My grandfather always used a green ink in his fountain pens. This made it much easier to determine if it was truly his signature. I also have a 149 with a broad nib. I was in the business, so I was able to get mine for cost. In 1985 that was about $125.
For someone who enjoys writing, it's totally worth it. But the thing about fountain pens is that they are addictive--you might start collecting them well beyond your needs, and then it becomes a very very expensive hobby.
Very addictive but the Mont Blanc is not a good value in any way. It is a collectors piece. It’s a phenomenal pen. But if you are looking for value you can literally get pens of the same quality or even better for a fraction of the price. They just don’t have the brand name recognition. A Mont Blanc is a statement piece. It’s meant to portray success and competence. A business man in a suit and tie with a Mont Blanc is simply just going to be respected. Even if they haven’t earned it.
I wouldn't say it's worth it just because you enjoy writing. Parker and Scriveiner make perfectly good fountain pens that will write almost identically to a Mont Blanc. You are paying for the brand and materials on any pen over $75-$100 as the quality can only get so good to a point
Fountain pens were tipped with iridium some years ago, but virtually all modern fountain pens are tipped with a mixture of a material composed mostly of ruthenium alloyed with a very small amount of iridium (if any). I think the Parker 51 was the first pen to use the new alloy. "Iridium" has become more of a generic term for the tipping material.
It adapts in your mind, and that's what counts. Honestly, a gold tip nib wouldn't "adapt" to your writing either, just get more worn/progressively broader on that side. If anything, it would get worse over time. Another bogus marketing claim.
I disagree. I'm left handed. My mother took one of my custom made pens out of my suit jacket when I'd removed the jacket to wear church robes. She handed the pen to someone that is right handed. Mom put the pen back into the special pocket of my suit jacket. She was told that the pen was out of ink. The user had NO CLUE about fountain pens. The lady had obviously attempted to write with the nib side down. The nib was twisted by > a 45 degree angle. the gap between the points of the nib had a gap > .050 inches. (TRASHED.) IMHO a custom writing instrument is just that. Custom made for the person that commissioned the writing instrument.
@@cookingprof genius, if someone manhandles your pen, it performs poorer because it's been damaged. If someone writes with a fountain pen how it should be written with, no damage will be caused.
I'm log time collector and user of fountain pens and can say without reservation that you should get a Montblanc pen only if you want the status symbol. There are many pen makers with better products at vastly better prices. With Montblanc you are paying for the name. Not that they're bad pens, but they are way overpriced compared to actual quality you get.
Dan_GD Pelikan - Souveran series (M600, M800/805 and perhaps M1000), Aurora 88, Aurora Optima, Sailor 1911, Sailor Emperor (both Realo versions which have piston filler mechanism), maybe Waterman’s modern, Pilot 1912 Custom... having all aforementioned as well as several Montblanc 149, 146, vintage ones too - they are not worth it... and for the collectors taste - Nakaya, Namiki, Pelikan Maki-e, David Oscarson... Visconti Limited Editions, btw - Omas doesn’t exist anymore...
Dan_GD Sorry - on a budget means many things... look for TWSBI Diamond 580AL... 60ish USD, piston fillers (or vacuumatic) demonstrators ... For 150-ish dollars Pilot 912 Custom... and almost any Pelikan M200/205/215... even 120...
I think that even if you have bad handwriting if you use gold nib like that in the Montblanc, your handwriting would appear distinctive and eccentrically elegant because of the bending of the soft gold nib when you write. Gold being a soft metal, bending of the nib when writing creates variations in the width of the letters thus making it appear more elegant. So yes for me it's worth it if I can afford it.
I had my first fountain pen when I was seven years old. My mother bought me one to do school work in school. The students, all of them, in Portugal used very old fashioned fountain pens, furnished by the school, to do the writing in class, but I had my own and loved it.
true true, but i like to see this stuff as something you have to learn to appriciate. when you go from (bad example) BIC pens to Mont Blanc, its always a huge upgrade and completely different. these pens are something to grow to, and enjoy all the different brands
I own a few pens from MB, a platinum trim 149, a 146 with a sterling silver cap, and the heritage 1912. 149 is really a symbol for a number of people, and it is a great pen to carry around in my leather pen sleeve. But my favourite is actually the Heritage 1912, modelling the Simplo safety pen. It has an interesting springy nib that quite resembles the vintage pens in the 20s or 30s. Getting a vintage 149 is actually an interesting thing. Even though the pen looks virtually the same, 149 in different eras actually have many variations in its parts, from the engraving of the brand to the details listed on the nib, there are resources in the internet for people to distinguish 149 through the years in detail. Maybe you can find one 149 that is made at around the time of your birth!
People forget that as recent as 30 years ago, Pelikan and Montblanc weren't just makers of luxury pens, they made fountain pens for every budget, starting with school pens. The quality was good, prices were fair. Even more so when we talk vintage pens. Now the manufacturers are just a shell of their former selves, the difference is Montblanc and Pelikan think their products are worth more today than ever before for some reason, while the quality has slipped. I have nothing against them, but i think a collector will always prefer a well preserved vintage fp than a modern version.
Well, I think because of the profit and the montblanc company have to live, they has no choice to manufacture a expensive pen to maintain their company.
My dad went to school in the 60s, and he told me that at his school ballpoint pens were strictly forbidden. So my grandfather had to get him a Pelikan fountain pen, which was disposable. I don't know if any school does that today, I don't think so.
Letting a person write with your pen won't ruin the nib unless they don't know what they're doing with it. The idea that letting a person write with it will change it's characteristics is ridiculous in my opinion because that would mean that it would adjust to you just as quickly as it supposedly did to them.
Actually, we all press down on the nib in our own unique way and so it is true to say, if you gave your pen so someone for an extended period, not a short while, the nib could feel a little different to one; but it would have to be a long time with much writing done.
I would have to agree. Just handing a pen over to someone for a quick note or two won't alter a modern ultra stiff nib in any way. A softer nib may not flow the same again if they are habitual ballpoint users as it may spring a little due to the heavy handedness it may encounter. It stands to reason that handing someone who's writing habits you are unfamiliar with a $900+ pen could just be asking for trouble. Most FPs are screw caps not slip caps so oft the times they may try and yank the cap off instead of unscrewing it. Personally unless the pen cost me less than $50 or it's someone well versed in FPs, I won't hand them my pens for any reason. Imagine the face someone who just broke the section off a 149 and asking $950 to replace the pen...
I thought that the art of being a Gentleman was about the highest quality without being flashy. Therefore I have a penmaker that makes pens as a hobby that are way above the quality of the Montblanc line. They are superior in: "Form, Fit; and Materials". His price range is 1/4 the cost of the Montblanc .
M.x H.ü wirklich? Fountain pen? Ich kenne die klassischen lamys, aber die werden ja mit tinte patronen befüllt. Ist auch viel praktischer für die kleinen. Ich schreibe fast nur noch mit 10 Fingern oder Werbekullis :p Ein schöner Füller wäre aber was tolles für besondere Anlässe.
Yup you can still get fined for bringing Kinder eggs into USA. From my work on the fountain pen forums one of the problems with American elementary schools is they are starting to ban the use of cursive handwriting and everything must be block printed.
That is very sad and definitely not indicative of anything remotely resembling a country where the key priority should be the development of the minds of the next generation. Writing with fountain pens has been scientifically proven to have certain benefits to the learning/cognitive process. I understand the Arts in general have been brushed to the side as well. Anything that expresses individuality in a positive way seems to be the anomaly now.
The whole ‘written in’ thing mentioned at 6:30 is completely false and misinformed for anyone curious. It’s been debunked several times. Otherwise a good video
Wow. My grandfather gave me one of these when I was 10, about 15 years ago. I didnt know what it was literally until tonight. I'm still in awe that he gave it to a 10 year. I'll definitely start taking better care of this pen.
These pens are superior to most pens and a special treat. Mine is over 20 years old and is a delight to use. It’s a treasured personal object. For everyday use, I recommend Waterman pens. Practical, many styles and the ink cartridges is what excels in the Waterman line of pens. The feel is phenomenal. Thanks
Finally I own one, it was totally worth it. My dad got himself 146 but i wanted to get the most classic one 149 and I don’t feel it’s too big, I have average hands. If you are afraid that 149 might be too big just give it a shot it brings great pleasure to write anything down with it. Consider fountain pen friendly paper I use rhodia dot pad at the moment.
I’ve collected pens since I was a kid. My Father, Grandfathers all collected fine writing instruments. I love MontBlanc Fountain, Ball point and Rollerball Pens. I have numerous models. My favorite though, is a Waterman. I Love the balance, feel, and smoothness, when I write with them. I have numerous Cross Models, Parker, Schaffer, Xezo, I have a Ernest Hemingway I’ve had for several years beautiful and it’s in the box locked up as are many of my collection. Like You, I write with them and I have duplicates with Boxes and Papers Locked up. I have 1 Omega Ball Point. I have Venus Pens that belonged to my Grandfather. Parker’s Sterling Silver, 14kt Gold as well as many Mont Blanc, Cross, and Waterman in Precious metals. I have several custom made precious metals and out of wood that a friend made for me. Waterman’s include Lemans 100, Charlestons, Liaisons which I think is one of their most beautiful and comfortable. I have multiple desk pens. My collection of Fine writing Instruments include the Fountain Pen, Ball Point Pen, Roller Ball and I used to buy the Mechanical Pencil for the full set. Have a fortune invested but ii Love the quality the weight and Balance and the smoothness. There’s a Montblanc I would love to have that is one of the most beautiful pens I’ve ever seen. It’s a special Edition, Skeleton 333 platinum pen - $17,500.00. If I was a billionaire I do not think I could pay that much for a pen! But it’s Beautiful!! MontBlanc has a 2018 James Dean Artisan Ltd Edition for $58,000.00. On EBay. Really? Another was a similar style in Platinum that was around $18,750.00. If I can find a picture I will Post. Budget Pens I enjoy are Pentel, Pilot (4 Color with pencil when I’m color coding research notes) I love Gel ink .5 mm ultra fine point Pens. I enjoy your videos thank You!
