---
title: "Graf von Faber-Castell Classic: Fluted Wood Pen"
canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/graf-von-faber-castell-classic/"
description: "Graf von Faber-Castell Classic fountain pen explained: fluted ebony and platinum, 137 mm and 37 g, a handmade 18-carat nib in 6 widths, the woods and filling."
category: "Pens"
type: "Fountain pen"
published: 2026-10-23
updated: 2026-10-24
author: "Ellis Penhale"
publisher: "Stationery Times"
sources: 7
products:
  - name: "Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Fountain Pen (Ebony)"
    brand: "Graf von Faber-Castell"
    brand_origin: "Germany"
    made_in: "Not stated"
    material: "Fluted ebony barrel, platinum-plated metal parts, solid spring-loaded clip, handmade bicolor 18-carat gold nib with iridium tip (per Graf von Faber-Castell)"
    released: "1993"
    price_band: "$$$$ (over $75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)"
    manufacturer: "Faber-Castell AG, Stein, Germany"
    model: "Classic Ebony"
    mpn: "145550"
    url: "https://www.faber-castell.de/produkte/F%c3%bcllfederhalterClassicEbenholzEF/145552"
---

# Graf von Faber-Castell Classic: Fluted Wood Pen

> The Graf von Faber-Castell Classic is a fountain pen with a fluted wooden barrel and platinum-plated metal parts, the line the brand launched with in 1993. The maker lists the ebony version at 137 mm long, 13 mm across and 37 g, with a handmade bicolor 18-carat gold nib in 6 widths and a cartridge-converter filler.

- URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/graf-von-faber-castell-classic/
- Category: Pens
- Author: Ellis Penhale
- Published: 2026-10-23
- Updated: 2026-10-24

![Capped Graf von Faber-Castell Classic fountain pen with a fluted ebony barrel and platinum-plated cap, drawn to scale at 137 mm](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/graf-von-faber-castell-classic-16x9.png)

*The Classic Ebony capped, 137 mm (drawn at 1 mm = 5 px).* Original drawing (SVG): <https://stationerytimes.com/images/graf-von-faber-castell-classic-cover.svg>. Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

## Product facts

| Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Fountain Pen (Ebony) | Graf von Faber-Castell (by Faber-Castell AG, Stein, Germany) | Germany | Not stated | Fluted ebony barrel, platinum-plated metal parts, solid spring-loaded clip, handmade bicolor 18-carat gold nib with iridium tip (per Graf von Faber-Castell) | 1993 | $$$$: over $75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) |

- Made in (Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Fountain Pen (Ebony)): Not stated. Graf von Faber-Castell's German and English product pages for the Classic Ebony (read October 23, 2026) don't state a country of manufacture. A Fritz Schimpf listing, since removed, named Faber-Castell in Stein, Germany, as the manufacturer, and Harry Rosen says "Made in Europe".

### Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Fountain Pen (Ebony) colors

- Body colors (5 standard, 0 special edition): Ebony; Grenadilla; Macassar; Pernambuco; Platinum-plated.
- Per Graf von Faber-Castell (https://www.graf-von-faber-castell.com/products/FountainpenClassicEbonyBroad/145553), checked 2026-10-24. Classic fountain pen versions linked from Graf von Faber-Castell's own product pages: four fluted woods with platinum-plated metal parts, and a fully platinum-plated version. The maker says the series also comes in solid 925 sterling silver, which isn't listed. Tints were sampled from the maker's product photos; wood versions are two-tone (wood barrel, platinum-plated cap). Shops stock different colors; check the listing.

## Key takeaways

- Graf von Faber-Castell lists the Classic Ebony at 137 mm (5.4 in) long, 13 mm across and 37 g.
- Its handmade bicolor 18-carat gold nib comes in 6 widths: EF, F, M, B and the oblique OM and OB.
- It fills by cartridge or the included converter.
- The Classic comes with a fluted barrel in 4 woods (ebony, pernambuco, grenadilla, macassar), fully platinum-plated or in solid 925 sterling silver.
- Retailers date the Classic to 1993, the brand's debut in fine writing instruments.

## What is the Graf von Faber-Castell Classic?

**It is Graf von Faber-Castell's signature fountain pen: a fluted wooden barrel with platinum-plated metal parts and a handmade 18-carat gold nib.** The maker calls the fluting, the fine lengthwise grooves, the defining design element of the Classic line.

Writing Culture says the Classic marked the brand's debut in fine writing instruments more than three decades ago, and retailers give 1993. Graf von Faber-Castell is the premium brand of Faber-Castell; our [Faber-Castell history](https://stationerytimes.com/stories/faber-castell-history/) tells the family's story.

## Graf von Faber-Castell Classic specs

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | Graf von Faber-Castell (Faber-Castell AG, Germany) |
| Model | Classic Ebony; item 145550 M, item 145552 EF, item 145553 B |
| Barrel | Fluted ebony wood |
| Metal parts | Platinum-plated, solid spring-loaded clip |
| Nib | Handmade bicolor 18-carat gold, iridium tip |
| Nib widths | EF, F, M, B, OM, OB |
| Filling | Cartridge or converter (included) |
| Size | 137 mm (5.4 in) long, 13 mm (0.5 in) across |
| Weight | 37 g |

All from Graf von Faber-Castell's German and English product pages, read October 23, 2026.

