Majohn P136 & Montblanc 146 Side By Side Comparison

[@DhruvKhoslaDK]

Hey DB, You are currently my most favorite fountain pen channel! Every time I get a notification for your video, I know I am going to get something well thought through, well made and honestly presented. Thank you and keep them coming :)

[@Doodlebud]

Wow thanks for the kind words, glad you're enjoying my vids :)

[@lynnconroy8]

Me too! Love this channel.

[@pen_journal]

Awesome reviews! Yes MB used plastic feeds now in the modern production! Loved your attention to details as always DB!

[@Doodlebud]

Plastic (ABS) does work just fine, but for this price I dunno, something more just seems deserved

[@martinlebl631]

@@Doodlebud I always found MB pricing abusive. Paying $800 for a pen that cost $100-ish to manufacture is a kick in the groin. However, that is what you get when a retailer, distributor, importer, and manufacturer need to get their cut. You are paying for mid 20th century supply chain more than the pen. If MB shipped directly to you for $250 or $300, then they would make more money, and sell more pens, but given their lock in to the existing distribution infrastructure it isn't going to happen.

[@user-br3sl9go3b]

@@martinlebl631More likely ... "for a pen that cost $10-ish" ...

[@rafaelgonzalez-estefani2422]

​@@martinlebl631En las Montblanc pagas la marca.

[@cynthiaalvarado8610]

They are getting really good at nailing down the details to copy. I’m very certain they watch your channel to get pointers too! Thanks, DB!

[@Doodlebud]

If they watch my channels for pointers they would have MADE IT POST! 😡 Still angers me

[@meshzzizk]

@@Doodlebud Watching your video where you talk about how the Pilot 823 posts well bc it makes 3 points of friction contact (or whatever it’s called) blew my mind

[@Soul_Watcher]

Thank you, as always, for all the info in the comparison sizing. Always enjoy your vods. Cheers.

[@slo_carry]

I got the P136 and the Jinhao X159 a few weeks ago and I prefer how the X159 feels and hand and how it writes. The P136 is a bit small and on the dry side. Appreciate the comparison!

[@Merlin012001]

I've had my P136 for about a week and really like the size. I inked it with Diamine Happy Holidays unshaken. They have expanded the nib options and I was able to get a 1.1 stub. I got it and the JinHao 159 to check out which MB I might want to get if I ever get to the point of saving enough with all of the new versions of pens that are coming out.

[@deanandreoli1975]

I just got my P136 in the mail, yesterday. I got mine with a 1.1 stub nib. they do have a bunch of nib options. Great video, as usual, DoodleMeister. 👑

[@Doodlebud]

Oh thats great to hear they've added a greater nib selection

[@ibpopp]

G'day, Doodlebug. What a clever show. Might be tempted to try out the 136 one day--'though it's getting to overflow in the collection these days. Merry Christmas to you and yours from the Pen Pals of Penwhaupell.

[@ichirofakename]

1. It's baffling that the P136 doesn't post well, since that is a deal breaker for many. I wonder what the real reason is. 2. If Majohn ever starts copying Sailor multi-color pens I am in big trouble. 3. I would be interested in hearing your opinion on the value proposition in Montblanc's pricing, some day.

[@Doodlebud]

3) Its a long conversation with many perspectives but would also require a bunch of inside knowledge which I'm not privy to so a bunch I would say would just be speculation. But I am planning a chat with someone who had inside knowledge and that is a general topic that I'm planning on bringing up.

[@ichirofakename]

@@Doodlebud Were I a banker or a lawyer, I would wear a Swatch and write with a Jinhao Shark.

[@omeryehezkely3096]

If you push the cap firmly it will hold nicely.

[@martinlebl631]

My guess is someone screwed up making the molds, and they weren't exactly to the specs, but no one checked it. And once they are finished and polished replacing them can be pretty expensive, so I wouldn't expect a "fix" till the mold wears out; if ever.

[@argilaga]

In my opinion the Wingsung 629 with EF steel nib is the best MB146 clone out there, and more economical too. Just a quick news, in taobao wingsung is advertising the model 600, a 145mm long pen, flat ends with 18k #8 nib, it looks awesome in the pictures...

[@sven-erikrose5732]

the P136 does indeed work on the MB146; thanks for this and all your videos.

[@ironmic9244]

Yes the 146, as with the 149 comes with a yellow gold, rose gold or platinum trim. There is a new color out there for the 146 under the Glacier line. I don't know if it is a special edition or will be a regular edition, but that color is a blue-grey. There used to be a burgundy 146 that is now highly prized.

