Who makes the best pens today ?

[marklavar]

It's because all B&M retailers in the UK, and all the internet sellers I have come across so far, sell at (or very close to) retail.

 

Full retail on most Pelikans seems hard to justify at the best of times, more so to the uninitiated. I think the only reason they can do this in the UK and is precisely because there is little brand awareness ; hence they market at pricepoints approximating those of MB, in the hope of attracting their fellow German brand's perceived cache to the Souveran line.

I have a feeling that Pelikan only markets in countries that do not have an ingrained anti-German national feeling. This explains the low visibility in the UK and maybe France. MB is too famous and too popular to care about this.

[lisa]

Those people who have complained about Waterman pens have only bought low-end pens; I suggest they try an Edson or an Exception and then decide!

So if you buy a €50 pen you should expect it to be defective?

 

What you're saying discredits their whole low and midrange line of pens. Even with my luck with their pens, I don't think what you're saying is fair to them. I ended up with one low end waterman pen that writes like a charm, so it can be done.

[marklavar]

Those people who have complained about Waterman pens have only bought low-end pens; I suggest they try an Edson or an Exception and then decide!

So if you buy a €50 pen you should expect it to be defective?

 

What you're saying discredits their whole low and midrange line of pens. Even with my luck with their pens, I don't think what you're saying is fair to them. I ended up with one low end waterman pen that writes like a charm, so it can be done.

Hey, it's not what I am saying, it's what these other people are saying! I'm happy with my Watermans.

 

I agree that even a cheap pen should function correctly, but then you also have to expect high end pens to be of higher quality and to offer a better writing experience.

[goodguy]

Hi marklavar

 

I totaly disagree with you about the Sheaffer Legacy.Its a WONDERFUL pen.Its a great writer,VERY good quality and a damn impressive pen.

 

As for Pelikan I can tell you it is quite know in North America.I can see it in peoples pockets often when I take the bus and Subway in Toronto and from talking to people that sell Pelikan in the USA and Canada they tell me that the Pelikan sell very well.

[lisa]

Hey, it's not what I am saying, it's what these other people are saying!  I'm happy with my Watermans.

Yeah, those other people, that was me.

I expected the €50 pens to work, but they didn't in my case. You said I should try the Edson first before I decide if I like the brand. But then you decided to agree with me that a €50 pen should work so I guess it was miscommunication.

[marklavar]

Hey, it's not what I am saying, it's what these other people are saying!  I'm happy with my Watermans.

Yeah, those other people, that was me.

I expected the €50 pens to work, but they didn't in my case. You said I should try the Edson first before I decide if I like the brand. But then you decided to agree with me that a €50 pen should work so I guess it was miscommunication.

Your experience is not typical of many others who have used low-end Waterman pens. The reason I mentioned the Edson is that if you want the ultimate writing experience you need to be prepared to pay for it. But, yes, of course every pen that is marketed for being used needs to work - obvious!

[lisa]

Your experience is not typical of many others who have used low-end Waterman pens.

Yes, I hope so. I do like their designs.

[JesseD]

Your experience is not typical of many others who have used low-end Waterman pens.  The reason I mentioned the Edson is that if you want the ultimate writing experience you need to be prepared to pay for it.  But, yes, of course every pen that is marketed for being used needs to work - obvious! 

If you want a great writing pen, there is no need to spend an exorbitant amount of money. With most pens now a days, once you get past the $50-75 mark, most of the pens should write wonderfully. The physics of the fountain pen nib are fairly simple and the assembly line construction and outsourcing help to ensure that there isn't much variation in how the pens write. Still, there are so many pens that come from the store being unable to write...

 

Some expensive pens might have differently made nibs that you think are preferable to other cheaper pens, but the cheaper pens write well too, maybe just differently.

 

-Jesse

[girlieg33k]

Of the three listed, I voted for Waterman. Not on the list, I'd say Sailor and Cross. But, I'm still a neophyte to FPs.

Edited October 28, 2006 by girlieg33k

[marklavar]

Waterman is slightly ahead of Parker, but not by much. The Parker Duofold is still a delightful pen. Where Waterman wins out is in style and innovation, as well as consistency throughout the product range. Other than the Duofold, Parker's remaining line up is disappointing.

 

As for Sheaffer, they are surviving on the Legacy.

[aircraft_electrician]

I voted for Waterman, though in general, I find they don't write any better than Parkers. In fact, I find Parkers and Watermans to write very similarly, but most Parker designs are fairly bland, in my opinion, compared to Waterman's pens. I guess the exception is the Duofold; absolutely beautiful!

