Compiled from 7 sources; we haven't tested this product ourselves yet. How we research
Quick answer
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.
On this page11 sections
The Classic Ebony capped, 137 mm (drawn at 1 mm = 5 px).
Product facts
Product
Graf von Faber-Castell Classic Fountain Pen (Ebony)
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 range
$$$$over $75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Colors
Ebony
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Notes on these facts
Made by Faber-Castell AG, Stein, Germany. Country of manufacture 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". Price: example listing. Released: Retailers and Writing Culture say the Classic line marked the brand's debut in 1993, more than three decades ago; we found no dated launch on Graf von Faber-Castell's own pages.
Colors: names per Graf von Faber-Castell, checked October 24, 2026. 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). Tints are representative, not measured. Shops stock different colors.
Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.
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 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 picks, about a third heavier than a Pelikan M800.
Weights from the makers, Sailor Japan and Goldspot.
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 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.