My father just handed me his *Meisterstück Platinum - Coated LeGrand Ballpoint Pen* from his collection, although it may not be as “flashy” or “pricey” as his other pens, I am greatly humbled to receive this gift from him to say the least. He told me when giving it to me “It is not about how much the pen costs that counts Anthony, it is the journey you took to acquire it.” Although well worn and used throughout the years, I am proud to hold this pen in my hands, my families history was written with it, everything that’s led up to this point. I’d rather acquire a pen with this much meaning than the most glamorous pens in his collection. A simple, yet refined piece of craftsmanship, sleek and silver to the grain. A pen to write my future with. Here’s to Med School! (Yes, I have good penmanship...)
I don't think the 149 is worth its full retail price, especially considering that there are options like the Sailor King of Pen and the Pilot Custom 845 that can be found at half the price, the only thing that might be worth paying for is the brand, Montblanc just doesn't have much more to offer than its competitors in terms of materials and construction quality, and surely not the writing experience. Buying one used is a much more realistic approach. The one thing other brands don't often make are the oblique nibs though, and they have both directions, so if you have a weird grip perhaps you'll find yourself more comfortable using the oblique. Also the nib size depends fully on personal preference, broader nibs are wetter and are better at hiding imperfections, but if you have a nice and consistent handwriting that isn't shaky or just perhaps prefer to write smaller then finer nibs are a much better choice.
I'm not a big spender, but I did own an "entry level" Mont Blanc CS with a fine nib - only fifty bucks in 1989. My favorite pen is an affordable Pelikan 205 with an extra-fine nib. It also has that convenient piston-fill mechanism and has held up for a couple of decades now. It retails today for $115 or so per copy.
I own a Meisterstuck fountain pen, and whilst I enjoy using it, I wouldn't gush about it. I like to buy quality items that last, but the way this guy keeps going on about it being a 'status symbol' and having 'cachet' is actually turn-off for me. I'd chose understated quality over a flashy status symbol any day.
I was given a Montblanc 149 as a gift many years ago when I left a company. I used it for a while, but put it back in the box. For more than three decades I have used Lamy Safari fountain pens. They aren't the most elegant, but, being a practical person, I very much like how they write and feel in my hand. Most importantly, I use Diamine and Pilot Iroshizuku ink both of which work well in the Lamy pens and both flow freely -- good for fast writing such as taking notes or writing in a journal. I prefer EF nibs, but also have F and M. The M works well with a lighter color ink such as the Pilot Iroshizuk, Yu-Yake (Sunset, Orange). The Lamy inks and Mountblanc inks are not bad, just not my favorites.
I use my MB 149 every day. It has always been filled with the MB Irish Green too. I’ve never changed it out as I just enjoy that ink so much for my journaling every day. The lid on mine takes almost 2 full turns to open/close so your older one is different to mine. I would prefer less turns to open, however I find that it’s part of the experience to write with any fountain pen for me. I like that side of all of my pens. They are all threaded lids. 👍🏻😀 (A shame your lighting was washed out on the writing samples as I cannot see the ink very well)
Just bought a Meisterstruck Solitaire Blue Note. Worth every bit. I also use the lavender ink. It makes written words so much more than letters on paper.
Thank you for producing excellent videos. I am currently in Germany, and bought my first Montblanc fountain pen. I got the Meisterstuck Classique Platinum (145). I travel quite a bit, so I wanted it to be able to take cartridges and the converter. I intend to use this as an EDC pen. I had Kaweco pens (Sport, Liliput) and while they are great for beginners and at their price point, they don't even compare to the Montblanc. It's such a joy to write with the MB. Thank you again for producing such quality content, and I've subscribed. Tschius.
Kaweco are for beginners? I do want a Montblanc in the near future, but I love my Kaweco and do not see them as beginners, they will also outlast any Montblanc material. I also want the one you got, the Meisterstuck Classique
Don’t forget that unless you are using an uncomfortable hook position then a fountain pen is of little use to left handers that write left to right and will smudge and cover your hand in ink.
Montblanc's value is in it's "status". If you need a status symbol pen the Montblanc does "status" very well. If you need a pen to get stuff done there are other options that cost (much) less and are better suited for hard work. IE: The Cross ATX series. Greetings from Phoenix, AZ.
You are so correct. I have 3 Sailor pens, and a Nakaya (from Japan) that write circles around them. I only have 2 because they were pre-1990. There’s no serial on the clip ring before 1990.
@@kevinbuja8105 for example, my Meisterstuck 149 engraved both W Germany and with a serial #. Go look in the forums. Montblanc Meisterstuck 149's did have serial #'s before 1990. Otherwise I couldn't have a W Germany 149 (1980's) with a serial number because the Berlin Wall came down in early November 1989 which separated East and West Germany which meant no longer specification of "W" Germany was needed. My pen predates 1990 & has a serial. It was purchased new in the 1980's
I own a 144 (fountain pen F Nib), a 145 (rollerball), two 146's (fountain pen F Nib; Rollerball) and I love all my MONTBLAC pens. I am planning on purchasing the 149 sometime this year. Thanks for the video :-)
Montblanc is a plastic pen. It will smash and break. The only pen I write with are ballpoints and roller balls: Cross Townsend and Century, and Parker pens. The Parker duofold is outstanding. It’s the refill that makes the pen and, for the price, Cross and Parker pens are indestructible and well balanced.
Lamy pens are great. Try shopping around at other brands too like Pilot, Twsbi, Kaweco etc. since they all offer a good deal of quality pens for way less
Lamy pens are good. The safari is very modern looking, but it has a triangular grip. Kaweco lilliput is very nice, but a bit small. Dont like the Pilot ones. They are too fine, your ink shows up flat and light with no depth. But surprisingly, jinhao (the dirt cheapest of pens) are suprisingly superb. So if your a newbie, I reccomend the jinhao ones. Good luck!
the thing with mb is that they tend to leak and just pour ink everywhere when you're writing or just getting it out of your pocket and also dry out when you dont write with them daily, things that dont happen in way cheaper fountain pens, thats why i dont use them regularly anymore (146, 149)
I have two Montblanc 146s, one 144, and two ballpoints. One of the 146s, one ballpoint and the 144 all broke in normal use. The resin plastic is indeed very fragile, and the design of the 144 (plastic section screwing up against a metal ring) guaranteed an eventual failure. All were repaired by Montblanc service. I have tons of vintage Parkers and Sheaffers, and have never had this problem with the fragility of the pen bodies. In my opinion, the Montblanc pens are fine status symbols, but I think you are paying more for prestige and the name than you are for quality. I still wish I had bought a 149 Diplomat before they became stratospheric in cost. Just my humble opinion. Great video, thanks for sharing! Help keep penmanship alive!
I just stumbled upon this channel - excellent video! However, I have to disagree with your last point about "rewriting" the pen into your hand. I let my friends try my fountain pens all the time (one of which is a Lamy 2000 with a gold nib similar to that of the Montblancs), and never have had it change up on me. As long as they aren't slamming the nib down onto the paper, there's very little that a different writing style can do to change the feel of the pen.
My first ever Montblanc was gifted to me by my father. I still hold it and use it daily. It’s not a fountain pen, but still a classy Starwalker with amazing solver stripes. Had it at 16 and still use it as a beacon of success at 28. I’m starting to look for a fountain pen, since he has one as well!
I used a Pelikan 800 for 30 years and it never failed me. I found Mont Blanc’s resin to be too brittle and fragile. I never saw it as a status symbol, it was a tool I signed my name a hundred times a day. But the green and black is striking .
I've got a couple of questions for you: 1. I intensely dislike torpedo shaped fountain pens and have a strong preference for a cylindrical shape (when the pen is closed). I also admit to a liking for a paisley design on the barrel and cap, although not at the expense of quality. I would probably be aiming for a medium- to large-size nib, since my hands are, well, medium-sized, but I myself am relatively tall (6'1" / 185 cm) and of fairly substantial build (200-210 lbs. / 90-95 kg). I am also a decent amateur calligrapher. So: Can you recommend a fountain pen that meets these parameters and is otherwise suitable for a person such as myself? 2. This question has to do not with fountain pens, but with your outfit. I am a fan of cufflinks, and I realize that most people who wear them pinch the two sides of the cuff together and pass the cufflink through it, so that both sides of the cufflink are visible, as you have done in this video. Now, I personally prefer to work with a cufflink that has a tab closure, as it is easier to manipulate. The downside of this type of cufflink is that the back side is not as aesthetic as in the case of a two-sided cufflink. What I normally do to fix this is to lap the two sides of the cuff one over the other, as one does in the case of a button closure, and then run the cufflink through. This way, the back side of the cufflink remains invisible. I do not currently travel in circles where cufflinks are commonly used. This means that I don't really know whether it makes any difference in the perceived tastefulness of one's usage of cufflinks if one uses this alternative closure. On the one hand, I suppose a case can be made that, depending on the type of cufflink used, the alternative closure method less obvious that one is in fact using cufflinks instead of a button closure. So it would not be quite so "ostentatiously elegant". On the other hand, there is the aesthetic aspect I mentioned. So basically, I would like some feedback from you concerning this detail - the pros and cons of the pinch closure versus the lap closure. What are your thoughts on this matter?
