What is the most underrated pen brand?

[marklavar]

Montblanc has been left out simply because it is not a generally underrated or undervalued brand - that is pretty obvious I'd say!  No brand has a higher profile than Montblanc.  This is not meant as a criticism, but my question is about which brands deserve more attention and consideration, not which is the best - that's another question altogether.

Considering that you were asking " I really meant underrated", I'd say Montblanc, too. Many FP fans poo-poo MB as mediocrely performing pocket jewelry when, in fact, there is a modest contingent that think they're worth their costs (or close)based soley on their performance.

Most people do not underrate Montblanc, regardless of opinions on this or other forums. Montblanc sales figures are enough evidence of that.

[randyholhut]

Certainly vintage Sheaffers are undervalued compared to other pens. When you consider from the 1930s until the 1960s, Sheaffer was neck-and-neck with Parker for both pen sales and pen innovation, maybe its just the sheer numbers of Balances, Triumphs, Touchdowns and Snorkels that are out there that drive the price down.

 

They didn't make as many PFMs as they did Balances or Snorks, which explains why they cost so much. Also, they've got more of a buzz about them than other vintage Sheaffers.

 

As for the Targa, the design might be simple, but it's hard to argue with the success that pen had over the two decades or so it was made.

 

The Balance 2, Legacy and Crest were great examples of Sheaffer reaching back into their past to come up pens that combine classic styling with modern convenience. The Balance 2 has become my favorite modern Sheaffer.

 

I can't say I'm excited about the Valor, but I think its a better effort than the Intrigue, which was simply too weird a pen for my taste.

 

Sheaffer doesn't quite have the same duende as other pen brands, but they are for the most part solid, reliable, well-designed and affordable compared to their European peers.

[marklavar]

Certainly vintage Sheaffers are undervalued compared to other pens. When you consider from the 1930s until the 1960s, Sheaffer was neck-and-neck with Parker for both pen sales and pen innovation, maybe its just the sheer numbers of Balances, Triumphs, Touchdowns and Snorkels that are out there that drive the price down.

 

They didn't make as many PFMs as they did Balances or Snorks, which explains why they cost so much. Also, they've got more of a buzz about them than other vintage Sheaffers.

 

As for the Targa, the design might be simple, but it's hard to argue with the success that pen had over the two decades or so it was made.

 

The Balance 2, Legacy and Crest were great examples of Sheaffer reaching back into their past to come up pens that combine classic styling with modern convenience. The Balance 2 has become my favorite modern Sheaffer.

 

I can't say I'm excited about the Valor, but I think its a better effort than the Intrigue, which was simply too weird a pen for my taste.

 

Sheaffer doesn't quite have the same duende as other pen brands, but they are for the most part solid, reliable, well-designed and affordable compared to their European peers.

Sheaffer's only real advantage is good pricing. But even that is mainly in the USA, as in the UK and the rest of Europe the retail prices for Sheaffers are much higher.

 

Cross pens are much more visible here than Sheaffers.

[Guest PeteWK]

I chose Sheaffer for both old and new considerations. As for the new pens, you'll find whatever Sheaffer is current heavily discounted on eBay and STILL wanting for buyers.

 

As for the vintage pens, you'll find more than a few Parkers et al selling for 1000, 2000 dollars etc on eBay but never Sheaffers. I suppose it could be because Sheaffer was the top selling pen for several decades and there are more of them but twice as many people are Parker collectors.

 

That I don't get. The Parkers just don't make good writers (vintage, I mean).

[Chris C]

Most undervalued pen brand is Senator. The President is an awesome pen; I love its classic MB-like style. It's so undervalued it doesn't even appear on your list!

[marklavar]

Most undervalued pen brand is Senator. The President is an awesome pen; I love its classic MB-like style. It's so undervalued it doesn't even appear on your list!

I disagree vehemently. The Senator President is a cheap clone of the MB149 - and it shows. Senator, a brand owned by the German stationery company Merz & Krell, is a manufacturer of ballpoints and other cheapo pens for offices. Similar to Staedler and Stabilo, only more downmarket. The President is the only fountain pen they make.

[southpaw]

I'd have to say Esterbrook and then vintage Sheaffer. Bang for the buck, where else can you find a celluloid self-filling FP that's easily serviceable for what you can get Esties for? Add to that the availability of a diverse assortment of nibs and they're hard to beat!

[Chris C]

I disagree vehemently. The Senator President is a cheap clone of the MB149 - and it shows. Senator, a brand owned by the German stationery company Merz & Krell, is a manufacturer of ballpoints and other cheapo pens for offices. Similar to Staedler and Stabilo, only more downmarket. The President is the only fountain pen they make.

