Is Germany The Country For Fountain Pens And Utilities?

[OakIris]

Check out the "Glossopedia" on Richard Binder's site. It includes information on many (though not all) now defunct vintage fountain pen companies, as well as some companies still currently in business, though I would say the emphasis is on US companies. Mr. Binder has a disclaimer that the information should not be considered "as absolutely authoritative," but I think it is a great resource for many pen related topics.

 

And don't forget to include Wahl-Eversharp on your US manufacturer list, both the vintage pen company and the newly revived company started up by our own Syd (Wahlnut.) And TWSBI deserves a place on the 'Far East' list.

 

I hope you, or someone, actually does get a pinned listing up like this with at least some brief notes about each company's history and their claim to fame, or lack thereof. It would be pretty cool to read, though I imagine the number of companies that are no longer with us due to the supposed 'demise' of the fountain pen will far outnumber those that are still making fountain pens, which might be a bit depressing for us! I am a bit surprised that such a list doesn't already exist as one of the pinned threads at the top of the Pen History forum.

 

Holly

Edited July 31, 2014 by OakIris

[fabri00]

Well it seems that I should better think before posting....After Japan I Forgot Bella ItaliaVisconti, Omas etc....I wonder how many more countries my demented brain forgot :-)

Aurora, Omas, Visconti, Stipula, Delta, Montegrappa, plus few other minors.

Each of them produce also inks.

[Morbus Curiositas]

I really like the designs of Diplomats too and I am hoping to get a balance for Christmas.

Well safe the money for the gold nib... My goldplated is very smooth almost as smooth as the god nib on my pelikan and waterman...

 

Nice to have something to look forward to.... Hard to wait till X-mas:-)

[Morbus Curiositas]

Check out the "Glossopedia" on Richard Binder's site. It includes information on many (though not all) now defunct vintage fountain pen companies, as well as some companies still currently in business, though I would say the emphasis is on US companies. Mr. Binder has a disclaimer that the information should not be considered "as absolutely authoritative," but I think it is a great resource for many pen related topics.

 

And don't forget to include Wahl-Eversharp on your US manufacturer list, both the vintage pen company and the newly revived company started up by our own Syd (Wahlnut.) And TWSBI deserves a place on the 'Far East' list.

 

I hope you, or someone, actually does get a pinned listing up like this with at least some brief notes about each company's history and their claim to fame, or lack thereof. It would be pretty cool to read, though I imagine the number of companies that are no longer with us due to the supposed 'demise' of the fountain pen will far outnumber those that are still making fountain pens, which might be a bit depressing for us! I am a bit surprised that such a list doesn't already exist as one of the pinned threads at the top of the Pen History forum.

 

Holly

thanks Holy.

 

A list is much needed since I like history (mostly EU and US) i might do some history checking on companies too

 

Regards

 

Peter

[ehemem]

 

 

 

 

 

 

I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have cZecked that centropen and barclay

 

Centropen does not make Fountain Pens any more WHAT A SHAME Centropen sem to have produced the Barclay FP in the Past....

 

 

Thanks for yet some more constructive input,,,, itis always welcome

 

Groeten

 

Peter

Pre WW2, there were a number of fountain pen manufacturers in Bohemia. After WW2, what was left of these companies were combined under Centropen.

[Anirban4u]

Had to chip in...
Dont forget India with virtually every state (& we have 31) producing fountain pens locally.

Yes, they are dirt cheap,QC is next to none, aesthetics are poor, varieties are less..

But yes, I'll agree that Germany & Japan pretty much covers it all..

 

Which makes me decide between pelikan M200 & Sailor 1911 for my first "Expensive" catch...

Now if I could find a PFM II ...



edit: I can't spell, really

Edited August 1, 2014 by Anirban4u

[Morbus Curiositas]

Aurora, Omas, Visconti, Stipula, Delta, Montegrappa, plus few other minors.

Each of them produce also inks.

Mille Grazie Fabri :-)

 

List is growing... Will post a list of all these fine companies by country soon

[Morbus Curiositas]

Pre WW2, there were a number of fountain pen manufacturers in Bohemia. After WW2, what was left of these companies were combined under Centropen.

Thanks must look into that... Do not pin me on a date please.... I have to work too :-)

[Morbus Curiositas]

Had to chip in...

Dont forget India with virtually every state (& we have 31) producing fountain pens locally.

Yes, they are dirt cheap,QC is next to none, aesthetics are poor, varieties are less..

But yes, I'll agree that Germany & Japan pretty much covers it all..

 

Which makes me decide between pelikan M200 & Sailor 1911 for my first "Expensive" catch...

