MontBlanc Meisterstuck Legrand Fountain Pen Black (Broad) 146 / 13662

I purchased this writing instrument in Japan a little under a year ago and out of the small collection of fountain pens I own, it is the one I use the most for my Spencerian style handwriting. The broad nib allows for a smooth and comfortable feel on even the simplest strokes and the girth of the barrel is just right for even someone with smaller hands (such as myself) when writing long letters or taking precise notes. The piston filling system is also much more economical and less dependent on proprietary parts than other fountain pens I've used with cartridges and flexible bladders.

My only complaint would be that the "precious resin" used in the construction of the barrel and cap is rather fragile considering the price. It chips and cracks easily so the utmost care should be taken if it is carried around on your person while working or traveling. Luckily Mont Blanc will repair any component for a fraction of the cost (about 1/3) of a complete replacement, so it's not too much of a problem even if you do happen to let it drop to the floor from desk height or push the cap down too firmly onto the barrel before writing.

Also, as it is a luxury item it is best to follow the instructions given by the manufacturer regarding what inks ought to be used. Although it is possible to use other branded inks (such as Pilot) small factors such as the shape of the inkwell and minute differences in the composition of the inks can cause some problems with build-up of particulates that may negatively effect the pen's ink flow. This problem is easily solved by taking it to a Mont Blank store for cleaning (which is a free service), but I imagine it would be better these days to save time and money to just buy the proper ink in the first place.