Brilliant! Makes me even happier. Instead of venturing out into acquisition of more and more pens, I decided to become happy with the ones I already had.
At risk of being categorized with those who have obsessive compulsive disorder, I will say that I usually leave the ninety-nine beautifully functioning fountain pens in the wilderness to rescue the ONE which has become lost or delinquent. 😊
I enjoyed how the final credits state, "Hemingway Jones will return." It reminds me of the end credits to James Bond movies. Flex nibs give me the chance to slow down and cherish the rhythm of writing. Thank you for your video presentation. Take care.
Enjoying your videos! I have a 146 with the new Calligraphy nib and I absolutely love it but I had a similar problem with it and some of my other MB 146 and 149 fountain pens both with the M and EF nibs (I’m however very partial to EF and EEF) and at times I was ready to give up especially since I have so many other great writing fountain pens. Over time however I found myself coming back with my sand paper and micro mesh a little here and then a little more over there and each time I felt I was getting closer to what I was looking for. I kept working with each pen over many months and also a little bit with the flow until each pen wrote perfectly. In some cases the pen also needed a very thorough clean. All this time I was also working on my calligraphy which I believe is the icing on the cake! And now, even though they all write differently (even the ones with the same EF nib) they all write beautifully and exactly how I need them to write.
I recently acquired a vintage Montblanc 344 with Flex nib circa 1950s. I recommend it if you can find one. It’s got some really nice flex, more so than their modern calligraphy nib.
Just watched this again, and it's better each time as I notice more acutely the care invested in crafting the script. It's also a happy ending to an eight-month-old journey during which you and the 146 never quit on each other, but hammered out a meaningful collaboration. That's so cool, and illustrates a virtue associated with investing in top-tier tools: Sometimes they demand more of us than we're at first willing to give, but there's a long term payoff to perseverance. If that'd been a Jinhao -- instead of an MB -- it might've ended up in the bin, and foreclosed upon this journey of self-improvement. Can't wait to get mine from Joost, and follow the trail you've broken.
My Man, Laddie! Thanks so much! I am so glad you enjoyed this! I cannot wait for you to get that pen. I am interested in your thoughts and your journey with it, My Friend!
Hemingway, thank you for this beautiful video. I enjoyed every second of it! I especially love how you connect your writing experience with some greater wisdoms of life.
Fantastic video but I think I will call it a show because it was more than a video! It was a fantastic episode on the relationship with pens, brilliant! My relationship journey with Sailor pens comes to mind. A Sailor Pro Gear Slim was my first grail pen. I know we shouldn't have a "first" grail pen but we all know this is the case.😊 Sadly, I was disappointed because of the tooth of the nib but this did not prevent an obsession with the look of the pens and I was soon an owner of just under 10 of the them. I eventually put them all away into storage cases as I found my joy in other pen brands with nibs smooth as butter. My joy in fountain pens was rescued by these smoother nibs so it was a necessary path; however, something got the best of me...the Sailor Pro Gear Slim Manyo Nut pen. I bought it despite knowing I hadn't any interest in writing with my Sailors for close to a year. This purchase changed everything. I fell in love with this new Sailor and the ink that came with it was perfection in the pen. So yes, my Sailors and I have found a way to get a long now as I am further into my pen journey. I have new appreciation for the finer, toothier nib, and they often accompany my bullet journaling. I still consider the smoother nibs my favorite but the Sailors have a new proud position in my writing. 👍
I am currently looking at a vintage Mont Blanc 1950 342 G oblique fine flex. I was wondering what your thoughts are of this particular pen. I love a fountain pen with history.
I had my Montblanc 146 medium nib ground to a 0.6 mm stub after 34 years of owning it and I like it much better. It was my first fountain pen, gifted by my wife on our first anniversary and I didn’t get a second one until my daughter gave me a Kaweco Sport last Christmas. I did not use the Montblanc very much for many years but I am enjoying it now in my golden years.
Hemingway, I am new to your channel and I'm so grateful the YT algorithm picked you up for me. I've been watching some of your backlog and I'm loving your content. Especially the videos around journaling and mental health and how that's linked to the love of fountain pens for you. Thank you for being here!
Going on a vacation in the fall which starts in Canada. May need to find a Mont Blanc store and that 146. I’m a lefty so wonder if that would make a difference.
The first time I got a pen modified for spencerian, I was very disappointed. I literally cut hte paper and was worried I was going to break the nib. And I thought I knew how to write w/ fountain pens. I put it back in its box for a month before I decided to try again. Now, I cannot imagine how to catch the nib like that even if I wanted to demonstrate it on purpose... The MB Flex though is a bit squirrely... it's very sensitive to ink and I was disappointed as the pen would skip or hesitate... but others told me it would break in which it did and now it is amongst my favorite. A good budget option that performs out of the box as good as the MB calligraphy is The Good Blue pen (w/ titanium nib option). My only gripes are that it does not have a clip and I'm not crazy about the metal section. But I'd recommend The Good Blue for people who want a decent flex and flow. This is different from the Blue Dew pen which I have no experience.
@@HemingwayJones I got my 146 flex yesterday, immediately felt the needle point's extreme feedback, but in a few minutes I found my rhythm with push down and effortless up, what a revelation eh, no skipping whatsoever, no railroading unless I really write fast, damien onxy black. First time using a flex! Later in the day I went to the Magna Carter Factory and met the owners, used their Mag 600, the MB kept up and I think I prefered the snap back of the MB. I really like the pricision of the MB flex and sharp contrast. The 600 was softer and had a different feel. But with the rhythmic push and snap dance both were a lot of fun. I liked the black ebonite Mag 600, I set a deal to pick one up next month. All in all I'm really satisfied with both pens. Good times :)
I waited months for a 149 with the calligraphy nib. Right out of the box it had ink flow and railroading issues. When I could get it to write well it was magnificent.... For three words and then I'd need to tap it to get ink. I'd turn the piston. I tried being patient. Well, today my patience ran out and it's now a mangled mess and I need a new one.........
@@HemingwayJones thank you! i have a few other montblancs that are fantastic and a few flex nibs from other makers that are great. this was just very disappointing after the wait.....
You're always insightful. I loved the clip at about 3:00 when you say "maybe it's me after all." That struck such a chord with me. I have pursued the perfect planner for years ... no, decades! As of tomorrow, I'm one year down this fountain pen rabbit hole and need to look in the mirror and confess that there is no single Goldilocks pen that will lay down beautiful lines on nice paper AND resist feathering and bleedthrough on the day-to-day copier paper, etc. Enjoy your holiday weekend with the family!
Fantastic video as always Hemingway! I have pens that sit in my pen box for weeks or even months, only to once again become my favorites. Reviving the seldom used, but never forgotten pens, are one of the many facets that makes this hobby so much fun. The same sentiment applies to inks. ✒
I love stub nibs but when I am writing at full speed for me the nib can be frustrating. Now I have moved to medium or fine nibs for everyday writing but break out the stub nibs for my more sedate writing times. Soon I will try flex for my relaxed and more deliberate writings. A nib can be selected for the mood of the writing I have realized.
This was a great video! I've been inconsistent with my writing lately so it was nice to hear a reminder of how this, like many things, gets better with time.
In 1980 and 1990s in India ink pens were for middle schoolers graduating to high school kids and marked a mile stone. We wrote tons with these pens. We would buy nibs separately and replace as they broke. Things were precious in those days, not anymore.
My wife bought me a MB 146 in 1993 and I've always loved it even more than my MB 149. She has bought be many fine writing instruments since then but the 146 is still my favorite pen. I must say however, that after watching this video, I'm slightly envious of that Flex Nib you have. But I think I am going to leave mine just as it is...and be very thankful for it. Great video Hemingway. Always enjoy your videos more than any other channel I watch and I watch more than I would like to admit. You're the best. Thanks so much.
As a former commercial banker, your narrative of the 146 sounds like a loan officer spreading the financials of a customer asking for an extension. Did I structure the loan terms such that it affected their bottom line? Did I miss their inventory turns? I share so much with your insights from my entrepreneurial life, HJ. Well crafted and written video!
Well said I also have the BlueDew, Waterman, 52 1/2 hard rubber along with the Pilot falcon, and of course the Montblanc calligraphy fountain pen among others. although I’ve made great efforts to love them all, the love of my vintage pens are still my true loves of calligraphy writing . I like how you pointed out we tried to love some of them I purchased a Pelikan 1000 I wanted so badly to love it it’s done nothing but give me grief … I’m sure if I hadn’t been dealing for months with this beautiful pen and nib when the beautiful Limited edition, green came out, I would be thrilled and wanting to get it, but I just went on in my search. And the fact that I’m very happy with my collection. But when it comes to inks, I’m always on the lookout :)
Hello HJ. Another winning video. It just so happens that I recently added the tenth pen to my collection. It is the Montblanc 146 with the calligraphy nib. I haven't inked it up yet but soon will find out if it will be a hardship starting out or love at first write. I will let you know how my beginning started. Keep up the great work.
Thank you, HJ. I just inked it up with Waterman's Tender Purple 🟣 . I feel that the opulence of this ink matched the pen, perfectly. I will keep you informed on my feelings for this pen.
