Image	Product	Features	Price
	Pilot Metropolitan Black Crocodile Fountain Pen		Check Price
	LAMY Safari 2021 Savannah Green / Terra Cotta Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Kaweco Sport Classic Green Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Diplomat Optimist		Check Price
	Aurora Ipsilon Deluxe Black & Gold Fountain Pen		Check Price
	Pilot Vanishing Point Gun Metal Fountain Pen		Check Price

Montblanc is a German luxury brand that produces writing equipment, watches, leather goods, jewelry, and other premium items. 

They are, however, most well-known for their premium pens, which is why every luxury pen aficionado wants to get their hands on a Montblanc. However, the high price is usually why most people can not afford one, so people turn to Montblanc alternatives.

If you want to own a quality pen, but a Montblanc is out of your budget, the Truphae team of experts has compiled a list of the top Montblanc alternatives. 

As knowledgeable professionals in everything pens, we’ve narrowed the alternatives down to two main categories, which include Montblanc alternatives under $100 and $200, and covering the best Montblanc brand alternatives and their immaculate pens. 

But first, let’s see why Montblanc pens are all the rage among pen collectors and appreciators of beautiful writing.

Why are Montblanc Pens So Popular

Montblanc has been operating in the luxury goods market ever since it was first founded in 1906, which is nearly 120 years. 

Besides premium pens and other writing instruments that you can find on the Truphae site or in the Montblanc collection, they also produce bags, small leather goods, watches, fragrances, jewelry, and other accessories. 

The brand is most known for its luxury pens, among which the most popular include the Montblanc Generation fountain pen, Montblanc Meisterstück, Montblanc Starwalker, and many others. 

But why do customers keep coming back to this iconic brand that has stood the test of time? We’ve identified a few qualities that make Montblanc truly unique, which helped us identify the top Montblanc alternatives, so let’s see what they are.

Their Heritage and Reputation

As we’ve already mentioned, Montblanc is one of the pioneers in making fountain pens that have only been perfected in the course of the century that the company exists. 

They use materials superior in quality and value, like gold, iridium, platinum, and other rare metals, and even diamonds, which is why their pens are known for their longevity and excellence. 

This consistency in their products’ unmatched quality and remarkable design is why Montblanc has achieved its brand recognition and still has many loyal customers today.

Classic Design

Most of Montblanc’s best-selling pens have been produced for decades. That’s a direct result of their classic and eye-catching design that’s been imitated by many other brands over the years. 

You Get What You Pay For

Not only do you get a well-made pen when you choose a Montblanc, but you also get a pen with superior qualities, such as unique nibs that write smoothly and improve your penmanship, high-quality materials, excellent customer service should your pen ever need servicing, and a durable pen that will be part of your arsenal for years to come.

However, if Montblanc pens don’t currently fit your budget, we’ll give you some incredible options that include both Montblanc brand and pen alternatives.

Montblanc Brand Alternatives

Granted, it doesn’t get much better than a Montblanc when it comes to luxury writing equipment, but these brands come really close. Some of them are more expensive than others, but their overall quality is excellent. Let’s check the top brand alternatives and their go-to products.

ST Dupont

S.T. Dupont is a French company established in Paris that has produced luxury goods such as pens, handbags, lighters, perfumes, cigarettes, and other goods since 1872. Among their collections, you can find some of the finest fountain pens and writing equipment in the world, which makes them a great alternative to Montblanc. 

The following products are some of their most popular ones, all of which can be found in the Truphae store: 

• ST Dupont Defi Millennium Matte Black Fountain Pen
• ST Dupont Line D Large Derby Fountain Pen
• ST Dupont Line D Large Firehead Guilloche Fountain Pen
• ST Dupont Space Odyssey Premium Fountain Pen

Caran D’Ache

Caran d’Ache is a Swiss company established in Geneva in 1915. The company produces luxury writing equipment, such as fountain pens, ballpoint pens, colored pencils, graphite pencils, mechanical pencils, pastels, markers, gouache paints, and ink cartridges. 

Among the most popular Caran d’Ache pens in the Truphae store are the following: 

• Caran D'Ache 849 Black Code Ballpoint Pen
• Caran D'Ache 849 Metal Matte Black Rollerball Pen
• Caran D'Ache 849 Original Ballpoint Pen
• Caran D'Ache Ecridor Chevron Fountain Pen

Diplomat

Diplomat is a German company established in the Stuttgart area back in 1922. The company originally produced fountain pens only, but expanded to produce the first ballpoint pen in Germany back in the 1950s. 

The Truphae store has a wide selection of Diplomat pens and writing equipment, such as:

• Diplomat Aero Champagne Fountain Pen
• Diplomat Zepp Fountain Pen
• Diplomat Traveller Navy Blue Fountain Pen
• Diplomat Optimist Ring Fountain Pen
• Diplomat Nexus Black Fountain Pen

LAMY

LAMY is another German pen manufacturing company that has operated on the market since 1930. They’re known as pioneers in the industry due to using molded synthetic plastic to make their pens. As a company, they’ve manufactured fountain pens, mechanical pencils, ballpoint pens, and other writing equipment. They’re a great and often budget-friendly alternative to Montblanc pens.

