Favorite American Pen?

[fabrimedeiros]

In terms of modern brands (from the 80's and 90's) Bexley is the best!

 

The other modern american brands don't catch my eye at all.

[Director Bob]

Bexley Poseidon Magnum

 

Franklin-Christoph 1901

 

Edison Pearl in Ivory Celluloid

 

I own Bexley, Franklin-Christoph, and Edison pens. All are beautiful, well-made pens and function very well. I think there is little doubt that Edison offers the greatest variety of colors/materials with a nice choice of classic, clean designs. I have recommended Edison pens to many who are new to fountain pens. I'm not sure if Conklin pens are actually still produced in the U.S. but they are marvelous pens as well.

[Florida Blue]

  On 3/30/2012 at 1:38 AM, Director Bob said:

I'm not sure if Conklin pens are actually still produced in the U.S. but they are marvelous pens as well.

 

According to nibs.com all of the new Conklin pens are made in the USA in Ohio.

 

The modern day Crescents look very nice and are actually quite reasonably priced starting at about $135.

[tricnomistal]

  On 3/30/2012 at 1:38 AM, Director Bob said:

Bexley Poseidon Magnum

 

Franklin-Christoph 1901

 

Edison Pearl in Ivory Celluloid

 

I own Bexley, Franklin-Christoph, and Edison pens. All are beautiful, well-made pens and function very well. I think there is little doubt that Edison offers the greatest variety of colors/materials with a nice choice of classic, clean designs. I have recommended Edison pens to many who are new to fountain pens. I'm not sure if Conklin pens are actually still produced in the U.S. but they are marvelous pens as well.

 

Purdy

[tricnomistal]

  On 3/30/2012 at 2:29 AM, Florida Blue said:

  On 3/30/2012 at 1:38 AM, Director Bob said:

I'm not sure if Conklin pens are actually still produced in the U.S. but they are marvelous pens as well.

 

According to nibs.com all of the new Conklin pens are made in the USA in Ohio.

 

The modern day Crescents look very nice and are actually quite reasonably priced starting at about $135.

 

Well, this is good news to me. I'm starting to feel a little less depressed about the number of American Pen manufacturers. Still a little sad though. Does anyone know what the quality of Conklin pens are like?

[kauloltran]

Isn't David Oscarson an American company also? David Oscarson seem to be the only American that gets worldwide recognition.

[LedZepGirl]

Do I have to choose only one? 99% of my pens are American made by American companies.

 

I love my Parkers, Esties, Conklins, Eversharps and Sheaffers.

[tricnomistal]

  On 3/30/2012 at 5:44 AM, LedZepGirl said:

Do I have to choose only one? 99% of my pens are American made by American companies.

 

I love my Parkers, Esties, Conklins, Eversharps and Sheaffers.

 

Those are all great pen companies, but I was refering to modern pens and I think that Conklin is the only one that still makes pens in America.

[estie1948]

Do any of these modern American pen manufacturers make all the parts of their pens (nibs, feeds, et cetera) or do they buy parts and assemble them? I don't know. I have been told that none of these manufacturers make all the parts of their pens and I have been told that some of them do. Does anyone know which way it is?

 

-David.

[terminal]

  On 3/30/2012 at 7:09 AM, estie1948 said:

Do any of these modern American pen manufacturers make all the parts of their pens (nibs, feeds, et cetera) or do they buy parts and assemble them?

 

This.

 

I would love to find one as well

Edited March 30, 2012 by terminal

[tonybelding]

The only "established" fountain pen makers still producing in the USA now, that I personally am aware of, are Bexley, Gate City (which are actually made by Bexley), Edison and Franklin-Christoph, and all of them use German-made nibs. I don't think anybody is making nibs in the USA anymore at all.

 

I haven't tried Franklin-Christoph yet, but I am a fan of Bexley and Edison.

 

There are also some semi-vintage "new old stock" Parkers and Sheaffers still around from the good old days when they were made in the US, and most of those are excellent. I especially like Sheaffer Imperials with their inlaid nibs.

[jar]

  On 3/30/2012 at 7:09 AM, estie1948 said:

Do any of these modern American pen manufacturers make all the parts of their pens (nibs, feeds, et cetera) or do they buy parts and assemble them? I don't know. I have been told that none of these manufacturers make all the parts of their pens and I have been told that some of them do. Does anyone know which way it is?

 

-David.

 

I don't think anyone of them makes nibs.

 

I doubt any one of them makes that cap and body material.

 

I doubt any of them make feeds or own a rubber company to make sacs of make their own cartridges or converters,

 

But that does not mean assembly only. Each of the companies mentioned so far design their pens, either turn the bodies and caps themselves or send exacting specifications if it is a metal bodied pen and do the final fit and finish.