Excellent review and I admire the way you dress. When I first visited your channel I was looking for a Mont Blanc for my great nephew. Sadly I see that they are out of my price range but I enjoyed the education about the investment and will begin to follow you. I had no idea you would be modeling your outfit so that was an added bonus. I had already noticed how well put together you are and love the ring. Incidentally, I have a Mont blanc roller ball that is missing its top. I suppose I will have to find a Mont Blanc store to see if this can be replaced. I also prefer a fountain pen for writing, with a broader nib.
I love the video and the break down of the attire, I have one critique though. With the wider collar of the shirt and the more formal day wear, a Half Windsor may have been a slightly better choice. It would have kept with the "not to stiff" feel that one would lean towards with a Full Windsor, while also giving a slightly less rushed feeling of the Four in Hand.
Would love a Mont Blanc but just too pricey for me. I really enjoy my Waterman, have also had a Cross that I enjoyed. For the past year, I have used a fountain pen as my everyday pen at work.
I have a mont blanc. It was gave to me by my mentor. I would love to keep it but i feel that it is more ok if it is in the hand of a person that would really appreciate its worth.
Another interesting video. I have a 146. I also have several Pelican 140 pens. I have several other pens too. My favorite is an old Sheaffer Imperial. I use it every day. Compared to your 149, all my pens are small and light but I like them. Near to the subject of fountain pens is ink. I don’t collect ink but I have several bottles. Right now I use Montblanc, Pilot, and a Japanese ink, Emerald by BuGu Box. I think the ink makes a noticeable difference in my pens’ performances.
I thoroughly enjoyed this review! I personally prefer smaller pens (the 114 “Mozart” is a favorite; I’m also intrigued by the smallest piston filler I have which is the Pelikan M300) but I do have a 149 which is an incredible writer. To each his own, of course. The most important thing is that your pens make writing a truly pleasurable experience. And, if you don’t mind my saying so, I think you are absolutely adorable! More power to you.
I started a new job in December and when I got to my desk on the first day, someone had left a Mont Blanc Generation pen in the drawer....absolutely love it. Looked it up and it's about $250 today. Had Waterman fountain pens in the past but not as practical in my business life..
Some of the best fountain pen friendly notebooks and notepads out there are Rhodia products. Even better than Rhodia is the Tomoe River (though I haven't tried it personally) and as a cheaper alternative you have the Lechtturm products. That's what I've learned researching the topic. Good luck !
I am very picky with my fountain pens, rollerblades and ballpoints. I still have 2 Montblanc (rollerbland and ballpoint), and looking for a 146 or 149 (M) to use with the Take-sumi or Yama-guri Pilot ink. I am also picky with my inks. And the nib size. I might also consider at some point a broad nib for my signature, as an European, mine is wide and personal, it's more a logo than written letters. And a unique ink. Thanks for the presentation.
Pelikans have very soft pocket clips. Very very easy to lose (I know--ouch). If you want 'real status' from a fountain pen, get a couple of inexpensive TSBIs with stub nibs, DIY grind them into italic nibs (it's not that hard, the first time you try is a bit nerve racking), then be writing on page 250 of a 400 page A4 size journal not caring about the ink on your fingertips, that your coffee is getting cold or if anyone notices. A tool is after all a tool first, it's true value and status in the work you do with it. Its status as a bauble is a distant second. (Trump uses very nice fountain pens to sign documents, but he's never read a book, only writes with his thumbs. Reagan wrote in his journals every day.) The reason fountain pens are so good is that they have almost zero resistance to writing-- you never get writer's cramp. I've traveled a lot by plane with fountain pens in my pocket. Gases expand and contract, liquids do not. A full fountain pen is not much of a risk in either an airliner or climbing a mountain. In my experience even a half full pen usually isn't a problem traveling by air--but mine aren't tucked in a white shirt. Try to keep them vertical and you'll never have a problem. If you regularly use your fountain pen, it won't be a collector's item--it'll get stained, scratched, scuffed. (I think) the more expensive the pen the less likely it's used. Also when you've bought a fountain pen and you like it, you'll soon think you want a flex nib so you can write beautiful calligraphy. Flex nibs are springy and fun to write with, but to get line variation you have to slow down. What you really want is a stub nib, this will give you nice line variation without your having to slow down. A step further is an italic nib which can be difficult to find--that's why I grind my own. Unless you're already making things don't do this. An italic nib is very wide side to side, but thin in the other direction. It's difficult to grind and polish so that it writes smoothly and doesn't catch and tear the paper. I was just at Itoya's fountain pen floors (there are two! one in each building) in Tokyo. I liked looking at the fountain pens, but I didn't see anything that made me want to ask to try. I probably should've tried a Pelikan, a Mont Blanc... just to find out if I'm missing something... Most inexpensive fountain pens have nibs from the same company in Germany. No one makes smaller Fs and EFs than Japanese companies. I've never had any Japanese fountain pen, $2 or $80 that had a nib that wasn't slick smooth right out of the box (or plastic display bag). If you have bad handwriting you'll think you need an F, or even EF, but try a stub nib-- it really helps and they're a joy to write with. Learn how to take apart and clean your fountain pens. A clean pen is like buying a new one. I apologize for intruding and being so opinionated.
TWSBI makes a wonderful tool, but side by side with properly tuned nibs from both vintage and modern pens, both high and low end, it lacks in smoothness and expression. If you want a nib that will set standards for you, the Pelikan Pelikano from 2003-2008 had a superior nib in both A and M widths. It wrote even better than my Pelikan M215!
I have all 3 plus a Nobless. The only problem is that the 149, and 146 are desk pens. You can’t put them in your suit pocket because they sweat into the cap and when you have use them you end up with ink all over your hands. They are absolutely beautiful to write with.
My take on expensive fountain pens of any brand is that there is no point in owning an expensive fountain pen if ones penmanship is terrible or you just need it for writing signature. It’s not that impressive seeing a nice pen with chicken scratch writing.
You buy a nice pen because a) you want to use a pen (for writing) b) because you like the way it writes, looks etc. Bad penmanship doesn’t affect either.
I purchased an Aurora Afrika fountain pen, with an extra fine nib, several years ago. One of the very best purchases I ever made. It looks impressive, but it writes even better. It feels so good to write with that I take notes and write letters that I might not have done otherwise. Don't care about status symbols. It just feels so good. Very light to hold also.
I've had a Montblanc Meisterstück for years. It's always leaked inside when the top's on - big mess. I've had it serviced - still leaks. It leaks if it's under-filled or over-filled. Over-priced, utterly useless pens.
You should take it to a shop and say it's always been faulty and you want another one . If they're as good as they say they are they should do it .They do claim they are the best although Waterman pens have very nice nibs for handwriting but that's just a personal belief .
@@jamesguitar7384 I later had it repaired by a pen specialist in Oxford who shipped it to the manufacturer in Germany and it came back perfect and has been so ever since. Lesson: not all dealers claiming to be specialists are!
Same experience. I rarely use it now as it always stains my fingers and I store it with nib upright...oh well, it writs nicely and has a great feel. I miss my entry level Waterman which I gave to my son to encourage a love of fountain pens.
@@ibanmayo2 I sent mine to a small pen repairers who sent it to Germany for full servicing and it now works wonderfully, no leaks, smooth action, first class, and it's a pleasure to use now. The first place I took it to be serviced must have tried to do it themselves and made a hash of it. I hope you can get yours sorted out, it will be worth it I promise!
When I was young and in the 'Seventh Grade' (1960s) everyone used a fountain pen, ball point pens had not been perfected, they leaked in you pocket, smeared on the palm of your hand and the oil based ink was impossible to wash off! Most everyone used 'Sheaffer' because they were inexpensive and did a great job for a child starting at about 12 to 11 yrs old. I always prefered 'Parker' - they were beautiful pens, the nib was completely covered, only the very, very 'tip' was visible ($5.00 at the time). I've never had 'Montblanc' - they never attracted my attention, there are other great pens out there, Visconti, S.T. Dupont, even Cartier has solid gold writing instruments out there. Just as with 'Rolex' watches - "Je Prefere Cartier"! I'm not easily lead, you can't impress me with brands and symbols . . . I can't be proud of something I don't like to begin with, I have to really like the product then, I might make a purchase.
A lot of writing there but you are wrong. I'm the same age and fountain pens were put at school's. No one used them the new colorful ball points were all the rage. Maybe fountain pens hung in there a bit longer with adults and professionals but even they were moving away and to ball points. I will agree the ball points did have issues but were very much worth living with compared to ink spills.
I had the worst handwriting in my class. Once the teacher asked if I could read an assignment I had turned in, I couldn’t. A couple of years ago I practiced with Spencerian method and after 3 sets of books my handwriting has improved dramatically. I enjoy watching Matt Armstrong’s pen revues. I started out with Japanese Metrpolitan, a Parker, a Waterman and now use mostly German Diplomat pens. Onion-skin paper is good for letters, and I use Clairfontaine and Rhodia notebooks. Thanks Matt.