 

I really love my vintage Sheaffers, but I'm disappointed with some of the decisions BIC has been making lately. Why in the world would they do away with the Touchdown converter on the Legacy!?! I understand it costs more to make, but if you're going to call a pen the Legacy Heritage, shouldn't it have more in common with the company's legacy and heritage than the shape?

 

I'm also really disappointed in the design of most of the new Sheaffers. The Heritage and Valor are the only good looking pens they make now. The Agio looks like a cross between a Targa and a Fashion, but the nib is boring. The Prelude and Javelin look too much alike, and neither is really an inspiring design. They are all fabulous writers, but the designs just leave a lot to be desired, especially from a company that once produced such innovative pens as the Balance, Touchdown fillers, Snorkel fillers, etc.

 

Of course, this is all just my opinion.

 

Tom

[jay23]

You shouldn't be forgetting the Frontier. For the price its one of the best FP's out there. Writes buttery smooth, atleast mine does. It also has a wonderful classy looking rubber grip, unlike the one on the reflex, and Parker has introduced great new colours.

[aircraft_electrician]

Jay, the Frontier is a great pen, especially at that price. I'm not arguing that with you. As I said, most Parkers are great pens, but the appearance of most of them just doesn't "do it" for me. I'm not fond of their current rendition of the arrow clip that adorns most of their pens(Sonnet, Latitude, Insignia, and Frontier). I do however love the look of the Duofold, and though I don't like it nearly as much as a vintage 51, the 100 is great looking pen too.

 

They're all great pens, and I don't think either Waterman or Parker beats out the other in terms of quality, in fact I think they're about equal, but the Waterman pens are more visually appealing to me, so I voted for Waterman.

 

Tom

[jay23]

I understand what you mean, and you are entitled to your opinion. As far as the quality is concerned I agree with you that they are equal. They are both owned by Sanford so I'am assuming Sanford looks after the quality control and therefore it should basically be the same for both Waterman and Parker. I sent my Parker and Waterman to the same Sanford repair center. So I'm assuming you have the same people repairing and overlooking the quality of the pens.

[j.s.bach]

My vote goes to Pelikan with Omas as a runner up.

[MYU]

I think goodguy was trying to stay focused on just the biggest and most well known American pen brands. Of course, Waterman is still technically "French", despite it getting started in America and then later on gobbled up by an American conglomerate.

 

Cross is certainly a recognized American pen brand, but almost solely for ballpoints and rollerballs.

Edited February 16, 2007 by MYU

[MYU]

Tom - what pen is shown in your avatar? I don't recognize it and I like the design.

~Gary

[MYU]

QUOTE (marklavar @ Oct 27 2006, 04:12 AM)

I have a feeling that Pelikan only markets in countries that do not have an ingrained anti-German national feeling.

Mark - not intending to stray off topic, I'm a bit naive about the European outlook on Germany. Is there still much of a lingering anti-German national feeling in a number of countries?

[coolpenz]

Sticking to the original criteria, it pains me to say it, but I voted Waterman.

6-7 years ago, it would've been Sheaffer, hands down. NOT that Shaffer and Parker still don't offer decent to good pens, but they just ain't what they used to be, and that's a sad but true fact. Waterman has been consistent throughout, even after its being acquired...

[ericthered2004]

QUOTE (marklavar @ Oct 27 2006, 09:12 AM)

QUOTE (rimmerjar @ Oct 17 2006, 02:00 PM) It's because all B&M retailers in the UK, and all the internet sellers I have come across so far,  sell at (or very close to) retail. Full retail on most Pelikans seems hard to justify at the best of times, more so to the uninitiated. I think the only reason they can do this in the UK and is precisely because there is little brand awareness ; hence they market at pricepoints approximating those of MB,  in the hope of attracting their fellow German brand's perceived cache to the Souveran line. I have a feeling that Pelikan only markets in countries that do not have an ingrained anti-German national feeling. This explains the low visibility in the UK and maybe France. MB is too famous and too popular to care about this. You may be right about Pelikan and their markets both, but I've never been aware of much current anti-german feeling in the UK, and so haven't seen it directed towards German products. In fact my knee-jerk reaction, right or wrong, is to associate German goods with high quality, and there are lots of German and "German-sounding" brands successful in the UK: Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, Meile, Braun, that "the appliance of science" washing machine (off the top of my head).   And the Germanness of one car company was quite explicit in its advertising: "Vorsprung Durch Technic (as we still like to imply)!"   Regards, Eric     Edited for clarity

Edited February 16, 2007 by ericthered2004