The Best Pen I've Ever Used (Montblanc 24)

[@jaystone4816]

Thanks for a good review. The Montblanc XX (double digit) models from the 1960s (12, 14, 22, 24, 32, 34) are great pens with excellent writing gold nibs, and much less expensive than the later models. I have 3 different ones in great condition and without the issues the reviewer encountered. They were also made in burgundy and a nice forest green.

[@PolyMathWannaBe62]

There are some 'hero' pens in burgundy and forest green that look like this with a similar hooded nib.

[@nommh]

I have one very much like it, though mine is a 12. I inherited it from my aunt who barely used it. The ink window is amber and shorter. It writes even better than my MB 32 that my mother gave me. I love the elegant 60ies lines.

[@aleoe82]

I’ve only been watching your channel for a few months and I really appreciate your insight and your engineering perspective. You don’t mess around! I wanted to write on this video because you convinced me to grab one of these no. 24 pens. I’d been interested in a vintage Montblanc and with your review, I jumped on it. Came in the mail today. Thanks for the recommendation and keep up the great work!

[@Doodlebud]

Hope you enjoy the pen, for me it's just a lovely writer 😁

[@aleoe82]

@@Doodlebud it is a lovely writer. Mine is F and it’s a great complement to my other nibs. I owe you one! 🍻 I’m going to send mine in to MB and see what additional information they can provide. I’ll report back with anything interesting.

[@kenshinhimura3014]

hey, one place I would suggest to get the O-ring is a paintball store..... paintball guns, tanks, lines, etc all need different types of O-rings, there rubber O-rings, urethane O-rings, etc etc. Go with the pen and try different Orings. Remember that all the Orings may have different "thickness/width" in the thickness on the actual Oring (how thick the ring is) not the diameter of the "hole" in the Oring (I think you should know what I mean. Hope this helps, and please keep me posted if this help you.

[@kenshinhimura3014]

i'm getting different variants of this vintage pens, I'll keep in touch for updates on parts and O rings.

[@richardsimms251]

Good video I am now getting very interested in obtaining a vintage pen

[@Doodlebud]

I think everyone should have at least one vintage pen. They are really great and its fun to write with a pen that's had a longer life than I have! Its just a bit of a different experience using a vintage pen. You tend to treat them with a bit more care and admire the little nuances they bring rather than wish it was different. New stuff we tend to critique, vintage stuff we tend to appreciate.

[@craft-o-matic399]

@@Doodlebud Hi Dave, What do you know about the Montblanc Carerra fountain pens? I know some of the history which I love, but I thought if anyone would know whether it would be a good little pick up, it would be you. What say ye? Thank you so much! Lisa

[@kenshinhimura3014]

happy that you were able to fix the issue with the pen 💪💪💪

[@keithwhitney7491]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, for reviewing this pen. I have come close more than just a few times, but I had never held one or even seen it. Great review!

[@Doodlebud]

No worries glad you liked it. I've almost pulled the trigger a few times as well. But the OB nib & it being a 24 instead of the 22 finally did it for me!

[@JoelTurrell]

I've had success from your seller also. Pricing was always fair, descriptions were accurate, and there are so many interesting pens I could go bankrupt

[@Doodlebud]

Good to hear. It's nice to find a seller you can trust 👍

[@roderickfemm8799]

I love a long section like this, I like to hold my pens fairly far back. And nice to have a piston filler where the front comes off for easy cleaning (which I wouldn't have realized without your video). I recently went and found one of these, based on this video, with an OM nib, and it writes very well, fortunately without my needing to tweak it. Thanks for the tip!

[@Doodlebud]

Sounds like a sweet find & good you hear you're enjoying it👍. I find these MB pens are underrated to the more iconic 146/149 models.

[@pensharing1283]

I got the 22 with the OB a few years ago and I couldn’t agree more. It’s an absolutely wonderful writer. Nice review, thanks!

[@Doodlebud]

It was tough for me to talk & write at the same time. The feedback & sensation is very engaging. Also have to focus a bit more to get the nib in just the right position. But it's a dream to write with

[@gizmogeek23]

I got a No. 24 from the same seller with an OB as well a few months ago. I agree the nib is absolutely amazing.

[@Doodlebud]

Oh good to hear you for one & it worked out well too! Soon as I got it tuned just write I was amazed. I try to find a reason everyday to write with this pen

[@karinamcconell1828]

My first of two MB was a #24 and the other a #32. They both were a joy 😊 to write ✍️ with from day one. But more so my 24 with a 21K fine nib. The only thing I did to each was a good soak in water an a gentle clean with a q-tip. I actually used my #24 as a daily writer for a few months after that with MB mystery Black what a good combo 👌 😊

[@Doodlebud]

I really like vintage MB pens. They are well built and work so well

[@GetReal521]

I recently acquired the Mont Blanc No.22. I love it and agree with you - similar to your No.24, this has a wonderful write and hold. I am still searching for the value of the 22, 24, and 32. I am obviously not looking in the right places. I appreciate your video! It was a great review. Thanks.