Addendum: having one affodable, re-usable pen and going through just one two-ounce bottle of ink per year, it occurs to me that over time it has saved me some money as opposed to buying disposables.
The primary reason for a Montblanc is how recognisable it is, if that's important to you. There is a large schism between using and collecting pens, and I just don't see the value in the endless limited-edition pens. For many such pens the feed and nib are imported, and materials are commonplace. It feels like these companies want all of a pen's eventual *potential* value up front. I think you're right that vintage is the way to go. The nibs are superior, as is the use of materials. Fond of the SW pen, but it's real worth is under $200. Make sure to manually set your white balance, especially when shooting brilliant whites. Autobalance often sucks.
I really found this video very alluring. My mother used to practice calligraphy and had a variety of different dip ink type pens when she was a commercial artists. These pens are way beyond what she had. They are fascinating! I might have to start a new collection.
I'm just getting back into fountain pens, but I remember growing up with Pelikan and Lamy fountain pens. I've had my 149 for 4 years now and I'm just beginning to appreciate its characteristics
Not worth it. Very few fountain pens are worth their price. My Meisterstuck experience was disappointing. The nib is nothing special to write with. The resin is not very strong (mine broke within a year). I have an inexpensive Waterman that has always been a joy to write with and has held up decades.
Also, could you also point me to some specifications on the nib size to the pen at 4:48. I am looking to buy one but I just can't find the specification for that one and where I can get the case for the 3 pens?
Back in the early 80's...a successful man had to carry the 'Montblanc star' on his writing instrument. Doctors were well known for always using their fine Montblanc...status symbol.
Nice video I'm also a fountain pens collector. Only a little note (not a criticism) the Mount Blanc as mountains is not only French but is also Italian because the border pass just on the top of the Mont Blanc (also called , obviously, Monte Bianco). Anyways among my tens of pens I have also two Montblanc Fountain pens,
@@davec3651 I know your comment is old but, fountain pens are great but can sometimes be a bit impractical for every day use. Rollerball are my go to pen. Don’t leak and write with the same smoothness.
Yes and no. They are worth it in that, they are high quality watches and luxury watches. If you want that, they are GREAT. They have prestige and resale value top notch. Popular, but in a good way. Timeless. Also, you know why theyre worth it even though theyre luxury and so expensive? Because they keep their value!!! Their resale value is awesome, you wont lose (much at all!!) money. Minimal loss of value when you buy one. You can sell it for what you bought it for, or a bit less... Unless it's one of the less popular models but even then they wont be worthless...
yes and no. They keep their value, but a lot of them aren't completely hand made and such like a lot of people believe, and rolex is sort of the mass produced entry level into luxury watches.
If you drop it and it doesn't crack, irt's a fake. Seriously, if you check out some of the videos on detecting counterfeit MBs you'll see people asking where they can find the fakes.
Only for a receipt for service/payment/delivery you need a ballpoint pen, if the receipt has some carbon/-less copy paper after the backside of receipt.
I must correct you about the laser etched number. I have a MB 149 I bought from Harrods in the 80's and it doesn't have this later used etching. I still use it and it's a beautiful fountain pen and makes me happy every time I write with it.
"Recognizable Status Symbol." Dude, you're trying too hard. People with true status don't need symbols; they let others do their bragging for them. If you're buying it because it's truly a superior device, then fine. If you're buying the brand just to impress others who may see your shiny bauble, then maybe it's time for a re-evaluation. As far as security goes, you've just shown your signature to the world several times, with the pen and the ink you use to sign it. The ink you use is far from permanent or fraud-proof and washes away with a little water, meaning that your checks are vulnerable.
"People with true status don't need symbols" this statement is wrong. Are you aware of what distinguishes between proletarian and upper class people? Yes, it's their assets and power. Their assets includes expensive watches, suits, sport cars, etc. And expensive fountain pens is one of them.
@@zenn003 Agreed. I'm not rolling in money, but the sentiment is a reflection of someone who cannot afford one. When you can't afford one you come up with reasons not to want one and, if you're particularly feisty, you deride those who those who prize it.
I love fountain pens and have used them for years. I have never had the privilege of writing with a Mont Blanc. My best pen is a midrange Parker, $50 range.
nah.Just get a Jinhao 159 and put a German Jowo or Bock 1.1 nib in it. £25. No one would know the difference. I buy Bock nibs from Beaufort inks here in Devon, UK. And you would have a pen to improve your handwriting and be a pleasure to use. IMO of course. Nice clear video. Thanks
I mean... if you mainly just the splat but don't want to spend several hundred dollars. Look at vintage, you can easily get fully restored, piston filled, Montblanc 14, 12, 220, 225, etc from the 1960s and 1970s with 14K and 18C nibs for under $200. And they are still top notch quality reliable writers that often get overlooked because they're not a big cigar shape. I have both a 14 (with a 18C EF) from 1960s, and 225 (with a 14K XXF) from 1970s, both piston filled. In regards to Pelikan, again quality can be found in vintage for a very affordable price. A fully restored vintage 1956 Pelikan 400NN (or 400N, or 400) can be found for under $200 usually, and the old Pelikans usually have semi-flex nibs as opposed to the firm nibs found in the moderns. Especially the smaller vintage 140 of the 1950s almost always have semi-flex nibs. PS: Might be a good idea to correctly expose your video, the writing samples are extremely blown out and that's a really easy thing to shoot in camera (But not something you can fix in post if you don't do it correctly to begin with).
If you grew up collecting Montblanc as a teen, you live in a different world than I do!
Yes in deed.... 100 Montblanc Meisterstück would be worth a minimum of $50,000
I knew 10 year old children with $500 weekly allowances!!! Yes, there is another special world for privlaged children in the USA.
@@sparkyrunner4283 he lived in hamburg back then
⁹9⁹⁹and ⁿ
I got my first montblanc fountain pen when i was 10 years old now i‘m 22 years and i still have it i use it daily
My grandfather always used a green ink in his fountain pens. This made it much easier to determine if it was truly his signature. I also have a 149 with a broad nib. I was in the business, so I was able to get mine for cost. In 1985 that was about $125.
They are definitely nice. I have one with a medium nib as my daily writer.
The green ink from Montblanc is hard to find now a days.
Amazing
For someone who enjoys writing, it's totally worth it. But the thing about fountain pens is that they are addictive--you might start collecting them well beyond your needs, and then it becomes a very very expensive hobby.
Man super addictive
Very addictive but the Mont Blanc is not a good value in any way. It is a collectors piece. It’s a phenomenal pen. But if you are looking for value you can literally get pens of the same quality or even better for a fraction of the price. They just don’t have the brand name recognition. A Mont Blanc is a statement piece. It’s meant to portray success and competence. A business man in a suit and tie with a Mont Blanc is simply just going to be respected. Even if they haven’t earned it.
I wouldn't say it's worth it just because you enjoy writing. Parker and Scriveiner make perfectly good fountain pens that will write almost identically to a Mont Blanc. You are paying for the brand and materials on any pen over $75-$100 as the quality can only get so good to a point
I concur, I personally have 3.
How did you afford 100 Mont Blanc pens as a teenager?!
he works at the local gloryhole
lord geoffrey i dont know why but i spilled my coke when I read this
He sold drugs!
@@lordgeoffrey78 plata o plomo
Mom and dad
Why am I watching this with $4 in total savings
get a Jinhao and be happy
Get a jinhao 159 its cheap and it looks like a mont blanc
Inspiration
@@bulletstothebeat1768 i wanted it for this christmas but my laptop screen broke so u know whts my christmas present ? A repaired screen .😭😭
I dont even have pocket money and im watching it 😂
Gold nibs don't adapt to your writing. It's a myth. They do however tend to offer more springiness and have a unique feel when writing.
Fountain pens were tipped with iridium some years ago, but virtually all modern fountain pens are tipped with a mixture of a material composed mostly of ruthenium alloyed with a very small amount of iridium (if any). I think the Parker 51 was the first pen to use the new alloy. "Iridium" has become more of a generic term for the tipping material.
It adapts in your mind, and that's what counts. Honestly, a gold tip nib wouldn't "adapt" to your writing either, just get more worn/progressively broader on that side. If anything, it would get worse over time. Another bogus marketing claim.
I disagree. I'm left handed. My mother took one of my custom made pens out of my suit jacket when I'd removed the jacket to wear church robes. She handed the pen to someone that is right handed. Mom put the pen back into the special pocket of my suit jacket. She was told that the pen was out of ink. The user had NO CLUE about fountain pens. The lady had obviously attempted to write with the nib side down. The nib was twisted by > a 45 degree angle. the gap between the points of the nib had a gap > .050 inches. (TRASHED.) IMHO a custom writing instrument is just that. Custom made for the person that commissioned the writing instrument.
Thank you,
as an owner of four gold nib pens I can confirm.
@@cookingprof genius, if someone manhandles your pen, it performs poorer because it's been damaged. If someone writes with a fountain pen how it should be written with, no damage will be caused.
I'm log time collector and user of fountain pens and can say without reservation that you should get a Montblanc pen only if you want the status symbol. There are many pen makers with better products at vastly better prices. With Montblanc you are paying for the name. Not that they're bad pens, but they are way overpriced compared to actual quality you get.
Please, name some brands. I've been looking for a good quality pen, but I'm on a budget.
