Montblanc 145 Chopin Or Pelikan M600

[max dog]

I want a classy elegant black German fountain pen for work. I've narrowed my search down to either the Montblanc 145 Chopin or Pelikan M600. The MB 149/146 and Pelikan M1000/M800 are too big for my taste. The MB 145 and Pelikan M600 are the right size for me and in my price range. The M600 is closer to my price range, but I'm willing to pay the extra for the MB if it's worth it. Which would you get and why? Would like to know the merits and minuses of each.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Is that MB a C/C pen or piston?

 

I favor piston pens.

 

Why not look for vintage '50's MB's. The nibs are so much better, than modern.

Not bling wise, but semi-flex at least.

Many of the MB crowd chase them.

 

There are second tier MB's that are great writers. 234 1/2 and such. Even the '50's third tier 334 1/2 has a great nib.

 

 

I also think the 400NN is a great pen...a tad bigger than standard, a tad smaller than a medium large P-51...which is 600 size.

The 400NN holds more ink than a 800 or a 1000, and you can get a semi-flex or perhaps a somewhat flexible/'flexi' nib.

My '56 400NN has a grand 'flexi' OF nib.

Edited May 23, 2011 by Bo Bo Olson

[stefanv]

I'd go for the Pelikan. Mont Blancs are jewelery that can write. Pelikans are great pens that happen to look nice.

[kernando]

Check out Edison pens, if that's in your budget. Brian can do something black in your size. But he's not in Germany.

[wtlh]

I have a MB145 Chopin and a Pelikan M625 which is the same size as the M600 series. From my experience:

 

The MB145 is a superb pen. Extremely reliable and dependable. Although it is a C/C, in my opinion it is one of the best converter designs in modern pens today. The converter has a decent capacity, it is more than 2/3 of the capacity of the M625, and the capacity has never been an issue for me and I write a lot everyday, taking pages of notes etc. From my experience one fill covers about 16 pages of A4 for a medium nib. The M625 covers about 18 I think. It is screw in, so it is never fiddly and once attached feels as a fixed part of the pen. There is a spring inside the converter so surface tension problem is eliminated too. The most striking thing about the converter is that I find it even easier to operate than the Pelikan's piston. It is almost a better "piston filler". Usually one cycle of the piston gives you 99% fill. And after 7 years of use it is still as smooth and as efficient as new. The nib is nice too, and I find it softer than the M600 nib, despite being smaller. The overall design is superb in my opinion, streamlined, minimalistic and well proportioned. The pen is nice to hold, the cigar shape fits the hand well and it has a longer section than the Pelikan, I found the Pelikan cap screws to be exactly where I hold the pen, so MB145 is smoother to hold for me. It does not have that unnecessary ring at the end of the section. The corrodible plated metallic ring at the end of the section (unfriendly to high acidic iron-gall inks, and negates one of the major advantages of a gold nib) on the standard Pelikan high end pens is one of the major put-off that made me only purchasing some of their less standard editions like the M625 and the M101N. The MB145 design is as true to the traditional practical pen design as possible. I found that the length of the Chopin is designed so that it fits exactly the depth of a standard men's shirt pocket when clipped.

 

There are however some aspects of the MB145 that I found to be perhaps inferior to the Pelikan. First is subjective it is a C/C, despite the fact that I found it to be a better "piston filler" than Pelikan and the 146/149, and the fact that the filling system can be replaced with minimal cost and hassle, some purists just won't buy this and still prefer the "proper built in piston filler". Second is objective: I find the tolerances in manufacturing is not as precise as that on the Pelikan pens. The screw threading in the cap and on the barrel is of the same material, and this is never a good practice and mine after some years of use displaced a slight play of the cap when it is placed on with moderate force. The play disappears if you screw on quite tightly, but then it also takes some force to take the cap off. In terms the level of polish and attention to detail in odd corners and hidden surfaces etc, I found the Pelikan to be in general better finished than the Chopin. And thirdly of-course the nib unit cannot be replaced as easily as that on the Pelikan, so you cannot change nibs your-self without voiding the warranty or worse damaging the pen. The nib is significantly smaller than that on the M600 too, though I found it to softer. Personally I found the Pelikan to be better looking but that is just me.

