Montblanc 149 Calligraphy Flex nib - Good daily writer? My grail pen but not what I expected

[@jungroe94]

I've had my 149C now for 3 years and it's perfection, a superb EF with vintage like flex on tap. It's actually finer than my 146 EF, so under low pressure it is really an EEF that can flex up to a BB or 1.6 mm per MB. It is so responsive to the slightest hand pressure variances as I write yielding subtle line variation. It has great snap back and control when you do flex it, much like my vintage Waterman's 52V flex nib. Before the 149C, I owned the Pilot 912 FA for many years with the aftermarket 3 slit feed, but for daily writing, it is too mushy. The 149C is so much more precise and refined both as a daily writer and flex king. Thanks for the great review of this pen.

[@TheRacerRich]

This was exciting for me to see, as I have one of these on hold for me at the Hamburg boutique for when I arrive there, and this is exactly what I am looking for: something that can just be an EF but also can flex, as EF is my preferred day to day pen.

[@seattlepenclub]

Cool! Hope you enjoy yours!

[@Dr.Shymaa]

respected your honesty on clarifying the fact that we need to apply pressure to get clear line variations as we write which is a point not mentioned at all in the videos by other reviewers on youtube , thanks so much

[@korax67]

Well, with a Pilot 742 or 912 with an nib you can write on a daily basis both with a very smooth fine size and with just a bit of pressure you get that amount of flex that you need. From what I've read the 743 behaves even better, regarding daily use. In this context, I regard 149 Calligraphy flex highly overrated for its price and your video just confirmed my opinion. Thank you for the useful review.

[@seattlepenclub]

Yes, in my experience, the 743 (#15 size) FA is easier to use as a daily basis than the 742 and 912 FA because it's not as soft. I have trouble writing with the 912 FA on a daily basis - see my video on that for details.

[@majorhuman]

This was very helpful thanks. I actually just ordered one. The 146 version

[@wwolf5670]

Very well timed video. Thank you! I think a broad 149 would be the right choice for me, then have it stubbed. Great channel!

[@seattlepenclub]

I believe Montblanc still offers oblique nibs as well that have a slight stub feel to them - you should check those out. It might have to be through their nib exchange program though. I haven't ever seen them in stock anywhere.

[@michellek649]

I'm thinking of a 146 flex nib and your video really explains how a flex nib works vs stub or calligraphy nibs. Thank you for sharing!

[@Shak-MD]

I enjoyed this video. I agree with this pen making a great everyday carry pen. I'd say the 146 is a slightly better EDC due to finer lines and the size---depending on preferences. One thing you mentioned is that this is the best modern flex nib in the market. The problem is that this pen is not in the market anymore. MB does not make it. If you hurt the nib and send it for repair, you may or may not ever get it back with a flex nib. That, I think leaves the 146 flex nib [which can still be found in the market] to compete with the custom 743 FA for the best modern flex nib in the market.

[@seattlepenclub]

I didn't know MB discontinued this. It's still on their website, just shows out of stock. I like the #10 and #15 size Pilot FA nibs but find them hard to use for daily writing. Surprisingly, the #15 size is actually stiffer than the #10

[@Shak-MD]

@Seattle Pen Club Indeed, there seems to be no new manufacturing of the 149 Flex. I have looked all over the world for it.....found one in Dubai :) . Their newest "calligraphy " is the curved nib, which is totally different. The Pilot #15 is so so. I agree it is not a good alternative to the 149. Pilot #10 is too thick for my liking unless a needlepoint grind is achieved.

[@Shak-MD]

@@seattlepenclub I actually had a direct conversation with MB rep here [US of A], and in Canada on Apr 27th, 2023. Their official word is that the pen is NOT officially discontinued. However, they have not seen one in their stock in a long time. There is a chance they may get one or more at some point in the future. They said you can sign up to be notified when one becomes available. I stand [sit, actually], corrected :) .

[@middleclassmotoring]

That’s my grail pen as well although I don’t own one yet ;) that writes more fine that I thought - thanks for the video!

[@llanbull]

It's one of the reason I bought this pen. Bec. it writes thin. You should've gotten the curved nib version.

[@nicolasmikah4168]

I have this one, and I’m getting the new curved one too

[@llanbull]

@@nicolasmikah4168 I think they are available sometime this month. I am thinking about getting it too bec. it looks like a fun pen. You can get different line variation depending on how you orient the nib. Any wet ink recs? I'm looking on yt for wet ink reviews.

