Need Advise from my esteemed colleages on FPN on MB

[LouisA]

Bought a Montblanc 145 with an extra fine nib, used. Wrote too scratchy and sent it in to MB USA for a nib exchange. They have sent back a quote letter for $150 because it would appear the previous owner had attempted a bit of nib work. So my question is, should I ask for a new Extra Fine or a Fine? Normally I like to write with a Waterman Le Man 200 Fine or a Pelikan M600 Fine or a Sailor 1911 Medium Fine which are all in the .36 - .40 range. So what should I do?

 

I do not have any MB experience so need so advise on what nib to request. EF or F? Please note that I use the pen in the office and generally make notes on financial and management reports.

[niksch]

MB F nibs write more like other manufacturer's M nibs, in my opinion, so if you choose MB to replace the nib, I'd recommend an EF. I've got a 146-EF that's smooth and writes very well (even if I don't). You could always just have them send the pen back, and then send it on to a "nib-meister" to adjust. Greg Minuskin has worked on at least four of my MB nibs, and I like his work very much. His turn-around time is 7-10 days, sometimes faster.

 

Hope this helps, Eric

Edited November 27, 2007 by niksch

[LDF]

I would send it to Greg or another highly regard meister.

Include a sample of your writing to illustrate the line width.

This is probably the cheaper and more certain route.

[Kalessin]

I'd also recommend the custom nib-grinding route, if the nib is in good condition otherwise. A re-grind by a skilled craftsman to your exact specifications (perhaps a fine-medium with just a tiny bit of toothiness, or perhaps instead smooth-as-silk-on-glass) is very likely to come out better than a new nib from MB.

 

[LouisA]

Thanks for the replies. I am thinking that since the nib appears to have been worked on, MB said "it is all scratched up" some might have been taken off already. So I am going to go with an EF based on the comment of:

 

MB F nibs write more like other manufacturer's M nibs, in my opinion, so if you choose MB to replace the nib, I'd recommend an EF.

 

I could then send it to Mr. Binder if I feel more work is needed.

[Allan]

I too would recommend Greg Minuskin, and even if there is some tipping missing, I believe Greg can completely retip it for less than Montblanc wants to replace the nib, and Greg can work wonders!

 

Allan

[Shangas]

In my mind, get an extra-fine for a 145. I have a 145 with a F nib and it's still a little chunky for me. But I love it anyway and use it regularly.

[djrsf42]

I have a MB 146 w/ an EF nib. It writes awesome, I love it and I use it at the office everyday. Out of all my pens I 've collected over the years, this pen is usually my "go to" pen. It's the only pen I have w/ an EF nib and that is probably the reason I use it so much. I'm going to convert more of my collection to EF nibs. I think it looks better on paper (especially for business purposes).

[FrankB]

Louis, $150 is awfully high for a nib exchange, and there is no need to part with that amount of money. I would send the nib to a Meister for retipping and a custom grind. Scratches can be polished out, and in normal use you will most likely not even notice them.

[LouisA]

All's Well That Ends Well. This morning I had called to order a replacement nib, extra fine, $133.00 plus shipping and tax. Later in the day MB called me back to say that the technician had indicated that the nib caught on the paper because it needed to be adjusted a bit. The technician felt the nib could be smoothed out and adjusted to be a smooth writer and the cost would only be $60 so I accept that offer. Pen to be returned in a week with a smoothed out extra fine nib.

[FredRydr]

I sent my 10-year old 149 to the service facility in Bethlehem, PA, requesting the nib be replaced by a fine nib, and I am waiting for their repair quote. (I hardly ever used it since it had starting problems since new, and I tossed it into a drawer in frustration.)

 

On the phone, MB said $250 minimum charge for a nib replacement. I almost tossed it back into the drawer, but I shipped it off anyway. However, has experience shown that a $133 fee could be in the cards instead?

 

TIA anyone.

 

Fred

[niksch]

I sent my 10-year old 149 to the service facility in Bethlehem, PA, [snip]...MB said $250 minimum charge for a nib replacement. I almost tossed it back into the drawer, but I shipped it off anyway. However, has experience shown that a $133 fee could be in the cards instead?

 

TIA anyone. Fred

 

What is the original nib size? If not too wide, it might be able to be worked down to a 'fine'. If it's an EF, you can surely have them send it back, and then send it to Greg Minuskin to be retipped for 1/4th less. $250 could practically buy you a good used 149.

 

Regards, Eric

Edited December 4, 2007 by niksch

[LDF]

Also recommend Minuskin over paying that amount.

http://www.gregminuskin.com/

[FredRydr]

Too late. The technician at Montblanc already went to work on it at $233. I have bookmarked Greg Minuskin's website for future need.

 

I've owned and used two MB 149 fountain pens for 20 years (the first disappeared and was replaced by the second), but I am new to all this. I may have been bitten by the fountain pen bug just through recent frustration over my malfunctioning MB! That motivated me to go buy another (an Aurora Optima, which I really like), but then I wanted the MB to work, too. So, I shipped that off for repair.

 

Now I want a pen for each of the colors of bottled ink I have, so I am going to the Philadelphia Pen Show (my backyard). I can see this is getting a bit out of hand!

 

Fred