 

All in all, if you are looking for a work-horse, I would go for the Chopin. But if you are into customised nibs etc for exotic writing, get the M600.

Edited May 23, 2011 by wtlh

[Shangas]

I have an MB Chopin.

 

I love it.

 

It's light, it's a good, mid-sized pen. It's easy to use and easy to clean. It's classic and pretty and it's been far too long since I last used one!

 

A few things to note about the 145 (and I think, MBs in general):

 

1 - They tend to be very wet writers. So if you're used to a medium, MB Medium writes like Broad. So you may want a Fine or an Extra Fine. My MB145 Chopin is a Fine but it writes like a medium.

2 - Being wetter writes, I find that the ink supply doesn't last very long. But that may just be because I do an insane amount of writing.

 

But other than that, the MB145 Chopin is a fine pen well worth purchasing, in my opinion. You will not be disappointed.

[max dog]

Thanks everyone for your insight. Appreciate it.

[max dog]

I have a MB145 Chopin and a Pelikan M625 which is the same size as the M600 series. From my experience:

 

The MB145 is a superb pen. Extremely reliable and dependable. Although it is a C/C, in my opinion it is one of the best converter designs in modern pens today. The converter has a decent capacity, it is more than 2/3 of the capacity of the M625, and the capacity has never been an issue for me and I write a lot everyday, taking pages of notes etc. From my experience one fill covers about 16 pages of A4 for a medium nib. The M625 covers about 18 I think. It is screw in, so it is never fiddly and once attached feels as a fixed part of the pen. There is a spring inside the converter so surface tension problem is eliminated too. The most striking thing about the converter is that I find it even easier to operate than the Pelikan's piston. It is almost a better "piston filler". Usually one cycle of the piston gives you 99% fill. And after 7 years of use it is still as smooth and as efficient as new. The nib is nice too, and I find it softer than the M600 nib, despite being smaller. The overall design is superb in my opinion, streamlined, minimalistic and well proportioned. The pen is nice to hold, the cigar shape fits the hand well and it has a longer section than the Pelikan, I found the Pelikan cap screws to be exactly where I hold the pen, so MB145 is smoother to hold for me. It does not have that unnecessary ring at the end of the section. The corrodible plated metallic ring at the end of the section (unfriendly to high acidic iron-gall inks, and negates one of the major advantages of a gold nib) on the standard Pelikan high end pens is one of the major put-off that made me only purchasing some of their less standard editions like the M625 and the M101N. The MB145 design is as true to the traditional practical pen design as possible. I found that the length of the Chopin is designed so that it fits exactly the depth of a standard men's shirt pocket when clipped.

 

There are however some aspects of the MB145 that I found to be perhaps inferior to the Pelikan. First is subjective it is a C/C, despite the fact that I found it to be a better "piston filler" than Pelikan and the 146/149, and the fact that the filling system can be replaced with minimal cost and hassle, some purists just won't buy this and still prefer the "proper built in piston filler". Second is objective: I find the tolerances in manufacturing is not as precise as that on the Pelikan pens. The screw threading in the cap and on the barrel is of the same material, and this is never a good practice and mine after some years of use displaced a slight play of the cap when it is placed on with moderate force. The play disappears if you screw on quite tightly, but then it also takes some force to take the cap off. In terms the level of polish and attention to detail in odd corners and hidden surfaces etc, I found the Pelikan to be in general better finished than the Chopin. And thirdly of-course the nib unit cannot be replaced as easily as that on the Pelikan, so you cannot change nibs your-self without voiding the warranty or worse damaging the pen. The nib is significantly smaller than that on the M600 too, though I found it to softer. Personally I found the Pelikan to be better looking but that is just me.

