Montblanc 149 Writing Samples

[pmhudepo]

Hello all,

over the past years, I've collected several pens, some of which are Montblanc 149s. I thought it might be interesting to see different nib sizes of the same model compared in a rather informal piece. This isn't much of a proper test, since all pens were pre-owned, are of different ages, I've dropped only one of them on a hardwood floor, and who knows what may have happened previously etc.

I've indicated the nib type (14C, 18K etc.) and feed type (ebonite, plastic) along with the samples.

I'll try to get a better picture or scan sometime soon... busy at work during the day, going to see the new Star Trek tomorrow evening, photo museum on Friday, so ... hang on, please.

The EF nib is a pleasant surprise and responds well to pressure. It could easily pass for an F if you wanted it to. I've acquired this pen today, so not much to say just yet. Looks very promising for my Palmer / Business Writing.

The F nib is the most recent 149 nib I have and it's quite stiff. Perfectly usable, looks great, works beautifully, but no magic. The seller claimed it was unused and I think he's right.

Size M is easiest to use for me, especially when taking notes. Generous flow, solid nib, no fear of damaging it with an unfortunate quick stroke across the page. Enjoy using this at work as well.

Size OB was sold to me as a B, but it's definitely cut at angle. It should be from the early 70s, about as old as I am. Very wet, glides across the paper, perhaps a little too much on smooth Clairefontaine. If you like big, wet nibs, this is the one to get.

Size OBB is also very wet, very smooth. Perhaps because the OB I have is so wet, it appears that the OBB doesn't add all that much. I think this one is less slippery.

Frankly, OB and OBB are too much for daily use for me, much as I like how they skate across the page and dump ink effortlessly. My daily writers are in the EF - M range: EF for careful Palmer, neat writing, F and M for note taking.

Hope this is useful.

-- Patrick

[pmhudepo]

Quick note: the bottom line shows each size (three strokes) compared to the OBB nib (two strokes).

 

Also, let me know if you want me to try something specific, now that I've got them all inked with a bit of the same ink, although I won't do much flexing and stressing with them, if you don't mind.

 

Finally: please feel free to add your own samples!

Edited June 19, 2013 by pmhudepo

[pavoni]

Thank you for this most useful sampling pmhudepo. Slowly but surely it is dawning on me why people have so many of the same pen.....nib choice My eye was immediately drawn to your OBB sample. I think I have to have one

 

Thank you again for taking the time to share your findings.

 

Pavoni.

[pmhudepo]

You are quite welcome! I've seen so many beautiful pictures of various pens, so many wonderful bits of writing and drawing that I felt I should contribute as well, little as I know / much as I still have to learn.

[KJY]

Thanks for the effort.

 

It gives a good impression of the nib varieties.

I have quite a few pens with m and b nibs, maybe I should swap the b of the Balzac for something else.

 

The ef and f looks a few tones lighter than the other ones is that correct? Is that due to less ink has been put on paper?

Just wondering.

[pmhudepo]

The light was fading rather quickly, so the photo isn't the best quality. But the EF and F nibs really are lighter on paper. Since M and up are so much wetter, I believe you are right in thinking that the difference is due to the amount of ink these nibs (feeds?) deliver.

[karmakoda]

Thank You for sharing the writing samples, a pleasing presentation and a wonderful collection you have.

Any chance of a Family portrait, so we could put a nib to the sample?

 

 

Like Pavoni, the OBB is calling my name, time for some nib alterations, and a bottle of Waterman Florida Blue.

[orfew]

I also love the look of the OBB. Thanks for the very useful post.

[ohpaulpleasestop]

This post made me dig up my 149 OBB~ Awesome samples!

 

Thank You!

[shrinknib]

What a lovely post.

The samples are great.

Thanks for taking he time to do this.

[Penne Stilografiche]

Thanks, nice review!

[spraine]

Thank you very much, pmhudepo.

[georges zaslavsky]

very nice review