, and many other examples. * The Seewoseter Collection of Fine Pelikans, consigned by Mr. Eckhard Seewoseter, a retired Pelikan executive who owned almost every significant pen made by Pelikan from the mid-1970s to 2005. * Several wonderful vintage pens, including a Parker Lucky Curve No. 38 "Snake", a Parker No. 60 Awanyu "Aztec" Gold-Filled fountain pen in its original box, and a lovely Watermans No. 514 Gold-Filled Chased Overlay pen in pristine condition. The catalogue is at the printer and ships soon. Interested parties can order copies of the print catalogue by calling Client Services at 1.800.223.2854, or you may peruse the catalogue by following this online link: http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21816/?department=COL-PEN Or clicking this pdf link (recommended): http://images2.bonhams.com/original?src=Images/live/2014-11/24/S-21816-0-1.pdf Cheers, Ivan http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/teabagslim/decemberpensalecover_zps28314b76.jpg

Glad I found you and your members! We have acquired a collection of pens from Schaeffers to Montblancs that I know nothing about. I want to learn and to identify the pens we have. I have pictures but I need to learn how to down size them. In the meantime here is part of the collection. What is not listed here are some select pens I can't identify but will photograph this week. Happy to be here! 2 - Colibri fountain pens 4 - Montblanc 3 - Not Sure 5 - Parker 1 - Pierre Cardin 5 - Schaeffer (including 1 pen and pencil set) and 11 - Waterman Pens Hope to post pictures soon!

Hi FPN friends, If you are interested in the catalogue of Montblanc for 2014/2015 please sent me an email to info@appelboompennen.nl and we will ship this beautiful Montblanc book with pretty cool fountain pen pictures to you! The only contribution is to cover the shipping costs (Europe = €15, Outside EU = €25) http://www.appelboompennen.nl/image/data/Montblanc/montblanc-catalogue.jpg Link to our contact form p.s. we have enough for everyone, it is no limited edition... Kind regards, Joost Appelboom

Dear members, I come back with a new task that was given to me lately. I had previously used this forum when I serviced an old Paker 51 by cleaning it completely, changing the ink sac and using new shellac to seal it. It turned out great and It became my everyday pen. Today I received from my Grand Pa, a beautiful Silver Montblanc Meisterstuck 144 that needs quite a bit of servicing. I would like to get your advice on the following points (I provided a few pictures so that you get an idea of the pen's current state): - I wanted to polish the silver, should I use a silver polishing cloth like this one (I read that advice on this forum) : http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2128708.htm ? Or will it damage the pen? what about the gold? - I would like to take off the numerous ink spots on the pen, how should I do this without damaging it? - I want to clean the Nib, feed and section (get rid of the dry ink), should I just flush it with water? If you have any other advice on what i should do before using it, please let me know Thank you very much!

Hi guys, I'm really not sure if this is the right place to ask this question, but I'll give it a try. I am in a need of some extra money, so I have to sell some of the pens I've been collecting. I'm interested is there somebody in the Bay Area that would give me a fair amount of money, because I live in San Jose, California currently. My collection are mostly Montblanc pens with additions of other brands. It consists of both vintage and modern, used and unused fountain pens, pencils, ballpoints and rollerballs. What would you guys suggest? I'm also open to trades, but it has to be something that I'd consider keeping, although currently I primarily need money. Thanks, Nick