 

All in all, if you are looking for a work-horse, I would go for the Chopin. But if you are into customised nibs etc for exotic writing, get the M600.

Thanks much WTLH for sharing your experience with both pens so thoroughly. The C/C of the MB was a point of contention for me, but it sounds like it functions just as good as a built in one. I also like the fact the nib is soft too. I already own Pelikan M200 and M400, and they are excellent pens, but based on the glowing endorsement of MB Chopin, I pulled the trigger on a new one. I will probably get another M600 down the road when my funds allow it, but for now can't wait for my very first Montblanc to arrive!

Edited May 23, 2011 by max dog

[max dog]

Well my long awaited black and platinum trimmed 145 arrived the other day. What an elegant and comfortable feeling pen. The medium nib however skips very slightly and is too wet for my taste. Bleeds right through my moleskine journal paper, so I sent it to Montblanc for the free nib exchange to an EF. Will have to wait in great anticipation for a few more weeks for the pen to come back.

[dapv]

They're both terrific, so ...

If you want PIZZAZ ... Montblanc 145 Chopin.

If you want subtlety, then the M600.

I would go with the Chopin.

[fabrimedeiros]

I have a MB145 (other MB 146, 149 etc), but not a M600 (however I own 3M2xx, 1M400, 2 M800 and 3 M1000). Both brands are great, however Pelikan is wonderful. But...

 

• You are comparing a MB C/C Vs a Pelikan Piston Filler. I prefer 1000x a Piston Filler.
• With Pelikan, you can swap the nibs. If you like different nib sizes, this is the pen.
• Pelikan has different finishes.
• The diameter of the Pelikan barrel is slightly larger. If you like slim pens, maybe MB is better.
• Pelikan is a wetter writer. If you like wetter pens, this is your pen.

I have no doubt what pen I would prefer!

Edited June 10, 2011 by fabrimedeiros

[Mathew J]

I want a classy elegant black German fountain pen for work. I've narrowed my search down to either the Montblanc 145 Chopin or Pelikan M600. The MB 149/146 and Pelikan M1000/M800 are too big for my taste. The MB 145 and Pelikan M600 are the right size for me and in my price range. The M600 is closer to my price range, but I'm willing to pay the extra for the MB if it's worth it. Which would you get and why? Would like to know the merits and minuses of each.

 

Little late to this as I saw you already puchased it....

 

I had bought one 145 a while back on a great deal but sold it quickly as I didn't feel it was worth what I paid even then (think around $180 new)

 

My wife bought me another as our wedding gift since I missed the pen and regretted selling it. I felt even worse then as she paid alot more for it than I did (think when she got it she paid like $250), remember we are talking 8 years ago.

 

Like you I had two M nibs, both wrote wet and both skipped, I just kept the M though.

 

I also had two Pelikan 605, one I got dirt cheap but sold it because I wanted something else...

 

God another a few years later for a little more money when they were being discontinued.

 

Personally I prefer the Pelikan, writes better, made as well, better ink capacity, feels more durable, and alot more reasonably priced.

 

Haven't used the MB in years, Pelikan gets used at least once a week if not more.

 

Good luck with the EF nib....

Edited June 10, 2011 by Mathew J

[max dog]

Thanks everyone for your feedback on both pens. A black M600 will definately be next on my list. I didn't get a chance to try out the Chopin much as I had to get it shipped for the nib swap before the looming postal strike potentially brings everything to a halt here in Canada. I liked the looks, size and feel of the MB in my hand, and if hopefully the EF nib will be smooth and soft with a little flex for line variation, I will be happy. I hope the ink flow will be as perfect as my M200 and M400 are.

Edited June 10, 2011 by max dog

[Bo Bo Olson]

Seeing you have a 400, why don't you get some very nice vintage '80's nibs for it. You can also get some very grand 400NN nibs from the '50's-65 and move that 400 into a different class. With a semi-flex or a somewhat flexible/'flexi' nib.

