I do have a very strong inclination towards vintage Montblancs, though. A lot of FP folk are surprised when they get their first MB and realize that they actually are nice pens… And those folks usually have their minds blown when they get a 13x or a 146 from the 1950s.

I’ve had good experience with the more modern 146 and 149 I’ve owned, but no pen I’ve ever owned- or held- beats my 1950s vintage 146. Worthy of being both a grail pen and a desert island pen.

Flexible MB nibs from the 30s-50s are pretty special. They’ve a feel that is unlike the flexible nibs from Waterman, Wahl, Pelikan, Parker and others.

I’ve never seen a 50s vintage 149 in the flesh, but I’d love to have one someday. I do have a 60s/70s 149 that I really, really enjoy. It has the plastic filler threads, which I prefer to those with the hunk of brass at the end of newer 149s. It has a flexible three-tone 14C nib and an ebonite feed. Flexes to 2 mm- between the big grip and long tines you put out some nice looking writing.

I still think their products are overpriced and laypeople still think it is the only fine writing instrument.

I agree. I’ll probably never buy anything MB new from a boutique, unless I land a job where I’m making 6 figures a year. I’m more than happy with my second hand pens.

The best is the combo of winning an auction ala sumgai, the anticipation of waiting for the mail, and the grand finale of opening the box and exploring what is inside.

I also went through the anti-MB attitude based solely on the snob marketing, the general public thinking it is the only high quality pen, (much like Rolex watches), and the inflated price and re-sale value.

Then I got a 146 for a steal and discovered that they are great performers. I have had them inked and setting months without use and uncap it and it writes perfectly like it was filled 5 minutes ago.

Sumgai’ed again: I was offered, and jumped on, the 149 Special Edition, brand spanking new, for $325; half the retail price. The nib is as big as my thumb, darn ‘purdy,’ and the flow is perfect. Just touch the paper and these beaut’s start writing. I probably only have it in the rotation about once per year and but oh what a joy!

I saw a new one sell two days ago on ebay for $1,025; not bad for a $325 investment.

I still think their products are overpriced and laypeople still think it is the only fine writing instrument. That latter point is meaningless though. Why should I care as long as the pen performs as well or better than any other brand out there? The anti-MB phenomenon is most strong among hard-core vintage collectors and this still makes me laugh; leaves more pens for me.

So if you can get a MB for a price competitive with other brands, do not take a pass, grab it.

Cheers — Larry

@Mary It definitely took a little getting used to after using my 146.

Congrats on your new acquisition.