Fun discussion: pens as cars...

[michaeldoleman]

Here's just a fun little discussion to consider, if you like:

I recently described the Pilot Metropolitan as the "Honda Civic of fountain pens" to someone, and that -- of course -- set-off a whole series of thoughts in my head about comparing makers and pens to their counterpart car makes & models. Here's just a really short list of some stuff I came-up with right off the top of my head:

Pilot = Honda
Lamy = BMW
Pelikan = Audi
Kaweco = Volkswagen
Platinum = Toyota
Aurora = Ferrari
Visconti = Lamborghini
etc.
...

What else you got? :-)

[BayesianPrior]

I sense that country of origin is a key input for you, so I will continue with that pattern...

If Platinum = Toyota, then surely Nakaya = Lexus.

Mont Blanc = Mercedes Benz (because of the initials and the perception as a "status brand")

Omas = Bugatti (highly prized, no longer producing, parts sold to other manufacturers)

[michaeldoleman]

I sense that country of origin is a key input for you, so I will continue with that pattern...

If Platinum = Toyota, then surely Nakaya = Lexus.

Mont Blanc = Mercedes Benz (because of the initials and the perception as a "status brand")

Omas = Bugatti (highly prized, no longer producing, parts sold to other manufacturers)

Country of origin seemed like a natural fit to me when pulling things off the top of my head, yes. But not a necessity :-) I like your additions: those all work.

[Scooby921]

Montegrappa = Pagani - Interesting, unique, and quality, but also ridiculously expensive. They tend to be more of a status show piece than an actual useful tool.

GvFC = Porsche - They already make the Porsche Design pens.

Waterman = NOT Renault or Citroen. Unlike Renault or Citroen, Waterman actually make a product people want to buy.

Nissan = Danitrio - While I think Nissan is among the worst offenders at making an ugly car they do make some of the most unique styles out there and that could probably be tied to one of the high-end hand-made Japanese pen manufacturers.

Manu Propria = Koenigsegg - Like Koenigsegg, Martin was successful in creating his own brand of high end product and the results are beautiful.

Noodler's = Chrysler (FCA) - Neat ideas, often poorly implemented with cheap and inferior materials which aren't expected to last. Because of the former the actual great products are looked down upon because of their brand name.

[penwash]

Back in the United States, I think we can draw some parallel also:

Parker - Ford. Production volume, interesting and wildly popular models, and they are big.

Sheaffer - Chevrolet (GM). Many innovations, some became legends.

Wahl-Eversharp - Chrysler. Many of wild and extravagant models, some innovations, a few very popular lines/family of models that begat cult-like following.

Conklin - ???. This is where my American automotive history knowledge started to reach its limits. I'm sure some of you can tell us which manufacturer produce very high-quality cars whose production cost exceed their ability to sell them. Pierce-Arrow maybe?

[BayesianPrior]

Would it be a stretch to link Conway Stewart to Rolls Royce?

Yard-o-Led to Bentley?

[Scooby921]

Only if they were high end, luxury pens. If they were more mainstream, affordable, and the least bit quirky perhaps best to call them Morgan, Austin Healey, Triumph, or MG.

[carlos.q]

I always thought of Lamy as Volkswagen: the people’s pen!

[FredRydr]

Moore Fingertip = Edsel - Both were out of touch (pun intended) with the consumer.

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[pajaro]

I always thought of Lamy as Volkswagen: the people’s pen!

More like a Porsche 912.

[SchaumburgSwan]

I always thought of Lamy as Volkswagen: the people’s pen!

+1 Safari = VW Golf; L2000 = Passat CC


MB = MB
Pelikan = BMW
GvFC = Audi

Best
Jens

[SchaumburgSwan]

Soennecken = Auto Union. Wide range from small DKWs, medium Wanderer and Audi, luxury Horchs (think of the Soennecken Präsidents).

What about the british pens? Not easy.

CS = RR
Mabie Todd = Bentley or Jaguar
Onoto?
Parker GB?

Best
Jens

[mreeveshp]

Monte Verde could be like Aston Martin very nice looking models but once you get one you see that it can be finicky and needs more attention to keep running.

I could see the lamy Al Star like Volvo, safe and reliable choice

Thanks
Mreeveshp

Sent from my Note 8 using Tapatalk

[FredRydr]

L.E. Waterman's 52 = Henry Ford's Model T - Millions sold of these basic devices, mostly in black.

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[FredRydr]

Big black MB = Big black MB

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[FredRydr]

I have to agree that the venerable Lamy = VW. Teutonic design at an affordable price in mass production.

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[VALilac]

Would it be a stretch to link Conway Stewart to Rolls Royce?

Yard-o-Led to Bentley?

Sounds right to me.

[calamus]

Would it be a stretch to link Conway Stewart to Rolls Royce?

Yard-o-Led to Bentley?

I would have thought vicey-versa.

[calamus]

Would a Jinhao be a Kia?

[FredRydr]

The brands matter not when they leak:

https://d1alt1wkdk73qo.cloudfront.net/images/guide/bfa812f3833f457ab0dfcab4eb5dbd3f/640x960.jpg https://proxy.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zigcdn.com%2Fmedia%2Fconten t%2F2014%2FSep%2Fcar-oil-leak-spill-stains-04092014-m_560x420.jpg&f=1

[Deb]

Would it be a stretch to link Conway Stewart to Rolls Royce?

Yard-o-Led to Bentley?

I think it would be a stretch too far. Unlike the most recent blingy version of Conway Stewart, the original company produced "pens for the million", so more Morris Minor than Rolls Royce. The real Rolls and Bentleys of British pens would be Onoto and Swan. Y-O-L is more of a niche, handcrafted pen, so perhaps Morgan or Bristol.