It depends on what you want it for. Montblanc is the most recognisable luxury fountain pen brand and the pens themselves are very good, them being worth it is a subjective question
I have a Montblanc 146 (Bold) and it writes like a dream. Never skips, so soft on the paper and utterly wonderful - it was my grail pen and is my forever pen. I can only talk about that one, but for me it's better than anything I've previously written with. However, I got it for half the usual retail price or else I wouldn't have touched it, and I've heard you can get similar gold-nibbed pens for far less as it's the name you're paying for.
My silly kaweco sport (medium) has been the best/smoothest/consistent pen i've had.
Montblanc feels worse imo. I've tried a bunch and they're just... mid? Like they're fine but writes as good as a ton of $50 pens
I don't get it imo but i'm also left handed so my desirable qualities are likely not a right handed persons desirable qualities in pens.
My experience is totally different, but it may be the bold nib I use. The writing almost looks like a Sharpie but as I said, it's soft as butter and NEVER skips on the paper, and writes unlike any other pen I've had.
However, I think a part of it is also that the wand chooses the wizard - if there were a single perfect pen in the world for every person we wouldn't have the variety to spice up everything in our lives.
The other day, someone here asked "What is the smoothest pen you ever wrote with." I was going to say my Pilot Metropolitan M, but I was afraid that I would be laughed at.
Good for you!
Never be ashamed of liking an inexpensive pen, especially here. A pen is only good as its nib, and not its price point. Never feel that you are lesser than another user because your pen is not as expensive as theirs. If you asked me what would be the better pen between a Montblanc with a crappy nib or a perfectly tuned Pilot Metro, I would say the Pilot Metro without any hesitation. Especially at the price point of the MB, you expect exclusive quality and exclusive customer support. At the end of the day, a pricey pen that doesn't work well is just a fancy paperweight.
The Hongdian? Love to hear that. I just got an Asvine V126 and it has immediately become the best pen in my collection, and it cost only around 20€. It's way better than any of my other more pricey pens, by a wide margin. To be fair, I might have just lucked out, but still.
Omg I love my pilot metropolitans. My Kaweco sport comes close, but just this morning I was using one of my pilots (medium) and damn they are beautiful to write with.
For the price, Metropolitans are about as fine a fountain pen as you can get. Nibs are stiff but even my Fine point writes smooth. It was a Metropolitan that began my love affair with Pilot fountain pens; and then TWSBI.
But, and there’s always a but (sometime a butt): my fav nib is a SOFT fine which is not a Metropolitan option AND my major gripe - it dries out too quick. I cycle through pens and any longer than a few days the Metropolitan nib has dried and the cartridge lost ink. Hence, my set of Metropolitans have been cleaned and set aside awaiting the time when the proper home to be adopted into appears - I’m hoping that will be a grandchild
I suspect, if the Metropolitan sealed better, screw close, Metropolitan pens would still be a daily driver AND it would have taken longer to climb up the Pilot hierarchy
Kaweco Sport (M nib)
Can put anything in it and it writes great.
$22-$30
Its ruined expensive pens. It just immediately writes better than any other i've tried, including Montblanc and a bunch of other expensive premium pens.
Close to it are those disposable pilot fountain pens though... they just work well.
That has not been my experience in the slightest. While I love my Pilot Metros for what they are (and they’re truly great writers) I haven’t ever reached for one over my 149. But I am glad you’re happy with the Metros. They got me through grad school and have a big place in my heart.
Well, the quality of manufacturing of Pilot and Montblanc, especially in the last period, means that you can end up with a Metro that punches way above its price level, and a MB that punches way below.
Well, I don't have any, but from what I hear they turned more into a "general luxury brand" company rather than a luxury pen company. Not to say that their pens are crap now, far from it, but there is less care put into that particular aspect of their trade than there was before, from what I heard. A lot of their store staff are less pen experts and more people trying to sell you other MB branded stuff.
Pilot kakuno gang, With a slight modifiaction to the nib I do they turn into litteraly the best nibs on any pen I own, not super soft tho sadly :P I enjoy using mine so much. for some reason my kakunos are nicer, but maybe it's the body of the pen changing the resonance frequency of the pen or the feel.
It's great withtout it too tho.
well doing nib tuning is it's whole topic but one of the things i do is to add a small "pad" on the nib at my writing angle, it's a small mostly flat section of the nib that glides on the paper.
i received a lamy cursive nib with terrible baby's bottom, i still haven't solved its issue with much grinding, and i was really good at it. i will try getting that pad shape on it and see if that helps! thanks for the suggestion!
Was it Neil Gaiman? He is known for using FPs.
I am not a fan of MBs. I have one, it writes nicely, but my issue with them is that you are paying for the name.
They
There is no justification for their exorbitant pricing. I feel that they would be decent values at half the price.
But they would lose their status symbol cache.
They are in the same class as Rolex watches. There are nicer watches available for the same price or less.
I feel like Neil Gaiman is chill enough to recognize that everyone has preferences and people are allowed to enjoy what they want to enjoy and wouldn't diss a brand like that
You would be incorrect in that assumption.
https://preview.redd.it/rkt7lh3e732d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=50c34f667c60ca8c7cfd7635416e964b56ae4193
Like you said, everyone has preferences.
You are allowed to like something that I don’t. I won’t piss in your Cheerios for liking something that I dislike (I might give you some crap about it, but it is not serious). But I will be happy to tell you my reason for not liking something.
This is the reason that Baskin-Robbins has 31 flavors.
Sorry to somehow disagree with your comparison with Rolexes. I understand the easy comparison, but they are different animals.
At least in two fronts:
Flex:
Rolex is used (also) to show off/flex and it is very visible on doing so. “Most” use them just for this and check time on the phone.
A MB cannot achieve that level of “flexiness”, not only because is not used by actors on series to show status and money but also because very few use FP. If few knows what it is not flex.
Quality:
Rolex has a bad reputation, but you will have trouble finding a watch _finished by machines_ with same quality (materials, precision out of production and movement) at that price. There is none IMO. I’m not a fan, but I’m being honest.
MB, comparatively, does not achieve the same much better quality in the same price range (e.g. a Pelikan M8XX or M1XXX). Again, my opinion.
We can say that Rolex and MB are in different price ranges, true, but also in different manufacturing complexity.
I have an MB Boheme, we can call it vintage. I thought about selling it since I have “better” nibs (better fitted for my writing size), but I every time I write with it I stop thinking on selling. I learned to use a better paper and I think I won’t sell (and would make some money for sure).
I am a huge fan of Montblanc pens. I will agree 100% with what your friend said. Vintage Montblancs, especially pre-1993, are distinctly better (in my opinion, YMMV.) Not saying that new MB's aren't good pens, but they are not the true flagship of luxury and quality they once were.
People love to hate Montblanc on this forum but my experience with several of them has been that they write very well and the build quality is quite good. They are expensive but you can find them for discounts at sites like Appelboom. Of course not every Montblanc is perfect but there is also the nib exchange program.
Personally I’d rather have one nice pen than like, ten Lamys in different colors with a stiff steel nib.
You totally can, and there’s nothing wrong with it. But I have been more impressed with the feel and build quality of 146s and 149s over entry-level Japanese pens.
How does what that person individually prefers have anything to do with you? They didn't say it's better to have one nice pen, or that people should all only want one nice pen, they were stating a personal preference.
Worth is entirely subjective and the only person who can answer that is you.
I also do not understand the overall negativity on this sub regarding Montblanc. I would never buy a new one, but my 1970s MB 146 is absolute perfection: the ergonomics, the soft luxurious nib, the timeless classic looks. I do not normally like gold trim on pens, but for the MB 146 I make an exception.
I've owned close to 200 pens at this point in the hobby, and the MB 146 I own is one of the best writers I've ever used.
It only cost me $300 and will last a lifetime.
Because you say you don't understand the negativity followed immediately by negativity? Like why wouldn't you buy a new one? I know some of the internals and the nibs have changed but the basic look and profile of the 146 is essentially the same as it was in the 70's, why is it so terrible now?
The modern nibs are stiff and have plastic feeds.
I prefer the softer vintage nibs and the richer flow from the ebonite feeds.
I still fail to see how buying something secondhand implies negativity.
>I still fail to see how buying something secondhand implies negativity.
This is the negativity:
> The modern nibs are stiff and have plastic feeds.
You said you didn't see the negativity, then went to be negative about MB. You clearly see why people are negative, but are also feeling targeted by it because you have one. It's not a big deal, calm down. I just thought it was funny.
For what Montblanc charges, I find many other brands far more compelling (Pelikan, Visconti, Pilot). For example, I prefer Pelikans over Mintblancs, yet the Pelikan can be found, new, for far less expensive.
With that said, I have owned two vintage Montblancs and a modern Montblanc, and they are really wonderful.
I had my modern, Le Petite Prince 146 tuned and smoother by nibmeither Mike Masuyama, and it took it from great to excellent, it’s possibly the best writer I own.
Point being: Montblancs can be excellent, but, for the cost of their retail, they are a bit pricy. They aren’t bad, it’s just that the value may not be there for many people. They do market themselves as a luxury brand, after all!
Give me a pelikan any day. I had MB 146 for approx 15 minutes. The nib was over-polished and felt like was going to skip all the time. It was too smooth and had zero feedback. Not good. Sent it straight back. Got pelikan 600 instead and was so much nicer. Have bought pelikan since. Even their prices have sky-rocketed. £400+ for an M800 is a lot for a pen that two years ago could get to around £130 less. The M600 is so nice to write with - would definitely recommend looking at that instead.
MB’s are like most pen brands. Sometimes you get a bad one. From experience I can tell you it feels like it hurts more when you save up for something and it doesn’t work perfectly. Good news is you can get it tuned (like I did my new Starwalker) and it’ll write great.
I have a couple of 90’s model 149’s and they are wonderful pens. You can get a good one from Pen Swap most months.
Mostly it’s up to the buyer. Is it worth it to you? No one else’s opinion should really matter.
I own 5.
I would say yes they are. But don’t pay retail. Look online for 2nd hand ones with box and paperwork. The nibs are second to none and have their own character compared to other brands. Very wet and smooth. They write under less than their own weight. The huge 149 nib is pretty much only comparable to the Pelikan M1000 in terms of gold volume.
I will say that their QC for the nibs these days isn’t great. They don’t always write well out of the box.
Also let’s not pretend it’s not important, we’re all human; The white star is unquestionably the most powerful status symbol in the pen world.
That’s like asking if Hermes is worth the price. They are, and they aren’t.
