Japanese Or German, What's Your Preference?

[Stowford]

So, if your pens had to only come from either Japan or Germany, from where would you choose?

 

For me it has to be Japan, beautiful, understated craftsmanship with a finer line and usually a touch of flex. Love the German pens, but sadly mostly out of my price range. What's your preference?

[Dhruv_Sood]

Japanese. Namiki. Emperors.

[Graphemer]

Japanese too -- and for much the same reasons you mentioned. Every once and awhile I find myself contemplating a Pelikan (the M805 Demonstrator or Stresseman, for instance), but can't seem to bring myself to plunge in. I've only got an M205, mind you. It was the first 'serious' pen I bought; it's a fine pen, but I never really bonded with it. On the other hand (I've partially resisted a bad pun here), I've been using my sailor Pro-Gear every day for the last two years now, and have to fight back the urge to buy another one.

 

Personal experience aside, I'm inclined to think that there's simply more variety -- of nib sizes and writing characteristics, pen shapes, decorations -- among the Japanese makers than the German ones.

[erpe]

Italy
Good design and craftsmanship but they come with German nibs

[ink-syringe]

Italy

Good design and craftsmanship but they come with German nibs

 

Plus the extraordinary & justly famous Italian after service </sarcasm> (though my recent Pelikan A/S experiences have has a bit of an, uh, Italian accent to them as well).

 

As for the OP:

 

That's a hard choice but I too would have to say Japan. I have, and have loved pens from all 3 of the big dogs and spent the afternoon with a 3776 that has to be one of the best value in pens going but the more I think of it the harder the choice gets because I do like the Lamy 2k, the MB 146 and M80x and that trio alone make it hard to beat but 3 great companies that all make their nibs in house, hard to argue against that. Japanese pens certainly represent a better value but that isn't what you asked. Really tough choice but Japan by a hair. Ask me tomorrow and it will be opposite.

[Alex2014]

Pelikan M800 = my best fp

[RitchieMac]

Ideal pens: Japanese nibs + German piston filler bodies

[casualmerlinconstant]

German nibs agree with me more. Although their QC needs work. Haven't had a QC problem with Japanese yet.

[Buzz_130]

It depends!

 

I find that modern Japanese pens have no equal when it comes to price/performance, craftsmanship, elegance/style, and nib performance. When anyone asks for the finest-writing nibs, a Japanese pen is always the answer. Sailor, Platinum, Pilot, and Nakaya all grace my user-oriented collection.

 

If I were collecting vintage pens from these countries, then Germany would win. I've often marveled at the old Pelikans and seen some amazing flocks at pen shows and online. A nice piston filler with a flex or semi-flex nib? BoBo would be by quickly to discuss vintage German pens.

 

Buzz

[Alma]

German pens.

I live in Germany, so they are cheaper than most Japanese pens and I am writing with them my whole life. Japanese pens have too fine nibs for me. It is more a question of habits.

[Algester]

bang for buck with needed bling Japan... if you truly need to believe that modern gold nib pens didnt need to be that expensive...

besides it still boils down to my taste who has who

I find the nibs in Faber-Castell pens to be insanely smooth with a bit of wetness that I'm quite comfortable with despite me being a lefty and for their price F-C pens are unique

[shawndp]

Like so many others have pointed out - Japan and Germany really are the two leading powerhouses for modern FP's... At this point in my life, if I had to pick it would be Japan - so many great mid-line pens they make really do it for me. The biggest plus on Japanese FP's apart from the value for money is the amazing QC...

 

BUT... (yes, there's always a but) German pens really appeal to me - how much? the MB 146 is my reigning champion as favouite writer, I have 3 and wouldn't hesitate to pick a fourth if the opportunity arose. I dream of the M1000 and wouldn't pass picking up a M800 or a second L2K. GvFC pen of the year is something I hope to own as I get older.

[Namo]

My favorite pen is a Danitrio Densho with a Pelikan nib.... so, both!

[eduardp]

Japanese and I'm waiting for a trade agreement between EU and Japan to eliminate VAT

[L.Velvet]

I like japanese pens much more, especially their F/ EF nibs, In my opinion they are better than the german ones ( but I have only played with MB Chopin, 149, Pelikan m600, Pelikanos, cheap Lamy's ).

 

Japanese fp in gold nibs are even much more cheaper than their german counterparts , a basic sailor 14k cost 65 euros. A 21k 100 euros. VAT included.

[Kiaxa]

I'm gonna say Japanese partially out of necessity. Being a university student I need finer lines for notetaking and Japanese nib fill that need. Now don't get me wrong I like German nibs, I love my Lamy Al-Star but when your fine nib is as broad as some European mediums (Sheaffer VFM comes to mind) then its really hard to justify using it for note taking especially in my A5 notebook

[catbert]

Modern Japanese, vintage German.

[jchch1950]

German pens are reliable ,good writers and they keep good value in the secondary market(used).

[jar]

Neither Germany or Japan make up a majority of my pens but the ratio of German to Japanese pens in my accumulation is about ten or more to one.

[Noihvo]

I love the German modernist (Bauhaus) design language, subtle and understated appearance, and especially with Lamy and Faber-Castell, all of whose pens have a very unique and thought through look, as different from the hundreds of cigar-shaped black-and-golds with winged nibs. I want pens that look different and clean, function and tasteful form, so for me I would be very satisfied it I could only buy Lamy and F-C. Even Mont Blanc and Pelikan are a bit too flashy or traditional/boring for me.

Edited September 9, 2015 by Noihvo