Favorite Pen Brand and Why

**southpaw52** · March 7th, 2016, 04:22 PM

I like Esterbrook, for their interchangeable nibs.
I also like Waterman, because they are dependable and when you pick them they always right.
Lastly my TWSBI Vac 700, for well balanced heft.

**top pen** · March 7th, 2016, 04:41 PM

I'd say Diplomat and rotring are the brands I like the most at the moment there designs fall have the "less is more approach". Simple yet elegant pens

Also I find Waterman pens interesting too however there gold nibs are a little outside my budget. I think there modern design language is really appealing.

**pajaro** · March 7th, 2016, 04:45 PM

Montblanc and Pelikan. They work and stay moist and writable.

**dam** · March 7th, 2016, 06:16 PM

I guess Pilot. I've had great luck with their cheaper entry level models, like the 78G and Metro right on up to the VPs and Customs.The nibs of my 74 and 91 models are really enjoyable for their relatively low price.

**SIR** · March 14th, 2016, 05:03 AM

Originally Posted by jar

I think my favorites fall into a few levels and so no one marque is really the top.

In my first tier I'd place (no particular order):

Sheaffer
Graf Von Faber Castell
Montegrappa
Caran d'Ache
Ferrari da Varese
Yard-o-Led
ST Dupont

Second tier pens would be (no particular order):

Montblanc
Waterman
Parker
Aurora
Omas
Signum

Third tier marques would be (no particular order):

Pelikan
Conway Stewart
Onoto
Swan
Pilot/Namaki

and the also-rans (no particular order):

Venus
Esterbrook
Lamy
Sailor
Nakaya
Franklin Christoph
Griphos
Wahl/Eversharp
Conklin (vintage)
Conklin (modern)

It's likely I forgot some but that should be at least a close approximation.

Sailor? "also ran"..?

**Sandy Fry** · March 14th, 2016, 05:32 AM

Modern...hmmm...toss up between my Krone's and Visconti's. They are such gorgeous writers.

Vintage...I am loving the 1957 Pelikan 400NN I recently acquired and I have an affinity for Parker 45's.

David

**fqgouvea** · March 14th, 2016, 12:59 PM

I'm still too new to the obsession to have clear favorites, but almost all the vintage Wahl-Eversharps I have tried have been very nice. Given the size of the "have not tried" group, however, it's hard to call them favorites.

Fernando Gouvêa -- fqgouvea@roadrunner.com

**Miss Fountain Pen** · March 14th, 2016, 05:54 PM

Platinum/Nakaya for me. Platinum for medium-range pens, and Nakaya for premium pens. I enjoy the nibs, and the pens feel very comfortable in my hand (especially the 3776 and the Naka-ai). And of course, Nakaya pens look gorgeous.

**bulbboy** · March 15th, 2016, 06:57 PM

Waterman and Pelican are my two favorites but how can you like one of your kids more than the others?

**Pelikan-Vera** · March 16th, 2016, 01:32 AM

this is a very interesting question. for me three german brands = Pelikan, Montblanc and Soennecken. they are on par with each other, but MBs are getting too expensive to play with. the vintage ones are such wonderful expressive writers. so far in my journey none of the other brands have reached them, but I really need to look into vintage Omas to see whether they are on par as well. too expensive though. Vera

**View from the Loft** · March 16th, 2016, 06:48 AM

All of my pens are users (if I don't get on with a pen, I sell the pen) - so you would think this is an easy question to answer. But no, it's not and it depends on how my hand is as to what my answer will be.

So, taking this into account:

Vintage - Conway Stewart. Even with my liking for humungous edged nibs, they are still relatively available. Lots of different models in a variety of colours.

Modern - Onoto and Pelikan. I always have one of each inked, and can't say the same of my modern Lamy/Parker/CS pens.