The Meisterstück 149 Calligraphy Appreciation Thread

[fpupulin]

On 6/24/2025 at 10:10 AM, Arcadian said:

Beautiful! I can't quite decide whether I like the English cursive or the Roman characters better - while they are very different, both are elegant in their own way. Thank you for sharing your calligraphy with us! 

 

 - P. 

 

Writing with ancient Roman manuscript characters reminded me of the amazement with which I learned of the existence of tablets of "curses" and "invocations", written roughly between the years 65 and 130 AD, which were found in the city of Mainz in 2000. They are now preserved in the city museum of the Sanctuary of Isis & Mater Magna. I had the opportunity to visit it during a period spent with my wife, who was doing her post-doctorate at the Gutenberg University of Mainz, seeing these tablets that have 2000 years of history in person was truly exciting...

 

Here is one of the 34 tablets found in the sanctuary of Mainz (Mogontiacum). This curse tablet, which like the others was engraved on a thin sheet of lead, is written backwards (from right to left) to wish a certain Ulattius Severus that everything in his life goes the wrong way, as revenge for having cheated her with the fortune of her husband Florus. The sheet was then rolled up and thrown into the fire that burned inside the temple, to obtain the favors of the goddesses.

 

Here I also wrote a couple of tablets, not of curses but of good wishes for my pen pals on this forum:

 

 

Haec lineae ad amicos calami dicatae sunt

[These lines are dedicated to pen pals]

 

Because they are written on clay, they have cracked and chipped…

[fpupulin]

Here I am again, with a couple more images to demonstrate my unwavering appreciation for this unique nib, which, fortunately for me, Montblanc chose to equip my favorite pen from the Hamburg-based company: the venerable 149.

 

 

My Calligraphy is currently inked with MB Blue Permanent, but as far as I can remember (without checking my ink book), in over four years this pen has only been out of rotation for a couple of weeks. It has become indispensable.

[fpupulin]

I imagine that, like me, many other pen pals have wondered what connects us, binds us, and envelops us with the pen.

 

Pens are nop doubts beautiful things, with their materials and designs and infinite variety, colors and nibs for all tastes, and then the papers and inks and whatever other paraphernalia we can think of that connect to the pen. So, all right, there's no problem in admitting that with four or five pens, one has already been swallowed up by the cosmic worm of collecting, which unites ever-new universes but from which there is no escape...

 

But the question remains. Why the pen, first of all?

 

Now, even here I imagine there are exceptions, but the exceptions are there to demonstrate the general rule: whoever buys fountain pens, writes.

 

And so I have arrived at the heart of my speech, here, at the round table of the knights of the pen. We have pens, humble or sumptuous, functional or shabby, small or large, for what writing?

 

I've come to the conclusion that the ink list, the travel diary, the loose thoughts, the sheets of wishes, the letters and notes, and even the short story or the marginal notes on someone else's writing, have a common denominator for the writer, and that genre doesn't really matter. Opening the notebook, unfolding the sheet, placing the pen on the paper is always an act of curiosity and discovery, a journey into oneself in the face of the inescapable otherness of the entire universe. Writing is a search for one's own answers to all questions.

 

Have a good journey!

 

 

 

[invisuu]

Dear fellow Montblanc calligraphy flex enjoyers,

 

I have recently purchased a new take on modern flex nib; Leonardo's collaboration with a dealer from Italy, Corsani, for which they prepared this special and limited edition of just 10 pens with their new flex nib. I thought you might appreciate the comparison; while wonderful take, it has not dethroned my Montblanc 149 calligraphy flex. The snapback is admittedly better with Leonardo's pen, but the nib is not as soft; it requires more pressure to achieve same level of flex.

 

The "Poliedrica" shape also does not make much sense to me, as it rolls on the desk, which is problematic, considering a clip is not installed. It is very easy for this pen to roll off the desk. Had they continued with the triangular shape, the pen would not roll. In my mind, it either has to have geometrical features to disallow roll, or have a clip or a stopper of some sort installed. They continue this shape through the grip section, which is again a feature I do not rationally understand, considering it's a flex nib and requires pressure on downstrokes.

 

It's made of ebonite, it's beautiful and very pleasant to hold, to me moreso than Montblanc's resin, and it's also an eyedropper; a simpler solution, but an interesting one in the refilling-is-a-ritual kind of way. Am I making sense?

