I own a few MB’s and multiple more expensive high end pen brands. The MB’s are the only ones that have never skipped, hard started or railroaded. If i needed something 100% reliable, I’d take the MB over all the others. Cheers to the precious plastic.
I couldn't agree with you more about the Montblanc Calligraphy flex pens. I'm going onto 3 years with my 149 Calligraphy flex, and I absolutely use it every single day, and it hasn't skipped a heart beat. Awesome responsive EEF nib if you let it do it's hairline thing, and flexes as good as my vintage Waterman's 52V flex pen. I find in a modern pen, the only other one that can flex is the Pilot FA nibs with the aftermarket 3 slit feed, but the Montblanc nib is so much more refined, with better snap back and ink control, making flex lines from hairline to 1.6 mm.
Montblanc has been on a roll recently with their Calligraphy nibs. I like their flexible nib but I now getting to love and prefer more their current calligraphy curved nib. It's just more versatile for what I do with it.
Vintage Waterman nibs have lovely flex. I also like a vintage Mabie Todd Swan. If Montblanc did get the flex right, as you say, Dr. Brown, then I hope that the company has written down the formula required for the metallurgists to keep up quality control.
Thank you for the fascinating review. I'd be interested in knowing how this "calligraphy flex nib" compares to the Pineider iperflex. I have that in 14k, and am very impressed by it.
I've been eyeballing this pen/nib and...I think you've done it. I want it. I can't wait to tell my 'no war but class war' friends that I've gotten a Montblanc. 🤣
Greetings, I am presently using a Pilot Falcon SEF nib, and I am quite satisfied, but, your always entertaining review makes me consider the 146 now... Many thanks for your work, and please continue to do so. In Peace and Friendship, Pierre Pagé
I have vintage flexible nibs/pens and they don’t have special cut outs etc. some are 17k but what is it mechanically that they have that modern pen companies have failed to replicate? 😀
In my experience vintage flex tend to be thinner metal. Cutouts were a vintage thing, for the steel dip pens only. Which were spring steel and not stainless steel. 100+ year old gold dip nibs are very thin and without cutouts, something continued until the advent of carbon copies.
not enough demand for nibs that take so much handiwork to make. back in the golden age of flex nibs (before and through the 30’s i’d say) everyone was writing every day and adding flare to the only form of communication you had was important to many people. mechanically, a good vintage flex nib in comparison to a modern one will have thinner metal, longer tines, narrower tines, and narrower shoulders. AJ Mangino on youtube made a video that showcases these points in nice vintage flex nibs. it’s his most popular video.
In addition to everyone else's good points in here, it's important to remember that it's often the feed that is the real obstacle. And I'm very impressed with Montblanc for being able to produce a *plastic* feed that can deliver ink like this, i.e., not dumping so much ink that it's not a practical daily writer while still delivering consistent flow when doing extended flex. Ebonite feeds are more expensive than modern pen/nib manufacturers seem to want to deal with, and anyway they often require a lot of tinkering by someone knowledgeable to tune the flow correctly.
Greetings. I think it is important to know that the #146 model is a model that was first produced in 1952, in celuloid, with incredible flexible nibs, and with hard rubber feeders. The size of this first model is 134 mm. In the 60's a transition model was found, with celuloid body, yellow gold nib, flexible, but the feeder is hard rubber but rounded, and the size of 134 mm. During the 70's to late 80's, the 146 was produced with the 'w germany' and 'germany' inscription on the clip, with fantastic yellow nib and hard rubber feeds, some with black plastic feed mechanism, and the later version with metal mechanism. The size of this models is 142 mm. On the 90's, they produce some 146 with plastic body (they call it 'precious resin'), two colour nibs, metal mechanism, and the same size, 142 mm. At the middle of the 90's, they release one special model that they call 146 'le gran', that is "the big" in french, that was produced in 146 mm. The body of the le gran is bigger than the regular 146, and the cap is bigger than the regular cap from the 90's model. So the only "146" that you can call "le gran" is that special model, a litle bit rarer today.