Some of their best-selling pens in the Truphae store include: 

• LAMY Safari 2021 Fountain Pen
• LAMY Pico Ballpoint Pen
• LAMY Al-Star Fountain Pen
• LAMY Studio Fountain Pen
• Lamy 2000 Makrolon Fountain Pen 

Best Montblanc Alternatives Under $100

Now, let’s review some specific Montblanc alternatives that are budget-friendly options for yourself or as a gift.

Pilot Metropolitan

 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Pilot
Color	Black Crocodile, Plain Black,  Bronze Lizard, White Tiger
Weight	29 gr
Length	138 mm
Material	Brass
Series	Metropolitan

Pros & Cons

Pros

• A great pen at an affordable price
• Available both as a ballpoint and fountain pen
• Writes exceptionally well
• Can use different refills

Cons

• Some ink colors look better than others
• The barrel can scratch over time

The Pilot Metropolitan is a well-designed pen of high quality that won’t cost you a fortune. It’s a fairly light pen that you can write with for hours without your hand getting tired, making it perfect for those who often have long writing sessions. It has a classic design comparable to a few of Montblanc’s signature pens, such as the Meisterstuck, making it a great alternative for a Montblanc pen without the extra cost.

The barrel is made of durable brass, which only adds to its longevity. Its most unique feature is the glossy midsection that’s located above the grip point and comes in different animal prints. And the best part about this pen is that it works with different types of Pilot refills so you’ll never be dependent on the specific ones for this model.

The LAMY Safari 

Specifications

Manufacturer	LAMY
Color	Aquamarine, Mango, Violet, Savannah Green, Terra Cotta
Weight	10 g
Length	140 mm
Material	ABS plastic
Series	Safari

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Can use different nibs
• Great fountain pen for beginners
• Modern design that includes a window for checking the ink level
• Grip that helps get your hand in an ideal writing position

Cons

• It only uses LAMY refills
• You need to purchase the converter separately
• Not everyone is fond of the triangular grip section

Due to having a triangular grip section, the LAMY safari is the perfect pen for beginners who are just starting to use a fountain pen. This pen packs a lot of benefits — it’s ergonomic, affordable, has a minimalistic design, it’s available in various colors, and it’s favored by a lot of pen aficionados. 

This is a functional and reliable pen that comes with an interchangeable nib, so you can change the size of the nib according to your preferences. And we shouldn’t forget about LAMY’s excellent practice of testing their pens during the manufacturing process to make sure that each pen is up to the company’s standards.

Kaweco Classic Sport 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Kaweco
Color	Green, Bordeaux, White, Red, Black, Navy
Weight	9.9 gr
Length	105 mm
Material	Resin
Series	Sport

Pros & Cons

Pros

• You can customize this pen and add new nibs, clips, and even a converter
• Lightweight and great as an EDC
• You can easily disassemble it for cleaning and maintenance

Cons

• A rather small pen
• Not a lot of ink fits in the squeeze converter
• The shiny finish can scratch easily

You get everything from a lightweight and budget-friendly pen to a compact design if you choose Kaweco Classic Sport as a Montblanc alternative. The pen fits comfortably in your pocket, purse, or inside the glove compartment in your car, and it’s the perfect fountain pen that you can use on a daily basis.

It has a high-quality steel nib, which makes this pen much more practical than any other when you take into account the price and the size. An added feature is the hexagonal screw cap that prevents your pen from rolling off the table, and the ability to customize it based on your needs is just the icing on the cake.

Best Montblanc Alternatives Under $200

If you’re willing to spend a bit more on your Montblanc alternative pen, we suggest that you choose some of the pens listed below.

Diplomat Optimist

Specifications

Manufacturer	Diplomat
Color	Black Rhomb, Black Ring
Weight	26 gr
Length	135 mm
Material	Metal cap and barrel
Series	Optimist

Pros & Cons

Pros

• A classy pen that perfectly fits a fancy stationery
• It has the classic Diplomat logo, which feels just as iconic as the Montblanc logo
• It has a distinctive clip that fits over your shirt pocket
• The cap snaps on securely 

Cons

• The central ring both disrupts the design and can be lost easily
• The clip is too tight to fit over your jeans pocket
• The section is plastic and feels a bit cheap

The Diplomat optimist and its contemporary design make for a great Montblanc alternative, and the signature logo on the cap is just one of the details we love about it. Its elegant design that gives a mesmerizing visual effect is what first stands out, but the quality of the stainless steel is what provides the most value. You essentially get the “look of a Montblanc pen” at a smaller cost.

The metal cap sticks perfectly on the barrel, so you won’t have to worry about ruining your pockets if you carry the Diplomat as an EDC with you. Each pen has a high-gloss black lacquer finish that gives it a luxurious look and it writes smoothly across the pages. You won't go wrong if you choose this pen either for its design or for the way it writes.