 

It is also just longer enough than the 149, to no longer really fit any pen pouch I own. In essence, it's truly an italian product; technically it doesn't make sense, but it feeds the soul. Nothing on it really makes sense to me rationally, for the reasons I mentioned above, but it's a joy to write with and to look at.

 

This is the first time since I purchased the MB 149 calligraphy flex that it has been uninked. In total it has been uninked for 2 weeks since my purchase, and today I have reinked it again to make this comparison. It's the first serious modern competition to Montblanc, in my opinion at least.

I'd be curious to hear your thoughts; I'm not sure if this thread is the correct one to post this in, but I thought you might enjoy it. 

All the best!

[Lam1]

2 hours ago, invisuu said:

Dear fellow Montblanc calligraphy flex enjoyers,

 

I have recently purchased a new take on modern flex nib; Leonardo's collaboration with a dealer from Italy, Corsani, for which they prepared this special and limited edition of just 10 pens with their new flex nib. I thought you might appreciate the comparison; while wonderful take, it has not dethroned my Montblanc 149 calligraphy flex. The snapback is admittedly better with Leonardo's pen, but the nib is not as soft; it requires more pressure to achieve same level of flex.

 

The "Poliedrica" shape also does not make much sense to me, as it rolls on the desk, which is problematic, considering a clip is not installed. It is very easy for this pen to roll off the desk. Had they continued with the triangular shape, the pen would not roll. In my mind, it either has to have geometrical features to disallow roll, or have a clip or a stopper of some sort installed. They continue this shape through the grip section, which is again a feature I do not rationally understand, considering it's a flex nib and requires pressure on downstrokes.

 

It's made of ebonite, it's beautiful and very pleasant to hold, to me moreso than Montblanc's resin, and it's also an eyedropper; a simpler solution, but an interesting one in the refilling-is-a-ritual kind of way. Am I making sense?

 

It is also just longer enough than the 149, to no longer really fit any pen pouch I own. In essence, it's truly an italian product; technically it doesn't make sense, but it feeds the soul. Nothing on it really makes sense to me rationally, for the reasons I mentioned above, but it's a joy to write with and to look at.

 

This is the first time since I purchased the MB 149 calligraphy flex that it has been uninked. In total it has been uninked for 2 weeks since my purchase, and today I have reinked it again to make this comparison. It's the first serious modern competition to Montblanc, in my opinion at least.

I'd be curious to hear your thoughts; I'm not sure if this thread is the correct one to post this in, but I thought you might enjoy it. 

All the best!

 

Congrats!

And that is gorgeous handwriting! Wow!!!

It seems like a wonderful pen! I think it would have benefitted from a #8 nib...

 

Is this a regular nib or was it just for this SE? If it is regular, I might have to try one, since I love Leonardo... Although it will be hard for me not to go with one of their stubs... 

[invisuu]

1 hour ago, Lam1 said:

 

Congrats!

And that is gorgeous handwriting! Wow!!!

It seems like a wonderful pen! I think it would have benefitted from a #8 nib...

 

Is this a regular nib or was it just for this SE? If it is regular, I might have to try one, since I love Leonardo... Although it will be hard for me not to go with one of their stubs... 

Unfortunately this is not a regular nib; as I understand it, they have to manually hammer these nibs out, going step by step, measuring with a caliper as they go, so they come in extremely small quantities. This edition came with just 10 pens, and they previously released a limited edition of this nib with 3 models and just 5 units per model, so 15 in total. I am unaware this nib has been installed anywhere else. 

 

Previous releases:

Essenza poliedrica Tamenuri black - FLEX nib - eyedropper – leonardopen

Cigar Ebonite skeleton - FLEX Nib - SOLD OUT – leonardopen

Cigar Green/pearl celluloid - FLEX Nib – leonardopen

 

New release, at the time of writing 1 pen is still available. Limited to 4 pieces:

Essenza poliedrica ebonite Rust - FLEX nib - eyedropper – leonardopen

 

And the pen I have:

Corsani Poliedrica Flex - Penne Stilografiche Roma e Vendita Online Penne, Orologi, Pelletteria

[Lam1]

51 minutes ago, invisuu said:

Unfortunately this is not a regular nib; as I understand it, they have to manually hammer these nibs out, going step by step, measuring with a caliper as they go, so they come in extremely small quantities. This edition came with just 10 pens, and they previously released a limited edition of this nib with 3 models and just 5 units per model, so 15 in total. I am unaware this nib has been installed anywhere else. 

