Has anyone tried a Mont Blanc Calligraphy 146?
 

Seriously considering getting myself one ...

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I haven't tried it, but I've seen it.
It looks great.
I think it comes in variable nib sizes.

https://scontent.fmel8-1.fna.fbcdn.n...HQ&oe=669A378F

That's the gold leaf edition, looks good though well out of my price range

Just ordered the normal 146 with the flex nib

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Now that’s one hell of a fountain pen, I’m kind of in the market, I’m open to acquiring one myself so if you get to see one available please point me towards that direction.

Looking for the gold leaf or normal version of the 146?

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Mind sharing some of your hand writing the pen has managed to let you achieve?

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I have the 146 Calligraphy pen. When I bought it new, it had terrible hard starting issues. I sent it to MarK Bacas (nibgrinder) who fixed it. He is an outstanding nibmeister.

Anyone UK based you can recommend in case I need something doing?

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This link contains 2 names of nibmeisters in the UK.

https://www.galenleather.com/blogs/news/nibmeisters

I've got the 149 version of this, minus the gold leaf effect. Looks like a regular 149 with gold trim, except it has the flexible calligraphy nib.

Out of the box (direct from Montblanc's online store) the nib was scratchy and would often dry start. I wondered if I had made a mistake. Fortunately not: it is now one of my favourite fountain pens. The pen's nib definitely has a learning curve as it is very sensitive to the angle that you hold it to paper. I now no longer suffer dry starts or notice scratchiness when using the pen. It is hard to say how much of this is me learning how to hold the pen and how much is the nib breaking in. I suspect that the improvement is down to both.

In general terms now I find the nib incredibly expressive: it responds best to a delicate touch on paper and a relatively slow writing speed. It is capable of producing "extra extra fine" lines which widen out comfortably to "medium/fine" to "medium" thickness. I don't push it any harder than that however as the nib is gold and expensive to replace. If you want to mess around with more flex you are probably better off getting a cheap dip pen with a steel flex nib.

If you are an experienced calligrapher then for sure you will enjoy using this pen. If you are - like me - someone that enjoys the character that a pen like this adds to your writing while understanding the limits that you can't write that quickly with it then I believe you will also enjoy this. Just be prepared for a learning curve if you are less experienced with such nibs.

So my order just got cancelled and a refund heading my way.

Mont Blanc have apparently stopped making them.

So I'm looking at a Gold Leaf 146 for a flex nib, the only one left in production.

Only £1950 or so...!

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Check some Montblanc retailers as very often they might still have stock. For example I spotted one at Harrods in a display case earlier in the year. Might be worth a call to check if they still have any. Also check Wheelers.

Otherwise don't overpay IMO. Every couple of years Montblanc seems to come out with a new derivative of the flex nib, so even if you missed this one you might be able to get something very similar new from them if you are prepared to wait.

I can seemingly get a Gold Leaf Calligraphy 146 second hand for £1150.

Retail is £1975 or something similar

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Sounds like a great deal. I think my 149 Flex without gold leaf cost me c.£800 new. Check the nib if it is coming from a private owner. If reputable dealer then you have recourse but you should be alright anyways.

Good luck with the hunt.

Thanks for the reply

It's coming from a reputable dealer as far as I can see

Mont Blanc offered the flex nib through there custom nib scheme but the nib alone cost £1300-ish

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