Just got miself a Lamy 200... no, its a Montblanc 220

Monday at 11:00 AM

I've always thought Lamy 2000 was the only Makaron - fibre glass pen (okay besides other chinese look-a-like like Kaco edge or Jinhao 80). Until i saw this Mont Blanc 220. Never new it exist before.

It looks like a Lamy 2000, lighter than 2000. It's a piston filler, with the piston knob line also seemingly blending smoothly with the barrel as if it is invisible, just like the Lamy 2000.

The snap cap snaps feels exactly like a Lamy 2000, it uses a similar ear spring kind of thing like the Lamy.

It has 14k gold nib, but its not semi-hooded type like Lamy 2000. Through my readings, it was introduced roughly the same era as Lamy 2000.

Why was this pen not popular as the Lamy 2000?

I just got mine with a very very good price. The barrel finial / montblanc logo was missing. The nib was spray open lightly and bend downwards like a PO nib. I just finger-bend it back myself and it is quite a smooth writer. It's an excellent pen.

Some photos.

Thankfully there're great video on youtube on disassembly specifically on this model, it is relatively easy to disassemble. I removed the nib, feed, piston, ink chamber. Cleaned it all, re-lubed, and it works great now.

Monday at 02:23 PM

3 hours ago, AceNinja said:

Why was this pen not popular as the Lamy 2000?

@AceNinja Why, indeed? I also am eager to have an answer.

While we await one from an knowledgeable member, hearty congratulations on finding and self-servicing this Montblanc 220!

Monday at 03:02 PM

Wow. This pen reminds me so much of the Waterman Concorde.

Monday at 03:48 PM

Have both and was also surprised about the Makrolon material in the 220 when I got it. The 220 is one of my best writing pens and fun to use (doesn't hurt that it has a stub nib) It is quite a bit thinner than the Lamy 2000 so for longer term use I prefer the 2000. I would gladly buy either one again.

Monday at 08:29 PM

Congratulations! And well done on the repair/service work.

I've never had one in that finish. But, I did use 220's (& series) for years. They are solid reliable pens and make great workhorses. A handsome pen, with an understated elegance. I've always admired the sloped cap-ring.

Enjoy it in good health.

Wednesday at 05:40 AM

On 2/3/2025 at 11:48 PM, PAKMAN said:

Have both and was also surprised about the Makrolon material in the 220 when I got it. The 220 is one of my best writing pens and fun to use (doesn't hurt that it has a stub nib) It is quite a bit thinner than the Lamy 2000 so for longer term use I prefer the 2000. I would gladly buy either one again.

I don't yet have a Lamy 2000, but have tested the pen once. Looking at your photo, the material of the 2 pen is.. i would use identical to describe it. The texture pattern even looks same. MB must be using the same Makrolon supplier as Lamy? both are made in germany anyways..

2025-02-08T02:48:00Z

The entire Montblanc 22x series (220, 221, 224, 225, 227... I might be missing some) is one of my favorite fountain pen series. They are similar to Lamy 2000 in terms of looks, but I find MB to be more elegant, thinner, lighter, and more comfortable to hold too. They came in several configurations (w/ plastic, silver, gold, steel caps), were mostly piston fillers but also came as cartridge fillers too (had suffix P in 22xP and are quite rate). The trim was mostly gold, but some silver (e.g. 220S) colored trim models were made and are quite rare and elegant (especially with black barrels, sections and caps). I have several different models with different nibs and they all perform and write quite beautifully.They can be fully (dis)assembled by hand without any tools, which is quite handy when it comes to cleaning, lubing and adjusting. The basic chassis of MB 22x is used also in MB 32x and MB 42x series, and many parts are interchangeable. Many were made in the 1970s and are still available at decent prices on the web. In comparison to Lamy 2000, MB 22x is not as solid; it's made of different plastic and many older ones become brittle over time and can crack easily. So apply force gently and gradually when (dis)assembling them. The section and ink window have tendency to crack over time, so DON'T EVER overtighten the section, because it can crack the ink window.

Why were never so popular as Lamy 2000? Lamy 2000 has been in production since its inception and is an excellent fountain pen. It's a classic.

Montblanc changed its ownership in the late 70s and it gradually ceased to be a company that made a whole spectrum of reliable and well-performing writing instruments from inexpensive to luxurious. Montblanc of today is nothing but a luxury brand focused more on diversifying into leather and watches by capitalizing on its rich past. The 22x series eventually evolved into the Generations (strictly cartridge filler) series, which was entry level series in MB line-up for a long time. Granted, MB still makes nice pens today, but frankly, many of them fade in comparison to the ones from the past.

How does that saying goes... about not making them as they used to?

More detailed info here:

https://chrisraper.org.uk/blog/montblanc-classic-pens/

2025-02-08T04:16:54Z

1 hour ago, stric75 said:

The entire Montblanc 22x series (220, 221, 224, 225, 227... I might be missing some) is one of my favorite fountain pen series. They are similar to Lamy 2000 in terms of looks, but I find MB to be more elegant, thinner, lighter, and more comfortable to hold too. They came in several configurations (w/ plastic, silver, gold, steel caps), were mostly piston fillers but also came as cartridge fillers too (had suffix P in 22xP and are quite rate). The trim was mostly gold, but some silver (e.g. 220S) colored trim models were made and are quite rare and elegant (especially with black barrels, sections and caps). I have several different models with different nibs and they all perform and write quite beautifully.They can be fully (dis)assembled by hand without any tools, which is quite handy when it comes to cleaning, lubing and adjusting. The basic chassis of MB 22x is used also in MB 32x and MB 42x series, and many parts are interchangeable. Many were made in the 1970s and are still available at decent prices on the web. In comparison to Lamy 2000, MB 22x is not as solid; it's made of different plastic and many older ones become brittle over time and can crack easily. So apply force gently and gradually when (dis)assembling them. The section and ink window have tendency to crack over time, so DON'T EVER overtighten the section, because it can crack the ink window.

Why were never so popular as Lamy 2000? Lamy 2000 has been in production since its inception and is an excellent fountain pen. It's a classic.

Montblanc changed its ownership in the late 70s and it gradually ceased to be a company that made a whole spectrum of reliable and well-performing writing instruments from inexpensive to luxurious. Montblanc of today is nothing but a luxury brand focused more on diversifying into leather and watches by capitalizing on its rich past. The 22x series eventually evolved into the Generations (strictly cartridge filler) series, which was entry level series in MB line-up for a long time. Granted, MB still makes nice pens today, but frankly, many of them fade in comparison to the ones from the past.

How does that saying goes... about not making them as they used to?

More detailed info here:

https://chrisraper.org.uk/blog/montblanc-classic-pens/

@stric75 Thank you for this comprehensive explainer which answers most if not all the questions posed in this thread. Your inclusion of the link to even more information is likewise much appreciated.