 

Previous releases:

Essenza poliedrica Tamenuri black - FLEX nib - eyedropper – leonardopen

Cigar Ebonite skeleton - FLEX Nib - SOLD OUT – leonardopen

Cigar Green/pearl celluloid - FLEX Nib – leonardopen

 

New release, at the time of writing 1 pen is still available. Limited to 4 pieces:

Essenza poliedrica ebonite Rust - FLEX nib - eyedropper – leonardopen

 

And the pen I have:

Corsani Poliedrica Flex - Penne Stilografiche Roma e Vendita Online Penne, Orologi, Pelletteria

 

 

Thank you for the very detailed information. It is a pity that it is not a regular nib. But I understand, given the work involved. 

I will say, those are very good prices for pens involving a nib this specialized!

 

Edited to add: If I weren't on my way to the DC Pen show, I would grab the only one that was still available! But I think my wallet will be hurting enough...  

[singlechange]

invisuu,  I enjoyed reading about your new Leonardo and your thoughts on comparing it to your Monteblanc 149 Calligraphy Flex. I, for one, was not surprised when you wrote Leonardo does not dethrone the Monteblanc. Of course, I am an owner of an used Monteblanc 149 Calligraphy Flex.

[Opooh]

52 minutes ago, singlechange said:

invisuu,  I enjoyed reading about your new Leonardo and your thoughts on comparing it to your Monteblanc 149 Calligraphy Flex. I, for one, was not surprised when you wrote Leonardo does not dethrone the Monteblanc. Of course, I am an owner of an used Monteblanc 149 Calligraphy Flex.

I agree with this. I must say that my interest in this topic and my appreciation for the artists who display examples of their skills here (for which I thank them) have all become much greater since I also became the happy owner of the 149 calligraphy.

[fpupulin]

 

@invisuu, @Lam1, @singlechange, @Opooh, one of the reasons I keep returning to this thread is precisely because of pen pals like you, who express on these pages their joy at owning a 149 Calligraphy and their undying admiration for what this extraordinary pen can do when handled with passion and practice.

As I've said on many occasions, I don't have much to say about where this pen ranks in the hierarchy of quality flexi nibs, because I own only a very limited number. However, for years I had a nib that was truly special for pointed calligraphy, an OMAS Extra from the 1940s or 1950s, an extra-fine nib with near-perfect flexibility and elasticity.

 

Now that that pen is no longer supported (although there's very recent news that gives us hope to the contrary), I find that the Montblanc 149 Calligraphy, if it hasn't dethroned it, has certainly come very close. And I confess that I'm very pleased that other manufacturers, as @invisuu reported, are successfully experimenting with the production of truly flexible nibs.

To accompany this reflection, I've prepared a sheet of paper with three very different handwriting styles: a Roman capital, a Copperplate, and a contemporary gestual style. Not many, among my dozens of pens, would be able to handle such diverse styles with such ease. The three writings celebrate, in three different languages (Latin, Italian, and English), the wonder of signs that have the power to speak: writing.

 

On the left, another sheet of paper appears, on which I'm jotting down a short discussion on "speaking signs," using as my subject some fibulae (brooches) from the ancient Etruscan-Roman era. The drawings are also done with the 149 Calligraphy, a pen that can truly do everything.

 

I hope this thread will continue to bring us wonder, admiration, and pride for our pen for a long time to come.

[KAC]

I thoroughly enjoy flexible nibs, but I simply cannot justify the stratospheric cost of this pen. I have several vintage flexible nib pens (my preferred example is a Parker "Lucky Curve Jack Knife" made circa 1912-1914). It cost ~$110 and it's in virginal condition. It has substantial flex and a significant ink reservoir. It's another instance of my personal preferred esthetic of "form follows function" (of course the 149 conforms to that standard).

In short, this MB is a nice pen indeed, but priced far beyond my tolerance level. So, for those who want this style nib but are on a budget, I suggest the vintage market.

[nm4]

Just wish I could find one at a reasonable price.   I bought a 146 version which is very good but probably short of the 149 in flexibility.  
 

Fpupulin your talent is amazing!

 

N

[fpupulin]

17 hours ago, KAC said:

I thoroughly enjoy flexible nibs, but I simply cannot justify the stratospheric cost of this pen. I have several vintage flexible nib pens (my preferred example is a Parker "Lucky Curve Jack Knife" made circa 1912-1914). It cost ~$110 and it's in virginal condition. It has substantial flex and a significant ink reservoir. It's another instance of my personal preferred esthetic of "form follows function" (of course the 149 conforms to that standard).