[@nicolasmikah4168]

@@llanbull I saw the MB Irish green is quite wet with the curved nib, I like to try it with MB Scarlet Red too… will see…

[@DirkJ.]

Hard to say from video, but I think your pen hold is by default at a rather steep angle creating more force to get flex. It might not be possible, but lowering that angle should help with flex, if you can modify your grip slightly and get used to it. Good video, love the honesty and that you didn't review it RIGHT AWAY, but after much writing time.

[@boyingguerrero34]

Thank you for this very informative video. With the new MB calligraphy curved nib now available, i clearly see their differences which has not been discussed in new videos of the curved nib.

[@johnmartorana1856]

For very little pressure flex, Fountain pen revolution has its ultra flex. I haven’t used a wet noodle, but it is by far the easiest flex I’ve ever used.

[@thebestwizz]

Thanks for the explanation, I was a bit worried about casual writing with it. I mainly use an EF Pilot 912 (yes, Japanese EF) for most things, so I don't mind a western EF.

[@adurgh]

All other reviews of the 149 flex nib produced almost effortlessly calligraphy style writing with very broad line variation! I wonder if it’s your angle of holding the pen.

[@asoloma]

My 149 Calligraphy is incredibly fine if not pressure added, like an XXF. But it is a superb nib.

[@richardsimms251]

Very very good review RS. Canada

[@rajrani2011]

You didn't even provide a close view of the nib. Now is I am confused whether you are referring to the Calligraphy or the Curve nib from MB !

[@lancelink88]

MB broad oblique is best for me.

[@dimitridiakovasiliou2453]

This video provides an excellent illustration of the fundamentals of line variation. After reading the comments, it's apparent that some people may not fully grasp the level of skill required to effectively use a flexible nib. Moreover, there's a multitude of factors to consider when evaluating 'flexible' nibs. Calligraphers need to create extremely fine “hairlines” and broad “swells”, and they do so with grace and ease. I personally own the 146 Calligraphy flexible nib, along with many vintage pens, including some Montblanc vintage pens with flexible nibs. What's truly remarkable is that Montblanc has managed to produce a modern Calligraphy flexible nib that stands up comparably, and in some aspects, may even surpass the quality and feel of nibs from the 1920s and 1930s. I think this is an amazing pen and a great option to have for expressive writing but depending on the individual it may not be an ideal every day pen and it may take some practice before fully understanding its capabilities.

[@ichirofakename]

Looking at your page of examples, the stub nib looks better than the MB flex. To my eye.

[@michaelhooper2915]

As ever, an interesting and clearly reasoned video. Thank you. Like you, I would have expected the 149 to be a better, broader daily writer while still offering the flex for those occasions when you need it. How do you find the Sailor music nib for everyday writing? Is it not too broad?

[@seattlepenclub]

I found the Sailor music nib a bit broad at first but got used to it quickly. I wouldn't use it for taking quick notes but it's fun for regular writing when I'm not in a rush

[@frenzymodexd]

Which blue ink are you using in the 149?

[@ismetbahadir]

The second Calligraphy text under Pilot, which ink is that? It looks superb.

[@JayJayYUP]

I just don't get where you even get this thing. Was it ever even available or were they all sold off the truck before getting into retail warehouses?

[@seattlepenclub]

I bought mine in April 2022. At that time, it was widely available from Montblanc retailers. I bought mine from one in Europe because of favorable exchange rates but it was available from dealers here as well

[@paulchiu]

Did you also try the 149 Curved NIB?

[@criscavi19]

Ok. Montblanc has (perhaps) the greatest flex nib but the size of this pen doesn't suit everybody.

[@felixunger3408]

Which German retailer do you use - are you able to say ?

[@seattlepenclub]

I didn't end up using them but there was a retailer Fritz Schimpf had a store exclusive flexible stub version that I considered buying before it sold out

[@felixunger3408]

@@seattlepenclub Good videos btw - considered and articulate. Thanks.

[@abadabadooo]

You say it's a grail pen for you and doesn't disappoint, but you also say it doesn't suit your writing needs. And you recommend it with an authoritative tone, while admitting you don't use it much. What a confusing video..

[@seattlepenclub]

IMO, this pen is the best on the market for what it is - a modern flex pen. If that's what you're looking for, there's no better choice. I like it a lot and enjoy using it when I'm in the mood to use a flex pen. That said, I grab my stub / italic nibs more often

[@angellondian7628]

Great review of all the pens attributes