Fountain pens come back from the cold

Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, once predicted that pens would cease to exist in a decade. And that seems to be more or less true as portable electronic devices are fast taking over the old habit of writing.

If a person types the keyword “notebook” in any app store for mobile phones or PCs, hundreds of relative apps will pop up. Some may even have the function of allowing users to doodle with finger tips or to turn recorded voice straight into written words.

But it does not mean the good old habit of writing is disappearing. In reverse, fountain pens are just making its way back to people’s lives — not only as a cheap daily stationary, but also as a part of accessories.

It is easy to find a Lamy, a German fountain pen brand, in shopping malls in first and second-tier Chinese cities, with its cheapest option Safari selling at 380 yuan ($60). Its simple and colorful design has attracted many consumers. Some of its special designs, jointly made with other international brands — Marvel, Line Friends and Disney — were sold out at a price of more than 500 yuan as soon as they were released.

“I bought Lamy because I had an important contract to sign, so I wanted a proper pen for such an important deal,” said Xu Jinghao, a 27-year-old customer from Shanghai. “I can’t afford a Montblanc, so I thought Lamy will be a nice substitute.”