In short, this MB is a nice pen indeed, but priced far beyond my tolerance level. So, for those who want this style nib but are on a budget, I suggest the vintage market.

KAC, I fully agree with you about the stratospheric (and probably largely unjustified) price of this pen, and I am sure that one can find very good flexible nib among vintage pens. I myself had the luck to find and buy a OMAS Gentlemen of the beginning of the Seventies, a celluloid pen with an extra-fine, very flexible nib that is on par, or better, with my MB Calligraphy.

 

What I really appreciate of the 149 -apart it’s great nib- is that the pen may be serviced by Montblanc if necessary. This is something of primary importance for one who, like me, lives where there are no nibmeisters or other people entitled at servicing a fountain pen.

[Lam1]

On 8/14/2025 at 9:14 PM, fpupulin said:

 

@invisuu, @Lam1, @singlechange, @Opooh, one of the reasons I keep returning to this thread is precisely because of pen pals like you, who express on these pages their joy at owning a 149 Calligraphy and their undying admiration for what this extraordinary pen can do when handled with passion and practice.

As I've said on many occasions, I don't have much to say about where this pen ranks in the hierarchy of quality flexi nibs, because I own only a very limited number. However, for years I had a nib that was truly special for pointed calligraphy, an OMAS Extra from the 1940s or 1950s, an extra-fine nib with near-perfect flexibility and elasticity.

 

Now that that pen is no longer supported (although there's very recent news that gives us hope to the contrary), I find that the Montblanc 149 Calligraphy, if it hasn't dethroned it, has certainly come very close. And I confess that I'm very pleased that other manufacturers, as @invisuu reported, are successfully experimenting with the production of truly flexible nibs.

To accompany this reflection, I've prepared a sheet of paper with three very different handwriting styles: a Roman capital, a Copperplate, and a contemporary gestual style. Not many, among my dozens of pens, would be able to handle such diverse styles with such ease. The three writings celebrate, in three different languages (Latin, Italian, and English), the wonder of signs that have the power to speak: writing.

 

On the left, another sheet of paper appears, on which I'm jotting down a short discussion on "speaking signs," using as my subject some fibulae (brooches) from the ancient Etruscan-Roman era. The drawings are also done with the 149 Calligraphy, a pen that can truly do everything.

 

I hope this thread will continue to bring us wonder, admiration, and pride for our pen for a long time to come.

 

Thank you for your kindness, @fpupulin.

This thread is precious for the incredible handwriting and images that you and others (like @invisuu) have been so kind to share with us.

I indeed enjoy my 149 Calligraphy very much!

Although, I will never be able to produce beautiful writing like yours. Still, I love the bounciness of mine, which is used mainly as an EF nib (mostly to make margin notes/calculations on scientific papers) and for doodling.

 

I am fortunate enough to have several (many?) very flexible vintage nibs (Sheaffer, Waterman, Parker, Eversharp, Conklin, etc.). The vintage ones are certainly different, and probably more flexible. Still, I use the 149 way more because for me the experience of writing involves also the fit of the pen in the hand, the reliability, ability to use different inks (not possible with sac pens), etc., and then the 149 comes up way ahead. I also have two Pelikans M800 with 14K nibs that were modified to add flex, and those two are amazing too - but they have stub nibs and, thus, are very different from the 149 (by the way, for those that like the reliability of modern pens with vintage flex, the nibs of Waterman's 100 year pens are a perfect fit for M800s).

 

The price of the 149 Calligraphy is, indeed, very stiff. But, the funny thing is that it has appreciated a lot lately and it is now worth way more than I paid.

Not that it matters to me, because intend to keep my 149s till the very end 🙂.

 

 

[invisuu]

 Taking the risk of sounding contrarian, I do not find the calligraphy flex expensive. Nominally yes, of course, for a pen, the price is high. But it's a very special pen. I find the generic ball tipped fountain pens more expensive; they're not special in any way, they can write just as good as the cheapest Lamy Safari, and I don't find the 149 particularly exquisite in terms of materials (blasphemy, I know...). The nib, however, is very special.

 

This pen is neither my cheapest, and certainly not my most expensive, but it is my favorite. It has brought me many, many hours of happiness already, and there are no signs of slowing down. Granted, I'm not into enormous collections with hundreds of fountain pens; a dozen or so of favorites suffice my needs. And if this had to be my one and only pen, I would also be quite happy. Some of Montblanc's offerings are so out there, that this pen in comparison is cheap. I was actually a little surprised just how little of a surcharge they demanded over the standard ball tipped nib, considering how expensive their limited editions can be.

