Who makes the best fountain pens today?

[WateryFlow]

 

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

I doubt it . The majority of people who may buy FPs are almost certainly not people like you or I on FPN, but people who buy them as presents for people(who then rarely use it apart from writing a thank you letter to Great Auntie Doris every Christmas to thank her for her socks), or business people who may use it to sign docs or present an image to their colleagues and associates. In other words, they're highly unlikely to ever find out if their pens are good performers or reliable

[Manalto]

I'll second that. Anyone who's seen me use a fountain pen (people not like you or me) has made some version of the comment "they're beautiful, but there's no way I would want to deal with the mess." The fact that they choose to inflict this "mess" on others in the form of a gift raises an obvious question. I just wish I were one of those gift recipients.

[Blue_Moon]

I doubt it . The majority of people who may buy FPs are almost certainly not people like you or I on FPN, but people who buy them as presents for people(who then rarely use it apart from writing a thank you letter to Great Auntie Doris every Christmas to thank her for her socks), or business people who may use it to sign docs or present an image to their colleagues and associates. In other words, they're highly unlikely to ever find out if their pens are good performers or reliable

 

I'm not in the same league with someone who would go out and buy a Montblanc (the most recognized name for non-FP enthusiasts) for someone as a gift. Although, I might buy them a Pilot Varsity to give them a fountain pen experience. Maybe a Pilot Metropolitan or a Lamy Safari/Al-Star for a family member. I spend more on family members who I know enjoy fountain pens. But, I couldn't see spending more for someone who's probably just going to put it in a drawer or re-gift it.

 

That would be interesting to find out statistics on that. Use one simple question - Do you plan to keep this pen or give it away?

Edited February 23, 2015 by Blue_Moon

[Phormula]

Not necessairily. collectors buy expensive special editions and do not ink them. Others are given expensive pens in gift and these pens are never used or used just for signatures.

Among the pens that I owned or used, the ones that stand my fatigue stress, I mean I can fill the pen and start writing without stopping until the pen runs out of ink are the minority and most of them are school ones. With a lot of pens I have noticed problems after 3-4 pages of nonstop fast writing. No surprise since nowadays most companies use the same feeding unit for all nibs, from EF to B.

[seymour]

Hi

Like many of the respondents, I have a lot of favorites. However I gather we are talking about pens still in production, so Conway Stewart cannot be included.

 

I would vote for: Bexley Corona (if still in production), Sheaffer Valor, Montblanc mb146, Pelikan M600 and Parker Duofold Centennial .

 

Those are my favorites which I hope or believe are still in production

 

Chaim

[cbaytan]

I've got the impression over the internet Visconti is the best. I don't have one.

[torstar]

I'll second that. Anyone who's seen me use a fountain pen (people not like you or me) has made some version of the comment "they're beautiful, but there's no way I would want to deal with the mess." The fact that they choose to inflict this "mess" on others in the form of a gift raises an obvious question. I just wish I were one of those gift recipients.

 

I've been asked to advise on the gifting of a fountain pen a few times

 

It's very difficult to find one that meets the expectations of the recipient and the budget of the presenter.

 

It's a really really nice thought though.

 

The only time it properly worked was buying 10 MB Patron of the Arts as thank yous to those who made the $1,400,000 financial district bonus possible.

Edited February 27, 2015 by torstar

[prime.lens]

I hate it when people gift me cheap cheesy fountain pen / ball point combo sets under the assumption that they are giving me a piece of classic nostalgia. I'd much rather have a fixer upper pen from eBay than those. I appreciate the intention, but it's like giving someone a huge knife block set from walmart instead of one good chef's knife.

Edited February 27, 2015 by prime.lens

[FountainPages]

There really is NO best pen or pen company. Only what they consider to be there top of the line and bottom of the line. Several companies have superb quality control, some don't. Those companies with good reputations and longevity usually make a good quality product.