Lovely reflections. For me, with also some centenarian nibs, I do find that my modern Pineider iperflex nib has performed amazingly. I also find that my lovingly used cheap Chinese nibs rise to the occasion. Talking about you, Jinhao!
Hi Hemingway! This video just arrived in time…been studying the history of Mont Blanc and their factory the last two days. And this pen is on my wishlist for my great interest in reviving my calligraphy. Thanks again for the wonderful and educational content…have a great holiday weekend!
Great video. I had a difficult relationship with Pilot Falcon....if that was my first pilot, I would have never tried the best pen in my collection [Custom Urushi]. I never came to terms with it. The 146 flex is such an amazing pen. It can write truly fine lines. I wish they made the 146/9 more available.
I'm very selective of my pens these days. I've owned approx. over 60 pens. I've now minimized my collection to 7. If I don't absolutely love the pen, it's gone. I also recommend titanium flex nibs with Namisu pens.
Absolutely excellent - my own will arrive from the Chicago boutique next week. In your experience, did you find the nib soften over time with more and more writing?
Good and warm afternoon from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, Jones. Indeed, there are some fountain pens with which I find it difficult to empathize. I have two Montblanc 149. One is a nib F and although I rarely use it, I love it. I like to write with the F nib. The other is the curved nib and two things: First, and most likely, is that I don't use it well, because if you put it at 45 degrees, it writes very very thick. In order for it to write a little thinner, which is size B, it must be placed almost perpendicular to the paper. To write fine you have to write with the nib upside down. I have a hard time getting the hang of it so that I can write the way I want. The second thing, I think that maybe it is not the right one for me. I only have one solution left, keep practicing. Thank you for your attention and sorry for this long paragraph. P.S. Translated with Google Translator. Thanks again for your videos.😊
Love this video! :). Flex nibs are kind of weird to me. I've a few and they are hard to use because i just write really fast. I did get a Montblanc 146 and it is my favorite. I love 146's in general. It's the perfect size for my hand. I write slower with it and feel that it is doing it's best for me. So I get it. Lovely that you shared! :)
Absolutely poetic, Hemingway. :) Thanks for the inspiration, my own journey back into fountain pens and correcting years (OK, decades...) of experience making unkempt-looking handwriting is still in the early stages. It sounds like there's hope, and that there are rewards at the end, if there is such a thing as an end. It's the journey that matters, not the destination, right?
I have had a mystical relationship with my Mont Blanc 149 with a nib "italicized" first by John Mottishaw and later (after I dropped it on the floor) by Brad Torelli. It is a perfect pen.
Hello My Friend! I wish I could help more, but it is very difficult to see the ink level with that pen. It gives you an idea if you hold it up to the light and when you can see through it, running out is iminent. Other than that, you have to go by feel. It won't feel as lush near the end of an ink run. Thanks so much for watching.
Get video,can't wait for my twisbi eco ex fine,in black from Goulet pens and black blue ink sample.on Saturday my pen from India will be here.,frank in Oswego,I'll
Hi, very nice show. I find that flex pens require quite a bit of concentration, this can be very exhausting over a long writing session. Many modern flex nibs are very stiff and this is why I really have a dislike for them, just too much effort needed. If you have ever tried a Noodler's Ahab you will understand where I am coming from. 🤗 Cheers and all the best.
- Well... I feel very much the odd one out - in your audience -, because I believe I have a different perspective. While my relationship with fountain pens was initiated about 60 years ago by a romantic interest in "real ink" etc, most of my life with fountain pens has been all about functionality. Whether in studies or work (engineering), or even leisure (I can't even watch RUclips videos or play computer games without pen and paper), pen and paper has been central and critically important for me. I don't need to do journaling or write letters to have a use for a pen. I'm fond of saying: I think with pen and paper. I use calculators and computers, but the thinking, I do that on paper with a pen. I made the choice to go 100% fountain pen in my teens, only because I found the (right) fountain pen to be vastly superior to pencils and ballpoint pens. So much so that I find it remarkable and incredulous that not everyone is only using fountain pens. But enough about the details. I have little interest in beautiful writing, expression etc. Until some 20 years ago I wasn't even interested in pens. I only owned about 6 fountain pens, none of them particularly expensive, and most of them pretty worn out. And that was how I fell down the rabbit hole. I needed some replacements, and not finding fountain pens with ordinary stationary retailers any longer, I went online, and found this FP renaissance. What really kicked me down the hole was Noodler's Ahab. What a crude, primitive contraption, with its functionality totally depending on my understanding and my own, messy, blue-fingered tweaking. But that is also why it's a toy. A love affair, yes, but a toy. Parker's plastic Vector, much the opposite, is also a love affair, but different kind, from a long working life together. But I can't really use it seriously any longer. My hands and fingers have become too used to thicker and less slippery pens. So, I don't really believe in "flex nibs", but I've been there before. Reconnecting a bond with an old pen, I don't think I've done exactly that. But discovering a pen after owning it for 20 years, - I can do that: Waterman Carenne. And it's all your doing. Mine is identical to yours, but like my other Waterman pens, it lay dormant in my drawers because it didn't start promptly, so I had no use for it. You drawing attention to this pen, eventually got me to very carefully deal with the nib's "baby bottom". And it only took the most minute work and it was suddenly fine. An absolutely lovely nib to write with. One of the nicest I own. If the paper has a very hard and glossy surface, it may occasionally still not start promptly, but overall it's just fine and I'll leave it. Great pen. Who would have guessed?
