PenAndCo blog

Interview Pen & Co (D. Barth)

We would like to thank the Faber-Castell team and Mr Barth for their kindness.

Do not hesitate to click on all the pictures of pen to enlarge them.

1) How would you introduce yourself?

My name is Daniel Barth. I am Managing Director Premium at Faber-Castell and as such in charge of the global premium business – in particular the Graf von Faber-Castell brand as well as for German exports to the North/Latin American and Asia/Pacific markets.

2) When we asked a Parisian fountain pen reseller to summarize in one short sentence the importance of writing for him, he gave us this answer: “Qui scribit, bis legit” (the ones who writes read twice). What would be your own?

Writing is forever.

3) For Faber-Castell AG, how would you define your premium range of products, what are their specifities?

Faber-Castell created the “world of pencil-writing” as an alternative to the “world of ink-writing”. The Graf von Faber-Castell Collection was introduced in 1993 with the concept of creating exclusive lead writing implements and accessories, which helped the pencil to a new value-added level. The success of this premium range is due to the fact that we concentrated on our core competence: wooden writing instruments and an excellent standard of craftmanship. It was self-evident to not immediately enter into competition with existing producers of fountain pens, but to develop the luxury pencil, the so called Perfect Pencil, made of wood and precious metals: It features a platinized extender with built-in sharpener and a smear-free eraser beneath the cap. A variety of prestigious writing desk accessories and top-end leather goods completes the Graf von Faber-Castell Collection – a range that has, in its design and material selection, remained unique throughout the world until today.

4) Do you agree that there is a “special Graf identity” on your range of pens?

Yes – the collection represents an elegant, timeless design. It embodies an awareness of quality and craftsmanship represented by a harmonious combination of selected materials, excellent functionalism and appealing aesthetics.

5) How did you get the idea of launching a Pen of the Year?

On the occasion of the 240th anniversary of Faber-Castell, we launched a limited edition for the first time – a fountain pen made of 240 years old olive wood. In 2003, we presented our first Pen of the Year – and the culmination of the Graf von Faber-Castell Collection was born: a range that represents the claim of high quality and craftmanship par excellence. Each year since 2003, an exclusive pen has been produced for just 12 months, combining materials such as snakewood, amber, Galuchat, mammoth ivory, petrified wood, Indian satinwood and horse hair with elaborate craftmanship. Each Pen of the Year, much sought-after by collectors, is individually numbered and presented in an exclusive case with a certificate guaranteeing that the edition is strictly limited.

6) How long does it take to create a Pen of the Year? What are the different steps?

Each creation is an elaborate process, involving hundreds and thousands of steps. Corresponding to the selected materials used for each Pen of the Year, the creative process may take several years, starting from the first idea to the final product launch.

7) For your Pen of the Year 2009, how did the story begin?

The natural beauty of the mane- and tail horse has inspired us to create the Pen of the Year 2009. Since the end of the 18th century, horse hair enjoys a high status as an elegant material for chair coverings. Due to its natural properties and to sophisticated processing, it is today used for extravagant furnishings and luxurious fashion accessories. The entire spectrum of fascinating options offered by horsehair is achieved only by people who have mastered the traditional art of weaving by hand. There is just a single such expert in Germany: Dorit Berger. Even for her, horsehair presents a special challenge. The hairs are relatively stiff and short and therefore cannot be woven in the conventional way.

So as to create the filigree pattern of the Pen of the Year 2009, the hairs first have to be carefully selected for colour and uniform thickness. Then roughly 70 hairs are interwoven individually for each centimetre of fabric (175 per inch). That is extremely time-consuming. Hair by hair, a weave comes about with changing texture, light and dark, that contrasts delightfully with the cool platinum-plated metal parts of the pen – so that each one brings out the finest nuances in its own way.

8) What was the most difficult pen to manifacture and why?

Each Pen of the Year is a unique work of art. All natural materials, especially woods, are extremely hard and durable, and correspondingly difficult to work. Therefore, procurring the materials alone is quite a challenge year after year. For example, to obtain top-quality fossil ivory for the barrel of the Pen of the Year 2006, it was necessary to undertake adventurous expeditions to the north coast of Siberia.The manufacture is entrusted to recognized masters of their craft. __ 9) Are your products 100% manufactured in Germany?__

Yes, the Graf von Faber-Castell Collection is exclusively produced in Germany. Being an international company with German roots, ‘made in Germany’ is a fundamental element of the Faber-Castell philosophy. We are striving in the eight generation to continue to produce in Germany in the ninth, and we are aiming to safeguard the know-how over many generations and to guarantee the brand name’s anchor in Germany. However, production in Germany must also be profitable. Therefore, we have to concentrate on products that are associated with high added value and special know-how. Life-style products demonstrating traditional skills are highly regarded, especially in the industrialized countries. Our premium products are exclusive, functional writing implements with a claim to perfection, and they have good sales chances in the most important foreign markets, such as the Far East, Europe and the USA, where “made in Germany” is a guarantee of top quality. Our target groups there are looking for this kind of traditional luxury quality that stand out from the masses.

10) What are your three favourite pens (in the world)?

My three favourite pens are part of the Graf von Faber-Castell Collection and they are as follows:

Pen of the Year 2005 Pen of the Year 2009 Classic fountain pen grenadilla 11) What is your personal nicest recent memory about writing?

These memories are quite personal but they all have in common that a letter – a written piece – is the best way to relive people, moments and episodes. This is how I treasure the bits and pieces written by my son.