A Nib is Born

Axel Nier, technical setter of Montblanc’s Nib Manufacturing facility, holds a 13-pound reel of gold. This is how nibs begin their life at Montblanc. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

HAMBURG, Germany — How many people does it take to make a nib? At Montblanc it takes about 50 who work through an approximate 35-step process. That’s a lot of work for such a small object.

Just to be clear, what I’m talking about is the part of the dip pen or fountain pen that comes into contact with the writing surface to deposit ink.

The process combines old hand-crafted techniques with the precision of modern machinery. It’s an assembly line system but the human touch throughout the process ensures that each nib gets personal attention. Each nib goes through the same process but, yet, each is unique, explains Axel Nier, technical setter of Montblanc’s Nib Manufacturing facility, who took me on a tour of the clean, well-organized and productive facility in Montblanc’s headquarters.

“We really have hand work that’s over 100 years old so that each nib that leaves Montblanc is hand-grinded so there’s really a soul in the fountain pen,” Nier said. “Everything you see here is really the heart of the fountain pen.”

A brief overview of the process follows:

Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

A nib begins life as a 13-pound spool that looks similar to a reel of motion picture film (top picture). The flat surface moves through a machine that stamps the initial outline, breather holes and stamp of the nib. One side is thicker, which is the writing side of the nib while the thin end goes into the ink feeder. Only 40 percent of the gold is used. The remaining 60 percent is recycled.

The individual pieces move to a press to get its convex shape—15 to 20 pounds of pressure is used. They are then checked by hand to ensure that the shape is exact.

And admittedly blurry image of tiny iridium balls that will be attached to the gold nibs. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

The electrical welder that welds the iridium ball onto the gold surface. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

A tiny iridium ball is then quick-welded onto each nib with a machine that creates a near oxygen-free environment. A spark of a flame does the job of fastening the hard iridium ball onto the soft gold. It takes a split second. The roundness and hardness of the iridium ensures that the nib will be able to glide across paper and last a long time.

The diamond blade slices the nib into two sections. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

A sliver of a cut is made through the iridium ball and gold to create two rectangular wings. Iridium is one of the hardest surfaces on the planet while gold is a soft metal. It takes a special blade to cut the hard iridium point and the gold quickly at the same time. A thin diamond blade is used. It’s so thin that it literally crumbles and tears if not handled delicately.

Photo credit: Montblanb

Grinding of the nib is next, which smooths the edges of the gold around the iridium point.

 

Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Next comes the mask. Some of the writing instruments use two colors of gold. Rhodium is used to create white gold so those nibs get a rhodium bath. The mask is placed over the areas that will not receive the coating.

Photo credit: Montblonc

The last step is to assemble the nib to the feeder. Then the nibs are tested by hand. One person spends her day writing eights and other lines to ensure the ink flows properly and the pen handles well. Invisible ink is used so it doesn’t appear to the customer it has been tested.

And the final result.

Photo Credit: Montblonc

Below is video from Montblanc video that presents a stylized but accurate version of the nib manufacturing process as well as the work of artisan atelier that I wrote about Friday.

Montblanc's Artisan Writing Instruments

Master goldsmith Sabine Bach explains some of the details on the Montblanc Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81 writing instrument. Photo credit: Montblanc

HAMBURG, Germany — Montblanc’s artisan atelier in its headquarters is a modern, spotlessly clean and quiet place. Hardwood floors and soft hues mix well with plenty of glass and light (outdoor and indoor). The craftsmen work in pristine and well-organized stations. It’s an environment designed to produce exceptional work.

It is in this 14,000-square-foot space where 60 artisans of different skills, many of them masters of their craft, develop, design then build the barrel and caps for Montblanc’s limited editions of writing instruments—including a few single-issue pieces for particular clients. Master goldsmith Sabine Bach showed me some of their prized writing instruments.

Many of these beauties will never experience a drop of ink. Some will never leave their elaborate boxes. Others will only be used as adornment at formal affairs. However, all of these fountain pens are designed to work. “Every writing instrument has to fulfill its function,” Bach says. The materials used for the barrel and caps can be quite exotic and include mammoth tusks, jade and exotic woods. 

Charlie Chaplin Limited Edition 88 honors the silent actor with an artistic rendering of his famous "Little Tramp" outfit in one of his best-known and culturally significant films, Modern Times. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

These works are often influenced by arts, culture and historical events. For example, the Charlie Chaplin writing instrument, “One of our most beloved pens,” Bach says, honors the silent actor with an artistic rendering of his famous “Little Tramp” outfit in one of his best-known and culturally significant films, Modern Times. The top of the pen, which always features the Montblanc star logo, is in the shape of the small bowler hat that was synonymous with the character. The clip on the cap is shaped as an 18k white gold cane, and the bottom of the barrel, has the shape of the baggy pants worn by the character. The 18k nib is engraved with the character’s boots.

The cap and barrel are made of black titanium. An 18k white gold skeleton frame is designed as a complex set of gears, in reference to the 1936 film in which the Chaplin character struggles to survive in the modern, industrialized world.

