MB released 146 Flex in resin

[fpupulin]

11 hours ago, como said:

Here I tried it on Fabriano Ingrés A4 size, with Pilot Iroshizuku Yama-budo and Leonardo Blue. Same as with the 149C, it will be fun to discover which paper/ink combination works best (of course that's somewhat subjective). Where I made a circle with pencil is where pen railroaded slightly, so I filled the railroaded space with ink.

 

 

This is a veery good exercise, on a paper that is responsive and rewarding, but not the easier to use with a pointed nib due to its personality. I like very much how your 146 Calligraphy (and your hand of course) works on this beautiful laid paper. The A4 size allows for widest a gesture, and this benefits the handwriting. 

Your Spencerian is very pleasing to read, and the nib of the 146 seems to let down a very narrow stroke and to flex easily.

Well done, and very useful to see! Thanks for posting.

[Tasmith]

On 1/19/2022 at 4:37 PM, SpecTP said:

This is my first time writing with such a nib.. it's quite a fun experience.

 

Congratulations!

[como]

18 hours ago, fpupulin said:

 

This is a veery good exercise, on a paper that is responsive and rewarding, but not the easier to use with a pointed nib due to its personality....

@fpupulin Thank you very much, Franco! I bought a block of this Fabriano Ingrés to try, along with the Fabriano Unica. Though I prefer Unica by far, the Ingrés is a lot cheaper. So I have some 100 sheets of this, which, at one sheet per day, will last me three months! I saw written and video reviews of modern flexible nibs by Aurora, Montegrappa, Leonardo, Scribo, Santini, and have bought also Scribo and Santini before. I am really done looking. 149C and 146C will last me a long while.

[SpecTP]

I picked up a Tomoe River A4 pad, cream. I didn't realize that the first page was a blotter.. was wondering why the ink bled so much.. lol.

[bunnspecial]

As I await mine(and hoping that Iguana Shop can fill my order on the next shipment that they receive from MB)...I've decided to tackle Spencerian again.

 

Late 2020, I'd bought the theory/copy book set from Amazon but kind of worked sporadically on it, and made several mistakes.

 

I just bought a second set of books, and of course started by REALLY reading and studying the theory sections at a time before touching the copy books. I've not progressed far yet-I'm still on the first page of the "first form" line, but half a page down I can see that I'm improving some. Since that's fundamental to the 52º slant, hopefully actually really hammering on that one will get me on a good start this time.

 

I have to say too that the "proper" pen hold described in the theory book as I read it is just different enough from the tripod-type grip I typically use(the book, at least as I read it, instructs you to place your index finger just over the top of the pen) that I have to constantly remind myself, and also it is not paticularly easy to NOT let my wrist rest on the paper.

 

In any case, I hope that by the time my 146C arrives, I will have made at least some progress toward having passable Spencerian. Of course, if I recall, the books I'm using don't introduce "shading"(flex) until fairly late and instead focus on getting your letter forms correct first...still hopefully this will pay off. I have no pretext of ever being a calligrapher, but it seems a shame to have this and some of the other more flexible pens I have and not at least be able to make some use of their ability for a nice script.

[arcfide]

11 hours ago, bunnspecial said:

I have to say too that the "proper" pen hold described in the theory book as I read it is just different enough from the tripod-type grip I typically use(the book, at least as I read it, instructs you to place your index finger just over the top of the pen) that I have to constantly remind myself, and also it is not paticularly easy to NOT let my wrist rest on the paper.

 

The good news is that as you become more proficient, you'll be able to fine tune the grip from the orthodox version into something that works best for you. 

[Doggy Daddy]

To All: I have only posted briefly here before, so forgive me in advance if I make a mistake or two in following the conventions.

 

On 1/12/2022 at 10:55 PM, bunnspecial said:

 

 

Alright, well I spoke too soon.

 

I went through with the order and about 5 minutes later received an email stating that the item is out of stock and they're GUESSING it may be 40 days(no idea how concrete that number is-just something they say based on past experience) and offering me the option of wait it out until delivered, leaving a 40% deposit non-refundable deposit to reserve it and balance to be paid when delivered, or pick another Montblanc in stock.

 

Not sure which of those I want to do. Maybe a few more of these will trickle in shortly, but I don't know how much I want to bank on that...

 

I had exactly the same experience one day earlier, on 11 January. I discovered late on the 10th that Iguana Sell had the 146 Calligraphy pen in stock (or at least said they did). After thinking about it overnight, I placed my order for one at 06:44 EST on the morning of the 11th. Like you, I was happy to take advantage of their new customer 12% discount and was looking forward to receiving my new pen. And, like you, shortly after the completion of my purchase I received the email telling me the pen was out of stock and it may be up to 40 days…. And again, I was given the three options. Wait it out, 40% deposit, or pick out something else. 

 

At the time, I would have sworn they indicated the pen was in stock when I ordered it. Or, at the very least, specifically did not say that it wasn’t. However, this being my first time on their website, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and decided I just missed the notice about the pen being on backorder. Given your exact same experience though, I’m now not so sure, since you also thought you were purchasing an in-stock pen. And, “Sinistral1" also reported Iguana Sell showing this pen for sale with presumably no mention of it being on backorder at 9:47 pm on the 12th, or slightly more than a day and a half (39 hours) after I made my purchase.

