Marlen/Krone

[Doug C]

Like others on this forum, I spend an inordinate amount of time discussing Nakayas, Danitrios, and other cult favorites.

 

I do love these pens, but I also have many other brands that are also at the top of my list. One of my absolute favorites are Marlens, and the standard edition Krones (made by Marlen).

 

I have sold off a few, but I still have eight of them that are in my rotation. While there is always a lot of discussion on the relative merits of Visconti's, Omas, Auroras, all of my Marlens have been bullet proof, both in reliability and writing ability.

 

Marlen/Krone rountinely produces some of the most unusual body styles, and offers button fill, piston fill (although it is usually a embedded converter), key fill, and others in addition to normal cartridge converter pens.

 

Of the 4 fountain pens I currently have, two have medium nibs, and two have the Krone extra fine nib. This is one of the best xf nibs I have used, being wet and smooth. One of them is installed in my Marlen Continenti.

 

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh130/DougDorann/2008.jpg

 

Above left to right:

Krone Daddy O xf nib, piston fill (it looks uncomfortable, but it is not at all)

Krone Hyperbole Demonstrator Purple(with I believe the same resin that is being used in the Visconti Opera Demos) Button fill, m nib

Marlen Shuttle CC fill M nib-this pen has a really unusual shape, and although the top is solid sterling, it is perfectly balanced when posted

Marlen Continenti-xf nib, piston fill. I have only seen this stacked resin on one other pen-a Kwaeco.

 

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh130/DougDorann/PC310031.jpg

 

Below are 3 of the 4 rollerballs I have (I forgot to take a shot of the little Metaphor, which is small and done in a bright blue and yellow resin).

 

L to R:

Marlen Journal- this has some of the most unique resin I have ever seen. It has streaks of what look like little black threads running through it, and every so often there are little tiny shiny pieces. They look like sprinkles of aluminum throughout the pen. It is tough to describe. Another unusual aspect of this pen is the placement of the clip. Unlike the FP version, this one has it attached to the body instead of the cap.

Marlen HTF-this is a limited edition that showcased some of Marlens abilities with different materials. The body is made of fibreglass, and is epoxied like the hull of a boat. The cap and section are made of purple titanium, and the trim is beryllium.

Marlen Chagal-the first Marlen I purchased, and it is amazing how beautiful the pen looks when posted.

 

 

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh130/DougDorann/PC310029.jpg

 

 

I often see Marlens and Krone for sale online at deep discounts. I am at a loss as to why this brand has not caught fire with the pen community. They are terrific performers, with great quality and panache (does anyone use that word anymore?).

 

If you get a chance, try one of these out.

 

 

 

[Titivillus]

The limited editions of Krone are much maligned not the standard series. They are wonderful pens. But they do not seem to have gotten the same distribution that other pen companies have. So you can't desire a pen that you have never seen.

 

Marlen does some wonderful pens in interesting materials of high quality and their service was great when I had to use it.

 

One thing is that the pens are usually on the smaller end of the size spectrum- might be another issue!

 

Kur

 

 

[diplomat]

I am at a loss as to why this brand has not caught fire with the pen community. They are terrific performers, with great quality and panache (does anyone use that word anymore?).

If you get a chance, try one of these out.

 

Doug, I agree with you. Marlens pens have nothing less than Visconti or Stipula or Deltas when writing and quality materials are concerned.

Especially I like Marlens because of the fancy resin they use and the button filler mechanism.

 

I also have a Journal and a "21". Unfortunately (because of I need money for other dope ) I will list them on the marketplace, but again I concur, they are great writers. Since I took pictures for the listing, I'll show them here:

 

Here's my green marbled "21":

 

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/2562/dsc9379vx1.jpg

 

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/6892/dsc9382pc6.jpg

 

And that's my Journal:

 

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7639/dsc9357uw5.jpg

 

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/1206/dsc9356rx8.jpg

 

Cheers,

[Ghost Plane]

Have both the pink and red Journals [luscious BB nibs], a red spiral Eclisse, and in the Krones, 2 Boulders, 2 Modernes, and 3 Architectus. I'm glad they haven't caught on as it's more for me! I love that XXI - never could find a B nib in any of the colors. I adore Marlens.

[Doug C]

As Kurt said, distribution might have something to do with it.

 

 

Diplomat, you did a much better job in photographing the resin of the Journal than I did, and even those phtos do not do justice to this pen.

 

 

Ghost Plane, I agree to an extent, but I just wish that these fine pens were recognized for the fine writers that they really are...

Edited January 2, 2009 by Doug C

[Deirdre]

I have two Marlens enroute, two in hand, and one Krone in hand.

 

My Journal is grey and has an F nib, and is a great writer.

[PenTieRun]

I caught on to Krone this fall, and have added two to my collection. I'm eying Marlen right now to see what I can test from their range. Art Brown seems to have a decent collection of Marlen pens.

 

My Krones are fantastic writers. The nib is very smooth, and the Autograph/Knowledge has a little softness in the nib that adds something special to the writing experience (not sure how to phrase it).

[Sharkle]

 

I'm on the the Marlen train too. My black Basilea is one of my favorite writers, not to mention one of my best-looking pens. Superb nib and flawless construction. The Basilea isn't what I'd call a small pen and the weight is perfect.

[Deirdre]

Here's my green marbled "21":

 

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/2562/dsc9379vx1.jpg

 

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/6892/dsc9382pc6.jpg

So is this actually stone or is it just some painted resin? It looks like the latter.

 

I ask because it's somewhat reminiscent of my Ancora Lord Byron, which is marble.

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/3158314877_860d37f2b6.jpg

[diplomat]

Here's my green marbled "21":

So is this actually stone or is it just some painted resin? It looks like the latter.

 

I ask because it's somewhat reminiscent of my Ancora Lord Byron, which is marble.

 

Looks painted to me. A very good paint, though.

 

Andre

[FrankB]

Marlens and their contract Krone cousins have been discussed on FPN, but infrequently. I have something like seven Marlen/Krones and I really like them. They are small pens, which I generally do not like. But posted, they are fairly comfortable pens, and all of them write exceptionally well. Thus far all of mine have been problem free. I would not call myself a "fan" of this brand, but I definitely like mine and can only speak well of them.

[Robert Hughes]

Is it just me, or do some of those pens look like bathroom fixtures? :hmm1:

[Doug C]

Is it just me, or do some of those pens look like bathroom fixtures? :hmm1:

 

 

Its Marlen, not Moen.

 

[Ghost Plane]

But both will last forever, are easy to grab, and have classic lines.

[Deirdre]

Is it just me, or do some of those pens look like bathroom fixtures? :hmm1:

 

 

Its Marlen, not Moen.

Hey!

[Doug C]

Is it just me, or do some of those pens look like bathroom fixtures? :hmm1:

 

 

Its Marlen, not Moen.

Hey!

 

 

You can always change your name to Deirdre Kohler...

 

[Deirdre]

Is it just me, or do some of those pens look like bathroom fixtures? :hmm1:

Its Marlen, not Moen.

Hey!

You can always change your name to Deirdre Kohler...

Somehow I have a feeling that my husband would object. (So far as he knows, we're not related to the faucet company.)

 

Getting back on topic, I received a Marlen Basilea in the mail yesterday.

[Ghost Plane]

Black or red?

[Deirdre]

Black or red?

Red. Black will be arriving in a couple of days, and I'll keep them in this Papoutsi pen case.

 

http://i5.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/bf/d9/c141_1.JPG

[Ghost Plane]

Oooooooooooooo! Stylish!! :clap1: