Vintage Montblanc 146 Review

By Request: A Favorite Pen Review

by John Harwood

So, why on earth are you reading this?  Why would you be interested in a stranger and his favorite fountain pen?  If I were asked this question, I’m not sure I’d have an  answer.  I do know that PEN WORLD has a last page devoted to a story of a person and his/her relationship with a pen.  I never miss reading that page.  Something mystical can develop between us and certain “things.”  Of course, such a feeling can develop between us and our fountain pen.  It fits our hand perfectly, writes as we like day after day and becomes our constant companion -- our favorite pen. I was surprised and flattered when Gary asked if I would write an occasional article on a favorite fountain pen for his blog. Gary and I go back a number of years.  My first pen was bought from him in 2003 and I’ve bought a number from him since, through his Vintage Pen Catalog, because I find him to be knowledgeable, fair, truthful and considerate. Over the years a friendship developed.  Hence this article.  If you find it of interest please let him know.

“I was given my first fountain pen by my parents in 1950.”

I am old enough to have been using fountain pens since high school. After 1½ years of bed confinement due to rheumatic fever, I was given my first fountain pen by my parents in 1950.  It was a Parker 51 Demi pen and pencil set. I still have this set, and have used a fountain pen ever since because to me nothing writes as well.  Along the way I’ve added more, now having a collection of 650 pens! The pens I purchase are to write with, not for show.  When I select a vintage pen it’s one that has been a favorite of everyday people of the time, a “work horse.”  For both vintage and modern pens, I avoid the very expensive, the “works of art” and the limited editions.  I’m no expert on any aspect of pens.  But I have learned a few things, especially about nib adjustment, thereby saving considerable expense in having to have others adjust a nib to my liking.   I do know what I like in a pen and why.  Still, there are favorites among my collection.

“My most favorite, a 1988 Montblanc 146.”

This brings me to the pen I’ll review for this article, perhaps my most favorite, a 1991 Montblanc 146.  I know, I said I avoid expensive pens, and Montblanc is one of the most expensive.  I’ve seen a vintage 1991 MB146 selling for $400, another for $1000. Why so expensive?  Well, we’re buying the luxury brand.  I have pens of resin with steel nibs, which are as durable and write as well, which cost less than $100.  Why does a Mercedes Benz cost so much more than other cars which are adequate, safe and comfortable?  Think image; reputation;  “The Best or Nothing!” The snow cap  on the top of the Montblanc and the star on the hood of the Mercedes have their price.  However, in the case of my MB146, it cost me nothing.  It was a gift. It was December 25, 2014.  My family had gathered for our annual Christmas dinner. My nephew tends to buy on eBay by price, usually buying what he knows little about.  Such was the case with the MB146.  He had bought it because of the Montblanc “name” and because the price was inexpensive.  He knew nothing of its condition.  You know what such purchases usually lead to – disappointment.  So he approached me, asking if I would like the pen, its nib was scratchy and it got ink on his hand.  After telling him the value and urging he get it repaired, he said he he didn’t want to bother and insisted I take it, which I finally did. When I returning home, I realized my nephew is left handed so the nib could be scratchy for him and not for me. I also wondered if the ink leak had as simple a solution.  It didn’t!  Inspection with a loupe revealed a hair-line crack in the barrel.  Montblanc replaced the barrel for $95.  Now I had a near mint Montblanc 146 for less than $100.  I tried to return the pen to my nephew.  He wasn’t interested.

“No nib can be mass produced to suit everyone.“

Ever since it has been my favorite pen. Why? Primarily, because of the nib.  It’s a 14K fine, slightly oblique/italic nib, uncommon in my experience.  The nib even has some flex, which is unusual for a modern 146 or even a 149. I spent some time adjusting the tines for my writing style. I have to do this for most pens I purchase.  I don’t think that should come as a surprise, since every person’s writing style is different and no nib can be mass produced to suit everyone.  In an ideal world, each pen purchaser would be able to have a nibmeister watch him/her write and then adjust the nib until it perfectly suits that user. The nib on my 146 is perfect for me – the flow is neither too heavy nor weak (often due to the viscosity of your ink, but that’s another story), the tines are perfectly aligned for my writing style, which means no tine bites into the paper, and there is some “tooth” so the nib is not so smooth that it’s difficult to control.  Earlier models of the 146 had ebonite feeds while mine has a plastic feed, introduced around 1990 or 1991.  It performs just as it should.  The pen is about 5 ½ inches long, and is a larger diameter than most of my pens.

“The MB 149 takes the prize for being oversized.”

The 146 is not oversize.  The 149 takes the prize for that.  I find the 146 very comfortable for my hand, which I would say is medium size.  I’m missing the end of my right index finger so have an unorthodox way of holding a pen.  Rough or textured sections over time prove to be uncomfortable.  The smooth contoured section of the 146 is not tiring or otherwise unpleasant.  Since 1962, the barrel and cap are no longer made of celluloid, but of acrylic which Montblanc calls “Precious Resin.”  To me, it’s not like the resin of other pens, being harder, very smooth and glossy.  If you dropped it on a hard surface I suspect it would crack or shatter. The ornamentation is simple – gold filled clip and three bands on the lower part of the cap and one between the barrel and blind cap. Black has been the primary color of the 146 for years.  The glossy black with limited gold trim looks elegant. The ink container is the barrel, providing a huge supply of ink. There is an ink-view window in the barrel so you can see when the pen needs refilling.  Unlike the clear ink-view window of so many other pens, the 146’s is striped -- another nice touch, also introduced around 1990 or 1991.  The only filling system for the 146 (and 149) is the very reliable piston, using an ink bottle.  I’ve used it regularly for five years and it has worked flawlessly.  To operate the piston-filler, simply turn the blind cap on the end of the barrel one way, then the other. I use only MB black ink in my 146 because it seems to write best with that.  I tried MB burgundy but found it wetter than the black making a wider line on the paper. The cap screws on and off, rather than being a slip cap, so you know it won’t come off in your pocket.

“Montblanc service is prompt, courteous, and satisfactory.”

Finally, I have found Montblanc very supportive of their pens.  Montblanc Customer Service is prompt, courteous, and satisfactory.  A MB146 (now called the LeGrand) is expensive, $500 to $1000 vintage, $700 new.  If this is outside your budget, I’d suggest looking for the MB models 12, 14, 22, 24 or 32, 34, made in the 1950s.  They are smaller than the 146, and very different in looks.  They have excellent nibs, albeit smaller and thinner, and are “winged” or “semi-hooded.”  They are more likely to have the flex that many people look for today, and seem so far to be overlooked by collectors and can still be purchased for around $200 or less. They have all the qualities of the 146, except their size.  I have a number of them and enjoy them. Perhaps I’ll review one of them someday. Keep writing alive, and use a fountain pen!