This is the kind of video that has made you a FP superstar. Great content and thought provoking reasoning. When I received my Parker Duofold Centennial a million years ago It inspired me to improve my handwriting. Having such a lovely pen helped me want to practice. When I found different ink possibilities I was addicted. I had a smaller MB from years ago that my assistant stepped on and crushed the barrel. I superglued it together, but never inked it again. It is like a junk car on blocks in the front yard where the grass isn’t mowed. But I digress. Great video.
Loving the attention to editing detail you’re giving these videos HJ! Even down to the subtle border you gave the footage when you did the interjection to separate that from the rest of the vid. The evolution is real!
This video is peak. I love that your internal monologue about buying stuff in general became a video. This video is so useful even if you're gonna buy other stuff, not just fountain pens.
This video was so good and so true that it almost gave me a headache 🤯 I think I go through this every time I want to buy a Montblanc. That being said, sometimes it’s just a matter of desire and conscious choice , The most expensive Montblanc I have purchased was the 149 Origin and to me, it had significance as a limited edition 100 year anniversary pen and as something I know my late husband would have wanted to get for me because of that significance. I have never regretted the decision and take joy in it every time I pick it up, no matter the cost. Great video once again HJ!
Because of your previous video, I have just gotten my hands on a Montblanc Egyptomania (from Akkerman. Lovely shop!), and I have to say, altho I concurrently have been binging on Kawecos (ok, & some Sailors), I’m sitting here with this video and the new MB, and my first huge splurge years ago-the giant 149-and the second-the ruby-eyed serpent-wrapped Agatha Christie. And I love them all. They are just beautiful. The nibs on all three are just gorgeous to look at, so silky to write with, and feel so good in my hand. And I love to just admire them when I put them down. My sister was absolutely horrified when I mentioned the price of the new one, and went on a rant about getting a decent pen for $20 … and I brought up the price of a Gucci handbag, as she has bought one every couple of years. She doesn’t baby them-they’ve travelled all over the world with her, with laptops jammed in; one stolen (Heathrow baggage) and another from the floor between her feet while at a very posh London hotel registration desk). Yes, there are plenty of cheaper bags out there that will also do the job. And the one Gucci bag I got, I finally gave her, as I just didn’t really use it. My joy is in the entire experience of fountain pens: that 149 (1980s?) was the first splurge, and totally worth it to me. It’s all really the fault of the nuns in Brooklyn-I think it was third grade when they made us learn to write script with fountain pens. A translucent blue Wearever with blue cartridges. (The nun forbid us to use Sheaffer-“They leak!”). And while I eventually moved on to ballpoint, as an adult I came back to a fountain pen. Are they always appropriate? No. Are they a completely different experience? Infinitely. You pick up a fountain pen in a state of excitement and anticipation. You pick your ink color of the day, or the occasion, with the same joy as long ago, opening that box of Crayola 64s. In the end, it’s what it’s worth to you. (Fun facts: when visiting said sister, on a clear day the skylight in her Chamonix guest room frames a lovely view of the top of Mont Blanc. And after all that shade about the pen, she admitted she was curious about a Kaweco she saw recently…. )
@@HemingwayJones It certainly took a bit of sleuthing, the Montblanc websites were acting very strange. (Looked on the US site, found the pen, then was told it only ships to Macau!) I got my lives-in-Cham sister to try the French boutiques that won't ship to the US, and the phone numbers were wrong. Very, very strange. I did another search and came across Akkerman in Amsterdam. Wonderful! Great price, fast shipping, very helpful. I was a bit stunned when I got it, it's very svelte compared to the 149 & the Agatha. But wow, it gleams, it feels so silky, and the medium nib just glides. I can even fit it in my Galen 5-pen & Field Notes case (currently holding a Kaweco Bungubox Little Witch, and a Vibrant Violet w/the 14kt nib.) I have been using the MB at my desk for the moment, I can't seem to put it down. Thank you for your awesome videos, I very much enjoy them. (I tagged you on my Insta post [elektricbarbarella] so you can see my pick-the-first-ink for the Egyptomania, what inky fun!)
Hello HJ. Great video. I just loved the for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, theme. Each person must justify in their own mind whether or not this is the pen for you at a price point that you are willing to spend. I own 3 MB pens that I purchased brand new and I love them all. In my mind, purchasing a used pen has a certain amount of history that comes along with it. However, if you don't know its history, it is worthless. Purchasing a brand new pen, you are the first step in its life. When I pass on this beauty to my son's, they know the value and mystique that the pens holds in my heart. That is where a used pen has meaning and purpose. Love the originality that your videos provide. I have yet to find another pen enthusiast that thinks out of the box like you do. Very creative. Keep them coming my friend.
Such a great take on this, Hemingway! I could picture myself at a Montblanc boutique wondering if I should splurge on a Montblanc 149 and a little angel on my shoulder telling me the reasons it’s worth it and a little demon on the other shoulder telling me why it isn’t 😂
Maybe this just shows the kind of person I am, but when I think "iconic FP" it's the Lamy safari that comes to mind. I could never imagine spending £1000 on a pen, but if I did I'd want it to be something more unusual/imaginative.
I agree that a pen like this won’t instantly better your writing, but I do believe that having a superior tool that doesn’t get in your way makes more room for you to focus on things you’d like to improve.
Good points. I hear that one other reason is that MB nib units are not readily interchangeable, unless you go back to Montblanc for the change? and cleaning the pen does not allow you to remove the nib section to clean out the barrel. I imagine this being a bit time consuming to clean. Are these points true though?
@@markoconnor3763 that is indeed correct. The Pelikan m1000 is a piston filler with an arguably better piston mechanism, plus the nib unit can be easily unscrewed to clean or replace should you tragically do something detrimental to the nib.
@@markoconnor3763Yes and no. If you need to remove the nib and piston yourself then you can purchase or make a tool to remove them. I have many 149 and 146 (piston) fountain pens, some from the 1950s, 60s, 70s, … and only one I had to remove the piston to grease and adjust it. Modern 149 have a friction fit nib that can be pulled out but that is probably not what you were inquiring about. Finally being a piston filler you can clean it using regular cleaning practices and you won’t have a problem for many, many years. Most of my pens sit inked up for months before I get around to using them and I have never had a problem. I hope this helps.
Well done, HJ. Although Montblanc fountain pens are out of my price range, they are among the benchmark of perfection in a fine writing instrument. Thank you for posting this video.
Thank you for an in-depth look at the value of a Montblanc 149. I own a MB 146 and 32. I bought both on the web. The 146 was serviced by Montblanc. I love both of these fine instruments.
@@HemingwayJones thank you! I now have a Pilot 743 Custom FA and I'm loving this new world. I hope to write many thank you notes to my sailors. :) Cheers!
Great take HJ. I am with you in the feeling. Somehow, I have hoarded around 65 of these awesome pens. A few of them are duplicates/triplicates because I like them so much. Objectively speaking, these pens are not worth their suggested price. But they truly are works of art. I find that 149s of different eras give totally different writing experience. Yet, the fine nib from 80s writes almost identical to any other fine nib from 80s. That is something that so hard to find in other pens. Pilot 823 is an amazing pen, and can currently be found for 199, which is around 800 dollars cheaper than the 149. But a great used 149 can be found for 450, which makes it much more compelling. The two do feel like they are in different leagues when held in hand, however. My current top 10 list includes 2 pilot 823 nibs, and only one Montblanc 149 :) Cheers HJ, and happy summer.
This was an especially fun video. I feel you are equally correct on both your pros and cons. At the end of the day the question of worth / value is an individual’s decision. As for me I have had my 149 since the early 80’s and still enjoy using it.
Thank you for the excellent video. I have been in many boutiques and stores, looking for watches and pens, and the only one that refuses to give you a discount is Montblanc. But yes, their pens and watches are really exquisite. Aside from this, the staff at Montblanc Chicago are extremely nice and helpful. Great store, no doubt.
Another great video! A problem I see with MB, that I don’t think you mentioned, is that with the high retail and resale values come the fakes, which IMO devalues the brand somewhat. Having said that, I have a 1980s (W-Germany)146 with a delightful, slightly flexy EF nib (with amazing reverse EEF) and split ebonite feed, which I bought basically NOS. I love it, it is so reliable and has never, ever let me down. I’ve even left it uncapped for an hour or so (whoops) and it still writes without a skip. 🖊️
Great video HJ !! I got my 149 brand new way back in 1984, I believe it was less than $300. Back then $300 was still expensive to me but I did it and have no regrets.
This is terrific! I've gotten every bit as much enjoyment/entertainment from this video as I did from the Lamy Safari video, even though both pens are at completely disparate ends of the affordability/prestige spectrum! It was also an amusing format, where it almost seemed to be HJ vs. HJ. I've not laughed out loud at any of your videos yet until THIS one, and it was great! WELL DONE!!
Tim, this could be my favourite Hemingway Jones video ever! Loved it! Excellently argued on both sides! We are privileged to own such an exquisite writing instrument, for sure, but it IS a lot of money to spend. That being said, we each decide what is worth it when it comes to ANY luxury item. A Kaküno will get the job done but I don’t value it as I do my 146, and as you state, the feeling and the experience of a Montblanc are priceless! “NICE PEN!” P.S. Ripley and Andrew Scott are nominated for an Emmy but we both know who the star of the show REALLY is! 😊
I bought a Montblanc 149 from late 1990s in the used market for only 250 Euros. At the moment, it is under repair in the Hamburg HQ because my pen filling system was a bit under the weather. I can't barely wait to write with it when it comes back!