Dan_GD Lamy 2000 is classic design and great pen that can be around $150
Waterford, Pelican but Parker and Cross have excellent, attractive fountain pens. Personally, I preferred the Waterford
Dan_GD Pelikan - Souveran series (M600, M800/805 and perhaps M1000), Aurora 88, Aurora Optima, Sailor 1911, Sailor Emperor (both Realo versions which have piston filler mechanism), maybe Waterman’s modern, Pilot 1912 Custom... having all aforementioned as well as several Montblanc 149, 146, vintage ones too - they are not worth it... and for the collectors taste - Nakaya, Namiki, Pelikan Maki-e, David Oscarson... Visconti Limited Editions, btw - Omas doesn’t exist anymore...
Dan_GD Sorry - on a budget means many things... look for TWSBI Diamond 580AL... 60ish USD, piston fillers (or vacuumatic) demonstrators ... For 150-ish dollars Pilot 912 Custom... and almost any Pelikan M200/205/215... even 120...
Instead Of buying a high end pen focus on your hand writing.
Even a million dollar fountain pen wont matter if your hand writing isn't good.
I agree.
I find speech-to-text works best for me. :D
Buy a cheap fountain pen (15 bucks for the pilot metropolitan) and start practicing.
Absolutely. Price and line variation doesn't immediately improve handwriting.
I think that even if you have bad handwriting if you use gold nib like that in the Montblanc, your handwriting would appear distinctive and eccentrically elegant because of the bending of the soft gold nib when you write. Gold being a soft metal, bending of the nib when writing creates variations in the width of the letters thus making it appear more elegant. So yes for me it's worth it if I can afford it.
I had my first fountain pen when I was seven years old. My mother bought me one to do school work in school. The students, all of them, in Portugal used very old fashioned fountain pens, furnished by the school, to do the writing in class, but I had my own and loved it.
Great story!
I think for me as a student, a Lamy pen will do the job aswell :D
Manuel yeah
Manuel try faber castell ambition also
not only for a student, its a great quality. Mont blanc is zoals meeste grote merken, het is voor de show ;)
Timber land you are right but montblanc pens are very expensive for students
true true, but i like to see this stuff as something you have to learn to appriciate. when you go from (bad example) BIC pens to Mont Blanc, its always a huge upgrade and completely different. these pens are something to grow to, and enjoy all the different brands
I own a few pens from MB, a platinum trim 149, a 146 with a sterling silver cap, and the heritage 1912. 149 is really a symbol for a number of people, and it is a great pen to carry around in my leather pen sleeve. But my favourite is actually the Heritage 1912, modelling the Simplo safety pen. It has an interesting springy nib that quite resembles the vintage pens in the 20s or 30s.
Getting a vintage 149 is actually an interesting thing. Even though the pen looks virtually the same, 149 in different eras actually have many variations in its parts, from the engraving of the brand to the details listed on the nib, there are resources in the internet for people to distinguish 149 through the years in detail. Maybe you can find one 149 that is made at around the time of your birth!
People forget that as recent as 30 years ago, Pelikan and Montblanc weren't just makers of luxury pens, they made fountain pens for every budget, starting with school pens.
The quality was good, prices were fair. Even more so when we talk vintage pens.
Now the manufacturers are just a shell of their former selves, the difference is Montblanc and Pelikan think their products are worth more today than ever before for some reason, while the quality has slipped.
I have nothing against them, but i think a collector will always prefer a well preserved vintage fp than a modern version.
Well, I think because of the profit and the montblanc company have to live, they has no choice to manufacture a expensive pen to maintain their company.
My dad went to school in the 60s, and he told me that at his school ballpoint pens were strictly forbidden. So my grandfather had to get him a Pelikan fountain pen, which was disposable. I don't know if any school does that today, I don't think so.
Pelikan still makes cheap pens.
Most of Pelikan pens are made of plastic. You have to handle them very carefullly. The Graf von Castell seems to be more solid.
Letting a person write with your pen won't ruin the nib unless they don't know what they're doing with it. The idea that letting a person write with it will change it's characteristics is ridiculous in my opinion because that would mean that it would adjust to you just as quickly as it supposedly did to them.
Actually, we all press down on the nib in our own unique way and so it is true to say, if you gave your pen so someone for an extended period, not a short while, the nib could feel a little different to one; but it would have to be a long time with much writing done.
I would have to agree. Just handing a pen over to someone for a quick note or two won't alter a modern ultra stiff nib in any way. A softer nib may not flow the same again if they are habitual ballpoint users as it may spring a little due to the heavy handedness it may encounter. It stands to reason that handing someone who's writing habits you are unfamiliar with a $900+ pen could just be asking for trouble. Most FPs are screw caps not slip caps so oft the times they may try and yank the cap off instead of unscrewing it. Personally unless the pen cost me less than $50 or it's someone well versed in FPs, I won't hand them my pens for any reason. Imagine the face someone who just broke the section off a 149 and asking $950 to replace the pen...
Most people don't know what they're doing with a fountain pen. Safer not to borrow it. Have a loaner pen that's expendable.
You don't know if they know how to use it until it's too late.
No one said that the nib adjusts to the other person, they may just bugger it up for the owner who had adjusted to it.
I thought that the art of being a Gentleman was about the highest quality without being flashy. Therefore I have a penmaker that makes pens as a hobby that are way above the quality of the Montblanc line. They are superior in: "Form, Fit; and Materials".
His price range is 1/4 the cost of the Montblanc .
Care to mention the brand or individual?
What brand
What brand
@@PUNISHERMHS_2021 bro it’s been 3 years I don’t think they are gonna respond
@@chrisestrada8587 it was worth a try 😔
In Germany you have to write at school with a fountain pen, or you certainly did where I grew up back in the day.
M.x H.ü wirklich? Fountain pen? Ich kenne die klassischen lamys, aber die werden ja mit tinte patronen befüllt. Ist auch viel praktischer für die kleinen.
Ich schreibe fast nur noch mit 10 Fingern oder Werbekullis :p
Ein schöner Füller wäre aber was tolles für besondere Anlässe.
Ha, wieder was gelernt :) Danke!
Jan Čapek lucky, in America, it isn’t really encouraged to use pens, as a matter of fact, in mathematics it’s frowned upon
Yup you can still get fined for bringing Kinder eggs into USA. From my work on the fountain pen forums one of the problems with American elementary schools is they are starting to ban the use of cursive handwriting and everything must be block printed.
That is very sad and definitely not indicative of anything remotely resembling a country where the key priority should be the development of the minds of the next generation. Writing with fountain pens has been scientifically proven to have certain benefits to the learning/cognitive process. I understand the Arts in general have been brushed to the side as well. Anything that expresses individuality in a positive way seems to be the anomaly now.
The whole ‘written in’ thing mentioned at 6:30 is completely false and misinformed for anyone curious. It’s been debunked several times.
Otherwise a good video
flyingbuddy lol such garbage, thanks for clearing this up besides the obvious though 🙏
Oh...I just commented that THAT was the most interesting fact in the video XD.
@@sgs1262 Actually, it has been debunked. Google!!
There’s plenty of sources that state so.
Wow. My grandfather gave me one of these when I was 10, about 15 years ago. I didnt know what it was literally until tonight. I'm still in awe that he gave it to a 10 year. I'll definitely start taking better care of this pen.
These pens are superior to most pens and a special treat. Mine is over 20 years old and is a delight to use. It’s a treasured personal object. For everyday use, I recommend Waterman pens. Practical, many styles and the ink cartridges is what excels in the Waterman line of pens. The feel is phenomenal. Thanks
people buy what they like, practical or not
"larger nips are better" -Sven 2017
Randy: You may be thinking of areolae.
@@HansDelbruck53 you mean that white thing on the top of the pen?
Nib
Nib
LOL, he gave you a heart
Finally I own one, it was totally worth it. My dad got himself 146 but i wanted to get the most classic one 149 and I don’t feel it’s too big, I have average hands. If you are afraid that 149 might be too big just give it a shot it brings great pleasure to write anything down with it. Consider fountain pen friendly paper I use rhodia dot pad at the moment.
I’ve collected pens since I was a kid. My Father, Grandfathers all collected fine writing instruments. I love MontBlanc Fountain, Ball point and Rollerball Pens. I have numerous models. My favorite though, is a Waterman. I Love the balance, feel, and smoothness, when I write with them. I have numerous Cross Models, Parker, Schaffer, Xezo, I have a Ernest Hemingway I’ve had for several years beautiful and it’s in the box locked up as are many of my collection. Like You, I write with them and I have duplicates with Boxes and Papers Locked up. I have 1 Omega Ball Point. I have Venus Pens that belonged to my Grandfather. Parker’s Sterling Silver, 14kt Gold as well as many Mont Blanc, Cross, and Waterman in Precious metals. I have several custom made precious metals and out of wood that a friend made for me. Waterman’s include Lemans 100, Charlestons, Liaisons which I think is one of their most beautiful and comfortable. I have multiple desk pens. My collection of Fine writing Instruments include the Fountain Pen, Ball Point Pen, Roller Ball and I used to buy the Mechanical Pencil for the full set. Have a fortune invested but ii Love the quality the weight and Balance and the smoothness.
There’s a Montblanc I would love to have that is one of the most beautiful pens I’ve ever seen. It’s a special Edition, Skeleton 333 platinum pen - $17,500.00. If I was a billionaire I do not think I could pay that much for a pen! But it’s Beautiful!! MontBlanc has a 2018 James Dean Artisan Ltd Edition for $58,000.00. On EBay. Really? Another was a similar style in Platinum that was around $18,750.00. If I can find a picture I will Post.