Every time I feel an urge to get this pen, I remember that Montblanc aesthetics aren't my thing, and the thing that attracts me about this pen is the nib. And the reality is that I can buy a vintage pen that has a more flexible and responsive gold nib for far less money than a new Montblanc. But I do appreciate seeing someone knowledgeable using this pen, and I'm honestly pretty impressed with Montblanc for accomplishing a good modern flex writing experience.
It would be interesting to see you review a Crossflex or Secretary of de Flex, because they use nib geometry rather than soft alloys or reduced thickness to make the nib flexible.
I had/have issues with that in my 149, as well. Definitely not as flawless as most examples I've seen on the internet! It did improve slightly after "breaking it in," but there are still times where I can find the feed starved of ink pretty easily when flexing, even when not writing very fast. This causes railroading and even some skips (but usually only on more smoother papers when contaminated with my skin oils, and/or if I'm using drier inks). I've come to terms with that finicky behavior, though, as I simply just need to untwist the piston knob a slight bit each time it happens to reprime the feed, then it's off to the races again! While I believe for the price of these pens (especially if you pay retail!) they should all leave the factory working flawlessly, I think the way it writes when it does work is unlike anything else (even most vintage pens!) and worth the minor inconvenience to me.
I’m not that into flex style writing, but I do enjoy writing with a springy nib. Vintage flex nibs are often pretty springy, while I find the modern ones I’ve tried tend to be stiffer. They need more pressure than I normally put on a nib (especially someone else’s nib).
I just bought a MB 146 Flex and I'm trying to check if it writes as it should. Does its nib is smooth or is it scratchy ? Mine is on the scratchy side!
It does have feedback, because it is an extra fine without pressure. But it gets better and better as you use it more and more, as usual with Mont Blanc pens.
I had a surprisingly disappointing experience with GB, unfortunately. While I support him and his mission, and hope he continues to grow and improve his designs, I bought a pen with a titanium flex nib with the polymer feed, as well as an extra untipped steel nib to swap in... and I absolutely hated the experience of writing with it! Not sure if I got duds, but both nibs felt like writing with trowels... very dry, scratchy, and unyielding. And the untipped nib would literally cut paper, without pressure, on the downstrokes! And even after I applied only moderate amounts of pressure when attempting to flex, I noticed the titanium nib was already looking like it was starting to develop a permanent bend from it. To be fair, all the other parts of the pen were well-made! Based on my experience (a sample set of one, so definitely to be taken with a grain of salt), I'd recommend to just get a Pilot Custom 743 with the #15 FA nib and swap in a Flexible Nib Factory feed and have a wonderful, flexy day! (Or, find a nice, restored vintage pen, which is the gold standard... the MB Calligraphy flex is dreamy, too, if you have a couple grand burning a hole in your pocket! 😜) All that being said, I would be interested in learning more about the Good Blue Alchemy nib. I can't find any mention of it online, though. Do you have a link or more info on it?
@@coffeeguyd He just dropped a video of it on his Instagram. I believe he is planning to release some before the end of this month. I'm sorry to hear about your experience. The untipped calligraphy nib is definitely sharp, but I haven't had the issues you described. I have 7 of his pens and most with some kind of flex. Not to mention another several flex and alchemy nibs. I would love to try a MB Calligraphy, but I can't bring myself to pay what they want for their pens.
Have you tried Scribo Feel which also boasts of a flex nib? How would you compare the two? I have a Feel and while I do have some problems with it build-wise, it's flex performance is very good.
Love your videos and passion for fountain pens! I'm looking to sell my Montblanc 149 Calligraphy Flex Nib fountain pen (in great condition and with original box and papers). I'm an avid fountain pen user and enthusiast, but calligraphy and a default EF nib are just not my cup of tea (as it turns out). Can anyone recommend me a good platform/community/website where I can post it for sale? Thanks!
I am not one who uses a flex / calligraphy nib. To use it properly, one has to slowly write with it. That being said, I do like a nib that provides line variation and character to my writing. I have tried the Pineider Quill nib which is extremely flexible as is the Pilot FA (Falcon) nib, also a flex writer. Perhaps the best nib that provides the style of writing I like is the Pilot Soft Fine nib. It is very good nib that provides good line variation and character to the letters.