The origin of this pen is still a mystery to me. My mum found a MB box amongst her old clothes, and gave it to me. She doesn’t recall exactly where she got it, but assumed that it was some of the things left behind by my grandmother after she passed away. Nobody’s sure where it came from, but regardless it performs very well and I’m glad my mum decided to throw out some old clothes! Note: When there are 2 rating, the top is for my satisfaction, while the lower is for how much it could do, for that particular category. For example, I might be extremely satisfied with a stiff nib (5/5) but the lower rating would be (1/5) since it couldn’t flex at all. The ratings are not included in the final score. Initial Impressions Box and Instructions (7/10) The box is a plastic clamshell type, and opens and closes with a firm snap. The lining is quite light, with a flexible fabric covering a plastic piece to keep the pen in place. It does not feel very solid, and although it hasn’t broke yet, it does not feel very high quality. I am assuming the pen and packaging was near mint, since there was no sign of regular usage. I loved how thick the instruction booklet was. Unsurprisingly, quite a lot of the content was irrelevant, although fun to read. There were separate instructions for the piston filling pens, as well as the C/C pens that they also offered. Aesthetics (18/20) The pen is extremely authoritative due to its impressive girth. I would usually be quite disappointed by a shiny black and gold colour scheme, but considering that MB kind of created that stereotype, you can’t really fault the pen. It’s a classic design that looks timeless, especially with the knowledge that this is the real thing and not an “homage” or “inspired by-“ pen. The nib is 18K and two-toned, which dates this to the early 90s. As it’s a #9 nib, the size is definitely appropriate for the rest of the pen. Detailing on the nib is nothing too gaudy, and contains the signature “4810” surrounded by subtle patterns. Towards the end of the grip “section” there is an ink window. I appreciate how the black is broken up by lengthwise lines of transparent material that shows the ink level clearly, yet does not distract or subtract away from the main feature, which is the shiny plastic of the pen. All of the plating is top-notch, and the white star is an unmistakable touch. Initial Feel (10/10) The pen screamed of high quality the first time I lay my hands on it. The plastic was impeccably polished, and the whole thing fit perfectly into my hands. I knew that writing with this would never cause a cramp, or be of any discomfort. Holding and writing with the pen was a dream. The threads, which I thought would be annoying, couldn’t detract from the fact that the entire pen was so comfortable to grip and use. It’s size alone would have done that, but moreover the balance was just perfect unposted. Posted (when it actually posts) the balance was just as great, but made the pen comically oversized. Filling (9/10) This pen is a piston filler. The operation is smooth and the pen can hold a lot of ink which has proven useful for longer writing sessions. An ink window helps the user judge the level of ink inside the pen and is subtly concealed by its striped nature. Performance Smoothness (3/10) Satisfaction (6/10) Rating The pen is by no means scratchy, but more tooth was encountered that one would expect. I suspect this may have to do with the fact that it sat unused, in a drawer, for at least 10 years, but even after servicing it couldn’t really compare with a lot of other pens which had a much smoother nib. This was disappointing, since it seemed as if the general consensus was that MBs are one of the best pens available, irrespective of their price. I brought it in to get a diagnosis due to its initial flow issues, and assumed that the technician would do something about the nib. Alas, that didn’t happen, and I had to cautiously make a few figure-eights on a 1000-grit abrasive paper which was the finest grade I could find. The nib was much smoother after, but still with a lot of feedback. Flexibility (4/5) Satisfaction (3/5) Rating Whilst the nib wasn’t “soft”, per se, it can do a decent bit of line variation. The nib is stiff, but can spread a little to make a wider line. The flow keeps up (although it isn’t THAT demanding) and it performs well when adding a little flourish to my regular handwriting. Flow (8/10) Satisfaction (8/10) Rating The nib and feed on the 149 is wet and has a healthy flow. Initially, the pen skipped and could barely start due to the fact that the old feed had to be replaced, since it was apparently broken or blocked. After this, the pen works flawlessly and can keep up with fast writing for long periods of time. General reliability (19/20) Apart from the old age issues, this pen is amongst the best for daily use. Its capacity is huge, and the pen will empty this without issue. This was among the pens I chose to bring into exams with me, and it accounted for my sanity at the end of a 2-and-a-half hour history writing exam with essay style questions. When I got home, I realised that I had barely made a dent in the ink reservoir even after writing over 10 pages. Construction and Ergonomics Fit (9/10) The pen’s components fit together flawlessly. The nib and feed are perfectly aligned, as is the piston knob that closes definitely and opens when needed. The cap, when closed, has a little bit of wiggle room, although it hasn’t unscrewed on its own for me yet. Overall, a very well made pen, which of course is expected from something that costs this much, Clip (9/10) The clip works well. It supports the pen’s own weight, but isn’t over-stiff. From far away, the design seems classic, and frankly, boring. But up close, you can see the ridges on the side, as well as the subtle curvature of the clip. These small design features are what gives the clip substance and complements the pen, as opposed to detracting from the rest of the design. Posting (2/10) This pen does not post very well. The cap goes on, but falls off at the slightest provocation. Not to mention, I was scolded by a clerk (oops) when I brought it in to replace the old, broken feed, who said that their “precious resin” would be scratched. Miscellaneous (Extra thoughts) Value for money (5/10) Although this is a great pen since I got it for free, I would not be too impressed with it given the retail price. I can think of another hundred ways to spend the money, and still end up with more satisfaction than I have had with this one pen. For a second-hand price of about $400, this pen is a great addition to any collection and would be worth the price. Innovation (5/5) It’s hard to comment on a 90-year old design, but seeing as it’s still being made to this day, something was done right. The piston filler feels almost like an “innovation” amongst all these proprietary C/C designs nowadays. Image and Advertising (5/5) This is probably the most recognised pen around. I knew of it even before I got into fountain pens at all. Montblanc’s marketing department did a spectacular job, and it’s the most commented-upon pen when people do see me using it. Buying experience (4/5) Although I didn’t buy this, I went to the boutique in order to get it looked at. The staff was very professional and helpful, and didn’t try to sell me anything once I told them my purpose. They knew exactly what was wrong with the pen after filling and trying it, and I only needed to wait a short amount of time for the technician to replace the parts at a reasonable cost. Total (117/150)=78% The 149 is an iconic pen which, despite my cynicism about the brand, performed well above expectations. The story behind this pen is one that makes me feel very lucky, and I have no regrets trying it out. Naturally, I would have been more cynical if I paid the full retail price for it, but I never expected to be this impressed by a brand I thought had become a commercialised business (to be fair, it has, but at least it can still make a decent pen). I am fully satisfied with the pen’s performance and design, even if the nib isn’t as flawless as I’d have liked it to. Despite its issues, of which I’m nit-picking, the entire experience is extremely pleasant, not in the least due to how I came around to acquiring the pen in the first place.