I don’t know, except for your ability to accept your handwriting, while I obsess over my own. Though I do enjoy a good obsession! -I identify with pretty much everything in here, especially rediscovering the Carène of course! Thanks for the thoughtful comment
Great video thanks. Not sure about this version of 146 as a left-handed person but it’s great so see what it can do. BTW: I came across the nib first time with this video here - love it: ruclips.net/video/zG2jN3PXj18/видео.html. I am connected to a Cartier Diabolo (stainless steel version - quite heavy ;-)). In the beginning it had issues with the ink flow and I went to the Cartier store in Frankfurt at least 3 times to get it fixed. Everytime then it has been away for several weeks as they send it to their service Center in France. So, we had a bad start but the Cartier Diabolo is a faithful companion since 20 years now. Just received my 147 Platinum (special version of 146 filled with cartridges). First impression: great version, giving much more flexibility while travelling. Greetings from Germany Dirk
Anybody want to buy a Pilot 743 and/or a Waterman 52v? I think I can get buy with not using just one flex pen, my Franklin-Christoph Pocket 66. I come at this issue from the drawing side, where even a greater percentage than writers cherish flex pens. Me? My aesthetic has little to no use for variable lines. When I DO want a varied line, I find it easier and more precise to DRAW the line (each edge, then fill in) with an XF than to slop a flex at it.
For me,it is much more important what I write,not what the letters look like. At least for now I am not willing to focus on the purely visual aesthetic of each letter. But I do see the beauty in doing so. "What will you write with your pen of light?" -Jordan B. Peterson
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Brilliant! Makes me even happier. Instead of venturing out into acquisition of more and more pens, I decided to become happy with the ones I already had.
Brilliant! A valuable lesson. All the best.
At risk of being categorized with those who have obsessive compulsive disorder, I will say that I usually leave the ninety-nine beautifully functioning fountain pens in the wilderness to rescue the ONE which has become lost or delinquent. 😊
I'll likely end up with the 146 Calligraphy and you helped make that happen sooner. Thanks for the passion.
Excellent Choice. Thanks so much! Wish you a lot of good writing with it.
I enjoyed how the final credits state, "Hemingway Jones will return." It reminds me of the end credits to James Bond movies. Flex nibs give me the chance to slow down and cherish the rhythm of writing. Thank you for your video presentation. Take care.
Thanks so much, John! Yes, that is me having a little fun with the ending there. Thanks for watching all the way through.
Enjoying your videos! I have a 146 with the new Calligraphy nib and I absolutely love it but I had a similar problem with it and some of my other MB 146 and 149 fountain pens both with the M and EF nibs (I’m however very partial to EF and EEF) and at times I was ready to give up especially since I have so many other great writing fountain pens. Over time however I found myself coming back with my sand paper and micro mesh a little here and then a little more over there and each time I felt I was getting closer to what I was looking for. I kept working with each pen over many months and also a little bit with the flow until each pen wrote perfectly. In some cases the pen also needed a very thorough clean. All this time I was also working on my calligraphy which I believe is the icing on the cake! And now, even though they all write differently (even the ones with the same EF nib) they all write beautifully and exactly how I need them to write.
Wonderful! Nice work!
I recently acquired a vintage Montblanc 344 with Flex nib circa 1950s. I recommend it if you can find one. It’s got some really nice flex, more so than their modern calligraphy nib.
Very nice! Thank you! I have a couple of flexy vintage MBs. I rarely use them, but I should bust them out. Enjoy that wonderful pen!
Just watched this again, and it's better each time as I notice more acutely the care invested in crafting the script. It's also a happy ending to an eight-month-old journey during which you and the 146 never quit on each other, but hammered out a meaningful collaboration. That's so cool, and illustrates a virtue associated with investing in top-tier tools: Sometimes they demand more of us than we're at first willing to give, but there's a long term payoff to perseverance. If that'd been a Jinhao -- instead of an MB -- it might've ended up in the bin, and foreclosed upon this journey of self-improvement.