[@Doodlebud]

I looked at that Glacier blue one.... Oh MY!

[@ironmic9244]

I like the white with the blue PVD, but that is only on the 145. That pen is just too small for me. But that blue-grey looks cool dun it? It also has a very cool looking engraving on the nib.

[@davecharvella4854]

I currently have a grey P136 in my rotation, inked with Pelikan 4001 turquoise. This pen impressed me right from the get go. I thoroughly looked it over for seams and gate marks, and none were to be found. More importantly, it wrote like a champ right from the start. I also purchased the wrench, and plan to completely disassemble and clean the pen, when empty. I don't own a MB 146, but I do own and prefer the 149. Like you, I agree, if the P136 posted "by design", It would be perfect!

[@Doodlebud]

Its built & finished extremely well, but the damn posting! I barely use the pen because of that :(

[@martinlebl631]

@@Doodlebud That is the reason I didn't order it. Pen of this shape should post.

[@user-br3sl9go3b]

I have been trying to "get" the Montblanc prices for a number of years now. I haven't. I'm astonished that Montblanc sells anything.

[@derekdavis5720]

Great video. You certainly get a lot of bang for your buck with the Majohn. It’s not too shabby at all in comparison to the Mont Blanc. And it’ll probably be an ideal EDC. It’s nice to have a decent pen that you don’t need to be overly precious with. It also looks well in the green. I like to have a couple of fountain pens that I can leave lying about at home. Just for easy reach like my Jinhao X159 which does the job. Thank you again for a great video.

[@cdgarcia]

These days deep in the fountain pen hobby the cheap version of grails pens are my my preferred and relish in the savings

[@aleoe82]

Thanks for doing this. I’m being selfish as I was hoping for the granularity only you can provide - scrutiny under the loop and microscope. I s’pose I wanted to see how far one manuf goes and ultimately if that matters. If you do ever go into that detail, I’d love to see and hear it. I’m seeing several videos comparing these pens and no one breaking them down as much as you will/can. I want to see all the chatter (on either side) and if that’s worth those dollars in the end (discounting the branding, etc). Thanks for another great video (and that last case one!)!

[@13noman1]

Thanks -- always enjoy your vids! I'm always interested in the value equation (for anything, honestly!). So, yes, the MB 146 has +s -- 14k gold nib, piston fill but not hundreds of dollars worth. I see a lot of the extra cost is for marketing, "prestige" branding upcharge, overhead, fancy stores. I did finally pick up a 146 about 2 years ago (NIB on ebay) for a good deal (~ 320 USD) though it required a little smoothing of baby bottom.

[@leesiahng]

I am not likely to buy either but I enjoyed the thorough review.

[@jkatkat7950]

as others have posted I've gone the Jinhao X159 route rather than the P136 - while I would love the piston fill the 159 posts which makes the writing more enjoyable - and even more colours than the P136!! MB I think will remain a scratch that goes un-itched - too pricey for what it is

[@martinlebl631]

Yup, ended up getting two X159s and zero P136s due to the non posting, even though I would like piston fill better.

[@quailypoes]

Love the x159 so much!

[@ILoveFountainPensCdn]

I never thought to look at the nib/feed from that top down angle before and never noticed how the feed is in the shape of an arrow. Very interesting! I appreciate your attention to detail.

[@iangordon5354]

Hi - newest UK sub again. Regarding the focus, you’re getting caught out by the bit of the automation that is intended to allow you to photograph the tiger not the tiger cage. If you were using an SLR (or similar) I’d say check the focus mode and change it from “matrix” to “spot” (or whatever your chosen manufacturer calls them), but I don’t know whether phone cameras provide similar control because I use an SLR for almost all of my photography and very rarely do videos.

[@Doodlebud]

One day I might get a proper setup to improve my videos but for now I do everything on my phone (recording & editing) as it suits my schedule. I record a video late at night then edit little bits here an there on the same phone when I have time. Depending on the phone Im using at the time the software acts very differently for things like AWB and focus tracking.

[@pensandboots3960]

Hey DB, I always like your videos. They are fantastic. FYI, the newer MB 146 plastic feeds are identical to 136 feed even the wrench slot. The nib assembly, the cap and piston are interchangeable between the two

[@Doodlebud]

Oh wow they went that far! I bet a new MB 146 is even closer than the mid 80s one I had to compare it with

[@martinlebl631]

A shame, for the price you deserve to get a nice feed of vulcanized rubber.

