Very good advice about not giving up on a pen. That's definitely knowledge an experienced fountain pen user gains over years of using these often finicky writing instruments. It's good to remind ourselves of it from time to time. I'm currently going through something similar with a new Leonardo MZG 2.0, excessive flow issues and a couple of other things. I've only had the pen about 6 days, but was ready to throw it in the trash after a day or two (j/k, mostly), but stuck with it, made a couple of tweaks, and it's working better now. Our expectations for pens, especially expensive ones like your beautiful 149, can skew our perspective. As anyone who's used FP's for any decent length of time knows, pricey doesn't always mean "better." Anyway, good video and I'm glad you've gotten the issues sorted out. Amazing how our feelings about a pen can dramatically change once it's working like it should. When they're working right they're supremely satisfying. When they're not you might feel like taking a 2-pound hammer to them. 😄Cheers.
Thanks for the advice. I had similar troubles with a 146 made in 1995 which had never been used. After watching this and a lot of other tuning guide videos I was able to self tune which completely removed the hard start and skipping. Thanks for sharing your experience
Good topic. I’m glad you got the pen to work better. I’ve used micro mesh on many pens to smooth out the nib or to remedy “baby’s bottom” which is sometimes the cause for hard starts. I find when I have skipping, it is usually an ink flow issue and running a brass sheet between the two tines generally does the trick - do keep in mind your situation may be different. Again, I like videos like these that help out the pen community. Thanks again !
Hi Dash, I think the problem could have been because the nib was too smooth and wasn't able to transfer ink onto paper easily which is why I didn't smooth it all the way using micro-mesh. I used 20x magnification and couldn't see any baby's bottom. thanks again for your comments..🙏🏻
I will be honest and say you are a brave to risk damaging your 149 nib with a self tuning. The only adjustment I've made to a nice nib has been to pass a thin bronze sheet between the tines of my Pelikan m800 nib. I would have sent this pen to a nibmeister. For me the price of a nibmeister tunning is well worth it for such an expensive and beautiful pen as a 149.
I think you’re right that pens may need to get broken in. My Lamy 2000 skipped and hard started on shinier paper like Clarefontaine and Rhodia. (Believe me, I accounted for the sweet spot-it wasn’t that.) This was very frustrating and I was close to sending it to a nibmeister, or never using those papers. But after three months or so, the skipping and hard starting just ended. It’s the weirdest thing.
I think all pens get broken in eventually but it isn't necessary for some pens out of the box. Some might even argue that they don't want their pens to be broken in e.g. I wish my Pilot Custom 742 stayed a dry writer forever. Like you mention, paper choice (and to a lesser extent ink choice) is pretty important, paper that is too smooth or too dry (yes paper can be dry) will cause problems in some nibs!
I had the same issue with a Montblanc 145. I didn't feel confident enough to tune the nib with different grades of micro mesh. Instead I returned the pen for a full refund. A few months ago I bought a Lamy 2000 and started experiencing the same skipping issues. I know the Lamy is supposed to have a 'sweet spot' so I decided to persevere with the pen. I haven't resorted to smoothing the nib yet but just trying to break it in with normal writing. It's not as bad as my Montblanc and I think the performance of the Lamy nib is slowly improving.
Thanks David, for sharing. One comment, the process of using micromesh or even rough paper, like brown packing paper, actually removes a bit of the nib tip material to allow more contact with paper to occur while writing. Excessing smoothing might cause this problem as well.
Good advice. Where you been? Hopefully doing well. Loved your videos. Sure just busy once Singapore opened back up. Somehow an explanation of something fine like these pens sounds better in refined Singaporean accents 😂
Thanks for your well wishes. I am reasonably well, still using fountain pens, however not as much as I would want to. Hope your fountain pen journey is progressing smoothly.
Thanks for the review. I have sent my 149 in for service for the same issue. It's a medium and I hope I get it back with the hard start issue solved. I use fountain pens from other brands and this is the first time this has been an issue for me.
Seems to be a common quality problem with Montblanc nibs. I had to send my Montblanc 146 back to the factory four times until they managed to put in a nib that does not skip. It still scratches if the writing angle is not perfect but it's much better now.
If a pen doesnt behave as it is supposed to, its mostly the writers foult, (quality pens, not talking about 1 dollar pens).. seems to me you press very hard on your pen, montblanc nibs are not designed to be spread out at all...2nd glad to hear you tried the tuning yourself..thats how i started, only i did a øot of cheap pens first before i did it on my 1000dollar+ pens..its not just rubb them on micro mesh...also would advise to get a loop or microscope.. you would be amaized how much one does wrong without checking it under magnification..i could go into detail, but that would make a long text.....
Very good advice about not giving up on a pen. That's definitely knowledge an experienced fountain pen user gains over years of using these often finicky writing instruments. It's good to remind ourselves of it from time to time.
I'm currently going through something similar with a new Leonardo MZG 2.0, excessive flow issues and a couple of other things. I've only had the pen about 6 days, but was ready to throw it in the trash after a day or two (j/k, mostly), but stuck with it, made a couple of tweaks, and it's working better now. Our expectations for pens, especially expensive ones like your beautiful 149, can skew our perspective. As anyone who's used FP's for any decent length of time knows, pricey doesn't always mean "better."
