Your $39 1967 Montblanc would easily sell between $500 and $650 in today's market (depending on condition). That's the standard range a used 149 sells for now.
You had foresight, even though $39.00 was quite a bit of money back in 1967. I also was a college student that year. I bought a Sheaffer plastic cartridge pen with a steel nib at the University of Illinois book store for about 99 cents, as I recall (which was all I could afford at the time), and it still writes beautifully! LOL !
I appreciate the review. I was given a Montblanc 144 in 1987 and have always liked that pen. My hands aren't small, but my fingers are slender and the width is perfect for me, though I have to write with it posted. But it isn't my best or favorite pen (I do love it because my parents gave it to me) - not my favorite to write with. That would be a silver Waterman (also a gift from my parents), which is also slender but has more of a heft and is longer. It's marginally less expensive pen than a Montblanc 149, but it's just a joy to write with and classic in its own way. My collection has grown beyond the pens my parents gave me and includes a couple that are emphatically more expensive than any MB Meisterstuck, but none of them is perfect for me all the time. They have different uses and I have different needs and moods. The pens I find most consistently useful, though, and that I most enjoy writing with (aside from that Waterman) are in the $100-300 range. That range is well-served, and I'm not sure it would make sense for Montblanc to go back there. I think they're best off remaining the Rolex of the pen world - not as expensive or exclusive as Patek Philippe (nor, in my opinion, as beautiful), but far more recognizable and aspirational. And certainly attractive and well-made. Very German.
Great info in this vid. Regarding the pull cap Montblanc 144 -- I own two (F amd M nibs) that I use daily to take notes in meetings. The pens have nibs that let me write fast and clear. Plus, the look is not too showy. I also have a late 1960s/early 1970s Montblanc 149 that has a beautiful singing flex nib that is my favorite pen. I agree that the Montblancs are not the best pens I own, but they perform in a way that I find very appealing.
Montblanc’s 149 taught me an expensive lesson about the risk of carrying a pen in a suit coat (inside) pocket. I might choose the older style Montblanc 144. Why? Well, what can screw-on rather smoothly and easily can work its way to an unscrewed position. In my earliest days of fountain pens, I had few, and I did not have a pen case. I went to the courtroom or classroom with a fountain pen in the inside pocket of my suit coat. Suits, still required in the courtroom (long forgotten to academics, as undergraduate professors long ago embraced the ultra-casual look). As a few might guess, the cap slowly loosened and eventually unscrewed, leaving the cap clipped to my pocket but the pen itself, with a full load of ink and with nib touching cloth. Of course, the most expensive suit I owned was destroyed. Two different dry cleaners tried various chemicals, but nothing removed that much permanent ink! (Unusual? Well, I have had the screw-on caps come off at least two other fountain pens. I was quicker to recognize the developing problem each time, so no suit was ruined. Finally, I purchased a couple 3 or 4-pen pen holders. I HAVE NEVER LOST A SNAP-On/Off cap. To add a more relevant note, I actually did not have my best results with the Montblanc 149. An alumnus (one I had provided some free legal advice) sent me a Montblanc 149. Prior to 1990, a young professor (and one who was raised in rural farm country), I had no idea how expensive it was. I really did not know how to care for it, and I had to read the instructions just to know how to use it properly. Nevertheless, I blame some of its quirks on the pen itself. I first realized it was valuable when one of my students (an Italian) participating in a class that involved a group tour of Spain said, “Professor, you cannot display that pen in such a clearly visible way.” I said, “You mean it is worth a lot of money.” He: “Some in this crowded mall might cut your arm off to get it from you!” Our German-born University architect also carried one. HIs comments were positive, but when I asked him about the fact there was always ink on the nib or in the cap, “Oh, you cannot keep that from happening, but you must carry a cloth with you.” In brief, I was naive and unskilled; nevertheless, I would not consider it as one of my Top 5 (maybe not Top 10) fountain pens. I view the Lamy 2000 to be the perfect fountain pen for a professional, and I love writing with my Scribo Feel. I still believe my German and Japanese fountain pens are superior; however, I also love the writing feel of my Leonardo, Edison, Aurora, Delta, Pilot, and Sailor pens more than my Montblanc 149. My favorite Montblanc is even one in the Writer’s Edition (Charles Dickens). Loved your review! While I have a 146, I do not have a 144 yet.
I used to carry my pens clipped to the collar of my undershirt. I lost a green marble Duofold when it unscrewed from the cap. I cringe when I hear reviewerspraise a pen because iot uncaps with little twist. It just syas the pen is so much easier to lose that way. You should have gotten a plastic pocket protector for your pen.
Thanks for a very interesting overview. I'm old enough to have been buying the cheaper Montblanc pens back in the late 1970s, just after the company was taken over by Dunhill, and still have, and use, my steel nib Carrera and 225 (basically a 220 with a metal cap). The Carrera, basically a kids' school pen, was made and sold by the same company that was making the 149 and 146, and all of these models were sold by dealers. Montblanc was a company that made pens at every level with no ill-effect on its bottom line, just like Lamy today, so you are quite right when you say that they should make a $200 pen again, or even a $50 steel nib pen for that matter. You may be interested to know that my favourite models are my burgundy 144 and the Noblesse and Slimline family of pens. I've bought a few modern models, but have not liked them as much, so got rid of them, as I was not using them enough.