Budget Pens I enjoy are Pentel, Pilot (4 Color with pencil when I’m color coding research notes) I love Gel ink .5 mm ultra fine point Pens. I enjoy your videos thank You!
My father just handed me his *Meisterstück Platinum - Coated LeGrand Ballpoint Pen* from his collection, although it may not be as “flashy” or “pricey” as his other pens, I am greatly humbled to receive this gift from him to say the least. He told me when giving it to me “It is not about how much the pen costs that counts Anthony, it is the journey you took to acquire it.” Although well worn and used throughout the years, I am proud to hold this pen in my hands, my families history was written with it, everything that’s led up to this point. I’d rather acquire a pen with this much meaning than the most glamorous pens in his collection. A simple, yet refined piece of craftsmanship, sleek and silver to the grain. A pen to write my future with. Here’s to Med School! (Yes, I have good penmanship...)
I don't think the 149 is worth its full retail price, especially considering that there are options like the Sailor King of Pen and the Pilot Custom 845 that can be found at half the price, the only thing that might be worth paying for is the brand, Montblanc just doesn't have much more to offer than its competitors in terms of materials and construction quality, and surely not the writing experience. Buying one used is a much more realistic approach.
The one thing other brands don't often make are the oblique nibs though, and they have both directions, so if you have a weird grip perhaps you'll find yourself more comfortable using the oblique.
Also the nib size depends fully on personal preference, broader nibs are wetter and are better at hiding imperfections, but if you have a nice and consistent handwriting that isn't shaky or just perhaps prefer to write smaller then finer nibs are a much better choice.
I'm not a big spender, but I did own an "entry level" Mont Blanc CS with a fine nib - only fifty bucks in 1989. My favorite pen is an affordable Pelikan 205 with an extra-fine nib. It also has that convenient piston-fill mechanism and has held up for a couple of decades now. It retails today for $115 or so per copy.
I own a Meisterstuck fountain pen, and whilst I enjoy using it, I wouldn't gush about it. I like to buy quality items that last, but the way this guy keeps going on about it being a 'status symbol' and having 'cachet' is actually turn-off for me. I'd chose understated quality over a flashy status symbol any day.
Anyone that can't afford a mont blanc hit me up I make custom fountain pens, and you won't spend 1000 dollars.
@@traviswakefield8717 how can I contact you?
I was given a Montblanc 149 as a gift many years ago when I left a company. I used it for a while, but put it back in the box. For more than three decades I have used Lamy Safari fountain pens. They aren't the most elegant, but, being a practical person, I very much like how they write and feel in my hand. Most importantly, I use Diamine and Pilot Iroshizuku ink both of which work well in the Lamy pens and both flow freely -- good for fast writing such as taking notes or writing in a journal. I prefer EF nibs, but also have F and M. The M works well with a lighter color ink such as the Pilot Iroshizuk, Yu-Yake (Sunset, Orange). The Lamy inks and Mountblanc inks are not bad, just not my favorites.
I use my MB 149 every day. It has always been filled with the MB Irish Green too. I’ve never changed it out as I just enjoy that ink so much for my journaling every day.
The lid on mine takes almost 2 full turns to open/close so your older one is different to mine. I would prefer less turns to open, however I find that it’s part of the experience to write with any fountain pen for me. I like that side of all of my pens. They are all threaded lids. 👍🏻😀 (A shame your lighting was washed out on the writing samples as I cannot see the ink very well)
Just bought a Meisterstruck Solitaire Blue Note. Worth every bit. I also use the lavender ink. It makes written words so much more than letters on paper.
Thank you for producing excellent videos. I am currently in Germany, and bought my first Montblanc fountain pen. I got the Meisterstuck Classique Platinum (145). I travel quite a bit, so I wanted it to be able to take cartridges and the converter. I intend to use this as an EDC pen. I had Kaweco pens (Sport, Liliput) and while they are great for beginners and at their price point, they don't even compare to the Montblanc. It's such a joy to write with the MB. Thank you again for producing such quality content, and I've subscribed. Tschius.
Kaweco are for beginners? I do want a Montblanc in the near future, but I love my Kaweco and do not see them as beginners, they will also outlast any Montblanc material.
I also want the one you got, the Meisterstuck Classique
Don’t forget that unless you are using an uncomfortable hook position then a fountain pen is of little use to left handers that write left to right and will smudge and cover your hand in ink.
my dad just got me one of these and he couldnt emphasize enough about how this pen would be so important to me in university and my career
Did you end up using it often?
I have a fountain pen, a ballpoint and a mechanical pencil and I have had them for years. Are they worth it - absolutely. Gorgeous, gorgeous pens
Montblanc's value is in it's "status". If you need a status symbol pen the Montblanc does "status" very well. If you need a pen to get stuff done there are other options that cost (much) less and are better suited for hard work. IE: The Cross ATX series.
Greetings from Phoenix, AZ.
You are so correct. I have 3 Sailor pens, and a Nakaya (from Japan) that write circles around them. I only have 2 because they were pre-1990. There’s no serial on the clip ring before 1990.
@@kevinbuja8105 incorrect..Montblanc did have serial on its clip ring before 1990
@@kevinbuja8105 for example, my Meisterstuck 149 engraved both W Germany and with a serial #. Go look in the forums. Montblanc Meisterstuck 149's did have serial #'s before 1990. Otherwise I couldn't have a W Germany 149 (1980's) with a serial number because the Berlin Wall came down in early November 1989 which separated East and West Germany which meant no longer specification of "W" Germany was needed. My pen predates 1990 & has a serial. It was purchased new in the 1980's
I own a 144 (fountain pen F Nib), a 145 (rollerball), two 146's (fountain pen F Nib; Rollerball) and I love all my MONTBLAC pens. I am planning on purchasing the 149 sometime this year. Thanks for the video :-)
Ah, I'm a teenager with a growing collection right now. Great video.
Montblanc is a plastic pen. It will smash and break. The only pen I write with are ballpoints and roller balls: Cross Townsend and Century, and Parker pens. The Parker duofold is outstanding. It’s the refill that makes the pen and, for the price, Cross and Parker pens are indestructible and well balanced.
i have a vintage Pelikan m400, definitely worth it.
The high-end Pelikans are definitely on a par with MB, but less overhyped. Connoisseurs will recognise it, though!
What case are you using to store your pens?
Is it worth me getting a Lamy pen as i cant afford a Mont Blanc
I use Lamy pens and am very pleased with them. I like the Lamy line because the pens are excellent writing tools and the quality is top notch.
J Johnson any particular pen from their range or is that just a general statement about lamy
Lamy pens are great. Try shopping around at other brands too like Pilot, Twsbi, Kaweco etc. since they all offer a good deal of quality pens for way less
Lamy pens are good. The safari is very modern looking, but it has a triangular grip. Kaweco lilliput is very nice, but a bit small. Dont like the Pilot ones. They are too fine, your ink shows up flat and light with no depth. But surprisingly, jinhao (the dirt cheapest of pens) are suprisingly superb. So if your a newbie, I reccomend the jinhao ones. Good luck!
Icarüs 5440 thanks for the advice i went with a Lamy Logo in the end. and i love it
the thing with mb is that they tend to leak and just pour ink everywhere when you're writing or just getting it out of your pocket and also dry out when you dont write with them daily, things that dont happen in way cheaper fountain pens, thats why i dont use them regularly anymore (146, 149)
+crashlove768 strange, mine write even if I do not use them for months. I use the MB ink though...
This is the most severe perfectionist, I'm sure he retakes every sentence 10 times
I have two Montblanc 146s, one 144, and two ballpoints. One of the 146s, one ballpoint and the 144 all broke in normal use. The resin plastic is indeed very fragile, and the design of the 144 (plastic section screwing up against a metal ring) guaranteed an eventual failure. All were repaired by Montblanc service. I have tons of vintage Parkers and Sheaffers, and have never had this problem with the fragility of the pen bodies. In my opinion, the Montblanc pens are fine status symbols, but I think you are paying more for prestige and the name than you are for quality. I still wish I had bought a 149 Diplomat before they became stratospheric in cost. Just my humble opinion. Great video, thanks for sharing! Help keep penmanship alive!
I just stumbled upon this channel - excellent video! However, I have to disagree with your last point about "rewriting" the pen into your hand. I let my friends try my fountain pens all the time (one of which is a Lamy 2000 with a gold nib similar to that of the Montblancs), and never have had it change up on me. As long as they aren't slamming the nib down onto the paper, there's very little that a different writing style can do to change the feel of the pen.
My first ever Montblanc was gifted to me by my father. I still hold it and use it daily. It’s not a fountain pen, but still a classy Starwalker with amazing solver stripes. Had it at 16 and still use it as a beacon of success at 28.
I’m starting to look for a fountain pen, since he has one as well!
Go with a MB Meisterstuck Mod. 146
I used a Pelikan 800 for 30 years and it never failed me. I found Mont Blanc’s resin to be too brittle and fragile. I never saw it as a status symbol, it was a tool I signed my name a hundred times a day. But the green and black is striking .
