This post on X by KAWEkollektor posed a question about the actual manufacturer of Staedtler’s 925 25. A quick reverse search of the image came up with Gutberlet Partners. Well… I’ve heard in the past that rOtring is actually made by Holbein in Japan. But if a reputable company would use such a photo as a sample, does this mean that Holbein is a ‘Partner’ to Gutberlet?
Thank you for these exciting details! However, I doubt that Gutberlet Partners has its own production facility, but rather suspect that small companies are commissioned with the production, which are then the “Gutberlet Partners”. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Preco and Iwasaki were among these partners (unfortunately, I have forgotten how I became aware of Iwasaki).
Yea, I’m trying to stretch my memory back a decade or more. I seem to remember something along the lines of them all being tied up together, like the Kaweco guy being an associate (or somehow the sales agent for) Gutberlet and Gutberlet themselves being the sales agent for Preco, Iwasaki, etc. Somehow pens and pencils just got involved as a sideline to the really important business of inks, stamping foils, etc.
Oh, also, given the large amount of Staedtlers that Kotobuki made, I was surprised that they confirmed for me back in 00’s or whenever that did not make the 925, and that they did not know who did.