Montblanc pens do hold their value well on the used market too. They're well made, and if you take care of them, they can last decades. I also have the 220 Makrolon you discussed briefly and a couple of others from roughly the same period. Even though they were a lower tier (for Montblanc), they are piston fillers, and their gold nibs are really nice and smooth. They are much more affordable on the used market. Because of Montblanc's long history - and quality - certain vintage Montblanc pens from the 1930s to the 1950s can sell at eye-watering prices today, and there are interesting versions from this period that were made for different European markets with different finishes. There was more variety in color and finish in those days than today's Montblancs.
I recently bought a 146 on the used market. I think it was stored with ink in it, and it had dried out. I flushed it with water and filled it with an ink known for its cleaning properties. It's writing well now, the quality of craftsmanship is excellent. I'm told that it was made in the '90's.
Thanks for overview. Ive got a Boheme, my fav, A 22 and several Nobless, all used. Wish MB offered entry level.pens.in under.300, still a lot of money. Spot on.about their ink prices. Great.package and bottle. I couldnt find.a.specific.color on amazon, but montblanc had color, little cheaper before shipping, and it.arrived three days. Currently I'm looking at the 220, which are a nicer 22 ? Starwalkers are interesting too, but I think I need.to try a 144 or.146. 149 seem.too big, and I'm not in love.with that cigar shape Again thanks.for review
In the pre-pandemic days, I used to drop by the Mont Blanc shop in Heathrow airport during layovers. I was surprised at how small they are. The 149 is actually quite short, in my opinion, compared to other popular pens. Even if I could afford one, I would pass because I would have to post the pen to make it comfortable to write with. Just my opinion. Thanks for another great review.
There is no "one size fits all" in pens just like everything else. Individual preference dictates long or short, wide or thin, fine or medium or broad nib, etc. Keep in mind most modern pens are substantially larger than the majority of pens produced prior to about 1980. I don't think human hands have become larger since then, and more people used fountain pens before the introduction of ballpoints. So people managed to work with smaller pens. I generally prefer larger, wider pens, but I don't find vintage pens difficult to write with - as long as the nib is good. My personal opinion is people back then held and wrote with pens differently than most of us do today. But hey! I'm all for individual choice and preference in modern pens.
Montblanc was once a great pen company that has relegated itself to making rich boy toys for speculators. Lovely items, but anything at those prices usually is. It's worth debating whether making an excellent product at a decent price is the real hallmark of a good penmaker.
I agree, thats why I will always consider LAMY a "good" pen manufacturer with this perspective and Montblanc would not be a "good" pen manufacturer, being all about the flex it's a "good" accessories manufacturer.
Your reasoning is why I am very impressed by the Japanese pen makers, and other Japanese "luxury goods" for that matter. Whether it be watches, automobiles, or pens, the Japanese have broad ranges of excellent quality, and a good deal less expensive than European counterparts for comparable products. That being said there are certain brands, and we all know who they are that just there to boost someone's self esteem, and really detracts from the purists.
@@Frankifourfingers I think Lamy is a good pen manufacturer too. They're one of the few pen companies today that makes all their nibs in-house. A lot of pen companies - including some prestige names, do not. Lamy hasn't positioned themselves to the extreme high end pen market. Their focus is modern, contemporary design and materials done well. On youtube there's a short video tour of Lamy's corporate headquarters/production site. It is high tech, state of the art, German manufacturing. Another great pen company is Faber-Castell, the lower tier of high end Graf von Faber-Castell. Similar to Lamy, but still distinct from them. They're widely known for incredibly good steel nibs and interesting contemporary looks.
Thank you, that's a very good overview of the brand. I'll probably never buy a pen, even used it's out of my price range. But I got a few of their inks before they decided to raise their prices. Corn Poppy Red is still my favorite red ink. Taking inks aside, since you have access to different nibs and widths, what would you say is your favorite nib among the Montblacs you have?
I had my first experience of Montblanc during Christmas 2020. I was given a brand new MB pen as a gift. It didn't write! I inked it up with MB ink and all I got was hard starting and skipping. Needless to say, the pen went straight back to the dealer for a full refund.
I know it seems just senseless to purchase an item only to have to deal with bad nibs or poor ink flow. That is why I purchase them used when I plan on using them on the regular in rotation. they are staples in my collection.
So the deal with MB pens are that the nibs can be over polished, known as baby's bottom. Hard starting and skipping, but especially hard starting are a symptom of baby's bottom. It can be smoothed out, or even with use it usually smooths itself out. It's a shame that you were not made aware of the issue. This is the problem with retail sales these days. People just don't know their product knowledge, even at Montblanc boutiques, all they want is to sell you a lifestyle and make a sale. I'd be interested to know if returned the pen back to a Montblanc boutique or another dealer, because Montblanc in the least should have looked at the nib for you.
@@trxmpg70 Same here. Why pay full retail for a 146 or 149 when you can buy them used in good or excellent condition from reputable dealers for about 50% less?
@@ironmic9244 I think you'll find with Montblanc and other well-established quality brands the nibs today are not the same quality as the nibs they produced 20-50 years ago. A major reason some collectors prefer vintage pens is the better quality nibs.
