Montblanc Meisterstuck Le Grand 146 Platinum - OB nib

 

 

Comparison with MB F.Scott Fitzgerald

 Comparison with Caran D'Ache Leman

I consider the Le Grand 146 Meisterstuck to be one of the best workhorse fountain pen available in the market. The size is just nice, not too big neither too small, understated but has its own class, great writing quality with a proven track record, good serviceability and readily available parts. It is no wonder that this pen stood the test of time and has proven itself many times to be many favourite writing piece in any collection.

I have been using the 146 more than any other pen (followed by the 149). The OB nib which I've tested in the boutique was something that I fell in love almost immediately and I knew that I had to have this as one of my everyday writing pen.

Comparison with 149

FIRST IMPRESSION
A pen as well reputed as this needs no more introduction. The impression of the Meisterstuck has been an icon within the brand, and as far as fountain pen is concern, this is one of the flagship and iconic product within the ranks of Montblanc. After the 149, this has been one of the most recognizable model thanks to the ballpoint and rollerball variant which captures the wider market of fine writing instrument users.

Comparison with 149

DESIGN 7/10
I love torpedo or cigar shape like pen as this 146. On top of that I have always prefer platinum over yellow gold in combination with black resin. Some may find it rather clinical but the lesser spectrum of colours just emphasize more on its natural shape and form, very much like how some photographs are better displayed in black and white. I for one can't seem to get bored of the design if this pen.

WEIGHT AND BALANCE 8/10
Lightweight and easy to use, this can be used for long writing marathon sessions and ideas just keep flowing onto the pages. Having the cap posted or not makes no difference to me as both the components are light and it is just a matter of length preference in this case. I prefer not to post it, as I find the length adequate for my hands.

CONSTRUCTION AND QUALITY 7.5/10
Being a resin pen, it is relatively more vulnerable and subject to hairline fracture and cracks if one is not careful. Also, as many have experienced, the cap can never close entirely without really tightening the cap when screwed on (creates a slight movement between the main barrel and the cap, almost like a gap). I'd always be careful as not to tighten it too much and just leave it as it is. This does not happen with the older 146s that I have.

NIB AND WRITING EXPERIENCE 8/10
The OB nib which I am using is wet and incredibly smooth and despite being an oblique nib, the sweet spot angle is wide and I have no problems adjusting to the angle, it was almost instantaneous. This is my first oblique nib, and it has now inspired me to look for the next oblique nib in my future purchase of pens. The nib writes almost on any kind of surface, from Moleskine to the smoother Clairfontaine, with different but satisfying result. My favourite ink to go with it is MB Racing Green.

Nib comparison with 149

REFILL SYSTEM 8/10
Piston filled system, easy, trusty and quick to refill and clean. There's really nothing more to add here as it has perform tremendously well in my regular refill and change of inks in the past few months.

VALUE 6/10
I got it at a boutique as I choose this pen to be my regular pen and would prepare myself for regular service, thinking that I would need the warranty to back me up. Also there aren't many platinum plated 146 out there in the second hand market, and certainly not the specific nib I was looking for.

OVERALL 7.4/10
The numerical value stated here is simple and objective number of evaluation that can't really describe the satisfaction level from the use of this pen. This is probably one of my most used in the rotation of pen and would probably fill up the majority of my entries in my journal.

Montblanc Unicef 146 Le Grand

I was fortunate enough to come across a 146 Le Grand Unicef on sale during the Dubai Shopping Festival. It was a bargain too good to refuse, and I was glad cause I have always been eyeing on this pen for sometime.

It's a bit special compared to the standard 146 with the special golden wreath near the Montblanc emblem adds a special touch to it without being too ostentatious. Great buy having purchased it at 2/3 of the retail.

My second MB149, fine nib

I got a great bargain on a 149, fine nib. The vendor gave 30% discounts over selected items, and this is a steal!

It's already in my daily rotation. I'm surprise that the F nib is such pleasurable nib to write, unlike other MB models.