Sometimes, you just want to give yourself a gift that signifies or memorializes an important time or event in your life. The price is a component, but every time you see or use that item, it brings back thoughts, memories, and emotions of that significant memory. A 149 fits that bill; you will think of it whenever you pick it up and write with it.
I'm not against giving yourself a wonderful pen that signifies or memorializes an important time in your life. My point is there are so many other wonderful choices in the $750 - 1,000 range to choose from, so why limit yourself to a black plastic resin 149?
Hello HJ! VERY nice overview of the pro's and con's of the 149. A thousand dollars IS a LOT of money, and I agree completely with you. The Pilot 823 is a pen that is on my list, also. Kind of waiting to see if they release any more colors (transparent blue would be very nice!), but the transparent one is VERY tempting. Also, there are many more pens out there that you can own and experience that are a lot less than the 149. I own both of the Chinese knockoffs of the 149, the Jinhao X-159 and the Jun-Lai (Wing Sung) 630, and the experience has been amazing with them. Now the Jinhao is a cartridge converter pen, but that doesn't bother me. The Jun-Lai IS a piston filler, though, and both pens cost me less than $50! Now they probably don't write quite as nice as the 149, but they are not too bad either! Thanks again for the interesting video! Enjoy them greatly!
I purchased my 149 after a large commercial real estate closing to commemorate that piece of work. I love it! However, I also have a few Jinhao DADAO knockoffs that I write with on a daily basis. I enjoy them just as much and they were like $20! Great video, Hemingway!
Really good video as usual. I really enjoyed the format. Your point about MB value is spot on. My only dalliance with this brand was picking up an early 144 a few years ago. I sold it late last year for 3x what I paid. It was a shame to see it go as it had a great nib, but it was a bit small for my hand.
@HemingwayJones you could well be right. I do keep thinking about that 144 nib. I've also got a bit of an expensive pen habit thanks to Conway Stewart. I'm definitely MB curious.
I have my father's 149 from 1974 that his mother gave to him upon getting his PhD. It has no value, or should I say there is no price I would ever sell it for. Last year I picked up a 149 with a curved nib. It's exquisite and well worth the $1K with a custom nib and not a generic Jowo or Bock nib, the whole 149 experience and a great writing experience.
This video was great. Love the reasoning for both sides. This by far is my favorite FP but I know I could never afford one, well, maybe someday, further up the road. Good job HJ
I agree with you. I have two 149s with different nibs. I struggled with buying them because of the price. But I love them and wouldn’t want to part with either. One is always inked!
Hey HJ, another fantastic, entertaining, AND informative video in your “signature style.!” Thank you. Well, I probably will pick up a 149 if I stumble on one at a pen show at a reasonable price. Though if a Boheme was on the table alsoI would pick the Boheme. Price is always a relative thing. One of first times I saw a 149 was in a FLAX (long gone) Art and Pen shop in the Chicago Loop. My wife and I and our daughter, about the same age as your daughter, went in to see if I could find a nice FP for under 60 bucks, all I had and serious money for a pen in the early 1980s. Then we saw it in a case full of MBs -a black and gold 149, $495. My wife said “for that fat ugly plastic pen, who would pay it if they had the money a?” Then as we turned to look at another case there it was in the back of the MB case, a 14k all gold 149. A hand lettered sign said, “Yesterday’s price $999.95, based on the price of gold, ask the clerk to check for today’s price.”
Got my first luxury pen not much of a writer but I do appreciate good tools so I thought I’d get the 149 pre owed near mint for £400 or around $520 ish
@@HemingwayJones you know? I started watching the latest one and I liked it a lot, couldn't help but notice how the pen is an important part of the character wanted to achieve prestige by showing off the penna!
A most entertaining discussion. FWIW I can't see the monetary value, while the standard Meisterstuck range is sooo boring. As for the limited editions...so much pure kitsch. Thanks for a fine episode.
Great video. I recently purchased a 149 fine nib and returned it for a EF which now writes a bit scratchy, thus, need to open it up a bit. But the 1000.00 cost purchase was worth it; not for the name/brand, but for the writing/quality experience. My M1000 EF is also a great writer but is not as smooth as the 149 even though the 149 is a bit scratchy on my Tomoe River writing pad. Great video!!
Thanks for the video. Other pens (that I know about) that keep value: Classic Pens (their collaborations with Sailor and Shaeffer) and some Watermans (some 80s and 90s models that aren't made any more, Edson, Senserite, etc.) You know my story about MB, so you know what side I'm on. But it is a nice pen.
I currently own two second hand Montblanc fountain pens, and even those were at the top of my budget. Finding a good deal on a quality high end pen is part of the fun for me, though, and makes it that much more worthwhile to me. If I were given a brand new Montblanc as a gift, it would be unbelievable, but I just can’t bring myself to spend full retail on a fountain pen at such a steep price point.
I don’t own a Montblanc, but I liked the comment about the 823 which I do own. How about aesthetics? Is that one of your considerations for or against a decision to purchase?
Well, another great video. Your analysis of both points of view are spot on. Like you, I can agree with both sides. However, I cannot wait to purchase another.
Honestly, like any other luxury goods, you can perfectly live without them, unless you are really into owning them. Regarding fountain pens, you can still purchase an affordable, premium gold nib with a resin body such as the Pilot Custom 74 which will write excellently out of box.
I am looking forward to picking up a used MB and am looking forward to it. I agree with your reasons about not spending a $1000. THe resin is definitely just…normal. however my Visconti Bronze Age is a Lava Resin and really good quality.
This was interesting and entertaining, but honestly the five pros are basically "but it's a MontBlanc!!!". It's kind of like wine. The quality goes up pretty quickly with price, but after a certain point, the quality just doesn't get all that much better with a higher price tag.
I just went to the Montblanc store in Chicago 2 days ago. I tried multiple nib sizes and pen sizes. I can’t see that I would ever buy a 149. It was a nice pen but I would much rather have a Pelikan, a nice Pilot or Sailor. I don’t begrudge anyone that wants one it just doesn’t stand out enough to me.
Great breakdown. I own two Mont Blanc’s, a 149 and a 146, that I bought both of them used. Even at the used price I paid, which I think was a very fair price, I can unequivocably say that neither pen is worth the price that I paid for them, let alone new pricing. Don’t get me wrong. I love them, but at the end of the day to be honest with myself, there is absolutely no way a little piece of plastic with some metal parts that writes ink, is worth $1000. I have every bit as much fun writing with my TWSBI ECO than I do with my Mont Blanc. In the fact, I sometimes get more enjoyment with my TWSBIs because of the fun colors and clear plastic bodies than I do more sophisticated pens.
Hemingway this is one of your excellent videos, just love the content and accompanying music. I think you make the decision for those interested easier, a splash of $1K is no pocket change for most people, it deserves a lot of consideration and soul searching. The criteria you cite are perfectly valid, such a splurge would be a great choice if the discretionary income allows it, thus reducing a lot of cognitive dissonance. Now about the validity of the price, bearing in mind this is made of precious resin and no outstanding external furniture other than the nib and internal mechanism, Montblanc stands for luxury and nowadays symbolises a certain lifestyle. Luxury always has a very high mark-up. I would just love to add a little to two points you discuss, that of the second hand market and signs of wear or possibility of theft. I love to buy my pens new as I suspect tangible objects carry energy from the owner and I am very territorial. If you observe my much used pens they appear new, I take great care of them because of the value I perceive they possess. I treat them like a much lived jewel which in fact most of them are. So what's the verdict on the $1K for a Montblanc 149? Go get the pen!
Great video. Good reasons. My life is simple: Worth is up to yourself. Price is what it costs to buy one. Value is what you can sell it for. None of them is the same as any other, and they all change over time. I considered it overpriced (which it is). You're paying for the luxury of the name. My boss, however, knew I was a pen-nut, and also knew I didn't have a 149, so of course it was a perfect gift. And I like it very much, and I'm glad I have one. "Worth" $1000 ? "it's up to me"? Absolutely, because I wouldn't sell it for $1000. That's how I know. P.S. HJ, I shortened my comment, since you read it, to make it more concise and IMO on point.
As I watch Hemingway debate the worth of the 149 I’m just glad I’m old enough to have purchased mine full price in a pen shop for $75. Of course I then remember the local office supply store when I was a teen who was selling it for $33. I wanted it then. I’m glad I have it now. I’m glad I paid less than 10% of the current cost
You’ve got a great story there! I’m always amused by how the prices evolved. Mine was a gift from my wife a decade ago at $600, So even in that time...
There are plenty of MB at pen shows from people who have restored them, and you know it is not a fake. Try them out at a pen show and bring your favorite pen to compare in your sketchbook.
I agree the best way is to attend a pen show, where you can see, touch and sample write any pen with any dealer. The major pen shows carefully vet the the sellers, and those dealers are a treasure trove of information and experience they'll gladly share if asked. There are also some very reputable UK dealers with online presence who specialize in pre-loved (i.e., used) Montblanc pens of all types, not just the 149. I've ordered from two best known and have been satisfied completely with the results. Ebay can be a source as well, but only consider Montblanc offerings from those sellers with 99 or 100% feedback ratings and a significant history of sales, as the feedback ratings only apply to a rolling 12 month period. Be suspicious of those who don't meet this standard, especially when their price is significantly lower than reputable sellers. Happy pen hunting!
