I enjoyed this review, Michael. I am glad that Montblanc have been coming out with various non-standard nibs like the Calligraphy Flex and now, the curved nib for the East Asian market in particular. They have also been collaborating with various shops like Fritz-Schimpf and Stilograph Corsani in coming out with interesting "near-bespoke" one-off nib releases, and I think this is a good thing. Hopefully, Pelikan is taking note, and for starters - they should think about bringing back the OBBB nib given the demand for their now out of production oblique and ultra-broad nibs. I find Sailor's Naginata Togi nibs more "forgiving" when writing in Chinese, and this nib takes bit of retraining and getting used to when writing in Chinese characters. But the reverse writing is very smooth and yield a consistent EF line - something the "standard Naginata Togi" can't do on the reverse side of the nib. I believe a Solitaire version in Jade Green lacquer will follow this 149, and it will be interesting to see if the nib tipping is similar in size to the 149's curved nib or smaller. I found the Calligraphy Flex's Solitaire sized nib (the "baby flex nib") to be a lot stiffer than the 149 Flex. So I am waiting to see what Montblanc can do with the likely to be smaller curved nib and how it performs vis-a-vis the 149 sized curved nib. Once again, thank you for a wonderful review.
It is a great pen! It can do reverse writing natively----as in, it is made to reverse write. I agree that it CAN serve as a pen for almost every occasion. However, while it can serve the purpose of use in many situations, it is not as convenient and enjoyable to write with in reverse most of the time if you are taking it to work etc. I use mine for pleasure, like a weekend sports car stroll :) , and to make UA-cam calligraphy videos :) Great video as always :) :)
Siva, from my experience with the sailor and MB curved nib I can tell you this. The Zoom nib is much more difficult to get line variations out of---it is difficult to get thin lines unless you reverse write. The curved nib gives you several widths depending on the angle. More close comparison would be with the Sailor Naginata Togi nib, which does indeed give some line variation. I do believe the curved nib gives easier line variation, and reverse writing is more comfortable, because the curved nib is ground to write in reverse, and Naginata Togi is not--that I can tell. I have a comparison of curved nib vs. Sailor Naginata Togi nib. Vs. Namiki emperor vs. Pilot Custom Urushi in a short video. I invite you to take a look :) ua-cam.com/video/TLWr01kBVcs/v-deo.html
Great review, Michael. I'd love to be able to play with a pen like this before plunging in to actually purchase one. Your review may be the closest I get. 😊 One for the Grail pen list. 🖋️
If you try a sailor mannen de fude (maybe 20-30 euro) you'll get an approximation of something like this nib (much thinner lower quality nib) but obviously not a representation of a montblanc haha.
As always, Michael, a comprehensive overview of MB's latest 'darling'. I own only one 149 - from the Nineteen Eighties - a pre-owned model with a Fine nib, & truth be told, there's enough flexion in it's (all yellow) gold nib that I need never purchase another version. Similarly, I do like that MB have gone with the single shade of gold, & that tipping is a real behemoth. As you are aware, I am also a lefty - tho' this holds no deficiency as far as I am concerned. I do have two Fude-nibbed writing instruments: one, a Jinhao X750, as well as a Sailor specialised model, again, from the Nineteen Eighties; both are more than capable of comparitive line variation - & naturally, a fraction of the price of the writing implement you demonstrate. I have no principal objection to the scribe, per se, but when there are competitors offering an identical line width so inexpensively, then there is an obvious choice (at least to me). It is beautifully packaged - which is what you'd expect, but in all consciousness, I'd consider this a rather fanciful purchase, given the aforementioned rationale. It is a specialised piece, & no doubt will sell very well, but it's not for me. Hope you're enjoying all this fine weather, my friend - Best to you & yours, Andrew 🙂
Hello, dear friend! Fully agree with you and your sentiments. This piece for sure is not for everyone, and you definitely gotta have ‚some money to burn‘, if I may say so. The Swedish summer was so so, up till now. 18 ish degress and windy. Relocated to Southern Germany for a bit now, with much needed 28 degrees in near Mediterranean climate 😉
That is unfortunate, Michael...still, I understand there is to be (another) warm front moving in to Europe - let's trust that you catch that fine weather....take care, & stay safe, my friend 🙂
Sorry but the handwriting is absolutely terrible. Why don’t they give these pens to actual calligraphers to review? This isn’t going to entice anyone to buy. Check out any of Gourmet Pens reviews to see what the curved nib is truly capable of.
To be honest, a Fude nib is more suited to a draughtsman or sketcher than a calligrapher, but that doesn't rule out the possibility of them using it. So why not an everyday writer?
A beautiful pen with a superb calligraphy nib. A very expensive grail pen but effortlessly you are getting 2-3 pens in one.
Fully agreed
I enjoyed this review, Michael. I am glad that Montblanc have been coming out with various non-standard nibs like the Calligraphy Flex and now, the curved nib for the East Asian market in particular. They have also been collaborating with various shops like Fritz-Schimpf and Stilograph Corsani in coming out with interesting "near-bespoke" one-off nib releases, and I think this is a good thing. Hopefully, Pelikan is taking note, and for starters - they should think about bringing back the OBBB nib given the demand for their now out of production oblique and ultra-broad nibs. I find Sailor's Naginata Togi nibs more "forgiving" when writing in Chinese, and this nib takes bit of retraining and getting used to when writing in Chinese characters. But the reverse writing is very smooth and yield a consistent EF line - something the "standard Naginata Togi" can't do on the reverse side of the nib. I believe a Solitaire version in Jade Green lacquer will follow this 149, and it will be interesting to see if the nib tipping is similar in size to the 149's curved nib or smaller. I found the Calligraphy Flex's Solitaire sized nib (the "baby flex nib") to be a lot stiffer than the 149 Flex. So I am waiting to see what Montblanc can do with the likely to be smaller curved nib and how it performs vis-a-vis the 149 sized curved nib. Once again, thank you for a wonderful review.