There were 88 of these writing instruments made, which coincides with Chaplin’s age at the time of his death, at a cost of 20,800 euros ($27,313) each. They have long been sold out. 

Alfred Hitchcock Limited Edition 80 is one of the newest limited edition products from the Montblanc artisan atelier. It is decorated with references to Hitchcock's most memorial films. Photo credit: Montblanc

Another writing instrument that deals with the subject motion pictures is one dedicated to Alfred Hitchcock that contains many details of the prolific director’s most famous films.

The barrel and cap are colored red, reminiscent of the blood-stained crime scenes of his films, black lines swirl within the red, recreating the stairway scene in the film, Vertigo. Bach said that 25 layers of lacquer were used as well 25 colors to get the proper effect and color. “The work had to be very well done,” she said. The 18k white gold and diamond clip on the cap is in the shape of the knife used in the film, Psycho.

The cap rings of the pen are encircled by a stylized roll of celluloid. Tiny details of rope, which are wrapped around the cap and barrel rings and cone, refer to the murder weapon used in the film, “The Rope.” The 18k white-gold cone has rows of hash marks totally 53, which represents all the films he directed. The nib is engraved with the director’s famous profile.

This is one of Montblanc’s newer models. A total of 80 were made, again referring to the age when Hitchcock died. The cost is 21, 800 euros ($28,700). However, Bach notes that it is nearly sold out. 

The face on cap of the Beijing Opera Mask Limited Edition writing instrumentis made of 2,000 gemstones in a micro-pave pattern, including black sapphires, diamonds and rubies. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

The most bejeweled model I saw on my visit was the Beijing Opera Mask, made primarily for the Chinese market. The opera mask on the cap is made of 2,000 gemstones in a micro-pave pattern, including black sapphires, diamonds and rubies. It’s very smooth to the touch, or at least I was assured of this by Bach, since she was the one holding the pen with gloves on. It took the in-house gem-setter three to four hours a day for several days to complete the pattern. The entire barrel, cap and nib on the prototype on display were made of 18k yellow gold.

Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81 honors the sovereign of Monaco. The elaborately-designed skeleton frame is studded with lozenge-shaped diamonds and rubies totaling more than 8 carats, which represents the shield of the Grimaldi coat of arms. A total of 996 diamonds cut with facets and 92 rubies form the fine network. Photo credit: Montblanc

Then there’s the diamond-studded fountain-pen Montblanc Prince Rainier III Limited Edition 81, created in honor of the sovereign of Monaco. 

The pen is made of 18k white gold. The elaborately-designed skeleton frame is studded with lozenge-shaped diamonds and rubies totaling more than 8 carats, which represents the shield of the Grimaldi coat of arms. A total of 996 diamonds cut with facets and 92 rubies form the fine skeletal network. The top of the cap is in the shape of a crown and lined with 19 rubies, measuring 4.4 x 2.5 mm. The top of the cap is, as always, the Montblanc star, this one made of mother of pearl. The clip is fashioned as a royal sword, topped with a replica of Prince Rainier’s signet with cross. The gem setter at Montblanc works very hard.

A total of 81 were made, again referring to his age at his death, and costs 200,000 euros ($262,300), with half of the sales going towards the Princess Grace Foundation.

The Bespoke Nib: The Final Frontier In Making The Perfect Writing Instrument

A model of the Montblanc bespoke nib.

HAMBURG, Germany — Among those who collect and use fine writing instruments there is nothing more personal than the nib. Collectors, writing enthusiasts and artists constantly debate which nibs are best. It’s a conversation that will never have a conclusion.

What we are talking about is the part of the dip pen or fountain pen that comes into contact with the writing surface to deposit ink.

I was at Montblanc’s headquarters on the outskirts of Germany’s second-largest city to get a first-hand look at how they manufacturer nibs. What I was surprised to learn is that the company has set up a department for creating personalized nibs through its boutiques in nine cities. The bespoke service combines modern technology with old world craftsmanship and service. Axel Nier, technical setter of the Nib Department, and Frank Derlien, Nib Department manager, put me through the process that is available in its boutiques in New York, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai, Milan and Mexico City as well its Hamburg headquarters.

The service of testing and then creating a personalized nib costs 1,200 euros ($1,577), Niersays. Depending on its acceptance in these boutiques, it may become available at more boutiques.

“We have a lot of VIP customers who really love this tool,” he says.

Other than the fact that I’m doing a story, Nier also is also interested in turning me into a user of fountain pens for my daily work. I tell him I don’t think it’s a good idea since I tend to destroy pens while working. But he’s determined.

A pen with a transmitter on it that, along with an digital desk pad, provides details about handwriting styles.

The process begins with Nier handing me a pen with a digital transmitter attached to it. With it, I print a prepared statement along with my signature. I write on paper but below the paper there’s an electronic desk pad that provides details about my writing style. Even though it’s actual pen on paper, it feels a bit less comfortable.

