For example, Montblanc’s classic Meisterstück 149 sits alongside the StarWalker which comes in ceramics or carbon with a star in a glass bubble. More often than not, both of the above approaches can be found within the same catalogue. Even famous and flagship models tend to be presented in new versions (with wood, leather, etc.).Īesthetically, apart from the sheer extravagance of diamond pens, there are two main trends for contemporary fountain pens–including variants like ballpoints, roller balls and mechanical pencils : (1) formal classics which focus on sober elegance, e.g., Pelikan and (2) adventurous contemporary designs trying to use modern materials, e.g., TWSBI’s demonstrators, S.T. We’ve chosen to review pens which are affordable and significant, but remember, companies also offer limited editions (like Graf von Faber-Castell’s pen of the year), and the market keeps evolving with changing availability. This full-blown guide reviews brands and their flagship pens, presenting a global view of the market.
Certain houses specialize in reasonably priced pens (Parker, Lamy, Pilot, Cross, Waterman), disposable pens, school pens (Pilot) or have even developed ergonomic pens for learning (Lamy). Let us not forget about the “everyday pen”. Since most technical challenges have been solved (leaks, decay of colours, etc.), the topics of style and luxury have become more important than ever in a slowly awakening domain, recovering from the assault of digitalisation (people now write digitally more than manually). Yet, aesthetics have always been part of the subject (you may remember images of splendid early gold or silver filigree pens or the inventive designs and colours prominent at the beginning of their 20th century). Technical innovation used to be the driving force behind the development of writing instruments, with companies competing to create new writing systems (ball point, roller ball), new filling mechanisms (lever, piston, cartridge, eye-dropper, snorkel pen, etc.), new chemical formulas (ink thickness, flow, drying time, etc.) or new practical devices (clips, closing systems, posting of the cap, etc.). Today we set our sights on this seminal art form not to be overlooked in the realm of male elegance : the writing instrument.
Because writing instruments come in various colours, textures and sizes, classic or contemporary designs, they are the natural allies of the elegant gentleman. Writing instruments should have their place in the gentlemen’s requisites as objects of utmost craftsmanship that are perfectly capable of complementing an outfit. The menswear space loves to wrangle over the finer points of suits, shirts and shoes, but often rejects discourse about jewelry in favour of a more muted approach-reducing men to wearing only a watch, a wedding band and cufflinks! Yet we have seen a small revival among gentlemen lately for items such as tie pins, tie clips and tacks, lapel pins, bracelets and other accessories.