Who makes the best fountain pens today?

[Oldtimer]

Well it depends, you can definitely tell a bad pen from a good pen. Objectively speaking the best pen might not be your favourite.

 

But in this case I think the question is:

Who consistently puts out great writing pens (we don't take into account ergonomics) without defects (leaking, nib issues out of the box, material cracking)?

 

 

In this case, Pilot and Omas are IMO the better pen manufacturers.

 

Ahh! I am glad you included "nib issues out of the box" ! I complain in another post of my nib issues on two new Pilot VPs (check it out!) and some people insist I have to send it to fix, why don't I spend money on that??? These persons don't think, apparently, that a pen has to write well out of the box and the buyer has to spend more money to send it to a "meister" . That's a definition of subjective! My contention being, why should I have to do that? It's a defective pen for "my standards" ! (Skipping problems on a new Pilot VP". Thanks!

Edited February 17, 2015 by Oldtimer

[Blue_Moon]

Ahh! I am glad you included "nib issues out of the box" ! I complain in another post of my nib issues on two new Pilot VPs (check it out!) and some people insist I have to send it to fix, why don't I spend money on that??? These persons don't think, apparently, that a pen has to write well out of the box and the buyer has to spend more money to send it to a "meister" . That's a definition of subjective! My contention being, why should I have to do that? It's a defective pen for "my standards" ! (Skipping problems on a new Pilot VP". Thanks!

 

I couldn't agree more. That's my soap box also. We're paying good money, and a lot of it too, for a product that works. Why are we "supposed to be" satisfied with just getting the pen itself, working or not, then be eager to send it to a nibmeister? Now, I've sent a few pens to nibmeisters, but the idea is to have that person's special touch on the pen - to get a pen that writes satisfactorily to write "like a dream," maybe. However, when we pay good money for a product, the product should function properly as the tool it's designed to be.

[markleewebb]

For me, the qualities of best = metal body and gold nib. Parker Sonnet comes in a range of designs and metal bodies and with their better gold nibs you're at around $200. Waterman has the Expert around $125 with metal body but not a gold nib. But the Expert nib is soooo smooth. So my vote is for Parker and Waterman as The Best.

[PeterBeoworld]

 

Thanks, Peter. I've been browsing the Pilots and agree with you about the aesthetics of the 823; have also read good things about the No. 15 nib. Do you know if it's made with an opaque barrel? I know they're popular, but except for the cheapos, don't care for transparent pens and that seems to be all I can find. I've also been trying to find the measurement of the section for this model, and (less important) the barrel. I'm looking for a section around .4" (10 mm) and a barrel of .5" (12-13 mm). I was also checking out the 74 and 912. It's tough when you can't hold it in your hand!

 

James

It comes in 3 finishes - demonstrator (clear) , amber (looks like smoked glass), and black.

The black looks like a normal black pen but is translucent when held up to a strong light. I like it a lot

As far as size, the diameter of the section is about 10mm so seems to be your size. It is remarkably similar in size to a MB 146. The nib is slightly bigger in the 823 and the barrel slightly longer. The sections are very similar in diameter - the lid of an 823 fits on the 146 (but the threads are different!!)

I have the black and it is a superb pen. I have the B nib.

[Charles Rice]

I understand the questions were posed JUST to suggest that these are all SUBJECTIVE questions depending on the persons likes and dislikes and many other things. They are not silly questions.

Have you ever heard the phrase, "tongue in cheek"?

[jar]

I've been using and buying fountain pens now for well over a half century so while my experience may not be as complete as others it is still a fairly large data set.

 

Of over 50 Sheaffer fountain pens none have had to be sent to a nib technician to write well. Some have needed repairs but none within the first quarter century after initial purchase.

 

My experience with over 40 Parker pens has been the same, some have needed repairs but none within the first quarter century after purchase and no nibs needed work.

 

I have over 25 examples of ST Duponts and a similar selection of Montegrappas and only one Montegrappa needed nib work and it was a specialty grind that would dry out overnight. The nib technician fixed that of course.

 

I have about 20 or so Mont Blancs and none ever needed nib work. Some have needed new piston seals but as above, not during the first quarter century or more of use.

 

Although my samples of other brands are considerably smaller I have not had any problems with my pens from Conway Stewart (several ownerships), Graf von Faber Castell, Caran d'Ache, Waterman, Signum, OMAS, Yard-o-Led, Pelikan, Aurora or Ferrari da Varese.

 

I have also had great luck with pens from many other companies but the sample sizes are all under five pens and so not large enough to make any firm statements.

[Sasha Royale]

Okay. My Pelikan M215 writes well, looks nice, smells good, and will last two lifetimes.

