Pen Manufacturers / Pen Brands

Find a brief history and product links for the major pen manufacturers and brands we stock.

Founded in 1924 in Switzerland, Caran d'Ache is a manufacturer of pencils, fine art materials and luxury writing instruments. Each product is created by hand in their Geneva workshops and is a symbol of Swiss technical excellence, precision, reliability and innovation. Caran d'Ache utilise an immensely talented group of designers and jewellers who create the luxurious and limited edition Caran d'Ache pens. Caran d'Ache boast an exquisite pen range with your choice of lacquered, guilloche or polished barrels with finishes like rhodium coated nibs and longlife tungsten ballpoints providing a touch of class. Caran d'Ache pens are available as ballpoint pen, fountain pen, rollerball and mechanical pencil.

Cross was founded in 1846 in Rhode Island, USA. Cross quickly transformed into a style driven global pen and accessory brand.  Cross pens are renowned for being new and innovative but were originally sold in the mid-range of the market, rather than the extreme luxury end. However, they became a "must-have" accessory for the rising professional during the 1970s and 1980s and this trend has only gotten larger with world leaders like Nicolas Sarkozy and George Bush openly endorsing Cross pens. Cross Pens are available as fountain pens, rollerballs ballpoint pens and mechanical pencils .

Diplomat pens came into being in Germany in 1922 and the name Diplomat was chosen to stand for sophisticated writing instruments. A company driven by excellence in quality and a spirit of innovation in the manufacture for turned fountain pens developed into a leading manufacturer of premium writing instruments. Market leaders in Germany Diplomat ball point pens were amongst the very first of their kind in 1950's. Today Diplomat fountain pens and ballpens are a professional looking range and they also produce the popular Spacetec range which use space-approved refill technology. Diplomat offer a well balanced range of highest quality writing instruments with unbeatable value for money.

Faber-Castell pens have been paving the way for practical yet innovative pens since the company was founded in Germany in 1761. Originally pioneering manufacturers of pencils Faber-Castell are now a high-end manufacturer of all writing instruments - even creating the Porsche Design pens collection for the high profile car manufacturer. Faber-Castell pens are designed primarily for functionality; however, they don't let themselves down when it comes to eye catching designs. Faber-Castell pens come in a range of unique materials including the beautiful and solid Emotion and Ambition pen collections which combine natural pearwood with chrome plated metal. Faber Castell pens are available as a fountain pen, ballpoint pen, rollerball, multi-function pen and mechanical pencil.

The original Fisher Space Pen was invented in the USA by Paul Fisher in 1965. The pens were designed for use in space and Nasa test and select them for all manned space flights. Fisher Ballpoint Space pens are one of the most sort after pen ranges of our generation and for good reason.  All Fisher space pen refills were originally designed specifically for space to overcome the varied extreme conditions. Fisher pens will write in the freezing cold of -20°C and in the blazing heat of 200°.  These space pens will write upside down, underwater, over grease and in the zero-gravity vacuum of space. No other pens can write in such a varied degree of extreme environments.

When fourth generation Faber, Baron Lothar von Faber - took the reigns for Faber-Castell in 1839 he turned the pencil into a true quality product and the world's first branded writing instrument. The Graf von Faber- Castell pen collection was born from a desire to make remarkable writing instruments with a culmination of  timeless design and modern technology. This range of extraordinary writing instruments as well as the original Faber-Castell pens range embody "Luxury in Simplicity" by combining selected materials, functionality and superb aesthetics. Graf von Faber-Castell pens are available as a ballpoint, fountain pen, rollerball and mechanical pencil.

Jaguar pens are brought to you from one of the worlds most enduring and legendary cars manufacturers in the world. The name Jaguar is synonymous with performance, quality, refineness and style and like a Jaguar automobile Jaguar pens exude class. Each collection of Jaguar pens has been inspired by actual cars from the manufacturers range.