Now if I could find a PFM II ...

edit: I can't spell, really

Thank you....Well I must get at least one Indian Fountain pen....

 

Could you mention some names of Indian Brands Please?

 

Congrats with your future Pelikan buy.... I love Pelikan since I learned writing wiht one in primary school....

 

Just an advice from me... Waterman Carene.... Beautiful boat shaped pens with a ultra smooth 18K gold nib for a very nice price (especially for a gold nib)

 

regards

 

Peter

[Seele]

Peter,

 

If I am not greatly mistaken, the Indian pen industry can be divided into two quite distinct categories. First is the small-scale, hand-made pen, able to be produced locally with relatively small investment, and in smaller quantities. This suited the situation at the time as many small makers could be set up easily all over the country, each satisfying its local customers.

 

Then there's the industrial makers, where they employ more expensive techniques, such as injection moulding, to make pens on an industrial scale. It goes without saying that there is a bit of an overlap between the two, especially during the earlier years.

 

I appreciate both types of pens, and look for them for my collection and everyday use too. While the hand-made pens of the earlier style is probably considered in India as terribly old-hat, outside the country they are considered, I believe, as desirable boutique items.

[Kosmic-kowgirl]

I am on the same quest, but with inks. Loving this thread!

[Icywolfe]

Do you only want to collect writing FPs? Because Japan makes some calligraphy and sketching FPs.

[Morbus Curiositas]

Peter,

 

If I am not greatly mistaken, the Indian pen industry can be divided into two quite distinct categories. First is the small-scale, hand-made pen, able to be produced locally with relatively small investment, and in smaller quantities. This suited the situation at the time as many small makers could be set up easily all over the country, each satisfying its local customers.

 

Then there's the industrial makers, where they employ more expensive techniques, such as injection moulding, to make pens on an industrial scale. It goes without saying that there is a bit of an overlap between the two, especially during the earlier years.

 

I appreciate both types of pens, and look for them for my collection and everyday use too. While the hand-made pens of the earlier style is probably considered in India as terribly old-hat, outside the country they are considered, I believe, as desirable boutique items.

Thanks for the info will do some research.....

I wil start in FPN fora

[Morbus Curiositas]

Do you only want to collect writing FPs? Because Japan makes some calligraphy and sketching FPs.

Just Fountain Pens...

 

Butthanks for your Info

[Morbus Curiositas]

I am on the same quest, but with inks. Loving this thread!

How nice let's keep eachother informed

[Icywolfe]

Just Fountain Pens...

 

Butthanks for your Info

Wait I'm confused what you meant. Because both types are fountain pens.

[Cepasaccus]

And Dimmler!

Yup, it was a Swiss pen maker and I have also never seen one.

 

Who?

 

Dimmler.

 

[Cepasaccus]

Do you have any more names of old and new German brands....

Robert Flume (Berlin). Flume's main business was (and is!) tools for watch/clock makers. But at least in the thirties the sold also pens. Mine is with a silver overlay.

Columbus Werke Fürth (Fürth). They might have been associated with KaWeCo. My safety is from WWI.

Goldfink (and Gold-Fink) (Berlin). The (probably) produced and sold pens from the 20s to the 60s.

KaWeCo. An old company. The brand was acquired by a company in Nuremberg - I believe - in the 1990s and is now in the market again.

Soennecken. Also an old German company which produced also steel pens. Their fountain pens can achieve high prices.

Geha. Bought by Pelikan.

Markant. Brand from the GDR. There is the 65 Exquisit, I think a Parker 61 clone, with gold nib and thinly gilded cap, which was probably the high(est) end pen for the GDR.

Heiko. Brand from the GDR. The origin of this the previous brand and production are from before the GDR. They produced probably mostly very cheap plastic cartridge pens for the kids.

Astoria (Hamburg). Founded by a former Montblanc employee and then bought by Montblanc.

Treuleben. From him is the logo in my avatar which comes from a frankenpen from the 30s.

 

Brands which I know nothing of: Konsul, Luxor

 

You can find much more brand on German ebay, brands without additional information on their origin.

[Kaweco]

.........

Columbus Werke Fürth (Fürth). They might have been associated with KaWeCo. ..............

oh! Interesting! Do you have more sources?

TIA

K.

[Scribblesoften]

The discussion has been focused on pens and ink. Perhaps we need to include the entire writing experience by country. This would, of course, include paper. I do not know if any of you have the experience to have all the pens, inks, and papers produced in various countries to make a determination, I certainly do not. But, with that caveat, in my admittedly limited experience, Japan is the country that does it all. Pens, inks, and paper. The complete writing experience. I await the showers of indignant refutations.