Anyway, good video and I'm glad you've gotten the issues sorted out. Amazing how our feelings about a pen can dramatically change once it's working like it should. When they're working right they're supremely satisfying. When they're not you might feel like taking a 2-pound hammer to them. 😄Cheers.
Thanks for the advice. I had similar troubles with a 146 made in 1995 which had never been used. After watching this and a lot of other tuning guide videos I was able to self tune which completely removed the hard start and skipping. Thanks for sharing your experience
Good topic. I’m glad you got the pen to work better. I’ve used micro mesh on many pens to smooth out the nib or to remedy “baby’s bottom” which is sometimes the cause for hard starts. I find when I have skipping, it is usually an ink flow issue and running a brass sheet between the two tines generally does the trick - do keep in mind your situation may be different. Again, I like videos like these that help out the pen community. Thanks again !
Thanks Timchi, appreciate your comments! 👍
That is what I also saw, a tiny brass sheet between the tines. Maybe also a second time, the first time coarser the second finer.
Performing better now. I usually like a bit of feedback, but hate skipping. Thank you for the update.
Hi Dash, I think the problem could have been because the nib was too smooth and wasn't able to transfer ink onto paper easily which is why I didn't smooth it all the way using micro-mesh. I used 20x magnification and couldn't see any baby's bottom. thanks again for your comments..🙏🏻
I will be honest and say you are a brave to risk damaging your 149 nib with a self tuning. The only adjustment I've made to a nice nib has been to pass a thin bronze sheet between the tines of my Pelikan m800 nib. I would have sent this pen to a nibmeister. For me the price of a nibmeister tunning is well worth it for such an expensive and beautiful pen as a 149.
I think you’re right that pens may need to get broken in. My Lamy 2000 skipped and hard started on shinier paper like Clarefontaine and Rhodia. (Believe me, I accounted for the sweet spot-it wasn’t that.) This was very frustrating and I was close to sending it to a nibmeister, or never using those papers. But after three months or so, the skipping and hard starting just ended. It’s the weirdest thing.
I think all pens get broken in eventually but it isn't necessary for some pens out of the box. Some might even argue that they don't want their pens to be broken in e.g. I wish my Pilot Custom 742 stayed a dry writer forever. Like you mention, paper choice (and to a lesser extent ink choice) is pretty important, paper that is too smooth or too dry (yes paper can be dry) will cause problems in some nibs!
And I agree about the notion of a pen needing to "break in." Sounds weird, but I've seen it too many times to discount it. Patience is key.
Great video. Thanks for the advice
I had the same issue with a Montblanc 145. I didn't feel confident enough to tune the nib with different grades of micro mesh. Instead I returned the pen for a full refund.
A few months ago I bought a Lamy 2000 and started experiencing the same skipping issues. I know the Lamy is supposed to have a 'sweet spot' so I decided to persevere with the pen. I haven't resorted to smoothing the nib yet but just trying to break it in with normal writing. It's not as bad as my Montblanc and I think the performance of the Lamy nib is slowly improving.
Thanks David, for sharing. One comment, the process of using micromesh or even rough paper, like brown packing paper, actually removes a bit of the nib tip material to allow more contact with paper to occur while writing. Excessing smoothing might cause this problem as well.
What size should I get it i mostly will use it for writing in a journal and writing letters?
Extra fine would be a good choice
Try using Montblanc ink for the test as they are designed for those pens & may be less prone to skipping due to ink feed problems.
Good advice. Where you been? Hopefully doing well. Loved your videos. Sure just busy once Singapore opened back up. Somehow an explanation of something fine like these pens sounds better in refined Singaporean accents 😂
Thanks for your well wishes. I am reasonably well, still using fountain pens, however not as much as I would want to. Hope your fountain pen journey is progressing smoothly.
Thanks for the review. I have sent my 149 in for service for the same issue. It's a medium and I hope I get it back with the hard start issue solved. I use fountain pens from other brands and this is the first time this has been an issue for me.
Hi Peter, if you have the option (especially during warranty) please send it back. Let me know how it goes when it returns!
Seems to be a common quality problem with Montblanc nibs. I had to send my Montblanc 146 back to the factory four times until they managed to put in a nib that does not skip. It still scratches if the writing angle is not perfect but it's much better now.
The quick brown fox jumps over A lazy dog.
These pens should perform perfectly or the manufacturer should make it right.
Yes, totally agree.
Vous avez absolument raison.
Very good. RS
i have a new 149 in medium nib , i just hate it , i will give it 2 weeks then i will do the exchange nib program 😅
To what? Fine?
Why does it do that
👍👍
If a pen doesnt behave as it is supposed to, its mostly the writers foult, (quality pens, not talking about 1 dollar pens).. seems to me you press very hard on your pen, montblanc nibs are not designed to be spread out at all...2nd glad to hear you tried the tuning yourself..thats how i started, only i did a øot of cheap pens first before i did it on my 1000dollar+ pens..its not just rubb them on micro mesh...also would advise to get a loop or microscope.. you would be amaized how much one does wrong without checking it under magnification..i could go into detail, but that would make a long text.....
Whats the point of buying an expensive pen that skip and spending time to treat it🤦🏼♂️
My 146 too a hard starter. Tired of with this pen
A heresy to damage a montblanc pen, buy a nine dollar fountain pen if you want to use any ink other than montblanc