@@jaystone4816 Agreed. MB is definitely not the only one, *cough*Visconti*cough* Though let's see what happens with their new in-house gold nibs. Those vintage nibs are a treat, unfortunately for me the pen and nib size don't agree with me. Frankly there is not much that is made today that matches the quality and durability of yesteryears. Ironic given that we have the tech. Or maybe that is the problem.
Sadly, they have pursued a strategy of stratification to fill gaps in the high end market for exceptional pens. I don't mean a $1000 fountain pen, I mean 5 , 6, and 7 figure pens. There was a golden age when design and accessibility were more reasonable, but they would never make the Hitchcock today at that price ...too technical for such a wide release. The Duke of Milan doesn;t post, and the mechanism you suggest it has to allow it to spin would make it impossible to cap or uncap btw.
Posting or non-posting is an individual preference. I don't like posting my pens, but some people do. There is no universal "must post," but it's perfectly fine to choose only pens that post if that's your preference. It's all about choice, and I'm all for that.
@@murkser4149 Pelikan m800 is the size of a Montblanc 146 pen & weigh 29gm & 25.4 gm respectively. MB 144 weighs 16.5 gms while MB Classique 145 weighs 20gms. IMO Peli800 is pocketable still. While Peli1000 is perhaps pocket unfriendly.
@@sunilkumargarg9676 I think you misunderstood me. A pocket pen is a very specific type of pen that is much smaller, e.g. the Kaweco Sport. The 144 may be "pocketable" in your opinion but that doesn't make it a pocket pen. You are also conflating length, size and weight, which are all very different things.
It definitely costs more than Noodlers. I'm a dip pen user that is juuuust starting to get into fountain pens, and I feel like the ink is a part of the joy of the writing process. I've yet to fully use up a bottle of ink, and I do a LOT of handwriting, so I guess my POV would be... write with the ink you love the most, whatever that may be; find joy in the writing! ❤
@@quailypoes Clarification: I've heard nothing but rave reviews for MB inks. Everybody buy the ink you like! But given the range of prices, clearly MB inks are accurately described as premium, deluxe inks. There are also some Platinum inks I use, which cost about double what Noodler's cost. That qualifies as premium to me, which just means I think twice before buying.
@@ichirofakename that makes sense! And I've also never heard anything but rave reviews for the MB inks. Haven't tried them, but I'm just a big fan of using whatever makes you happiest when it comes to something like ink. I'm perfectly content with Noodler's Walnut for my normal ink, and then I really really love Manyo Ume for a fancier feeling ink. It's a little more expensive, but it's so FUN to write with. Hope you have an awesome day! ❤
@@quailypoes You must not be aware that Noodler's inks are known to be corrosive to the metal parts of your pen and will damage them over time. Ask any professional pen restorer.
I love my Montblanc pens... 80 Days and Glacier Solitaire, 149, and a few roller ball, but they're not the best... for that you'll need to look no further than Montegrappo (another mountain)...
I love the MB 144 with slip-cap. Would that I could find a nice one for sale. That other slip-cap MB with matte finish looks like a wonderful pen. Wish MB still made that type of pen.
Greetings from Australia. Loved your video and pens. One day I'll buy one but I'm having great fun leading to that moment and thinking how many Jinhaos I can have for the price. 🤣 Thanks for sharing your pens I enjoyed your video. Stay safe.
They make nice pens, although they are a bit overpriced and I say that as a MB owner. I also think they get more than their fair share of unnecessary hate due to being unattainable for many enthusiasts, much like Rolex does. A true aficianado would appreciate the end product they put out. I disagree that they should release a more affordable pen as that would hurt the brand. If they were to do it, they should do it under a different brand name like what Rolex does with Tudor.
Another Montblanc rule is that in order to sell their pens you must have a brick-and-mortar store. So Goulet & others who only have an online presence can't sell them. I have a modern 146 with a 14k fine neb, a modern Boheme with a 14 medium & a vintage Monte Rosa with a very bouncy 14k fine nib. I absolutely prefer the Monte Rosa, it's a slim black piston-filler that just works for me. I have pretty much decided to only buy vintage MB's in the future.
I agree. Older Montblanc nibs are often better than the ones they use today. The same is true for Pelikan and a lot of other long-established makers. Ever wonder why there are so many "nibmeisters" today? With some exceptions, the general quality of nibs on modern pens is lower than they were in the past. Many pen companies have transferred their nib quality control to the customer, along with the cost to pay a nibmeister to "tune and smooth." We're not talking special nib grinds, just making the nib write correctly. That's a lot of what nibmeisters actually do.
Pretty cool, I have some Mont Blanc pens, however none of the fountain type. Mine are all roller ball pens, but I love the smoothness of them, and just the overall feel, and weight of the build. They are truly of higher quality.
I have many of their fountain pens and ballpoint pens. But I recently a MB Legrand Solitaire Sterling Silver Martelé. What a great pen, it writes well and the heft and presence in hand is quite remarkable.
I’ve tried but not owned several versions of the 149. Maybe it’s just my preference but none of them ever seemed worth the money. Personally I liked the pilot 823 in medium more.
Very nice and interesting video. Your pens are the most high-end pens. I love fountain pens and I collect many writing tools and instruments . many vintage stuffs. I have a small collection of about seven Mont Blanc pens. They are 149 , 146 x 2 , Solitaire solid god , Nobless , mozzart , and 4 ball point pens. I love them and they are somewhat special among my pen collection. Great quality pens.