 

Even if a 140 nib will look 'too small' the of that semi-flex nib is superb. In spite of being a 'second tier' Pelikan, my OB is in my top 6 nibs.

The pen is just a tad smaller than a 400 but I post and don't notice anything 'wrong' with the pen. And putting it on your 400 would be only you knowing, and the nib is so fine.

 

 

I prefer semi-flex and somewhat flexible/'flexi' nibs.

I prefer the two '56-65 Pelikan nibs I have to the '80's 400. They are my number 2 and 5/6th best nib.

My '80's Pelikan is tied with my Pelikan 120 for 13th of my nibs.

 

So if you can lay your hands on a Pelikan gold plated 120 nib, it is a real nice nib too. My 18 K MB Woolf B; #12 best for me, knocked them down from number 12 nib to number 13...so those two nibs are quite good.

[fabrimedeiros]

Seeing you have a 400, why don't you get some very nice vintage '80's nibs for it. [...]

I prefer semi-flex and somewhat flexible/'flexi' nibs.[...]

 

I own a M400 from the 80's. It's has a medium almost semi-flex and stubish nib. It's one of my best M nibs (probably the best. It's very similar to the modern Medium M1000, but the size). I'm also prefer those "vintage" Pelikan nibs, but it's pretty hard to purchase a spare nib like that, and when I find one, the vendor ask something overpriced. Another problem is that I prefer broad nibs, without oblique cut. So, it's hard to find out a good nib like that.

 

Edited: typo

Edited June 10, 2011 by fabrimedeiros

[tanalasta]

By the way, it's not your fountain pen. It's likely your moleskine notebook that is the cause of the bleeding. It's horrible paper. Try a new edition rhodia (Goulet Pens sell them amongst others) instead which is much more fountain pen friendly. Even my Sailor 1911, EF (almost needlepoint) bleeds on a bad moleskine notebook.

 

Otherwise, lovely pen and good decision! Both are fantastic writers.

[fabrimedeiros]

Well my long awaited black and platinum trimmed 145 arrived the other day. What an elegant and comfortable feeling pen. The medium nib however skips very slightly and is too wet for my taste. Bleeds right through my moleskine journal paper, so I sent it to Montblanc for the free nib exchange to an EF. Will have to wait in great anticipation for a few more weeks for the pen to come back.

 

 

By the way, it's not your fountain pen. It's likely your moleskine notebook that is the cause of the bleeding. It's horrible paper. Try a new edition rhodia (Goulet Pens sell them amongst others) instead which is much more fountain pen friendly. Even my Sailor 1911, EF (almost needlepoint) bleeds on a bad moleskine notebook.

 

Otherwise, lovely pen and good decision! Both are fantastic writers.

 

Yes, Moleskine is not a right paper for fountain pens. I bleeds and causes feathering like crazy! Try Webnotebooks from Rhodia and Exaclair Quo Vadis Habana. Both have Clairefontaine paper inside, which is fountain pen friendly paper! They're so smoooth and never allow bleeding or feathering.

Edited June 10, 2011 by fabrimedeiros

[max dog]

Thanks everyone for the insight on notebook paper. Will have to switch away from Moleskine. The whole "Legendary Notebook" thing attracted me to the Moleskine, but the paper sure feathers ink easily.

 

BoBo

That sounds like a great idea to get a vintage flex nib on my M400. After my new Montblanc arrives, down the road will have to consider that compared to getting a new M600 . Would a modern M250 or M400 nib re-worked into a semi-flex or flex nib by a nibmeister result in similar enjoyment if I can't source a good vintage Pelikan flex nib affordably?

Edited June 12, 2011 by max dog

[Martius]

My first decent pen was an M600 - I still use it today, even though I have a 149 and many other good pens. The M600 is an exceptional pen.