Yes, I can imagine the 146 to have less flex due to the smaller tines. Also very curious to see the curved nib in that size!
It is a great pen! It can do reverse writing natively----as in, it is made to reverse write. I agree that it CAN serve as a pen for almost every occasion. However, while it can serve the purpose of use in many situations, it is not as convenient and enjoyable to write with in reverse most of the time if you are taking it to work etc. I use mine for pleasure, like a weekend sports car stroll :) , and to make UA-cam calligraphy videos :)
Great video as always :) :)
I can attest to the beautiful calligraphy videos.
I like the weekend sports car analogy! Quite spot on
I would love if you can compare this nib with the Sailor zoom nib
Siva, from my experience with the sailor and MB curved nib I can tell you this. The Zoom nib is much more difficult to get line variations out of---it is difficult to get thin lines unless you reverse write. The curved nib gives you several widths depending on the angle. More close comparison would be with the Sailor Naginata Togi nib, which does indeed give some line variation. I do believe the curved nib gives easier line variation, and reverse writing is more comfortable, because the curved nib is ground to write in reverse, and Naginata Togi is not--that I can tell. I have a comparison of curved nib vs. Sailor Naginata Togi nib. Vs. Namiki emperor vs. Pilot Custom Urushi in a short video. I invite you to take a look :)
ua-cam.com/video/TLWr01kBVcs/v-deo.html
Thanks for jumping in here and helping out. I would have not know this in so much detail
Great review, Michael. I'd love to be able to play with a pen like this before plunging in to actually purchase one. Your review may be the closest I get. 😊 One for the Grail pen list. 🖋️
If you try a sailor mannen de fude (maybe 20-30 euro) you'll get an approximation of something like this nib (much thinner lower quality nib) but obviously not a representation of a montblanc haha.
Yes, definitely something you may want to try out first. Good tip here in the comments! Thanks for all your kind words
Interesting. I've been watching your videos for awhile now and just realized you are a lefty
Yes, I am a lefty indeed
Very nice and practical review.
Thanks much
As always, Michael, a comprehensive overview of MB's latest 'darling'. I own only one 149 - from the Nineteen Eighties - a pre-owned model with a Fine nib, & truth be told, there's enough flexion in it's (all yellow) gold nib that I need never purchase another version. Similarly, I do like that MB have gone with the single shade of gold, & that tipping is a real behemoth. As you are aware, I am also a lefty - tho' this holds no deficiency as far as I am concerned. I do have two Fude-nibbed writing instruments: one, a Jinhao X750, as well as a Sailor specialised model, again, from the Nineteen Eighties; both are more than capable of comparitive line variation - & naturally, a fraction of the price of the writing implement you demonstrate. I have no principal objection to the scribe, per se, but when there are competitors offering an identical line width so inexpensively, then there is an obvious choice (at least to me). It is beautifully packaged - which is what you'd expect, but in all consciousness, I'd consider this a rather fanciful purchase, given the aforementioned rationale. It is a specialised piece, & no doubt will sell very well, but it's not for me.
Hope you're enjoying all this fine weather, my friend - Best to you & yours,
Andrew 🙂
Hello, dear friend! Fully agree with you and your sentiments. This piece for sure is not for everyone, and you definitely gotta have ‚some money to burn‘, if I may say so. The Swedish summer was so so, up till now. 18 ish degress and windy. Relocated to Southern Germany for a bit now, with much needed 28 degrees in near Mediterranean climate 😉
Fantastic, Michael. I assume the relocation is temporary ? Enjoy the warmer climate, my friend 🙂
@@andrewtongue7084 temporary, yes. Unfortunately the warmer climate lastet for 3 days only - then never ending showers caught up with us
That is unfortunate, Michael...still, I understand there is to be (another) warm front moving in to Europe - let's trust that you catch that fine weather....take care, & stay safe, my friend 🙂
I purchased this from my local dealer in Vancouver. Returned it the next day. I really did not like the nib. Its a Montblanc only in name.
It’s surely an acquired taste
it is useless! I could by the 149 fritz shrimp expressive or the149 flex or aurora italic nib but that is a non sense pen for me
I can't stand every hit you make to the pen, the box...
Sorry but the handwriting is absolutely terrible. Why don’t they give these pens to actual calligraphers to review? This isn’t going to entice anyone to buy. Check out any of Gourmet Pens reviews to see what the curved nib is truly capable of.
Do you need to be an ultra-marathoner to be a competent shoe reviewer? No! Thanks for the convo. Bye. Go get a life.
Sorry but you’re reviewing a calligraphy pen from the perspective of daily writing and saying it’s pretty pointless.
To be honest, a Fude nib is more suited to a draughtsman or sketcher than a calligrapher, but that doesn't rule out the possibility of them using it. So why not an everyday writer?
We are shown thee worst handwriting with this BMW of fountain pens 🖋️