Montblanc 149: Modern 18K Nib On Ebonite?

[inky dinky]

Hello everyone,

 

I have a question for those who have experience with the 149. I have a vintage 149 14c bi-tone nib with a spit ebonite feed and a 2-section barrel. I would like to upgrade it with a modern 18k tri-tone but since this type of nib is native to the plastic feeders I was wondering if one can use this modern nib on an ebonite feed. This 18k I'm referring to also has a cut-out tail and 2 "holes" in a square shape like in the image below. So is it possible to place this nib on an ebonite feed and, if yes, would the "holes" affect nib performance?

 

 

Thanks for your help,

InkyDinky

[playtime]

modern nibs are a touch larger than earlier or vintage nibs - but an experienced nibmeister can file down an ebonite nib if needed to fit the modern nib.

[CS388]

The problem I found, in going from an ebonite feed to a plastic feed (this was on a 146), was that the plastic feed (and feeder sleeve) was larger* than the ebonite. I tried a couple of 'fixes', but never got a good ink-tight fit.

 

I was replacing the (broken) sleeve of the pen and in the end I had to go with the modern plastic feed.

However, I imagine that if the nib is the only component you are looking to change, it should fit the ebonite feed, providing that the new nib has a similar architecture.

 

If not, a nibmeister, or similar technician, may be able to carry out necessary adjustments.

 

Good luck.

 

Just to add: I had wanted to keep the ebonite feed, to keep the pen 'correct'. But I noticed virtually no difference, in the pen's performance, between the two feeds.

 

*eta. 'larger' in diameter.

Edited October 3, 2014 by CS388

[meiers]

The modern nib is not an upgrade in my opinion.

[Russ]

Exactly. The modern nib would be considered a downgrade by buyers.

[georges zaslavsky]

Exactly. The modern nib would be considered a downgrade by buyers.

indeed indeed

[Barry Gabay]

Good morning,

 

The nib in the photo should fit an older solid ebonite, split ebonite, or any ebonite feed from late 1950s onward. I am in agreement with Meiers', Georges', & Russ' observation that a newer nib is a step down. All three of them know what they are talking about when it comes to this model and others, & I respect their opinions. Still, each nib has its virtues and some folks prefer the rigidity of newer 149 nibs.

 

My replacement experience has been similar to CS388's relative to the size of plastic feeds. The main problem with swapping nibs from pen to pen, which I have done often with 149s and others, is the chance of a "sprung" nib, a gap between nib and feed so that consistent ink flow is not possible. This is more common when switching between generations, for eg current nib installed in a 1970s pen. You must be willing to play with heat (hair dryer rather than flame) and pliers if such a situation arises. Play it conservatively always; gently, as if you were changing the diaper of an uncooperative young'un.

 

Good luck, inky dinky, and thank you for the very nice nib photo.

Enjoy your weekend.

Best wishes,

Barry

[inky dinky]

Thanks everyone for your input. I do realize that modern 149's have been a downgrade in terms of quality and other aspects. What I mean by this is that there are flow problems with the modern plastic feeds when compared to the ebonite. I've noticed that there is railroading when flexing it even a slight amount and also it starves with any fast motion. I have seen this in all of my plastic 149's and 146's thus why I prefer ebonite feeds.

Thanks,

Inky

[Blade Runner]

I and many others have had no issues with modern plastic feeds, and it is far from clear that ebonite is superior.

Here's a related thread.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/213929-ebonite-feed/

[Bo Bo Olson]

I have a modern Woolf....butter smooth 'Springy' 2x tine spread nib, good tine bend. Is OK. What I expected in a modern MB nib. Not something I'd chase.

 

I do like the my eyes only bling of the Woolf...has no cross the table bling.

With permission of Pentime.com, he takes a much better picture than I ever will.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm300/BoBoOlson/IMG_0641-1.jpg

 

I have a '70-80's 146 with a nice springy regular flex nib. One needs a good regular flex M&F's for shading inks. I some times find a B or semi-flex too wet for some shading inks.

 

I have better nibs on my ('52-54? with a '55 feed, so it looks like the '55 feed came out in '54) 234 1/2 Deluxe KOB (Waverly tip) that is semi-flex.

My rolled gold 742 has a 'flexi'/maxi-semi-flex F (unmarked).

Those are nibs worth chasing.

They having more easy flex are wetter.

 

IMO vintage nibs have more life to them.

My KOB is a writing nib; not a signature nib....my Woolf is a very fat B=BB, more a signature nib....which is a problem with many modern nibs....that are wider than vintage. Same goes for Pelikan.

 

When do you think your pen is from?

What flex does it have?

Edited October 23, 2014 by Bo Bo Olson

[Mister Mont Blanc]

The 149 I have with a flex nib and ebonite feed often railroads when flexing at times also. I guess a plastic feed would be even worse!

[inky dinky]

In reply to Olson's question,

 

I have taken this picture of 4 of my 149's that have ebonite and plastic feeds and the years range from the 70's to modern. The first 2 are F nib and the second 2 are EF. When flexing the only one that has troubles is the plastic feed and it is also the only one that fails a fast motion "stress test" meaning that it starves due to lesser flow. Here is the picture:

 

[arran]

I had an Omas paragon with ebonite feed with flow problems railroading and skipping

It was send back to Italy and replaced the feed.The old feed was given back and could not see any real problem with the feed

So what caused the inkflow issues?

I think so many parameters play a role that are more important e.g. The way the nib is placed upon the feed in the right way

I had so many out of the factory pens where the nib was not coorectly placed.

Putting it right , coorected much of the flow issues