 

This coupled with the fact that Iguana Sell's options did not include giving me a full refund made me a little uneasy. Especially when they went ahead and charged the full amount to my credit card (through PayPal) without even an estimated shipping date. 

 

As I thought more about it though, I came to the following conclusions. 1) I still wanted the pen and was happy with the price I had paid. 2) They did give me the option of only paying 40% now with the rest later, and requiring a deposit for the purchase of a limited item prior to it being available for shipment is not unusual. I was the one who allowed them to keep the entire amount. 3) They seem to have a good online reputation as a fair and honest dealer and so the risk (hopefully) is minimal.

 

Having gone through all of this though, I still question how up front lguana Sell was about not having the pen on hand and ready to ship (As of today, 20 January, they are now clearly listing the pen as a pre-order only.). If anything, this experience has taught me to be more careful when purchasing from a new vendor for the first time, no matter how slick and polished (or especially then) their website or store appears. 

 

So, "bunnspecial", here’s hoping you and I both have new pens in hand in 40 days or less.

[eisbaer-luebeck]

In Europe you should ask directly in a MB Boutique. The website is not the real life. Last Saturday I was at the MB Boutique in Hamburg, and they have the 146 Flex available, even if the website tell you something else.

So the 146 Flex is here and it’s a magnificent pen. It has some issues with the ink flow (MB Mystery Black) but it goes better every day.

Greetings 

Manfred

[bunnspecial]

8 hours ago, Doggy Daddy said:

To All: I have only posted briefly here before, so forgive me in advance if I make a mistake or two in following the conventions.

 

 

I had exactly the same experience one day earlier, on 11 January. I discovered late on the 10th that Iguana Sell had the 146 Calligraphy pen in stock (or at least said they did). After thinking about it overnight, I placed my order for one at 06:44 EST on the morning of the 11th. Like you, I was happy to take advantage of their new customer 12% discount and was looking forward to receiving my new pen. And, like you, shortly after the completion of my purchase I received the email telling me the pen was out of stock and it may be up to 40 days…. And again, I was given the three options. Wait it out, 40% deposit, or pick out something else. 

 

At the time, I would have sworn they indicated the pen was in stock when I ordered it. Or, at the very least, specifically did not say that it wasn’t. However, this being my first time on their website, I gave them the benefit of the doubt and decided I just missed the notice about the pen being on backorder. Given your exact same experience though, I’m now not so sure, since you also thought you were purchasing an in-stock pen. And, “Sinistral1" also reported Iguana Sell showing this pen for sale with presumably no mention of it being on backorder at 9:47 pm on the 12th, or slightly more than a day and a half (39 hours) after I made my purchase.

 

This coupled with the fact that Iguana Sell's options did not include giving me a full refund made me a little uneasy. Especially when they went ahead and charged the full amount to my credit card (through PayPal) without even an estimated shipping date. 

 

As I thought more about it though, I came to the following conclusions. 1) I still wanted the pen and was happy with the price I had paid. 2) They did give me the option of only paying 40% now with the rest later, and requiring a deposit for the purchase of a limited item prior to it being available for shipment is not unusual. I was the one who allowed them to keep the entire amount. 3) They seem to have a good online reputation as a fair and honest dealer and so the risk (hopefully) is minimal.

 

Having gone through all of this though, I still question how up front lguana Sell was about not having the pen on hand and ready to ship (As of today, 20 January, they are now clearly listing the pen as a pre-order only.). If anything, this experience has taught me to be more careful when purchasing from a new vendor for the first time, no matter how slick and polished (or especially then) their website or store appears. 

 

So, "bunnspecial", here’s hoping you and I both have new pens in hand in 40 days or less.

I don't think I updated, but I did email them and they offered a refund. I declined as it's not the end of the world if I don't have to wait TOO long and I don't think I'll find it anywhere else for a better price.

 

I did order within I think an hour or two of Sinistral1 reporting in stock there. I think they probably were showing out of stock at the time, but some of the confusion is in just exactly how they phrase that on their site. Specifically, the phrase "Confirm Delivery Date" was above the "add to cart" button, and clicking on this would have shown that it meant out of stock but more expected.

 

If you look at their site now, the button says "preorder" with a 40% deposit...

 

And, hopefully, you and I both will get our pens from the next allocation they receive.

 

 

[Doggy Daddy]

3 minutes ago, bunnspecial said:

I don't think I updated, but I did email them and they offered a refund. I declined as it's not the end of the world if I don't have to wait TOO long and I don't think I'll find it anywhere else for a better price.

 

I did order within I think an hour or two of Sinistral1 reporting in stock there. I think they probably were showing out of stock at the time, but some of the confusion is in just exactly how they phrase that on their site. Specifically, the phrase "Confirm Delivery Date" was above the "add to cart" button, and clicking on this would have shown that it meant out of stock but more expected.

 

If you look at their site now, the button says "preorder" with a 40% deposit...