[@waldemarsusemihl4691]

Thanks for your review. Glad you are able to do fine tuning, to make the nib suit your personal needs. It is always a balance act to work on pens which get purchased from collectors or actual writers. Only thing bugging me, which I simply missed out during disassembling and service was the o ring, which I appologize for. However Paul Herman, was right with his comment before mine regarding where to get small o rings like that, as I have by now to go such ways as well, as unfortunately during 50 to 60 years of use, they mots times are already lost by some previous owner. Kind Regards, Waldemar from Wasupen Vintage Fountain Pens

[@Doodlebud]

The pen is great! Yeah o-rings don't wear over time. No biggy, I'll get one and fit on. Its something I was wondering about anyways. I might even see about shaping it a bit to fit just perfect. How this pen writes brings so much pleasure for a pen 😍

[@gertahnstrom784]

I bought a Parker 65, to try to get a feel for "a vintage gold nib". Before that my only gold nib was a Lamy 2000. The 65 was apparently probably only filled and tested once, put in a drawer and never used. But I cleaned out a wealth of Parker Quink Blue Black from there and filled it up. Not a very nice experience. Nib was nice and soft, but scratchy in some angles. Then it sprung a leak, ink seeping from several spots. The original seals had simply just dried out. After a bit of despair I sent it off to a professional repair man here in Sweden, who replaced the seals and tuned the nib for me. And wow! Working as intended, it really is a special feeling. Not being a flex nib, but with plenty of spring and giving just a wonderful line variation. If I want to write extra stylish Spencerian cursive, that's my go to. Still not my favourite over all, since I seem to prefer a consistent line with a distinct feedback, for my everyday writing. And the cap of my 65 feels a little bit like I'm going to pull off the grip section with it, uncapping it. But oh, that nib!

[@Doodlebud]

A really well tuned nib feels so much different. Tough to describe, but you know it the instant pen meets paper

[@janiepereira940]

ooooh the Montblanc models in that series have been on my wish list for a while, they are just good designs that work well and look really classy. Looks like a great addition to your collection. I see them sometimes on ebay and get tempted but I need to learn how to make small nib adjustments and other maintenance things before I start collecting vintage pens.

[@Doodlebud]

Knowing just the essential nib tuning is really helpful for vintage & new pens. Order a couple cheap pens or ones you have that just collect dust & try a few things. Try to make one a bit more wet. Adjust alignment on another. Tiny steps & tweaks is all that is needed.

[@RobertMaguire67]

Wow, the voice is such a reminder for me for Brad the owner of Paper Umbrella in Regina.

[@karinamcconell1828]

I also got a MB #24 as of today, with a F 14K nib. Rinsed it out with distilled water 💧 and put some MB Mistery Black ⚫️ ink in it. And what a joy it is to write ✍ with. Needed no tuning or anything. Also from a seller on Ebay. Thanks for the review it is good to compare notes 📝!

[@Doodlebud]

Absolutely, hope this vid helps anyone else looking at the same type of pen. It's a lovely writer!

[@bleubug]

Just came across your channel and enjoyed watching the videos I've seen so far. I almost regret you writing about the MB 24 since the entire series (1x, 2x, 3x, and the pens with metal caps/bodies with even more numbers) I've always said was one of the best kept secrets in vintage pens. It's the nibs, really, that I love. Why are they so good? It could be the design and manufacturing techniques they used for the "FLÜGEL-FEDER" or wing nib. I've got several of the model that used these prior to this series (they are exposed nibs, though) and they also are great. I like the 1x series a bit better since they are 18kt nibs and a bit softer in feel. Your oblique was a great find but a super value is the plain old medium nibs which have a stub like grind to them and are a a pleasure to write with. As was mentioned below there was no "o" ring on these pens, I've purchased and disassembled an NOS one (among others) so I'm pretty sure. I think you are right that a seal there would be helpful and I've seen some change in the design of the feed system from older models to new which might be MBs way of having dealt with it. The older nib/feed assemblies had a hard "sheath" that slid over it to hold it as a unit. Later a soft, flexible plastic was used (it can get less soft over time and probably compressed in length) and it had the benefit of fitting snugger when the section was screwed on. One flaw often discussed in the pen is cracking of the hooded section since the plastic is light and a bit brittle. I've seen that only once. Anyway, keep up the good work!

[@cynthiaalvarado8610]

I spent about an hour or more tuning a Bock nib with flow, misalignment and just a touch of baby’s bottom. It writes excellent now but boy, it took a lot of pages to check it. I also noticed that after the micro mesh, it wrote darker than before with the same ink. It was nothing compared to misaligning on purpose so the pen can squeeze the nib to align! That was a labor of love. Glad it worked out for you in the end!

