the mb 147

[bushido]

we all know about the 146 le grand but a lot of people i think have overlooked the 147. perhaps they don't like the cartridges (you know they make cartridges in all sorts of colors?). however the 147 traveller model comes with its own case made specifically for it for protection. the case also has enough inserts for your cartridges that would last anyone for weeks, maybe months. very convenient and no wonder it's called the 'traveller.' for a 14x model, the pen-and-case traveller's drawback may be because it costs almost as much as a 149----but you get a great pen/case combination you'll never find anywhere else. in fact i would dare say as much as i love the 149, the traveller beats it when you subject both pens to everyday use.

[razr]

I've been looking at getting one of these recently. I had a 144 but I would like a little bit larger FP, though not as big as a 149. I'm not averse to using carts.

[hari317]

I like the 147 but have not bought one yet due to its limitation that only carts can be used, no conveter. It is not versatile IMHO. I have seen the 147 with case and all go in the neighbourhood of 300US on ebay.

[yachtsilverswan]

I have a MB 147 Traveler, and I like it. The 147 is the same size and the same external design as the 146 (minus the ink view port).

 

The 147 case is particularly well designed, having slots for six replacement ink cartridges. The quality of the leather and the craftsmanship of the case is also exceptionally high.

 

Like each club in a set of golf clubs, the 147 is designed for a specific purpose, and it fulfills its mission quite well.

 

Firstly, the 147 was specifically designed to be better behaved when used in aircraft than most other cartridge, converter, or piston filled pens. Less ink burping.

 

Secondly, because the cartridge cradle of the 147 holds two cartridges, not just one, you have ready access to a replacement cartridge when you run dry.

 

The pen was designed for travelers who are seldom at their desk and don't have constant ready access to an ink bottle, paper towels, and the time to refill from a bottle.

[DecafAmericano]

Would any users of the 147 be able to post a photo?

 

Haven't seen this model myself.

[yachtsilverswan]

Would any users of the 147 be able to post a photo?

 

Haven't seen this model myself.

 

The 147 Traveler is the third pen from the top: 149, 146, 147, Classique, Mozart, Sketch pencil

 

http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr131/yachtsilverswan/post-18739-1233674691.jpg

[bushido]

Would any users of the 147 be able to post a photo?

 

Haven't seen this model myself.

 

here's mine (far right):

 

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/4424309710_a13ab0e028_o.jpg

[badcaps270]

By all means do not think it is not a "purist" MB just because it does not fill with a piston and ink bottle.

The cartridge holder is very ingenious and very well made. The specific case is a pleasure to behold.

Switching colours is easy. I personnaly rinse the pen with a large syringe and clear distillated water.

 

And IMHO it should prove more durable than a piston-filler.

[BrandonA]

I've had a 147 for years and it is my main fountain pen for everyday use.

 

The cartridges can be expensive but I personally do not have an issue as they seem to last quite a while.

 

I like the case as it means I can transport the pen safely.

[Highbinder]

Would someone be kind enough to post a picture of the case, it sounds interesting!

[broker]

Would someone be kind enough to post a picture of the case, it sounds interesting!

 

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e184/broker1998/canetas/DSC04323.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e184/broker1998/canetas/DSC04326.jpg

[soapytwist]

Having owned a 147 briefly, I had a couple of issues with it:

 

- If it's really for travelling, why put it in case that takes up even more room than a regular MB case? Any traveller worth their salt knows that space is at a premium when being away from home for extended periods. I could carry a 146 and a bottle of ink, and not only take up less room than the 147 case, but also have a longer supply of ink.

 

- When travelling, availability of 'spares' is paramount, whether it be batteries, car/bicycle parts etc. Yes, international cartridges are available in most places, but a travelling pen should have the versatility to be able to use a converter and bottle as well. Having handled the pen, I don't understand why the interior sleeve that holds the carts couldn't have been designed to accommodate a standard converter. This just seems like bad design to me and makes most basic starter pens more versatile than the 147 IMHO.

 

- My 147 was second-hand and the interior cartridge sleeve was quite mucky when I received it. When cleaning it, the gold plating rubbed off in places with very little effort. I think that the sleeve on a pen this expensive should either be stainless steel or as well plated as the exterior furniture of the pen. I also thought that the sleeve was reminiscent of a Parker 51 aerometric filler; cheaply punched out of thin metal, rather than having a more solid feel that I would expect from a pen at this price.