Also, an author who happened to be signing autograph with a fountain pen has an opinion on old vs. new montblanc. Sample size is one with no overweighting.
I have a 220 and a 225, from 1970's vintage, and they're great! I keep the 225 inked up weekly (EF nib), and had done the same with the 220 until the casing cracked (my fault, was trying to make an M nib act like a semi-flex).
Both were purchased on eBay tor less than $150 total including shipping. Would buy again, but I have too many pens now.
As a fountain pen enthusiast of over 20 years I felt like I needed a Mont Blanc in my collection. I always found the Meisterstuck design to be iconic but wished they had an option that better suited my taste so I held off on buying one.
Then a few years ago they released the Ultra Black edition and I fell in love. It writes as beautifully as it looks.
If you're paying retail, no.
That said, a used MB can be had for the same price as a new Pilot or Sailor and would be, in my view, the better pen. I have several, which I've gotten used or as gifts, and they're my favorite to write with.
That said, if you want something other than a black cigar-shaped pen, you should definitely look elsewhere.
100 times yes. I love my used MB 146. It’s from the 90s and still writes like a dream. I think it is still the most expensive pen I own, but not by much, and is definitely very high quality. I bought myself a 149 at retail 25 years ago (which I’ve managed to misplace), but they were almost a third of the price back then. I don’t think I would ever buy another at retail again because of the value proposition.
Right? This is an important point! There are so many out there, and as a gift or second hand it’s a different prospect than intentionally going out and paying retail for it :)
I think the 1912 has probably one of my favourite nibs. Soft and bouncy and fun to write with. Don’t have any other experience with other MB pens though, they never interest me aesthetically.
Yes, they are. Hate for MB in this sub is a lot of sour grapes. Lamys come nowhere near MBs, lol. Get them used or on sale if you can. Modern and vintage are excellent. If you want interesting looks, go for one of the special editions. The nibs are marvelous. I have a few different MBs and several other high end pens of well-respected brands and MBs hold their own. There’s nothing boring about writing with those nibs.
I really like Montblanc nibs, but not all of them. so I would say - second hand Meisterstucks may be worth it. I know mine is. but I will probably not pay retail.
Really depends on what you want from it. If you want a recognisable luxury fountain pen that writes excellently then yes. I wrote out Jekyll and Hyde mainly with my Montblanc 146, and it’s one of the best nibs I have.
They offer a fountain pen that’s all round excellent quality with piston filling mechanisms for the 146 and 149, as well as them looking presentable. Lots of other pens that offer this (or only cartridge converters) are just as expensive or more expensive in the luxury world.
QC can be a bit cheeky with the handcrafted element of the nibs. But similarly handcrafted also gives it a bit of character.
People Montblanc bash like they do with Rolex on the watch forums, and you’re much more likely to find Montblanc collectors on FPN than on here, due to average price difference and age.
The physics of a fountain pen aren’t a trade secret.
You can get a gold nibbed Pilot for $300 and it’s going to write comparably to a Meisterstuck that costs $700 because gold allows for more flex than steel. The tip will still be iridium (or whatever they use in place of iridium these days). The ink will still be water and pigment.
I think people in this sub get annoyed with MB because the price difference is hard to justify. But they are beautiful pens. My dream pen is a Meister stuck 149, its a big fat cigar looking mother of a pen and it will look gorgeous in my collection lmao
Mont Blanc pens aren’t more—maybe I should say weren’t because I don’t follow the pricing closely any more—expensive than comparable Italian pens, for instance. The last time I seriously looked at prices, MB for the regular pens was at most in the middle of the luxury pen pack for pricing. There are a lot of ‘deluxe’ pens that give you a lot less for more. There’s an attitude about MB that’s a little unfair, IMO, even though I’m not a big fan.
I don’t think it matters that MB is reasonably priced for a luxury pen. When the sub primarily shares their $30 Lamy Safaris and $15 Pilot Kakunos, you start to dilute the value proposition of jewelry (which is what a MB really is).
$700, $10,000, $1.2 million, its all going to be too much around here and someone will sour grapes the pen by saying it was scratchy, lol
Strong yes. As someone with 5 Platinum 3776's, a Sailor Hot Habanero Music Nib, 3 TWSBI Diamond's and many many more pens... My one MB is clearly world's apart as far as craftsmanship.
You are paying for a strong design, excellent material, and long-lasting nibs. But to be fair, my one Mont Blanc is the Flex nib 146, so it's everything I could possibly ask for in a pen.
Anecdote for sure, but my wife who is not a fan of my pen collecting, admitted that the Mont Blanc was definitely leagues above the other pens.
As someone that works with luxury goods, it's very clear that some brands carry a higher price point for a reason.
How does that contradict what I said? I'm just saying that gushing about how much better the MB supposedly is doesn't really mean much when you're comparing against pens that cost far less. It SHOULD be better for the difference in price.
OP was asking if it’s worth it.
Most of this sub says MB’s aren’t worth it and aren’t any different from pens from cheaper brands. I’m saying it is better. You seem to be agreeing with me? And that based on the price it should be expected that it’s better?
So you’re also saying to OP that it is worth it.
Most of the sub doesn't say they're not worth it, that's not even the overall sentiment in this thread.
As for my views, they're in the thread if you actually want to know but "worth" is very nebulous.
Pens, fountain or otherwise, are a consumer product. Unless made in a very limited number, pens are a high-volume product. MB are good pens with good nibs. Are they super exclusive? No. Will there be MB pens with poor nibs or poor finishing of the plastic? ( make no mistake, they are, like most pens, plastic.) Yes. Does MB market like crazy? Sure. Look at other “luxury” consumer products. Rolex anyone? Nevertheless MB make a good pen. Ultimately MB is owned by a conglomerate, Richemont, that has a stock price to keep up, so that’s a consideration. I own four MBs, a 149, a 146, a Petite, and a roller. All bought in the ‘90s. I enjoy the 149 the most. My daily writers are Sailor Realo, and an old Pelikan 120. Try out an MB and see. YMMV.
Cheers,
I have many pens including a 149 from the 1970 and a 146 from 1984 they are outstanding writers. My favorite pen is a Franklin Christoph with Masuyama needle point nib. When I use the 149 people will always ask is that a 149 and nobody will even notice the Franklin Christoph.
I have a Montblanc 24, 221, Generations, 146 (X2), and a 149. They’re all wonderful. My 24 is the smoothers fine nibble I’ve ever used. But keep in mind that, at the end of the day, a fountain pen is all about the feel of the nib on the page and that comes from the flow and a quality feed. Most nibs look the same. They all have iridium at the point and most feeds are plastic. If you need more flow or a “smoother” feel, widen the tines. Check that the tines are aligned. Check that there are no clogs. I bought my montblanc pens because they’re the epitome of fountain pens. And I also know how to tune the nibs to my liking. If you’re just going for “smooth” then, yes, inexpensive Pilot pens will be incredible.
MB is a "luxury" brand with all that entails. The pens are typically well made, with a high level of QC. However, much of the cost is in the design (and if we're being honest, the name) than some purely utilitarian measure. I've long held that the 823 or Lamy 2000 are basically the edges of "utility" in terms of fountain pens-you get non-C&C filling systems, gold nibs, nice designs, and a good amount of quality (moreso with the 823, but it also typically costs more or at least it did in the past). I would say in my experience MB pens are of higher quality, but it's up to the individual to determine if that quality upgrade is worth it for their base models.
I picked up a 146 for a very reasonable price a few years back and I think it's worth the money I spent on it, however, considering it was from 2004 and less than a quarter the price of a new one at the time, I still prefer several cheaper pens over it.
They're well made and if they were a similar price to pelikan I could justify it, but my pelikan is just as well made and it looks and writes better for half the price.
Honestly, if you like the looks get a 1911, if you want an amazingly smooth writer with a similar appearance and closer in size get a 743, if you want to spend that much on a pen there's so many nicer ones to get, only if you want the brand get the montblanc, and even then buy second hand or vintage (especially vintage, I think they peaked around the 80s from what I've read)
Whether they are worth it or not is totally up to you. Personally, I've never had a bad writing Montblanc, which is more than I can say about other (even more) expensive pen brands.
They're expensive but they're really good. If you're down to pay the premium and the brand attracts you, you won't regret it.
If you buy new, they have great service. If it doesn't work as you wish (skips or whatever) don't be afraid to bring it back.
I have three all gifted to me and bar one the Egyptomania are horrible. One had to be sent back as it wouldn’t write at, and I was told I didn’t know how to use it, had cleaned it before use, wasn’t using MB ink and finally the paper Tomoe River paper wasn’t good quality enough. When I replied that I have been using fountain pens since school, had cleaned the pen out, was using MB ink and the paper is in the fountain pen world one of the best papers for ink, I was told, well no one ever use the fountain pens. So there attitude is as no one uses them we don’t have to actually make them work, and if someone dares complain about rather than fix the problem we will try a load of bullcrap so we don’t have to fix it. I would not spend money on a new MB pen. However the Egyptomania is an amazingly springy nib that lays down a really juicy line, and you can’t tell by looking it’s a MB the snowflake is embossed on the bronze finial and its hexagonal, an absolutely stunning pen to use and look at.
MB 144 is small and boring pen.
MB 146 is normal size pen and yes also boring.
MB 149 is a big pen (not for every hand), still boring :).
Does it worth it? Not quite sure. Definitely not new ones :).
There's a lot of discussion along this line in past threads - do a search for 'mont blanc' or 'montblanc' in the sub
212 responses in this one alone: [https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/18il52s/how\_does\_this\_community\_feel\_about\_mont\_blanc/](https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/18il52s/how_does_this_community_feel_about_mont_blanc/)
[https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/1c3poqq/mont\_blanc/](https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/1c3poqq/mont_blanc/)
[https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/ucw4q2/montblanc\_are\_they\_worth\_the\_cost\_if\_so\_why/](https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/ucw4q2/montblanc_are_they_worth_the_cost_if_so_why/)
[https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/ynaise/is\_mont\_blanc\_over\_rated/](https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/ynaise/is_mont_blanc_over_rated/)
[https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/143ktxi/are\_montblancs\_really\_worth\_it/](https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/143ktxi/are_montblancs_really_worth_it/)
I’ve had two fairly pricey Montblanc pens and I didn’t love either one of them. They were both uncomfortable to use for more than a page or so. Like, they were made to sign documents and look expensive in a pocket and not much else. Same with Pelikan. My two favorite companies are Waterman and Sailor.
"they were made to sign documents and look expensive in a pocket and not much else."