I think the question of whether something is worth the price is usually a poor one. Supply and demand, our desires, our needs, our ability and willingness to pay decide whether something is worth it. I can think of no other reasons why a MB 149 might be worth $1,000 or not. I can think of good reasons and bad for actually buying it. I’d easily argue that if you have to buy it on credit, you shouldn’t buy it. If you can’t pay all your other obligations, you shouldn’t buy it. It’s not worth going into debt for, it’s not worth threatening the well being of your family. It’s a luxury and should be treated like a luxury. It’s not a need, it’s not an investment. It’s consumption. You shouldn’t buy it to make a statement. If your things have to make statements for you, you don’t have much to say anyway. When I call a meeting (going back to my pre-academic days), where I sit is the head of the table, regardless of the shape of the table and where I am. I command the meeting, not the table. Whether I write comments on your memo or report with a MB or a Bic or a crayon, you’d better read them. You earn respect; you don’t buy it with pens and watches and designer shoes. My preferred business pen is a Namiki Yukari Royale. Most of the people I deal with have never even heard of it. They know what a Montblanc is; they know the star on the cap. Buying a MB because other people have heard of it and know that it’s expensive isn’t a good reason to buy it. Just another variant of letting your things make statements for you. Not a good reason to buy it. What’s a good reason to buy it, given that you can afford it? You like it. Your grandpa wrote with one and you loved it because it was associated with him and now you want one. Because you like the way it writes. Because it sings to you. That’s why you should spend a thousand dollars on it - given that you’re willing and able to do so. I guess what’s at issue for me is, what makes you willing to spend that money? If my wife wanted a MB, I’d happily spend the money to buy one for her as a gift, to make her happy. Well, no, she’s already happy. Anyone whose happiness depends on a pen has something wrong with them. I’d buy it for her if I knew she’d enjoy it. Which in my wife’s case, is untrue. She’s English, she enjoys English silver, and so I gave her a different MB-level pen, a Yard-O-Led Viceroy Victorian. She was delighted, she enjoys writing with it. A MB would have been a poor choice, the choice of someone who didn’t know her well. She’s always grateful for a gift, and she’d have accepted a MB with grace and obvious pleasure, and then she’d rarely have used it. A MB isn’t worth it for me. Is it worth it for you? Obviously. You own several. You take obvious pleasure in them, and you’re not denying your wife and daughter anything by buying them. That’s why you should have them. What’s worth it for me? A Namiki, a YOL? Revealed preferences say “yes”. Were my reasons for buying them good? Only I can say. I think so. I’m not sorry I did.
@@jamespicht1128 absolutely valid points! A pen shouldn’t define you as a person, nor should any object! I find happiness in seeing how an artisan expresses his or her intent in the manufacturing of an item. Whilst the 149 is iconic, it’s not a pen I desire. I find happiness in pens from Nakaya, Stanford pens, bespoke manufacturers, where I can see their passion in each brush stroke.
It’s a no for me unless I bought one used. I love the new Jane Austen but can’t justify the price. I have a hard time justifying the price of a Pilot 823 or 843, the two on my grail list.
Dear Sir, thank you so much for all your insights, having said that, with all due respect, I think you missed a very imperatively important point, , a Mont Blanc, Cartier, even Viscontis, even Fisher Space, these Pens fountain or not were & are built to last a millennia, (although I am not sure of the current latest lot of 149s), Viscontis are still solid, your insight on this will be helpful, planning to buy one, they can and are passed down from a Generation to another, well PILOT NOT SO MUCH! It can last one lifetime with care but will not last with rigorous use! that is a single most important reason enough to not even take the 2 brands in the same breath. Let alone compare them, Love & regards from India
Thank you so much for watching, My Friend! I have a lot of affection for Pilot. They do make some solid pens. Namiki is also next level. Thanks very much for being here.
Interesting HJ, reminds me of a scene from a show of someone arguing with themselves!! I went the route of vintage pen from an Ebay seller. Mine is a 1990's era 149, so it is somewhat newer, even though it is 34 ± yrs, old. The price was not too unreasonable and I had a store discount from the seller which made it easier to get this particular model. I've had the pen for a little more than a week, and yes, it is an amazing writer. However, I have a number of other pens that write just as nicely, and I dare say I have at least 2 or 3 that better! My personal feeling is when one buys a Montblanc, what you are paying for is the name and the perceived prestige. I can't honestly believe that their materials are that much pricier than many other pens. That aspect puts in mind the $10,000 toilet seat for Air Force One. I have a couple other vintage Montblancs, but the only one that was new when it was given to me as an anniversary present was a rollerball. Would I ever get an new one? I think not since I feel I scratched that itch!!
I have had the 149 fountain pen (20 years) and the LeGrand ball point (6 years). I only use them to visit potential new clients (being an Accountant) - they no doubt make an impression (which is the whole point) or to sign important documents. Are they worth it? Well, if they get you the job, yes. It has in my case sometimes. I think they are very much a statement pen though no doubt Montblanc themselves would disagree.
For signing those important documents, are you willing to put water resistant ink in a 1K pen that makes it that much harder to clean. There appears to be fake 149s on the used market, so perhaps it’s a good idea to buy it used on a pen show. Also you can tryout the used pen during the show and have a better feeling of what you are buying. Me personally I love the Montblanc fountain pens with sterling silver elements such as the Copernicus. Great video!
When products exceed their manufacturing and margin costs and play on its history to get it through, then the object becomes a status symbol and rational people know why they are bought. Yet, to those who can afford it and relish on luxury, the value for the object is irrational. As you’d said, we can easily rationalize anything if we want it badly. Great segment you’ve done on this subject…and timely too (since I bought the Magna Carta M650 with my limited, retired income based on your recommendation.😀
@@HemingwayJones You’re welcome. ‘Just ordered it today and hope that it meets my expectations since no other modern flex nib has yet, but it’s a journey and I’m enjoying it.
That’s a comparison I will make in a video soon. But it is more disciplined than the Pelikan. Pelikan pens are awesome, but have so much flow that every pen is at least a medium and probably a broad. The M800 has fantastic finish and amazing material, so pretty. The 149 is wholly reliable and has a beautiful nib. Thanks!
149s do not retain their value well in the uk. The cost of the pen is about 700 and you can find them used for 399. The nibs and customisation is pretty awesome! Nakaya offers this too! But to be honest, a nib should write well straight away no matter the price!
It would be interesting to analyze this per percentage of value retained based on sales. Those domestic sellers should list them internationally. Completely agree about nibs and pens. They should work out if the box, even if they were £5!
@@HemingwayJones the annoying thing is, most 5 pound pens write out of the box! I think the hard pill to swallow is getting over the cost of manufacturing. Excluding the cost of the gold nib, most fountain pens are relatively cheap to manufacture. This is where I see a Nakaya as a better cost proposition is comparison to a 149. These pens require a higher degree of skill to produce, with artisans having a huge number of years of experience! Pens are hand turned on a pedal lathe, which blows my mind as apposed to coming off a factory line! Of course montblanc has a prestigious history and is a brand that’s really important for the industry. They are the brand you’ll see in most high street jewellers, but for me the pen just doesn’t excite me like a Nakaya Piccolo
Thanks Hemingway! So which is the better investment: - Buy a MB for $1000, or - spend $100 on a TWSBI and a copy of Harbrace's Handbook? Agreed, that's not a fair question... Which will improve my sense of humor?
Ha! Good one. Made me smile. The good old analysis paralysis rears its duplicitous head. Loved “Alchemic reaction.” Indeed. Like Life, art, and probably much else. Depending on the article the elements in a human body are worth between $1.00 and $2000.00. Illegally selling body parts much more. Or the materials in a painting usually cost less than $50.00 unless gold leaf was incorporated as with some of Gustav Klimt’s works. If an artist donates a painting they can deduct only the cost of materials on their income taxes. But if a buyer of a painting donates it they can deduct the price they paid or the appraised value. So is the 149 art or life or just some materials cobbled together? “…that is the question…there’s the rub.”
If you are in certain prestige professions, a MB may be required. Not worth it, but required. Then again, not one of my 50 pens is worth what I paid for it, except my complete set of Pilot Parallels. And my Jinhao 82s.
I'm curious: why would the 149 be compared to an 823 and not a Custom Urushi? The nib size and girth are more compatible between those, then the 149 saves you some money!
I bought my vintage Montblanc for under a 1,000 that has meaning to me. But I don't think I would buy a new 149 for a 1k. If I had extra money to "burn" maybe. But honestly I would take that money and maybe buy the Jane Austen, perhaps -- Or meet up with a friend who has it and see if I like it. To be honest I have my more expensive pens as Desk pens, and take the pens that look like them out and about -- Like the Jinhaos I just don't want to loose the more expensive ones. If I can get a great grind on a less expensive pen and not worry about it, then I will be just as happy to use that one than having a more expensive one that I would be worried about taking with me.