Lalex 1938 is a company of people who always were in the past, and are now, looking far ahead. Leopoldo, Lalex 1938’s founder, made history by understanding in the years before and after the 2nd World War the potential for pens market. Lalex is another fine pens manufacturer from Italy using pure silver to enhance it's exceptional pen collection. Lalex had a reputation built on professionalism through years of maintaining relationships with quality personal market contacts. Leopoldo also made sure off a high quality production: He took care of it personally, supervising with the knowing eye of the expert both making and assembling right through to the end. Today Lalex still manufacture some of the best sterling silver pens on the market.

Lamy have been a leading pen manufacturer since it's inception in 1930 by Josef Lamy. For Lamy pens form follows function and multiple designs in the Lamy pen range have won awards, and numerous styles have become so popular they have been produced continuously since their inception. Originally released in 1966, the Lamy 2000 is still in production today, the latest additon to the 2000 range is the Lamy 2000 Titanium Ballpoint. The Lamy pen range consists of Fountain pens, Rollerballs, Ballpoints, Mechanical Pencils and Multi-function pens. Lamy multi-function pens available are in the CP1, 4 Pen, IT and Studio pen ranges.

Since their inception in 1912 Montegrappa pens have embodied the Italian flair. Manufactured on the bank of the River Brenta, in one of the most picturesque areas of the historic town of Bassano del Grappa in the prosperous north-eastern part of Italy. Montergrappa was founded as a manufacturer of gold nibs and fountain pens. During World War I many soldiers used Montegrappa pens (then known as Elmo) to write letters home, including two celebrated American writers, Ernest Hemingway and John Dos Passos, who were both volunteer ambulance drivers at the front. Acquired in 2000 by one of the great world leaders in the field of luxury goods, Montegrappa today, still preserves its characteristic craftsmanship to the highest level. Montegrappa's pens are beautifully designed and often incorporate precious metals such as sterling silver appointments and even solid silver pens. This all helps capture the emotions inspired by the feel of fine writing pen on paper, not merely a means of writing the pens are an experience in themselves for the user. Montegrappa produces a masterful range of pens, for those who want to indulge in a daily luxury.

Parker writing instruments have always been synonymous with the Arrow a powerful dynamic sign of movement and direction. One of the most recognised pen lines in the world Parker have a wide range of quality pens. When he started making pens George Parker had a simple yet ambitious aim - to make a better pen. And that single, simple vision has powered the Parker Pen Company since it's inception in 1888. Parker pens have a diverse model range from the modern Parker Esprit pen model which combines technical precision and enhanced functionality with its telescopic mechanism to the Parker Sonnet & Duofold pen models which combine timeless contemporary style. The Parker pen range includes: fountain pens, ballpoint pens, rollerballs, multi-function pens and mechanical pencils.

Originally founded in 1838 Pelikan started out as an ink manufacturer until 1929 when the Pelikan fountain pen was born. It was well known for its trademark Green shaft, technically innovative ink flow and transparent ink window. Post war the big German industrial boom started and it was at this time Pelikan released the fountain pen Souveran 400. It is easily recognised due to its black and green striped shaft and was to to become the most popular fountain pen in its price range. Since then Pelikan pens have been become prized posessions and the company has a accomodated its loyal customer base by producing a collection of beautiful and exceptionally well-crafted fountain pens, rollerballs and ballpoint pens in a range of different sizes and styles.

Pilot pens was launched in Japan in 1918 by Ryosuke Namki, industrial engineer and his colleague Masao Wada using their engineering ability and a passion to create better pens. To pay homage to the sea, their other shared interest, the two partners named the brand Pilot, as a reference to the captain of the ship. In 1938 the company brand itself became Pilot thereby cementing its ambiton to be at the helm of worldwide technology in writing instruments. Pilot pens are known to be innovative and highly functional. A classic example of this is shown in the Pilot capless fountain pen range, the first of its type in the world and the Frixion erasable rollerball pen. The Pilot pen range includes: fountain pens, rollerballs, erasable rollerballs, multi-function pens and pencils.