Can't wait to get mine from Joost, and follow the trail you've broken.
My Man, Laddie! Thanks so much! I am so glad you enjoyed this! I cannot wait for you to get that pen. I am interested in your thoughts and your journey with it, My Friend!
I admire your determination to make things work with your Montblanc 146.
It’s an evolution.
Hemingway, thank you for this beautiful video. I enjoyed every second of it! I especially love how you connect your writing experience with some greater wisdoms of life.
Thank you so much. This one meant a lot to me. I am so glad you connected to it.
Fantastic video but I think I will call it a show because it was more than a video! It was a fantastic episode on the relationship with pens, brilliant! My relationship journey with Sailor pens comes to mind. A Sailor Pro Gear Slim was my first grail pen. I know we shouldn't have a "first" grail pen but we all know this is the case.😊 Sadly, I was disappointed because of the tooth of the nib but this did not prevent an obsession with the look of the pens and I was soon an owner of just under 10 of the them. I eventually put them all away into storage cases as I found my joy in other pen brands with nibs smooth as butter. My joy in fountain pens was rescued by these smoother nibs so it was a necessary path; however, something got the best of me...the Sailor Pro Gear Slim Manyo Nut pen. I bought it despite knowing I hadn't any interest in writing with my Sailors for close to a year. This purchase changed everything. I fell in love with this new Sailor and the ink that came with it was perfection in the pen. So yes, my Sailors and I have found a way to get a long now as I am further into my pen journey. I have new appreciation for the finer, toothier nib, and they often accompany my bullet journaling. I still consider the smoother nibs my favorite but the Sailors have a new proud position in my writing. 👍
Thanks so much for the informative comment and for watching! Thank you.
I am currently looking at a vintage Mont Blanc 1950 342 G oblique fine flex. I was wondering what your thoughts are of this particular pen. I love a fountain pen with history.
That sounds like a nice pen, but a funky nib. As long as you are good with obliques and the price is right, then why not?
Excellent video. What is your favorite flex Nib fountain pen?
My vintage Waterman 5. It’s brilliant.
Reminds me of good ol' vinyl days. Albums which I didn't like that much initially
often turned out to be the best ones.
Anyways, well put. Thank you!
Thanks so much! Great analogy.
I had my Montblanc 146 medium nib ground to a 0.6 mm stub after 34 years of owning it and I like it much better. It was my first fountain pen, gifted by my wife on our first anniversary and I didn’t get a second one until my daughter gave me a Kaweco Sport last Christmas. I did not use the Montblanc very much for many years but I am enjoying it now in my golden years.
That sounds wonderful. An amazing story. These things are that much more precious when they are gifts from those we love.
Hemingway, I am new to your channel and I'm so grateful the YT algorithm picked you up for me. I've been watching some of your backlog and I'm loving your content. Especially the videos around journaling and mental health and how that's linked to the love of fountain pens for you. Thank you for being here!
Thank you, My Friend, for being here and joining this journey with us! Thanks for watching.
Going on a vacation in the fall which starts in Canada. May need to find a Mont Blanc store and that 146. I’m a lefty so wonder if that would make a difference.
I’m not sure about being a lefty. If you write straight up and down, it should be the same. Have a wonderful time on your upcoming adventure!
The first time I got a pen modified for spencerian, I was very disappointed. I literally cut hte paper and was worried I was going to break the nib. And I thought I knew how to write w/ fountain pens. I put it back in its box for a month before I decided to try again. Now, I cannot imagine how to catch the nib like that even if I wanted to demonstrate it on purpose... The MB Flex though is a bit squirrely... it's very sensitive to ink and I was disappointed as the pen would skip or hesitate... but others told me it would break in which it did and now it is amongst my favorite. A good budget option that performs out of the box as good as the MB calligraphy is The Good Blue pen (w/ titanium nib option). My only gripes are that it does not have a clip and I'm not crazy about the metal section. But I'd recommend The Good Blue for people who want a decent flex and flow. This is different from the Blue Dew pen which I have no experience.
Sounds great. Thanks.
Glad you worked it out with this pen, I get mine on friday.
Wonderful, Congratulations. Let me know how it goes.
@@HemingwayJones I got my 146 flex yesterday, immediately felt the needle point's extreme feedback, but in a few minutes I found my rhythm with push down and effortless up, what a revelation eh, no skipping whatsoever, no railroading unless I really write fast, damien onxy black. First time using a flex!
Later in the day I went to the Magna Carter Factory and met the owners, used their Mag 600, the MB kept up and I think I prefered the snap back of the MB. I really like the pricision of the MB flex and sharp contrast. The 600 was softer and had a different feel. But with the rhythmic push and snap dance both were a lot of fun.
