Only a few days to go this year, and we've pretty much seen all there is to be, so before it is too late, here is our Great Guide to the Pens of 2023, detailing the writing instruments (and paraphernalia) we loved this year.

As usual, all opinions listed below are personal, and they are meant to help you navigate the pen world as 2023 comes to an end. This is not only a Shopping Guide, but also a note to posterity.
 
So, enjoy, and feel free to comment, or share your opinions privately!

(P)ink of the Year

 
 
Pink was a thing throughout 2023, and although a fine looking color - we even did a Barbie Pink notebook - this did not go well with the more reserved types. However, this was a Barbie year, and even if we did wish for a little more Oppenheimer at times, it was fun!
 
Pinks from the humble Pelikan 4001, to the exotic Yozakura, to Montblanc's Pop Pink, and Visconti's Souvenir de Mauve had their turn, and we hope they enjoyed it!
 
 
Not too fancy, but sturdy. A bit quirky, but very practical.
 
This year we met Esterbrook's 2goCup, a practical pen carrying system that allows you to safely carry 6 writing instruments in a safe manner, and doubles down as an on-desk pencil case. 
 
The 2GoCup is one of the coolest gadgets we added to our offerings this year, and if you're one of them no-good pen-carrying geeks, then you certainly have got to give it a try.
 
Note: we got wind of a limited edition Magenta version, which we may or may not receive. Esterbrook 2GOCUP Magenta.
 

Entry Level Pen of the Year

 
We shall not dwell long upon this.
 
This is a collection we did not expect, and came out to be gorgeous, and quite possibly includes the Kaweco pen of our dreams.
 
Solid Kaweco quality and architecture, Kaweco levels of price-quality ratio, meet aesthetics drawn from the Italian Renaissance. 
 
Santa, I know you're listening, the blue one please, they call it "Pebble Blue".

 

The Pen that Wished for Snow

 
As we're putting down these words we only have about 3% of the year to go, and we have yet to receive it. So, we're not certain this pen will qualify as a 2023 release, but that's what they've told us, and we're sticking to it.
 
 
Take the most popular Sailor fountain pen, make it white and blue, apply snow, add a special ink, add a special notebook.
 
Create Magic.
 

 

The Pen We Want You to Buy

 
The first Visconti exclusive for the Greek market in 19 years, and the first edition in a series dedicated to Ancient Greek mythological creatures. 
 
The Minotauro is a pen designed in collaboration with Greek Calligraphy Artist Maria Gennitsariou. It features original art inspired by actual historical references to the Minotaur, lettering done with 13th century Hellenic Majuscule script, use of the scrimshaw decorating technique mastered by the artisans of Visconti, and is a highly limited edition of only 60 fountain pens, and 40 rollerballs.
 
This is certainly one of our favorites, and we do love pointing you to it!
 
This was an event that did take the pen world by surprise. 
 
Approximately 7 years after its demise, and while several brands fight for its legacy, and collectors scramble for original OMAS pens, the brand was quietly relaunched in February 2023 under new ownership.
 
Will the new ownership restore the OMAS brand to its bygone glory, or is the brand forever lost?
 
Time will be the judge of that, but we certainly noticed a lot of interest around its first release, the relaunch edition, Omas Ogiva Blue Saffron L.E. 222!
More novelties expected in 2024!
 
An honorable mention in the comeback category of course belongs to Waterman's Man model. 
 
Celebrating its 140th anniversary in 2023, Waterman revived the MAN model, presenting the Man 140, a grand limited edition of 400 numbered fountain pens, faithful to the original design, with an IDEAL nib, but in a very modern execution.
 
Come 2024, we hope to see more of Waterman's grand classic.    
 
 
Early in 2023 Visconti released their 6th edition of Il Magnifico, the Magnifico Egyptian Marble, and once again these pens were an instant success. 
 
Their barrel is made of a variety of marble with a rich golden hue, also used on Renaissance furniture and art in Medici villas. The cap and and knob are made of solid bronze, both devorated with the Fleur de Lis. 
 
This is once again an extraordinary limited edition of only 188 numbered fountain pens, that integrates all the technical capabilities of Visconti, and part of a series to which we look forward to every year.

Heights of Craftsmanship

Montegrappa Skulls & Roses Limited Edition
 
If any pen manufacturer has reached high acclaim for the quality and intricacy of their work with silver, then this is certainly Montegrappa. 
 
The Skulls & Roses limited edition that we had the opportunity to examine during 2023 makes use of modern technology, and raises Montegrappa's art to a new level.
 
The pen is developed on the very traditional Montegrappa Extra silhouette, but the decoration is executed with a very high-tech laser that operates on a system using 6 axons, that allows the creation of extraordinarily detailed designs.
 
The modernity and the intricacy of the theme, the use of contemporary technology to elevate traditional craftsmanship, and the fine writing quality guarantee that all 333 fountain pens of this limited edition will be highly treasured by their respective owners. (Also available as a rollerball).
 