[@Doodlebud]

The micromesh can change the nib width as well so coukd have made the pen a bit more wet. I hate a bad nib, so like I say, No Bad Pens!

[@cynthiaalvarado8610]

@@Doodlebud You mentioned you might sand down the plastic to buff out the burr. If you can, would you do a video on that? I haven’t seen anything online doing that, only instructions on general plastics, not our precious pens! What grit to use and if toothpaste actually does a good job, etc.

[@Doodlebud]

@@cynthiaalvarado8610 Yeah sure, if I do I'll record it. I actually had to fully sand the main body of my MB 149 just after I got it. I accidentally got pvc glue all over it (long story)! But wet sanded all the way up to about 3000 grit then a buff with plastic polish & it looked better than when I got it! Almost puked though went I got the glue on it! 🤢🤮😵

[@cynthiaalvarado8610]

@@Doodlebud I would have been beside myself had I done that! Thanks, DB!

[@paulherman5822]

For the O-ring, I'd check the local plumbing supply store. They have plenty that have fit fountain pens. Great pen! Congratulations on your purchase! eBay can have some hidden gems, can't they?

[@Doodlebud]

Thanks for the tip!

[@strshooter7399]

I might add, that auto parts stores might also have a variety of “O” rings. They may be thicker than what your pen needs, but an additional source is a good thing. I’d take a measurement on the area where you need the “O” ring prior to heading out or looking online. (Napa Auto Parts is where I’d start here in the states… ) Great job on tweaking and adjusting your nib DB 🤗👍😎. Very Nice

[@craigbond7877]

Nice review. I got a burgandy 320 a couple years ago. Quickly became a favorite. Recently got another 320 in black. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@Doodlebud]

These are lovely pens, good to hear you're enjoying yours as well 👍

[@vageli]

DBAG Master at his finest. Appreciate the detail, the L2K nib comparison and minutiae. Good show, thank you. More please...

[@Doodlebud]

More on the way as always

[@biggles5633]

This video has really inspired me. What a great episode! It's a joy to hear the passion in your voice, it really puts a smile on my face. It also goes a long way to answering many questions I had as to where to go for that grail type pen we we briefly corresponded about. This video brought back the memories of my classmates with their hooded nibbed Schaefer pens at the end of the '50s and early '60s. I had my mothers classic style Parker from the '30s. It refreshed my memory of the elegance of these pens so I have found and purchased a No 22 in Mint condition however there are few No 24s about and they are pretty pricy. Has everyone rushed out after seeing this video and cornered the No 24 market? I am patient and the right No 24 will come up. I am very excited and can see that whilst I could afford a new 149 or M1000, the vintage pens are what will do it for me. I have also established that after testing various shapes and sizes of gifted ball/roller ball pens' barrels; hexagon, cylindrical, tapered ... up to 16 mm diameter, 10 - 11 mm is actually the sweet spot in spite of having a big mitt. The No 22 has the advantage of there being lots of different original nibs available to purchase (perhaps they may just for the 24) so I am looking forward to comparing nibs and the two pens when I find the right No 24. I am thinking a Pelikan 140 might complete the collection. 😁 Thank you for this great video.

[@ibpopp]

Good video, Doodlebug. I have two of the 221 models: 221 (piston filler) and 221P (cartridge). Both are excellent in every way. The 221 has a soft M nib with lots of bounce but not a great deal of line variation. Both are great for long sessions and have never given me any reason to question buying them. With pens like these at such fair prices I fail to see the value of their 'precious resin' cousins. Cheers.

[@Doodlebud]

Yeah they are a great performing pen that can be bought for a very reasonable price

[@elchang1688]

I have several No. 22's and a 32 and love all of them (- and I think the nib is even better than the newer 146). I'll have to check out the 24. Just subscribed to your channel.

[@Doodlebud]

Glad you liked the vid, thx for the sub. Some people see MB as only a status symbol and think of say the 149. But their vintage pens are simply good pens (as are a bunch of vintage pens). Good to hear you're enjoying your pens!

[@brezelbutter]

I know exactly what you're talki g about! I have a Montblanc 14 wich is really my most beloved pen! It's very similar to yours exept the colour of the inkwindow is yellow-brown kinda thing. Since I got this pen, it's inked up always. I just love writing with it so much!

[@Doodlebud]

I think these might be a bit overlooked since the 146 & 149 get the most attention. Reasonably priced pens and just flat out work!