I might (very likely) be wrong, but I was under the impression the MB calligraphy flex nibs were no longer available, having moved to the calligraphy curved nib. And if/when they were, they retailed for around the 1200 Euro mark (more like 1500 for the 146 w/ gold leaf, IIRC). The only exception I've seen lately is the solitaire burgundy version for around 1700 Euros. Because of the scarcity, I've seen used ones on the secondary markets like eBay going for up to around 3000 (which is madness!). Honestly, if anyone can find a new (and genuine) 146 flex for under 600, I'd grab that up in less than a heartbeat!
I don’t understand the appeal of flex nibs yet. I do like the line variation I get from stub nibs for my cursive journal writing so maybe I should be grateful not to be on the flex-nib quest.
“it has a plastic feed, but it is precious plastic” 🤣🤣🤣
Like “luxury vinyl”. 🤦♀️
My Precious
I own a few MB’s and multiple more expensive high end pen brands. The MB’s are the only ones that have never skipped, hard started or railroaded. If i needed something 100% reliable, I’d take the MB over all the others. Cheers to the precious plastic.
@@Mercy_Pantssame with pilot customs. same thing 1/3 the price lol
I couldn't agree with you more about the Montblanc Calligraphy flex pens. I'm going onto 3 years with my 149 Calligraphy flex, and I absolutely use it every single day, and it hasn't skipped a heart beat. Awesome responsive EEF nib if you let it do it's hairline thing, and flexes as good as my vintage Waterman's 52V flex pen. I find in a modern pen, the only other one that can flex is the Pilot FA nibs with the aftermarket 3 slit feed, but the Montblanc nib is so much more refined, with better snap back and ink control, making flex lines from hairline to 1.6 mm.
This ☝
Montblanc has been on a roll recently with their Calligraphy nibs. I like their flexible nib but I now getting to love and prefer more their current calligraphy curved nib. It's just more versatile for what I do with it.
Vintage Waterman nibs have lovely flex. I also like a vintage Mabie Todd Swan. If Montblanc did get the flex right, as you say, Dr. Brown, then I hope that the company has written down the formula required for the metallurgists to keep up quality control.
I would love to see an episode about your take on Mont Blanc the brand. Pl do consider.
A great video as ever!!
My modern flex is the FPR Ultraflex. It done its jib well at that price.
Where the hell are you finding it for 580 euros!?
Thanks. Good review. I wonder if it is possible to get a flexible nib to replace my 149 one.
Thank you for the fascinating review. I'd be interested in knowing how this "calligraphy flex nib" compares to the Pineider iperflex. I have that in 14k, and am very impressed by it.
I've been eyeballing this pen/nib and...I think you've done it. I want it. I can't wait to tell my 'no war but class war' friends that I've gotten a Montblanc. 🤣
Greetings, I am presently using a Pilot Falcon SEF nib, and I am quite satisfied, but, your always entertaining review makes me consider the 146 now...
Many thanks for your work, and please continue to do so. In Peace and Friendship,
Pierre Pagé
Thanks for this review Stephen. I was curious to know about the Calligraphy by Montblanc.
I have vintage flexible nibs/pens and they don’t have special cut outs etc. some are 17k but what is it mechanically that they have that modern pen companies have failed to replicate? 😀
In my experience vintage flex tend to be thinner metal. Cutouts were a vintage thing, for the steel dip pens only. Which were spring steel and not stainless steel. 100+ year old gold dip nibs are very thin and without cutouts, something continued until the advent of carbon copies.
not enough demand for nibs that take so much handiwork to make.
back in the golden age of flex nibs (before and through the 30’s i’d say) everyone was writing every day and adding flare to the only form of communication you had was important to many people.
mechanically, a good vintage flex nib in comparison to a modern one will have thinner metal, longer tines, narrower tines, and narrower shoulders.
AJ Mangino on youtube made a video that showcases these points in nice vintage flex nibs. it’s his most popular video.