Everyone who has been on this site for the past week would've seen a certain topic on overpriced pens. Many comments (including my own) involved discussion of the Montblanc 149 (and 146). I could argue both for an against Montblanc's 'prestigious', or high prices. Why does everyone instantly bring up MB when talking about expensive pens? And pens costing more than they should? I can think of more than 5 other pens (and I don't know that many makes/models) that are, IMO, priced more 'ridiculously' than the 146 and 149. Is it just because everyone knows of MB, and it is the most expensive pen THEY know of, even though there are many more that barely any people know of? If you think the 146 and 149 are overpriced, what do you actually think they are worth, and what would you be happy paying for them new? Tom.

My MB 146:

I have a 146 Montblanc, and it seems there is a leak or some ink gathering behind where the nib and feed meet the section. If I flush it with (cool, not cold, not warm) water I can change inks but some of the old ink seems to have gathered behind and eventually comes out on my hands when I rest near the end of the section. Does anyone know who repairs these? I suppose with tools I could do this, but if there is a defective part, then I'm stuck. I don't particularly want to send it to MB as they'd replace the old parts with current, though I may have to if I can't do the maintenance myself. It's a 1970 or so vintage.

New to posting, old to fountain pens. If you have a cursive italic nib on a fountain pen (ideally an excellent nib custom ground by one of the best nibmeisters) could you let me know how scratchy sounding the cursive italic sounds compared to a smooth round nib and also if you have it, a stub nib. I love the line the cursive italic produces but find the sound somewhat bothersome when writing in a quiet room. It sounds a bit as though I am trapped in Les Liaisons dangereuses with a quill pen but without the romantic drama. I realize the solution might simply be to play music in the background but am wondering if this is something others have noticed and found bothersome? The two nibs in question are both gold nibs, both with custom cursive italic nibs--one is a Montblanc and the other is a Waterman Le Man 200. For comparison my round nibs are completely silent, and the sound I am hearing is a bit louder or at least scratchier than that produced by my Lamy Safari 1.1 stub nib. And is there a way to make them a wee bit quieter? And would a custom stub nib have been a much quieter choice (if so, how close to silent are they?) Many thanks for any insights.