Forum Name

[raging.dragon]

[...] Apart from some small "bespoke" firms pen manucture is confined to Germany, France (soon to be Poland) and the far east. It will be interesting to see how this pans out over the next few years.

 

And Italy. I believe S.T. Dupont are still in France even if Waterman (and Parker) move.

[raging.dragon]

There was very little traffic here, even when CS was a going concern. As an (unfortunately) deceased entity, I can only see the traffic further decreasing.

 

I personally think the suggestion to move this to the regional section (along with Italian, Japanese and Chinese pens) is, ultimately, the right idea. It would open the forum up to currently produced manufacturers (Onoto, YOL), vintage pens, as well as remaining a place for modern and vintage CSs.

 

I wish we were in a world where Onoto and CS individually generated enough passionate verbiage as certain German manufacturers, but that sadly isn't' the case. This seems like a logical step.

 

Grouping them together may even enlighten lurkers to the existence of the smaller companies, and thereby channel traffic and custom their way. After all, as pen lovers, ain't that in all of our interests?

 

Little traffic, and if I recall correctly it has been mostly about modern CS pens - though a few vintage CS collectors seem to have become active here since the recent demise of the modern CS.

[Cryptos]

The question that springs to my mind is: Why does Conway Stewart get a forum under its own name, whereas none of the major Japanese pen companies get the same consideration? Especially as Platinum, Sailor and Pilot are all current and relevant. I would think that a 'British Pens' grouping would be quite a fair way to proceed.

[Matlock]

All valid points but it is interesting that the CS forum runs to 73 pages but "other brands" only runs to 72 pages (I know that this does not indicate the total traffic). There are probably just as many cases for a change as those against but perhaps we should see how things progress over the next few months, I suspect traffic will fall if there are no developments on the brand name future.

[soapytwist]

 

Little traffic, and if I recall correctly it has been mostly about modern CS pens - though a few vintage CS collectors seem to have become active here since the recent demise of the modern CS.

 

Little traffic, and what was generated seemed to be in the realms of customer service directly involving the company. I was always a little 'uncomfortable' that for the most part this forum seemed to be CS's page rather than FPN's (however unconscious this was), especially having their customer service person as a moderator. Helpful, yes, but ultimately a conflict of interest on a board like this. My own opinion is that:

 

- Cross & Wahl (both less than 1,500 topics in each) should merge to create a US pen forum (possibly including Esterbrook, but that forum is fairly active in comparison).

- Conway Stewart changed to British Pens which would encompass CS, Onoto, plus the vintage brands that are currently held in the Miscellaneous section.

- The free forum can be used to give a Lamy Forum for a trial period, to see if it actually would generate enough traffic on its own. If not, then a 'German Pens' forum to include Rotring, Faber Castell, Kaweco, Soennecken etc.

Edited October 22, 2014 by soapytwist

[richardandtracy]

The question that springs to my mind is: Why does Conway Stewart get a forum under its own name, ...

Please refer to D.ick's answer in post #8 above.

 

Regards,

 

Richard

[Chrissy]

Conway Stewart vintage pens hold a lot of interest for pen enthusiasts, just try buying one and you will see the incredible range of design and colours. The prices are getting higher all the time which would indicate a healthy market.

I agree with this. I don't think that a forum needs to be renamed just because new pens are no longer being made as that brand name. The Conway Stewart brand will be around as a sought after brand for many years to come

[twdpens]

@soapytwist: My thoughts are generally in line with yours and have also nothing to do with the fact that Conway Stewart has ceased trading. There has been some similar discussion in the past:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/103488-why-no-lamy-brand-focus/?p=1019317

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/124032-bexley-forum/?p=1231520

 

HTH,

 

Martin

[soapytwist]

Really Martin? Did someone else suggest a Lamy Forum before me?!

 

I've been here long enought to have seen the ins and outs discussed many times (and indeed my own view on things has changed each time they get discussed again, so I usually keep out of discussions). This does seem to be a natural point at which to re-align and re-name though, however sad the circumstances.

[raging.dragon]

I like the idea of a British pens forum.

 

If I recall correctly a Lamy forum was tried briefly not too long ago and didn't work out. Instead, maybe a German pens forum for Lamy, Pelikan, Faber Castell, etc.? Then only a handful of the largest brands (MB, Sheaffer, Parker and Waterman come to mind) might maintain their own dedicated forums.

 

This discussion is moving beyond the CS forum, perhaps it should be moved to Community Feedback?

Edited October 23, 2014 by raging.dragon

[richardandtracy]

...If I recall correctly a Lamy forum was tried briefly not too long ago and didn't work out....

I don't think you recall correctly. In the last 7 years there has never been a Lamy forum to my knowledge. It takes too much admin effort to create one to ditch it soon after - and then all the threads would then have to be moved into another forum by hand by the mods - and I certainly know I didn't take part in that.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[twdpens]

Richard, it was by invitation only . Farmboy is the moderator.

[RMN]

Richard, it was by invitation only . Farmboy is the moderator.

SSShhhhhhh that was the secret Lamy forum. You had to wear a kilt to be invited, I believe....

 

 

D.ick

[dms525]

SSShhhhhhh that was the secret Lamy forum. You had to wear a kilt to be invited, I believe....

 

 

D.ick

 

I think something got lost in translation. My understanding was that you were killed, if you revealed the secret forum's existence.

 

David

[Sherwood Forester]

Absorb CS into a British pens forum? Not sure about that. But if so, then how about . . .

 

CONOTO-LED ??

 

Hmm, perhaps it has too much of a petrol/gas connotation, sorry, inference.

[FarmBoy]

 

I think something got lost in translation. My understanding was that you were killed, if you revealed the secret forum's existence.

 

David

So much work, so little time...

[pajaro]

With the demise of CS production perhaps the topics of discussion will transition from CS politics to the many interesting pens CS produced over time.

[CSSD]

using the twisted logic I learned in Philosophy 101: because CS the company demised, am I no longer the owner of a Conway Stewart Flame Red Silver Duro ?? Do I now own "a British made fountain pen of unknown providence" ?? Am I no longer allowed to speak of it as a Conway Stewart ?? Or smile with pride of ownership ?? How shall I find it at Ebay ?? Must I grind from it all reference(s) to CS ?? What now is the brand name which my insurance company requires ??

 

http://www.andys-pens.co.uk/conwaypix/silverduroredstardust.jpeg

 

 

CSSD

Edited October 26, 2014 by CSSD

[FarmBoy]

With the demise of CS production perhaps the topics of discussion will transition from CS politics to the many interesting pens CS produced over time.

That would be noteworthy wouldn't it.

[JonSzanto]

FPN has an Esterbrook forum and, a Wahl Eversharp forum. Are they still making pens today?

 

Ahem: Wahl - Eversharp

 

And the pens are very nice, by the way.