In addition to everyone else's good points in here, it's important to remember that it's often the feed that is the real obstacle. And I'm very impressed with Montblanc for being able to produce a *plastic* feed that can deliver ink like this, i.e., not dumping so much ink that it's not a practical daily writer while still delivering consistent flow when doing extended flex. Ebonite feeds are more expensive than modern pen/nib manufacturers seem to want to deal with, and anyway they often require a lot of tinkering by someone knowledgeable to tune the flow correctly.
Which ink are you using the “montblanc elvis parsley ink” which was given to me for free snd it skips a lot even without applying a lot of pressure
Thank you for the great review Stephen!
Have you tried The Good Blue company? Their flex nibs look amazing.
Greetings. I think it is important to know that the #146 model is a model that was first produced in 1952, in celuloid, with incredible flexible nibs, and with hard rubber feeders. The size of this first model is 134 mm. In the 60's a transition model was found, with celuloid body, yellow gold nib, flexible, but the feeder is hard rubber but rounded, and the size of 134 mm. During the 70's to late 80's, the 146 was produced with the 'w germany' and 'germany' inscription on the clip, with fantastic yellow nib and hard rubber feeds, some with black plastic feed mechanism, and the later version with metal mechanism. The size of this models is 142 mm. On the 90's, they produce some 146 with plastic body (they call it 'precious resin'), two colour nibs, metal mechanism, and the same size, 142 mm.
At the middle of the 90's, they release one special model that they call 146 'le gran', that is "the big" in french, that was produced in 146 mm. The body of the le gran is bigger than the regular 146, and the cap is bigger than the regular cap from the 90's model. So the only "146" that you can call "le gran" is that special model, a litle bit rarer today.
Every time I feel an urge to get this pen, I remember that Montblanc aesthetics aren't my thing, and the thing that attracts me about this pen is the nib. And the reality is that I can buy a vintage pen that has a more flexible and responsive gold nib for far less money than a new Montblanc. But I do appreciate seeing someone knowledgeable using this pen, and I'm honestly pretty impressed with Montblanc for accomplishing a good modern flex writing experience.
It would be interesting to see you review a Crossflex or Secretary of de Flex, because they use nib geometry rather than soft alloys or reduced thickness to make the nib flexible.
Mine certainly skips guess I'll send it in. Still glad that I bought it shortly before they discontinued it.
I had/have issues with that in my 149, as well. Definitely not as flawless as most examples I've seen on the internet! It did improve slightly after "breaking it in," but there are still times where I can find the feed starved of ink pretty easily when flexing, even when not writing very fast. This causes railroading and even some skips (but usually only on more smoother papers when contaminated with my skin oils, and/or if I'm using drier inks). I've come to terms with that finicky behavior, though, as I simply just need to untwist the piston knob a slight bit each time it happens to reprime the feed, then it's off to the races again! While I believe for the price of these pens (especially if you pay retail!) they should all leave the factory working flawlessly, I think the way it writes when it does work is unlike anything else (even most vintage pens!) and worth the minor inconvenience to me.
It’s fun to see you “impressed “-thanks for always entertaining us!
I’ve seen reviews of the M1000 that state it has a similar large springy nib. How does it compare to the Montblanc 146 calligraphy nib?
I’m not that into flex style writing, but I do enjoy writing with a springy nib. Vintage flex nibs are often pretty springy, while I find the modern ones I’ve tried tend to be stiffer. They need more pressure than I normally put on a nib (especially someone else’s nib).
I just bought a MB 146 Flex and I'm trying to check if it writes as it should. Does its nib is smooth or is it scratchy ? Mine is on the scratchy side!
It does have feedback, because it is an extra fine without pressure. But it gets better and better as you use it more and more, as usual with Mont Blanc pens.
@@arnaupuig5097 Many thanks!
I love your reviews Stephen, but I’ve never seen you run out of clean paper before.
Is it better than Scribo flex pens?
Wait...does Dr. Brown become a British street tough when talking to people at fountain pen club meetings?
If you ever get the chance, The Good Blue is working on a new nib called the Alchemy nib that is just amazing when it comes to flex.