I've got a couple of questions for you:
1. I intensely dislike torpedo shaped fountain pens and have a strong preference for a cylindrical shape (when the pen is closed). I also admit to a liking for a paisley design on the barrel and cap, although not at the expense of quality. I would probably be aiming for a medium- to large-size nib, since my hands are, well, medium-sized, but I myself am relatively tall (6'1" / 185 cm) and of fairly substantial build (200-210 lbs. / 90-95 kg). I am also a decent amateur calligrapher.
So: Can you recommend a fountain pen that meets these parameters and is otherwise suitable for a person such as myself?
2. This question has to do not with fountain pens, but with your outfit. I am a fan of cufflinks, and I realize that most people who wear them pinch the two sides of the cuff together and pass the cufflink through it, so that both sides of the cufflink are visible, as you have done in this video.
Now, I personally prefer to work with a cufflink that has a tab closure, as it is easier to manipulate. The downside of this type of cufflink is that the back side is not as aesthetic as in the case of a two-sided cufflink. What I normally do to fix this is to lap the two sides of the cuff one over the other, as one does in the case of a button closure, and then run the cufflink through. This way, the back side of the cufflink remains invisible.
I do not currently travel in circles where cufflinks are commonly used. This means that I don't really know whether it makes any difference in the perceived tastefulness of one's usage of cufflinks if one uses this alternative closure. On the one hand, I suppose a case can be made that, depending on the type of cufflink used, the alternative closure method less obvious that one is in fact using cufflinks instead of a button closure. So it would not be quite so "ostentatiously elegant". On the other hand, there is the aesthetic aspect I mentioned.
So basically, I would like some feedback from you concerning this detail - the pros and cons of the pinch closure versus the lap closure. What are your thoughts on this matter?
Excellent review and I admire the way you dress. When I first visited your channel I was looking for a Mont Blanc for my great nephew. Sadly I see that they are out of my price range but I enjoyed the education about the investment and will begin to follow you. I had no idea you would be modeling your outfit so that was an added bonus. I had already noticed how well put together you are and love the ring. Incidentally, I have a Mont blanc roller ball that is missing its top. I suppose I will have to find a Mont Blanc store to see if this can be replaced. I also prefer a fountain pen for writing, with a broader nib.
I own three 149’s and have to say that the more you use it, the more the nib matures and grooves with your hand and strokes!
It’s just in your head. This doesn’t actually conform to your writing.
@@tfh-rw9vb it does.The gold becomes more flexible and also erodes and polishes over time.
@@tfh-rw9vb However it dosent really "adapt to my handwriting" insted it just gets better to write with.
"Hexagonal white shape"
Looks a lot like the shape of a torx plus bolt.
CrimSun
I was thinking that too.
I love the video and the break down of the attire, I have one critique though. With the wider collar of the shirt and the more formal day wear, a Half Windsor may have been a slightly better choice. It would have kept with the "not to stiff" feel that one would lean towards with a Full Windsor, while also giving a slightly less rushed feeling of the Four in Hand.
Would love a Mont Blanc but just too pricey for me. I really enjoy my Waterman, have also had a Cross that I enjoyed. For the past year, I have used a fountain pen as my everyday pen at work.
I have a mont blanc. It was gave to me by my mentor. I would love to keep it but i feel that it is more ok if it is in the hand of a person that would really appreciate its worth.
I'm on Blanca is still cheaper than an iPhone
Another interesting video. I have a 146. I also have several Pelican 140 pens. I have several other pens too. My favorite is an old Sheaffer Imperial. I use it every day. Compared to your 149, all my pens are small and light but I like them. Near to the subject of fountain pens is ink. I don’t collect ink but I have several bottles. Right now I use Montblanc, Pilot, and a Japanese ink, Emerald by BuGu Box. I think the ink makes a noticeable difference in my pens’ performances.
I thoroughly enjoyed this review! I personally prefer smaller pens (the 114 “Mozart” is a favorite; I’m also intrigued by the smallest piston filler I have which is the Pelikan M300) but I do have a 149 which is an incredible writer. To each his own, of course. The most important thing is that your pens make writing a truly pleasurable experience. And, if you don’t mind my saying so, I think you are absolutely adorable! More power to you.
I started a new job in December and when I got to my desk on the first day, someone had left a Mont Blanc Generation pen in the drawer....absolutely love it. Looked it up and it's about $250 today. Had Waterman fountain pens in the past but not as practical in my business life..
Excuse me what paper does on use with fountain pens?
Regular printer paper works but you can also go with handmade cotton paper or anything in between. Only very few coated papers won't work.
Thank you for your time.
Some of the best fountain pen friendly notebooks and notepads out there are Rhodia products. Even better than Rhodia is the Tomoe River (though I haven't tried it personally) and as a cheaper alternative you have the Lechtturm products. That's what I've learned researching the topic. Good luck !
I am very picky with my fountain pens, rollerblades and ballpoints.
I still have 2 Montblanc (rollerbland and ballpoint), and looking for a 146 or 149 (M) to use with the Take-sumi or Yama-guri Pilot ink. I am also picky with my inks. And the nib size.
I might also consider at some point a broad nib for my signature, as an European, mine is wide and personal, it's more a logo than written letters. And a unique ink.
Thanks for the presentation.
Pelikans have very soft pocket clips. Very very easy to lose (I know--ouch). If you want 'real status' from a fountain pen, get a couple of inexpensive TSBIs with stub nibs, DIY grind them into italic nibs (it's not that hard, the first time you try is a bit nerve racking), then be writing on page 250 of a 400 page A4 size journal not caring about the ink on your fingertips, that your coffee is getting cold or if anyone notices. A tool is after all a tool first, it's true value and status in the work you do with it. Its status as a bauble is a distant second. (Trump uses very nice fountain pens to sign documents, but he's never read a book, only writes with his thumbs. Reagan wrote in his journals every day.)
The reason fountain pens are so good is that they have almost zero resistance to writing-- you never get writer's cramp. I've traveled a lot by plane with fountain pens in my pocket. Gases expand and contract, liquids do not. A full fountain pen is not much of a risk in either an airliner or climbing a mountain. In my experience even a half full pen usually isn't a problem traveling by air--but mine aren't tucked in a white shirt. Try to keep them vertical and you'll never have a problem.
If you regularly use your fountain pen, it won't be a collector's item--it'll get stained, scratched, scuffed. (I think) the more expensive the pen the less likely it's used.
Also when you've bought a fountain pen and you like it, you'll soon think you want a flex nib so you can write beautiful calligraphy. Flex nibs are springy and fun to write with, but to get line variation you have to slow down. What you really want is a stub nib, this will give you nice line variation without your having to slow down. A step further is an italic nib which can be difficult to find--that's why I grind my own. Unless you're already making things don't do this. An italic nib is very wide side to side, but thin in the other direction. It's difficult to grind and polish so that it writes smoothly and doesn't catch and tear the paper. I was just at Itoya's fountain pen floors (there are two! one in each building) in Tokyo. I liked looking at the fountain pens, but I didn't see anything that made me want to ask to try. I probably should've tried a Pelikan, a Mont Blanc... just to find out if I'm missing something...
Most inexpensive fountain pens have nibs from the same company in Germany. No one makes smaller Fs and EFs than Japanese companies. I've never had any Japanese fountain pen, $2 or $80 that had a nib that wasn't slick smooth right out of the box (or plastic display bag). If you have bad handwriting you'll think you need an F, or even EF, but try a stub nib-- it really helps and they're a joy to write with. Learn how to take apart and clean your fountain pens. A clean pen is like buying a new one. I apologize for intruding and being so opinionated.
TWSBI makes a wonderful tool, but side by side with properly tuned nibs from both vintage and modern pens, both high and low end, it lacks in smoothness and expression. If you want a nib that will set standards for you, the Pelikan Pelikano from 2003-2008 had a superior nib in both A and M widths. It wrote even better than my Pelikan M215!
I have all 3 plus a Nobless. The only problem is that the 149, and 146 are desk pens. You can’t put them in your suit pocket because they sweat into the cap and when you have use them you end up with ink all over your hands. They are absolutely beautiful to write with.
Always go with Pilot pens. Reliable, well designed and well crafted. never faced any issue with any Pilot pen.
Exactly. They're like the Toyotas of fountain pens
Actually Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco is not in France but the most part of the massif is located in Italy with the border passing exactly on the top.
My take on expensive fountain pens of any brand is that there is no point in owning an expensive fountain pen if ones penmanship is terrible or you just need it for writing signature. It’s not that impressive seeing a nice pen with chicken scratch writing.
tbh ur not wrong
You buy a nice pen because a) you want to use a pen (for writing) b) because you like the way it writes, looks etc. Bad penmanship doesn’t affect either.
I purchased an Aurora Afrika fountain pen, with an extra fine nib, several years ago. One of the very best purchases I ever made. It looks impressive, but it writes even better. It feels so good to write with that I take notes and write letters that I might not have done otherwise. Don't care about status symbols. It just feels so good. Very light to hold also.
I've had a Montblanc Meisterstück for years. It's always leaked inside when the top's on - big mess. I've had it serviced - still leaks. It leaks if it's under-filled or over-filled. Over-priced, utterly useless pens.
You should take it to a shop and say it's always been faulty and you want another one . If they're as good as they say they are they should do it .They do claim they are the best although Waterman pens have very nice nibs for handwriting but that's just a personal belief .
@@jamesguitar7384 I later had it repaired by a pen specialist in Oxford who shipped it to the manufacturer in Germany and it came back perfect and has been so ever since. Lesson: not all dealers claiming to be specialists are!