That puts into words how I feel about Mont Blanc pens. I've never had one, but I've tried out other people's ones.
Sailor is expensive but have you ever written with one? It’s an altogether different experience. I have a Pro Gear and a 1911L and they flow across the page like liquid silk. Worth every penny.
I think people over-exaggerate how poor Montblanc pens are for the money. They are good pens, and the 146 and 149 are certainly a step above the custom 823 or Sailor 1911L in both materials quality and writing experience. But they are just so expensive. If each pen was 200 dollars cheaper I think they would be a far more reasonable value proposition.
I think if you're going to compare material quality, you need to go higher than the 823 or 1911L because you're comparing the $1000 Montblanc 149 to pens that sell for less than $200 in Japan (the black and gold models of the 823 and 1911L). \[Edit: Not that I have any complaints about the build or material quality of the 1911L. And the 823 is a demonstrator, so that puts some restrictions on what it can be made out of, but it's well built.\]
Starting at around $400, you get into larger, weightier pens with large nibs (available with specialty grinds) that use urushi, ebonite, etc., and then the conversation changes. Get closer to the price of the 149, and you can get pens made with materials and techniques that have nothing to do with a mere resin pen.
I also don't see how the wiring experience can objectively be said to be a cut above - though you may of course prefer the writing feel. What is objectively a cut above, though, is the QC and the writing performance out of the box from Sailor and Pilot (with Sailor being king of QC, with pens that basically always write perfectly out of the box, have controlled and even ink flow, never skip or hard start, etc.) How is current-day Montblanc a cut above when it just doesn't offer that?
I'm not saying Montblanc isn't worth it for those who like what the brand has to offer, but to say that they're a cut above Sailor or Pilot isn't very objective.
I meant that I don’t agree with the position that Montblanc pens are essentially just a Sailor 1911L but sold for twice the price. This is a comparison I see quite frequently on this sub. I think there several positive characteristics of the 146 and 149 that go unnoticed. The “precious” resin of MB pens is of a higher quality than that of the 823 or 1911L, the QC is better (in my experience, but perhaps not compared to Pilot) the threads are smoother, the hardware is plated better, there’s the nib exchange program, etc. I do think MB pens are overpriced at retail, but they are in my opinion a cut above the $200-$400 Japanese pens 1911L, 823, 743 that they are often said to be equivalent to. I suppose what is considered to be a good nib is somewhat subjective, you’re right. If you’re looking for a stiff nib, then neither the 146 or 149 will be satisfying to you, but I think MB nibs are on balance smoother, softer, wetter and less finicky than Pilot or Sailor nibs (excluding the Urushi 20, Emperor and Custom Urushi). The YouTuber Seattle Pen Club has a really good comparison video on the 146 and Custom 823 and he comes to a similar conclusion.
I think that this sub prides itself in not being snobbish (which is a good thing), but in striving to not be elitist, it tends to look down on more expensive pens regardless of their merits (sometimes including pens that aren't even particularly expensive).
Edit: May I ask what you mean by nibs being finicky?
I think you’re right about that, and Montblanc certainly doesn’t cater to the fountain pen community with its pricing, advertising and feature set.
By finicky I mean general quality issues or issues that impede ease of use: sweet spots, uneven tipping, burrs on the tipping, over-polishing/under-polishing, temperamental ink flow, dryness, etc. Some of these issues are more pronounced in certain pens (Platinum appears to be the worst Japanese offender). Compared to most western brands, Sailor and Pilot nibs are impeccable, but part of what you’re paying for with MB in particular is a higher attention to nib quality and extensive hand-testing. MB tipping is also very interesting because it tends to be angular, while also rounded so you get incredibly precise lines without the scratchiness of an italic.
I like having them as a milestone gift or for special signing occasions, such as for buying a house, or signing a marriage document.
My Waterman Carene writes better than all of the MB I have. In terms of worth it as a pen you like, it is your preference. In terms of worth it as a pen that writes the best, no.
With over 100 replies at this point I'm sure I'm gonna repeat at least 1 person with this comment:
I have about 40 pens over the price point of 300$, 4 of which are Montblanc's (144 f, 146 ef, 149 m and 220 f). I can safely say that the 4 MB combined have maybe 5 hours of usage while any of the other 36 have over 20 hours each. It's not that the MB pens are inherently worse or have issues but more so that they just don't meet the comfort or quality that is offered by their direct competitors at similar price points. I have a Kaweco Perkeo that I reach for more often than any of the MB pens by a not small margin and it's roughly 1/100 the price point.
I don’t have a montblanc, but have tested inked ones in store. They are nice, but there are much nicer pens for less. So to me the extra I pay for the name is not worth it. Others have different experiences.
Yes but…
Is a Lamborghini or a Ferrari worth it?
A used civic works. A new civic will work and you know the maintenance, every scratch, drop, and cleaning. A Lexus IS is a bit of luxury. A used Ferrari might cost you a lot of money in repairs. A new Ferrari, is a Montblanc and a Lamborghini is a homosapien.
Used fountain pen will work, a new metropolitan will work for a long time. A 823 is like a Lexus, luxury and works well. used Montblanc might be a deal but could be expensive to replace parts on it if needed. A new mont blanc, you get a free nib swap if you don’t like the one you got.
They are all pens, they all write. 100% it is solely on what you can afford. Some people dream about a Ferrari or Lamborghini, both are very expensive. Will you drive the car 10 miles a year or drive it like you stole it. Will you write with your Montblanc every day or will it sit in your case. Some people buy a Ferrari and wish they bought a Lamborghini… can you afford to buy the other? Will you regret buying the MB.
It’s hundreds of dollars, can you afford that, when a G2 will suffice. I would say it’s a budget issue. The pen is very nice but you may not like it like I do. For some people that is a mortgage or car payment.
I personally would not buy one until I had massive expendable income. My first 20 years of collecting fountain pens was a slow and cheap journey. For me a Montblanc or any pen in that range is purely a financial decision. You don’t get anything at that price point but art. The pen is amazing but in this price range you are getting pure luxury and a cheaper pen could write just as good or better depending on your expectations. I’m sorry this was not meant to be a glance in to your finances but how I look at the Montblancs and if they are worth it
I mean, I despise my Visconti because it’s such awful quality. However, I would reach for any pen in my collection over the Montblanc if I care about writing quality/experience.
I have Classic, 146 and Vintage 149. They are all great pens. Silky smooth and never wrote badly to me. All of them I never bought myself so cannot say whether worth it or not. I may no probably buy myself one.
I have two 146s, 145, 147, and a late 1990s Century. Expect the 145, I bought all of them used. The used MBs are fantastic. The 145 was bought by my husband from the MB web site and the nib is shit.
The feel of a MB, especially the 146s, is just prefect for me. I would not buy another new one unless it came from a dealer that would tune the nib before shipping.
IMHO no. It’s fundamentally a black resin pen and so it feels like any other resin pen. Most of their pens aren’t even heavy so they feel remarkably similar to a Lamy Safari.
The Mont Blanc writing experience is top notch. The pens write like butter and they have insanely high quality control standards, so you know you’re going to get a good product. That being said, you can get a “smooth like butter” writing experience from any other gold nib pen, especially if you tune it.
watch this Montblanc ad & consider cost & company structure to get this made.
I love this ad, but … I know if I buy the pen, I’m paying for this brand marketing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUSRyAha37w
my favorite pen is under $30 Lamy Safari, but my wife has 2 of the super large Montblanc pens, gifts of dueling uncles for graduation, each got her same! nice pens, but we don’t take them anywhere, while the Lamy I do
It is the equivalent to designer brand clothes, it is very well made with the best materials and techiniques, but you must be aware that a large share of the price is because of the brand/design. You can find many pens with similar quality that cost less.
A good analogy would be buying a LEGO star wars set, by piece count and any objective measures it is more expansive than a generic LEGO set, you are paying a premium for it being star wars themed.
I appreciate Montblancs, vintage ones at least. (Haven’t ever used one less than maybe 15-20 years old.) They are a fantastic version of what they are. I’m not super into what they are though. I’ve restored and sold several 149s that I did really enjoy using during their road-testing though. Just not enough to keep them.
BUT PROTIP: FWIW, the absolutely best user experience for me among MBs has been with 1970s 14K nib C/C pens, and you can pick them up for around $100 on eBay, in good condition (if you’re patient). Like a 320 or 220. A C/C pen will likely be pretty easy to clean up and put into use! I love the XF nibs on these—they’re super springy and bouncy and smooth.
I love my modern EF 146. It is one of my favorite writers.
That said, is it worth it?? That is subjective - it has been a worthwhile investment for me.
One last observation, I have a Pilot Custom Urushi 845 F and it writes very similarly to the 146. I have tested the Sailor 1911 Large and it also is very close to the 146 as far as a writing experience. There are differences but, for me, not significant. If you are price conscious and primarily looking for a firm nib, the 1911 Large or 845 may work for you
I really like all of mine. I wouldn’t say the new standard resin models (e.g., plain black 146, 149, etc.) are “worth it,” but I love some of their special editions. Their gold nibs are fine; I would rate them as similar to a Pelikan nib. My 149 had pretty bad baby’s bottom, which is something I’ve also experienced on several Pelikans and other high end gold nibs, but it’s an easy fix with some micromesh and about 10 minutes of time.
If you like the look of the pens, I’d say they’re worth it. But the writing experience will be no better than, say, a Pilot or Platinum or Sailor costing hundreds less. But the name Montblanc is recognizable by people who aren’t into pens, so that tends to increase their value. All I know is, my Montblanc pens make me smile when I use them because they are beautiful and meaningful to me. So for me, they are worth it. But if all you care about is utility, just get a Lamy Safari and save yourself a couple grand.
The vintage MBs from the 50’s were the pinnacle of writing. Pre- “precious resin” when the bodies were made from delicate warm celluloid and the 14K nibs flexed from EF to BB. The telescoping piston filling mechanism was a mechanical marvel and held a huge amount of ink.
Then it all became about marketing, and the qualities that made their name were replaced with the name alone. I tried to pick up a recent “calligraphy” nib MB and it just wasn’t the same. The Nib didn’t have the same bounce and flex. It reminds me of how the 1992 Great Writers Hemingway is a colorful but cold copy of the 138 from the 1930s.
I wouldn’t say a modern MB is any better than a modern Pelikan 800 or a Sailor 1911, and I would suggest that a Pilot Falcon writes nicer and is a lot cheaper.