Aurora Ipsilon

Specifications

Manufacturer	Aurora
Color	Blue & Chrome, Red & Chrome, Black & Chrome, Blue & Gold, Black & Gold
Weight	17 gr
Length	136.5 mm
Material	Resin
Series	Ipsilon

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Well balanced and lightweight pen
• Performs solidly
• Caps securely

Cons

• A bit small for people with larger hands
• A bit high-priced for a base model
• Big difference in size between the fine and medium nib

The Aurora Ipsilon is a classic Montblanc alternative that has a well-known design and a characteristic nib. The nib ranges from extra fine to broad, with the extra fine being very fine and crisp, which makes your handwriting look very delicate. Another key feature is the uniquely-designed Y-shaped clip together with the glossy finish of the pen overall.

You can either use ink or a cartridge since this pen comes both with a converter and a place to add the cartridge — a win-win situation for any fountain pen aficionado. The pen has a decent weight as it’s neither too light nor too heavy, so it fits perfectly in your hand and you can spend hours writing without your hand feeling tired. All this makes the Ipsilon a great Montblanc alternative.

Pilot Vanishing Point 

Specifications

Manufacturer	Pilot
Color	Gun metal, matte blue, blue & gold, red & gold, black & gold, red & rhodium, black & rhodium , black carbonesque, blue carbonesque, gun metal & matte black, shiny white & black, black matte, black ice
Weight	31 gr
Length	141 mm
Material	Lacquered metal
Series	Vanishing point

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Different nibs and finishes 
• Retractable mechanism that reveals the nib
• One of the best retractable fountain pens on the market

Cons

• The finish of the matte series can come off after a while
• Lower ink capacity

The Pilot Pilot Vanishing Point is a classic retractable fountain pen that’s been on the market since the 1960s. It has a minimalist design that includes a sturdy barrel and a retractable nib, which is perfect for fountain pen users who find that their nib keeps drying out. 

You can purchase this pen in a number of different colors, and if you’re looking for a premium pen that doesn’t come at a premium price, it’s the right one for you. One thing that can use some improvement is the location of the clip. Currently, it's placed on top of the pen, which isn’t all that comfortable when you’re writing. Other than that, this is a remarkable pen and a great alternative to the more expensive Montblanc.

Pre-Owned Montblancs

For pen aficionados who are still set out on owning a Montblanc pen but don’t want to compromise and choose a different brand, we’ve got the solution for you. Truphae has a wide collection of budget-friendly, pre-owned Montblanc pens that fit any preference. This is a great way to incorporate more luxurious pens in your pen collection while not spending a fortune, so give it a look. 

What to Look for When Purchasing Fountain Pens

Besides giving you the top Montblanc alternatives, we also believe that pen aficionados need to know the essentials when it comes to choosing a fountain pen. The following list will help guide your purchasing decisions each time you’re thinking about adding a new fountain pen to your collection.

The Nib Type and Size

The nib is the most important part of a fountain pen, given that it’s responsible for the ink flow and how thick or thin the letter will come out when writing. Nibs are typically made of stainless steel, which can be reinforced with iridium for pens of higher quality, or solid white or yellow gold. 

What’s also important for your fountain pen nib is its width, which defines the width of your writing line. Depending on your personal preference, you can choose between extra fine, fine, medium, and broad nibs, however, different brands often have different nib widths.

Taking good care of your nib will ensure that you use your fountain pen for years to come, and to do that, you need to regularly clean it as well as take it to a licensed repairman in case you experience any problems.

The Material

The material of your pen often determines its durability and how prone to scratching it is. Generally, fountain pens are made of one or more of the following materials:

• Plastic (ABS plastic)
• Resin (celluloid)
• Sterling silver
• Base metal (brass, stainless steel, aluminum)

Apart from the material of the cap and barrel, it’s important to check the material of the grip section since this can make your writing experience more or less enjoyable. Choose an ergonomic grip section if possible.

The Size and Weight

The size and weight of your fountain pen determine how comfortable you’ll feel while using it. A lighter pen with a smaller width is best suitable for people with smaller hands, while longer and a bit heavier pens would be great for people with larger hands. 

What’s most important is that your hand doesn’t feel tired when writing with your pen for longer hours. And last but not least, you’ll need to take the pen in your hand to see which barrel width works best for you, which is often the deciding factor for most people.

The Refill

Nowadays, most pens use one of the two main types of refills. One is the cartridge, a plastic tube filled with ink that can be easily replaced inside your fountain pen, and the other one is the convertor, which is the element that is necessary for fountain pens that work with bottled inks.

 There’s another type of refill available called the reservoir, however, this isn’t commonly found in modern pens because it requires more maintenance than the other two options.

Conclusion

If you’ve been wanting to purchase your first Montblanc but were deterred due to the high price of the pens from this brand, all is not lost. The pens we’ve mentioned on our list have a similar design to Montblanc pens while also providing you with the best writing experience.

Whether you choose the Pilot Metropolitan, Pilot Vanishing Point, The LAMY Safari, Kaweco Classic Sport, Diplomat Optimist, or the Aurora Ipsilon, we guarantee you won't make a mistake. These pens will stay in your arsenal and will become your go-to pens once you start using them on a regular basis. 

If you’ve tried some of these pens, let us know about your experience in the comment section below. And if you haven’t, make sure to write which one you’d like to try first.