I don't think it's fair to say the President is a clone of the MB because they both come out of the same German tradition of pen-making. Merz & Krell has been making pens since the 1920s. They now specialize in advertising ballpoint pens, but the President is still largely assembled by hand. I like its classic good looks. Saying its a clone is like saying that a BMW is a clone of Mercedes. The President is well-made; if it had a Pelikan or an MB badge is would fetch a much higher price.

[TheNobleSavage]

As for Modern pens, I say Bexley, Cross, DaniTrio and Lamy.

 

There is very little posted in the magazines about danitrio pens. There might be an ad or two but everything else is either Conway Stewart, MB, Visconti and some of the bigger names like Parker, Waterman and Sheaffer.

 

For the money, Danitrio has some of the finest writers around. Even the higer tier pens such as the Urushi finishes like the Tamenuri are really priced quite well in comparison to Pilot/Namiki and some Platinum. It is nice to Danitrio producing a few lines of cheaper pens that write extremely well. They listen to the consumer and put out products that the people want. For example, Winedoc was able to get them to create the raw ebonite pens, This has turned out to be a total success for the consumer, Danitrio and for Winedoc. The raw ebonite pens allow the everyday person to buy a pen that is normally expensive. People love the size, shape and filling method (ED) and nibs of these pens but Not everyone wants Urushi and Maki-e. So this gives the consumer the ability of buying a pen that normally costs 600.00+ due to the urushi and maki-e and they can take it home for less than 200.00, depending on the model.

 

Cross is another pen that is underrated. I only have one cross and it is a Verve (18kt medium) and it is a superior writer IMHO. I can see where the Townsend style can get a bit boring for some but regardless, it is a classic style that is very appealing and practical. May not be cheap but they are fantastic pens.

 

Bexley is another pen IMO that is underrated. I have about 20 Bexley pens and they are some of my favorite pens. They are constantly coming out with several new models. The price seems to be around average for middle to mid upper tier pens. They not only use resins but they also use classic materials such as Celluloid Nitrate but also my favorite, ebonite. They seem to listen to the consumer and put out products that are not only practical and modern but also some models are quite elegant.

 

Lamy is another company that puts out pens that are not only affordable but also practical for any occasion. The steel nibs on the Safari are extremely smooth and it is a trait that can be found on more expensive pens. Speaking of Lamy nibs, I have found them to be the most consistantly smooth nibs on the market. The Lamy 2000 is another example of a style that has lasted since 1961 (If I am correct) Just about all of thier pens are affordable and you know you are getting a solid writer that not only writes well but is also extremely rugged and can take the normal daily abuse and then some.

 

TNS

[Bill]

By its very nature, the poll leaves out underrated and overlooked pens that "don't get no respect." It's simple logic

 

So for vintage it has to be Wearever...er, oops...did I say that...well, okay...Esterbrook.

 

For modern it has to be Lamy.

 

It's only logical. <_<

 

Bill (removing the Spock ears now)

[cmeisenzahl]

Lamy is so underrated it's not even listed!

[georges zaslavsky]

For vintage, I would say Mentmore and Sonnecken. About modern pens, by undervalued I meant brands that people never heard of or people rarely heard about or brands that don't have a big recognition. None mentionned David Oscarson pens very comparable to Namikis in terms of quality and finish, Waterford also makes very nice pens with an understated elegance and at an affordable price, Michel Perchin pens weren't also mentionned despite they are very fine objects of art crafted individually with the finest materials but because of course their price tag they are limited to a limited number of buyers. That same comment can be applied for Loiminchay who built some exquisite and very nicely crafted pens.

Edited January 1, 2007 by georges zaslavsky

[marklavar]

Lamy is so underrated it's not even listed!

Lamy isn't really a traditional fountain pen company - that's why it wasn't listed.

[Mr. Pen]

I saw the poll for most over-rated pen and it sparked my interest for this question. Please choose and explain. Thanks.

[penmanila]

not another one--there's already a poll exactly like this!

[kissing]

There actually has already been an under-rated pen poll - but oh wellz~~

 

It seems as though this poll made the same mistake as the previous poll on Underrated pens. You left out the Chinese brands such as Duke and Hero which are obviously the most popular choice :bonk:

[penmanila]

There actually has already been an under-rated pen poll - but oh wellz~~

 

It seems as though this poll made the same mistake as the previous poll on Underrated pens. You left out the Chinese brands such as Duke and Hero which are obviously the most popular choice :bonk:

hi, kissing, since you're a moderator, instead of letting yet another, already-done poll spawn, could you just close this thread and direct responses to the previous one? i thought we were worried about the proliferation of polls and sons of polls.... maybe it's not mr. pen's fault he missed the other poll since he's just joined up, but this is the best argument yet for why polls should probably pass through and be approved by moderators, at least to avoid duplications (and this isn't the first one, either).

Edited January 6, 2007 by penmanila