Companion for my Montblanc BP?

[wisemenofgotham]

Hello!

My daily writer is a Montblanc Meisterstuck Platinum Line Classique ballpoint pen (164). I'm looking for a fountain pen for leisure writing at home, preferably with a blue black ink. After visiting my local Montblanc boutique, I found the 149 to be a great pen, but preferred the size of the 146 for regular usage. I'm new to fountain pens and was hoping for some suggestions. Thank you for your time.

 

[syngent]

Did you have a budget in mind to help us find the right pen for you ?

 

[jkingrph]

I have both the 149 and 146. My preference is the 146.

 

[nemo]

Did you have a budget in mind to help us find the right pen for you ?

Well, the LeGrand (also previously called 146) is a $690 pen. You can buy a lot of other pens for that amount.

For carrying around and regular usage I'd think the 146 size is adequate. Do you post your pens?

 

[wisemenofgotham]

I do not own a fountain pen but I am looking to purchase one in the near future. I never thought to purchase one in the past because with my work (physician), a ballpoint suits my needs better than a fountain pen. This fountain pen would be used to write letters and cards, mostly at my home during my free time.

I do not like pens that are very thick (ex. Montblanc 149). I found the Montblanc 146 to be a much better size for me. Regarding budget, I would say $1,000 USD, new or used. I prefer something classic and simple, such as my Montblanc 164 Classique Platinum ballpoint (shown below). I do not know much about the various brands, hence my thread. I'm rather content to purchase the Montblanc 146 (Meisterstuck Platinum Line Classique Fountain pen), but I was wondering if there is a better alternative in a similar size. I'm open to all suggestions, however. Thank you for your time.

 

[syngent]

did you want to stay with MontBlanc ? there are a few other pens I know i would like to have at that price point, but if you want to stick to montblanc Im afraid i dont have a lot of knowledge about them

 

[wisemenofgotham]

did you want to stay with MontBlanc ? there are a few other pens I know i would like to have at that price point, but if you want to stick to montblanc Im afraid i dont have a lot of knowledge about them

No, I'm not set on Montblanc. If there is something that might work better for the price and is a similar size, I'm all ears.

 

[syngent]

Oh now this is a game I like,... 5 minutes if you please

 

[syngent]

The Pelikan M800, well under you budget, and a beautiful pen that has a piston filler that is a dream to use when filling and flushing, the best part is you have enough in your budget for a custom Stub grind that will make your handwriting in your letters just that much more special

http://www.nibs.com/PelikanM800Series.htm there may be better deals but you can see the pen here, as well as these guys are a good choice for a custom grind


The Nakaya Decapod Twist, my favourite window shopping pen (well out of my budget a big save for me) Using Japanese Urishi to decorate, they are all handmade by very experienced craftsman great nibs and a beautiful look to me I love the look without the clip
http://www.nibs.com/NakayaDecapodTwist.html

The Dorsal fin pen is a great option in Nakaya as well


The Sailor full sized realo piston filler pen,

http://www.nibs.com/Sailor1911Realo.html

well under your budget, but with some great Nib choices that can turn a reasonably priced pen to a much higher one, but have the ability to really make your handwriting unique, if this interests you it could take some time to find examples and show you what i mean, which i would be willing to do

Visconti Van Gogh, and Wallstreet
van gogh
http://www.goldspot.com/Visconti_pens/Van_Gogh/V-78318-M.html

Wallstreet
http://www.goldspot.com/Visconti_pens/Wall_Street/V-38128M.html

visconti has a lot of other options you may like as well... and again well under your budget which means paper and ink can be added as well




this is a good place to start to look at some very different options, have a look see what you like or dont maybe we can hone in on what your preferences are

 

[wisemenofgotham]

Thank you very much for the detailed response. I really like this:

Pelikan M800 Brown Tortoiseshell



Stylewise, I found the Pelikan M805 (Black with silver trim) the most appealing. All the mentioned choices above are better performers than the Montblanc 146 LeGrand?

 

[syngent]

MontBlanc makes great pens, Im not sure better is the right word different for sure, In some cases like the Pelikan I would say your getting more pen for your dollar given the materials and filling mechanisms.

And again Ive never used a MontBlanc, by tomorrow some of the guys who have had both the pelikans and the Montblanc will be able to comment about either or for you, with their own personal experience.

 

[MaxFrank]

I have both a 149 and 147 (cartridge filled 146) and a M1000. I am going to sell all except the 149.
I find that the m1000 writes too wet of a line and is too flexible, as I sometimes use a bit of pressure. The m800 nib is both less wet and a stiffer I believe.
I must say that I were to choose now between a m800 and 146 (slightly more comfortable size pens) I'd go for that m800 tortoise with a fine nib, looks slightly more interesting to me than just plain black resin

 

[tm3]

I don't have the experience of many here, but will add that I believe that custom nib work should be strongly considered on a high end pen.

I own multiple pens, but the one that gets used more than the rest combined is a Pilot VP with custom Richard Binder nib. It works the way I like a pen to work, and it is a YMMV thing.

 

[maxman]

I'm a MB fan and I love the feel of the 146.
Consider some of the smaller companies that can do custom work like Edison.
You can choose your material and have one made up to your specs.

 

[Austin]

I have both the 149 and 146. My preference is the 146.

Same here. I sold my 149 because I rarely used it. I found it too big for comfortable daily usage.

 

[syngent]

Forgot about Edison there is a brilliant option and the pen would be perfect as you can have it custom made

 

[maxman]

Same here. I sold my 149 because I rarely used it. I found it too big for comfortable daily usage.

I like my 149 but yeah, it's like writing with a pickle.

 

[wisemenofgotham]

Thank you very much for all the feedback. I'm going to call nibs.com in a few hours when they open in an effort to see what kind of nib works with my writing style. As of now, it appears to be the Pelikan M800 vs the Montblanc 146. However, still open to all suggestions.

EDIT:

Edison Morgan in Tortoise Shell



For ink, I'm considering Noodler's Blue-Black. Any other suggestions for a deep blue-black that's more black and doesn't dry out to be grey?

 

[syngent]

I'd stay away from noodlers all together for that pen I'm at work ill get back to you on ink but others will chime in here

Isellpens usually has the best prices on pelikans but nibs.com is a great place to have a nib done

 

[jkingrph]

Thank you very much for the detailed response. I really like this:

Pelikan M800 Brown Tortoiseshell

View attachment 332136

Stylewise, I found the Pelikan M805 (Black with silver trim) the most appealing. All the mentioned choices above are better performers than the Montblanc 146 LeGrand?

I have several of the mentioned Montblanc pens as well as the Pelikans. Performance comparisons is simply a matter of opinion. Honestly I use the Pelikans more, not that they write better or that the Montblanc pens write worse, but I like the shape and colors, especially my Brown Tortise better. I do agree there is a lot more bang for the buck with the Pelikan Do like I did when I got the matching ballpoint for the Pelikan pen, and have a set.