These days, MontBlanc is a luxury goods brand which dabbles in fountain pens 😂 The 149 is iconic, sure, but not so outstanding that it's worth eleven times what i paid for my Lamy 2k, or - good grief - fifty times my favourite pen of all. 😮
We all have to make these calculations, My Friend. Thanks for watching. I will say that they are pretty serious about the pen division. If anything, they have redoubled their efforts in that regard. I don’t feel as if it is just a badge. Thanks very much for always bringing a valuable perspective.
I personally own a Montblanc ballpoint that was gifted to me, and I love what it represents, and while I do not see myself buying a 149, I can appreciate why others will. Montblancs are the Rolexes of the pen world. Neither were the first of their types, nor were they the highest trailblazers in terms of innovation in their respective industries, and component-wise may be seen as overpriced. However, they are iconic items, and much of their value comes from the peripheral aspects such as ubiquity, quality, brand recognition, after sale support, and sponsorships.
A Pelikan M800 for 580-600 dollars new is much more appealing to me. I hope to find a vintage 146/149 at DC Pen Show in a few weeks and hope to find some reputable sellers there.
Excellent points. Own a MB 149, 146 and 2 rollerballs. You forgot the “Fun” factor. Hard to explain but it’s there. Caveat being that it’s overpriced by at least 300-400USD. Also, the service department is extremely slow. I think their shipping method is via mules😂
I agree Tim, 700 bucks would b a fair price. I'd rather put 1,000 on my wrist as a nice watch, maybe not as nice as that beautiful Submariner you wear 😊, but still something decent.
$1,000 buys a lot of watch. A nice Seiko diver. My watch is actually a GMT Master II with the black bezel. Certainly looks like a Sub. That’s why I like it. It’s a bit more subdued than a Pepsi. Thank you very much.
@@HemingwayJones oh wow, even better! My dad had one back in the seventy's he wore a GMT master "Rootbeer" that he lost , so he says. When I graduated from college I asked for a Rolex, (or a trip to Europe) because according to dad, "a man's jewell was his watch" . So I did my five years and finally I graduated from the best University ion Mexico (he wouldn't pay for an education in the States. So I got to his place with my PHD title in hand, and he handed me a Green Rolex Box. I was so excited !! until I opened up, to my surprise it was aStainless Steel model with a white face and roman numerals, on a Jubilee bracelet. Now, of course that is not by any means a bad present, but due to my expectations I was disappointed, to say the least. I hid it with a smile and said "thanks dad'. And so I kept that watch on my wrist for many, many years! until 4 years ago, when I decided to move down to Mexico during the pandemic. I sold the Rolex for a good price and I used the money to pay for all my stuff getting shipped from San Diego to Mexico. I miss that watch now, but it helped me to get a new life here with my mom and family. I still have an old Citizen Chronograph from 1979 (my 13th birthday) and a Beautiful Chronoswiss Timemaster that I bought at a huge discount back in San Diego. It is a large watch with heritage from a great watch maker who passed away some years ago, Well that's it for now, I hope you enjoyed my story, and who knows, If I make good money with my photos some day, I will buy an other Rolex, that are truly worth every cent of their price. I like the white Explorer 2, maybe that's the one I'd get. Cheers 🤗
@@chidoiguan Thanks so much! It’s a shame about your dad’s Rootbeer. I wonder what happened to it? I know that one day my daughter will own this one. By the way, we are around the same age. All the best.
I currently have 4 Montblanc writing instruments, just no fountain pen. The 149 is my "grail pen". I want one and won't take the risk of buying a used one, but the $1,000 price tag makes me cringe. There are better pens out there for less money, but there's just something about the 149 anmd I don't want to settle for something different.
Fountain pens as a dedicated hobby are a fairly new pursuit for me. I've been actively engaged in photography for decades, though and I view Montblanc kind of like I view Leica (which I seem to recall you using as well). One can make the same kinds of arguments for and against Leica as are presented here for Montblanc. At the end of the day, I fall on the "not for me" side of the equation but appreciate those that feel differently. At the moment, every Millennial or Gen Z influencer actively shooting film has to have the M6 as her/his camera of choice. The M6 is a great camera, no doubt but I just can't justify the price tag. I'm just as content using my Nikon FM3a -- still a pricey camera but a bit more down-to-earth -- with a couple of classic but lovely lenses and the best film ever, Tri-X. I view Montblanc the same way. For what I'd pay for even a used 149, I'd rather get multiple still very good pens at a lower price or try something very unique and different like a Schon DSGN pen with a Monoc nib. The 149 just doesn't call to me. In both cases, though, I do understand the appeal of the legendary makers and don't fault anyone for wanting one. Just not my thing is all...
I finally got a 146 and I don't think it's worth the 940 I paid, even though it is a special edition. And I didn't even pay full price for it. I love it and adore it don't get me wrong. I think it's worth more like 650 to 750 to be honest. I don't feel like Montblanc is worth 2 to 300 dollars more than a Pelikan. I'm sure the 149 is awesome as well and I plan on getting one eventually.
@@HemingwayJones That's one of the reasons I decided to go after a limited release model. Not that I'll ever sell any of my fountain pens, I guess just peace of mind haha
Montblanc pens are, to me, similar to Rolex watches. Both were reasonably priced tools years ago. Montblanc became the trendy pen brand, leading to price inflation. Similarly, Rolex went from tool watches for divers and military personnel to luxury watches in the 1980s.
The 149 is absolutely worth $1,000. Unfortunately, I am not. Except that if I had held my fire a little I could be in that class already. Yep, little pens add up. On the other hand, which of my pens would I condemn to life in potentially uncaring hands? My brave Opus Omar, what fate waited before I bought it? The thought of that wonderful pen, rattling forgotten in an ancient Buick's glove box full of rusted lug nuts, its butter-smooth nib clogged with dried wax after too much neanderthal ear hygiene, is too much to bear. No, far better for it to recline care free in a plush pen case than for me to dash its hopes in the name of greed. But, someday...
This is the kind of video that has made you a FP superstar. Great content and thought provoking reasoning. When I received my Parker Duofold Centennial a million years ago It inspired me to improve my handwriting. Having such a lovely pen helped me want to practice. When I found different ink possibilities I was addicted. I had a smaller MB from years ago that my assistant stepped on and crushed the barrel. I superglued it together, but never inked it again. It is like a junk car on blocks in the front yard where the grass isn’t mowed. But I digress. Great video.
Loving the attention to editing detail you’re giving these videos HJ! Even down to the subtle border you gave the footage when you did the interjection to separate that from the rest of the vid. The evolution is real!
Much appreciated! This means the world to me. Thank you for noticing. I am trying.
This video is peak. I love that your internal monologue about buying stuff in general became a video.
This video is so useful even if you're gonna buy other stuff, not just fountain pens.
Thanks very much! I appreciate it!
I got a vintage 149 from the late 70's/early 80's for a great price and absolutely love it.
@@phototristan and the nibs are generally considered to be superior to modern 149s which are quite stiff in comparison
@@PenFriends I haven't tried a modern one but it's try my vintage 149 is very smooth.
@@phototristan to be honest you have the better writing experience!
This video was so good and so true that it almost gave me a headache 🤯 I think I go through this every time I want to buy a Montblanc. That being said, sometimes it’s just a matter of desire and conscious choice , The most expensive Montblanc I have purchased was the 149 Origin and to me, it had significance as a limited edition 100 year anniversary pen and as something I know my late husband would have wanted to get for me because of that significance. I have never regretted the decision and take joy in it every time I pick it up, no matter the cost. Great video once again HJ!
You definitely put down very good points on both sides of the equation. This is why I love your channel.
I appreciate that! Thank you!
Because of your previous video, I have just gotten my hands on a Montblanc Egyptomania (from Akkerman. Lovely shop!), and I have to say, altho I concurrently have been binging on Kawecos (ok, & some Sailors), I’m sitting here with this video and the new MB, and my first huge splurge years ago-the giant 149-and the second-the ruby-eyed serpent-wrapped Agatha Christie. And I love them all. They are just beautiful. The nibs on all three are just gorgeous to look at, so silky to write with, and feel so good in my hand. And I love to just admire them when I put them down. My sister was absolutely horrified when I mentioned the price of the new one, and went on a rant about getting a decent pen for $20 … and I brought up the price of a Gucci handbag, as she has bought one every couple of years. She doesn’t baby them-they’ve travelled all over the world with her, with laptops jammed in; one stolen (Heathrow baggage) and another from the floor between her feet while at a very posh London hotel registration desk). Yes, there are plenty of cheaper bags out there that will also do the job. And the one Gucci bag I got, I finally gave her, as I just didn’t really use it. My joy is in the entire experience of fountain pens: that 149 (1980s?) was the first splurge, and totally worth it to me. It’s all really the fault of the nuns in Brooklyn-I think it was third grade when they made us learn to write script with fountain pens. A translucent blue Wearever with blue cartridges. (The nun forbid us to use Sheaffer-“They leak!”). And while I eventually moved on to ballpoint, as an adult I came back to a fountain pen. Are they always appropriate? No. Are they a completely different experience? Infinitely. You pick up a fountain pen in a state of excitement and anticipation. You pick your ink color of the day, or the occasion, with the same joy as long ago, opening that box of Crayola 64s. In the end, it’s what it’s worth to you.