I liked the black ebonite Mag 600, I set a deal to pick one up next month.
All in all I'm really satisfied with both pens. Good times :)
I waited months for a 149 with the calligraphy nib. Right out of the box it had ink flow and railroading issues. When I could get it to write well it was magnificent.... For three words and then I'd need to tap it to get ink. I'd turn the piston. I tried being patient. Well, today my patience ran out and it's now a mangled mess and I need a new one.........
So sorry. I hope it gets resolved for you.
@@HemingwayJones thank you! i have a few other montblancs that are fantastic and a few flex nibs from other makers that are great. this was just very disappointing after the wait.....
Yes I bought a fully priced retail version of the 149 and I love it. Also bought the 146 legrande calligraphy version and love that one too.
Those are two excellent pens! Well done.
Hemingway, Happy 4th of July and reaching 7,000 subscribers.
Thank you Scott! Happy Fourth to you, My Friend!
You're always insightful. I loved the clip at about 3:00 when you say "maybe it's me after all." That struck such a chord with me. I have pursued the perfect planner for years ... no, decades! As of tomorrow, I'm one year down this fountain pen rabbit hole and need to look in the mirror and confess that there is no single Goldilocks pen that will lay down beautiful lines on nice paper AND resist feathering and bleedthrough on the day-to-day copier paper, etc. Enjoy your holiday weekend with the family!
Thanks so much! I am so glad you enjoyed it! “Maybe it’s me,” could be the theme of the Channel! 😂
Fantastic video as always Hemingway! I have pens that sit in my pen box for weeks or even months, only to once again become my favorites. Reviving the seldom used, but never forgotten pens, are one of the many facets that makes this hobby so much fun. The same sentiment applies to inks. ✒
Thanks so much, Kurt!
I love stub nibs but when I am writing at full speed for me the nib can be frustrating.
Now I have moved to medium or fine nibs for everyday writing but break out the stub nibs for my more sedate writing times.
Soon I will try flex for my relaxed and more deliberate writings. A nib can be selected for the mood of the writing I have realized.
Very good point! (Is that a pun?)
Have you tried a cursive italic? It may be your thing.
This was a great video! I've been inconsistent with my writing lately so it was nice to hear a reminder of how this, like many things, gets better with time.
Thanks so much. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
In 1980 and 1990s in India ink pens were for middle schoolers graduating to high school kids and marked a mile stone. We wrote tons with these pens. We would buy nibs separately and replace as they broke. Things were precious in those days, not anymore.
That sounds so fun. Thanks for letting me know. All the best.
@@HemingwayJones Till late 1990s, Parker pen was considered a great gift to be received from Indians who visited USA and returned back to India.
My wife bought me a MB 146 in 1993 and I've always loved it even more than my MB 149. She has bought be many fine writing instruments since then but the 146 is still my favorite pen. I must say however, that after watching this video, I'm slightly envious of that Flex Nib you have. But I think I am going to leave mine just as it is...and be very thankful for it. Great video Hemingway. Always enjoy your videos more than any other channel I watch and I watch more than I would like to admit. You're the best. Thanks so much.
Thanks so much. All the nibs are pretty great. Thanks for the kind words. I am lucky to have you here.
Great video! I really enjoyed it!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much!
Marvellous
Thanks!
God I want that pen. that is my grail pen. I want the calligraphy nib. Does the 149 come with a calligraphy nib? Good job on the video!
Thanks so much! Yes! The 149 has one too.
As a former commercial banker, your narrative of the 146 sounds like a loan officer spreading the financials of a customer asking for an extension. Did I structure the loan terms such that it affected their bottom line? Did I miss their inventory turns? I share so much with your insights from my entrepreneurial life, HJ. Well crafted and written video!
Thanks so much! That sounds like me. I need to go back and reacquaint myself with this video.
Well said I also have the BlueDew, Waterman, 52 1/2 hard rubber along with the Pilot falcon, and of course the Montblanc calligraphy fountain pen among others. although I’ve made great efforts to love them all, the love of my vintage pens are still my true loves of calligraphy writing .
I like how you pointed out we tried to love some of them I purchased a Pelikan 1000 I wanted so badly to love it it’s done nothing but give me grief … I’m sure if I hadn’t been dealing for months with this beautiful pen and nib when the beautiful Limited edition, green came out, I would be thrilled and wanting to get it, but I just went on in my search. And the fact that I’m very happy with my collection.
But when it comes to inks, I’m always on the lookout :)
It’s so true though! So many pens bring out different responses in us.