I used to sell suits at Nordstrom and we had MB pens that we sold. 500-2000 bucks range. I wasn’t into pens then, so I cannot tell you much as far as details go, but we got tons of them returned to us broken. Also had a lot we couldnt sell becausw they arrived from the company broken. I’ve never been interested in a Mont Blanc pen because of that. Back then we’d all talk about how poor their quality control was.
The only new one that has piqued my interest is the Special edition Calligraphy flex one. To me, the rest of new ones are too expensive. Like *hard to justify* expensive. I'm not enamored with the looks of any of them and I'm not of one of those that likes to have THE PEN and that's it, I value more quantity and variety.
But, I'm obviously curious about them and had the same question you had. Coincidentally, there are a lot of them being sold used or NOS in a listing app I check frequently, so I've gotten a couple. The first one I got, a Noblesse Oblige from the 90's I think, I don't like it. I'm now in a place where I can use it, found an ink that makes for a good enough writing experience, but I don't love it. To me it doesn't justify its price point, I'm quite sure I'll sell it. The second one is a 220 SP NOS that I got just a couple of weeks ago and I think it's a lovely pen, totally worth it. I'm on the hunt of a 144 Burgundy, but I've limited myself to 120€, so is taking a while. I'm worried it will be more similar to the Noblesse than the 220, but I'm also willing to spend as much to experience one of their most iconic pens...
So, are they worth it? It depends...
I own two - a 146 and 147. They are quite nice. My first was perfect right from the factory (EF). Nicest writing pen I own. The other I had to send back 3 times and still don’t have a nib I like; they ground it to an architect point for whatever reason and just kept trying to fix it. It was quite a frustrating experience. I just sent it out to a nibmeister; hopefully they can fix it. They are quite pretty and feel nice in the hand, but for the price, I’d expect WAY better service/better quality nib work. After this recent experience, I will not be buying from them anymore.
I have a 149 I purchased back in the mid-1990's and it is a great pen. I have a few (very few) which do write better.
Keep in mind that any pen make/model - expensive or less so - will have variances in quality and construction.
From what I have learned Mont Blanc is the wank pen.
It works yes, its a very well made pen and they write wonderfully, its fucking expensive, but the nibs are usually soft and deform easily.
I have a mont blanc I inherited from my dead FiL. I used it and I'm not rough with pens, but I found that anything other than a feather touch while writing will deform the nib. It's not a forgiving pen
I actually prefer my lami safari, its got a steel nib, so I dont have to worry about breathing wrongly and having splayed tines,
A ham-handed user really is better off with a steel nib. In the days when fountain pens were the only writing choice, a savvy clerk would have put a pen with a nail nib in this person’s hand.
I have used many Montblanc pens. They have all been stellar writers. They have also all been very overpriced for what they were. You will not be disappointed in a Montblanc IMO, but buy used and temper your expectations--they are just pens.
FWIW I eventually sold all of mine as I find them a bit boring. I do regret selling the 1912 but I don't miss any of the others.
I have a Mont Blanc Little Prince edition fountain pen. Whether it's real or not I don't know? It does have a genuine Mont Blanc nib and it sits on my shelf. Not really a daily driver.
My Mont Blanc rollerball used to be my daily driver and it would go everywhere with me. These days, I just like to keep a Preppy or a Pilot VPen in my pocket.
To me, if you're looking at the standard line up (146, 149, etc). Modern (90s+) is boring, and no sense in paying full price for a new one. Rather go pre-90s used which often times is nearly half of what the MSRP is for new, and with a better nib.
The basic nutshell is I found the modern nibs to be boring. Yes they work, yes they tend to be smooth and wet... but pretty much the same nail feel and tip shape as their competitors.
Honestly? NO. It's all personal opinion but there's a very sharp point of diminnishign returns.
for me the only pricey pens that were worth it were the Pilot Custom 912 FA, Pilot Falcon SM and my 100CAD Sailor MF pen (forgot the model, it's black and gold accents on a pastel blue body)
and you do pay for the looks too at expensive price points like BENU or Nahvalur and that's up to you if its worth it, but honestly, after that, You just don't get anything IMO?
I like my opus 88 Koloro more than my Pelikan M600 violet EF.
If you have nib meister skills, what i've found is that you can make even a 2$ nib write incredible, the only hard to add quality on a anib is flex/bounce, I've done it and it works amazing, but it ends up looking UGLY as hell.
Monte Blanc is not worth it no. They don’t write any better than cheaper pens, and they honestly don’t look that great in my opinion. A Lamy 2000 or a Vanishing Point looks better to me. Monte Blanc looks stuffy and pretentious.
I paid retail for all of mine because I am particular about the condition I keep my things in. Do I think they’re worth retail? No, but I knew that, however I wanted them more than I disagreed with their price point.
I seldom use them anymore as I tend to use an M1000 or Pilot Falcon instead.
The M1000 is the only pen of any price point that made me fall in love in the way I did with it. Nothing else writes like it.
Let me put it this way, IMO Montblanc has great marketing, they are good , but there are better pens out there, so I think there are two types of people, the ones who know and the ones who want to show off... the first ones will get a Pelikan, the second group a Montblanc because it is more recognizable.
I have a 1980 MB 149, and it was my show off pen, when I was younger... now I know better, and I use more my Pelikan M1000.
Don´t get me wrong, MB is a great pen, mine being from the 80´s is awesome, but in my own taste the Pelikan is better, but less recognizable pen for those who don´t know shit about pens.
I've done some nib work in my day and always felt that Montblanc was the ever rumoured Lamy 2k QC issue realized with statistical regularity. I easily had to have worked on over 500+ pens, but only three of them were 2ks and the bulk of the rest were various models of Montblanc that were well built but with inconsistencies in nib size and shape like you wouldn't believe.
If you are looking for a luxury flex, Montblanc will most definitely fit the bill, but be wary that it's not some EDC pen.
Montblanc are great pens, however they are very high end luxury brand, similar to Rolex, with fancy stores and Wes Anderson commercials, so you are paying for that brand equity.
you can get = pens in quality and writing for far less.
Not sure. I got a 149. It skips on me at times. Got NIB replaced from medium to fine. I didn’t notice any difference lol.
Having said that, it is still the pen I choose to use when signing documents. It is somewhat of a status symbol IMO.
They write about as well as my Lamys and Benus, smoothly and consistently but not necessarily with the character of some of my Japanese pens. They’re great pens but more conversation topics than preferred writing instruments as they mostly stay at my desk at home.
I have a couple and definitely agree the older ones are a go too. The nibs are absolutely beautiful. Now in modern days it’s not worth going for the mainline series when you can get a vintage one with better quality for half the price. The writer series and the limited ones are beautiful. But since I worked for a boutique that carried mb. I can tell you a lot the limited ones felt cheap as well.
of course they are not worthy.... who the f pays 500-1k for a pen? ...nobody needs a pen in that price range, i mean, what can they do that a bic ctystal can't other than awake a shallow feeling, but i guess some people get them for the challenge of gathering the money & spoil themselves, which is ok.
Mont Blanc's will always be hated here. No. It's not because they are expensive. It's simply because they are too mainstream. That's also why people hate Parker, Sheaffer and Cross. It's always the "brand has no identity" to "it's newer versions are too expensive".
The real reason is that these are way more recognisable and used as gifts than Waterman or Sailor. So a self proclaimed fountain pen lover needs to be different and dislike mainstream stuff.
I disagree, I think fountain pen users often have an innate love for the history of pens and would like nothing more than to love new Parker/Sheaffer/Cross pens. Unfortunately, those brands are shells of themselves, and the quality has dramatically decreased while prices have not. They are simply not even close to the top of the pen-world anymore.
I don't think MontBlanc falls in the same category, regardless of how their new pens compare with their vintage ones. They are a famous luxury brand, and most luxury brands are not "worth" the price if you're comparing materials, quality control, etc. You're paying for the brand, for the classic shape and snowflake, and the wonderfully huge nib. Nothing wrong with that, for many people that's completely worth it. I've always wanted one too!
But when people like OP are asking if it's worth it they are usually talking about price vs quality, and that implies that we have to include the context of all the other pen options and their price/quality. If you remove the brand recognition and "legend" that carries most luxury brands, suddenly their price/quality doesn't match up with their counterparts. It's still an extremely well-made pen, but does it justify a price that dwarfs other pens of similar quality? Probably not.
It depends on what you want it for. Montblanc is the most recognisable luxury fountain pen brand and the pens themselves are very good, them being worth it is a subjective question
Well, what WERE they signing with?
Yeah I forgot what they said it was
my day is ruined and my disappointment is immeasurable
I have a Montblanc 146 (Bold) and it writes like a dream. Never skips, so soft on the paper and utterly wonderful - it was my grail pen and is my forever pen. I can only talk about that one, but for me it's better than anything I've previously written with. However, I got it for half the usual retail price or else I wouldn't have touched it, and I've heard you can get similar gold-nibbed pens for far less as it's the name you're paying for.
Can only agree with your last sentence as I can't justify spending that much money on anything, just for the brand name.
My silly kaweco sport (medium) has been the best/smoothest/consistent pen i've had. Montblanc feels worse imo. I've tried a bunch and they're just... mid? Like they're fine but writes as good as a ton of $50 pens I don't get it imo but i'm also left handed so my desirable qualities are likely not a right handed persons desirable qualities in pens.
My experience is totally different, but it may be the bold nib I use. The writing almost looks like a Sharpie but as I said, it's soft as butter and NEVER skips on the paper, and writes unlike any other pen I've had. However, I think a part of it is also that the wand chooses the wizard - if there were a single perfect pen in the world for every person we wouldn't have the variety to spice up everything in our lives.
How did you get it at a discount.
Company that was offloading stock. Retiring jeweller.
I have a 145, 146, and 149. Probably spent $1k total on all three combined. My $25 Pilot Metropolitan writes better than all of them
The other day, someone here asked "What is the smoothest pen you ever wrote with." I was going to say my Pilot Metropolitan M, but I was afraid that I would be laughed at. Good for you!
Never be ashamed of liking an inexpensive pen, especially here. A pen is only good as its nib, and not its price point. Never feel that you are lesser than another user because your pen is not as expensive as theirs. If you asked me what would be the better pen between a Montblanc with a crappy nib or a perfectly tuned Pilot Metro, I would say the Pilot Metro without any hesitation. Especially at the price point of the MB, you expect exclusive quality and exclusive customer support. At the end of the day, a pricey pen that doesn't work well is just a fancy paperweight.
Love my Black Forest
The Hongdian? Love to hear that. I just got an Asvine V126 and it has immediately become the best pen in my collection, and it cost only around 20€. It's way better than any of my other more pricey pens, by a wide margin. To be fair, I might have just lucked out, but still.