(Fun facts: when visiting said sister, on a clear day the skylight in her Chamonix guest room frames a lovely view of the top of Mont Blanc. And after all that shade about the pen, she admitted she was curious about a Kaweco she saw recently…. )
Thanks so much for the wonderful comment. I am so impressed that you picked up an Egyptomania. That pen is so amazing and so unique. Thanks!
@@HemingwayJones It certainly took a bit of sleuthing, the Montblanc websites were acting very strange. (Looked on the US site, found the pen, then was told it only ships to Macau!) I got my lives-in-Cham sister to try the French boutiques that won't ship to the US, and the phone numbers were wrong. Very, very strange. I did another search and came across Akkerman in Amsterdam. Wonderful! Great price, fast shipping, very helpful. I was a bit stunned when I got it, it's very svelte compared to the 149 & the Agatha. But wow, it gleams, it feels so silky, and the medium nib just glides. I can even fit it in my Galen 5-pen & Field Notes case (currently holding a Kaweco Bungubox Little Witch, and a Vibrant Violet w/the 14kt nib.) I have been using the MB at my desk for the moment, I can't seem to put it down. Thank you for your awesome videos, I very much enjoy them. (I tagged you on my Insta post [elektricbarbarella] so you can see my pick-the-first-ink for the Egyptomania, what inky fun!)
Hello HJ. Great video. I just loved the for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, theme. Each person must justify in their own mind whether or not this is the pen for you at a price point that you are willing to spend. I own 3 MB pens that I purchased brand new and I love them all. In my mind, purchasing a used pen has a certain amount of history that comes along with it. However, if you don't know its history, it is worthless. Purchasing a brand new pen, you are the first step in its life. When I pass on this beauty to my son's, they know the value and mystique that the pens holds in my heart. That is where a used pen has meaning and purpose. Love the originality that your videos provide. I have yet to find another pen enthusiast that thinks out of the box like you do. Very creative. Keep them coming my friend.
Such a great take on this, Hemingway! I could picture myself at a Montblanc boutique wondering if I should splurge on a Montblanc 149 and a little angel on my shoulder telling me the reasons it’s worth it and a little demon on the other shoulder telling me why it isn’t 😂
This is how I approached it, for and against, a bit of Devil’s Advocate. This was super fun to make. I’ve recorded one for the PC823 as well!
Maybe this just shows the kind of person I am, but when I think "iconic FP" it's the Lamy safari that comes to mind. I could never imagine spending £1000 on a pen, but if I did I'd want it to be something more unusual/imaginative.
I agree that a pen like this won’t instantly better your writing, but I do believe that having a superior tool that doesn’t get in your way makes more room for you to focus on things you’d like to improve.
Agree completely!
Good points. I hear that one other reason is that MB nib units are not readily interchangeable, unless you go back to Montblanc for the change? and cleaning the pen does not allow you to remove the nib section to clean out the barrel. I imagine this being a bit time consuming to clean. Are these points true though?
@@markoconnor3763 that is indeed correct. The Pelikan m1000 is a piston filler with an arguably better piston mechanism, plus the nib unit can be easily unscrewed to clean or replace should you tragically do something detrimental to the nib.
@@markoconnor3763Yes and no. If you need to remove the nib and piston yourself then you can purchase or make a tool to remove them. I have many 149 and 146 (piston) fountain pens, some from the 1950s, 60s, 70s, … and only one I had to remove the piston to grease and adjust it. Modern 149 have a friction fit nib that can be pulled out but that is probably not what you were inquiring about. Finally being a piston filler you can clean it using regular cleaning practices and you won’t have a problem for many, many years. Most of my pens sit inked up for months before I get around to using them and I have never had a problem. I hope this helps.
Well done, HJ. Although Montblanc fountain pens are out of my price range, they are among the benchmark of perfection in a fine writing instrument. Thank you for posting this video.
Thanks My Friend!
Thank you for an in-depth look at the value of a Montblanc 149. I own a MB 146 and 32. I bought both on the web. The 146 was serviced by Montblanc. I love both of these fine instruments.
I don't know how I ended up on, Fountain Pen RUclips, but I'm loving it. 😂
I am very happy to have you here!
@@HemingwayJones thank you! I now have a Pilot 743 Custom FA and I'm loving this new world. I hope to write many thank you notes to my sailors. :) Cheers!
You chose strong out of the gate. Nice job! Excellent pen.
Great take HJ. I am with you in the feeling. Somehow, I have hoarded around 65 of these awesome pens. A few of them are duplicates/triplicates because I like them so much. Objectively speaking, these pens are not worth their suggested price. But they truly are works of art. I find that 149s of different eras give totally different writing experience. Yet, the fine nib from 80s writes almost identical to any other fine nib from 80s. That is something that so hard to find in other pens.
Pilot 823 is an amazing pen, and can currently be found for 199, which is around 800 dollars cheaper than the 149. But a great used 149 can be found for 450, which makes it much more compelling.
The two do feel like they are in different leagues when held in hand, however. My current top 10 list includes 2 pilot 823 nibs, and only one Montblanc 149 :)
Cheers HJ, and happy summer.
This was an especially fun video. I feel you are equally correct on both your pros and cons. At the end of the day the question of worth / value is an individual’s decision. As for me I have had my 149 since the early 80’s and still enjoy using it.
And it wouldn’t be a Hemingway Jones video if there weren’t more than 5 reasons. 😂😂😂
I always lose track of those!
Thank you for the excellent video. I have been in many boutiques and stores, looking for watches and pens, and the only one that refuses to give you a discount is Montblanc. But yes, their pens and watches are really exquisite. Aside from this, the staff at Montblanc Chicago are extremely nice and helpful. Great store, no doubt.
Try buying a Rolex. They won’t have it in stock and wouldn’t sell it to you anyway 😂
@@DianInHerOrb What is a Rolex? Never heard of it.
Another great video!
A problem I see with MB, that I don’t think you mentioned, is that with the high retail and resale values come the fakes, which IMO devalues the brand somewhat.
Having said that, I have a 1980s (W-Germany)146 with a delightful, slightly flexy EF nib (with amazing reverse EEF) and split ebonite feed, which I bought basically NOS. I love it, it is so reliable and has never, ever let me down. I’ve even left it uncapped for an hour or so (whoops) and it still writes without a skip. 🖊️
Great video HJ !! I got my 149 brand new way back in 1984, I believe it was less than $300. Back then $300 was still expensive to me but I did it and have no regrets.
Very nice! Well done!
This is terrific! I've gotten every bit as much enjoyment/entertainment from this video as I did from the Lamy Safari video, even though both pens are at completely disparate ends of the affordability/prestige spectrum!
It was also an amusing format, where it almost seemed to be HJ vs. HJ.
I've not laughed out loud at any of your videos yet until THIS one, and it was great!
WELL DONE!!
Tim, this could be my favourite Hemingway Jones video ever! Loved it! Excellently argued on both sides! We are privileged to own such an exquisite writing instrument, for sure, but it IS a lot of money to spend. That being said, we each decide what is worth it when it comes to ANY luxury item. A Kaküno will get the job done but I don’t value it as I do my 146, and as you state, the feeling and the experience of a Montblanc are priceless! “NICE PEN!” P.S. Ripley and Andrew Scott are nominated for an Emmy but we both know who the star of the show REALLY is! 😊
Nice! Wonderful! Thanks so much for the kind comments in this one. I am very proud of it.
I bought a Montblanc 149 from late 1990s in the used market for only 250 Euros. At the moment, it is under repair in the Hamburg HQ because my pen filling system was a bit under the weather. I can't barely wait to write with it when it comes back!
Wonderful! What a find!
HJ this has to be one of the best 149 videos around,since I am a big Montblanc fan this video has made me more determined to get a 149 down the road.
Thank you very much!
Sometimes, you just want to give yourself a gift that signifies or memorializes an important time or event in your life. The price is a component, but every time you see or use that item, it brings back thoughts, memories, and emotions of that significant memory. A 149 fits that bill; you will think of it whenever you pick it up and write with it.
Excellent Point, My Friend. Thank you!
I'm not against giving yourself a wonderful pen that signifies or memorializes an important time in your life. My point is there are so many other wonderful choices in the $750 - 1,000 range to choose from, so why limit yourself to a black plastic resin 149?
Hello HJ! VERY nice overview of the pro's and con's of the 149. A thousand dollars IS a LOT of money, and I agree completely with you. The Pilot 823 is a pen that is on my list, also. Kind of waiting to see if they release any more colors (transparent blue would be very nice!), but the transparent one is VERY tempting. Also, there are many more pens out there that you can own and experience that are a lot less than the 149. I own both of the Chinese knockoffs of the 149, the Jinhao X-159 and the Jun-Lai (Wing Sung) 630, and the experience has been amazing with them. Now the Jinhao is a cartridge converter pen, but that doesn't bother me. The Jun-Lai IS a piston filler, though, and both pens cost me less than $50! Now they probably don't write quite as nice as the 149, but they are not too bad either! Thanks again for the interesting video! Enjoy them greatly!
I've already filmed one of these for the PC823! Stay tuned for that. Thank you for watching. Means the world to me.
I purchased my 149 after a large commercial real estate closing to commemorate that piece of work. I love it! However, I also have a few Jinhao DADAO knockoffs that I write with on a daily basis. I enjoy them just as much and they were like $20! Great video, Hemingway!