Hello HJ. Another winning video. It just so happens that I recently added the tenth pen to my collection. It is the Montblanc 146 with the calligraphy nib. I haven't inked it up yet but soon will find out if it will be a hardship starting out or love at first write. I will let you know how my beginning started. Keep up the great work.
Congratulations on an awesome pen!!! Let me know your thoughts.
Thank you, HJ. I just inked it up with Waterman's Tender Purple 🟣 . I feel that the opulence of this ink matched the pen, perfectly. I will keep you informed on my feelings for this pen.
Excellent, as usual. This made me finally bite the bullet and order the 146 w/EF Calligraphy nib from Joost. Arrrgh... (so much for resolutions)
I think you’re going to be happy, Ladd. I love mine!
Awesome Laddie! Let me know your thoughts! Always a pleasure, My Brother.
Yay!
Hello HJ. Just dropping you a friendly note wishing you and your lovely family a wonderful, safe, 4th of July. Kind regards, Richard Zak.
Thank you so much! I hope you have a wonderful Fourth too!
Lovely reflections. For me, with also some centenarian nibs, I do find that my modern Pineider iperflex nib has performed amazingly. I also find that my lovingly used cheap Chinese nibs rise to the occasion. Talking about you, Jinhao!
Wonderful! I am glad that you found some great options.
Hi Hemingway! This video just arrived in time…been studying the history of Mont Blanc and their factory the last two days. And this pen is on my wishlist for my great interest in reviving my calligraphy. Thanks again for the wonderful and educational content…have a great holiday weekend!
Thanks so love for watching!
How is this vs. the 149 Curved NIB?
I wish I knew. I don’t have the curved nib pen. All the best and thanks for watching.
Great video. I had a difficult relationship with Pilot Falcon....if that was my first pilot, I would have never tried the best pen in my collection [Custom Urushi]. I never came to terms with it. The 146 flex is such an amazing pen. It can write truly fine lines. I wish they made the 146/9 more available.
I agree completely! I’ve seen what you can do with this!
Such a dreamy fountain pen.♥︎
Thank you!
I'm very selective of my pens these days. I've owned approx. over 60 pens. I've now minimized my collection to 7. If I don't absolutely love the pen, it's gone. I also recommend titanium flex nibs with Namisu pens.
That sounds like a good system. Thanks for the tip.
Absolutely excellent - my own will arrive from the Chicago boutique next week. In your experience, did you find the nib soften over time with more and more writing?
Thanks so much, Andrew. It does soften a bit over time. It definitely evolves.
Good luck with yours!
Good and warm afternoon from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, Jones. Indeed, there are some fountain pens with which I find it difficult to empathize. I have two Montblanc 149. One is a nib F and although I rarely use it, I love it. I like to write with the F nib. The other is the curved nib and two things: First, and most likely, is that I don't use it well, because if you put it at 45 degrees, it writes very very thick. In order for it to write a little thinner, which is size B, it must be placed almost perpendicular to the paper. To write fine you have to write with the nib upside down. I have a hard time getting the hang of it so that I can write the way I want. The second thing, I think that maybe it is not the right one for me. I only have one solution left, keep practicing. Thank you for your attention and sorry for this long paragraph.
P.S. Translated with Google Translator. Thanks again for your videos.😊
I love long comments! Muchas Gracias Amigo!
Love this video! :). Flex nibs are kind of weird to me. I've a few and they are hard to use because i just write really fast. I did get a Montblanc 146 and it is my favorite. I love 146's in general. It's the perfect size for my hand. I write slower with it and feel that it is doing it's best for me. So I get it. Lovely that you shared! :)
Thanks so much for watching!
Absolutely poetic, Hemingway. :)
Thanks for the inspiration, my own journey back into fountain pens and correcting years (OK, decades...) of experience making unkempt-looking handwriting is still in the early stages. It sounds like there's hope, and that there are rewards at the end, if there is such a thing as an end. It's the journey that matters, not the destination, right?
Thanks so much for the kind words. You can do whatever you want to do. And yes, just enjoy it as you go.
I have had a mystical relationship with my Mont Blanc 149 with a nib "italicized" first by John Mottishaw and later (after I dropped it on the floor) by Brad Torelli. It is a perfect pen.
I am so glad that you were able to fix it and turn it into something amazing.
good video, one question i have a montblanc 146 2023 model i am so hard to see hte ink level. can you help me please maybe a video
Hello My Friend! I wish I could help more, but it is very difficult to see the ink level with that pen. It gives you an idea if you hold it up to the light and when you can see through it, running out is iminent. Other than that, you have to go by feel. It won't feel as lush near the end of an ink run. Thanks so much for watching.
i will do as you said thank you sir.@@HemingwayJones
Get video,can't wait for my twisbi eco ex fine,in black from Goulet pens and black blue ink sample.on Saturday my pen from India will be here.,frank in Oswego,I'll
Wonderful! Thank you! Great choice!