[JPING97]

All of this makes me want to :crybaby: :crybaby: :crybaby: :crybaby:

[Miami_Marlins_fan]

  On 3/30/2012 at 3:41 PM, JPING97 said:

All of this makes me want to :crybaby: :crybaby: :crybaby: :crybaby:

 

I know...what ever happened to the good old days of American fountain pen dominance. We had great companies such as Parker, Waterman, Sheaffer, etc., and many of our second-tier pens were also extremely well regarded and popular, such as Esterbrook, Conklin, Dunm Pen, etc. There were also dozens of smaller third-tier fountain pen makers, some who made excellent no-name pens, and some who made lemons.

[tricnomistal]

  On 3/30/2012 at 4:07 PM, Miami_Marlins_fan said:

  On 3/30/2012 at 3:41 PM, JPING97 said:

All of this makes me want to :crybaby: :crybaby: :crybaby: :crybaby:

 

I know...what ever happened to the good old days of American fountain pen dominance. We had great companies such as Parker, Waterman, Sheaffer, etc., and many of our second-tier pens were also extremely well regarded and popular, such as Esterbrook, Conklin, Dunm Pen, etc. There were also dozens of smaller third-tier fountain pen makers, some who made excellent no-name pens, and some who made lemons.

 

+2 It is sad, but I guess that I'll take whatever quality American pens I can get, regardless...

[georges zaslavsky]

great american pen brands like Wahl, Parker, Sheaffer and Waterman are just souvenirs of a florishing industry that made america's reputation for writing quality products

[liverman]

Ahhh...what is an "American company" nowadays...or German, Indian, Chinese, English...a company is it's own unique entity and there mnay be various "locations" where they do business:

1. Where are they incorporated?

2. Where is their company headquarters?

3. Where are their plants or manufacturing facilities? Where are their design facilities?

4. Where are their largest employee populations?

5. For stock companies (private and public), where are they traded? WHat is the nationality of the stockholders?

 

For large companies (such as Sanford or BIC or Parker) do not be surprised to see different answers for each question. And we have not yet touched on the question of where are the parts made or who makes the parts. Edison gets their rod stock from different countries - for the recent FPN group buy, the ebonite is coming from Germany.

 

So the term "American pen" needs to be a bit more specific - such as: "What companies are currently producing pens that can legally carry the "Made in USA" label?"

 

I am noticing new pen makers located in the USA who are selling their wares on the web - most are penturners using kits and selling their products to finance their hobby or make a little extra scratch. In terms of comapnmies who have a track record of several years of ongoing commercial success and are turning out pens by the hundreds or thousands each year, then that really narrows the list down. Then we need to specify "mainstream" or "specialty". The former might include Bexley, Edison and Franklin Christof (even all three produce limited edition pens). The latter would include David Oscarson and Gisi. This latter category, in my thinking, art objects that happen to also be writing instruments.

 

Interesting dialogue

 

Greg

Edited March 30, 2012 by liverman

[tricnomistal]

  On 3/30/2012 at 4:44 PM, liverman said:

Ahhh...what is an "American company" nowadays...or German, Indian, Chinese, English...a company is it's own unique entity and there mnay be various "locations" where they do business:

1. Where are they incorporated?

2. Where is their company headquarters?

3. Where are their plants or manufacturing facilities? Where are their design facilities?

4. Where are their largest employee populations?

5. For stock companies (private and public), where are they traded? WHat is the nationality of the stockholders?

 

For large companies (such as Sanford or BIC or Parker) do not be surprised to see different answers for each question. And we have not yet touched on the question of where are the parts made or who makes the parts. Edison gets their rod stock from different countries - for the recent FPN group buy, the ebonite is coming from Germany.

 

So the term "American pen" needs to be a bit more specific - such as: "What companies are currently producing pens that can legally carry the "Made in USA" label?"

 

I am noticing new pen makers located in the USA who are selling their wares on the web - most are penturners using kits and selling their products to finance their hobby or make a little extra scratch. In terms of comapnmies who have a track record of several years of ongoing commercial success and are turning out pens by the hundreds or thousands each year, then that really narrows the list down. Then we need to specify "mainstream" or "specialty". The former might include Bexley, Edison and Franklin Christof (even all three produce limited edition pens). The latter would include David Oscarson and Gisi. This latter category, in my thinking, art objects that happen to also be writing instruments.

 

Interesting dialogue

 

Greg

 

Good point. I guess I'd have to say that number 3 is what I'm thinking about. Maybe number for and number 2, also...