[@brezelbutter]

@@Doodlebud Oh yes, you're right! They are a little bit overlooked. In my case, this was luck! I got this pen because of that. No one wanted it. The nib was damaged and it looked very wornout. I got it for a very reasonable price, sended it to a nibmeister and when it came back it was the best pen ever❤

[@cb7560]

Great review. Thanks very much. I've owned one of these, but could never get it to write as the nib needed work - which I completely failed to be able to do! After buying a few "duds", I finally got lucky and bought a No 14 (which may have been virtually unused) which wrote perfectly - an OM with an 18 C nib. I can also recommend the 2xx line pens from the early 1970s, as the nibs have a bit of softness to them (220 in mackrolon, 221, 224, 225 etc). Lots of nib choices as well and being 10 years younger often means that they are all well preserved.

[@Doodlebud]

Glad you found one that works well 👍

[@booktivism]

I own several Montblancs from the same period (Meisterstück 14, 74, 82, and 84), which have exactly the same internal structure (nib, feed, collar). I have fully disassembled all of them, to clean, grease and adjust them, but I haven’t ever seen a rubber o-ring in them. By the way, it is normal that the ink fills the whole section, up to the nib. That is the “hooded” effect: the nib is fed from the bottom (the feed), and from the top (the hood), avoiding it to dry too quickly.

[@Doodlebud]

Interesting info. I've watched a few restores etc and saw a small o ring placed on the feed. Maybe it's something some add on to reduce leaking. Mine seems to drop from the hood & most times the section has some ink on it when I remove the cap. I'll see if an small O-ring fixes it or ends up drying the nib out.

[@booktivism]

@@Doodlebud - I am interested by the result of your investigations! Please let me know if it has worked for your pen.

[@Doodlebud]

@@booktivism will do 👍. thanks for the info on your end as well

[@Doodlebud]

@20iesCharacter Thanks for the info. I guess I could also try to run down the correct black collar like you mentioned. I read up a bit as well and it seemed they made changes back and forth on the whole nib/feed/section parts. The clear plastic on mine does not seem like a good material choice. Its doesn't seem to deform properly to form the desired seal. Its rigid to secure the nib/feed, but too high of a durometer rating to deform and provide a desired seal. I'll be messing around with o-rings, sealing material, etc to find a good fix. O-rings are a pretty good options as they are cheap and easy to replace. I understand a manufacturer wanting to reduce the number of parts in a build. But sometimes a simple thing like an o-ring is a good solution for many reasons. So will see how it goes. But as far as how it write....OMFG!

[@brightonbabe2139]

love the fact that you are reviewing old pens. I fell in love with some old pens and have some in my collection. However, would another pen that had this amount of work on the nib, you would also love. I fell in love with a Cleto Munari and now I have 3. I look for unusual pens. I also have stipula, platinum and sailor as well as one spectacular looking Jinhao which is definitely more for show than writing.

[@Doodlebud]

I'm pretty open to types of pens. Old, new, brands, etc. I'm not big into collecting several of the same pen. I like the buffet approach, a little bit of everything lol

[@gristlevonraben]

Beautiful nib grind/tweak, i love those letters.

[@troyclark100]

Believe it or not, but you can pick that O ring up at a hardware store that has drawers of O rings and you can find the one you need! You’ll be happy you did!

[@Doodlebud]

Yeah I don't have a hardware store that I've come across with the pull drawers full of o-rings. I know exactly what you mean & haven't seen a parts place with one of setup like that in a while

[@korax67]

Thank you a lot Doodlebud ! (I don't know your real name). This video and the other one about the Soyuz fountain pen have helped me fix my Montblanc 22 that hadn't been used for probably 40-50 years! (I got it from my parents,but don't know how) Now it writes like a dream and luckily I didn't have to go through 6 pages of testing to get it right. Thank you again and many many greetings from Greece.

[@Doodlebud]

Hey buddy great to hear! Especially if it's from your patents. It's always satisfying to get a pen tuned up & running just the way you like it 👍

[@qvisionstudios]

Glad you had a good experience because mine was the total opposite. Never been a fan of MontBlanc's typical cigar style but I convinced myself to try one after seeing a MB #32 because I liked the design, piston filler, ink window and the intarsia nib which reminded me of the Pilot Elite 95s. It was the worst writing experience ever! Nib worked great on the down but scratchy on the side stroke and kept digging into the paper on the upstroke. It was like trying to write with a needle. Tried to tune it and make sure everything was aligned and even tried writing at a shallower angle. Wasn't fun. May have been the only pen I've cursed at. Gave it a few chances and I eventually snapped and took the nib to to the stone and ground off the tip and polished it to a semi stub. (Yeah, hate me for it and burn me at the stake!) But what a difference it made. Now it's glassy smooth in any direction and worked in my normal writing position. Still not my favorite but likely will remain as the only MontBlanc in my collection.

[@Doodlebud]

My MB 149 wasn't as bad, but was very frustrated. Maybe thats the reason it was a new old stock, nobody was willing to shell out that kind of coin for a bad nib. But on the silver lining is that was the pen that got me into grinding my own nibs. Now I love the pen am reasonably confident with tuning nibs and doing basic grinds when needed.

