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Innovations in fountain pens have come from all over the world, but it’s certainly fair to say that many of the biggest names in fountain pen history were in the USA. Through the 1940s and 50s, and well after, Parker and Sheaffer, along with many others, were competing hard to make the very best fountain pens, as well as making the most solid and reliable pens at reasonable prices. While many of the big names have changed ownership and moved outside the US, or gone out of business entirely, Parker is still American, now being part of the Newell group.

Some of the earliest innovations in ink feeds came from Waterman, who are mainly associated with France now, but were originally an American company, and are now also owned by Newell, though they remain quite strongly French.

Conklin made a name for themselves with the Crescent Filler, which Mark Twain loved so much that he endorsed the pens. Ownership has changed, but Conklin is still run from the USA (by YAFA, who will come up again later), and still makes crescent-filler pens.

Esterbrook was another great American pen brand, best known for their reliable pens with interchangeable nib units, which they offered in a huge range of types. As with Conklin, the modern Esterbrook isn’t the same company, but it’s now run by Kenro Industries, in the US, by pen enthusiasts who loved the original Esterbrook.

The very recognisable designs of Cross pens have a strong association with America, not just because it’s an American company, but because they’re often known as the ‘pen of presidents’, being the writing instrument of choice for most US Presidents. They’ve been used by many other world leaders too, including here in the UK.

Ferris Wheel Press stand out from most of the others, as a relatively new company - they don’t have a long heritage to fall back on, but they get by very nicely on their own style. With a bit of a retro feel, their inspiration comes from fairgrounds and state fairs, with a bit of a hipster twist of letterpress printing. It’s a lovely style, which has found them a lot of fans.

Monteverde was established in 1999, but their parent company, YAFA, goes back to 1978. They pride themselves on making pens that are “affordable luxury” - really nice build quality, but without too much ‘fanciness’. We’ve found them to be a real hit at pen shows, when people can actually touch the pens and feel the quality.

Parker is one of the biggest names in pens, from the early days of fountain pens. Many of the innovations used in fountain pens now, and even in many rollerball and fineliner pens, originally came from Parker. Their Lucky Curve feed reduced ink leaks. The Parker 51’s ‘collector’ helped keep ink flow consistent, and reduced drying out in use. The Aerometric filling system was not just quick and easy to use, it avoided, or at least greatly reduced, the risk of pens leaking during aeroplane flights. And outside fountain pens, their standard ballpoint refill has become one of the most common types of refill in the world.

US flag photo by Mike Mozart

We could talk all day about our favourite fountain pens. And sometimes we do. Yes, we’re a lot of fun at parties. Though, come to think of it, we don’t seem to get invited to many these days.

But what about your favourite fountain pens? 

There are advent calendars... and then there is the Cult Pens Premium Advent Calendar. This is for the dedicated festive superfans, those for whom Christmas is the pinnacle of annual celebrations. It's not a budget item, so we quite forgive you for wanting to know what's in it.

So, in no particular order, let's do this...

Countdown to Christmas with the Cult Pens Advent Calendar.

Now look, usually these things are supposed to contain surprises, and if you know what's in it, it's not really a surprise is it? But we know that some of you aren't comfortable with the unexpected, and we're nothing if not mindful of our lovely customers.

So, if you really want to know, here goes (in no particular order)...

We know that Cult Pens customers love Japanese pens and stationery. From timeless writing instruments made by Sailor, Pilot and Platinum, beautiful inks, quality papers and journals from Midori MD, and pen cases from Lihit Lab. There are also great ‘everyday’ pens from the likes of Pentel, Zebra and Uni-ball. Oh, and how can I forget the delightful little paper clips from Ohto that we attach to the invoice in all our customer orders?

You may be lucky enough to have a trip to Japan booked, in which case this short guide will help you find some ‘bucket list’ stationery stores. 

Benu was founded in 2016 when Alex Semanin and Kate Dmitrieva got together to make pens and accessories “for those who prefer bold, bright colours and new designs that are playful, stylish and fun”. A quick look at their range looks very much like they have succeeded - their pens are definitely bold, bright and fun, with vivid colours, glitter and flakes of gold embedded in them.

They both had backgrounds in watches, jewellery and home decor, but making fountain pens was more appealing to them.

Retro 51 pens are quite retro in style. There’s a bit of a hint in the name, really. The name isn’t a hint to when they were founded, though, that was in 1990. The aim was always to make pens ‘like they used to’, with nostalgic styling and build quality.

And the pens from their early days, which you can see in their archive of old catalogues, were, well, nice enough. But, to be honest, they looked like many other pens. But that changed in 1997.

Back in the 1840s, Richard Cross, a jeweller from Birmingham, left the UK for Providence, Rhode Island, USA, where he founded the A.T. Cross Pencil Company in 1846. His company continued to hone their craft over five generations of the Cross family.

Their expansion into fountain pens began in 1876 with a ‘Stylographic’ pen, most similar to what would now be called a metal-tipped technical pen, but with a more smoothly rounded tip for writing. A tiny wire inside a tubular tip controls the ink flow, and the Cross design was very successful, and used by all workers in the US Post Office.

I love POSCA!

I mean it... I really, really love UNI POSCA paint markers.

I have always had a love of drawing and painting. More recently dabbling in craft projects inspired by others, but I always find myself going back to drawing and painting.