If I Could Only Have 2 Pens

Of I had to thin my collection down to 2 pens, which would it be?
Montblanc 149
Pelikan 140

[@TweakMDS]

I feel like we might need a 2023 / 2024 update of this, both pens are classics, but I wonder if it still stands...

[@dejanopsenica4666]

Thank you for this and all the other great videos. I am a big fan of the Pelikan fountain pens. In my small collection, I have 120 (EF), 140 (F) (both from 50's), M200 (F) and M400 Souveran (F), all in their green variant. Each has its special feelings during writing. I hope I will not have the situation to choose between them. I am glad that one of your favourites is 140.

[@davecharvella4854]

I knew that 149 would be there. Forgot you had that 140 ... prob would have picked that, too. I recently picked up a "mint"1973 Pelikan 120 "green & black". Like your 140, it's an amazing writer, and when posted, fits well in the hand. And, it's so much better looking that the "relaunch"!

[@nitina8564]

How did i miss the review of that pen case. That's one beautiful looking pen case there.

[@daithi1966]

A gold incased Waterman 512 is a must. It's not even inked and is rarely used, but if I'm wearing a suit for a special occasion this is my pen, and it goes with my pocket watch. For pen number two I think I'd go with my Pilot 835. It is currently my journal pen. My Pilot 95S is my EDC pen, so three pens minimum.

[@lisawilson7889]

I can’t seem to whittle mine down to less than 3, either!

[@jorge23483]

My first choice is definitely my Parker 51 aerometric with a B nib, a family heirloom recently repaired and inked 😁. My second choice is my Lamy 2000 in F that I recently bought. Thank you for the video.

[@Doodlebud]

Have them both & they are great pens

[@davidanderson3425]

I admire your bravery. You have carried out a custom grind to a Montblanc nib! That must have been slightly scary. I don't have the skill set or tools to attempt such a modification. It would be nice to hear how it was done.

[@Doodlebud]

2nd half of this video is how I did the nib. Video is of me doing a Muji pen, but same process, tools, & technique on the MB 149 kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6CyZqRvnbmWjtE

[@13noman1]

Interesting. I’ve noticed that fans of he MB 149 tend to be folks who got a great deal. I can easily imagine that those who pay full retail (ouch1) probably expect nirvana and might just get “good”. No wonder so many returns. I have a modern Pelikan 120 I dearly love though it’s nudged out by my M205 demonstrator. Admire your courage in doing your own grind. One of my contenders for only two is a Pelikan M800 that Mike Masuyama regrouped to a flex cursive italic about 10 years ago. What a wonderful writer.

[@geomardomingo1672]

Cigars boxes totally do make great storage boxes.

[@doctorfairlight2792]

Man, that little Pelikan is awesome. It writes beautifully, and I noticed that even when flexing it doesn't slow you down. I've seen people demonstrate flex writing on here a lot and heck it's so painful to watch let alone do. I'd given up on the thought of flex pens but then you rock up with THAT thing and machine gun with it and it has left me drooling.

[@Doodlebud]

It's such a great little pen!

[@Trafficaloco]

Ok, after watching some of your videos i bought a lamy 2000 and i found a near mint 146 on ebay and purchased that. Even on ebay the 149 is super expensive. But, i now have 2 on the way.🎉

[@Doodlebud]

Hope you enjoy the new pens 👍

[@ctsealteam6]

That's an interesting topic. I always pick my favorite by thinking If somehow I lost all my pens, which one I will buy right again without thinking twice. For me, that will be the Pilot Custom 823 in F. But then when I try think of a 2nd one, surprisingly I don't know which one I gonna pick. Funny that picking the 2nd personal favorite pen is so hard.

[@derekdavis5720]

Great video. Since your previous video on the Pelikan 140 I have grown to appreciate mine much more. It has always had an enormous sentimental value but now I appreciate it as the fantastic writer that it is. Mine’s always been a superb workhorse pen. Your critique is 100%. Spot on but the pen is way too small. I have a Mont Blanc 149 circa 2010. Top pen for comfort and volume writing I’ve just started using Diamine Oxford Blue in it which enhances its appeal. But never ever in my top 2, the Pelikan 140 always will be. Thank you for the video.

[@raventhelight9357]

I just started so I only have two. It makes me sad to think if these were my only two ever.