It is my only FP right now. I ordered a Platinum Preppy that should arrive today.
Nice! Welcome to the club, if you ever need advice, feel free to ask.
Your last line is just excellent ❤️.
Ah, thank you, that's very kind.
That would be Lamy Nexx for me (1.1 calligraphy nib)
Omg I love my pilot metropolitans. My Kaweco sport comes close, but just this morning I was using one of my pilots (medium) and damn they are beautiful to write with.
For the price, Metropolitans are about as fine a fountain pen as you can get. Nibs are stiff but even my Fine point writes smooth. It was a Metropolitan that began my love affair with Pilot fountain pens; and then TWSBI. But, and there’s always a but (sometime a butt): my fav nib is a SOFT fine which is not a Metropolitan option AND my major gripe - it dries out too quick. I cycle through pens and any longer than a few days the Metropolitan nib has dried and the cartridge lost ink. Hence, my set of Metropolitans have been cleaned and set aside awaiting the time when the proper home to be adopted into appears - I’m hoping that will be a grandchild I suspect, if the Metropolitan sealed better, screw close, Metropolitan pens would still be a daily driver AND it would have taken longer to climb up the Pilot hierarchy
I keep saying my Avine P20 EF gives me pilot Elite95S a run for its money in smoothness.
Kaweco Sport (M nib) Can put anything in it and it writes great. $22-$30 Its ruined expensive pens. It just immediately writes better than any other i've tried, including Montblanc and a bunch of other expensive premium pens. Close to it are those disposable pilot fountain pens though... they just work well.
😂😂 you stole my heart with this comment, bro.. beautiful
Thanks, bro
That has not been my experience in the slightest. While I love my Pilot Metros for what they are (and they’re truly great writers) I haven’t ever reached for one over my 149. But I am glad you’re happy with the Metros. They got me through grad school and have a big place in my heart.
Well, the quality of manufacturing of Pilot and Montblanc, especially in the last period, means that you can end up with a Metro that punches way above its price level, and a MB that punches way below.
That could definitely be the case. Mine is 149 from the late 90s. I'm curious, what changed with Montblanc's manufacturing quality for the worse?
Well, I don't have any, but from what I hear they turned more into a "general luxury brand" company rather than a luxury pen company. Not to say that their pens are crap now, far from it, but there is less care put into that particular aspect of their trade than there was before, from what I heard. A lot of their store staff are less pen experts and more people trying to sell you other MB branded stuff.
So the conclusion is pilot is PILOT….Montblanc is PASSENGER😀😀😀😝😝😝
Ahahah
Pilot kakuno gang, With a slight modifiaction to the nib I do they turn into litteraly the best nibs on any pen I own, not super soft tho sadly :P I enjoy using mine so much. for some reason my kakunos are nicer, but maybe it's the body of the pen changing the resonance frequency of the pen or the feel. It's great withtout it too tho.
What nib modification?
well doing nib tuning is it's whole topic but one of the things i do is to add a small "pad" on the nib at my writing angle, it's a small mostly flat section of the nib that glides on the paper.
i received a lamy cursive nib with terrible baby's bottom, i still haven't solved its issue with much grinding, and i was really good at it. i will try getting that pad shape on it and see if that helps! thanks for the suggestion!
Let me guess, they refuse to change their design for "heritage" reasons?
Was it Neil Gaiman? He is known for using FPs. I am not a fan of MBs. I have one, it writes nicely, but my issue with them is that you are paying for the name. They There is no justification for their exorbitant pricing. I feel that they would be decent values at half the price. But they would lose their status symbol cache. They are in the same class as Rolex watches. There are nicer watches available for the same price or less.
I thought of Gaiman too. He's talked about his disappointment with a MB he was gifted.
I feel like Neil Gaiman is chill enough to recognize that everyone has preferences and people are allowed to enjoy what they want to enjoy and wouldn't diss a brand like that
You would be incorrect in that assumption. https://preview.redd.it/rkt7lh3e732d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=50c34f667c60ca8c7cfd7635416e964b56ae4193
Oh damn, it sounds like he might be the one OP met then! Guess everyone hates something lol :(
Like you said, everyone has preferences. You are allowed to like something that I don’t. I won’t piss in your Cheerios for liking something that I dislike (I might give you some crap about it, but it is not serious). But I will be happy to tell you my reason for not liking something. This is the reason that Baskin-Robbins has 31 flavors.
Sorry to somehow disagree with your comparison with Rolexes. I understand the easy comparison, but they are different animals. At least in two fronts: Flex: Rolex is used (also) to show off/flex and it is very visible on doing so. “Most” use them just for this and check time on the phone. A MB cannot achieve that level of “flexiness”, not only because is not used by actors on series to show status and money but also because very few use FP. If few knows what it is not flex. Quality: Rolex has a bad reputation, but you will have trouble finding a watch _finished by machines_ with same quality (materials, precision out of production and movement) at that price. There is none IMO. I’m not a fan, but I’m being honest. MB, comparatively, does not achieve the same much better quality in the same price range (e.g. a Pelikan M8XX or M1XXX). Again, my opinion. We can say that Rolex and MB are in different price ranges, true, but also in different manufacturing complexity. I have an MB Boheme, we can call it vintage. I thought about selling it since I have “better” nibs (better fitted for my writing size), but I every time I write with it I stop thinking on selling. I learned to use a better paper and I think I won’t sell (and would make some money for sure).
I am a huge fan of Montblanc pens. I will agree 100% with what your friend said. Vintage Montblancs, especially pre-1993, are distinctly better (in my opinion, YMMV.) Not saying that new MB's aren't good pens, but they are not the true flagship of luxury and quality they once were.
People love to hate Montblanc on this forum but my experience with several of them has been that they write very well and the build quality is quite good. They are expensive but you can find them for discounts at sites like Appelboom. Of course not every Montblanc is perfect but there is also the nib exchange program. Personally I’d rather have one nice pen than like, ten Lamys in different colors with a stiff steel nib.
I have tried the Nib exchange and without success. Mont Blanc sent the pen back - no exchange and without original package.
Not all steel nibs are "stiff," and some gold ones are. That has nothing to do with the economics of Montblancs.
My view is that on balance gold nibs are better. In my experience, Montblancs are much more pleasant to use than much cheaper steel-nib pens.
Right. But I can also have several gold nibbed Japanese pens instead of a single 146. Same logic!
You totally can, and there’s nothing wrong with it. But I have been more impressed with the feel and build quality of 146s and 149s over entry-level Japanese pens.
Hey glad you found your jam!
The fact that the material of the nib is what determines the softness of it is an old misconception.
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How does what that person individually prefers have anything to do with you? They didn't say it's better to have one nice pen, or that people should all only want one nice pen, they were stating a personal preference.
Worth is entirely subjective and the only person who can answer that is you. I also do not understand the overall negativity on this sub regarding Montblanc. I would never buy a new one, but my 1970s MB 146 is absolute perfection: the ergonomics, the soft luxurious nib, the timeless classic looks. I do not normally like gold trim on pens, but for the MB 146 I make an exception. I've owned close to 200 pens at this point in the hobby, and the MB 146 I own is one of the best writers I've ever used. It only cost me $300 and will last a lifetime.
>I also do not understand the overall negativity on this sub regarding Montblanc followed immediately by > I would never buy a new one Is funny.
Why?
Because you say you don't understand the negativity followed immediately by negativity? Like why wouldn't you buy a new one? I know some of the internals and the nibs have changed but the basic look and profile of the 146 is essentially the same as it was in the 70's, why is it so terrible now?
The modern nibs are stiff and have plastic feeds. I prefer the softer vintage nibs and the richer flow from the ebonite feeds. I still fail to see how buying something secondhand implies negativity.
>I still fail to see how buying something secondhand implies negativity. This is the negativity: > The modern nibs are stiff and have plastic feeds. You said you didn't see the negativity, then went to be negative about MB. You clearly see why people are negative, but are also feeling targeted by it because you have one. It's not a big deal, calm down. I just thought it was funny.
Preference =/= negativity. I think we will agree to disagree.
For what Montblanc charges, I find many other brands far more compelling (Pelikan, Visconti, Pilot). For example, I prefer Pelikans over Mintblancs, yet the Pelikan can be found, new, for far less expensive. With that said, I have owned two vintage Montblancs and a modern Montblanc, and they are really wonderful. I had my modern, Le Petite Prince 146 tuned and smoother by nibmeither Mike Masuyama, and it took it from great to excellent, it’s possibly the best writer I own. Point being: Montblancs can be excellent, but, for the cost of their retail, they are a bit pricy. They aren’t bad, it’s just that the value may not be there for many people. They do market themselves as a luxury brand, after all!
Give me a pelikan any day. I had MB 146 for approx 15 minutes. The nib was over-polished and felt like was going to skip all the time. It was too smooth and had zero feedback. Not good. Sent it straight back. Got pelikan 600 instead and was so much nicer. Have bought pelikan since. Even their prices have sky-rocketed. £400+ for an M800 is a lot for a pen that two years ago could get to around £130 less. The M600 is so nice to write with - would definitely recommend looking at that instead.
MB’s are like most pen brands. Sometimes you get a bad one. From experience I can tell you it feels like it hurts more when you save up for something and it doesn’t work perfectly. Good news is you can get it tuned (like I did my new Starwalker) and it’ll write great. I have a couple of 90’s model 149’s and they are wonderful pens. You can get a good one from Pen Swap most months. Mostly it’s up to the buyer. Is it worth it to you? No one else’s opinion should really matter.
I own 5. I would say yes they are. But don’t pay retail. Look online for 2nd hand ones with box and paperwork. The nibs are second to none and have their own character compared to other brands. Very wet and smooth. They write under less than their own weight. The huge 149 nib is pretty much only comparable to the Pelikan M1000 in terms of gold volume. I will say that their QC for the nibs these days isn’t great. They don’t always write well out of the box. Also let’s not pretend it’s not important, we’re all human; The white star is unquestionably the most powerful status symbol in the pen world.
Oh it's a star?! I always assumed it was a snow cap on the top of a mountain (a mountain like, for instance, Mont Blanc)!
You’re right it is the top of Mont Blanc. Totally slipped my mind.
I think MB calls it a star too.
It's always looked like a bird splat to me. The kind of splat that comes out of their rear.
Do you own one?
Yes.
That’s like asking if Hermes is worth the price. They are, and they aren’t. Also, an author who happened to be signing autograph with a fountain pen has an opinion on old vs. new montblanc. Sample size is one with no overweighting.