I have a Montblanc 149 (a gift from an alumnus in 1992…as an aside, I had no idea t was quite expensive. When taking a group of students to Madrid and around Spain in 1993, i had the pen in my shirt pocket. In 1992, Spain was just emerging (hosting a World’s Fair, etc.), and banks still had armed guards, a long protocol for getting inside. Drug stores were also places with armed guards. Here i was in a common area of Madrid displaying a Montblanc 149. One of my students who was from Italy came up and said, “professor, you can’t be displaying that pen here.” I naively said, ‘You mean it is worth a lot of money?” He said, ‘Professor, some people here would cut your arm off to get that pen.’ I still have it, but I regret those days when I let the pen touch other pens, etc. It is far from the best fountain pen I own, and I would not consider it to be my best writing pen; however, that logo always gets the most attention. I am not a fan of conspicuous consumption and its symbols; hence, I likely will donate it this year to a charitable auction, so someone can invest in the pen who appreciates conspicuous consumption and is willing for his or her money to go to a charitable cause. Last, I do have a Charles Dickens writer’s Edition by Montblanc, and it was very expernsive; however, the quality of the piston is far, far less than the metal piston-model 149. It writes all right, but I fear the piston will not hold up long.
I have a MB Boheme counterfeit. I knew it was fake because of the very low price I paid. Actually, it is an excellent pen that never fails to perform. I am now regretful that I bought it because it encouraged counterfeiting in the market, but it was many years ago when I was an immature middle aged man still a few years short of retirement. My apologies to all!
Montblanc is an institution, at least for the unintroduced. Worth having at least for the brand name and feel. In the end we create the value in our heads. I have MB and I keep it, but is it the best writing experience there is? Even with my shallow knowledge I would say no. The world of fountain pens is very deep.
Excellent video. Your comparison with Rolex as a brand is spot on, with a big difference, and the reason I will never own a Rolex. Unlike Rolex, as far as I know Montblanc actually makes their pens. Rolex never made their watches. They have always assembled them from parts manufacturers. Montblanc has also never claimed to be the innovators of special features when they were already invented, and most egregious to me, Hans Wilsdorf never really cared for watchmaking, only marketing. Rolex never had a watchmaking pedigree.
Montblanc pen prices have risen considerably but at the same time quality materials & design have cheapened slightly. Still great pens just not as quality as a decade or two ago. Don't waste your time clicking on the contact us section of their website or request their newsletter as I've never had a reply & this is particularly bad when people have paid for an augmented paper set as their app feedback is full of people who've had reoccurring sync problems but have never had a response to their questions.
Yeah Mont Blanc is the rolex of pens. What every normal person thinks of when they think of the "Best pen". What really annoys me is that they aren't on the same level as rolex honestly. They should be using more ebonite and lacquer on their meisterstuck series. The pilot custom urushi can be had for 200$ cheaper than a 149 and it has urushi lacquer and a similar if not better nib than the 149.
I agree that they have moved more to the grotesque end of the continuum. But Montblanc isn't anywhere close to the King Of Bling, Montegrappa. Their special limited editions run from about $4,500 up to $25,000 (and some even higher). They come with presentation boxes (note: plural) and materials that make Montblanc special or limited edition presentation boxes look like cheap cardboard. But check out the recent youtube review of Montblanc's Montezuma I, part of Montblanc's Great Patrons line...it's a big pen, but only because the cap is massive, dwarfs the actual pen buried inside it, and makes the writing part of the pen look underwhelming. It's an example of Montblanc going too far.
NewbMintblancs average pens, inexpensive materials, average or slightly less build quality. Nearly always there are better writers for approximately 1/3 the price for all price points.
I purchased a brand new Montblanc 149 for $39.00 at the Harvard Coop in 1967- it had a14k gold nib. I still have it, and it writes beautifully!
Your $39 1967 Montblanc would easily sell between $500 and $650 in today's market (depending on condition). That's the standard range a used 149 sells for now.
You had foresight, even though $39.00 was quite a bit of money back in 1967. I also was a college student that year. I bought a Sheaffer plastic cartridge pen with a steel nib at the University of Illinois book store for about 99 cents, as I recall (which was all I could afford at the time), and it still writes beautifully! LOL !
I appreciate the review. I was given a Montblanc 144 in 1987 and have always liked that pen. My hands aren't small, but my fingers are slender and the width is perfect for me, though I have to write with it posted. But it isn't my best or favorite pen (I do love it because my parents gave it to me) - not my favorite to write with. That would be a silver Waterman (also a gift from my parents), which is also slender but has more of a heft and is longer. It's marginally less expensive pen than a Montblanc 149, but it's just a joy to write with and classic in its own way.
My collection has grown beyond the pens my parents gave me and includes a couple that are emphatically more expensive than any MB Meisterstuck, but none of them is perfect for me all the time. They have different uses and I have different needs and moods. The pens I find most consistently useful, though, and that I most enjoy writing with (aside from that Waterman) are in the $100-300 range. That range is well-served, and I'm not sure it would make sense for Montblanc to go back there. I think they're best off remaining the Rolex of the pen world - not as expensive or exclusive as Patek Philippe (nor, in my opinion, as beautiful), but far more recognizable and aspirational. And certainly attractive and well-made. Very German.