[@egutzait]

Yeah, I picked up a gently used newer MB 149 in an EF. Stunning pen, but the tines on the nib were so tight that it would only write with moderate pressure. Took about 20 minutes to futs with the nib and open it up and now it's one of my favorite writers. It's the smoothest EF in my collection. But if you're not a pen person or aren't comfortable playing with the nibs yourself I could see them having a high return rate which is unacceptable for a pen that expensive. Although I think it's funny that they shop owner is a big Visconti guy while complaining about MBs quality control, lol

[@Doodlebud]

I know, I found that odd as I've had issues with visconti too 🤔

[@audiolover]

Many people had issues with Visconti. Bad nib quality control 🤷

[@davidaeldon1214]

Mine two are my Mont Blanc 149....about 30 years old, and my Omas Tokyo...a steel nib but the best writer in my collection. But my Rapidograph in .35 OO size ...while only $25....is my most go to pen of all.....and using since early 1970s. Cheap enough to buy 2ca year....but now I have an ultrasonic cleaner.

[@dariodesansebastian]

I was stunned when I saw that the Pilot custom 823, Lamy 2000 and Diplomat Aero (my grail pen rn, the one with stripes) Didn't make it! Hmmmm

[@Doodlebud]

The writing experience from the Pelikan 140 is so good. Blows away almost all my other pens. So far, haven't found anything that beats a vintage pen with a flexy nib

[@dariodesansebastian]

@@Doodlebud I only have the Lamy Logo, so I still have a loooooooooong way to go! How do you do to buy Vintage pens? Is there any website or you just go browse second hand makets?

[@Doodlebud]

So many options. Lots of sites, Instagram has accounts with tons for sale, Facebook groups, and if course eBay. Not to mention good old fashioned pen meets, which are the best way as you can try before you buy. The hunt is part of the fun & frustration LOL

[@xerxiusmaximus]

Excellent content... love the conversational-impromptu format... makes for greater enjoyment than just the usual structured creators content. Two Thumbs-up... I'd have to say my two-pen of all pens choice would be: My Sailor Pro Gear King of Pen Midnight Skies... nothing writes like. And that incredibly large 21kt nib is unignorable. My second choice would be my Stipula Etruria Magnifica in Honey with V-Flex nib. Incredible all-around writer with an insatiable degree of flex and wetness. Eyedroppered. Has the size and girth of my 149 but just a higher degree of flash yet is understated because is not as recognized as the Montblanc.

[@Doodlebud]

Damn, both of those pens sound pretty badass! 🤟Thanks for the comment, keeps me going

[@tamagoball937]

I have multiple fancy pens and I prefer bigger pens, but I still just love my Reform 1745 for some reason. Had it from when I was like 9th grade I think. It just writes nicely and never hiccups, super reliable, maybe better if it was a bit thicker but I still like it. Just like how you described your 140.

[@Doodlebud]

Im thinking about a vintage Pelikan 400NN might be just perfect

[@stevehuffman7453]

Be difficult to decide. For that matter, I regularly use more than two ink colors a day. Choosing the BRAND isn't a problem: Jinhao. The problem is which models. The x450 for sure. The standard Number 5 nib wood barrel 51A's and the 992 Demonstrators (which hold 3ml of ink when eye dropper filled) is the hard choice. Both write great. The 51A look a little better/more conservative/subdued, but can't be eye dropper filled ~ cartridge or converter only. Most of my every day inks are not available in cartridges ~ bottled ink only. The 992's hold a heck of a lot more ink. No need to carry extra cartridges (or bottles of ink and a rag) around for when (not "if") a cartridge or converter is used up.

[@wwolf5670]

The W. German 80's 146/149 are definitely solid pens. Nice "2 Pen" collection! My 80's 146 would probably make my "2 Pen" collection as well even though MB in general is not one of my top brands. Have to look at pens individually sometimes.

[@johntaylor2054]

Hi. I would choose my 149 and 144R, both have Architect extra fines.🤗 Cheers

[@Doodlebud]

Double down on the architect grind 👍

[@richardc6932]

My two favourite pens are a M800 black/blue Pelikan and a M805 Blue Dunes Pelikan both in fine nibs which I tend to consider as medium fine compared to other fines that I have seen. I have a Sailor 1911L in a medium nib and have no interest in a new MB at the current price. Actually the 1911L looks a lot like the the 149 but is missing the snow flake logo. Definitely a lot cheaper. A common saying : you paid more so yours must be better applies here.JMHO.

[@richardsimms251]

Great video. 2 lovely pens.

