Comments on: My First ‘Grail Pen’ http://www.dannzeman.com/2009/12/30/my-first-grail-pen/ what I'm into right now Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:27:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: admin http://www.dannzeman.com/2009/12/30/my-first-grail-pen/#comment-2490 admin Sun, 03 Apr 2011 19:25:22 +0000 http://www.dannzeman.com/?p=917#comment-2490 Wow, a BB nib on a 149. I'm envious! Wow, a BB nib on a 149. I'm envious!

]]> By: razr http://www.dannzeman.com/2009/12/30/my-first-grail-pen/#comment-2408 razr Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:39:45 +0000 http://www.dannzeman.com/?p=917#comment-2408 Great post! I just ordered my first 149, and since I requested a BB nib, it'll be 4 weeks...argggghh. Impatiently waiting. Great post! I just ordered my first 149, and since I requested a BB nib, it'll be 4 weeks…argggghh.

Impatiently waiting.

]]> By: dalistylin http://www.dannzeman.com/2009/12/30/my-first-grail-pen/#comment-2394 dalistylin Thu, 09 Sep 2010 21:45:30 +0000 http://www.dannzeman.com/?p=917#comment-2394 Great review. What kind of pen case is that in the picture? It looks very nice. Great review. What kind of pen case is that in the picture? It looks very nice.

]]> By: Julie http://www.dannzeman.com/2009/12/30/my-first-grail-pen/#comment-2322 Julie Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:14:51 +0000 http://www.dannzeman.com/?p=917#comment-2322 Congratulations on your grail pen! I've always suspected a vintage MB 146 is destined to be in my collection. (Me with small hands... the 149 seems daunting.) That is a great story about anticipation, too. Glad it ended in happy delight for you. Congratulations on your grail pen! I've always suspected a vintage MB 146 is destined to be in my collection. (Me with small hands… the 149 seems daunting.) That is a great story about anticipation, too. Glad it ended in happy delight for you.

]]> By: RevAaron http://www.dannzeman.com/2009/12/30/my-first-grail-pen/#comment-1433 RevAaron Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:01:54 +0000 http://www.dannzeman.com/?p=917#comment-1433 I never had an anti-MB phase, but there's simply no way in hell I'd ever buy one new in a B&M store- but that goes for all but the least expensive mpens. Even a Lamy Safari costs quite a bit more at a Paradise Pen than at a fave like Pendemonium or Pear Tree. 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 never had an anti-MB phase, but there's simply no way in hell I'd ever buy one new in a B&M store- but that goes for all but the least expensive mpens. Even a Lamy Safari costs quite a bit more at a Paradise Pen than at a fave like Pendemonium or Pear Tree.

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.

]]> By: admin http://www.dannzeman.com/2009/12/30/my-first-grail-pen/#comment-1393 admin Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:26:25 +0000 http://www.dannzeman.com/?p=917#comment-1393 <blockquote>I still think their products are overpriced and laypeople still think it is the only fine writing instrument.</blockquote> 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.

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.

]]> By: Frank, via zosslist http://www.dannzeman.com/2009/12/30/my-first-grail-pen/#comment-1392 Frank, via zosslist Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:47:54 +0000 http://www.dannzeman.com/?p=917#comment-1392 That is probably the most fun about ebay, the anticipation of delivery and the of opening the box. 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. That is probably the most fun about ebay, the anticipation of delivery and the of opening the box.

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.

]]> By: Larry Marshall http://www.dannzeman.com/2009/12/30/my-first-grail-pen/#comment-1282 Larry Marshall Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:48:25 +0000 http://www.dannzeman.com/?p=917#comment-1282 It's good to "feel like a kid." We should all do it more often. Congrats on your new acquisition. Cheers --- Larry It's good to "feel like a kid." We should all do it more often. Congrats on your new acquisition.

Cheers — Larry

]]> By: admin http://www.dannzeman.com/2009/12/30/my-first-grail-pen/#comment-1279 admin Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:51:40 +0000 http://www.dannzeman.com/?p=917#comment-1279 @Daniel I'm thinking about have a jeweler plate mine. I've seen it done and it is stunning. The Platinum 146 is on my list too. @Mary It definitely took a little getting used to after using my 146. @Daniel I'm thinking about have a jeweler plate mine. I've seen it done and it is stunning. The Platinum 146 is on my list too.

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

]]> By: Mary http://www.dannzeman.com/2009/12/30/my-first-grail-pen/#comment-1278 Mary Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:17:55 +0000 http://www.dannzeman.com/?p=917#comment-1278 Good choice for a "Grail Pen". MM 149 is a little big for my hand, but I love the 146. Congratulations on acquiring your dream pen. Good choice for a "Grail Pen". MM 149 is a little big for my hand, but I love the 146. Congratulations on acquiring your dream pen.

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