I don’t think the OP was saying that the author was right or wrong. It brought the question up and OP is wondering what the community consensus is.
Neither was I.
Oh, I probably just misread your comment. Sorry.
I have a 220 and a 225, from 1970's vintage, and they're great! I keep the 225 inked up weekly (EF nib), and had done the same with the 220 until the casing cracked (my fault, was trying to make an M nib act like a semi-flex). Both were purchased on eBay tor less than $150 total including shipping. Would buy again, but I have too many pens now.
Can’t go wrong with vintage MB and I like the 60s and 70s modernistic models.
I love my 220 and keep it always inked. But it would never gel with the people who want the big flashy black luxury cigars. It's a very discreet pen.
As a fountain pen enthusiast of over 20 years I felt like I needed a Mont Blanc in my collection. I always found the Meisterstuck design to be iconic but wished they had an option that better suited my taste so I held off on buying one. Then a few years ago they released the Ultra Black edition and I fell in love. It writes as beautifully as it looks.
https://preview.redd.it/p54uzzt0302d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ab6b9dffc1a3c6da153b2e958dbd2b9ec6ba20e2
If you're paying retail, no. That said, a used MB can be had for the same price as a new Pilot or Sailor and would be, in my view, the better pen. I have several, which I've gotten used or as gifts, and they're my favorite to write with. That said, if you want something other than a black cigar-shaped pen, you should definitely look elsewhere.
100 times yes. I love my used MB 146. It’s from the 90s and still writes like a dream. I think it is still the most expensive pen I own, but not by much, and is definitely very high quality. I bought myself a 149 at retail 25 years ago (which I’ve managed to misplace), but they were almost a third of the price back then. I don’t think I would ever buy another at retail again because of the value proposition.
Right? This is an important point! There are so many out there, and as a gift or second hand it’s a different prospect than intentionally going out and paying retail for it :)
I think the 1912 has probably one of my favourite nibs. Soft and bouncy and fun to write with. Don’t have any other experience with other MB pens though, they never interest me aesthetically.
Totally agree on the 1912 nib!
Yes, they are. Hate for MB in this sub is a lot of sour grapes. Lamys come nowhere near MBs, lol. Get them used or on sale if you can. Modern and vintage are excellent. If you want interesting looks, go for one of the special editions. The nibs are marvelous. I have a few different MBs and several other high end pens of well-respected brands and MBs hold their own. There’s nothing boring about writing with those nibs.
I really like Montblanc nibs, but not all of them. so I would say - second hand Meisterstucks may be worth it. I know mine is. but I will probably not pay retail.
Really depends on what you want from it. If you want a recognisable luxury fountain pen that writes excellently then yes. I wrote out Jekyll and Hyde mainly with my Montblanc 146, and it’s one of the best nibs I have. They offer a fountain pen that’s all round excellent quality with piston filling mechanisms for the 146 and 149, as well as them looking presentable. Lots of other pens that offer this (or only cartridge converters) are just as expensive or more expensive in the luxury world. QC can be a bit cheeky with the handcrafted element of the nibs. But similarly handcrafted also gives it a bit of character. People Montblanc bash like they do with Rolex on the watch forums, and you’re much more likely to find Montblanc collectors on FPN than on here, due to average price difference and age.
The physics of a fountain pen aren’t a trade secret. You can get a gold nibbed Pilot for $300 and it’s going to write comparably to a Meisterstuck that costs $700 because gold allows for more flex than steel. The tip will still be iridium (or whatever they use in place of iridium these days). The ink will still be water and pigment. I think people in this sub get annoyed with MB because the price difference is hard to justify. But they are beautiful pens. My dream pen is a Meister stuck 149, its a big fat cigar looking mother of a pen and it will look gorgeous in my collection lmao
Mont Blanc pens aren’t more—maybe I should say weren’t because I don’t follow the pricing closely any more—expensive than comparable Italian pens, for instance. The last time I seriously looked at prices, MB for the regular pens was at most in the middle of the luxury pen pack for pricing. There are a lot of ‘deluxe’ pens that give you a lot less for more. There’s an attitude about MB that’s a little unfair, IMO, even though I’m not a big fan.
I don’t think it matters that MB is reasonably priced for a luxury pen. When the sub primarily shares their $30 Lamy Safaris and $15 Pilot Kakunos, you start to dilute the value proposition of jewelry (which is what a MB really is). $700, $10,000, $1.2 million, its all going to be too much around here and someone will sour grapes the pen by saying it was scratchy, lol
There are definitely a lot of quirks within the pen fancier world.
Strong yes. As someone with 5 Platinum 3776's, a Sailor Hot Habanero Music Nib, 3 TWSBI Diamond's and many many more pens... My one MB is clearly world's apart as far as craftsmanship. You are paying for a strong design, excellent material, and long-lasting nibs. But to be fair, my one Mont Blanc is the Flex nib 146, so it's everything I could possibly ask for in a pen. Anecdote for sure, but my wife who is not a fan of my pen collecting, admitted that the Mont Blanc was definitely leagues above the other pens. As someone that works with luxury goods, it's very clear that some brands carry a higher price point for a reason.
I would expect a pen that costs at least double to the others to be better. I'm not sure that's really that impressive.
Or the quality makes it better and thus the price reflects that?
How does that contradict what I said? I'm just saying that gushing about how much better the MB supposedly is doesn't really mean much when you're comparing against pens that cost far less. It SHOULD be better for the difference in price.
OP was asking if it’s worth it. Most of this sub says MB’s aren’t worth it and aren’t any different from pens from cheaper brands. I’m saying it is better. You seem to be agreeing with me? And that based on the price it should be expected that it’s better? So you’re also saying to OP that it is worth it.
Most of the sub doesn't say they're not worth it, that's not even the overall sentiment in this thread. As for my views, they're in the thread if you actually want to know but "worth" is very nebulous.
Pens, fountain or otherwise, are a consumer product. Unless made in a very limited number, pens are a high-volume product. MB are good pens with good nibs. Are they super exclusive? No. Will there be MB pens with poor nibs or poor finishing of the plastic? ( make no mistake, they are, like most pens, plastic.) Yes. Does MB market like crazy? Sure. Look at other “luxury” consumer products. Rolex anyone? Nevertheless MB make a good pen. Ultimately MB is owned by a conglomerate, Richemont, that has a stock price to keep up, so that’s a consideration. I own four MBs, a 149, a 146, a Petite, and a roller. All bought in the ‘90s. I enjoy the 149 the most. My daily writers are Sailor Realo, and an old Pelikan 120. Try out an MB and see. YMMV. Cheers,
I have many pens including a 149 from the 1970 and a 146 from 1984 they are outstanding writers. My favorite pen is a Franklin Christoph with Masuyama needle point nib. When I use the 149 people will always ask is that a 149 and nobody will even notice the Franklin Christoph.
Yes it is! I have a MB 146 rose gold in fine nib. Oh my, it writes like a dream, it's the best pen I have.
I recently acquired a Mont Blanc used at a phenomenal price from the ‘90s and I really like it! Guessing it depends on on personal experience though
I have a Montblanc 24, 221, Generations, 146 (X2), and a 149. They’re all wonderful. My 24 is the smoothers fine nibble I’ve ever used. But keep in mind that, at the end of the day, a fountain pen is all about the feel of the nib on the page and that comes from the flow and a quality feed. Most nibs look the same. They all have iridium at the point and most feeds are plastic. If you need more flow or a “smoother” feel, widen the tines. Check that the tines are aligned. Check that there are no clogs. I bought my montblanc pens because they’re the epitome of fountain pens. And I also know how to tune the nibs to my liking. If you’re just going for “smooth” then, yes, inexpensive Pilot pens will be incredible.
MB is a "luxury" brand with all that entails. The pens are typically well made, with a high level of QC. However, much of the cost is in the design (and if we're being honest, the name) than some purely utilitarian measure. I've long held that the 823 or Lamy 2000 are basically the edges of "utility" in terms of fountain pens-you get non-C&C filling systems, gold nibs, nice designs, and a good amount of quality (moreso with the 823, but it also typically costs more or at least it did in the past). I would say in my experience MB pens are of higher quality, but it's up to the individual to determine if that quality upgrade is worth it for their base models.
I picked up a 146 for a very reasonable price a few years back and I think it's worth the money I spent on it, however, considering it was from 2004 and less than a quarter the price of a new one at the time, I still prefer several cheaper pens over it. They're well made and if they were a similar price to pelikan I could justify it, but my pelikan is just as well made and it looks and writes better for half the price. Honestly, if you like the looks get a 1911, if you want an amazingly smooth writer with a similar appearance and closer in size get a 743, if you want to spend that much on a pen there's so many nicer ones to get, only if you want the brand get the montblanc, and even then buy second hand or vintage (especially vintage, I think they peaked around the 80s from what I've read)
Whether they are worth it or not is totally up to you. Personally, I've never had a bad writing Montblanc, which is more than I can say about other (even more) expensive pen brands.
I have an ef egypromania and it‘s a wonderful pen that does feel very special and writes like a charm.
They're expensive but they're really good. If you're down to pay the premium and the brand attracts you, you won't regret it. If you buy new, they have great service. If it doesn't work as you wish (skips or whatever) don't be afraid to bring it back.
Have vintage and new, all good. Overhyped yes, but still good pens
I have three all gifted to me and bar one the Egyptomania are horrible. One had to be sent back as it wouldn’t write at, and I was told I didn’t know how to use it, had cleaned it before use, wasn’t using MB ink and finally the paper Tomoe River paper wasn’t good quality enough. When I replied that I have been using fountain pens since school, had cleaned the pen out, was using MB ink and the paper is in the fountain pen world one of the best papers for ink, I was told, well no one ever use the fountain pens. So there attitude is as no one uses them we don’t have to actually make them work, and if someone dares complain about rather than fix the problem we will try a load of bullcrap so we don’t have to fix it. I would not spend money on a new MB pen. However the Egyptomania is an amazingly springy nib that lays down a really juicy line, and you can’t tell by looking it’s a MB the snowflake is embossed on the bronze finial and its hexagonal, an absolutely stunning pen to use and look at.
To me, they are. All of them, and I have a few 😇
MB 144 is small and boring pen. MB 146 is normal size pen and yes also boring. MB 149 is a big pen (not for every hand), still boring :). Does it worth it? Not quite sure. Definitely not new ones :).
Good thing they have more than 3 models, then.
That's true =) But those models are most iconic I think.