Great video. Are these older Mont Blanc fountain pen still available as used to buy ?
Thanks. RS. Canada
Great info in this vid. Regarding the pull cap Montblanc 144 -- I own two (F amd M nibs) that I use daily to take notes in meetings. The pens have nibs that let me write fast and clear. Plus, the look is not too showy. I also have a late 1960s/early 1970s Montblanc 149 that has a beautiful singing flex nib that is my favorite pen. I agree that the Montblancs are not the best pens I own, but they perform in a way that I find very appealing.
Montblanc’s 149 taught me an expensive lesson about the risk of carrying a pen in a suit coat (inside) pocket. I might choose the older style Montblanc 144. Why? Well, what can screw-on rather smoothly and easily can work its way to an unscrewed position. In my earliest days of fountain pens, I had few, and I did not have a pen case. I went to the courtroom or classroom with a fountain pen in the inside pocket of my suit coat. Suits, still required in the courtroom (long forgotten to academics, as undergraduate professors long ago embraced the ultra-casual look). As a few might guess, the cap slowly loosened and eventually unscrewed, leaving the cap clipped to my pocket but the pen itself, with a full load of ink and with nib touching cloth. Of course, the most expensive suit I owned was destroyed. Two different dry cleaners tried various chemicals, but nothing removed that much permanent ink! (Unusual? Well, I have had the screw-on caps come off at least two other fountain pens. I was quicker to recognize the developing problem each time, so no suit was ruined. Finally, I purchased a couple 3 or 4-pen pen holders. I HAVE NEVER LOST A SNAP-On/Off cap. To add a more relevant note, I actually did not have my best results with the Montblanc 149. An alumnus (one I had provided some free legal advice) sent me a Montblanc 149. Prior to 1990, a young professor (and one who was raised in rural farm country), I had no idea how expensive it was. I really did not know how to care for it, and I had to read the instructions just to know how to use it properly. Nevertheless, I blame some of its quirks on the pen itself. I first realized it was valuable when one of my students (an Italian) participating in a class that involved a group tour of
Spain said, “Professor, you cannot display that pen in such a clearly visible way.” I said, “You mean it is worth a lot of money.” He: “Some in this crowded mall might cut your arm off to get it from you!” Our German-born University architect also carried one. HIs comments were positive, but when I asked him about the fact there was always ink on the nib or in the cap, “Oh, you cannot keep that from happening, but you must carry a cloth with you.” In brief, I was naive and unskilled; nevertheless, I would not consider it as one of my Top 5 (maybe not Top 10) fountain pens. I view the Lamy 2000 to be the perfect fountain pen for a professional, and I love writing with my Scribo Feel. I still believe my German and Japanese fountain pens are superior; however, I also love the writing feel of my Leonardo, Edison, Aurora, Delta, Pilot, and Sailor pens more than my Montblanc 149. My favorite Montblanc is even one in the Writer’s Edition (Charles Dickens).
Loved your review! While I have a 146, I do not have a 144 yet.
Thanks so much for the great story...
I have the 144. It is a smaller MB pen, but it does indeed snap on and off authoritatively, and writes faithfully and richly.
It sounds like you have an impressive collection.
I used to carry my pens clipped to the collar of my undershirt. I lost a green marble Duofold when it unscrewed from the cap. I cringe when I hear reviewerspraise a pen because iot uncaps with little twist. It just syas the pen is so much easier to lose that way.
You should have gotten a plastic pocket protector for your pen.
Thanks for a very interesting overview. I'm old enough to have been buying the cheaper Montblanc pens back in the late 1970s, just after the company was taken over by Dunhill, and still have, and use, my steel nib Carrera and 225 (basically a 220 with a metal cap). The Carrera, basically a kids' school pen, was made and sold by the same company that was making the 149 and 146, and all of these models were sold by dealers. Montblanc was a company that made pens at every level with no ill-effect on its bottom line, just like Lamy today, so you are quite right when you say that they should make a $200 pen again, or even a $50 steel nib pen for that matter. You may be interested to know that my favourite models are my burgundy 144 and the Noblesse and Slimline family of pens. I've bought a few modern models, but have not liked them as much, so got rid of them, as I was not using them enough.
Montblanc pens do hold their value well on the used market too. They're well made, and if you take care of them, they can last decades. I also have the 220 Makrolon you discussed briefly and a couple of others from roughly the same period. Even though they were a lower tier (for Montblanc), they are piston fillers, and their gold nibs are really nice and smooth. They are much more affordable on the used market. Because of Montblanc's long history - and quality - certain vintage Montblanc pens from the 1930s to the 1950s can sell at eye-watering prices today, and there are interesting versions from this period that were made for different European markets with different finishes. There was more variety in color and finish in those days than today's Montblancs.
I recently bought a 146 on the used market. I think it was stored with ink in it, and it had dried out. I flushed it with water and filled it with an ink known for its cleaning properties. It's writing well now, the quality of craftsmanship is excellent. I'm told that it was made in the '90's.
Really enjoyed this review of MB pens and ink… good job!
Thanks for overview.
Ive got a Boheme, my fav, A 22 and several Nobless, all used.