Montblanc Dostoevsky Review, Writers Edition 1997

I have purchased this through a flagship boutique that seems to have a good inventory of past WE. The advantage of purchasing through them is that not only do I get to have a sealed box but the price is somewhat reasonable and in some cases cheaper than most online dealers. This was not a planned purchase, at least not immediate but being such a fast moving product, I know I could not wait. So, I walked home with a new and sealed box of Dostoevsky, one of the most unique and I must say tastefully done WE.

FIRST IMPRESSION
I’m impressed with the packaging for this pen. This is my first WE from the 90s. This is the letter set, where a copy of the author’s letter is included in the packaging that resemble a book, and within it, the standard book-like box which contains the pen. It seems like the letter was written during one of his most important works to a friend.

DESIGN 8/10
The straight barrel and simple ornamentation etched on the resin, clips and inlays gives it a uniform pattern throughout the pen. I just love the simplicity of it, and I feel it is perhaps one of the most elegantly done WE, not too much and just the right amount of details without trying too hard to make it special. A simple execution in design and yet it delivers exceptional results. The pattern repeats itself along the barrel and along the golden inlays giving it a consistent look throughout. The nib has a modified pattern, different from the rest but yet derives from the same geometrical basis. The golden clip tapers towards the end and ends with a sapphire stone color inlay, which blends well with the rest of the dark resin. The design of WE Dostoevsky is a subtle beauty and it somewhat grows into you. Very elegant indeed.

CONSTRUCTION AND QUALITY 7.5/10
This is an all resin pen, similar to most MB resin pens but one can feel it is a notch better than the standard range. Though light, it fees solid and firm in its construction, perhaps it has thicker resins. There are no loose ends, and all the joints or inlays are smooth. The golden pattern on the inlays are crisp and sharp. This pen was designed and built with love.

WEIGHT AND DIMENSION 8/10
Very similar and feel in terms of size as the 146, but without the cap on, writing block and the barrel is slightly longer, making this writing without being posted more comfortable. The light construction makes this a comfortable pen use for a long period of time. Overall a very comfortable pen to grip, and can easily be used as an everyday pen.

REFILL SYSTEM 8/10
The standard MB piston pen. The mechanism is smooth and work as well as expected. This is one of the WE that actually has an ink window (yeay!). It is almost a clear window with a bit of blue tint, complementing the sapphire stone color on the clip. At the moment, I’ve filled it up with Burgundy Red and it’s a joy to see the red ink through the window. 

NIB AND PERFORMANCE 7/10
The ink flow is very good and wet with decent feedback that gives you a feel of the grain of the paper. There is some skipping every now and then but that is reducing after a few rounds of flushing and constant uses. Optimal angle is somewhat narrow but once you get into that sweet spot, it just flows. It is rather stiff for an 18k. Here are some writing samples….

VALUE 8/10
As mentioned earlier, I have purchased this through one of the flagship store which offers a great selection of new and past WE. For something that is new, unopened, a special letter set and about 13 years old, I think I paid a rather good deal, considering some of the prices eBay.

SUMMARY 7.75
This has started me on the hunt of older WE. Dostoevsky was never on my list, until I laid eyes on it, and started to appreciate the simpler and more elegant designs of WEs. In my opinion, the Dostoevsky is a good value and interesting WE, a testament that good taste comes in simple statement and elegance.

Caran D’Ache- Leman Ebony Black- Review

Appearance and Design 8/10
Simple, classic and elegant. There’s something about the proportion of this instrument that I really like, that other pens can’t achieve in terms of balance of looks and appearance. It is not too flashy with its silver plated and rhodium coated trims and black lacquer finish. The golden and rhodium plated nib is proportionate to the pen and looks really elegant. There’s strength behind its simplicity and form.

Construction and Quality 8/10
The metal barrel with lacquer finish over it does have some weight behind it. The heavier mass gives confidence and a solid feel to it, suggesting that this is made to last. Rhodium coat will maintain its shine for a longer time compared to other metals and lacquer finish is a better option to the standard resin. I’d imagine this pen to maintain its good looks for a longer period of time. Pictures may tell a thousand words but nothing can be said about how it feels in the hands until one handles it. Superbly well built!