It has been one of my better purchases in life - as someone who almost never attaches to items, this pen is my prized possession. All that for a good lunch for 2 worth of surcharge over the, in my opinion, boring standard nibs...it is also significantly cheaper than Montblanc's custom requested nibs, such as 3B+ for example. Resale value is a point worth mentioning, as theoretically I could have gained money by selling it, but I will never sell this pen; if anything, I'd be interested in purchasing another one, as a backup.

[Opooh]

@invisuu I have to agree with you, Montblanc, like the other brands by the way, places too much emphasis on limited editions that obtain their exorbitant additional cost by adding the necessary glitter and relative scarcity. The nib is usually treated stepmotherly, the standard sizes which are also limited with at most a different engraving for dessert at the LE.
The bespoke nibs are an expensive alternative.
As such, the calligraphy nibs are a relatively affordable alternative to the pen afficionados..
Fritz Schimpf's efforts are also a nice addition to the range.

[Frank C]

Just checked Izod's. I'm not affiliated, I just enjoy mine. They have one:

Montblanc Meisterstuck 149 Calligraphy Flex Fountain Pen

Regular price£1,649.99 GBP

 

 

 

[fpupulin]

So, just over $2,200 for a used pen...

 

If we pretended I'd lost my 149 Calligraphy, but I knew its qualities as well as I do, I'm almost certain I'd spend my money on it. I've never spent so much on a pen, and many years ago I set a limit on my possible purchases, which I've never broken. If I didn't already have it, I might break my promise for this pen.

But I should point out that at this price point we are already crossing the line of the "custom" Montblanc nib, tailor-made for one's hand...

 

Perhaps, at this level, it is no longer a pen that is purchased for the way it writes - although it writes very well, I doubt it can surpass a pen with a custom-made nib -, but to complete a collection with a piece that, without a doubt, has proven to be very collectible.

[Detman101]

On 8/14/2025 at 10:14 PM, fpupulin said:

 

@invisuu, @Lam1, @singlechange, @Opooh, one of the reasons I keep returning to this thread is precisely because of pen pals like you, who express on these pages their joy at owning a 149 Calligraphy and their undying admiration for what this extraordinary pen can do when handled with passion and practice.

As I've said on many occasions, I don't have much to say about where this pen ranks in the hierarchy of quality flexi nibs, because I own only a very limited number. However, for years I had a nib that was truly special for pointed calligraphy, an OMAS Extra from the 1940s or 1950s, an extra-fine nib with near-perfect flexibility and elasticity.

 

Now that that pen is no longer supported (although there's very recent news that gives us hope to the contrary), I find that the Montblanc 149 Calligraphy, if it hasn't dethroned it, has certainly come very close. And I confess that I'm very pleased that other manufacturers, as @invisuu reported, are successfully experimenting with the production of truly flexible nibs.

To accompany this reflection, I've prepared a sheet of paper with three very different handwriting styles: a Roman capital, a Copperplate, and a contemporary gestual style. Not many, among my dozens of pens, would be able to handle such diverse styles with such ease. The three writings celebrate, in three different languages (Latin, Italian, and English), the wonder of signs that have the power to speak: writing.

 

On the left, another sheet of paper appears, on which I'm jotting down a short discussion on "speaking signs," using as my subject some fibulae (brooches) from the ancient Etruscan-Roman era. The drawings are also done with the 149 Calligraphy, a pen that can truly do everything.

 

I hope this thread will continue to bring us wonder, admiration, and pride for our pen for a long time to come.

I have to ask...what ink is that?

 

-DM-

[fpupulin]

@Detman101, this is the splendid Diamine Golden Brown, a color I never get tired of. This is probably my preferred ink for the 149 Calligraphy, where it behaves perfectly in terms of flow.

 

Sometimes I substitute it with MB Blue Permanent, Black Permanent, or Midnight Blue, because these three inks have the virtue -which I consider of paramount importance- that they do not bleed through the paper, so I can use the leaf of my beloved Moleskins on both sides.

 

Diamine Golden Brown is therefore reserved for thicker paper, or for those leafs where I have no intention to write on the rear side. It is magnificent ink but, as well as the other Diamine inks I know and appreciate, it bleeds through in a way that I find unmanegeable for my notebooks.