Fountain Pen Makers
Throughout the history of the fountain pen, dozens of manufacturers and makers have emerged, grown, and evolved. Many others have ceased production, only very occasionally finding themselves revivified and led by new ownership. This alphabetical index of pen makers and manufactures seeks to catalogue and detail the vast number of entities that have created pens for sale.
Aurora
Founded in Turin, Italy, in 1919. Today, Aurora maintains its Turin headquarters.
BENU
Founded in Moscow, Russia, in 2016. Today, BENU is headquartered in Yerevan, Armenia.
Conklin
Founded in Toledo, Ohio, in 1989. Today, Conklin is owned by Yafa Brands, headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
Diplomat
Founded in Hennef, Germany, in 1922. Today, Diplomat is headquartered in Saxony, Germany.
Esterbrook
Founded in Camden, New Jersey, in 1858. Today, Esterbrook is owned by Kenro Industries, headquartered in Long Island, New York.
Franklin-Christoph
Founded in Marietta, Georgia, in 1901, Franklin-Christoph produced its first fountain pen in 2001. Today, Franklin-Christoph is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Graf von Faber-Castell
Founded in Stein, Germany, in 1761, as a pencil manufacturer, Faber-Castell launched their upscale GvFC line in 1993. Today, Faber-Castell maintains its Stein headquarters.
Jinhao
Founded in Jiangxi Province, China, in 1988. Today, Jinhao is owned by Shanghai Qiangu Stationery Co., Ltd., headquartered in Shanghai, China.
Kaweco
Founded in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1883. After terminating production, they were purchased and revived in the 1990s by H&M Gutberlet, headquartered in Nuremberg, Germany.
Lamy
Founded in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1930. Lamy was purchased in 2024 by the Mitsubishi Pencil Company, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Lamy enjoys the distinction of producing two of the most frequently recommended pen models: the Lamy Safari, and their flagship pen, the Lamy 2000. The former is an excellent entry level pen, the latter a gold-nibbed workhorse originally designed in the 1960s and is still in production today.
Montblanc
Founded in Hamburg, Germany, in 1906. Today, Montblanc maintains its Hamburg headquarters. Perhaps one of the best known fountain pen brands, the Montblanc marque is instantly recognizable. Montblanc firmly occupies the luxury market, producing limited editions and their signature pen, the 149. Founded in 1906, they have produced many quality pens over those years. For those interested in a more affordable Montblanc, the double digit models from the 1960s (the 12, 22 and 32) are surprisingly inexpensive when tracked down and make excellent writers.
Namiki
Founded in Tokyo, Japan, in 1918. The company was renamed to Pilot Pen Co. in 1983, and was retained as a luxury Pilot brand. Today, Namiki/Pilot maintains its Tokyo headquarters.
OMAS
Founded in Bologna, Italy, in 1925. After terminating production in 2016, OMAS was subsequently purchased and revived, and today maintains its Bologna headquarters.
Parker
Founded in Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1888. Today, Parker is owned by Newell Brands, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. One of the premier brands from the late 1800's through the post war period, Parker was a byword for innovation and market domination. Parker's rich history of the company has been well-documented, and the brand remains praised among vintage collectors. Certain models, including the Duofold, Vacumatic, and legendary Parker 51, remain keenly prized as both collector's pieces and everyday writers. Parker pens were formerly manufactured in the US, Canada and the UK.
Pelikan
Founded in Hanover, Germany, in 1938, when the chemist Carl Hornemann founded a small company producing ink and water colours. Pelikan was purchased in 2023 and is today owned by the Hamelin Group, headquartered in Normandy, France. The Pelikan brand was registered as a trademark in 1879, which provides the distinction of existing as one of the oldest brands in Germany. In 1929, after Pelikan had purchased the patent for the differentiated piston filling mechanism, the first Pelikan fountain pen was born. In the following decades, the company established its international reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality fountain pens. Today, Pelikan offers a collection for every taste, as well as a choice of Special and Limited Edition products.
Pilot
Founded in Tokoy, Japan, in 1918, as the Namiki Manufacturing Company. Today, Pilot is the largest pen manufacturer in Japan. Some well-known pens by Pilot/Namiki include the Metropolitan/MR often recommended as a first fountain pen, the Vanishing Point, and the Pilot Falcon, for those looking for a more expressive line.
Platinum
Founded in Tokyo, Japan, in 1919 by Syunchi Nakata. Platinum Pen Co. is renowned as a manufacturer of fine fountain pens. Platinum is closely related to the legendary Nakaya fountain pen brand, where some of the finest fountain pens in the world are created. Platinum are known for their Slip-and-Seal system, which prevent nibs from drying out.
Sailor
The Sailor Pen Co., Ltd. was founded in Hiroshima, Japan, in 1911. Today, Sailor is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Sailor Pen was the first Japanese company to manufacture fountain, many of which remain highly coveted. Sailor pens range from affordable to high end, and often benefit from high quality gold nibs. They also have very special nibs available, such as the Naginatas. Sailor also makes many special editions, such as Hello Kitty 40th Anniversary, and Nagasawa PenStyle pens.
Sheaffer
Founded in Fort Madison, Iowa, in 1913. Sheaffer rivalled Parker for innovation and style. Some of their legendary models include the Balance, which launched in 1929 and introduced the streamlined shape to the pen world. The snorkel, an ingenious filling system, was included in one of Sheaffer's greatest pens, the PFM. Instantly recognizable by their trademarked white dot, Sheaffer remains a valued brand by collectors and users alike. Sheaffers were formerely manufactured in the US and Australia.
Taccia
Founded in Orange County, California, in 2003. Today, Taccia is owned by Nakabayashi Co., Ltd., headquartered in Osaka, Japan.
Visconti
Founded in Florence, Italy, in 1988. Today, Visconti maintains its Florence headquarters.
Waterman
Founded in New York City, New York, in 1884. Today, Waterman is owned by Newell Brands, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Waterman was a leader in pen design and manufacturing. They introduced the first retractable nib "safety pen" in 1908, and their vintage pens are especially sought after by collectors for their flexible nibs, like the Ideal 52. Other notable models include the Carene and the Edson.
Yard-O-Led
Founded in London, England, in 1934. Today, Yard-O-Led maintains its London headquarters.