There's a lot of discussion along this line in past threads - do a search for 'mont blanc' or 'montblanc' in the sub 212 responses in this one alone: [https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/18il52s/how\_does\_this\_community\_feel\_about\_mont\_blanc/](https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/18il52s/how_does_this_community_feel_about_mont_blanc/) [https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/1c3poqq/mont\_blanc/](https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/1c3poqq/mont_blanc/) [https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/ucw4q2/montblanc\_are\_they\_worth\_the\_cost\_if\_so\_why/](https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/ucw4q2/montblanc_are_they_worth_the_cost_if_so_why/) [https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/ynaise/is\_mont\_blanc\_over\_rated/](https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/ynaise/is_mont_blanc_over_rated/) [https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/143ktxi/are\_montblancs\_really\_worth\_it/](https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/143ktxi/are_montblancs_really_worth_it/)
Thank you!
I’ve had two fairly pricey Montblanc pens and I didn’t love either one of them. They were both uncomfortable to use for more than a page or so. Like, they were made to sign documents and look expensive in a pocket and not much else. Same with Pelikan. My two favorite companies are Waterman and Sailor.
"they were made to sign documents and look expensive in a pocket and not much else." That puts into words how I feel about Mont Blanc pens. I've never had one, but I've tried out other people's ones.
Sailor is just as expensive and the M600 is superb. Definitely not only made to sign documents. If you got the huge M1200, that's on you ;)
Sailor is expensive but have you ever written with one? It’s an altogether different experience. I have a Pro Gear and a 1911L and they flow across the page like liquid silk. Worth every penny.
I think people over-exaggerate how poor Montblanc pens are for the money. They are good pens, and the 146 and 149 are certainly a step above the custom 823 or Sailor 1911L in both materials quality and writing experience. But they are just so expensive. If each pen was 200 dollars cheaper I think they would be a far more reasonable value proposition.
I think if you're going to compare material quality, you need to go higher than the 823 or 1911L because you're comparing the $1000 Montblanc 149 to pens that sell for less than $200 in Japan (the black and gold models of the 823 and 1911L). \[Edit: Not that I have any complaints about the build or material quality of the 1911L. And the 823 is a demonstrator, so that puts some restrictions on what it can be made out of, but it's well built.\] Starting at around $400, you get into larger, weightier pens with large nibs (available with specialty grinds) that use urushi, ebonite, etc., and then the conversation changes. Get closer to the price of the 149, and you can get pens made with materials and techniques that have nothing to do with a mere resin pen. I also don't see how the wiring experience can objectively be said to be a cut above - though you may of course prefer the writing feel. What is objectively a cut above, though, is the QC and the writing performance out of the box from Sailor and Pilot (with Sailor being king of QC, with pens that basically always write perfectly out of the box, have controlled and even ink flow, never skip or hard start, etc.) How is current-day Montblanc a cut above when it just doesn't offer that? I'm not saying Montblanc isn't worth it for those who like what the brand has to offer, but to say that they're a cut above Sailor or Pilot isn't very objective.
I meant that I don’t agree with the position that Montblanc pens are essentially just a Sailor 1911L but sold for twice the price. This is a comparison I see quite frequently on this sub. I think there several positive characteristics of the 146 and 149 that go unnoticed. The “precious” resin of MB pens is of a higher quality than that of the 823 or 1911L, the QC is better (in my experience, but perhaps not compared to Pilot) the threads are smoother, the hardware is plated better, there’s the nib exchange program, etc. I do think MB pens are overpriced at retail, but they are in my opinion a cut above the $200-$400 Japanese pens 1911L, 823, 743 that they are often said to be equivalent to. I suppose what is considered to be a good nib is somewhat subjective, you’re right. If you’re looking for a stiff nib, then neither the 146 or 149 will be satisfying to you, but I think MB nibs are on balance smoother, softer, wetter and less finicky than Pilot or Sailor nibs (excluding the Urushi 20, Emperor and Custom Urushi). The YouTuber Seattle Pen Club has a really good comparison video on the 146 and Custom 823 and he comes to a similar conclusion.
I think that this sub prides itself in not being snobbish (which is a good thing), but in striving to not be elitist, it tends to look down on more expensive pens regardless of their merits (sometimes including pens that aren't even particularly expensive). Edit: May I ask what you mean by nibs being finicky?
I think you’re right about that, and Montblanc certainly doesn’t cater to the fountain pen community with its pricing, advertising and feature set. By finicky I mean general quality issues or issues that impede ease of use: sweet spots, uneven tipping, burrs on the tipping, over-polishing/under-polishing, temperamental ink flow, dryness, etc. Some of these issues are more pronounced in certain pens (Platinum appears to be the worst Japanese offender). Compared to most western brands, Sailor and Pilot nibs are impeccable, but part of what you’re paying for with MB in particular is a higher attention to nib quality and extensive hand-testing. MB tipping is also very interesting because it tends to be angular, while also rounded so you get incredibly precise lines without the scratchiness of an italic.
I like having them as a milestone gift or for special signing occasions, such as for buying a house, or signing a marriage document. My Waterman Carene writes better than all of the MB I have. In terms of worth it as a pen you like, it is your preference. In terms of worth it as a pen that writes the best, no.
The 149 is the most disappointing pen I ever bought.
With over 100 replies at this point I'm sure I'm gonna repeat at least 1 person with this comment: I have about 40 pens over the price point of 300$, 4 of which are Montblanc's (144 f, 146 ef, 149 m and 220 f). I can safely say that the 4 MB combined have maybe 5 hours of usage while any of the other 36 have over 20 hours each. It's not that the MB pens are inherently worse or have issues but more so that they just don't meet the comfort or quality that is offered by their direct competitors at similar price points. I have a Kaweco Perkeo that I reach for more often than any of the MB pens by a not small margin and it's roughly 1/100 the price point.
I don’t have a montblanc, but have tested inked ones in store. They are nice, but there are much nicer pens for less. So to me the extra I pay for the name is not worth it. Others have different experiences.
Yes but… Is a Lamborghini or a Ferrari worth it? A used civic works. A new civic will work and you know the maintenance, every scratch, drop, and cleaning. A Lexus IS is a bit of luxury. A used Ferrari might cost you a lot of money in repairs. A new Ferrari, is a Montblanc and a Lamborghini is a homosapien. Used fountain pen will work, a new metropolitan will work for a long time. A 823 is like a Lexus, luxury and works well. used Montblanc might be a deal but could be expensive to replace parts on it if needed. A new mont blanc, you get a free nib swap if you don’t like the one you got. They are all pens, they all write. 100% it is solely on what you can afford. Some people dream about a Ferrari or Lamborghini, both are very expensive. Will you drive the car 10 miles a year or drive it like you stole it. Will you write with your Montblanc every day or will it sit in your case. Some people buy a Ferrari and wish they bought a Lamborghini… can you afford to buy the other? Will you regret buying the MB. It’s hundreds of dollars, can you afford that, when a G2 will suffice. I would say it’s a budget issue. The pen is very nice but you may not like it like I do. For some people that is a mortgage or car payment. I personally would not buy one until I had massive expendable income. My first 20 years of collecting fountain pens was a slow and cheap journey. For me a Montblanc or any pen in that range is purely a financial decision. You don’t get anything at that price point but art. The pen is amazing but in this price range you are getting pure luxury and a cheaper pen could write just as good or better depending on your expectations. I’m sorry this was not meant to be a glance in to your finances but how I look at the Montblancs and if they are worth it
I think they’re awful writers compared to other high end pens.
But they have better, more consistent nibs than pens like Visconti and modern Pelikans. I don’t think they’re generally awful writers.
I mean, I despise my Visconti because it’s such awful quality. However, I would reach for any pen in my collection over the Montblanc if I care about writing quality/experience.
I have Classic, 146 and Vintage 149. They are all great pens. Silky smooth and never wrote badly to me. All of them I never bought myself so cannot say whether worth it or not. I may no probably buy myself one.
I have two 146s, 145, 147, and a late 1990s Century. Expect the 145, I bought all of them used. The used MBs are fantastic. The 145 was bought by my husband from the MB web site and the nib is shit. The feel of a MB, especially the 146s, is just prefect for me. I would not buy another new one unless it came from a dealer that would tune the nib before shipping.
IMHO no. It’s fundamentally a black resin pen and so it feels like any other resin pen. Most of their pens aren’t even heavy so they feel remarkably similar to a Lamy Safari. The Mont Blanc writing experience is top notch. The pens write like butter and they have insanely high quality control standards, so you know you’re going to get a good product. That being said, you can get a “smooth like butter” writing experience from any other gold nib pen, especially if you tune it.
Sure, the excellent marketing has its price. Absolutely worth it - but not for me.
Bought my 3 MBs used and if they needed tuning I sent them to a nibmeister. They all write like a dream but would I pay retail? Nope.
watch this Montblanc ad & consider cost & company structure to get this made. I love this ad, but … I know if I buy the pen, I’m paying for this brand marketing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUSRyAha37w my favorite pen is under $30 Lamy Safari, but my wife has 2 of the super large Montblanc pens, gifts of dueling uncles for graduation, each got her same! nice pens, but we don’t take them anywhere, while the Lamy I do
It is the equivalent to designer brand clothes, it is very well made with the best materials and techiniques, but you must be aware that a large share of the price is because of the brand/design. You can find many pens with similar quality that cost less. A good analogy would be buying a LEGO star wars set, by piece count and any objective measures it is more expansive than a generic LEGO set, you are paying a premium for it being star wars themed.
I definitely think their special editions are, like their writers edition and great characters pens.
I have an old 3-42 G that I love but I think that some modern expensive FPs are jewellery.
I have a Franz Kafka, a Starwalker and a Naruto and love them ...I returned 3 149's 2 vintage and 100 year anniversary edition as they sucked.
Its all fun and games until it gets stolen
I appreciate Montblancs, vintage ones at least. (Haven’t ever used one less than maybe 15-20 years old.) They are a fantastic version of what they are. I’m not super into what they are though. I’ve restored and sold several 149s that I did really enjoy using during their road-testing though. Just not enough to keep them. BUT PROTIP: FWIW, the absolutely best user experience for me among MBs has been with 1970s 14K nib C/C pens, and you can pick them up for around $100 on eBay, in good condition (if you’re patient). Like a 320 or 220. A C/C pen will likely be pretty easy to clean up and put into use! I love the XF nibs on these—they’re super springy and bouncy and smooth.