Since it's inception in 1919 the Platignum Pen Co. have pioneered pen designs which shaped the world of pens. In 1919 the creation of the worlds first self-filling, gold plated nib fountain pen; In 1925 A revolution in pen design - the world's first replacement nib and in 1950 another breakthrough - Platignum pens invented the first retractable ballpoint pen. The great care for function is also matched by the design of every Platignum pen. From elegant ball point pens to top of the range fountain pens, you’ll find a perfect balance of pleasurable performance and incredible design. Platignum pens are designed to be perfectly weighted, smooth to write with and subtly beautiful. Platignum pens are available as fountain pens, ballpoint pens and rollerballs.

Porsche has followed the philosophy that designing for the sake of design is redundant and that to suceed you need to design with form and function in mind. Through philosophy they have created an exceptional line of unique pens. Through collaboration with Faber-Castell, Porsche have created a pen range with uncompromising high standards, functionality and an emphasis on clear and defining lines. Porsche Design pens are made with high quality materials and are technically brilliant. The Porsche fountain pen range would rival that of some of the major pen manufacturers in the world.

ST Dupont has been producing luxury goods since 1872 when it was founded by Simon Tissot Dupont. ST Dupont pens have always been innovative and ST Dupont have a history of working with the most noble of materials to make their products including gold and silver. ST Dupont was a prominent supplier to the establishment: kings, emperors, maharajahs, ambassadors, and bankers were its main clientele. ST Dupont created the first luxury jewellery pen, a ballpoint pen in solid silver, with a very refined line, the Classique. In 1996 the writing instrument family was expanded with the Olympio pens range which is available in four sizes spanning from mini to XL. The new ST Dupont Defi pen range is a beautiful example of ST Duponts desire to stay at the forefront of quality designer pen making. ST Dupont pens are available as fountain pens, rollerball pens, ballpoint pens and mechanical pencils.

Founded by Walter A. Sheaffer in 1912; Sheaffer pens are most famous for their fountain pen range. A pioneer in the use of new and rare materials, Sheaffer pens are characteirsed by the Sheaffer white dot trademark which first appeared in 1924 on the Jade Radite and Black Radite flat-top fountain pen. Sheaffer pens are renowned for their bold shapes and designs shown by the Sheaffer Legacy Heritage and Sheaffer Valor Pen models. There is also the more compact and sleek Sheaffer Agio pen range which has proven very popular. Sheaffer pens are available as: fountain pens, rollerballs, ballpoint pens and mechanical pencils.

J M Pennifeather stock a range of Swarovski princess pens from "Ice London" a compnay dedicated to selling elegant and personalised gifts. These pens are encrusted with Swarovski cyrstal elements giving them a stunning shimmer.

Visconti pens was founded in 1988 in Florence by Dante Del Vecchio and Luigi Poli, collectors of fountain pens for many years. Ever since Visconti pens have been a synonym for writing instruments of extraordinary beauty, historically and technologically studied. Visconti pens brought about the rediscovery and relaunch of celluloid as material for fountain pens. The use of celluloid, i.e. "gold for the pen specialists", is a distinguishing feature of Visconti pen collections. Every Visconti pen creation features sophisticated and attractive designs, including a number of decorations and original details. Visconti pens also regularly pay tribute to anything which has left a mark in man's civilisation. Visconti pens today display unforgettable shades of colour, design and naturalness to create instantly recognizable yet unique pens. All thigns considered the Visconti fountain pen range is one of the best in the finest in the world.

Since 1883 Waterman has been combining innovation design and excellence to create the most inventive and elegant writing instruments. In France at the Saint Herblain centre of excellence technical virtuosity and exceptional skills are embraced by limitless creativity. Discover the extraordinary craftsmanship behind some of Watermans most revolutionary and imaginative pen designs. The brands remarkable history is a relentless quest to marry innovation, design and excellence. With unrivalled levels of quality and imagination, the grace, sensuality and distinctiveness of the waterman brand have assured it's place at the heart of elegance and luxury for over 120 years. Blending prestigious materials, colour and distinctive, vibrant personal style, Waterman continues to create some of the most elegant and innovative writing instruments in the world today.