Which Country Do You Think Manufactures The Best Fountain Pens?

[MisterBoll]

Norway # 1

[Freddy]

"Which Country Do You Think Manufactures The Best Fountain Pens?"

 

 

Grand Fenwick makes the bestest..and did you know that Prime Minister

Count Rupert signs all impotent documents with them as does the good doctor

Kolkintz usin' his home brewed quodium ink..which by the way is a very bright ink.

 

 

Fred

As leader of the party of the common man..I say that war is reprehensible..

barbaric..unforgivable..and unthinkable. And I second the motion {to go to war}.....

 

And furthermore..I also use fountain pens made in Fenwick..'cause she who

must be obeyed..said so..i.e..Hilda.....

~ Benter..who is also a part time barrister...

[orfew]

Urawabda is the only possible answer.

or erehwon

[Rose Nibs]

The best fountain pens haven't been made yet, but Hot Springs, Arkansas is probably a contender.

[gregamckinney]

Depends on how you define "best."

For me:

* Best (looking) - Italy, far and away

* Best (performing) - anything but Italy (partially joking.) Serious answer: Japan, USA, Germany

 

 

Regards, greg

[Buzz_130]

I hate to be technical, but countries don't make pens--companies do. Nation-states get to tax and spend for national interests, and they influence companies through their financial and fiscal policies. Companies and individuals design, manufacture, and deliver products for people to buy and enjoy.

 

Of course, the "best" is a matter of opinion. Some really enjoy the feel of a Sailor or Pilot nib, others appreciate the heft of a Pelikan body, and others might value the interchangeable nibs of a TWSBI. The list can be pretty exhaustive.

 

Look at some of the threads where people post their wish lists or show what pen they are carrying or writing with, and you will see that the enjoyment of fountain pens has no national boundaries or limits to a specific region or culture.

 

Buzz

[theexpanciluser]

1. Germany- Pelikan, Lamy

2. USA-Sheaffer.Parker

3.England-Conway, other-Waterman forgot where it was manufactured ahaah

4.france-Montblanc,

5.Japan-Nakay, Platium

6.Italy-Delta

WEll, these are my opinion, so obviously you don't have to be like me

[RitchieMac]

Depends on how you define "best."

For me:

* Best (looking) - Italy, far and away

* Best (performing) - anything but Italy (partially joking.) Serious answer: Japan, USA, Germany

 

 

Regards, greg

 

My feelings too. But when Italian pen DOES perform, it performs beautifully.

[Felix1]

 

4.france-Montblanc,

 

 

I expect the good people of Hamburg, Germany would be surprised to find out that they are really Frenchmen.

[Pen2009]

Germany and Japan. Both countries still have manufacturers who pursue the craftmanship of the products they produce. It is rather easy to spit out bic pens from a mass production line; but, making fountain pens requires more work than that.

 

So far, I am not interested in pens made in China. Computer and electronic equipment do not require craftmanship.

[sethk]

@ humsin, I thank you for the information you have shared. I stand corrected.

 

@ rochester 21, thanks for a detailed view.

 

And thanks every one else also chipping in.

 

Yeah, I did miss out on the french, as they have Cartier, S. T. Dupont, Michel Perchin (correct me again, if I am wrong).

 

China, I must agree has suddenly sprung as a manufacturer of reliable and cheap instruments.

 

In my personal opinion, however, value of an FP never be determined by value of the input materials+cost of workmanship+a reasonable profit. I think it is a life style accessory, and hence it's value will always be in line with the brand producing it. How else can one define luxury?

 

Again, I've used quite a few FPs, and I think MB outlasts most other brands in terms of retaining the same look, feel and quality that would have been at the time it was bought. Reason that it's popular and most sold FP brand in the world.

 

However, I seek more inputs, more insights into why would a maker of a pen / country be better. If anyone can only share technical insights in terms of materials used, feed qualities, nib qualities, filling mechanism, then it would be more rounded a discussion which would be more factual than just opining. I hope my point of view is appreciated.

 

Never the less, many many thanks for dropping in precious lines on this topic. Most welcome, anytime, with any comment, any feedback.

 

Thanks

 

In my personal opinion, Cascadia wins. What they lack for in quantity, they make up for in luxuriousness and brandedness.

[firebug]

Hi there everyone,

 

When I started onto this topic, I never thought it would seek such amount of attention.

 

Truth is what is written by vniper - that it's too broad a question to be answered. It is also equally true that on a forum like this there can never be consensus on 'best' as it's subjective, personal and often has to do with a person's exposure to FPs.

 

Having said all this, it still turns our that at times, people leave gem of statements and comments with knowledge of lesser known brands that spring up in such conversations. It is also in such conversations that a lot of insights come through in terms of good/bad about a brand of FP. Stuff that one would have to dig for, at times pay to an expert to understand.

 

I again thank all of those who left their comments and feedback on the thread.

 

Please keep the thoughts flowing with as many details as possible.

 

For 1, I now know that there are also choices beyond the obvious brands that one should experiment with to know the world of FPs better.

 

Thanks

[fabri00]

I do not think you can get sensfull answers without defining what ou mean with "best pen".

Best for what....? Durabilty? Nib smoothness? Capacity of ink holded? Design? Reliability?

 

For me for example italian pens are on top of design and color, but not in terms of durability and reliability in the long term.

 

Germans are leadimg for duranility, but not for design and colrs. Japan exactly the same.

 

Us brands were leading in the past in terms of design, durability and reliability, but not anymore today (...please sorry as im weiting in an american forum....).

[Blue_Moon]

I do not think you can get sensfull answers without defining what ou mean with "best pen".

Best for what....? Durabilty? Nib smoothness? Capacity of ink holded? Design? Reliability?

 

For me for example italian pens are on top of design and color, but not in terms of durability and reliability in the long term.

 

Germans are leadimg for duranility, but not for design and colrs. Japan exactly the same.

 

Us brands were leading in the past in terms of design, durability and reliability, but not anymore today (...please sorry as im weiting in an american forum....).

 

 

+1. For me, reliability is the most important. I want the pen to write the second the nib touches the paper, and continue writing in a smooth wet continuous line. After reading this thread, I probably won't be buying an Italian pen anytime soon, regardless of its beauty. So, as others have said, when you say "best pen," what's "best" to me may not be "best" to you. I'd stick with the Far East, US, and Germany, not necessarily in that order.

[Opooh]

I think the best pens are made on planet earth.

[The Good Captain]

Scotland.

Sorry; that's Pelikan, under licence.

[de_pen_dent]

Japan - for the craftmanship (maki-e, urushi, etc)

 

Italy - for the designs

[Papermate]

Japan, for all types of pens- fountain, ballpoint, and rollerball.

[pajaro]

USA as I've never owned a bad Parker or tried a bad Sheaffer.

I didn't notice a Sonnet in your collection.

[pajaro]

I do not think you can get sensfull answers without defining what ou mean with "best pen".

Best for what....? Durabilty? Nib smoothness? Capacity of ink holded? Design? Reliability?

 

For me for example italian pens are on top of design and color, but not in terms of durability and reliability in the long term.

 

Germans are leadimg for duranility, but not for design and colrs. Japan exactly the same.

 

Us brands were leading in the past in terms of design, durability and reliability, but not anymore today (...please sorry as im weiting in an american forum....).

Japan does seem to make a number of pens that look like imitations of the Meisterstuck styling.

Some Pilots are great pens, and all you have to do is buy a Cross Solo to find that out.

Too close to call. All too expensive. If I were considering my first nice pen today, I would buy a Montblanc rollerball. A Classique.