[vettebandit]

Having owned a 147 briefly, I had a couple of issues with it:

 

- If it's really for travelling, why put it in case that takes up even more room than a regular MB case? Any traveller worth their salt knows that space is at a premium when being away from home for extended periods. I could carry a 146 and a bottle of ink, and not only take up less room than the 147 case, but also have a longer supply of ink.

 

- When travelling, availability of 'spares' is paramount, whether it be batteries, car/bicycle parts etc. Yes, international cartridges are available in most places, but a travelling pen should have the versatility to be able to use a converter and bottle as well. Having handled the pen, I don't understand why the interior sleeve that holds the carts couldn't have been designed to accommodate a standard converter. This just seems like bad design to me and makes most basic starter pens more versatile than the 147 IMHO.

 

- My 147 was second-hand and the interior cartridge sleeve was quite mucky when I received it. When cleaning it, the gold plating rubbed off in places with very little effort. I think that the sleeve on a pen this expensive should either be stainless steel or as well plated as the exterior furniture of the pen. I also thought that the sleeve was reminiscent of a Parker 51 aerometric filler; cheaply punched out of thin metal, rather than having a more solid feel that I would expect from a pen at this price.

 

Some very valid points, but as a frequent traveler I would offer my reasons for owning and enjoying the 147.

 

1) I have to admit that the case is not the best for business travel where "cube-age" or packing space is limited and checking bags is just not logical. My comment and my feeling is that I will carry the pen in the 2 pen case I currently have and I could easily pack a 6 cartridge pack (that in my carry-on computer bag. Also, having room in the pen for a spare cartridge is really a plus.

 

2) I am not a "frequent" user of my FPs, but having the 147 allows me to not worry about filling or maintenance of a 146 / 149, ie, keeping it inked or keeping it clean. The 147 allows me to a la carte use the FP with the pop of a cartridge.

 

3) I just like it....not the most valid, but it works for me. Also, at $3 for a pack of 6 cartridges that is a lot of use for short money in my opinion.

 

I would agree if you use the pen day in and day out the 146 is a better choice. Last word....actually a few pictures of my new one.

 

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u174/vettebandit/Pen%20Sale/TravellerCase.jpg

 

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u174/vettebandit/Pen%20Sale/Nib02.jpg

[BarryLee]

Well, as a long time user of the Traveler I have mixed emotions.

 

I politely disagree concerning actually traveling with the pen. I have found the case a nice size for my bag and a very convenient place to store cartridges. I also love the fact that the pen itself actually holds a spare cartridge. I remember at a seminar my pen began to run low on ink. I was able to quickly unscrew the pen replace the empty cartridge with the one stored inside. I did not have to dig through my bag, pull out ink bottles, paper towels etc. etc.

 

The pen features a fine Mont Blanc nib which writes very well. The overall appearance of the pen is also very nice and I generally enjoy this pen.

 

However, my only complaint is that I have a devil of a time getting the ink to flow properly after doing a color change. After I flush the pen thoroughly with water and load a new color the pen takes forever to start flowing properly again. The only real option I have found to get it writing properly is to simply use the pen, which I suppose makes sense. However, because of the skipping it is unacceptable for normal use and results in me writing multiple pages of gibberish, alphabets, numbers, or some other repetitive character to get an acceptable flow of ink. Once the ink starts to flow properly the pen seems to write fine, but this whole process just annoys me to no end.

[hari317]

However, my only complaint is that I have a devil of a time getting the ink to flow properly after doing a color change. After I flush the pen thoroughly with water and load a new color the pen takes forever to start flowing properly again.

 

After flushing, wrap a wad of absorbent paper towels around the nib and feed, it will quickly soak up all the water and empty the feed of it.

 

Best,

Hari

[BarryLee]

However, my only complaint is that I have a devil of a time getting the ink to flow properly after doing a color change. After I flush the pen thoroughly with water and load a new color the pen takes forever to start flowing properly again.

 

After flushing, wrap a wad of absorbent paper towels around the nib and feed, it will quickly soak up all the water and empty the feed of it.

 

Best,

Hari

 

Thanks for the tip I'll give it a try next time.