What Is Your Favorite 'big Four' German Pen Maker?

[superfreeka]

Personally, I am partial to Pelikan. I love Lamy's designs, but have had bad luck in the nib department. Graf von Faber-Castell is growing on me. I appreciate Montblanc, but I feel they are overpriced.

 

How 'bout choo?

Edited January 29, 2013 by superfreeka

[i.like.whiskey]

I can't get over Pelikan's design, so they're my favorite. But I do appreciate the design of the other three.

Edited January 29, 2013 by i.like.whiskey

[WOBentley]

My favorite pen is the MB in my signature, my smoothest writer is probably one of my Lamy Studios but my favorite overall feel is my M1000... So I have to vote for Pelikan. Only just got my first Faber Castel and haven't inked it yet so I can't comment.

[igor61]

Hi,Pelikan M800,then Mont Blanc 146

[Keyless Works]

Even though Montblanc has become the Louis Vuitton of pens, they are still my favorite German brand. I think Graf von Faber-Castell makes some of the best quality pens money can buy but I have not found one yet that was overly comfortable to use. I have sweaty hands (gross I know) so a metal grip (which Graf Vons have) is a black mark in my book.

[alvarez57]

I have had pens belonging to the four brands. The most expensive one being my M149, which is of medium value compared to other MB pens…. but I do believe the nib is basically the same. Faber Castel, I loved the nib but the pen was not ergonomical at all for me. I hated it. You can love a nib but if you can't hold the pen…

MB has been a mixed experience for me: a disastrous Bohème (a good nib but the rest was sheer trouble), a 146 F nib that was like a sharp nail. Then the 149 M nib that I love and a ground F italic nib to a “fixed” Bohème (without that fastidious mechanism) that is one of my favorites.

Having over-expanded the point above , I will briefly say Pelikans have been the most consistent in quality at a “modest” price. That’s why I voted for them. The exchangeable nib is a super-plus.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Soennecken, have only a nib.

Kaweco ...only one.

Pre and to mid '50's Reform...have one and one he made for another company.

Got a real nice Luxor.

Got only one Tropen...a nail like Lamy.

 

You are missing more than a few German pen companies.

 

My # 1 pen is a '55 MB 234 1/2 Deluxe semi-flex KOB.

#2 400NN

I have more Pelikans than MB so I'll go with Pelikan...prefer vintage and semi-vintage to modern....

Got more Lamy than MB too.

 

Want a Soennecken 111/222 in Herring bone or Lizard. The best pen made in the '50's and that includes the 146/9.

[ronw]

Personally, I am partial to Pelikan. I love Lamy's designs, but have had bad luck in the nib department. Graf von Faber-Castell is growing on me. I appreciate Montblanc, but I feel they are overpriced.

 

How 'bout choo?

 

I'm also a Pelikan fan. I have an M800, and several vintage Pelikan 400s. My wife has a Pelikan M320 that is a delight as well.

 

They all write very smoothly (with nibs from Steno to M in our possession). All are beautiful items, well made, that function with precision and reliability.

 

I've also got an older Montblanc that I like, but the Pelikan pens feel so right in my hand. :-)

[Eyedoc]

Pelikan. I tried all the others first and found that when I finally picked up a Pelikan, there was no going back. I still give full marks to the design of the Lamy 2000, but it just doesn't live up to expectations in my hands in terms of smoothness - I have always found Lamy nibs hit and miss. I like a harder nib and would also put in a mention for my Kaweco sport, as well as for its very clever design.

 

But, literally every time I pick up my Pelikans, I am reminded of why I love them so much. The versatility of the nib exchange, the huge capacity of the piston fill, the beauty of the design... I also like the fact that you can carry around a high end quality pen every day, but it remains understated (to non-fountain pen users, maybe!). Everywhere I go I take a Souveran M625 Dark Blue, a Majesty M7005 and a couple spare nibs to share between them and feel that I can enjoy writing in style without feeling conspicuous. Life is too short!

[Joker4Eva]

Soennecken, have only a nib.

Kaweco ...only one.

Pre and to mid '50's Reform...have one and one he made for another company.

Got a real nice Luxor.

Got only one Tropen...a nail like Lamy.

 

You are missing more than a few German pen companies.

 

My # 1 pen is a '55 MB 234 1/2 Deluxe semi-flex KOB.

#2 400NN

I have more Pelikans than MB so I'll go with Pelikan...prefer vintage and semi-vintage to modern....

Got more Lamy than MB too.

 

Want a Soennecken 111/222 in Herring bone or Lizard. The best pen made in the '50's and that includes the 146/9.

 

Those pens just aren't too famous outside Germany, seeing that they've closed down.

Darn Pelikan. Buying over Geha and closing them down. Me is sad.

But I still love Pelikans. Their designs are timeless and I like that. But Lamy is nice as their flagship model is waaaaaay cheaper than Pelikan's. Comparing a Lamy 2000 and a Pelikan M1000 by price? Yeah right...

[hari317]

MB followed by Lamy, then Pelikan.

[jar]

GvFC followed by Mb then Pelikan and Lamy.

[jar]

Even though Montblanc has become the Louis Vuitton of pens, they are still my favorite German brand. I think Graf von Faber-Castell makes some of the best quality pens money can buy but I have not found one yet that was overly comfortable to use. I have sweaty hands (gross I know) so a metal grip (which Graf Vons have) is a black mark in my book.

 

Fondle a GvFC wood Intuition.

[mirosc]

I Have or have had at least one from each company. Plus pens from many other German manufacturers.

If I had to be honest I would pick none of those four as the one I like best / think is best.

But as I have to play along I will choose Pelikan. That's the company most here in Germany associate with "fountain pen".

Edited January 29, 2013 by mirosc

[Diver53]

In all fairness, I have never held or used a GVFC, but among the other three MB is my choice.

 

To be honest I am surprised to see Pelikan so far ahead with votes. Maybe I just had back luck with the two I used to own.

 

I gave one to an old Army friend and my daughter liberated the other from the pen box she gave me for Christmas while home for the Holidays.

[Keyless Works]

Even though Montblanc has become the Louis Vuitton of pens, they are still my favorite German brand. I think Graf von Faber-Castell makes some of the best quality pens money can buy but I have not found one yet that was overly comfortable to use. I have sweaty hands (gross I know) so a metal grip (which Graf Vons have) is a black mark in my book.

 

Fondle a GvFC wood Intuition.

 

That must be a newer model. I will say though it still doesn't look overly comfortable but I should probably hold it before I pass judgement.

[rg132012]

Love my Pelikan m800.

[tandaina]

I said Pelikan cause I have more of them, but I have ALMOST as many old Montblancs and love them as well. Don't have a Lamy, suppose I should try one if I can find a piston filler? (Did they make these?) The modern ones don't really do much for me. I do have an Osmia pen coming that I believe is from after their aquisition by Graf van Faber, so we'll see what I think of it!

[mirosc]

Don't have a Lamy, suppose I should try one if I can find a piston filler? (Did they make these?)

 

Lamy 27

Lamy 30

Lamy ratio line:

Lamy 44

Lamy 46

Lamy 47

Lamy 49

Lamy Profil line:

Lamy 80

Lamy 81

Lamy 86

Lamy 99

Lamy 2000 (the only current pistonfiller)

plus more

Edited January 29, 2013 by mirosc

[Maelstrom]

My choice is purely sentimental, therefore capricious by some standards. My first "real" pen was a Meisterstuck Classique ballpoint, given to me in 1991. Fountain pens came later, of course, and my love affair with MB design has been the preeminent one for 20-plus ears now.

Edited January 29, 2013 by Maelstrom