Thanks so much and thanks for watching! Looks like we are in the same professional space!
Really good video as usual. I really enjoyed the format. Your point about MB value is spot on. My only dalliance with this brand was picking up an early 144 a few years ago. I sold it late last year for 3x what I paid. It was a shame to see it go as it had a great nib, but it was a bit small for my hand.
I see a 146 in your future! Thank very much. I appreciate your kind words.
@HemingwayJones you could well be right. I do keep thinking about that 144 nib. I've also got a bit of an expensive pen habit thanks to Conway Stewart. I'm definitely MB curious.
@@adriangaylard9523 I would try one and try to pick one up second hand, maybe.
I have my father's 149 from 1974 that his mother gave to him upon getting his PhD. It has no value, or should I say there is no price I would ever sell it for. Last year I picked up a 149 with a curved nib. It's exquisite and well worth the $1K with a custom nib and not a generic Jowo or Bock nib, the whole 149 experience and a great writing experience.
This video was great. Love the reasoning for both sides. This by far is my favorite FP but I know I could never afford one, well, maybe someday, further up the road. Good job HJ
One day you will, My Friend. Thank you so much for watching.
Just want to write with one to see what it is like. It is an iconic pen for sure!
You can do that for $0 at any Montblanc boutique.
I agree with you. I have two 149s with different nibs. I struggled with buying them because of the price. But I love them and wouldn’t want to part with either. One is always inked!
Hey HJ, another fantastic, entertaining, AND informative video in your “signature style.!” Thank you. Well, I probably will pick up a 149 if I stumble on one at a pen show at a reasonable price. Though if a Boheme was on the table alsoI would pick the Boheme. Price is always a relative thing. One of first times I saw a 149 was in a FLAX (long gone) Art and Pen shop in the Chicago Loop. My wife and I and our daughter, about the same age as your daughter, went in to see if I could find a nice FP for under 60 bucks, all I had and serious money for a pen in the early 1980s. Then we saw it in a case full of MBs -a black and gold 149, $495. My wife said “for that fat ugly plastic pen, who would pay it if they had the money a?” Then as we turned to look at another case there it was in the back of the MB case, a 14k all gold 149. A hand lettered sign said, “Yesterday’s price $999.95, based on the price of gold, ask the clerk to check for today’s price.”
That gold pen sounds wild! Thanks for the kind words and the amazing story.
Got my first luxury pen not much of a writer but I do appreciate good tools so I thought I’d get the 149 pre owed near mint for £400 or around $520 ish
when you go to Italy flashing that pen ppl go: "Bella Penna" 😆😁
Evidently! Loved that show.
@@HemingwayJones you know? I started watching the latest one and I liked it a lot, couldn't help but notice how the pen is an important part of the character wanted to achieve prestige by showing off the penna!
@@chidoiguan I showed that in the last Pens in Film video. Great dynamic.
A most entertaining discussion. FWIW I can't see the monetary value, while the standard Meisterstuck range is sooo boring. As for the limited editions...so much pure kitsch. Thanks for a fine episode.
Thanks very much for watching! I appreciate it.
depends on how great the individual is and if they have preformed feats that only the top tiers of their clan/race can preform
Great video. I recently purchased a 149 fine nib and returned it for a EF which now writes a bit scratchy, thus, need to open it up a bit. But the 1000.00 cost purchase was worth it; not for the name/brand, but for the writing/quality experience. My M1000 EF is also a great writer but is not as smooth as the 149 even though the 149 is a bit scratchy on my Tomoe River writing pad. Great video!!
Great video, HJ! Thanks. I believe that if you really want something and you can afford it, then it's worth it.
Always! Thank you very much!
Thanks for the video. Other pens (that I know about) that keep value: Classic Pens (their collaborations with Sailor and Shaeffer) and some Watermans (some 80s and 90s models that aren't made any more, Edson, Senserite, etc.) You know my story about MB, so you know what side I'm on. But it is a nice pen.
Thanks very much, My Friend! Some pens definitely do hold value. Thanks very much for watching and for being here.
I just bought the Montblanc Meisterstück 149 Platinum. I can't wait to write with this beauty
Excellent choice! You have chosen wisely!
In the mid 90s I was 25 and purchased my first pen a mont blanc 149 for $200. They have gone up considerably.
Indeed! Mine was $600 around 12 or so years ago. Even since then.
I currently own two second hand Montblanc fountain pens, and even those were at the top of my budget. Finding a good deal on a quality high end pen is part of the fun for me, though, and makes it that much more worthwhile to me. If I were given a brand new Montblanc as a gift, it would be unbelievable, but I just can’t bring myself to spend full retail on a fountain pen at such a steep price point.
It's always best to get them second hand. Thanks very much for watching.
Thank you, very helpful 🙏
Thank you for watching!
I don’t own a Montblanc, but I liked the comment about the 823 which I do own. How about aesthetics? Is that one of your considerations for or against a decision to purchase?
Well, another great video. Your analysis of both points of view are spot on. Like you, I can agree with both sides. However, I cannot wait to purchase another.
Honestly, like any other luxury goods, you can perfectly live without them, unless you are really into owning them. Regarding fountain pens, you can still purchase an affordable, premium gold nib with a resin body such as the Pilot Custom 74 which will write excellently out of box.
I am looking forward to picking up a used MB and am looking forward to it. I agree with your reasons about not spending a $1000. THe resin is definitely just…normal. however my Visconti Bronze Age is a Lava Resin and really good quality.
This was interesting and entertaining, but honestly the five pros are basically "but it's a MontBlanc!!!". It's kind of like wine. The quality goes up pretty quickly with price, but after a certain point, the quality just doesn't get all that much better with a higher price tag.
I put that amount at $336. The price of the PC823! Thanks for watching!
I just went to the Montblanc store in Chicago 2 days ago. I tried multiple nib sizes and pen sizes. I can’t see that I would ever buy a 149. It was a nice pen but I would much rather have a Pelikan, a nice Pilot or Sailor.
I don’t begrudge anyone that wants one it just doesn’t stand out enough to me.
Whatever inspired you is what matters. It’s all so individual. Thanks for watching.
@@HemingwayJones that’s the best way to be. Especially with these hobbies that are expensive but not really necessary.
I've always preferred the m1000 / m800 to the 149 / 146 ... but horses for courses!
To be very clear, can't go wrong with any of them -- all four are fantastic pens.
Fantastic video HJ. I dont own a 149 but I would like to try one.
Thank you!
Great breakdown. I own two Mont Blanc’s, a 149 and a 146, that I bought both of them used. Even at the used price I paid, which I think was a very fair price, I can unequivocably say that neither pen is worth the price that I paid for them, let alone new pricing. Don’t get me wrong. I love them, but at the end of the day to be honest with myself, there is absolutely no way a little piece of plastic with some metal parts that writes ink, is worth $1000.
I have every bit as much fun writing with my TWSBI ECO than I do with my Mont Blanc. In the fact, I sometimes get more enjoyment with my TWSBIs because of the fun colors and clear plastic bodies than I do more sophisticated pens.
Thanks so much! Great contribution!
Hemingway this is one of your excellent videos, just love the content and accompanying music. I think you make the decision for those interested easier, a splash of $1K is no pocket change for most people, it deserves a lot of consideration and soul searching. The criteria you cite are perfectly valid, such a splurge would be a great choice if the discretionary income allows it, thus reducing a lot of cognitive dissonance.
Now about the validity of the price, bearing in mind this is made of precious resin and no outstanding external furniture other than the nib and internal mechanism, Montblanc stands for luxury and nowadays symbolises a certain lifestyle. Luxury always has a very high mark-up.
I would just love to add a little to two points you discuss, that of the second hand market and signs of wear or possibility of theft. I love to buy my pens new as I suspect tangible objects carry energy from the owner and I am very territorial. If you observe my much used pens they appear new, I take great care of them because of the value I perceive they possess. I treat them like a much lived jewel which in fact most of them are. So what's the verdict on the $1K for a Montblanc 149? Go get the pen!
Great video. Good reasons.
My life is simple: Worth is up to yourself. Price is what it costs to buy one. Value is what you can sell it for. None of them is the same as any other, and they all change over time.
I considered it overpriced (which it is). You're paying for the luxury of the name. My boss, however, knew I was a pen-nut, and also knew I didn't have a 149, so of course it was a perfect gift. And I like it very much, and I'm glad I have one. "Worth" $1000 ? "it's up to me"? Absolutely, because I wouldn't sell it for $1000. That's how I know.
P.S. HJ, I shortened my comment, since you read it, to make it more concise and IMO on point.
Thanks so much for watching and for the great comment.
I got my 149 in 1994 and paid no more than 395, I truly appreciate your honesty 😊
Wonderful! Thank you so much!
As I watch Hemingway debate the worth of the 149 I’m just glad I’m old enough to have purchased mine full price in a pen shop for $75. Of course I then remember the local office supply store when I was a teen who was selling it for $33. I wanted it then. I’m glad I have it now. I’m glad I paid less than 10% of the current cost
You’ve got a great story there! I’m always amused by how the prices evolved. Mine was a gift from my wife a decade ago at $600, So even in that time...
There are plenty of MB at pen shows from people who have restored them, and you know it is not a fake. Try them out at a pen show and bring your favorite pen to compare in your sketchbook.
