Which One Do You Prefer - Heritage 1912 Vs Classic 149

[Pro-forma]

I currently own both of them.

 

I love the 149.

 

Emotionally, I like it being a classic which no other pen can come close. Especially with its history of being used to sign a treaty (Guess I wouldn't need to tell more for you to guess whom signing which treaty).

 

Functionally, I like it being big and fat whilst sitting in my hand, the cigar shape is a brave design which comes with great function. The nib is rock hard compared to 1912. I like the nib being this way because when you are being expressive when you write, the pen flows with you. (sorry if this metaphor is too vague)

 

What's worse is, I also love the heritage 1912.

 

Emotionally, the Heriatge 1912 is a symbol of the course of history of Montblanc, a safety pen with a piston filling mechanism. It carries the history and passes it on just like the pearl emblem on the top of the cap. I also love how understated this pen is. I like the feeling that people (except those who browse through this forum) think there's nothing special about this pen until they see you turning the nob.

 

Functionally, well, I guess it doesn't need much introduction on this forum. The amazing piston filling mechanism on a nib-concealing pen. The great writing 14k nib. The main difference between writing with 149 and 1912 is that: Whilst writing with 1912, you would become more carefully in crafting your strokes (perhaps because the nib is so soft you are afraid of breaking it).

 

I know, I know, there are short-comings of both pens as well:

 

For 149:

i. Too eye-catching;

ii. Too big to carry in some pen pouches.

 

For 1912:

i. Too heavy that your shirt pocket will be twisted if you carry 1912 in it.

 

 

The problem is:

It has come to the time when I should give up one of them. I am just having a very hard time choosing which one.

 

What one would you give up if you had to choose one?

 

Any other observations of both pens are welcome.

 

You are welcome to recommend any other pen too.

 

Thank you for taking your time to read such non-sense (stupid first-world problem).

[masterguns]

I would suggest that the pen to go depends on your intended use. If used daily on the go, jotting notes, in and out of a bag or pocket, the 149 seems to me to be more practical. If the pen sits on your desk and only needs to come out for certain deeds then I like the 1912 for that. I have both as well, and love my 1912, but is not the most practical keeper for an “only pen.” Mine generally stays home these days, getting used when I’m writing at my desk. But it definitely gets used.

 

All that being said, I would keep the 1912. It really is a great pen and can be adapted to any situation if you really have to—it just my take a few extra seconds to get it going.

[oldrifleman]

I love both, but there something about the 1912 that just whispers to me!

[zaddick]

The 149 would be and will be much easier to replace later and for less money. So if you think you want them bot again at some point then keep the 1912. If you want more money now, sell the 1912. Of you want one to keep for the long haul that will hold up just fine and is easier to service, keep the 149.

[meiers]

The 149 would be and will be much easier to replace later and for less money. So if you think you want them bot again at some point then keep the 1912. If you want more money now, sell the 1912. Of you want one to keep for the long haul that will hold up just fine and is easier to service, keep the 149.

Brilliant advice.

 

The 1912 is definitely a keeper in my opinion.

Edited October 6, 2019 by meiers

[Wolverine1]

Well, I like the 149 fp. So much so that I now have 11 of these pens!!!!! :)

[eangelo]

The 149 would be and will be much easier to replace later and for less money. So if you think you want them bot again at some point then keep the 1912. If you want more money now, sell the 1912. Of you want one to keep for the long haul that will hold up just fine and is easier to service, keep the 149.

 

I agree.

[jslallar]

Well, I like the 149 fp. So much so that I now have 11 of these pens!!!!! :)

 

I have 4 but am in \the process of negotiating for a 5th

 

149s work for me

[Pro-forma]

 

I have 4 but am in \the process of negotiating for a 5th

 

149s work for me

Thats a lot of 149s

 

I have been thinking of buying a rouge et noir / 146 blue hour but I cannot justify that. I dont think I can fully utilize that many fountain pens.

[jslallar]

Pro-forma

you are wondering at my meager 4,

Wolverine1

has 11, and there are those here who may have twice that number easily

[wpj_ole]

Ive used both, and sold both off at some point.

 

The experience of each was very impressive, but different. Loved my 149, I had an excellent extra fine modern nib, but the size of the pen is problematic for long writing for me. The nib after all felt like an upgrade of 146.

 

1912 is a beautiful different story. I recently repurchased this pen........... cant say more 🙃

[wpj_ole]

That being said, if the size of 149 wasnt a problem for me I would not have sold it, really. I think if I were you Id sell 149 just because it is so and will always be easy to replace, while thats not always the case for 1912.

[meiers]

I currently own three of each model and like them equally. They are very different fountain pens. I would say that the Heritage is unusual: the retractable nib is a fun feature that adds an element of playfulness to the pen. I find the Heritage pen to be very ergonomic and easy to use for extended writing sessions. Its nib is softer and a little more flexible than the 149 nib.

[SpecTP]

Not even comparable.. I'd get rid of the 1912 first. The 149 is just a workhorse of a pen with fantastic nib and ink capacity. It's in my edc pouch. My 1912 only gets occasional rotation.

[Amit.]

I love my 1912 and it has been inked for over a year now. Never goes out of rotation. Keep it, you'll never regret !!

[markcotter]

While I love the 149, I often find myself using a 146 instead - the smaller nib suits the work I have to do better than the 149.

 

As for the 1912, mine has never been without ink since I purchased it in 2013: the only pen in such a state in my collection. (Yes, it's cleaned regularly.) It usually stays on my desk at home and gets daily use. Other MBs go in and out of rotation.

 

Should I only be allowed to keep one, it would be the 1912 as it always brings a bit of joy picking it up and getting ready to write.

[nibtip]

1912, i own 2, for the looks and the nib then 146, my is masuymaed therefore perfect.

[logantrky]

149 for me...it is more of a classic while the 1912 is a homage. However, I love the 1912 as well!!

[KAC]

While the concept of the 1912 appeals to me, the execution fails. First, the pen is small: 121mm in length capped. Countering that, the barrel diameter measures from 10.2 to 13.1mm) and the weight appeals, too (48 grams capped, 37 grams uncapped). A major limitation is the ink capacity (~0.8cc): that's far too limited. Third, cap can't be posted. If there's no good place to put a cap, I like the option of posting it instead. Finally, the cap leaves marks on the barrel when it's in place.

 

The 149 design is classic, as proven by its enduring appeal. Even without the cap posted, it nicely fills the hand and balance is good with/without posting. Ink capacity is generous. Dimensions (large) attract some users and repel others (hence, the smaller versions based on that design).

 

Having noted my preferences in the abstract, the deciding factor in practical terms is the price: new or used, the 149 is less costly. If that isn't relevant in your decision making, maybe the other factors listed here and elsewhere will help you choose.

[Uncial]

The cap will leave rubber marks on the pen if you ratchet it on. They will look like scratches but they can be rubbed away with your thumb.

The 1912 is a surprisingly heavy pen for it's size. I wouldn't be slipping that into a shirt pocket. It's a lovely pen though.

I wouldn't worry about the 149 being too eye catching. I use them all the time and no one ever notices or comments. If I use my M1000 green stripe Pelikan out in the wild, almost everyone notices.

Why do you have to give one up?

I'd keep both.