[@patrick6190]

My two pens are an easy choice because I only own two at the moment 😅 Lamy 2000 F with Waterman Serenity Blue and Pelikan M200 M with Montblanc Irish Green. But I'm looking forward on upgrading that steel nib on the Pelikan with a nice two tone gold nib in fine.

[@Doodlebud]

That's definitely makes it an easy choice 😁

[@slo_carry]

I feel like I'm stalking your page, but I love the content. If I had to pick two from what I currently have, they would be my Sailor 1911 Promenade Sparkle Blue with MF 14k nib, and probably my Opus 88 Demonstrator with F nib. I haven't spent enough time with my 3 day old Platinum 3776 to choose it, and my Promenade feels and writes better than my 1911L Loch Ness. Pelikan is still on my "To Try" list, along with Lamy 2000 and a Montegrappa Elmo.

[@Doodlebud]

Stalk away my friend! Glad you're liking my vids. That sailor sounds nice. I've bought one as a gift for someone, and it looked amazing with the deep red & gold sparkles 😍. Definitely on my list! The elmo is a beautiful pen, but it seems not uncommon for it to require some nib work. I'm ok with that as it's not a big deal for me, but understandable most would be upset with it not being perfect out of the box.

[@audiolover]

Try Pilot Custom 74 SFM, it's amazing

[@katherinesmith235]

That was so sweet of you to destroy someone's secret thoughts. That would be my worst nightmare, to leave my notebooks where someone could find them. Yikes!

[@neilpiper9889]

I have a Conway Stewart 84 small 1950s pen with a gold cursive italic flexy nib in green and black celluloid cracked ice finish. Beautiful, its my my number 1. My number 2 pen is a Pilot Custom heritage 912 with the falcon super flex nib. I love the Con 70 converter and the ability to write fast and wild.

[@Doodlebud]

I've been eyeing a vintage 84 lately. Want one with a nice flexy nib, they look great!

[@amirjan2895]

Parker '51' FP is my only choice. The most wanted pen in the world.

[@anguswhite8233]

Ouch!: top two would be my relatively new acquisition, my vintage Esterbrook SJ with a new/old stock 9128 flexible extra fine nib which is inked with lovely Waterman Serenity Blue and my absolute favourite for years now: my Platinum 3776 ‘EF’ in Chartreuse blue which I’ve inked with J Herbin Eclat de Saphir: love all colours but soft spot for saturated blues!:)

[@inkiron3907]

Hmm can I have other nibs for my 2 pens? Anyone can answer this btw. This seems like a fun video idea to keep alive

[@欒駿]

I have three pens,Faber-Castell Classic,Pelikan M 800,both in F nib,and a Pilot Heritage 912 in FM nib.They all are great.

[@ChrisSaenz13]

I really loved the story about your notebook!!! Also, you're so brave to choose 2 pens. Now I'm going to be thinking about which 2 I'd choose out of my collection. A very difficult thing to consider but I do think about it whenever I travel especially. Which it has been awhile. :) How the nib writes and sometimes ink capacity seem to be the biggest factors in a forever narrow down to 2 pens. :)

[@Doodlebud]

Helps reflect a bit before I make a purchase. Will it be missed if I lost it, or just another pen I'm getting? Love your channel BTW, thanks for checking out my vids 👍

[@MrAndrew1953]

M1005 Stresemann probably with a fine nib given that's a medium in most other ways and my Parker Premier with its broad nib. A Lamy steel 2000 with its nib if I had extra time on the way out. I keep 2 Hongdian N6s in the car console with architect nibs, red and black ink.

[@sajjadhusain4146]

I often wonder about the very same thing myself, i.e. if forced to choose, which would be my two or maybe three absolutely indispensable pens. It’s an awful toughie, but I reckon I’d pick these every time: Aurora 88 (any one from my eight modern ones) Aurora 88 (original vintage) Aurora Talentum

[@Doodlebud]

Aurora through & through!

[@sajjadhusain4146]

@@Doodlebud ...Haha...I’m such an Aurora fanboy; 24 out of my 70 pens are Aurora. I adore all of mine. The 88 is my absolute favorite pen ever.

[@archivist17]

For me, it'd be Kaweco Skyline Sport in ⚫️ with a Medium nib, and a Gravitas Pocket Skittles with LH grind. Actually, that second one is a *bit* of a cheat, as I don't have it (yet), so fallback from my own collection would be the Kaweco Supra Fireblue with a #6 nib.

