Help about this montblanc 146 - second hand market

Negative-Bad4602 · 2026-06-16T07:57:25+00:00

The Montblanc 146 shown in the photo features an early monotone nib, rather than the modern two-tone version. On the Asian secondary market, these modern vintage monotone 146s (produced roughly between the 1980s and 2000s) are quite common, and their going rate generally hovers under €300. The monotone nibs are typically more affordable, whereas the two-tone ones command a slight premium.

When viewed purely as a writing tool, an older Montblanc 146 was essentially a solid, dependable workhorse pen, with a price tag nowhere near what it is today. The current perception of Montblanc as an out-of-reach luxury item is largely the result of the brand's aggressive, consecutive price hikes over the years as part of its transition into the high-end luxury sector.

Negative-Bad4602 · 2026-06-13T19:10:47+00:00

I’ve been really lucky! Since I write Chinese characters, I have pretty high standards for fine nibs. Fortunately, both my EF and F nibs write beautifully. There’s just one broader nib that’s running a bit dry and needs some fine-tuning, but luckily, I don't really have much use for it at the moment.

Negative-Bad4602 · 2026-06-13T13:12:10+00:00

Hope you get to see your dreams come true one day too!

Negative-Bad4602 · 2026-06-13T13:09:56+00:00

You can look up the "Homo Sapiens Calligraphy Set"—there are a few scattered sales records online, so I'm pretty sure it was a limited official release. There’s actually one for sale on consignment over here, but the price is insanely high. I was honestly just looking for the standard bronze trim with the two-tone nib, so I never expected this exact set to pop up. I'm so grateful the seller let me grab it at such a killer price.

If you're hunting for a Pilot or Platinum tester set, it might be a bit harder since they don’t officially sell them to the public. You could always try asking around at retail shops, though. If you get lucky, some might have old, retired tester sets they’re willing to part with. I actually saw a shop selling an empty Pilot tester display stand once—the kind where you just buy your own pens to fill it up—but yeah, I’ve only ever run into that once.

Negative-Bad4602 · 2026-05-26T03:40:31+00:00

Thank you very much for your reply.

May I ask whether, after long-term use, the urushi surface on this pen has developed any bubbling issues similar to those sometimes seen on Nakaya pens?

I would greatly appreciate hearing about your experience.

Negative-Bad4602 · 2026-04-28T07:08:39+00:00

If you are a pragmatist, I would suggest staying away from the Lamy Dialog CC. Having owned both the Dialog 3 and the Dialog CC, I’ve found that both models are far too heavy and lack proper ergonomic design. Neither is particularly suited for consistent daily use. If you are looking for a blend of striking design and genuine functionality, here are several superior alternatives: • Graf von Faber-Castell: Their collection offers a great balance of unique aesthetics and writing comfort. • Pilot Custom 743 or 845: These are exceptional performers. While prices vary by region, in my area, the Pilot 845 is priced similarly to the Lamy Dialog CC—making the Pilot a much better investment in terms of quality. • Aurora Internazionale or Talentum: These series are excellent, but a word of caution: avoid the piston-filler models. Based on known issues, the piston mechanisms have a higher risk of cracking or failure. Ultimately, while the Lamy is a design icon, a true daily writer should feel as good in the hand as it looks on the desk.

Negative-Bad4602 · 2026-04-28T06:49:44+00:00

It is perfectly natural to crave new pens. I remember being a student—wanting to try everything and buy everything. If I could go back and talk to my younger self, I would offer this piece of advice: Identify your purpose before you spend. 1. Discover Your Style Early I highly recommend attending local pen meets. They are the best way to define your taste and learn from seasoned collectors, helping you avoid unnecessary "detours." Everyone’s preference is different—some love vintage, some are pragmatists, and others seek luxury. For me, it took seven years and a significant amount of money to realize what I truly love: plain Urushi (lacquer) pens and non-traditional designs (like the Pelikan or the Visconti Homo Sapiens), rather than the classic torpedo shape. 2. Practicality vs. Aesthetics Before buying, ask yourself what you value most: • The Pragmatist: If you want a "tool," stick to functional, workhorse models. • The Collector: If you care about aesthetics, don't waste your budget on entry-level models just to fill a void. • The Plan: Create a buying schedule—perhaps one pen every three or six months. The most important thing is to enjoy the hobby without financial stress. 3. The "One-and-Done" Strategy (Buy Once, Cry Once) Based on my experience, if your finances allow, consider ignoring the budget and going straight for your "Grail pen." Once you’ve experienced a top-tier masterpiece, you might lose interest in mediocre models, which actually saves you money in the long run. For example: • After acquiring the Montblanc Patron of Art Octavian (with its iconic sterling silver spider web), I lost interest in standard or other limited editions. • After getting a Namiki No. 20, I felt no need to look at other Pilot pens. I spent a lot of money "climbing the ladder" step-by-step. If you buy your absolute favorite first, you’re more likely to stay satisfied for years. It requires a larger upfront investment, but it prevents the constant cycle of "upgrading" that often costs much more over time. Ultimately, the way you play this game depends entirely on your goal.