I agree the best way is to attend a pen show, where you can see, touch and sample write any pen with any dealer. The major pen shows carefully vet the the sellers, and those dealers are a treasure trove of information and experience they'll gladly share if asked. There are also some very reputable UK dealers with online presence who specialize in pre-loved (i.e., used) Montblanc pens of all types, not just the 149. I've ordered from two best known and have been satisfied completely with the results. Ebay can be a source as well, but only consider Montblanc offerings from those sellers with 99 or 100% feedback ratings and a significant history of sales, as the feedback ratings only apply to a rolling 12 month period. Be suspicious of those who don't meet this standard, especially when their price is significantly lower than reputable sellers. Happy pen hunting!
I think the question of whether something is worth the price is usually a poor one. Supply and demand, our desires, our needs, our ability and willingness to pay decide whether something is worth it. I can think of no other reasons why a MB 149 might be worth $1,000 or not.
I can think of good reasons and bad for actually buying it. I’d easily argue that if you have to buy it on credit, you shouldn’t buy it. If you can’t pay all your other obligations, you shouldn’t buy it. It’s not worth going into debt for, it’s not worth threatening the well being of your family. It’s a luxury and should be treated like a luxury. It’s not a need, it’s not an investment. It’s consumption.
You shouldn’t buy it to make a statement. If your things have to make statements for you, you don’t have much to say anyway. When I call a meeting (going back to my pre-academic days), where I sit is the head of the table, regardless of the shape of the table and where I am. I command the meeting, not the table. Whether I write comments on your memo or report with a MB or a Bic or a crayon, you’d better read them. You earn respect; you don’t buy it with pens and watches and designer shoes.
My preferred business pen is a Namiki Yukari Royale. Most of the people I deal with have never even heard of it. They know what a Montblanc is; they know the star on the cap. Buying a MB because other people have heard of it and know that it’s expensive isn’t a good reason to buy it. Just another variant of letting your things make statements for you. Not a good reason to buy it.
What’s a good reason to buy it, given that you can afford it? You like it. Your grandpa wrote with one and you loved it because it was associated with him and now you want one. Because you like the way it writes. Because it sings to you. That’s why you should spend a thousand dollars on it - given that you’re willing and able to do so. I guess what’s at issue for me is, what makes you willing to spend that money? If my wife wanted a MB, I’d happily spend the money to buy one for her as a gift, to make her happy. Well, no, she’s already happy. Anyone whose happiness depends on a pen has something wrong with them. I’d buy it for her if I knew she’d enjoy it. Which in my wife’s case, is untrue. She’s English, she enjoys English silver, and so I gave her a different MB-level pen, a Yard-O-Led Viceroy Victorian. She was delighted, she enjoys writing with it. A MB would have been a poor choice, the choice of someone who didn’t know her well. She’s always grateful for a gift, and she’d have accepted a MB with grace and obvious pleasure, and then she’d rarely have used it.
A MB isn’t worth it for me. Is it worth it for you? Obviously. You own several. You take obvious pleasure in them, and you’re not denying your wife and daughter anything by buying them. That’s why you should have them. What’s worth it for me? A Namiki, a YOL? Revealed preferences say “yes”. Were my reasons for buying them good? Only I can say. I think so. I’m not sorry I did.
@@jamespicht1128 absolutely valid points! A pen shouldn’t define you as a person, nor should any object!
I find happiness in seeing how an artisan expresses his or her intent in the manufacturing of an item. Whilst the 149 is iconic, it’s not a pen I desire. I find happiness in pens from Nakaya, Stanford pens, bespoke manufacturers, where I can see their passion in each brush stroke.
If I ever have the opportunity, I will definitely purchase one. As of now the goal is to get it as a gift oce I graduate with my MSN.
It’s a no for me unless I bought one used. I love the new Jane Austen but can’t justify the price. I have a hard time justifying the price of a Pilot 823 or 843, the two on my grail list.
Great vid! I'd have trouble spending a grand on any pen, but I could never do it for a resin pen.
Value is an endless source of inspiration for me. I see it from so many different angles. Thanks so much for being here and for watching.
Dear Sir, thank you so much for all your insights, having said that, with all due respect, I think you missed a very imperatively important point, , a Mont Blanc, Cartier, even Viscontis, even Fisher Space, these Pens fountain or not were & are built to last a millennia, (although I am not sure of the current latest lot of 149s), Viscontis are still solid, your insight on this will be helpful, planning to buy one, they can and are passed down from a Generation to another, well PILOT NOT SO MUCH! It can last one lifetime with care but will not last with rigorous use! that is a single most important reason enough to not even take the 2 brands in the same breath. Let alone compare them, Love & regards from India
Thank you so much for watching, My Friend! I have a lot of affection for Pilot. They do make some solid pens. Namiki is also next level. Thanks very much for being here.
Interesting HJ, reminds me of a scene from a show of someone arguing with themselves!! I went the route of vintage pen from an Ebay seller. Mine is a 1990's era 149, so it is somewhat newer, even though it is 34 ± yrs, old. The price was not too unreasonable and I had a store discount from the seller which made it easier to get this particular model. I've had the pen for a little more than a week, and yes, it is an amazing writer. However, I have a number of other pens that write just as nicely, and I dare say I have at least 2 or 3 that better! My personal feeling is when one buys a Montblanc, what you are paying for is the name and the perceived prestige. I can't honestly believe that their materials are that much pricier than many other pens. That aspect puts in mind the $10,000 toilet seat for Air Force One. I have a couple other vintage Montblancs, but the only one that was new when it was given to me as an anniversary present was a rollerball. Would I ever get an new one? I think not since I feel I scratched that itch!!
I love this pen ❤
Thanks for watching!
I have had the 149 fountain pen (20 years) and the LeGrand ball point (6 years). I only use them to visit potential new clients (being an Accountant) - they no doubt make an impression (which is the whole point) or to sign important documents. Are they worth it? Well, if they get you the job, yes. It has in my case sometimes. I think they are very much a statement pen though no doubt Montblanc themselves would disagree.
For signing those important documents, are you willing to put water resistant ink in a 1K pen that makes it that much harder to clean. There appears to be fake 149s on the used market, so perhaps it’s a good idea to buy it used on a pen show. Also you can tryout the used pen during the show and have a better feeling of what you are buying. Me personally I love the Montblanc fountain pens with sterling silver elements such as the Copernicus. Great video!
Thanks My Friend! Excellent excellent points! 👏
When products exceed their manufacturing and margin costs and play on its history to get it through, then the object becomes a status symbol and rational people know why they are bought. Yet, to those who can afford it and relish on luxury, the value for the object is irrational. As you’d said, we can easily rationalize anything if we want it badly. Great segment you’ve done on this subject…and timely too (since I bought the Magna Carta M650 with my limited, retired income based on your recommendation.😀
Thanks so much! I am glad you enjoyed the video. How do you like the Mag650?
@@HemingwayJones You’re welcome. ‘Just ordered it today and hope that it meets my expectations since no other modern flex nib has yet, but it’s a journey and I’m enjoying it.
I hope so!
Great video H.J. thanks
MB 149 is worth the money ! !
RS. Canada
I think so!
I have the Custom 823 and love it!
It's in the 'NAME'...
A Toyota will get you from 'a' to 'b', a Rolls Royce will do the same but, it will be 'A' to 'B'
I live that! Nice use of capitalization! Bravo!
Does it write better (smoothness , reliability -) than the Pelikan m 800 or 805 ( I own both ) ?
That’s a comparison I will make in a video soon. But it is more disciplined than the Pelikan. Pelikan pens are awesome, but have so much flow that every pen is at least a medium and probably a broad. The M800 has fantastic finish and amazing material, so pretty. The 149 is wholly reliable and has a beautiful nib. Thanks!
Great video HJ!
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks very much!
Yes it is worth it! I have mine since 2016 and love it.
2:09 throw shade at Visconti without using the word Visconti
“Me? Is it Me? Am I the Drama?!?” Nice!
@@HemingwayJones You are always the drama, Hemingway, that's why we follow you!
Thanks so much.
Great video,but over price 149,frank in Oswego,ill
Thanks for watching!
MB149 is a Sui generis pen. You need to own it to understand how wonderful it is
149s do not retain their value well in the uk. The cost of the pen is about 700 and you can find them used for 399.
The nibs and customisation is pretty awesome! Nakaya offers this too! But to be honest, a nib should write well straight away no matter the price!
It would be interesting to analyze this per percentage of value retained based on sales. Those domestic sellers should list them internationally. Completely agree about nibs and pens. They should work out if the box, even if they were £5!
@@HemingwayJones the annoying thing is, most 5 pound pens write out of the box! I think the hard pill to swallow is getting over the cost of manufacturing. Excluding the cost of the gold nib, most fountain pens are relatively cheap to manufacture. This is where I see a Nakaya as a better cost proposition is comparison to a 149. These pens require a higher degree of skill to produce, with artisans having a huge number of years of experience! Pens are hand turned on a pedal lathe, which blows my mind as apposed to coming off a factory line!
Of course montblanc has a prestigious history and is a brand that’s really important for the industry. They are the brand you’ll see in most high street jewellers, but for me the pen just doesn’t excite me like a Nakaya Piccolo
@@PenFriends I’m glad you found a pen that inspires you. That’s the best part. All the best.