Weight and Dimension 7/10
Heavier than most pen of the same size, there are more metal parts behind the lacquer and the good weight gives a good feel and encourages me to grip better. I can even write it well not capped on a good day, but having it capped still gives a better grip. Both works for me, often the former to reduce risk of scratching the surface.

Nib and Performance 7.5/10
Smooth, stiff and slightly scratchy with my M nib, but with the right angle and the right paper, it outperforms my MB Starwalker. It skips and pauses a bit in the beginning but has improved so far. You can really feel the surface of the nib on the paper, much like a sport suspension on a sports car, bumpy but fun. I like the writing coming out from it as it has more character. Using Carbon CdA ink now and I just love the tones. I’m rotating it with my
Starwalker. Definitely not boring.


Filling System & Maintenance. 6/10
Piston converter, have no issues so far and easy to refill. Options to use cartridge is available as well.

Cost & Value 7/10
You know what you are paying for when you pick up this pen and it is in the solid construction quality. Nearing the price of a MB 146, it’s a solid pen makes you want to pick it up again and again. I have previously bought a Caran d’Arche Ecridor Eclat for my wife from the same boutique and the sales person gave me a good discount for the Leman and all the ink cartridges and bottle to go with it. I am already considering of another CdA FP in the future.

Conclusion (7.25)
I’m loving it to bits. It is going to be challenging to find another pen to match up the feel and quality of a Caran d’Arche. I’ve tried other FP in their range like the Ecridor and Varius and all seems to have a character of their own. Its tight, its clean looking, and it’s a Swiss. This is for keeps!

Montblanc Starwalker Midnight Black Resin (F nib)

Appearance and Design 7/10
Overall, I like the shape of the pen and the unique swelling cap shape. The floating star is unique and instantly recognizable as a brand and as a range of product. The ruthenium plated clip and ring gives a dark and sleek complexion to the otherwise platinum shiny finish, which I find more appealing, after comparing the two. The ruthenium nib and its minimalistic design has its charm. The shiny resin looks and feels good. Fancy.

Construction and Quality 6/10
The pen feels solid, no sloppy edges and all metal and resin parts are smooth and well made. I do have an identical shell of a fine-liner/rollerball pen and the cap seals better compared to the fountain pen, so there are some minor inconsistency in the quality. The cap screw over the other end and reduces any potential scratch marks. Overall, still a well built pen compared to many other pen/manufacturer I’ve seen so far.

Weight and Dimension 6/10
The pen is rather light and you can’t really feel it in your pocket but good enough for extensive writing. Best used when capped to have the full weight of the pen for balance.

Nib and Performance 7/10
To be completely honest, I have not much of experience in writing with fountain pen, so I am just rating this based on my other 2 pens. My initial experience with this pen take a bit of getting used to like the angle of writing, applying the right pressure and maintaining a consistent composure. I had some problems initially with skips and pauses, but now that I have improved my penmanship, that has been reduced significantly and enjoying it every bit. I write tight and small and the fine nib works well for me, though MB nibs are bolder than most of its competitors, this would generally be a medium nib size.

Filling System & Maintenance. 6/10
The only complaint I have here is the cartridge system without any piston converter. If this is the only pen, I’d imagine, I’ll be changing cartridges very often and will be running out of ink before I run out of ideas to write. So far no leakage and maintains a clean pen, even in flight.

Cost & Value 6/10
I had a coupon for Mont Blanc when I bought this pen so I paind less than half of its retail price and definitely a value for me. But with that price, you are comparing it to some great writing pens out there like Pelikan, Souveran, Duofold or Sailor. With its brand name and the status it carries, it does attract more attention with its unique appearance and design.

Conclusion (6.33)
This is my everyday pen, well almost, and I’m sure to rotate this with some other pen as they come along. It is attractive but not too flashy, unique and interesting in terms of design and most importantly, it writes well enough for me.