[@pbpickett7210]

Congrats and welcome to the club. I acquired a Montblanc 24 recently as well. My pen has a fantastic broad nib. Wet, but not too wet. Proportions and design are perfect for taking quick notes in meetings or taking my time on long journal entries. Thanks for the pen anatomy lesson, too.

[@Doodlebud]

Thanks buddy. The nib is superb, but like you said, just the feel & how the pen sits makes is so comfortable

[@khk5723]

Great video. I also love oblique nibs: they are suitable to my cursive writing style. I have a MB 146 with an OBB and it is a lovely, smooth, wet writer. I also have a super wet Lamy 2000 OBB but somehow I find the Lamy 2000 section too slim and slippery. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@Doodlebud]

Obliques suit my writing style as well. Think an OB might possibly my favorite nib

[@slo_carry]

I need to adjust the nibs on my Karas Kustom pens. Both write very dry and no matter how great the pen feels, I just don't like the nib. I'm glad you were able to adjust the nib to your liking and make that pen your new favorite!

[@Doodlebud]

Try on a cheap pen you don't use & see if you can make it more wet. Once you feel comfortable take your time on a better pen

[@slo_carry]

@@Doodlebud will do! I just got a couple Jinhao 166

[@rubenbajapantydj]

Picked one up mint and your right it’s a great writer

[@Doodlebud]

I was hoping it would be a good pen, but was really blown away

[@rubenbajapantydj]

Mine has been good

[@Roberto__Skar]

I’m lucky in that both my MB 149, and my 320 wrote superbly straight out of the box, as I’m very squeamish about messing with nibs. It was quite remarkably with the 149 as it had been kicking around unused for years with a selection of other pens and pencils and other junk in an old tin when I chanced upon in at a friend's house. (my friend very kindly gave it to me). I find the 320, which as you know is very similar to the 22, very comfortable to hold, and writes with extra fine line, equivalent to a Japanese fine. Unfortunately my handwriting does neither pen justice.

[@Doodlebud]

A free MB 149 is a seriously sweet find!

[@Roberto__Skar]

@@Doodlebud Are you still looking for an o-ring for this pen? There’s a store down the road from me that has them in just about any size, I could always get one and send it to you. I got some to replace the cork seals in my Aurora 88. Just send me internal and external dimensions in mm.

[@derekdavis5720]

Great video most educational it’s great When you find your perfect pen. I’m still looking. I have a Swan Mabey Todd vintage full flex. The cap is probably from anther pen & doesn’t fit all that well, the piston mechanism can be stiff but boy can this thing go. For a nib with enormous flex (but not wet noodle) it’s surprisingly easy to write with. Forgiving. Overall probably the best writer I’ve got. That and the Pilot Music Nib. See ya next time. D

[@Doodlebud]

A full flex vintage pen is something on my list to add one day. I've been hesitant to get a wet noodle pen for the reason you mentioned, just too much flex for my heavy hand making it a bit tricky to control.

[@derekdavis5720]

@@Doodlebud I don't officially have a wet noodle pen but bought my 1921 Waterman Ideal Number 52 Medium Full Flex Nib as a full flex nib. From how a real pen expert described it to me (UK's number 1 Nibmeister) this particular pen is pretty much a wet noodle in all but name. Super tricky to write with. Unfortunately now poorly needs a tune. Very easy to damager the nib. The downstrokes are not too difficult to master. It's the upstroke that's the hard bit. So featherlight pressure on the upstroke and catching the turn just right (that's the super hard bit).. You need to write very slowly, using only the safest inks, the dealer likes Pelikan Edelstein. Also the paper has to be just so.I have 2 or 3 other ultra flex nibs. Excellent results with only a fraction of the care needed with a wet noodle. Still when a wet noodle is going well, the results are stunning.

[@derekdavis5720]

@@Doodlebud I’ve just discovered Zebra G Comic Titanium Calligraphy nibs. Super sharp a bit like my Platinum with the Ultra Extra Fine Nib. Not quite on a par with a wet noodle nib. But capable of stunning flexible writing and this works on the same principles. £18 for a 10 pack replacement nibs Titanium .

[@derekdavis5720]

I forgot to mention that the pen in your collection that’s most desirous to me is the Aurora ?88 that looks a bit like the Parker 51. I know that you had some problems with it but it seemed to have.a lovely flex to the nib.

[@Doodlebud]

Its a really great pen for sure. The cap bugs me a bit but will see what I can do about getting it so sit better. The ink flow is off too, need to take it all apart and try readjusting.

[@derekdavis5720]

@@Doodlebud This pen seems to be worth the effort. This one really tickled my taste buds (pen wise)

[@peterpuleo2904]

I have the "22". It looks identical to what you are showing and it performs well, but the nib is a nail.

[@Doodlebud]

Guess it can also be used to hang a picture in a pinch 🤔

[@peterpuleo2904]

@@Doodlebud Yes, never thought of that--LOL !

