Fountain Pen Brands List - A Comprehensive Guide
Dive into the intricate world of fountain pens with our comprehensive guide, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between renowned fountain pen brands and their nib suppliers. This article takes you on a journey through the craftsmanship of brands, revealing the fascinating details of their nib suppliers. Whether you're a collector, a calligraphy enthusiast, or simply curious about the elegant art of writing with a fountain pen, this guide offers valuable insights into the fine craftsmanship and heritage of these writing instruments.
Fountain Pen Brands List and Their Nib Manufacturers
The table below outlines a wide range of fountain pen brands alongside their current nib suppliers and countries of origin.
Some information may not be actual or outdated, please inform us if you find a mistake.
| Brand | Current Nib Supplier | Origin | Notes |
| Ancora | In-House | Italy | |
| Aurora | In-House | Italy | |
| Benu Pens | Schdmit | Russia | |
| Brause | Germany | ||
| Bexley | JoWo | USA | Until early 2000s: Bock for gold, Schmidt/JoWo for steel |
| Caran D'Ache | Bock | Swiss | |
| Cleo-Skribent | Bock | Germany | |
| Conid | Bock | Belgium | |
| Conklin | JoWo | USA | |
| Conway Stewart | Bock | UK | Pre-1920: Warranted, 1920-1975: In-House |
| Cross | In-House and Sailor (only for Peerless 125) | Pelikan and Pilot | |
| Danitrio | Bock (except 24k #50 sized nib | JoWo | |
| Delta | Bock | Italy | |
| Diplomat | JoWo | Germany | |
| Dupont | Bock | France | |
| Eboya | Bock | Japan | |
| Edison | JoWo | USA | |
| Elysee | Bock | ||
| Esterbrook | JoWo | USA | |
| Faber Castell | JoWo | Germany | |
| Graf von Faber Castell | Bock | Germany | |
| Gioia | JoWo | Italy | |
| Fisher Space Pen | |||
| Franklin Christoph | JoWo | USA | Formerly all Bock (including some Schmidt branded Bock) |
| Goulet Nibs | JoWo | Germany | |
| Hakase | Pilot (and Sailor, but mainly Pilot) | Japan | |
| Itoya | Japan | ||
| Jinhao | In-House | China | |
| Karas Kustoms | Bock | USA | |
| Kaweco | Bock | Germany | |
| Laban | Taiwan | ||
| Lamy | Mainly In-House; Bock for specialty nibs | Germany | Exclusively Bock in the beginning |
| Leonardo Officina | JoWo | Italy | |
| Loclen | Schmidt | Italy | |
| Magna Carta | Bock | India | |
| Maiora | JoWo | Italy | |
| Montblanc | In-House | Germany | |
| Montegrappa | JoWo / Bock | Italy | |
| Monteverde | Bock | USA | |
| Nahvalur | In-House | USA | Re-Branded 2022 from Narwhal |
| Nettuno | JoWo - In-House | Italy | |
| Noodler's | USA | ||
| Ohashido | Sailor | Japan | |
| Omas | Bock | Italy | In-house until 2000 |
| Onoto | Bock | United Kingdom | |
| Opus 88 | JoWo | Taiwan | |
| Otto Hutt | Bock | Germany | |
| Parker | In-House | France | |
| Pelikan | In-House | Germany | Originally Montblanc nibs, later in-house, switched to Bock 1997, transitioned back to in-house since mid-2000s |
| Penbbs | China | ||
| Penlux | JoWo | Taiwan | |
| Pineider | Bock | Italy | |
| Porsche Design | Currently manufactured by Pelikan. Prior to this they were manufactured by Faber-Castell | Italy | |
| Pilot/Namiki | In-House | Japan | |
| Platinum | In-House | Japan | |
| Retro 1951 | JoWo | USA | |
| Romillo | In-House | Spain | |
| Sailor | In-House | Japan | |
| Scribo | In House | Italy | The Scribo nibs are made with custom tools specifically and exclusively made for Omas. Scribo bought those tools during Omas' liquidation. Hence, they are now capable of making their own nibs, identical in specifications to the Omas ones. |
| Sheaffer | Bock | India | In-house |
| Signum | Bock | Italy | |
| Stipula | Bock | Italy | |
| Stylo Art | Sailor, Platinum, Pilot, and Bock | Japan | |
| Taccia | Sailor and JoWo | Japan | |
| Tibaldi | In-House | Italy | |
| Traveler's Company | Japan | ||
| TWSBI | Bock and JoWo | Taiwan | |
| Urso | Bock | Italy | |
| Visconti | Bock | Italy | |
| Waldmann | Their nibs are made by Jowo but are custom-tuned to Waldmann's specifications. | Germany | |
| Waterman | In-House | France | |
| Yard-o-Led | Bock | United Kingdom | |
| Ystudio | Schmidt | Taiwan |
Understanding Who Makes Your Fountain Pen Nib
It’s important to understand why nib suppliers matter. The nib is the heart of a fountain pen. It determines how the ink flows, how the pen feels in your hand, and even how your writing looks. While some brands craft their nibs in-house, others rely on trusted specialists like Bock, JoWo, or Schmidt. For a deeper dive into how nib material influences performance, read our guide on Gold vs. Steel Nibs: Does Gold Really Write Better?