## How heavy is the Classic compared with other luxury pens?

**At 37 g it is the heaviest pen in our [best luxury pens](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-luxury-pens/) picks, about a third heavier than a Pelikan M800.**

![Pen weights to scale: Graf von Faber-Castell Classic 37 g, Cross Townsend 36.7 g, Pelikan M800 28.2 g, Sailor 1911 Large 21.6 g, Parker 51 19.8 g](https://stationerytimes.com/images/graf-von-faber-castell-classic-weight.svg)

*Weights from the makers, Sailor Japan and Goldspot.*

| Pen | Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Ebony | 137 mm | 37 g |
| [Pelikan Souverän M800](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pelikan-souveran-m800/) | 141 mm | 28.2 g |
| [Sailor 1911 Large](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/sailor-1911-large/) | 141 mm | 21.6 g |

If you prefer a light pen, write with it unposted, or pick a lighter resin pen.


## Which versions of the Classic are there?

**Four woods, a fully platinum-plated version and a solid 925 sterling silver version.** The maker lists ebony, pernambuco, grenadilla and macassar barrels, all finely fluted and paired with platinum-plated ends.

| Version | Barrel |
|---|---|
| Ebony | Fluted wood |
| Pernambuco | Fluted wood, warm reddish brown (Writing Culture) |
| Grenadilla | Fluted wood |
| Macassar | Fluted wood |
| Platinum-plated | Fully platinum-plated |
| Sterling silver | Solid 925 sterling silver |

The maker says these hardwoods grow slowly, so they are very hard and resistant, and each grain makes the pen unique. Writing Culture says the Classic Pernambuco was reportedly the brand's first fountain pen.

## What nib and filling system does it use?

**A handmade bicolor 18-carat gold nib with an iridium tip, filled by cartridge or the converter in the box.** Six widths are offered: extra fine, fine, medium and broad, plus oblique medium and oblique broad.

Oblique nibs have tips cut at a slant. If you aren't sure, F or M are the middle of the range.

## How does the Classic compare with the Caran d'Ache Léman?

**Both are metal-and-gold luxury pens of similar size, but the Classic is wood and the [Léman](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/caran-dache-leman/) is lacquered brass.** The Léman is 4 mm longer and slightly wider.

| | GvFC Classic Ebony | Caran d'Ache Léman Bicolor Black |
|---|---|---|
| Barrel | Fluted ebony | Black lacquered brass |
| Nib | 18-carat bicolor gold | 18-carat gold, rhodium-plated |
| Widths | EF, F, M, B, OM, OB | F, M, B, BB |
| Length (capped) | 137 mm | 141 mm |
| Diameter | 13 mm | 13.7 mm |
| Filling | Cartridge or converter | Converter or short Chromatics cartridges |

Figures from each maker's own pages. Choose the Classic for warm wood and oblique nib options, the Léman for a lacquer finish and a stated Swiss origin.

## How popular is the Classic in the US?

**It is a niche luxury pen in the US.** The top Amazon.com listing we found for a Graf von Faber-Castell Classic fountain pen had 3 ratings on October 23, 2026, far fewer than mainstream gift pens.

It sits in our $$$$ band, over $75.

## Where is the Classic made?

**The maker's pages don't say.** A Fritz Schimpf listing, since removed, named Faber-Castell in Stein, Germany, as the manufacturer, and Harry Rosen says "Made in Europe", so we list it as not stated until the box or a maker page confirms it.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is the Graf von Faber-Castell Classic heavy?

Yes, for its size: the maker lists 37 g at 137 mm long, which is more than a Pelikan Souverän M800's 28.2 g.

### What are OM and OB nibs?

Oblique medium and oblique broad: nibs whose tips are cut at a slant rather than straight across. If you have never used one, choose F or M.

### What is the difference between Graf von Faber-Castell and Faber-Castell?

Graf von Faber-Castell is the premium brand of Faber-Castell, the pencil maker from Stein near Nuremberg. Faber-Castell's German site sells the Classic alongside its everyday pens.

### Does the Graf von Faber-Castell Classic come with a converter?

Yes. The maker's page says the converter is included, and the pen also takes cartridges.

### Which wood is best for the Graf von Faber-Castell Classic?

It comes down to looks: ebony is the darkest, and Writing Culture describes pernambuco's warm reddish-brown tone. The maker says all four are hard, slow-growing woods, and each grain is unique.

### Is the Graf von Faber-Castell Classic made in Germany?

The maker's pages don't say. A retailer listing named Faber-Castell in Stein, Germany, as the manufacturer and another says made in Europe, so we list it as not stated.

## Sources

- [Faber-Castell (German): Füllfederhalter Classic Ebenholz, EF, item 145552 (137 × 13 mm, 37 g, 18-Karat bicolor nib, 6 widths, converter included; read October 23, 2026)](https://www.faber-castell.de/produkte/F%c3%bcllfederhalterClassicEbenholzEF/145552)
- [Graf von Faber-Castell: Fountain pen Classic Ebony, B, item 145553 (read October 23, 2026)](https://www.graf-von-faber-castell.com/products/FountainpenClassicEbonyBroad/145553)
- [Graf von Faber-Castell (German): Füllfederhalter Classic Ebenholz, M, item 145550](https://www.graf-von-faber-castell.de/produkte/F%C3%BCllfederhalterClassicEbenholzMittel/145550)
- [Writing Culture: Classic Magnum Anniversary Edition (the Classic as the brand's debut; Classic Pernambuco reportedly its first fountain pen)](https://writingculture.com/pages/news/classic-magnum-anniversary-edition-265-years-of-craftsmanship)
- [Missing Pen: Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Ebony fountain pen (137 mm, 37 g, 18-carat nib)](https://missing-pen.com/en/products/graf-von-faber-castell-fountain-pen-classic-ebony-wood-18k-nib)
- [Wikipedia: Graf von Faber-Castell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graf_von_Faber-Castell)
- [Amazon.com: Graf von Faber-Castell fountain pen search (3 ratings on the top Classic listing, October 23, 2026)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075BGHGNH)