[@dashsunil]

It's a great writing experience when you have a nib like this. I would suggest to measure the o-ring diameter and buy them online. Usually, they are sold in hundreds in one pack. I am not sure if you can get only one though.

[@Doodlebud]

I'll probably find some kind of O-ring kit which has a variety of small type sizes. Will most likely need them in the future for future pens or repairs

[@simonmichaeltanner]

You say the best pen you've ever used - I have had a similar experience. I have some good pens (Montblanc Rouge et Noir, Pelikan M800 and M600, Parker Duofold, Cross Townsend, Pilot Custom 823), but as in your case, there always seemed to be something missing. Then I got a Montblanc 146 with an oblique medium nib, and it was a joy. And then a Lamy 2000, also with an OM, and that was wonderful too, and I realised that, quite simply, my writing is much better with an oblique nib - I needed that slight "discipline" it requires

[@Doodlebud]

I hear ya. Some people don't like them at all, but if I really want to do a good job with my writing a properly ground & tuned oblique nib is sublime! The grind on the MB 24 is so good. Doesn't have max line variation as some of my others, but the smoothness is perfect 👌

[@andrea135792]

I got a Montblanc 320 vintage pen off e-bay and it is by far the best pen in my collection. It is a joy to write with, the nib is so smooth and the ink flow is faultless. The pen is nice and light and it is perfect for writing in my journal. I love it. So when recently I bought a Montblanc 149 on eBay I had a different experience. The pen looks perfect on the outside and the nib seems quite smooth too for a fine nib. However, there seems to be some flow issues with it. I haven't cleaned it out yet and I don't have any experience working with nibs. I don't want to mess it up, but I was wondering if there might be something I could do with it to improve the flow? Alternatively I could take it to a Montblanc boutique and get them to have a look at it?

[@Doodlebud]

It can be tricky when buying 2nd hand online. My MB 149 was pretty back that I picked up on an auction site as well. You could take it to a MB store, but in all honesty I don't think the people working there would be an type of experts when it comes to knowing nib adjustments. I would start off by flushing the pen very thoroughly. Water is fine, but if you have some pen wash that would for sure help. Start there as that is the easiest thing and first thing to do. If that doesn't fix it then I would have a look at the nib under a loop to see if there are any misalignment issues of of the tine gap is too tight. I wouldnt go adjusting the nib unless you are VERY experienced with doing so and know what you're doing. If it needs work you can either send it to MB for a servicing, or a nibmeister. But first thing is first, clean it out really well and look for anything that could be clogging up the nib or feed.

[@andrea135792]

@@Doodlebud Thanks, that was my thinking too. I would not want to damage it. I will give that a try, I have some pen wash and I can get a loop to look at the nib. 👍

[@ichirofakename]

Wow, your persistence paid off. Well done. For me the best pen is the smoothest and wettest sub-stub without glopping. Currently that happens to be the "Meister by Point Slim Liner" I got from jetpens for $13.50. I assume it was just the luck of the draw. Why would I ever use any other pen? (asking myself)

[@Doodlebud]

Took longer than normal for sure, but WORTH IT! I look forward to using this pen every chance I get. Haven't heard of the Meister, sounds like a steal of a deal!

[@andrea135792]

Not that I am suggestible but my vintage 24 arrives this week. I think it might need some cleaning but it looks in good shape.

[@Doodlebud]

LOL Hope it's in great shape & writes wonderfully for you 👍

[@yukitake5100]

Dear Doodlebud, Thanks for all the detailed videos! Such a pleasure! I have already been inspired to buy the Pelikan 140 because of you and now am about to purchase a Montblanc 24. As I live in Germany (originally from BC :) ), I am able to find second hand Pelikans and Montblancs. The problem with a lot of the vintage pens is that they are often old and need some fixing/polishing. Your videos have already come in handy but I have a few more questions I am hoping you can answer: Do you have any advice on how to polish a dirty/discoloured clip? I do not know if the 24´s clip is brass, steel or another metal but the ones I am looking have a little wear and tear or small discolouration/rust on the clip. Also in your polishing video, you used a plastic polishing paste and was wondering if you could link the product you used so I can try to find in in Germany.

[@Doodlebud]

The clips is tricky. The platting typically comes off and then you're polishing the base metal. Polishing the full clip then may start to remove plating in other areas as well. Check out Grandmia Pens channel. He's the expert on this stuff and probably has a video all about it

[@yukitake5100]

@@Doodlebud Hmm... So likely I will have to replate the clip if I were to make it look uniform. I will look at Grandmia Pens for some restoration videos. Cheers!

[@ironmic9244]

Check out Truphae. They have a wide selection of vintage, and Montblanc in particular, but on back order. I think it's a consignment deal they got going. I've never used them myself, but have been tempted. Not sure how the prices are, but let me know if you take a look. I'd be interested to know if they are overpriced or competitive. Great video and energy.