Comparing In-House vs. Third-Party Nib Makers
In-house nib manufacturing is often a sign of craftsmanship and vertical control. Brands like Sailor, Montblanc, and Pelikan take pride in producing their own nibs. Others, such as Esterbrook or Diplomat, use high-quality third-party nibs, typically from JoWo or Bock. Both approaches can result in exceptional writing experiences, especially when paired with the right paper and ink. If you’re just starting your fountain pen journey, don’t miss our helpful Fountain Pen Tips for First-Timers to guide you through your first purchase.
Know Your Pen’s Parts and Abbreviations
If you’re unfamiliar with terms like “JoWo #6” or “Bock EF,” you’re not alone. Our table includes a mix of industry terms and historical notes to provide context. To help you get comfortable with the lingo, we’ve created a quick Fountain Pen Abbreviations Guide so you can navigate pen specs with ease.
Explore Our Curated Fountain Pen Collection
Now that you’ve seen how brands and nib makers connect, why not explore some of our favorite fountain pens? At Galen Leather, we offer a handpicked selection of pens featuring JoWo, Bock, and in-house nibs from some of the most respected names in the industry. From everyday writers to collectible pieces, browse our full fountain pen collection to find your next favorite.
FAQs About Fountain Pen Brands and Nib Manufacturers
- +What are the best fountain pen brands?
- Top fountain pen brands include Montblanc, Pelikan, Sailor, Pilot, Aurora, and Lamy. These manufacturers are known for quality, heritage, and exceptional craftsmanship, often producing their own nibs in-house for better precision and control.
- +Which fountain pen brands make their own nibs?
- Brands that make their own nibs include Pilot, Sailor, Platinum, Montblanc, Pelikan, and Aurora. In-house nib production allows these brands to control every aspect of performance and design, which appeals to collectors and enthusiasts alike.
- +What companies manufacture fountain pen nibs?
- The major nib manufacturers are Bock, JoWo, Schmidt, Pilot, Sailor, and Platinum. Bock and JoWo supply nibs to many international brands, offering a range of steel and gold nib options with consistent quality.
- +What fountain pen brands use Bock or JoWo nibs?
- Many respected brands use Bock or JoWo nibs, including Diplomat, Leonardo Officina, Conklin, Esterbrook, Faber-Castell, TWSBI, and Visconti. These German-made nibs are known for their reliability and are often custom-tuned for specific models.
- +Who are the top fountain pen manufacturers?
- Top fountain pen manufacturers include Pilot, Pelikan, Lamy, Montblanc, Platinum, and Sailor. These companies are known for innovation, in-house nib production, and long-standing reputations in the world of fine writing instruments.
2 Responses
PAUL
Recent update: Conway Stewart – JoWo, Delta – JoWo, Leonardo – In-house, Montegrappa – JoWo, Omas – In-house(maybe Nahvalur), Visconti – In-house, Schmidt
Ruurd
Hmmm. The Sheaffer entry is… meager I think. I venture the thought that the old Sheaffer’s brand and the more recent Sheaffer brand that among others produced the Targa model line did produce their own nibs. Only after the demise of the brand and the reduction to a couple of cheap models the mention that they use Bock nibs might be accurate.
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