An olympic battle for pen supremacy...

With the spirit of the Olympics and Paralympics still in the air, we thought it apt that we had a little contest of Olympic proportions, in the pen world. A multitude of countries around the world now have their hands firmly grasped on the pen industry. But the question is, who comes out and wins gold? Is it the Japanese with their intricate nibs, is it the Brits with nostalgic throw backs to the golden age of fountain pens, perhaps the Germans striking and unique design concepts?

Lets take a look at the contenders from around the world.

Japan
Now then, for over 100 years the Japanese have been at the forefront of fountain pen nib innovation. Representing Japan we have Sailor Pens, some might say unprecedented when it comes to unique nib design, just look at the King Eagle nib for example...



Specially designed and crafted by Mr Nagahara of Sailor pens himself - this nib is made joining three nibs together on top of one another. The tipping surfaces are then specially slit to produce the double cross. The tips are then specially ground and polished to provide the ultimate in flexible writing with broad medium and fine writing possibilities.

When you look at the shear depth of range that they do as well, it's very impression, if not a little confusing at times...Probably one of the best none pens though is the King of Pens, definately wouldn't catch a British pen with that name would you...



Sailor tell us: "The 'King of Pens' is introduced as the top of the range, developed as the symbol of Sailor’s technology, quality and writing perfection gained with experience about 100 years. Special attention has been given to the oversized 21K solid gold nib (the life and soul of the fountain pen), which gives top writing quality.



USA
Over the water now to the good old US of A, what do they have to offer us? Well I suppose we'd better mention Americas oldest pen manufacturers, A T Cross. They are pretty formidable as a company, with an impressive 21 patents under their belt, including one that apparently predated the ballpoint pen...

Anyway, which pen from their ranks is coming forward to challenge for the crown? It has to be the Townsend.




Germany
One of the most well respected and illustrious pen brands steps up to the plate for Germany, Faber Castell. The underdog of the competition if you will, the Ambition Black Fountain Pen, with a  high quality contemporary and simple cylindrical barrel with chrome-plated cap and trim and spring-loaded clip. Simple, yet effective, but surely not a match for the heavy weights.




Italy
The relative new boys in town, Visconti are Italy's representation, with none other than the Homo Sapiens. One of the best known and most loved pens around at the moment some might say. Is there much that can beat a pen made from bit of a cooled volcano?





GB
So who can match the ubiquitous selection of pens so far from across the planet, and stand up proud for Team GB? Come forth, the Conway Stewart Winston, if anyone can win this for GB its him.

The Conway Stewart Winston Fountain Pen is an impressive pen of great presence -  Sir Winston Churchill was a man who was larger than life and had opinions to match. A substantially built man, yet a man of substance!




Whose in your olympic pen team?