Wish MB offered entry level.pens.in under.300, still a lot of money.
Spot on.about their ink prices. Great.package and bottle. I couldnt find.a.specific.color on amazon, but montblanc had color, little cheaper before shipping, and it.arrived three days.
Currently I'm looking at the 220, which are a nicer 22 ? Starwalkers are interesting too, but I think I need.to try a 144 or.146. 149 seem.too big, and I'm not in love.with that cigar shape
Again thanks.for review
Bravo- you should do more of these videos as in brands or types of pens as in sack fillers.
In the pre-pandemic days, I used to drop by the Mont Blanc shop in Heathrow airport during layovers. I was surprised at how small they are. The 149 is actually quite short, in my opinion, compared to other popular pens. Even if I could afford one, I would pass because I would have to post the pen to make it comfortable to write with. Just my opinion. Thanks for another great review.
yeah having artritis sucks
There is no "one size fits all" in pens just like everything else. Individual preference dictates long or short, wide or thin, fine or medium or broad nib, etc. Keep in mind most modern pens are substantially larger than the majority of pens produced prior to about 1980. I don't think human hands have become larger since then, and more people used fountain pens before the introduction of ballpoints. So people managed to work with smaller pens. I generally prefer larger, wider pens, but I don't find vintage pens difficult to write with - as long as the nib is good. My personal opinion is people back then held and wrote with pens differently than most of us do today. But hey! I'm all for individual choice and preference in modern pens.
Montblanc was once a great pen company that has relegated itself to making rich boy toys for speculators. Lovely items, but anything at those prices usually is. It's worth debating whether making an excellent product at a decent price is the real hallmark of a good penmaker.
I agree, thats why I will always consider LAMY a "good" pen manufacturer with this perspective and Montblanc would not be a "good" pen manufacturer, being all about the flex it's a "good" accessories manufacturer.
Your reasoning is why I am very impressed by the Japanese pen makers, and other Japanese "luxury goods" for that matter. Whether it be watches, automobiles, or pens, the Japanese have broad ranges of excellent quality, and a good deal less expensive than European counterparts for comparable products. That being said there are certain brands, and we all know who they are that just there to boost someone's self esteem, and really detracts from the purists.
I find them too fat for me. My hand starts to cramp after 5 minutes of use.
But.. but... It's "precious resin"...
@@Frankifourfingers I think Lamy is a good pen manufacturer too. They're one of the few pen companies today that makes all their nibs in-house. A lot of pen companies - including some prestige names, do not. Lamy hasn't positioned themselves to the extreme high end pen market. Their focus is modern, contemporary design and materials done well. On youtube there's a short video tour of Lamy's corporate headquarters/production site. It is high tech, state of the art, German manufacturing. Another great pen company is Faber-Castell, the lower tier of high end Graf von Faber-Castell. Similar to Lamy, but still distinct from them. They're widely known for incredibly good steel nibs and interesting contemporary looks.
Thank you, that's a very good overview of the brand. I'll probably never buy a pen, even used it's out of my price range. But I got a few of their inks before they decided to raise their prices. Corn Poppy Red is still my favorite red ink. Taking inks aside, since you have access to different nibs and widths, what would you say is your favorite nib among the Montblacs you have?
Humm... Probably the 149 or the Hitchcock.
I had my first experience of Montblanc during Christmas 2020. I was given a brand new MB pen as a gift. It didn't write! I inked it up with MB ink and all I got was hard starting and skipping. Needless to say, the pen went straight back to the dealer for a full refund.
I know it seems just senseless to purchase an item only to have to deal with bad nibs or poor ink flow. That is why I purchase them used when I plan on using them on the regular in rotation. they are staples in my collection.
So the deal with MB pens are that the nibs can be over polished, known as baby's bottom. Hard starting and skipping, but especially hard starting are a symptom of baby's bottom. It can be smoothed out, or even with use it usually smooths itself out. It's a shame that you were not made aware of the issue. This is the problem with retail sales these days. People just don't know their product knowledge, even at Montblanc boutiques, all they want is to sell you a lifestyle and make a sale. I'd be interested to know if returned the pen back to a Montblanc boutique or another dealer, because Montblanc in the least should have looked at the nib for you.
@@trxmpg70 Same here. Why pay full retail for a 146 or 149 when you can buy them used in good or excellent condition from reputable dealers for about 50% less?
@@ironmic9244 I think you'll find with Montblanc and other well-established quality brands the nibs today are not the same quality as the nibs they produced 20-50 years ago. A major reason some collectors prefer vintage pens is the better quality nibs.
@@jaystone4816 Agreed. MB is definitely not the only one, *cough*Visconti*cough* Though let's see what happens with their new in-house gold nibs. Those vintage nibs are a treat, unfortunately for me the pen and nib size don't agree with me. Frankly there is not much that is made today that matches the quality and durability of yesteryears. Ironic given that we have the tech. Or maybe that is the problem.
Sadly, they have pursued a strategy of stratification to fill gaps in the high end market for exceptional pens. I don't mean a $1000 fountain pen, I mean 5 , 6, and 7 figure pens. There was a golden age when design and accessibility were more reasonable, but they would never make the Hitchcock today at that price ...too technical for such a wide release. The Duke of Milan doesn;t post, and the mechanism you suggest it has to allow it to spin would make it impossible to cap or uncap btw.
