Japanese Or German, What's Your Preference?

[ISW_Kaputnik]

More of my favorite pens are Japanese than German, but I don't think it's because of the country of origin. Pilot simply makes a variety of excellent writing instruments. I'd put my German Lamy 2000 and Montblanc Noblesse close to equal with my favorite Pilots, but ahead of my Platinums, which in turn would be about equal with the Pelikans I've tried. I don't have any Sailors, would not pay Nakaya prices, nor new Montblanc prices, for that matter.

 

Rather than think in terms of schools of design, I just look at the individual pen and see whether it appeals to me. My Makrolon Lamy 2K, Pilot Vanishing Point, Custom Heritage 92, and ultra slim Noblesse are all attractive in their separate ways, all of them rather simple, without excessive ornamentation. What's really important to me is how well a pen functions as a pen, and here again, I don't know that I could pick one country over another.

[vanishsophie]

I prefered finer writing since I was just a fountain pen beginner, so these japanese finer fountain pen works better on me.

My friend was a big fan of Waterman and she got two nibs in two colors for the Edson version, and also she got lots of limited old edition Monc.

 

But I think it really depends on what kinds of writing style and preferences, but definitely to say the Germany's quality will be better.

[sandy101]

One of each, please.

 

My Platinum I have is a thing of beauty. It is resin, so it is light and dances across the page - it doesn't leave my desk.

 

My Diplomat is much more understated, but being all metal has a good heft and feels like it will last for a hundred years. I'm happy to carry that one around.

[httpmom]

Modern Japanese, vintage German.

+1

 

Mont Blanc is resting on it's past reputation at this point as far as I can tell, they are only interested in selling a logo that can impress people who know no difference. Pelicans are fine but frankly, lack originality and character. I do like a few Lamy's but...

 

All my* favorite modern pens are made in Japan and for now at least (who knows when the old pen guys retire) I love them the best for quality, price, reliability, nibs, etc. and the handcrafted pens possess some of the most unique looking (and feeling) designs available in today's pen world.

 

My experience with Faber-Castell is limited to the use of rapidograph pens (nightmare) forty years ago, but perhaps it's time I reconsider a peek into that brand.

 

* I asterisk this comment by noting it's very much a personal taste preference. I write in a style that works better using a soft and/or flexible nib and the Japanese are masters at this trait (most likely because character Japanese writing requires it). German pens are more committed to the nail approach of nib making, which is fine if that's your writing style.

 

At any rate, both countries produce very good pens and it would most likely take a huge blast out of nowhere to knock them off their present perch.

Edited September 9, 2015 by httpmom

[Freddy]

 

Although...I must confess...I never met a pen I didn't like......

 

Fred

[Randal6393]

Since I favor Italic nibs, and fairly broad ones at that, German pens have the edge on Japanese. Certainly most of my current pens have JoWo italic nibs, bought through Goulet Pens. My favorite nibs and pen combos are the Platignum Silverline (English). Love what TWSBI and Conklin are doing with their pens as well.

 

Only Japanese pens I am interested in are the flex ones and they are much too expensive, if adapted to full flex.

 

Enjoy,

[tragique]

Japanese pens are my favorite modern pens by far.

[Keyless Works]

I prefer modern Japanese pens to modern German pens but I prefer vintage German pens to vintage Japanese ones.

 

I couldn't say if I like modern Japanese pens to vintage German ones though. Modern Japanese pens are so beautiful and reliable while vintage German pens have some of the loveliest nibs.

[gordonhooker]

German for me...

[Opooh]

Since I hate converters and cartridges, the choice is obvious: German. And there is of course the Bulkfiller, but that has a Bock nib, so German again.

[max dog]

While Japanese and German pens are probably on the most part on par in terms of nib performance, design, and overall quality, i think the German pens outshine the Japanese because of the generally better ink filling systems offered.