[@Doodlebud]

Glad you liked the video & thanks for watching. I've checked the site before. They have some nice vintage pens & most seem to be in very good condition & therefore fetch a higher price. Can definitely get pens cheaper. And to make a decent pen look extraordinary sometimes only takes a little TLC

[@bbbdco]

First of all, I love your videos and the detail and information that you give us. After reviewing this video, I decided I would try looking for a number 24 Mont Blanc. I can’t afford to buy a Mont Blanc 149, but I thought this would give me an opportunity to have at least one MontBlanc in my collection. I found one on eBay located in Eastern Europe in pristine new condition in the original box for $160. It still had the gold EF sticker on the barrel which I have left. After inking, I tried writing with it. I was blown away by the nib. It writes beautifully, and the extra fine nib is extremely flexible. I can easily make thick and thin lines while writing with little to no effort. This I did not expect when I purchased the pen. I don’t know if all of their nibs are like this, or if I just happened to get an extremely flexible version. Do you have any other information on this pen concerning the extra fine Nibs, and how flexible they are? I can’t seem to find anything on the Internet. Thanks for pointing me to this pen. I now own a Montblanc. I won’t be needing the 149!

[@sathishrao7926]

Since the pen became ‘best’ because of your nib tuning, credit to your skill and not the pen !

[@Doodlebud]

Well the seller did a good job getting the pen in tip top condition. I just had to move the tines a little bit which isn't surprising for a pen being 60 yrs old or so. When I checked the nib under the loop, I really like the grind they did on the OB. Sacraficed a little maximum line variation to give a bit more smoothness & comfort when writing. MB did a great job in the overall pen & the nib especially

[@wannatalkscience4136]

Thanks! Amazing review! How do you tune it though? Very interested to know!

[@Doodlebud]

I have a playlist on my channel with tons of videos on nib tunning, adjusting, and even grinding. Give those a look

There is no o-ring in the section of the Montblanc 24 (I have two of them), but it seems the protector of the feeder covers all the feeder to the back. It seems to me that the protector is broken and miss the back cover. I can send a photo.

[@Doodlebud]

Ahhh ok thanks for the info. I was getting mixed messages when I was looking around. Sure, shoot me a photo! [e-mail]

@@Doodlebud Just sent some photos via google photo

[@nitina8564]

That's a cool looking pen. And if it writes that well, what else would you want from a fountain pen.

[@Doodlebud]

Yeah this pen is a seriously sweet find

[@KingBeatsOPS]

You are a good marketer, I wanna do the same thing you did with your pen. Where do I start?

[@Doodlebud]

LOL, I don't make anything if you buy a pen. I'm just sharing my experience and this one is just so nice at least for me. If you want to get one you just have to start looking. There are many places to buy vintage pens. There are online stores that have pens fully functional, restored, and ready to go. You can also look online with various pens groups: fountain pen network on facebook, penswap on reddit, and virtual pen show on instagram are some of the many places to start looking. I got this particular pen on eBay from a good seller.

[@BC21beats]

I finally got one, I like it a lot as well, but just like you it is leaking a little bit. Did you ever figure out the correct o-ring size ?

[@Doodlebud]

I got other info form folks with way more experience on vintage MB that this model doesnt take a o-ring so haven't moved much further along. I try to rotate my pens so its inked for like a week then I rotate out of it again. Have a few pens that need restoring so need to get to the bottom of it to see if there's a specific oring I should order.

[@curtishatfield9629]

Nice pen! What ink were you using?

[@Doodlebud]

Not really sure what the ink was in that video. Possibly Parker Quink washable blue, but just taking a guess

[@dhananjeyannatarajan5366]

what are the dimensions of the nib unit like how wide is it, what is the length of it, what is the thickness of the rear locating lip, what is the diameter of the rear locating lip, how wide is the front bottom locating cut out, how deep is the front bottom locating cutout? I want to model a pen using this nib unit and id appreciate it a lot if you could tell me the dimensions.

[@ibpopp]

Dear Doodlebug, bad news! Lately my 221P started leaking around the nib. Close examination reveals cracks in the hood adjacent to the nib. The 221 is similarly affected, but has only one crack. Any suggestions for repairs? Thanks.

[@Doodlebud]

Check out Grandmia pens for repair tips etc. I think he has some videos on repairing cracks. If it's not him someone does on KZbin. I've watched a few & seems to be doable. But as always know your limits. If you think you'd mess that up, send it off to get repaired.

[@ibpopp]

@@Doodlebud Thank you, and cheers from Oz.

[@BlackOWLfly]

I have a similar pen but there was also no o-ring- the seal is made by pushing the transparent plastic in the cone. Do you know who can restore such a pen?