@@HemingwayJones $400 is not the going rate for these pens used. More like $600 or more in nice shape. Only beat up or damaged ones go for less.
Thanks Hemingway! So which is the better investment:
- Buy a MB for $1000, or
- spend $100 on a TWSBI and a copy of Harbrace's Handbook?
Agreed, that's not a fair question... Which will improve my sense of humor?
Your sense of humor is perfect, My Friend!
Ha! Good one. Made me smile. The good old analysis paralysis rears its duplicitous head.
Loved “Alchemic reaction.” Indeed. Like Life, art, and probably much else. Depending on the article the elements in a human body are worth between $1.00 and $2000.00. Illegally selling body parts much more. Or the materials in a painting usually cost less than $50.00 unless gold leaf was incorporated as with some of Gustav Klimt’s works. If an artist donates a painting they can deduct only the cost of materials on their income taxes. But if a buyer of a painting donates it they can deduct the price they paid or the appraised value.
So is the 149 art or life or just some materials cobbled together? “…that is the question…there’s the rub.”
If you are in certain prestige professions, a MB may be required. Not worth it, but required. Then again, not one of my 50 pens is worth what I paid for it, except my complete set of Pilot Parallels. And my Jinhao 82s.
Hello My Friend, thanks for watching!
I'm curious: why would the 149 be compared to an 823 and not a Custom Urushi? The nib size and girth are more compatible between those, then the 149 saves you some money!
Hello My Friend, I compare many things on this Channel. I think it’s interesting to draw distinctions even between vastly different pens.
@ agreed. Love what you do!!
I bought my vintage Montblanc for under a 1,000 that has meaning to me. But I don't think I would buy a new 149 for a 1k. If I had extra money to "burn" maybe. But honestly I would take that money and maybe buy the Jane Austen, perhaps -- Or meet up with a friend who has it and see if I like it. To be honest I have my more expensive pens as Desk pens, and take the pens that look like them out and about -- Like the Jinhaos I just don't want to loose the more expensive ones. If I can get a great grind on a less expensive pen and not worry about it, then I will be just as happy to use that one than having a more expensive one that I would be worried about taking with me.
These days, MontBlanc is a luxury goods brand which dabbles in fountain pens 😂 The 149 is iconic, sure, but not so outstanding that it's worth eleven times what i paid for my Lamy 2k, or - good grief - fifty times my favourite pen of all. 😮
We all have to make these calculations, My Friend. Thanks for watching. I will say that they are pretty serious about the pen division. If anything, they have redoubled their efforts in that regard. I don’t feel as if it is just a badge. Thanks very much for always bringing a valuable perspective.
How long have you had memberships for viewers?
I'm one of those people who just doesn't see the "thing" about Montblanc.
They're just not me at all.
Signs off proudly with my Twsbi Swipe . . .
I don’t own MontBlanc 149, I do own writers edition (Robert Louis Steven) it’s gorgeous writer. I’ll be looking at 149 at the SF Pen Show next month.
I personally own a Montblanc ballpoint that was gifted to me, and I love what it represents, and while I do not see myself buying a 149, I can appreciate why others will. Montblancs are the Rolexes of the pen world. Neither were the first of their types, nor were they the highest trailblazers in terms of innovation in their respective industries, and component-wise may be seen as overpriced. However, they are iconic items, and much of their value comes from the peripheral aspects such as ubiquity, quality, brand recognition, after sale support, and sponsorships.
I got mine yesterday! And yes, it is worth it (for me)😅
A Pelikan M800 for 580-600 dollars new is much more appealing to me. I hope to find a vintage 146/149 at DC Pen Show in a few weeks and hope to find some reputable sellers there.
Excellent points. Own a MB 149, 146 and 2 rollerballs. You forgot the “Fun” factor. Hard to explain but it’s there. Caveat being that it’s overpriced by at least 300-400USD. Also, the service department is extremely slow. I think their shipping method is via mules😂
I agree Tim, 700 bucks would b a fair price. I'd rather put 1,000 on my wrist as a nice watch, maybe not as nice as that beautiful Submariner you wear 😊, but still something decent.
$1,000 buys a lot of watch. A nice Seiko diver. My watch is actually a GMT Master II with the black bezel. Certainly looks like a Sub. That’s why I like it. It’s a bit more subdued than a Pepsi. Thank you very much.
@@HemingwayJones oh wow, even better! My dad had one back in the seventy's he wore a GMT master "Rootbeer" that he lost , so he says. When I graduated from college I asked for a Rolex, (or a trip to Europe) because according to dad, "a man's jewell was his watch" . So I did my five years and finally I graduated from the best University ion Mexico (he wouldn't pay for an education in the States. So I got to his place with my PHD title in hand, and he handed me a Green Rolex Box. I was so excited !! until I opened up, to my surprise it was aStainless Steel model with a white face and roman numerals, on a Jubilee bracelet. Now, of course that is not by any means a bad present, but due to my expectations I was disappointed, to say the least. I hid it with a smile and said "thanks dad'. And so I kept that watch on my wrist for many, many years! until 4 years ago, when I decided to move down to Mexico during the pandemic. I sold the Rolex for a good price and I used the money to pay for all my stuff getting shipped from San Diego to Mexico. I miss that watch now, but it helped me to get a new life here with my mom and family. I still have an old Citizen Chronograph from 1979 (my 13th birthday) and a Beautiful Chronoswiss Timemaster that I bought at a huge discount back in San Diego. It is a large watch with heritage from a great watch maker who passed away some years ago, Well that's it for now, I hope you enjoyed my story, and who knows, If I make good money with my photos some day, I will buy an other Rolex, that are truly worth every cent of their price. I like the white Explorer 2, maybe that's the one I'd get.
Cheers 🤗
@@chidoiguan Thanks so much! It’s a shame about your dad’s Rootbeer. I wonder what happened to it? I know that one day my daughter will own this one. By the way, we are around the same age. All the best.
@@HemingwayJones yes I wanted also to give mine to my daughter but she doesn't car. I was born on Dec 66, I think you look way better 😁
I currently have 4 Montblanc writing instruments, just no fountain pen. The 149 is my
"grail pen". I want one and won't take the risk of buying a used one, but the $1,000 price tag makes me cringe. There are better pens out there for less money, but there's just something about the 149 anmd I don't want to settle for something different.
Just take my money and give me a 149 Mont Blanc. My rational mind goes out the window when it comes to pens and stationery.
This I can completely relate to.
Fountain pens as a dedicated hobby are a fairly new pursuit for me. I've been actively engaged in photography for decades, though and I view Montblanc kind of like I view Leica (which I seem to recall you using as well). One can make the same kinds of arguments for and against Leica as are presented here for Montblanc. At the end of the day, I fall on the "not for me" side of the equation but appreciate those that feel differently.
At the moment, every Millennial or Gen Z influencer actively shooting film has to have the M6 as her/his camera of choice. The M6 is a great camera, no doubt but I just can't justify the price tag. I'm just as content using my Nikon FM3a -- still a pricey camera but a bit more down-to-earth -- with a couple of classic but lovely lenses and the best film ever, Tri-X.
I view Montblanc the same way. For what I'd pay for even a used 149, I'd rather get multiple still very good pens at a lower price or try something very unique and different like a Schon DSGN pen with a Monoc nib. The 149 just doesn't call to me.
In both cases, though, I do understand the appeal of the legendary makers and don't fault anyone for wanting one. Just not my thing is all...
I finally got a 146 and I don't think it's worth the 940 I paid, even though it is a special edition. And I didn't even pay full price for it. I love it and adore it don't get me wrong. I think it's worth more like 650 to 750 to be honest. I don't feel like Montblanc is worth 2 to 300 dollars more than a Pelikan. I'm sure the 149 is awesome as well and I plan on getting one eventually.
Which 146 did you get? Was it the 100 year Origins? The Blue One?
@@HemingwayJones Yeah the Origins Blue one with a medium 14k nib. I figured if I was going to get one it should be a special edition.
At least the value should be maintained on that one. All the Best!
@@HemingwayJones That's one of the reasons I decided to go after a limited release model. Not that I'll ever sell any of my fountain pens, I guess just peace of mind haha
@@williamcatalano1762 I do that often too, but it’s usually me just rationalizing a purchase!
I have a tri nib 18k medium where does this stack up with options available ?
Montblanc pens are, to me, similar to Rolex watches. Both were reasonably priced tools years ago. Montblanc became the trendy pen brand, leading to price inflation. Similarly, Rolex went from tool watches for divers and military personnel to luxury watches in the 1980s.
I love making comparisons like this. Thanks for watching.
The 149 is absolutely worth $1,000. Unfortunately, I am not. Except that if I had held my fire a little I could be in that class already. Yep, little pens add up.
On the other hand, which of my pens would I condemn to life in potentially uncaring hands? My brave Opus Omar, what fate waited before I bought it? The thought of that wonderful pen, rattling forgotten in an ancient Buick's glove box full of rusted lug nuts, its butter-smooth nib clogged with dried wax after too much neanderthal ear hygiene, is too much to bear.
No, far better for it to recline care free in a plush pen case than for me to dash its hopes in the name of greed.
But, someday...
You are worth all the world and a case to put it in!