 

Every time I see a Sailor KOP review and the itty bitty little converter is revealed feeding such a massive nib and expensive pen, it makes me cringe. Kind of like having a powerful Ferrari shod with skinny white wall bias ply Sears tires.

Edited September 10, 2015 by max dog

[FinalEleven]

For me, Japanese. Mainly due to my preference for finer nibs. I love my Pilot fountain pens.

[RyanM]

What do I prefer?? Italian. But like many things from Italy, they come with flaws, but they are beautiful. Japanese pens, and German pens are the other side of the scale. They look as if they are rigidly made, and are never as beautiful as an Italian brand such as Visconti. But they will perform so much better, and last for so much longer. So what do I prefer? Form or Function?

[Namo]

While Japanese and German pens are probably on the most part on par in terms of nib performance, design, and overall quality, i think the German pens outshine the Japanese because of the generally better ink filling systems offered.

 

Every time I see a Sailor KOP review and the itty bitty little converter is revealed feeding such a massive nib and expensive pen, it makes me cringe. Kind of like having a powerful Ferrari shod with skinny white wall bias ply Sears tires.

I feel the same, but then again piston filler are somewhat overrated. I like then better because of ink flow troubles with standard converter, but a modern m1000 has a ridiculously small ink capacity, regarding the potential volume of the pen and comparing to vintages such as the 400nn or even a Lamy 27... Plus, the Japanese converter have a wider mouth, solving the ink flow troubles.

[jvcn]

Japanese for sure. I may be a statistical outlier, but I've had very bad luck with German pens. I tend not to buy expensive (over $200 pens) but have received several as gifts. The Montblanc 146 I received quite some time ago leaked and had to be repaired. The nib was just so so. The Pelikan M600 I got as a gift doesn't seem like the price was worth it and the nib had to be adjusted to suit me. The cheap Lamy I got was so prone to dryness and occasional skips that I gave it away. Just this year, someone gave me an older NOS Diplomat which was the best of the lot but still writes too faintly for me. I took it to the DC Pen Show and showed it to the Diplomat reps and they agreed the writing wasn't quite right especially when compared side by side to with a vintage Waterman Ideal and Sheaffer Targa that I also brought to write with. But they wanted me to ship it in for repairs that would cost non-trivial amounts given it's a discontinued model.

 

In contrast, 9 out of ten Japanese pens I've got have written very well out of the box. Even the cheapest Pilots. I accept that the EF Japanese nibs from Platinum and Pilot have a tiny bit of feedback that I don't want in a broad or medium nib but are appropriate for fine nibs.

[savingbirds]

Vintage German = Modern Japanese > Modern German > Vintage Japanese

 

I would put vintage American pens (Parker, Waterman, and Sheaffer specifically) somewhere between vintage German and modern Japanese. I enjoy the wetness of German nibs, but I do see the practicality of a fine Japanese nib. I buy pens to be used, and there are much more workhorse pens coming from Germany than Japan. While Japanese Makie-e, maple wood, lacquer, and gold leaf finishes are amazing to look at, I would never seriously consider using them on a regular basis. On the other hand, German pens like the expensive modern Pelikan M800s or the cheap vintage piston-filled Kaweco Sport were designed to be used and not babied - I resonate more with these pens.

[Ernst Bitterman]

After serious consideration, I have to answer "Yes."

[Sergio 46]

Japanese for fine and super-fine nibs and also prices (if you buy when the yen is low), German for craftsmanship and nice nibs also, but the two countries produce together some of the best FPs available now.

[Moynihan]

Ideal pens: Japanese nibs + German piston filler bodies

+1 on that idea.

For me, My Sailors/Pilots are my favorites.

But i must admit that you could not get my Pelikans away from me unless you pried them from my inky dead hands

Edited September 10, 2015 by Moynihan

[gordonhooker]

When I woke this morning I still felt the same way about the question in the original post:

 

bratwurst and sauerkraut over sushi any time in my humble opinion....