Graf-von Faber Castell Fountain Pen Review

[theshainun]

Graf-von Faber-Castell Full Sized Fountain Pen.

 

Hi all,

 

I haven’t posted for a while, but I thought I’d start with a review of the Faber-Castell Fountain Pen. This is the Silver Plate version, which I picked up at Harrods last year. Strangely it has 3 boxes, an outer box, an inner box, and a wooden box which actually holds the pen.

 

http://www.filehigh.com/serve/10916/279686.jpg

Box

 

http://www.filehigh.com/serve/10916/279685.jpg

 

 

http://www.filehigh.com/serve/10916/279684.jpg

 

 

The pen is very heavy, at least twice the weight of my Lamy 2000, and will make you tired if used for long periods of time, such as exams.

 

http://www.filehigh.com/serve/10916/279683.jpg

Compared to Lamy 2000

 

Length: 13.7 cm (5 3/8 in)

Length posted : 17.8 cm (7 in)

Width (at widest) : 1.2 cm (1/2 in)

 

http://www.filehigh.com/serve/10916/279682.jpg

 

http://www.filehigh.com/serve/10916/91365.jpg

Posted

 

The pen is very well made, with no structural anomalies present. The sprung clip is secure in a shirt pocket, but due to the silver plating the pen, I wouldn’t leave it in such a vulnerable area, as it is likely to scratch.

 

http://www.filehigh.com/serve/10916/91362.jpg

 

The nib is a generous size, and it is two tone. It is a very smooth writer, and my fine nib has about the same width as my fine Lamy.

 

http://www.filehigh.com/serve/10916/279688.jpg

Writing Sample

 

http://www.filehigh.com/serve/10916/91364.jpg

 

 

The converter is of a decent size, and doesn’t need filling that often, compared with the Dunhill AD2000, see previous review.

 

The pen isn’t cheap, and to be honest, the Lamy 2000 is much less tiring for almost 1/3 of the price.

 

Pros: Nice solid weight, nib, build quality

 

Cons: Price (£300rrp – ouch!), sliver tarnishes and scratches easily.

 

http://www.filehigh.com/serve/10916/91363.jpg

 

 

Shaun

[josh1990]

Wonderful reveiw! Graf von Faber-Castell is a very underrated company compared to say, Parker or Pelikan.

 

Was this the classic or guilloche?

[theshainun]

Thanks!

It was the classic.

Shaun

[Maja]

Welcome back, Shaun! I enjoyed your previous pen reviews and photos, so thanks for posting some more

[Henrik]

Dear Shaun,

 

great pictures, great rewiew, great pen.

 

thank you for sharing

 

kind regards

 

Henrik

[penmanila]

thanks for drawing some attention to a truly fine pen. i have the black guilloche version, and it's a great looker and writer; wish i could afford the wood-barreled ones!

[theshainun]

Thanks all.

 

Shaun

[elk1113]

New to the forum, but obsessive fanatic of Graf Von pens. HOWEVER, I received the black guilloche ballpen as recent gift, the resin barrel (is it simply cheap plastic?) had cracked at the end within ONE MONTH of normal use. The store would not replace and no help from Graf. Didn't know if anyone else had this problem with that pen. Again, longtime fan (to include 2004 POY) but will never buy a non metal, wood, or other sturdy material from them. Yes they are far more expensive, but I've had a wood one for several years now.