Montblanc software measures a person’s writing style based on speed, pressure, pen rotation, swing range and inclination angle.

Montblanc designed its own software that measures a person’s writing style based on five key measurements: writing speed, writing pressure, pen rotation, swing range and inclination angle. As I write lines appear on a computer screen that measures the five areas. In the end of the process a certificate prints with my writing measurements and a recommendation. Based on those measurements, Montblanc can now have an accurate guide to specify a writing instrument. The recommendation is for me to use a “fine” nib, which is typical for someone who constantly takes notes.

From here, there are two options. The person can either buy a writing instrument at the store that best fits his writing style or he can have a writing instrument designed at Montblanc’s headquarters that exactly fits his criteria. The determination is based on the computer data analyzed by the writing experts at the nib factory.

“We can make your DNA fountain pen suited for your hand and we will hand make everything here in Hamburg,” Nier says. “The data will be sent via Internet and we can analyze each step. We have 2,500 measurement points that we can analyze and we can make a perfect nib for your hand.”

My writing characteristics report.

To top it off, the service includes a personalized statement engraved on the nib.

In my case I did some additional freestyle for Nier. Through this he concluded that I should use an extra-fine nib for my daily writing and a medium-sized nib for writing my signature.

I am certainly convinced to the superiority of a fountain pen over a standard pen. However, I’m not convinced that a fine writing instrument should go undergo the daily abuse my pens go through.

Montblanc and the Couple of the Year Awards

The winning couples: Christiane and Herbert Knaup (“Creative Couple”), Sabine Christiansen & Norbert Médus ("Couple of the Year"), Annemarie Warnkross and actor Wayne Carpendale (“TV Couple”), and Olympic Champion Maria Höfl-Riesch and husband Marcus Höfl (“Power Couple”). Photo credit: Montblanc

HAMBURG, Germany — It’s not often that you see someone in the news business get emotional over receiving a bit of recognition. But there she was, one of Germany’s best-known journalists, Sabine Christiansen, being reduced to tears on stage, sharing the limelight with her husband Norbert Médus, as she spoke in German about being named “Couple of the Year.”

That’s right, you read correctly. Each year couples in this northern port city are honored and given awards for having successful relationships. In addition to the “Couple of the Year,” three other couples received awards at the April 23 event in the categories of: “TV Couple,” “Power Couple” and “Creative Couple.”

Couple of the Year Award 2012, German television journalist, Sabine Christiansen, and and her husband, French entrepreneur, Norbert Medus with their Montblanc TimeWalker watches. Photo credit: Montblanc

The criteria for receiving an award is largely undefined or unknown to the public (believe me I asked). Outside of the top honor, the categories change each year, again for unspecified reasons. Being married is often a criterion, although it isn’t set in stone as you will soon learn, and being in the public eye is certainly a top consideration.

The awards event in its 10th receives a great deal of attention from the German media. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Montblanc along with Gala magazine, the largest celebrity publication in Germany, and the Hotel Louis C. Jacob, the romantic inn overlooking the Elbe River where the event was held, are sponsors of the event that celebrated its 10th anniversary. Despite its apparent vagueness, The Couple of the Year Awards has grown to become a very important part of the social calendar in Hamburg and increasingly well-known throughout Germany. It had all the trappings of big celebrity gala. Current and past winners stepped on a red carpet and were greeted by a large bank of photographers.

Past Couple of the Year winners, Sir Christopher Lee and his wife, Birgit "Gitte" Kroencke Lee. They have been married for 51 years. Photo credit: Montblanc

Among the best-known past winners in attendance were British actor Sir Christopher Lee and his wife, Birgit “Gitte” Kroencke Lee, who’ve been married 51 years; and American socialite, model and actress Olivia Palermo and German model, Johannes Huebl, who have been dating for about four years. Palermo and Huebl received the award last year for “International Couple.”

Olivia Palermo and Johannes Huebl, who have been dating for four years, received a Couple of the Year award last year for "International Couple." Photo credit: Montblanc

However, once inside the room where the awards were presented, it was a more intimate affair. In fact, you might say that minus the stage and awards presentation, it looked a bit like a wedding. But in many ways it’s better than a wedding because saying “I Do” is the easy part. Being successful at marriage or a relationship takes hard work and sacrifice. Add to that the demands of celebrity that most of these couples face and it becomes an even greater challenge and achievement.

German TV presenter Frauke Ludowig led the Couple of the Year presentation at the Hotel Louis C Jacob. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

“These are exactly the values for which Montblanc stands for,” said Lutz Bethge, Montblanc CEO.

Yours truly flanked by Lutz Bethge, Montblanc CEO, and his lovely wife Gaby. Photo credit: Montblanc

For example, Christiansen gave up her position hosting the most popular political talk show in Germany to move to Paris with her husband, Médus, an entrepreneur. As Couple of the Year, they received two Montblanc TimeWalker watches.

Montblanc presented the three other winning couples with jewelry from the Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco for the women and Montblance writing instruments for the men.