[torstar]

What's in the immediate rotation amongst 50 options...

 

A broad nibbed Parker 51

A Montblanc 149

A Pelikan M800

An Aurora Talentum

[Bill P]

As to a BRAND, IMHO the best brand is Pilot.

 

I believe at every price point they consistently provide the best value, the most consistent quality, and excellent writing experiences.

 

I can't recall ever being disappointed by a Pilot Fountain pen. ( and I have way too many of them)

 

Bill

[Manalto]

It comes in 3 finishes - demonstrator (clear) , amber (looks like smoked glass), and black.

The black looks like a normal black pen but is translucent when held up to a strong light.

Sold! (the black) Thanks again for your help. I also picked up a 78G with a B stub, just for bangin' around.

 

Have you ever heard the phrase, "tongue in cheek"?

I think I saw that movie.

 

James

Edited February 17, 2015 by Manalto

[perfaddict]

All subjective and empirical variables being taken into consideration, plus my personal preferences (feel, comfort of use, etc) i would say Pilot, as well as the other top Japanese makers.

[Phormula]

Quick answer... it depends.

 

There is no best pen as there is no best car, but there are many good ones.

Even the "best" company has or had some lemons not to be proud of.

[Manalto]

While what you say is obviously true, I revise my earlier comment about the superlative demanding a solitary answer because I now see the plural in the title of the thread, "Who makes the best fountain pens today?" (Clearer still would have been something on the order of "Which manufacturers make the best fountain pens today?") In response, votes can be submitted, their value supported by arguments and/or defined by category, just like the Academy Awards (where did I come up with that, I wonder). I can offer the argument that Hero makes the best fountain pens - for under $2.00 (Best Actor in a Supporting Role) because the 616 looks smart, feels comfortable, writes a reliable fine line and doesn't subject the pen owner to the stress of worry about failure, damage or loss. The responses here from experienced fountain pen users have been enormously useful to me and, I would imagine, others who are new to the game. For that, I thank you all for your submissions. Awaiting my Pilot deliveries!

 

James

[prime.lens]

As a relative newcomer to quality pens, especially current models rather than slightly older used pens, I feel that Pelikans and Pilots have been the two brands whose pens I've really liked. I'd have to mention Pilot just for the Parallels! Wow!

[pepsiplease69]

You have it all wrong, my friends: there can only be one, and that is Stipula.... style_emoticons/#EMO_DIR#/biggrin.gif

 

Warm regards, Wim style_emoticons/#EMO_DIR#/wink.gif

I can't say that my experience with stipula has been very positive at all.

 

I picked up a couple of vedos and neither of them wrote properly right out the box. If it was a qc issue maybe at least one of the two should have worked properly. Either I was terribly unlucky or their hit ratio for churning out good pens must be very poor.

 

Now the red vedo is falling apart bit by bit. The emblem logo on the cap was glued in place and just fell off just like that without any provocation.

 

I'm extremely disheartened and disappointed with stipula.

[rochester21]

I would say that all the big names in the industry have started to decline in quality a long time ago. Pilot might be an exception. They don`t make the best quality pens, but i suspect their standards are the same as they were 50 years ago, and i can`t say the same about Parker, Waterman, Sheaffer, Pelikan or Montblanc.

[Phormula]

Well, the fountain pen manufacturing business is not as profitable as it used to be, as people look for the cheapest price on the internet and there is competition among brands for a shrinking market, margins have been eroded. Last but not least a fountain pen is no longer a companion for life. If it falls apart after few years, people will buy another. There is no need for the quality we were used to.

[Blue_Moon]

I would say that all the big names in the industry have started to decline in quality a long time ago. Pilot might be an exception. They don`t make the best quality pens, but i suspect their standards are the same as they were 50 years ago, and i can`t say the same about Parker, Waterman, Sheaffer, Pelikan or Montblanc.

 

I agree with your assessment of the industry, and also regarding Pilot pens. However, this is an opportunity for small companies to shine. I'd recommend Franklin-Christoph (US) and Italix pens (Mr. Pen in UK). They are super pens, whose quality continues to improve, while giants are failing.

[WateryFlow]

The reason for the change is most certainly the change in status of FPs from essentials to luxury items. This means that their performance and reliability is mostly unimportant, and their image(ie is it an established brand name?) and materials used are the most important

[Blue_Moon]

The reason for the change is most certainly the change in status of FPs from essentials to luxury items. This means that their performance and reliability is mostly unimportant, and their image(ie is it an established brand name?) and materials used are the most important

 

Their image will be tarnished if their pens don't perform well.