Hi, very nice show. I find that flex pens require quite a bit of concentration, this can be very exhausting over a long writing session. Many modern flex nibs are very stiff and this is why I really have a dislike for them, just too much effort needed. If you have ever tried a Noodler's Ahab you will understand where I am coming from. 🤗 Cheers and all the best.
Thanks so much!
Very eloquent language in this video
Thank you! So glad that you enjoyed it.
- Well...
I feel very much the odd one out - in your audience -, because I believe I have a different perspective.
While my relationship with fountain pens was initiated about 60 years ago by a romantic interest in "real ink" etc, most of my life with fountain pens has been all about functionality. Whether in studies or work (engineering), or even leisure (I can't even watch RUclips videos or play computer games without pen and paper), pen and paper has been central and critically important for me. I don't need to do journaling or write letters to have a use for a pen. I'm fond of saying: I think with pen and paper. I use calculators and computers, but the thinking, I do that on paper with a pen.
I made the choice to go 100% fountain pen in my teens, only because I found the (right) fountain pen to be vastly superior to pencils and ballpoint pens. So much so that I find it remarkable and incredulous that not everyone is only using fountain pens. But enough about the details.
I have little interest in beautiful writing, expression etc. Until some 20 years ago I wasn't even interested in pens. I only owned about 6 fountain pens, none of them particularly expensive, and most of them pretty worn out. And that was how I fell down the rabbit hole. I needed some replacements, and not finding fountain pens with ordinary stationary retailers any longer, I went online, and found this FP renaissance. What really kicked me down the hole was Noodler's Ahab. What a crude, primitive contraption, with its functionality totally depending on my understanding and my own, messy, blue-fingered tweaking. But that is also why it's a toy. A love affair, yes, but a toy. Parker's plastic Vector, much the opposite, is also a love affair, but different kind, from a long working life together. But I can't really use it seriously any longer. My hands and fingers have become too used to thicker and less slippery pens.
So, I don't really believe in "flex nibs", but I've been there before. Reconnecting a bond with an old pen, I don't think I've done exactly that. But discovering a pen after owning it for 20 years, - I can do that: Waterman Carenne. And it's all your doing. Mine is identical to yours, but like my other Waterman pens, it lay dormant in my drawers because it didn't start promptly, so I had no use for it. You drawing attention to this pen, eventually got me to very carefully deal with the nib's "baby bottom". And it only took the most minute work and it was suddenly fine. An absolutely lovely nib to write with. One of the nicest I own. If the paper has a very hard and glossy surface, it may occasionally still not start promptly, but overall it's just fine and I'll leave it. Great pen. Who would have guessed?
I don’t know, except for your ability to accept your handwriting, while I obsess over my own. Though I do enjoy a good obsession! -I identify with pretty much everything in here, especially rediscovering the Carène of course! Thanks for the thoughtful comment
Great video thanks. Not sure about this version of 146 as a left-handed person but it’s great so see what it can do. BTW: I came across the nib first time with this video here - love it: ruclips.net/video/zG2jN3PXj18/видео.html. I am connected to a Cartier Diabolo (stainless steel version - quite heavy ;-)). In the beginning it had issues with the ink flow and I went to the Cartier store in Frankfurt at least 3 times to get it fixed. Everytime then it has been away for several weeks as they send it to their service Center in France. So, we had a bad start but the Cartier Diabolo is a faithful companion since 20 years now. Just received my 147 Platinum (special version of 146 filled with cartridges). First impression: great version, giving much more flexibility while travelling. Greetings from Germany Dirk
You know I love the Cartier Diabolo! Fantastic find! Thanks for the warm comment. Wish you all the best.
Anybody want to buy a Pilot 743 and/or a Waterman 52v? I think I can get buy with not using just one flex pen, my Franklin-Christoph Pocket 66.
I come at this issue from the drawing side, where even a greater percentage than writers cherish flex pens. Me? My aesthetic has little to no use for variable lines. When I DO want a varied line, I find it easier and more precise to DRAW the line (each edge, then fill in) with an XF than to slop a flex at it.
For me,it is much more important what I write,not what the letters look like. At least for now I am not willing to focus on the purely visual aesthetic of each letter. But I do see the beauty in doing so.
"What will you write with your pen of light?" -Jordan B. Peterson
We all find different focused from time to time. It’s a big wonderful hobby. I appreciate you and I appreciate your watching. Stop be again soon.
*Promo sm* 😕
I don’t know what this means, but thanks for comment, I guess!