My First Vintage Fountain Pen: Montblanc 220 Review
Original video: My First Vintage Fountain Pen MontBlanc 220
If you've been around the fountain pen world for a while, you know that vintage pens can be a gamble. Sometimes you score a perfect piece of history, and sometimes… well, not so much. But today, I’m excited to share my first vintage pen—the Montblanc 220 from the late 1960s—and spoiler alert: I think I got lucky.
Why the Montblanc 220?
I’ve wanted to add another Montblanc to my collection, but let's be real—they’re pricey. So I started looking at vintage options and found this one on eBay from Japan. The 220 is a lesser-known Montblanc model, often compared to the Lamy 2000 in style.
It’s made of makrolon, a lightweight yet durable plastic with a brushed finish, giving it a sleek, understated look. Unlike the chunkier, modern Montblancs, this one is super thin and light, making it a great everyday writer.
Design & Build
✔ Snap cap with gold-filled hardware
✔ Montblanc logo on both ends (many vintage ones lose this over time—mine still has it!)
✔ Hidden piston filler (seamlessly integrated into the body)
✔ Ink window (not the most useful, but it’s there)
✔ Unique teardrop-shaped plastic feed
✔ 14k gold inlaid nib (not hooded, but sits flush with the section)
Everything about this pen screams precision and craftsmanship. The piston mechanism is nearly invisible—you can barely see the seam where the knob turns to fill the pen.
How Does It Write?
I was worried about potential ink flow issues or hard starts, but this thing writes beautifully. Initially, I had a bit of nib creep, but after cleaning it, it settled in perfectly.
Nib: 14k gold fine nib
Ink: Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-peki
Writing feel: Smooth, bouncy, and slightly wet
Line variation: A little, but not a flex nib—just soft enough to be comfortable
It reminds me of a Pilot E95s in the way it bounces slightly when you write, but it’s not a flex nib. It just glides effortlessly across the page, making long writing sessions a pleasure.
Size Comparison
To give you an idea of how compact this pen is, here it is next to:
TWSBI Eco – Similar in length but much thinner
Lamy Safari – Again, close in size, but the Montblanc 220 has smoother curves and a sleeker profile
Sailor Pro Gear Slim – A little longer but significantly thinner
If you prefer lightweight, slim, understated pens, this one is a dream.
Final Thoughts: Worth It?
For a first vintage pen, I couldn’t be happier. It’s a well-made, classic Montblanc with a fantastic nib and a piston filler for a fraction of the price of a modern Montblanc. If you’re looking to get into vintage pens, this is a great place to start.
And let’s be honest—I’m already hooked. I just got another vintage pen today, so expect a video on that soon!
What about you? Do you own a vintage Montblanc or another vintage pen you love? Let me know in the comments!
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