Admired as daring masters of wind and wave, feared as ruthless invaders and valued as merchants, the Vikings set up a trading network that span across continents. The revolutionary construction of the Viking longboats, the mystic force of the runes and the curly birch as one of the characteristic trees of the Nordic world inspired us in designing the Pen of the Year 2017.
The platinum-plated barrel is reminiscent of the elegant curves of those renowned boats; finished with masterly craftsmanship in the spirit of the epoch-making skill of the Vikings. With great precision, slivers of ‘curly’ birch are integrated. A special process has made it possible to cut such thin pieces from this wood, which is very delicate on account of its attractive patterning. That takes a degree of skill otherwise found only in the cutting and polishing of gemstones. Curly birch, with its brown markings that occur in no other figured wood, is one of the characteristic trees of the Nordic world. The heartwood grows with inclusions of sapwood that produce markings shaped like little flames. In mythology the birch counts as a protector and was specially revered by the Vikings who were faced with so many dangers. The warm color of the wood, full of nuances, harmonizes wonderfully with the carnelian that is let into the cap and glows an intense red. The result is a fascinating interplay with the cool metallic shine of the platinum-plated barrel, the name Graf von Faber-Castell engraved in the end piece in runes.
The version with a tough anthracite-colored PVD coating has a particularly masculine appeal. Matt-grey smoked oak – the preferred wood for building the Viking ships – stands in exciting contrast to the gleaming metal parts of fountain pen and roller-ball pen, which change their appearance with every movement. A grey shimmering smoky quartz adorns the cap of all writing implements of this edition.
The fountain pen comes with an 18-carat gold nib with ruthenium plating that is inscribed by hand. Each of these writing implements is presented in a brightly polished black wooden case. A certificate bearing the signature of Count Charles von Faber-Castell confirms that this is a limited edition.
Fountain Pen, Platinum-plated - Limited to 500 pieces.
Rollerball Pen, Platinum-plated - Limited to 150 pieces.
Fountain Pen, PVD Coating Smoked Oak - Limited to 230 pieces.
Rollerball Pen, PVD Coating Smoked Oak - Limited to 70 pieces.
*The 2017 Pen of the Year is no longer available.