I had a surprisingly disappointing experience with GB, unfortunately. While I support him and his mission, and hope he continues to grow and improve his designs, I bought a pen with a titanium flex nib with the polymer feed, as well as an extra untipped steel nib to swap in... and I absolutely hated the experience of writing with it! Not sure if I got duds, but both nibs felt like writing with trowels... very dry, scratchy, and unyielding. And the untipped nib would literally cut paper, without pressure, on the downstrokes! And even after I applied only moderate amounts of pressure when attempting to flex, I noticed the titanium nib was already looking like it was starting to develop a permanent bend from it. To be fair, all the other parts of the pen were well-made! Based on my experience (a sample set of one, so definitely to be taken with a grain of salt), I'd recommend to just get a Pilot Custom 743 with the #15 FA nib and swap in a Flexible Nib Factory feed and have a wonderful, flexy day! (Or, find a nice, restored vintage pen, which is the gold standard... the MB Calligraphy flex is dreamy, too, if you have a couple grand burning a hole in your pocket! 😜)
All that being said, I would be interested in learning more about the Good Blue Alchemy nib. I can't find any mention of it online, though. Do you have a link or more info on it?
@@coffeeguyd He just dropped a video of it on his Instagram. I believe he is planning to release some before the end of this month. I'm sorry to hear about your experience. The untipped calligraphy nib is definitely sharp, but I haven't had the issues you described. I have 7 of his pens and most with some kind of flex. Not to mention another several flex and alchemy nibs.
I would love to try a MB Calligraphy, but I can't bring myself to pay what they want for their pens.
An enjoyable review with some humour thrown in to add some fun
Thank you
RS. Canada
Santini modern flex?
Have you tried Scribo Feel which also boasts of a flex nib? How would you compare the two? I have a Feel and while I do have some problems with it build-wise, it's flex performance is very good.
What’s your recommendation in affordability steel flex nibs? FPR viable? What else?
Great review! And what a stellar nib!
Good for you!
Love love love your reviews! Always great, as this one is. 😊👍🏻, Thank you.
You’re apparently working with precious paper as well. 😉
A real solid review
Thank You
Kaboom 💥
Love your videos and passion for fountain pens! I'm looking to sell my Montblanc 149 Calligraphy Flex Nib fountain pen (in great condition and with original box and papers). I'm an avid fountain pen user and enthusiast, but calligraphy and a default EF nib are just not my cup of tea (as it turns out). Can anyone recommend me a good platform/community/website where I can post it for sale? Thanks!
I am not one who uses a flex / calligraphy nib. To use it properly, one has to slowly write with it.
That being said, I do like a nib that provides line variation and character to my writing. I have tried the Pineider Quill nib which is extremely flexible as is the Pilot FA (Falcon) nib, also a flex writer. Perhaps the best nib that provides the style of writing I like is the Pilot Soft Fine nib. It is very good nib that provides good line variation and character to the letters.
Why, in your opinion, is it hard for companies to make flex pens as good as vintage ones? The technology can’t have been forgotten...
I might (very likely) be wrong, but I was under the impression the MB calligraphy flex nibs were no longer available, having moved to the calligraphy curved nib. And if/when they were, they retailed for around the 1200 Euro mark (more like 1500 for the 146 w/ gold leaf, IIRC). The only exception I've seen lately is the solitaire burgundy version for around 1700 Euros. Because of the scarcity, I've seen used ones on the secondary markets like eBay going for up to around 3000 (which is madness!). Honestly, if anyone can find a new (and genuine) 146 flex for under 600, I'd grab that up in less than a heartbeat!
Great review!
I'll just get a stub; the lazy person's flex. I wonder how it compares to Scribo's flexy nib?
Montblanc is my precious, plastic feed and all. 😂
Is this piston filler?
Yes it is
I don’t understand the appeal of flex nibs yet. I do like the line variation I get from stub nibs for my cursive journal writing so maybe I should be grateful not to be on the flex-nib quest.
Modern flex pens? Surely the Scribo wears the crown for best modern flex in all its variants. Santini Italia also good
"Le Grand" is 149.
Gosh, I wouldn't demonstrate a beautiful pen on scrappy ugly paper. 😂
👍👍
I am definitely a fan-girl. Hope you don't mind.