Global Luxury Pen Market Growth

[max dog]

I came across this interesting video that talks about the current appeal of luxury writing instruments and market trends.

 

In a recent report from 2021, the global luxury pen market is expected to grow from US $2.3B to US $3.3B (5% annual increase) by 2028.  That is good news.  Luxury pens,  and in fact all writing instruments are doing well despite the digital age.

 

 

[inkstainedruth]

Well, given that I suspect that for some people, a Lamy Safari might be considered a "luxury pen"....  For that matter, when I first got started, I felt VERY extravagant when I bought my first Parker Vector -- because I'd paid NINE DOLLARS for a pen....

Of course a $5K US pen is WAAAAY beyond anything I can ever hope to afford.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[max dog]

Certainly what is a luxury pen is subjective.  I think in these reports it would be anything beyond a disposable BIC or Pilot G2, so greater than $2 or $3.  With the advent of digital, ie smart phones one would expect writing instruments would go the way of type writers, film cameras, and VHS video tapes, but it didn't.  I think the luxury aspect of writing instruments, and nice journals and stationery all elevated the appeal of finer pens beyond the merely utilitarian aspect of disposable plastic pens.  It's great to see luxury pens from Lamy Safari's to Montblanc 149s appeal to a growing niche market. 

 

 

[Maurizio]

This is interesting and I hope it proves true. 

 

While the bulk of people continue to seem fascinated with their cell phones and the shallow and superficial allure of social media, there is, among every crowd, that small group of more thoughtful and sensitive souls who are looking for and trying to use a more authentic and traditional form of communication. These are the people who understand how much more impact a handwritten note (of thanks, congratulations, or condolence) on nice, thick stationary, has over an impersonal digital message. These are the folks, presumably, who are exploring and experimenting with trying a fountain pen and, it is to be hoped, driving the growth of the “luxury” fountain pen market however that it defined. 

[max dog]

Good point Maurizio.  I think it is the appreciation of handwriting culture, and how personal a handwritten note is over digital text that keeps people interested in nice pens and stationery generation after generation.  There is also overwhelming evidence that handwriting, especially cursive, improves learning and cognitive function over typing.  All this increases the appeal of luxury pens.  And I think in essence fountain pens are luxury pens whether it's a Kaweco Sport or a Namiki Emperor, because most people only interested in the utilitarian aspect of writing will go for a BIC or the lowest cost disposable plastic ballpoint or gel pen.  

 

I posted this video a number of years ago, and often refer people to this video that I want to introduce to fountain pens to.  Many here will have likely seen this video that really gets to the heart of why we like fountain pens and handwriting, but for those who haven't, it's worth a watch.

 

 

[Maurizio]

I agree completely.

 

I hadn’t seen the video before and enjoyed it. 

 

I sadly think that it’s only the cognoscenti and the slim segment of sensitive souls who care about learning and critical thinking who understand that handwriting fosters knowledge gain and retention. 

 

I also agree that “the luxury market” encompasses, as you wrote, the Kaweco Sport to the Mont Blanc. To the world which can buy a pack of 10 or 20 disposable ballpoint pens for $6. or $7., any single fountain pen which costs $20. or more is a luxury item. 

 

For those of us who wish to see the world become a little less hectic and with more room for warm human interaction and genuine communication, we can do so by looking for opportunities to write a personal note or letter and by being welcoming rather than snobbish and standoff-ish to those curious about fountain pens and their related paraphernalia.