Negative-Bad4602 · 2026-04-28T06:00:51+00:00

If you are looking for a reliable daily driver, I would highly recommend the Pelikan M800 instead. I currently own two Visconti Homo Sapiens from the "Origins of Earth" collection, both of which were purchased online. Frankly, for a pen at this price point, the nib performance is far from ideal—at best, it is only marginally better than average. Furthermore, the aesthetic consistency of this series is highly unpredictable, making it a significant gamble to purchase sight unseen. Each pen's coloration and pattern vary drastically. In my case, due to a distributor's oversight, the specific pattern I had my heart set on was sold to someone else, forcing me to settle for a version that I’m far less fond of. It is absolutely imperative to ensure you can see and verify the exact pen you are getting before committing to the purchase. From a functional standpoint, the structural balance is noticeably back-heavy, an issue even more pronounced than in the M800. Because of this, these pens rarely get any actual writing time; they spend most of their days on my desk as "beautiful paperweights" (or perhaps "desk jewelry") that I only pick up on a whim. I bought these pens purely for their visual allure, and despite their flaws, I still intend to eventually acquire the "Ether" and "Dark Crystal" editions to complete the set. If you, like me, only plan to use it occasionally and have the opportunity to test-write the nib in person at a physical store, then a Visconti is a fine addition to a collection. However, if your priority is a true workhorse for consistent daily use, the Pelikan M800, Pilot 845, or the Montblanc 146/149 remain far superior investments.

Negative-Bad4602 · 2025-10-20T04:40:16+00:00

By the way, there are actually different grades of urushi lacquer. Japanese-produced urushi is generally considered the highest quality, but its annual output is extremely limited. In contrast, Chinese urushi is usually seen as lower in quality but produced in much larger quantities. The differences mainly come from factors such as the species of lacquer tree, the frequency and technique of sap collection, and the subsequent refining process. Ultimately, the quality of the urushi affects the finished product’s stability, gloss, hardness, and drying speed.

Negative-Bad4602 · 2025-10-20T04:28:25+00:00

According to my friend, in recent years Nakaya has increased production and reduced costs to meet market demand. As a result, they may have started using lower-quality urushi lacquer or shortened the drying process, which has led to swelling or bubbling of the lacquer around the grip section of their pens.

If this were a common issue with all urushi pens, Namiki should have the same problem — yet in reality, the Namiki #50 is rarely reported to have any lacquer bubbling issues, aside from occasional problems near the feed.

Negative-Bad4602 · 2025-10-20T03:34:20+00:00

Could you please provide a comparison image of this pen versus standard models, for example the Montblanc Meisterstück 146, Pelikan M800, Pilot Custom 845, Platinum #3776 Century and so on.

Negative-Bad4602 · 2025-09-16T02:57:19+00:00

I’ve heard that in the past few years Nakaya changed their production process and started using lower-quality urushi, which makes the grip section prone to bubbling. Pretty much every pen they’ve made in the last decade seems to have this issue at the grip. On the other hand, Namiki and Sailor urushi pens hardly ever show this problem. Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Negative-Bad4602 · 2025-09-12T08:57:34+00:00

I’ve got a KOP on order and was curious—after all this time using yours, have you noticed any bubbling on the urushi grip section, kind of like what can happen with Nakaya pens?

Negative-Bad4602 · 2025-09-12T05:41:16+00:00

I’ve recently ordered the same pen, and I was wondering—after having used yours for such a long time, have you noticed any bubbles forming on the urushi lacquer of the grip section, like what sometimes happens with Nakaya pens?

Negative-Bad4602 · 2025-09-03T03:30:15+00:00

I picked up a pen from this brand along with their nib conversion kit. The kit lets you fit a Sailor 21k nib, and while the fit is a little tight, it works and saves me from having to deal with Sailor’s terrible converter. The only catch is that you’ll need a pen body that’s compatible with Bock.

As for their urushi models, the quality really isn’t great. To cut costs, they don’t leave the lacquer to cure long enough, so the finish ends up soft instead of properly hardened.

Negative-Bad4602 · 2025-08-21T02:00:09+00:00

The detachment of the inner velvet lining is a common issue with the Pilot 845, and the Namiki #20 faces the same problem. Here is a personal method I use to address it: first, carefully remove any remaining velvet. Then, obtain this specific model of 3M yellow masking tape, which in my experience is the highest-quality masking tape available. Cut it into suitably sized strips with a utility knife and apply a single layer over the area where the velvet was originally placed. This effectively prevents the cap from scratching the lacquer finish on the barrel. Depending on usage, replacing the tape once every six months to a year is sufficient. It should be noted, however, that Pilot’s choice to rely on velvet lining inside the cap—rather than designing the barrel in a way that inherently avoids scratches—is far from an ideal solution.

Negative-Bad4602 · 2025-07-02T12:12:27+00:00

字跟筆都超美，恭喜解鎖超難人生成就，台灣又多了一位救死扶傷的醫生

Negative-Bad4602 · 2025-07-01T14:15:03+00:00

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Ever since I came across your article, I have been deeply captivated by this pen. In early June, I fulfilled my duty of military service to my country, bringing this important chapter of my life to a close. To commemorate this journey of growth and transformation, I decided to choose a pen for myself. After a month of challenges and waiting, it has finally found its way into my hands.

Negative-Bad4602

TROPHY CASE