Same experience. I rarely use it now as it always stains my fingers and I store it with nib upright...oh well, it writs nicely and has a great feel. I miss my entry level Waterman which I gave to my son to encourage a love of fountain pens.
@@ibanmayo2 I sent mine to a small pen repairers who sent it to Germany for full servicing and it now works wonderfully, no leaks, smooth action, first class, and it's a pleasure to use now. The first place I took it to be serviced must have tried to do it themselves and made a hash of it. I hope you can get yours sorted out, it will be worth it I promise!
I used both Montblanc and Waterman pens that I purchased 35 - 40 years ago. I love the gold tipped nibs.
please do more of worth it
One about rolex
Hey. I have the Mont Blanc Miesterstuck 149. Can you keep on twisting the Piston to fill up the ink tank to full?
When I was young and in the 'Seventh Grade' (1960s) everyone used a fountain pen, ball point pens had not been perfected, they leaked in you pocket, smeared on the palm of your hand and the oil based ink was impossible to wash off! Most everyone used 'Sheaffer' because they were inexpensive and did a great job for a child starting at about 12 to 11 yrs old. I always prefered 'Parker' - they were beautiful pens, the nib was completely covered, only the very, very 'tip' was visible ($5.00 at the time). I've never had 'Montblanc' - they never attracted my attention, there are other great pens out there, Visconti, S.T. Dupont, even Cartier has solid gold writing instruments out there. Just as with 'Rolex' watches - "Je Prefere Cartier"! I'm not easily lead, you can't impress me with brands and symbols . . . I can't be proud of something I don't like to begin with, I have to really like the product then, I might make a purchase.
A lot of writing there but you are wrong. I'm the same age and fountain pens were put at school's. No one used them the new colorful ball points were all the rage. Maybe fountain pens hung in there a bit longer with adults and professionals but even they were moving away and to ball points. I will agree the ball points did have issues but were very much worth living with compared to ink spills.
What website was that at 5:48?
Where abouts did you get that notebook cover?
Fort Belvedere prototype ;)
I had the worst handwriting in my class. Once the teacher asked if I could read an assignment I had turned in, I couldn’t.
A couple of years ago I practiced with Spencerian method and after 3 sets of books my handwriting has improved dramatically.
I enjoy watching Matt Armstrong’s pen revues. I started out with Japanese Metrpolitan, a Parker, a Waterman and now use mostly German Diplomat pens.
Onion-skin paper is good for letters, and I use Clairfontaine and Rhodia notebooks. Thanks Matt.
Addendum: having one affodable, re-usable pen and going through just one two-ounce bottle of ink per year, it occurs to me that over time it has saved me some money as opposed to buying disposables.
The primary reason for a Montblanc is how recognisable it is, if that's important to you. There is a large schism between using and collecting pens, and I just don't see the value in the endless limited-edition pens. For many such pens the feed and nib are imported, and materials are commonplace. It feels like these companies want all of a pen's eventual *potential* value up front. I think you're right that vintage is the way to go. The nibs are superior, as is the use of materials. Fond of the SW pen, but it's real worth is under $200.
Make sure to manually set your white balance, especially when shooting brilliant whites. Autobalance often sucks.
I feel like the classiest guy when I saw this guy. Imma get a glass of my $15 dollar wine.
I really found this video very alluring. My mother used to practice calligraphy and had a variety of different dip ink type pens when she was a commercial artists. These pens are way beyond what she had. They are fascinating! I might have to start a new collection.
I might consider a nice pen like this for signing my signature. Thanks for the video!
I'm just getting back into fountain pens, but I remember growing up with Pelikan and Lamy fountain pens. I've had my 149 for 4 years now and I'm just beginning to appreciate its characteristics
Not worth it. Very few fountain pens are worth their price. My Meisterstuck experience was disappointing. The nib is nothing special to write with. The resin is not very strong (mine broke within a year). I have an inexpensive Waterman that has always been a joy to write with and has held up decades.
you should have got a VINTAGE PARKER 51
Also, could you also point me to some specifications on the nib size to the pen at 4:48. I am looking to buy one but I just can't find the specification for that one and where I can get the case for the 3 pens?
This gives me some “Gentleman In Moscow” vibes. It’s a fantastic read by the way.
For line variation, are you using a wide nib not flexible??
Back in the early 80's...a successful man had to carry the 'Montblanc star' on his writing instrument. Doctors were well known for always using their fine Montblanc...status symbol.
Thank for the information you provided.
Will now have a better insight on which pen/s to purchase.
My uncle gave me one on my 6th birthday probably not knowing how much the value was... then I ripped the packaging but the pen is still ok
I'd like to know what make and model pen case he is using. I'd like to get one for my 144 and 146.
Good video. Was glad to hear of your interest in fountain pens at an early age.
Nice video I'm also a fountain pens collector. Only a little note (not a criticism) the Mount Blanc as mountains is not only French but is also Italian because the border pass just on the top of the Mont Blanc (also called , obviously, Monte Bianco). Anyways among my tens of pens I have also two Montblanc Fountain pens,
Once you have a pen leak when in your suit pocket when you're at a function, it changes your infatuation with fountain pens.
Which is why he recommends wearing black jackets XD
TRUE
This us what I didn't get about his critique of ballpoint pens.
@@davec3651 I know your comment is old but, fountain pens are great but can sometimes be a bit impractical for every day use. Rollerball are my go to pen. Don’t leak and write with the same smoothness.
This is why pocket protectors were invented.
What does the size of hands have to do with a preferred wider nib?
Is a Rolex watch worth it?
yes
Go for Tudor if you don't have enough money. They make their own movements now
Yes and no. They are worth it in that, they are high quality watches and luxury watches. If you want that, they are GREAT. They have prestige and resale value top notch. Popular, but in a good way. Timeless.
Also, you know why theyre worth it even though theyre luxury and so expensive? Because they keep their value!!! Their resale value is awesome, you wont lose (much at all!!) money. Minimal loss of value when you buy one. You can sell it for what you bought it for, or a bit less... Unless it's one of the less popular models but even then they wont be worthless...
yes and no. They keep their value, but a lot of them aren't completely hand made and such like a lot of people believe, and rolex is sort of the mass produced entry level into luxury watches.
No
I never heard of a Montblanc before and since its a well known brand, im going for one and keeping it for a long long time.
How do I know if I have a fake Jinhao?
If you drop it and it doesn't crack, irt's a fake. Seriously, if you check out some of the videos on detecting counterfeit MBs you'll see people asking where they can find the fakes.
Only for a receipt for service/payment/delivery you need a ballpoint pen, if the receipt has some carbon/-less copy paper after the backside of receipt.
Worth it... my 144 Meisterstück Solitaire is going strong since 1995
I must correct you about the laser etched number. I have a MB 149 I bought from Harrods in the 80's and it doesn't have this later used etching. I still use it and it's a beautiful fountain pen and makes me happy every time I write with it.
Harrods in London?
"Recognizable Status Symbol."
Dude, you're trying too hard. People with true status don't need symbols; they let others do their bragging for them. If you're buying it because it's truly a superior device, then fine. If you're buying the brand just to impress others who may see your shiny bauble, then maybe it's time for a re-evaluation.
As far as security goes, you've just shown your signature to the world several times, with the pen and the ink you use to sign it. The ink you use is far from permanent or fraud-proof and washes away with a little water, meaning that your checks are vulnerable.
I could not say it any better😉
That is probably not his signature its at the start of every video
"People with true status don't need symbols" this statement is wrong. Are you aware of what distinguishes between proletarian and upper class people? Yes, it's their assets and power. Their assets includes expensive watches, suits, sport cars, etc. And expensive fountain pens is one of them.
@@zenn003 Agreed. I'm not rolling in money, but the sentiment is a reflection of someone who cannot afford one. When you can't afford one you come up with reasons not to want one and, if you're particularly feisty, you deride those who those who prize it.
Who uses checks anymore?
I love fountain pens and have used them for years. I have never had the privilege of writing with a Mont Blanc. My best pen is a midrange Parker, $50 range.
nah.Just get a Jinhao 159 and put a German Jowo or Bock 1.1 nib in it.
£25. No one would know the difference. I buy Bock nibs from Beaufort inks here in Devon, UK.
And you would have a pen to improve your handwriting and be a pleasure to use. IMO of course. Nice clear video.
Thanks
I mean... if you mainly just the splat but don't want to spend several hundred dollars. Look at vintage, you can easily get fully restored, piston filled, Montblanc 14, 12, 220, 225, etc from the 1960s and 1970s with 14K and 18C nibs for under $200. And they are still top notch quality reliable writers that often get overlooked because they're not a big cigar shape. I have both a 14 (with a 18C EF) from 1960s, and 225 (with a 14K XXF) from 1970s, both piston filled.
In regards to Pelikan, again quality can be found in vintage for a very affordable price. A fully restored vintage 1956 Pelikan 400NN (or 400N, or 400) can be found for under $200 usually, and the old Pelikans usually have semi-flex nibs as opposed to the firm nibs found in the moderns. Especially the smaller vintage 140 of the 1950s almost always have semi-flex nibs.
PS: Might be a good idea to correctly expose your video, the writing samples are extremely blown out and that's a really easy thing to shoot in camera (But not something you can fix in post if you don't do it correctly to begin with).
I don't know why I just watched this lol
prodbyjozu same here
Do u have a fountain pen
Bro same
Jinhao 159 has iridium point as well, so what makes MB 149 worth it? The gold nib which costs $15? :)