 

 

 

Yes, it is a source of confusion, and I think they have tacitly acknowledged this by now plainly indicating the pre-order only status of the 146 Calligraphy. Unfortunately, they were not as clear when we placed our orders. In my case, I just can't remember positively if the website page said "Confirm Delivery Date" or "In stock. Ships within 24 hours" when I placed my order. In situations like this I tend to assume the error was mine and give the other party the benefit of the doubt. Being unused to ordering from them plus the excitement of purchasing a pen I never thought I would own could very well have caused me to misinterpret the status of the pen. Given the large number of positive reviews Iguana Sell has on this forum and elsewhere, I feel confident I will eventually receive my pen, just not as soon as I originally thought. 

[como]

I doubt any online retailers would have any of this 146C in stock now. When I inquired and reserved mine at the local MB Boutique, I did so right after I read @Nabado's post. Just as Nabado indicated in his post, the salesperson at the boutique where I bought mine said that they just got three pieces, and at that moment that was all that the boutiques here in Europe got: several pieces each for those shown availability online (only shown correctly from the America site). The salesperson said that there would be more in a few weeks. So if the boutiques only have a few pieces each, I doubt that Montblanc would have given their ADs more, which means any online outlets would have had a few available, if any. So it doesn't surprise me if they sold out immediately. Whether they really had any to begin with is as good as anyone's guess. Can anyone confirm if they have successfully bought online and taken delivery from any ADs?

 

Anyway, I am pretty sure that the pens will come again, like the 149C. Special Editions as they are, they will be available for a couple of years at least.

[Sinistral1]

For the sake of clarification, I did a Bing search for the new 146C and Iguanasell came up as a seller.  I went to their website and the 146C page came up with no mention that it was not in stock.  I did not delve any deeper than the main page.  Sorry for any confusion my actions and/or info I posted here on FPN.  I hope that you don't have to wait too long before getting your pens!

[kaisede]

6 hours ago, como said:

I doubt any online retailers would have any of this 146C in stock now. When I inquired and reserved mine at the local MB Boutique, I did so right after I read @Nabado's post. Just as Nabado indicated in his post, the salesperson at the boutique where I bought mine said that they just got three pieces, and at that moment that was all that the boutiques here in Europe got: several pieces each for those shown availability online (only shown correctly from the America site). The salesperson said that there would be more in a few weeks. So if the boutiques only have a few pieces each, I doubt that Montblanc would have given their ADs more, which means any online outlets would have had a few available, if any. So it doesn't surprise me if they sold out immediately. Whether they really had any to begin with is as good as anyone's guess. Can anyone confirm if they have successfully bought online and taken delivery from any ADs?

 

Anyway, I am pretty sure that the pens will come again, like the 149C. Special Editions as they are, they will be available for a couple of years at least.

My sales told me MB boutique gets their fill first before anything goes to the AD.  I thought that was their way of enticing me to purchase on the spot. However, for 149C, I tried to order from AD and the list was so long , they didn't even want to put me on the list. The AD also told me that they did not receive additional shipment since the initial order.  I ended up buying the last one from the boutique. 

[fpupulin]

On 1/21/2022 at 10:17 AM, como said:

I saw written and video reviews of modern flexible nibs by Aurora, Montegrappa, Leonardo, Scribo, Santini, and have bought also Scribo and Santini before. I am really done looking. 149C and 146C will last me a long while.

 

I am with you on this, como, about my 149 Calligraphy. I have a few vintage flexible nibs that I like, some OMAS and a Parker. They are perhaps marginally better at calligraphy, but worst than the 149 Calligraphy at everyday writing, and they can not be serviced anymore. As to a contemporary flexible nib of quality, which is able to do what I need and I want, I am done with the 149 Calligraphy. It is good not having to look more, so I can now concentrate on the next special nib I want: a large, juicy, maybe a bit flexible, formal italic, to learn and write gothic scripts.

By the way, I am also done with my collection of extra-fine nibs. I have the stiff but perfectly precise Montegrappa's, the soft and pleasant OMAS of the latest generations, the very pointed vintage, the architect-grind EFs by Montblanc, and now the expressive extra-fine of the Calligraphy. Time to move to the gothic side of the iridium point...

[agentdaffy007]

@kaisede My experience was not the same. I called the MB boutique in my country back in 2019 or 2020, don't really remember but they said they put me on a list for the 149C. Never got the call even though I did follow-up with them. Went to my favorite AD in town and he was able to get me the pen within 3 months time. Got a nice discount on top of it too since I shop there all the time.

 

I am pretty sure I can get the 146C from him before the MB Boutique. He is well connected!

[Paul-in-SF]

2 hours ago, agentdaffy007 said:

my favorite AD

 

Sorry, AD?

[Karmachanic]

Authorised Distributor

[Paul-in-SF]

5 hours ago, Karmachanic said:

Authorised Distributor

 

Thank you.

[invisuu]

14 hours ago, Karmachanic said:

Authorised Distributor

Huh, I always thought it's Authorized Dealer...

[Sinistral1]

You say potato, I say potatoe.