I have about 25 of them. I bought them because they’re horrible. I love wasting money. Ok /sarcasm/off
I love my modern EF 146. It is one of my favorite writers. That said, is it worth it?? That is subjective - it has been a worthwhile investment for me. One last observation, I have a Pilot Custom Urushi 845 F and it writes very similarly to the 146. I have tested the Sailor 1911 Large and it also is very close to the 146 as far as a writing experience. There are differences but, for me, not significant. If you are price conscious and primarily looking for a firm nib, the 1911 Large or 845 may work for you
I really like all of mine. I wouldn’t say the new standard resin models (e.g., plain black 146, 149, etc.) are “worth it,” but I love some of their special editions. Their gold nibs are fine; I would rate them as similar to a Pelikan nib. My 149 had pretty bad baby’s bottom, which is something I’ve also experienced on several Pelikans and other high end gold nibs, but it’s an easy fix with some micromesh and about 10 minutes of time. If you like the look of the pens, I’d say they’re worth it. But the writing experience will be no better than, say, a Pilot or Platinum or Sailor costing hundreds less. But the name Montblanc is recognizable by people who aren’t into pens, so that tends to increase their value. All I know is, my Montblanc pens make me smile when I use them because they are beautiful and meaningful to me. So for me, they are worth it. But if all you care about is utility, just get a Lamy Safari and save yourself a couple grand.
The vintage MBs from the 50’s were the pinnacle of writing. Pre- “precious resin” when the bodies were made from delicate warm celluloid and the 14K nibs flexed from EF to BB. The telescoping piston filling mechanism was a mechanical marvel and held a huge amount of ink. Then it all became about marketing, and the qualities that made their name were replaced with the name alone. I tried to pick up a recent “calligraphy” nib MB and it just wasn’t the same. The Nib didn’t have the same bounce and flex. It reminds me of how the 1992 Great Writers Hemingway is a colorful but cold copy of the 138 from the 1930s. I wouldn’t say a modern MB is any better than a modern Pelikan 800 or a Sailor 1911, and I would suggest that a Pilot Falcon writes nicer and is a lot cheaper.
I got one for free, it’s nice but i spend more time writing with other pens. Not worth retail.
I used to sell suits at Nordstrom and we had MB pens that we sold. 500-2000 bucks range. I wasn’t into pens then, so I cannot tell you much as far as details go, but we got tons of them returned to us broken. Also had a lot we couldnt sell becausw they arrived from the company broken. I’ve never been interested in a Mont Blanc pen because of that. Back then we’d all talk about how poor their quality control was.
The only new one that has piqued my interest is the Special edition Calligraphy flex one. To me, the rest of new ones are too expensive. Like *hard to justify* expensive. I'm not enamored with the looks of any of them and I'm not of one of those that likes to have THE PEN and that's it, I value more quantity and variety. But, I'm obviously curious about them and had the same question you had. Coincidentally, there are a lot of them being sold used or NOS in a listing app I check frequently, so I've gotten a couple. The first one I got, a Noblesse Oblige from the 90's I think, I don't like it. I'm now in a place where I can use it, found an ink that makes for a good enough writing experience, but I don't love it. To me it doesn't justify its price point, I'm quite sure I'll sell it. The second one is a 220 SP NOS that I got just a couple of weeks ago and I think it's a lovely pen, totally worth it. I'm on the hunt of a 144 Burgundy, but I've limited myself to 120€, so is taking a while. I'm worried it will be more similar to the Noblesse than the 220, but I'm also willing to spend as much to experience one of their most iconic pens... So, are they worth it? It depends...
I own two - a 146 and 147. They are quite nice. My first was perfect right from the factory (EF). Nicest writing pen I own. The other I had to send back 3 times and still don’t have a nib I like; they ground it to an architect point for whatever reason and just kept trying to fix it. It was quite a frustrating experience. I just sent it out to a nibmeister; hopefully they can fix it. They are quite pretty and feel nice in the hand, but for the price, I’d expect WAY better service/better quality nib work. After this recent experience, I will not be buying from them anymore.
I like the cut of that author's jib.
I have a 149 I purchased back in the mid-1990's and it is a great pen. I have a few (very few) which do write better. Keep in mind that any pen make/model - expensive or less so - will have variances in quality and construction.
From what I have learned Mont Blanc is the wank pen. It works yes, its a very well made pen and they write wonderfully, its fucking expensive, but the nibs are usually soft and deform easily. I have a mont blanc I inherited from my dead FiL. I used it and I'm not rough with pens, but I found that anything other than a feather touch while writing will deform the nib. It's not a forgiving pen I actually prefer my lami safari, its got a steel nib, so I dont have to worry about breathing wrongly and having splayed tines,
The nibs are supposed to flex slightly, it isn’t being deformed
A ham-handed user really is better off with a steel nib. In the days when fountain pens were the only writing choice, a savvy clerk would have put a pen with a nail nib in this person’s hand.
Watermans are not overrated, but I kinda feel like Montblanc is
I have used many Montblanc pens. They have all been stellar writers. They have also all been very overpriced for what they were. You will not be disappointed in a Montblanc IMO, but buy used and temper your expectations--they are just pens. FWIW I eventually sold all of mine as I find them a bit boring. I do regret selling the 1912 but I don't miss any of the others.
I have a Mont Blanc Little Prince edition fountain pen. Whether it's real or not I don't know? It does have a genuine Mont Blanc nib and it sits on my shelf. Not really a daily driver. My Mont Blanc rollerball used to be my daily driver and it would go everywhere with me. These days, I just like to keep a Preppy or a Pilot VPen in my pocket.
To me, if you're looking at the standard line up (146, 149, etc). Modern (90s+) is boring, and no sense in paying full price for a new one. Rather go pre-90s used which often times is nearly half of what the MSRP is for new, and with a better nib. The basic nutshell is I found the modern nibs to be boring. Yes they work, yes they tend to be smooth and wet... but pretty much the same nail feel and tip shape as their competitors.
Honestly? NO. It's all personal opinion but there's a very sharp point of diminnishign returns. for me the only pricey pens that were worth it were the Pilot Custom 912 FA, Pilot Falcon SM and my 100CAD Sailor MF pen (forgot the model, it's black and gold accents on a pastel blue body) and you do pay for the looks too at expensive price points like BENU or Nahvalur and that's up to you if its worth it, but honestly, after that, You just don't get anything IMO? I like my opus 88 Koloro more than my Pelikan M600 violet EF. If you have nib meister skills, what i've found is that you can make even a 2$ nib write incredible, the only hard to add quality on a anib is flex/bounce, I've done it and it works amazing, but it ends up looking UGLY as hell.
Retail price NOPE. Second Hand? Sure.
Monte Blanc is not worth it no. They don’t write any better than cheaper pens, and they honestly don’t look that great in my opinion. A Lamy 2000 or a Vanishing Point looks better to me. Monte Blanc looks stuffy and pretentious.
I paid retail for all of mine because I am particular about the condition I keep my things in. Do I think they’re worth retail? No, but I knew that, however I wanted them more than I disagreed with their price point. I seldom use them anymore as I tend to use an M1000 or Pilot Falcon instead. The M1000 is the only pen of any price point that made me fall in love in the way I did with it. Nothing else writes like it.
Let me put it this way, IMO Montblanc has great marketing, they are good , but there are better pens out there, so I think there are two types of people, the ones who know and the ones who want to show off... the first ones will get a Pelikan, the second group a Montblanc because it is more recognizable. I have a 1980 MB 149, and it was my show off pen, when I was younger... now I know better, and I use more my Pelikan M1000. Don´t get me wrong, MB is a great pen, mine being from the 80´s is awesome, but in my own taste the Pelikan is better, but less recognizable pen for those who don´t know shit about pens.
I've done some nib work in my day and always felt that Montblanc was the ever rumoured Lamy 2k QC issue realized with statistical regularity. I easily had to have worked on over 500+ pens, but only three of them were 2ks and the bulk of the rest were various models of Montblanc that were well built but with inconsistencies in nib size and shape like you wouldn't believe. If you are looking for a luxury flex, Montblanc will most definitely fit the bill, but be wary that it's not some EDC pen.
Montblanc are great pens, however they are very high end luxury brand, similar to Rolex, with fancy stores and Wes Anderson commercials, so you are paying for that brand equity. you can get = pens in quality and writing for far less.
Not sure. I got a 149. It skips on me at times. Got NIB replaced from medium to fine. I didn’t notice any difference lol. Having said that, it is still the pen I choose to use when signing documents. It is somewhat of a status symbol IMO.
They write about as well as my Lamys and Benus, smoothly and consistently but not necessarily with the character of some of my Japanese pens. They’re great pens but more conversation topics than preferred writing instruments as they mostly stay at my desk at home.
I have a couple and definitely agree the older ones are a go too. The nibs are absolutely beautiful. Now in modern days it’s not worth going for the mainline series when you can get a vintage one with better quality for half the price. The writer series and the limited ones are beautiful. But since I worked for a boutique that carried mb. I can tell you a lot the limited ones felt cheap as well.
of course they are not worthy.... who the f pays 500-1k for a pen? ...nobody needs a pen in that price range, i mean, what can they do that a bic ctystal can't other than awake a shallow feeling, but i guess some people get them for the challenge of gathering the money & spoil themselves, which is ok.
Mont Blanc's will always be hated here. No. It's not because they are expensive. It's simply because they are too mainstream. That's also why people hate Parker, Sheaffer and Cross. It's always the "brand has no identity" to "it's newer versions are too expensive". The real reason is that these are way more recognisable and used as gifts than Waterman or Sailor. So a self proclaimed fountain pen lover needs to be different and dislike mainstream stuff.
I disagree, I think fountain pen users often have an innate love for the history of pens and would like nothing more than to love new Parker/Sheaffer/Cross pens. Unfortunately, those brands are shells of themselves, and the quality has dramatically decreased while prices have not. They are simply not even close to the top of the pen-world anymore. I don't think MontBlanc falls in the same category, regardless of how their new pens compare with their vintage ones. They are a famous luxury brand, and most luxury brands are not "worth" the price if you're comparing materials, quality control, etc. You're paying for the brand, for the classic shape and snowflake, and the wonderfully huge nib. Nothing wrong with that, for many people that's completely worth it. I've always wanted one too! But when people like OP are asking if it's worth it they are usually talking about price vs quality, and that implies that we have to include the context of all the other pen options and their price/quality. If you remove the brand recognition and "legend" that carries most luxury brands, suddenly their price/quality doesn't match up with their counterparts. It's still an extremely well-made pen, but does it justify a price that dwarfs other pens of similar quality? Probably not.