 
While considering engraved pens released in 2023, it is impossible to skip two extraordinary limited edition pens, Visconti's Alexander the Great, and Graf von Faber Castell's pen of the year Ancient Egypt. 
 
Over the years Visconti has mastered the scrimshaw technique, and Alexander the Great is another exceptional display of the level of masterhood. On this model we also see extensive use of casting and lost wax techniques, and of course a theme very close to our Hellenic hearts. An ode to one of the great Heroes of Ancient Greek History.
 
 As for Graf von Faber Castell's Ancient Egypt pen, we'll just use the words of Ludwig Borchardt when he discovered the bust of Nefertiti "Description is useless, must be seen. Words cannot portray the impression left by this work of art." In this case, a highly limited edition of 375 fountain pens, and 125 rollerball pens.
 

Montblanc's Masters of Art Series

2022 brought the end of Montblanc's Patrons of the Arts Series. 2023 brought us a new similarly formatted series, the Masters of Art, starting with the universally acclaimed Vincent Van Gogh.
 
Will the new series inspire the same passion among collectors? This will be a challenge, and it certainly is hard to recreate the success of the P.o.A. series, but only time will tell.
 
For now, we can only tell you that Montblanc has invested a lot of time in the project, and delivered pens that stand out for their artistic value. 
 
Montblanc's Masters of Art Van Gogh edition consists of a total of 5 issues, a fountain pen limited to 4810 pieces, one limited to 888, and three issues that we realistically do not expect to ever see in person, limited to 161, 90, and only 8 pens each respectively.
 

A Craft on the Rise

Traditional Japanese Urushi Lacquer, Maki-e & Raden.
 
This should not come as a great surprise to anyone, but while an abundance of pens made of resins and/or metals comprises the majority of the offering on the market, the focus of collectors is shifting to items individually crafted by hand. 
 
Items in de facto limited production due to the small number of master craftsmen, and the demanding nature of the work required to develop the final products.
 
During 2023 interest in pens decorated with the laborious Japanese arts of lacquerware, with maki-e and raden work, surged even higher and it easy to see why. Unique traditional artwork, natural and precious materials, long curing process, steep learning curve for the artists, and of course very limited numbers. 
 
These pens are true works of art, and highly collectable items. When the writing experience is also on par, as is normally the case with manufacturers like Pelikan, Sailor, and Pilot - Namiki, then we are talking about the stuff of dreams.
 
The list could be long, but for the purposes of our list, we'll limit the number to two Raden works that stand out, Pelikan's M1000 Red Infinity, and Sailor's Classic Ko Lotus Line.

Pen of the Year 2023

 
You've almost reached the end of our blabbering, and you sure deserve an award - but we are not giving you any.
 
We're giving it to a pen, a pen that was just so very different from its sister pens this year. 
 
It has a practical size, and interesting weight. It has a barrel made with a technique introduced by the manufacturer for the first time in this model. It is a marvel to look at, and delivers an excellent writing experience. It is inspired by a long tradition of Art, and is delivered on a model that is, without a doubt, a classic.
 
It is a pen that actually came out better than we were expecting it, and looks so much better in person that it is simply a waste of time to take pictures of it.
 
Our award for Best Pen of the Year 2023, goes to Pelikan and their M600 Art Collection Glauco Cambon fountain pen. This is the pen that truly made us happy this year, and instead of a billion words, here is a link to a video that shows the pen in (almost) all its magnificence!

As every year, during 2023 we had once again the good luck to receive several rare and precious items released in previous years, and we invite you to consider these gems that float in the market, seeking new loving homes - or even their first home in some cases.

 
Montblanc Boheme XL - If you haven't seen the Boheme XL you're missing out. A cartridge filling, beefed up version of the standard Montblanc Boheme, equipped with a 146-size nib. A marvel to behold!
 
Omas 360 Magnum, or almost any Omas 360 really. These pens are on so many lists that we're really having trouble helping you out. Which may also be because we love collecting them too. Let's hope 2024 will bring us more of the spectacular triangulars!
 
Montblanc 146 Burgundy, sure this is a rich color, a very reliable fountain pen, and of course it has the allure of a discontinued Montblanc. You love it, we love it, nobody is quite certain why there aren't any more of them coming out of Hamburg.
 
Pelikan Demonstrators, ranging from the humble M200, to the prestigious M800, to the monumental M1005. You want them, we strive to deliver. 
 
Viscontis from the creative years, early celluloids, early Ragtimes, the Alhambra, the Taj Mahal, the Camelot. As Visconti grows more mature, we've noticed interest is rising in pens from its early creative years. We expect the pattern to continue, as production runs were small, even for the non-limited editions, and would recommend that there is no better time to buy those pens than today.
 
With many thanks for the wonderful 2023 we are leaving behind us, and with much appreciation, we're going to offer you our warmest wishes for the Holiday season. 
 
Plan ahead, and may the path to your grail pens be full of success, and wonderful pens every one!
--
Alexandros Soultos
Evangelidis Pens