Sorry, but I have a Duke of Milan and it most definitely DOES post, the mechanism to avoid operating the piston when posted works perfectly.
@@WhatIInk We know you have a duke of milan, you showed it to us.
@@unboxingmontblanc4956 Right... so yeah, it posts.
Posting or non-posting is an individual preference. I don't like posting my pens, but some people do. There is no universal "must post," but it's perfectly fine to choose only pens that post if that's your preference. It's all about choice, and I'm all for that.
This MB144 is simply the most convenient pocket pen. So light. But do not drop it on the hard floor.
The 144 isn't a pocket pen at all. It's the length of a Pelikan M800.
@@murkser4149 Pelikan m800 is the size of a Montblanc 146 pen & weigh 29gm & 25.4 gm respectively. MB 144 weighs 16.5 gms while MB Classique 145 weighs 20gms. IMO Peli800 is pocketable still. While Peli1000 is perhaps pocket unfriendly.
@@sunilkumargarg9676 I think you misunderstood me. A pocket pen is a very specific type of pen that is much smaller, e.g. the Kaweco Sport. The 144 may be "pocketable" in your opinion but that doesn't make it a pocket pen. You are also conflating length, size and weight, which are all very different things.
Good job. I have almost a dozen Meisterstrucks and they're all beautiful. I enjoyed learning about this with you.
1. Beautiful writing indeed.
2. Montblanc ink costs exactly 3 times as much as Noodler's. For this Noodler's user that makes it a deluxe ink.
Noodler's is a particularly inexpensive ink. MB is pretty average.
It definitely costs more than Noodlers. I'm a dip pen user that is juuuust starting to get into fountain pens, and I feel like the ink is a part of the joy of the writing process. I've yet to fully use up a bottle of ink, and I do a LOT of handwriting, so I guess my POV would be... write with the ink you love the most, whatever that may be; find joy in the writing! ❤
@@quailypoes Clarification: I've heard nothing but rave reviews for MB inks. Everybody buy the ink you like! But given the range of prices, clearly MB inks are accurately described as premium, deluxe inks. There are also some Platinum inks I use, which cost about double what Noodler's cost. That qualifies as premium to me, which just means I think twice before buying.
@@ichirofakename that makes sense! And I've also never heard anything but rave reviews for the MB inks. Haven't tried them, but I'm just a big fan of using whatever makes you happiest when it comes to something like ink. I'm perfectly content with Noodler's Walnut for my normal ink, and then I really really love Manyo Ume for a fancier feeling ink. It's a little more expensive, but it's so FUN to write with.
Hope you have an awesome day! ❤
@@quailypoes You must not be aware that Noodler's inks are known to be corrosive to the metal parts of your pen and will damage them over time. Ask any professional pen restorer.
I love my Montblanc pens... 80 Days and Glacier Solitaire, 149, and a few roller ball, but they're not the best... for that you'll need to look no further than Montegrappo (another mountain)...
What Schmidt converter did you use for the starwalker. I have the same pen (but in black metal, not ceramic) and want a compatible converter.
I believe it's a K5
I love the MB 144 with slip-cap. Would that I could find a nice one for sale.
That other slip-cap MB with matte finish looks like a wonderful pen. Wish MB still made that type of pen.
Greetings from Australia.
Loved your video and pens.
One day I'll buy one but I'm having great fun leading to that moment and thinking how many Jinhaos I can have for the price. 🤣
Thanks for sharing your pens I enjoyed your video.
Stay safe.
Thank you for taking the time to make this informative video.
They make nice pens, although they are a bit overpriced and I say that as a MB owner. I also think they get more than their fair share of unnecessary hate due to being unattainable for many enthusiasts, much like Rolex does. A true aficianado would appreciate the end product they put out. I disagree that they should release a more affordable pen as that would hurt the brand. If they were to do it, they should do it under a different brand name like what Rolex does with Tudor.
Another Montblanc rule is that in order to sell their pens you must have a brick-and-mortar store. So Goulet & others who only have an online presence can't sell them. I have a modern 146 with a 14k fine neb, a modern Boheme with a 14 medium & a vintage Monte Rosa with a very bouncy 14k fine nib. I absolutely prefer the Monte Rosa, it's a slim black piston-filler that just works for me. I have pretty much decided to only buy vintage MB's in the future.
I agree. Older Montblanc nibs are often better than the ones they use today. The same is true for Pelikan and a lot of other long-established makers. Ever wonder why there are so many "nibmeisters" today? With some exceptions, the general quality of nibs on modern pens is lower than they were in the past. Many pen companies have transferred their nib quality
control to the customer, along with the cost to pay a nibmeister to "tune and smooth." We're not talking special nib grinds, just making the nib write correctly. That's a lot of what nibmeisters actually do.
That 220 is actually a very nice pen. I will get one if they remake them.
I got one a few weeks ago on eBay after watching Alan’s review, and it appears to be NOS by its condition. Very nice small piston pen.
@@tobymulder196 They have really nice gold nibs too.
You got very nice pens, love them. Love your videos greetings from the Netherlands.
Pretty cool, I have some Mont Blanc pens, however none of the fountain type. Mine are all roller ball pens, but I love the smoothness of them, and just the overall feel, and weight of the build. They are truly of higher quality.
