Most Iconic Fountain Pens?

[jakob]

I'm working on some designs for fountain pen shirts and I need a little help from the community on the research front. I was wondering which fountain pens would be considered the most iconic or the most representative of the companies that manufacture them (vintage or modern). The Lamy 2000 has to be one of them, right? Which others? Are they recognizable by their shape alone? I don't own any Mont Blancs, nor know a lot about them, but they seem to have pretty unique design and a unified design language between them.

 

I'd like to ask the same question again, but about nibs. The Pilot Falcon has a very recognizable nib. Sailor nibs have a pretty unique geometry. Are there other recognizable nibs? Pelikan? Platinum? Lamy Safari?

[The Blue Knight]

The Parker 51. There is no getting away from the fact that it is the Iconic fountain pen.

Edited April 18, 2015 by The Blue Knight

[jakob]

The Parker 51. There is no getting away from the fact that it is the Iconic fountain pen.

 

That's perfect! That is another very iconic pen.

 

Just to clarify for everyone, I'm not looking for just the most iconic pen (though the Parker 51 is arguably that), but rather iconic pens. So feel free to add more

[prighello]

Pelikan m series. The shape is distinctive with only the size varying among models. Also the shape of the nibs is very similar among then as well. On nibs I'd think the Shaeffer inlaid nib would be indicative of that company. Cross century is iconic for that company. What companies are you look for? If you list them we might be able to list the pen. Like a 3776 for platinum for example. Sailor is obviously the 1911.

Edited April 18, 2015 by prighello

[Manalto]

How many choices do you want to narrow it down to?

 

The Parker Duofold is a classic design that would translate well to silkscreening.

 

Another distinctive Sheaffer nib is the "Triumph," particularly the two-tone.

 

The word "iconic" is so overused it's nearly devoid of meaning for me. I think you're using it correctly!

Edited April 18, 2015 by Manalto

[ac12]

Actually for Lamy, as much as people talk about the 2000, I think their pen is the Safari.

The Safari is used by many more people, but the 2000 would be their flagship pen.

So this leads into what is YOUR definition of "iconic pen."

And is there a time period involved. Is it since 1900 or when. I am not familiar with most of the older pens, so my call could/would not include some GREAT pens of the past.

[The Blue Knight]

I think the Parker Sonnet is transitioning into an Icon. Parker has had a checkard history especially in the last 2 decades with numerous models most of which having not been hugely sucessful however the Sonnet is the excpetion conservative design excellent performance the epitome of mid range fountain pens.

Edited April 19, 2015 by The Blue Knight

[frogbaby]

i have never owned one but certainly the montlanc 149 would be an iconic pen

 

i second the sheaffer triumph nib which i really love

[langere]

The Aurora 88 is another one. Sheaffer PFM. For innovative design, the Pilot Vanishing Point and the M90 (all steel construction).

 

Erick

[Maurizio]

Pilot Vanishing Point.

[Blue_Moon]

Actually for Lamy, as much as people talk about the 2000, I think their pen is the Safari.

The Safari is used by many more people, but the 2000 would be their flagship pen.

So this leads into what is YOUR definition of "iconic pen."

And is there a time period involved. Is it since 1900 or when. I am not familiar with most of the older pens, so my call could/would not include some GREAT pens of the past.

I agree, regarding the Safari, also adding the practically identical Al-Star. That shape and the paperclip pen clip are recognized by anyone who knows anything about fountain pens.

[Chettiar]

If I interpret your question in my own way, without naming explicitly, without showing a photograph of the full pen, just to (instantly) recognise a brand by a sketch of the nib -- Parker 51, Lamy Safari/al-stars , some sailors, Montblancs fit the bill... For me hero pens too..

[kazoolaw]

Sheaffer Balance-especially the oversize

 

Esterbrook

 

Wahl/Eversharp Skyline

 

Montblanc 149

Edited April 19, 2015 by gary

[RonLyke]

Sheaffer Balance-especially the oversize

 

Esterbrook

 

Wahl/Eversharp Skyline

 

Montblanc 149

May I add the Doric?

[Justcurious]

Montblanc 146/149

 

Most people who aren't pen nuts would likely know about their flagship pens and before I got into this whole pen business the 146-149 was to me the iconic fountain pen.

[Charles Rice]

For starters by manufacturer:

 

Waterman - Patrician

Parker - Duofold

Sheaffer - Balance

Wahl Eversharp - Gold Seal Personal Point

MB - Meisterstuck

Pelikan - 100

Edited April 19, 2015 by Charles Rice

[Frank C]

Dictionary

iconic

adjective icon·ic \ī-ˈkä-nik\

Definition of ICONIC

1

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an icon

2

a : widely recognized and well-established <an iconic brand name>

b : widely known and acknowledged especially for distinctive excellence <an iconic writer><a region's iconic wines>

 

(From Merriam-Webster online.)

As far as 2b goes, I think you have have to include the Japanese Pocket pens. The Pilot M90 is my favorite of those. Whenever I go to a pen show, I have at least two in my pocket. Everyone always likes them.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/226246-review-of-the-pilot-m90-f-nib/

[FountainPages]

Parker: Duofold, P51.

Aurora: 88.

Montblanc: 149/146.

Lamy: 2000.

Pelikan: M series.

Onoto: Magna...the originals, though absurdly expensive today.

Edited April 19, 2015 by FountainPages

[ink-syringe]

Duofold, Vacumatic, P51

Lamy 2k

MB 146/9

PFM or really just that inlaid nib in general. You see it and just think Sheaffer.

The various Touchdown Filler and Snorkel conical nib Sheaffers (which collectively sold in massive numbers mid-century).

Aurora 88

Lamy Safari/All Star/Vista

Pilot Varsity ?

[debraji]

_{Some distinctive pens others haven't mentioned:}

 

_{Eversharp Skyline}

_{Esterbrook J}

_{Pilot Custom 74 demonstrator}

_{TWSBI 530}

_{Omas Homo Sapiens}

_{Nakaya Piccolo}

Edited April 19, 2015 by debraji