[Manalto]

I hate it when people gift me cheap cheesy fountain pen / ball point combo sets under the assumption that they are giving me a piece of classic nostalgia. I'd much rather have a fixer upper pen from eBay than those. I appreciate the intention, but it's like giving someone a huge knife block set from walmart instead of one good chef's knife.

 

This is the saddest comment I've read on this site.

[Manalto]

Those companies with good reputations and longevity usually make a good quality product.

 

It seems that many of the posters agree. There are also some relatively new companies that people are enthusiastic about. I've got to admire the courage of a start-up fountain pen company!

Edited February 28, 2015 by Manalto

[FountainPages]

 

This is the saddest comment I've read on this site.

+1 Manolto

[ian1964]

I hate it when people gift me cheap cheesy fountain pen / ball point combo sets under the assumption that they are giving me a piece of classic nostalgia. I'd much rather have a fixer upper pen from eBay than those. I appreciate the intention, but it's like giving someone a huge knife block set from walmart instead of one good chef's knife.

 

How sad.

Everyone I know knows my love of pens and so have been given many of what I am sure you would describe as "cheesy". I value them all! I love it that friends, work colleagues and family want to feed my passion. I value them all for the good intention they represent.

[Bergspyder]

Montegrappa and Aurora uses time-tested ebonite feeds exclusively and exotic materials like celluloid and sterling silver. The fit and finish is impeccable. Their nibs are highly decorated and their designs are elegant and modern with a timeless flair.

[Bisquitlips]

I have been trying to determine what the "best" fountain pen is for the last 35 years or so. And I don't have a clue!

 

All I know is I like what I like.

 

I do believe that the "best" has more to do with the nib than the rest of it. You take a stunning pen like an Omas (insert your brand pick) Milord or Paragon Arco in brown and give it to an accomplished nibmeister. After a few weeks, they give it back with a delectable cursive italic that brings you as close to nib nirvana as a human can experience. That would likely qualify as the "best" in my book.

[Manalto]

I would define "the best pen" as one that comes from the manufacturer visually appealing and a joy to use, without the additional need for adjustment.

[Namo]

From my limited experience:

Although I am not found of how they behave on paper, I am impressed by the constant quality of Pilot products. I know that are mass producer but the overall quality, from cheap to expensive, and I would include non FP products (f.e. they BP refills), is just amazing.

The other company that impresses me is Lamy. The quality is quite good, but I love the way the "think" pens. For them, FP is not only a luxury product or a call to nostalgia. And the overall quality is really good.

As for THE BEST, if anything like this does exist, you will have to look at artisits producing a few pens a year. Romillo, Hakase... Or maybe to smaller company as Danitrio (now aiming only at the luxury market), Edison and so on. Why? Because they can back their products personally and tune your writing instrument to your hand...

[Sabin]

Pelikan, Montblanc, Sailor and Stipula.....Visconti not far back...

[marcelo]

 

QUOTE(goodguy @ Feb 3 2008, 12:01 PM) 501605[/snapback]

I prefer Mont Blanc over other makers but I dont have any way to prove they make better pens then other makers.

 

For a man who has a beautiful Alfa Romeo ( I have owned 5 myself) as his avatar I am surprised you are so fond of a company who produces pens of such bland design. Who wants to pay hundreds of dollars for a pen that looks exactly like the pens they sell for $2.50 each at the check out stand of Office Depot. style_emoticons/#EMO_DIR#/roflmho.gif

I agree.

[JimCouch]

 

Who wants to pay hundreds of dollars for a pen that looks exactly like the pens they sell for $2.50 each at the check out stand of Office Depot.

 

 

I have to laugh every time I see this sentiment. The MB is a classic design that Office Depot et al COPIED because it is such an iconic and classic design! You seem to imply the inverse! Note that I have never owned a MB pen, but the only reason it is so similar to a bunch of cheap pens out there is because so many copy it. The quality, fit finish of the MB is far superior to the many copies.

It is just like the iconic RayBan Wayfarer sunglasses, often copied, many inferior cheap knock offs do not ciminish the quality and class of the original.