The oldies...

Some of the oldest around...

Pelikan                          1832

Pelikan is a German, yet Swiss-incorporated manufacturer of fountain pens and other writing, office and art equipment, credited with the invention of the differential-piston filling method. Their "true" history began with the model "100" and the modified 100N (both fountain pens), which sparked the genesis of the company's distinctive styling.


A T Cross                      1846

For more than 166 years, Cross has re-invented writing instruments, combining design ingenuity with jewelry-quality craftsmanship. We were America's first manufacturer of quality writing instruments, and that means that we've been making pens people use, depend on and enjoy for a long time. 



Diamine inks                  1864

Ink Manufacturer's since 1864 Diamine Inks relocated to this purpose built 'state of the art' factory in Liverpool in 1925, where they successfully carried on using the traditional methods and formulas for ink production. Over the years the company was taken over many times and relocated yet again, but throughout the DIAMINE TRADE MARK and production methods survived symbolising the finest quality in Fountain Pen Inks, Calligraphy Ink, Drawing Ink and Writing Inks. 

Waterman                     1884

The initial years of Waterman's involvement in pen manufacturing are unclear. The earliest records of reservoir pens date back to the tenth century, with the oldest surviving examples dating back to the 18th. Waterman's improvements on basic pen design and aggressive marketing played a vital role in making the fountain pen a mass-market object.

The key novelty feature of Waterman's first fountain pens was the feed, for which his first pen-related patent was granted in 1884. From the beginning, competition in the fountain pen industry was fierce, both in the marketplace and the courtroom. Despite later company literature that depicts Lewis E. Waterman as a golden-hearted innocent, all evidence indicates that he was a tough, savvy, and innovative businessman.

Parker                           1888

George Safford Parker, the founder, had previously been a sales agent for the John Holland Gold Pen Company. He received his first fountain pen related patent in 1889. In 1894 Parker received a patent on his "Lucky Curve" feed, which was claimed to draw excess ink back into the pen body when the pen was not in use. The Lucky Curve feed was used in various forms until 1928.

Sheaffer                         1908

The year: 1912. The place: Fort Madison, Iowa. Walter A. Sheaffer takes his grand idea of a pen-filling apparatus that utilizes a lever system and, with his life savings, founds the W.A. Sheaffer company.

Pilot/Namiki                  1918

The first PILOT pen was launched in Japan in 1918. At this time, the country was opening up to Western influence and was importing European techniques. Trade agreements and contracts were being concluded and the Japanese, whose writing was not very adapted to the demands of commercial trade, quickly had to simplify the lines of their ideograms. Many pen factories were set up in the Land of the Rising Sun at this time.

Lamy                            1952

In the evolution of Lamy from a small Heidelberg writing implement factory to the market leader and brand manufacturer of international significance, the birth of the Lamy design brand in 1966 was without doubt the most important milestone.  

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?