I have many of their fountain pens and ballpoint pens. But I recently a MB Legrand Solitaire Sterling Silver Martelé. What a great pen, it writes well and the heft and presence in hand is quite remarkable.
Great Collection! Just bought my montblanc 145 a few weeks ago with broad nib
Excellent! Love that Hitchcock! Second time seeing it, David Parker (Figboot) was the first.
I very much enjoyed seeing the Hitchcock. Would I buy it? No, but only because it is more expensive than I would ever pay for a pen. I love that clip!
I’ve tried but not owned several versions of the 149. Maybe it’s just my preference but none of them ever seemed worth the money. Personally I liked the pilot 823 in medium more.
Very nice and interesting video. Your pens are the most high-end pens. I love fountain pens and I collect many writing tools and instruments . many vintage stuffs.
I have a small collection of about seven Mont Blanc pens. They are 149 , 146 x 2 , Solitaire solid god , Nobless , mozzart , and 4 ball point pens. I love them and they are somewhat special among my pen collection. Great quality pens.
Is the gold in the fountain pens real?????
When the nib on a pen is described as being "14K" that means 14 Karat Gold or 14/24 gold which equates to 58.5% gold content. So, yes.
I have a Montblanc 149 (a gift from an alumnus in 1992…as an aside, I had no idea t was quite expensive. When taking a group of students to Madrid and around Spain in 1993, i had the pen in my shirt pocket. In 1992, Spain was just emerging (hosting a World’s Fair, etc.), and banks still had armed guards, a long protocol for getting inside. Drug stores were also places with armed guards. Here i was in a common area of Madrid displaying a Montblanc 149. One of my students who was from Italy came up and said, “professor, you can’t be displaying that pen here.” I naively said, ‘You mean it is worth a lot of money?” He said, ‘Professor, some people here would cut your arm off to get that pen.’ I still have it, but I regret those days when I let the pen touch other pens, etc. It is far from the best fountain pen I own, and I would not consider it to be my best writing pen; however, that logo always gets the most attention. I am not a fan of conspicuous consumption and its symbols; hence, I likely will donate it this year to a charitable auction, so someone can invest in the pen who appreciates conspicuous consumption and is willing for his or her money to go to a charitable cause. Last, I do have a Charles Dickens writer’s Edition by Montblanc, and it was very expernsive; however, the quality of the piston is far, far less than the metal piston-model 149. It writes all right, but I fear the piston will not hold up long.
I have a MB Boheme counterfeit. I knew it was fake because of the very low price I paid. Actually, it is an excellent pen that never fails to perform. I am now regretful that I bought it because it encouraged counterfeiting in the market, but it was many years ago when I was an immature middle aged man still a few years short of retirement. My apologies to all!
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Very nice profile of some fine pens!!🖊️
Montblanc is an institution, at least for the unintroduced. Worth having at least for the brand name and feel. In the end we create the value in our heads. I have MB and I keep it, but is it the best writing experience there is? Even with my shallow knowledge I would say no. The world of fountain pens is very deep.
Excellent video. Your comparison with Rolex as a brand is spot on, with a big difference, and the reason I will never own a Rolex. Unlike Rolex, as far as I know Montblanc actually makes their pens. Rolex never made their watches. They have always assembled them from parts manufacturers. Montblanc has also never claimed to be the innovators of special features when they were already invented, and most egregious to me, Hans Wilsdorf never really cared for watchmaking, only marketing. Rolex never had a watchmaking pedigree.
the 144 is a pull cap and the 145 is screw cap
Montblanc pen prices have risen considerably but at the same time quality materials & design have cheapened slightly. Still great pens just not as quality as a decade or two ago. Don't waste your time clicking on the contact us section of their website or request their newsletter as I've never had a reply & this is particularly bad when people have paid for an augmented paper set as their app feedback is full of people who've had reoccurring sync problems but have never had a response to their questions.
Yeah Mont Blanc is the rolex of pens. What every normal person thinks of when they think of the "Best pen". What really annoys me is that they aren't on the same level as rolex honestly. They should be using more ebonite and lacquer on their meisterstuck series. The pilot custom urushi can be had for 200$ cheaper than a 149 and it has urushi lacquer and a similar if not better nib than the 149.
They used to be tasteful.....now they too gaudy.
From refined to grotesque.
The standard pens look the same
Just buy their standard Meisterstuck line. It's timeless. Nobody forces you to buy their Great Characters, Writer's Edition, Patron Of Arts, etc.
I agree that they have moved more to the grotesque end of the continuum. But Montblanc isn't anywhere close to the King Of Bling, Montegrappa. Their special limited editions run from about $4,500 up to $25,000 (and some even higher). They come with presentation boxes (note: plural) and materials that make Montblanc special or limited edition presentation boxes look like cheap cardboard. But check out the recent youtube review of Montblanc's Montezuma I, part of Montblanc's Great Patrons line...it's a big pen, but only because the cap is massive, dwarfs the actual pen buried inside it, and makes the writing part of the pen look underwhelming. It's an example of Montblanc going too far.
I prefer the older round shoe shaped bottle.
NewbMintblancs average pens, inexpensive materials, average or slightly less build quality. Nearly always there are better writers for approximately 1/3 the price for all price points.