[@greyfriar9008]

Mine would be a Waterman Edson and the second the Conid Bulkfiller.

[@stargazer1359]

I like big pens and I cannot lie.

[@ichirofakename]

I would go big/small, but in nib breadth. Of the pens I have, I would go with my (obscure) TiLiner Titanium pen with a Kaweco BB nib, and my Faber-Castell Neo Slim (F). Once I save some money and pull the trigger on a Pilot Custom 912 (FA), that will presumably replace the Neo Slim.

[@stargazer1359]

Those Kaweco BB's are so good.

[@tomnelson8515]

Wow, tough question.

[@laitae]

This is hard, since I have a lot of pens I love. I think for me it would have to be Pilot Decimo with a fine nib and a Pelikan M400 with a broad nib:) But it would be a very sad life without all other pens I have.

[@Doodlebud]

I had my eye on a decimo a few weeks ago. Haven't been interested for a while but now I'm starting to think about one

[@laitae]

@@Doodlebud the click mechanism is very convenient and the fine I have with it is exceptional - I got it at the time when I mostly used broads and loved it even then:)

[@chrisdaniels6523]

Pelikan 140 & Sheaffer Valiant Touchdown for me.

[@hikingpipes6911]

Interesting perspective on choice. I am still acquiring pens and learning but a few weeks back I found a really good deal on a new Pineider La Grande Bellezza in a fine quill 14kt nib and I think I may have found one of my forever keepers.

[@olafweerts7653]

Hi D, I have one from the same period paid about AU$400 1989, I have not used it for a while for a few reasons. How often do you clean out the ink chamber (it just seams a little bit like too much mucking about to do so each time you refill it)?

[@Doodlebud]

I only clean it out of I'm changing ink colour or cleaning it out to out away for a while. If I'm using it regularly, just fill up when it's getting low. Same procedure as with any other pens

[@olafweerts7653]

Cheers Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.

[@Stephen-uk2in]

where do you find used pens? I can't seem to find a reliable looking website, is there a used pen market somewhere in the Vancouver area?

[@Doodlebud]

Most of mine are online. There are some pen seller sites that sell them direct like: Fountain Pen Hospital, Peyton Street Pens, etc. I get some from eBay, Virtual Pen Show on Instagram, and there are facebook groups and reddit groups as well

[@MarcVolovic]

Who made the pen case - it looks very lovely

[@Doodlebud]

Here's the review I did on it kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2fGfJ9slKdpj6M

[@MarcVolovic]

@@Doodlebud many thanks!

[@solstar4778]

Cool case !

[@Doodlebud]

Here's my review of it kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2fGfJ9slKdpj6M

[@taymurkashif2678]

Where can i find that pen case?

[@Doodlebud]

I did a video on pen cases. I give info on it in the description kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZjRXoSVg86ljrs

[@eileengoldenberg270]

I think I will look for a vintage MB at the SFPENSHOW.. I will be teaching at the show.. my two favs are an Opus 88 with a modified Pilot parallel nib and my DUKE 551 Fude pen.

[@Doodlebud]

I remember seeing that 88 with parallel nib in your Appelboom Top 3; neat mod. Check out my recent vid on the vintage MB 24. It's a crazy good pen & way cheaper than the 149. Have fun at the SF show, wish I could go. One of my friends in SF is going too. Need to make it out one year for sure.

[@franciscom.e.9780]

My favorite pen for writing is definitely the Montblanc Meisterstück 149. My second one is very hard to tell, but may be a Caran d'Ache Leman or a Sheaffer Valor or Sheaffer Legacy Heritage or a Pelikan Souverän. Very personal your videos. Among the things I treasure, nothing is more personal than a pen. I invest a lot of meaning in some of them due to the memories and even connection with my father and grandfathers.

[@Doodlebud]

They are very personal, as they are tools to express yourself. Especially when used for journaling etc.

[@cdgarcia]

Pen-ternity😂😂

[@Matt-dd1zr]

Good evening!

[@Doodlebud]

Good morning 🌞

[@Matt-dd1zr]

@@Doodlebud So you’re from ‘Murica? Hello from Belgium then 👋 🙃

[@Doodlebud]

@@Matt-dd1zr Oh Canada! 🇨🇦 My last couple videos I've been doing Canadian language lessons, check them out

[@baroquer]

Well, this was pretty predictable xD