Older pen brands tend to be quite reserved when it comes to innovating their designs, and especially with german brands. It’s quite refreshing to see the house of Montblanc does so once in a while, even though there is more room for creativity. The instrument we have in front of us today is an example of that - Montblanc Egyptomania.

The pen comes in a typical black faux leather box, with a more colorful decorative paper box on the outside, I guess it’s a nice touch perhaps? You also get the booklet with use and care guide with other modes of writing for this special edition - I do find myself liking the ballpoint, as the hexagonal shaping makes it fit into the “pencil” like theme of this release.

From a design perspective, this is a well formed pen with a good balance in the hand. The cap and barrel is made of resin, and fitted nicely so that when capped, the flat sides always line up. The base model of the Egyptomania is the Rouge-et-Noir fountain pen, with a smaller piston filler fitted into a slimmer package. You get the perks of not having to constantly filling it with a converter, but the smaller ink capacity might be a nuisance if you’re a daily writer. Furthermore, when I still owned the Rouge et Noir, there was the issue of the metal plating coming off from the section due to being dipped into the ink, so that’s a point to consider as well, but if you’re fine with some metal aging then I guess it’s a perk?

The metal parts of the cap is made with textured or anodized brass with a layer of lacquer on top to prevent patina. Knowing Montblanc I don’t think they would let any of their pen goes into brass patina mode, but it would have been really cool to see that dull or well used I should say, patina on the clip…another missed opportunity…

There is the scarab at the end of the clip and the hieroglyphs on the side, not sure what it means but it’s there to support the egyptian theme of the pen.

Overall, it’s a handsome pen to look at, but with the innate flaws similar to the Rouge et Noir line I don’t think it would fit in with the typical fountain pen collectors’ stash of writers. I could definitely be wrong and you are one of those who really love the design and want to add a bit of egyptian call back to your collection. What do you think? :) let me know.

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