[@davidnygard1817]

I didn't think my Majohn P136 posted either but I find that I was wrong. It posts but twirls - it stays on when I shake it but it will twirl around freely. The good news is that it does not post in a way that will move the piston. I've found that I like this pen more and more over time. I may get a few more in other colors.

[@Doodlebud]

That's odd haven't heard of the cap twirling. If I jam it on hard it posts, but then it feels like it engages the piston knob 😕

[@davidnygard1817]

@@Doodlebud I do jam it with more force than other pens. Once posted, my pen cap will twist easily in either direction without engaging the piston mechanism. (My first try was under controlled conditions for obvious reasons. I've found that if that does happen, I will know immediately when ink spurts out.) Once I knew it was safe, I've posted my P136 ever since. I cannot see why this cap twists easily when posted but it does. A second P136 is on order, I will see if this one does the same thing.

[@Doodlebud]

Its most likely making contact with the ring in the back of the pen at the piston knob and the cap is spinning on that

[@davidnygard1817]

@@Doodlebud I agree. In short, it works but there is massive room for improvement. It only had to post and not burp ink and it does that.

[@hmjeon8609]

about the posting issue of p136. My p136 didn't post at first, but as I forced it a little and it posted. Now after a year or so it posts well enough.

[@archivist17]

I predict a riot in the comments 😁

[@Doodlebud]

Oh I have some juicy topics to discuss in the ideas list that I just may get around to one day

[@tdowling149]

FWIW there were reddit posts about a month ago saying that more recent P136s posted better. So they may have tweaked some design element, or there's just that much variation between individual pens.

[@Doodlebud]

Hmmm I hope they do update it

[@lynnconroy8]

I got a knock off MB from Amazon. I thought it was so pretty, white and gold tone. It’s actually nice. Lolol

[@santauxia]

Great video DB. If I may, I prefer the Jinhao X159 reason being its a cartridge converter and this makes it easier to change inks. I like to change inks often. With a piston filler will be a lot more work. Also the X159 its bigger, posts and fits my hand better. Again, cool video as always.

[@DhruvKhoslaDK]

Hey Santa, Do you also think that X159 starts feeling a bit hollow / lacking in substance after a while? I got two, loved them initially for the nib size... Reworked the nibs to make them super smooth, even though they were fine (pun intended) to begin with. But after about 2 months of use, it just feels so light and uninspiring :( The old 159 was way too heavy for any meaningful writing, and for the X159 Jinhao seems to have swung a bit too far in the opposite direction. My sweet spot would be somewhere in the middle.

[@santauxia]

@@DhruvKhoslaDK I guess that you git used to it being light.

[@manoloyloles]

I did not want to buy this one, as I have the Wing Sung 629, which must be, more or less, the same pen. However, your video convinced me, and I thought: "well... if I can get one for less than 30 bucks, I will pull the trigger". And I did; on a burgundy one: 25 euros. With some discounts and stuff not bad. The Wing Sung has the issue that its nib is not a proper #6, but something between 5.5 and 5.8, I would say... Strange.

[@edgar_hf]

Hey wich one do you prefer between them? Cause i have the wingsung 629 and i don’t know if it’s a good idea to go for the P136.

[@manoloyloles]

@@edgar_hf Hola, señor Hernández. ¿Cómo está? I have not received the P136 yet, as I just ordered it today! As a result of seeing this video! 🙂

[@edgar_hf]

@@manoloyloles Muchas gracias por su respuesta! I’ve just ordered the P136 30 minutes ago jajajaja i couldn’t resist. Now we just have to wait until receive them. Hope you’re fine! Have an excellent day

[@michaelpearson8165]

I have a red (maroon) P136 and it posts firmly. Just an FYI

[@Doodlebud]

Oh man I wish mine did that! I'd use this pen regularly if it did. That's my only gripe with it because other than that, it's a great pen

[@EmilehUnk]

Same here.

[@michaelpearson8165]

@@Doodlebud Have you tried giving the cap a little twist when you post it?

[@rroymorenoo]

Hey man! I know this isn’t related here but please check out the Pineider Psycho Black with Black trim. Maybe you can print a similar style pen! Keep it up man, cool content

[@Doodlebud]

Oh yeah I've seen that pen! Looks amazing. I have to get my design level up to learn how to at those features all along & around a curved shape. Hopefully in time I'll get there

[@santiagomerinoacevedo7475]

Great video as usual, so instructive based on real experience. I watch all your reviews, though it’s hard for me to follow them as you speak so quick.😅

[@omeryehezkely3096]

You can buy ef, m and stub nibs for the p136.

