Best Montblanc Pen?

[JohnD5633]

Whatever is "best" for you. To each their own.

[Kalessin]

We're still here though Kalessin.

 

I was just looking up some of my old posts and seeing if I could find something from when I joined FPN in 2006...

 

I'm feeling a little zombie-like myself at the moment!

[schaatslijster]

the 139 and 149 made of celluloid with telescopic piston mechanism with italic 2B nib.

[MarkHanks]

Is Montblanc 149 to fountain pens what Sennheiser HD 650 is to headphones?

<3

[AlohaLani787]

The best pen is the one you'll use.

 

If at all possible, try to get a "hands on" before purchasing.

[The Mustard]

Thought I’d re-invigorate this stream, it’s after all a timeless topic.

 

It’s right that the 146 and 149 are the most mentioned pens above, icons both and loved by all those who use and enjoy MB Pens but I’m not sure that that answer is in the spirit of the original question..

 

My favourite LE writer is Agatha, but Verne, Twain, Proust, Shaw, Shakespeare, Hemingway and Homer are worthy of any shortlist (or to be more accurate a long list) in my opinion.

 

I love wooden pens and as such the Von Humboldt 4810 is my favourite pen in POA series although Octavian and Elizabeth would also be on that podium for me. 

 

The MB ‘Great Masters’ range is superb and all of the pens in that series are beautifully made - L’Aubrec, Purdey, Moon Pearl and Meissen are all reassuringly heavy and well constructed fountain pens that ooze quality and longevity. I have been using the Meissen pen today, it is undoubtedly a beautiful pen, but I would pick the Moon Pearl from this list I think. 

 

I also believe that the early limited edition pens in the Characters’ series are simply magnificent.  Recent pens in that range such as Warhol, Beatles, Disney and Elvis are nothing like as good but the originals such as Gandhi, Hitchcock, Einstein, Da Vinci, and the 1917 JFK which were all timeless classics and accompanied with equally noteworthy limited edition inks which are well worth a purchase of you can find them without paying a fortune (tricky!).

 

It’s almost impossible to choose, I have been so lucky to try and own so many lovely MB pens, If I had to pick one it would be Einstein but I’d try to see if I could sneak in Agatha as well...

 

 

 

[maclink]

Don't know how one could answer this one without having tried them all.  

[Karmachanic]

Mine 

[mizgeorge]

1 hour ago, Karmachanic said:

Mine 

Actually, I think you'll find that mine's just a bit better...😎

[Karmachanic]

1 hour ago, mizgeorge said:

I think you'll find that mine's just a bit better.

 

A 1936 139 would definitely trump me.

[Nurmister]

While vintage 1xx's are often recommended as the best, I'll take a different approach: what's the easiest to write enjoyably with, practical to service/fix, and reliable Montblanc?

 

The modern 149, regular edition.

 

While some may deride the lack of ebonite feed, or stiffer nib, for example, considering how Montblanc has evolved the modern 149 over the last thirty years is impressive: they've made many small improvements over time, without fanfare and with quite a bit of thought. One of the most recent improvements was in the way they plate their cap-bands after 2019 to prevent corrosion. They've also changed the architecture of their plastic feed over time, and it works well. This kind of attention to detail reminds me that Montblanc still is a pen company, even if they are owned by a conglomerate and dabble into many other products.

[mizgeorge]

1 hour ago, Karmachanic said:

 

A 1936 139 would definitely trump me.

In my dreams...

[KAC]

Confining my choice to standard pens in the MB lineup, I favor the 149. Proportions, performance, parts/service availability, refined/classic design and ink capacity factor into my choice. Of course, there are many vintage MB pens that I prefer and they were routinely manufactured, so I would include many/most of them. By extension, the Hemingway and Christie are modern derivatives with some fealty to the originals, so they pass my criteria as well.

[Karmachanic]

18 hours ago, mizgeorge said:

In my dreams...

 

I've a 138 homage in the pipeline from an artisan pen maker. 1950s 146 OM patiently awaiting its arrival, perhaps by years end.

[mizgeorge]

12 minutes ago, Karmachanic said:

 

I've a 138 homage in the pipeline from an artisan pen maker. 1950s 146 OM patiently awaiting its arrival, perhaps by years end.

OK. You were right.

Your pen is better than my pen

[Karmachanic]

7 minutes ago, mizgeorge said:

OK. You were right.

Your pen is better than my pen

 

Not necessarily. It's not an MB. The 234 1/2 with a divine flexy B, however, is.

[mizgeorge]

1 hour ago, Karmachanic said:

 

Not necessarily. It's not an MB. The 234 1/2 with a divine flexy B, however, is.

OK.  Kick a ooman when she dung. 

(Mi tek wadjee....)

[Karmachanic]

12 hours ago, mizgeorge said:

OK.  Kick a ooman when she dung. 

 

 

I hear one calling your name!

[Nurmister]

15 hours ago, Karmachanic said:

 

I've a 138 homage in the pipeline from an artisan pen maker. 1950s 146 OM patiently awaiting its arrival, perhaps by years end.

 

Oo wow. With Brad Torelli currently not taking orders, I'd be very curious to see this artisan's work, when it is ready!

[agentdaffy007]

Montblanc 149 Calligraphy. Yes, it is that good!

 

Next in line is the JP Morgan 4810 just because I prefer the silver version.