[@Doodlebud]

Thanks for sharing. Going to see what I can do to help seal it a bit better. That plastic collar doesnt seem like the best for sealing. I have someone here locally who does restorations/repairs, but a bunch I've just done myself. All depends on where you live to find the right person that can help you out.

[@BC21beats]

I'm tempted to get these, do you have a measurement on the grip section ?

[@Doodlebud]

Ok I finally checked the pen for you. Section tapers from 11mm to 9mm

[@BC21beats]

@@Doodlebud thanks for getting back to me I found one on ebay for about a 100. I found there was a lot more EFs for sale than other nib sizes.

[@arutiunarutiunian575]

After watching this video i bought Montblanc 220 EF Nib and I can't find a proper ink for it. It writes so thin that not enough ink is coming out. I'm using Noodlers Blue Ink, but I feel like it's not the right ink for this pen. Could you suggest a good blue ink for my Montblacn 220 EF ? Thank you.

[@arisainaramorsolo9673]

That pen is pure class. Which is better to write with? This or your Pelikan 140?

[@Doodlebud]

Tough call as they write very different. The 140 is my favorite for a flex style nib, but the MB 24 is so smooth & comfortable it's a dream to write with.

[@arisainaramorsolo9673]

@@Doodlebud Good for you! I hope my Pilot CH 912 WA nib would do the same after some tuning. 😊

[@xerxiusmaximus]

Just found one of these… seller wants 170USD… what do you think…. No liability to you, just want your opinion… thanks XM

[@mrk131324]

That’s pretty steep. Just bought a M32 for 80 EUR, that was in Germany, though. We have plenty used MBs in private sales here.

[@markmorris2207]

How can you tell what the nib size is on this?

[@Doodlebud]

OB

[@hikingpipes6911]

I thought it was going to be your baby Pelikan. Pleasant surprise. Very cool.

[@Doodlebud]

Was a very pleasant surprise for me as well!

[@davemcclure9685]

What is a reasonable price ??? I have offered $200 good or no??

[@Doodlebud]

That is a topic with much debate. Mine was just under $200 CAD + shipping. Great condition & a bit of a unique nib. So all depends on the condition of the pen, nib, etc.

[@davemcclure9685]

Thank you I just needed a guide

[@KGatLC]

So basically your saying you've never written with the iconic top-tier Jinhao 159? Yes, it's obviously pricey, but sooo worth it.

[@Doodlebud]

Oh I've written with it. Top tier & iconic are terms I've never heard of before to describe it. I took the big plung on the $7 price tag & in return got a $7 pen

[@soundman447]

Love how he says the Lamy 2000 is new when the 2000 and the 24 both date from the 1960's

[@Doodlebud]

My L2K I have is new, a few years old. The MB 24 is no longer in production and was make in the 60's. The L2K has been around since then but the vintage L2K is quite different from the ones which are made today.

[@soundman447]

@@Doodlebud My Point was they were contemporary designs. In the Late 1960's you could walk in a store and buy both. As far as the Lamy changing my understanding is the biggest thing is how the make the section and how they mark them. I can't say that I have ever written with one but I have been on the look for one to buy as my 2000 is of about the same vintage as your own.

[@EranBuhbut]

What is that amazing ink BTW?

[@Doodlebud]

Sorry, it was a while ago and have no idea which ink I had in there at the time

[@ireiaand]

Looks like at 12:29 the video says it’s Sargasso Sea!

[@rakeshvarma4695]

Super.

[@ssnoc]

I thought the 22 had a blue ink window and the 24 had amber ?

[@Doodlebud]

Same ink window (blue), 24 is larger than the 22

[@dhamijay]

Is this still your favorite writer?

[@gauravgupta23]

How to fill ink in this ?

[@Doodlebud]

This one is a piston filler

[@gauravgupta23]

@@Doodlebud ok. Thank you . It was a wonderful video.

[@vinyljunkie64]

Pens that were perfect? Very few and i'm not collector. A Pilot Justus and 742 were perfect, sublime. A Nakaya deskpen a few months ago with a flawless nib. Everything else, a disappointment. It really sucks when you realize you have pens which perform well, but nib size is not as thought when purchasing. I've one pen going to get ground, but the rest can sit.

[@gabemadorma2933]

For a second I thought it was the Russian pen and my mind was BLOWN

[@Doodlebud]

It's really easy to mistake for a MB 22 if the cap is off

[@Rustyshackelford177]

Interested to know if anyone has found one of these with a good nib that didn’t require work. To me these pens are so meh.

[@archie_en]

16:44 💔

[@Doodlebud]

Uhhh ok? 🤔

[@Fantasma-ql8gu]

What penis this?

[@Doodlebud]

Well, it says the name and model # in both the thumbnail & the video title. Might want to give those a read

[@Fantasma-ql8gu]

@@Doodlebud 00:29 Sorry dude, 5th grade joke.