[@Doodlebud]

Oh that's good they're increasing nib options

[@trulsdirio]

So, 20€ worth of gold makes an 800€ difference? I am no mathematician, but something seems off here, doesn't it?

[@Volkmannx]

Interesting, thanks!

[@goodprince5327]

6:32 why mont blanc looks like this "🗿" 😂

[@theProf_01]

Love the detailed comparisons 👍👍+😎.

[@animula6908]

If I could afford the mb, I’d still want one of these too. I’m not sure how filthy rich I’d have to be to ever want to toss my mb in my purse and cavort around town with it, but I’d say extremely filthy rich. There’s room for clones and luxury pens imo.

[@Doodlebud]

The P136 is pretty damn good for the price but just wish it posted :( I don't mind clones so long as they are done well and I can see there is some effort that went into things other than just how it looks.

[@Hexsyn]

I feel my own bias coming through by my excitement of chinese copies eating into the potential profit margins of MB but also hating how good the A1 is and fearing how it might hurt pilot

[@dsb1763]

Why no writing comparison? That would show where your money is going.

[@Doodlebud]

I have seperate videos on each pen where I do writing samples.

[@brettsmith1655]

Been wanting to do this one, along with a Wing Sung 629 for awhile but I don't have the MB 146, dammit.

[@Doodlebud]

I had the 146 for a few days so took advantage of it. Shot another video comparison with it as well LOL

[@solarionispirit2117]

No writing sample/presentation? 😳

[@Doodlebud]

I have seperate videos on each pen where I do writing samples.

[@metalsuccattack]

for a person named doodlebud, you dont doodle/draw. but i would like to see your take on fountain pens for artists and stuff :)

[@Doodlebud]

I'm hoping to do a colab video with someone who is an artist. If I did it just myself all I would be doing is guessing since I won't know all the little nuances of what is important to an artist.

[@Nando_Hennessy]

The 149 it's one of the grail pens that I just can't buy 😔

[@ironmic9244]

Hey Doodlebud, Completely out of left field, but it's a nagging question just for curiosity sake. Is makralon fiberglass? Lamy mentions fiberglass on the website, but not specifically referencing the body being fiberglass. Videos mention the pen body as fiberglass, but there are some out there vehemently negating makralon as fiberglass. Nor can I find anywhere makralon being called fiberglass. What's the real story here Doodlebud? And while you're at it, how DO they get the caramel into the Caramillk bar?

[@Doodlebud]

Makrolon is Makrolon and fiber glass is fiber glass, not the same. Makrolon is from the polycarbonate family, fiberglass is completely different. Very different material properties and manufacturing methods. As far as the caramilk I'm not sure but this is how I imagine it's done, pretty easy. You build them upside down. Have a mold for the curved bit and fill with a layer of chocolate. Rapid cool so it solidifies quickly. Caramel is squirted in followed by a final layer of chocolate which is what we would call the bottom to seal it up. All done on a continuous conveyor with cooling sections etc s part of the continuous production. Or at least that's my guess 🤔

[@ironmic9244]

@@Doodlebud Uh, yeah the Caramilk question was kinda rhetorical. So it's definitive then makralon is not fiberglass. I wonder why Lamy is saying that then, or are people interpreting it that way. Fiberglass is mentioned though on their site. So now that is 2 things Lamy has kind of misrepresented about the 2000 on their website.

[@martinlebl631]

@@ironmic9244 It is a plastic with a filler, so in that way it us kind of like fiberglass, though chemically the resins are different. Not sure any major brand makes fiber glass pen, although there were some limited edition from a small maker that used cloth on resin for unique look and texture.

[@amor5487]

在中国，moonman是没有粉丝的，因为所有人都讨厌完全抄袭还没有黄金或者其他贵金属笔尖的牌子，moonman ti200的14k nib和hero100是一种但有些小区别

[@bencheevers6693]

Posting costs 850$, the more you know

[@Doodlebud]

Thats the extra feature you get 😅

[@george-pj7gi]

I prefer writing comparisons

[@opticandersonopticanderson3364]

R I O T.

[@Javi_C]

Ooooooooo

[@Doodlebud]

Aaaaaaaaa

[@Raul1971xxx]

Your hand is huge... Your Montblanc size is the 149.

[@Doodlebud]

Picked one up a few years ago. One of my favourite pens

[@Raul1971xxx]

@@Doodlebud 👍👍🇪🇸🇪🇸