When we think of fountain pens, many fountain pen brands come to mind. Most of them are heritage brands like Waterman, Pelikan, Sailor, Parker, Pilot and more! Their legacy withstanding the test of time and popular for their quality craftsmanship and convenience. While dip pens, one of writing instrument’s predecessors, are still relevant to this day, the invention of fountain pens just made writing easier, making it not just a luxury item, but a commodity for those who appreciate and love the art and expression through the written form.
While these heritage fountain pen brands already made a name for themselves and remain one of the best brands known globally, recent decades have ushered new fountain pen brands making their own mark in the fountain pen world. These new brands quietly but steadily continue to cultivate their own legacy since their inception, rising to be known as one of the reliable, high-quality, and well-crafted fountain pen brands in writing’s modern history.
Among these trailblazers from around the world, we see fountain pen brands from Taiwan, who are growing their own local and global following for producing high quality pens. These Taiwanese fountain pen companies include TWSBI, Fine Writing International, Opus 88, Laban, Cypress, and more! What makes them stand their own ground is their passion and innovation as they combine high-quality materials with expert craftsmanship to shape and produce new fountain pens to discover and love.
In our series of articles we aim to highlight these brands and their craft.
Join us, as we recount our recent visit to CYPRESS. Together, let’s discover what makes their fountain pens a must-have to your collection!
Discover Cypress Fountain Pens!
If you haven’t heard of Cypress yet, it’s a good time to know them now because you don’t want to miss out. But before we go on the reasons why owning a Cypress fountain pen is a win, let’s know more about how Cypress began.
The Beginning of Mr. Cypress
Cypress started in 2018 but before all that, founder Liang Yu-Tsung, is driven by a deep appreciation for wood. He is obsessed with it. This is apparent on the many carved wood figures that can be seen on their headquarters where each piece is a masterpiece depicting impressive images in great detail and size.
In retrospect, some years before the beginning of Mr. Cypress, while working in the parent technology company, Mr. Liang had a recurring thought. What if he can combine the beautiful grain of wood with pens?
Looking at the wood, Mr. Liang was captured and inspired to give it a new life. So one day he went to Celine Chiou and told her, “What if we start a new company! Let’s make fountain pens!” It wasn’t a question. It was the start. Undaunted, they pursued the dream and went on this great venture! So to make a breakthrough for Mr. Cypress, Celine thought of a stylish way. She used their main inspiration, wood, and designed bracelets to make an introduction for the brand.
Thus, with the parent company’s strong technical resources and expertise to support the development, combined with Mr. Liang’s relentless drive for innovation, design, and progress, Mr. Cypress was able to take root and the company was established with their handmade wooden fountain pens.
Over time, the company extended its repertoire and started collaborating with master artisans of traditional craftsmanship from diverse regions. This combined with the strength of Mr. Cypress own dedicated team, expanded their collections of top-quality fountain pens. In collaboration with artisans, the application of handicraft techniques like Raden and Urushi are commissioned to meet market demands.Coupled with their expert craftsmen for technical processing on different materials like stabilized wood, bamboo, ebonite, acrylic, metal, and more, Mr. Cypress pens are made to last a lifetime; reflecting the enduring character and strength of Cypress trees, its namesake.
Stepping into the world of CYPRESS feels like entering a curated gallery of artistry. You’ll see rows of fountain pens in varying silhouettes, materials, and hues, each exuding its own allure. It is a haven for connoisseurs, a space where artistry and vision are woven into each fountain pen. Naturally, we had to ask, how does the magic unfold? Behind them lies CYPRESS’s own production facilities, where raw materials are transformed with precision. Master craftsmen and artisans, versed in techniques passed down through generations, breathe life into each creation. Meanwhile, the brand’s Taiwan office facilitates their business, leading marketing, planning, and design development with the same meticulous care.
That said, the beginning took time and patience. A year after its opening, the world was shaken with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. A lot of business was challenged and CYPRESS was not an exception. The health crisis was widespread and highly contagious causing profound economic disruption. With lockdowns all their retail stores in Taiwan had to be closed.
Yet, in a setting unlike any other, Celine reflects and shares their turning point:
“…quite unexpectedly, our online sales performed very well, and our main markets are now largely in Europe and the United States.”
Mr. Cypress navigated global and technical challenges with persistence, continuous learning, and steady progress. In the wake of the pandemic, the company refined its identity, evolving from Mr. Cypress to simply CYPRESS. This transformation was accompanied by the creation of a holistic logo, designed to strengthen brand recognition and reflect the company’s vision. As Celine explains:
“Developing the brand has always been our primary focus. My boss (Mr. Liang) continuously explores new materials and techniques with the goal of bringing Taiwanese fountain pens to the global stage.”
CYPRESS Today - Where Innovation Meets Tradition
Currently, CYPRESS stands at the intersection of innovation and tradition, specializing in the creation of fountain pens, pen sleeves, wooden and silvery ornaments, and essential oils.
(Image of pen sleeves crafted by CYPRESS from exquisite Japanese kimono fabrics.)
With the support of a reliable team of creative professionals, business, production, and operation experts and guided by strict standards of design and manufacturing, CYPRESS ensures that every creation achieves both exceptional performance and timeless beauty. This process demands not only technical expertise but also a profound sensitivity to the harmony between nature and design. But most importantly, CYPRESS exerts their 200% dedication to the craft and their service to ensure customer satisfaction.
(Image from a recent visit to CYPRESS and meeting their team.)
True to their commitment to excellence and passion for their craft, Cypress was lauded with awards like the Contemporary Good Design Award in 2020 and the Pen World - Best Metal Mastery Award in 2023.
(Image of the award and the Titanium Alloy: Starry Night fountain pen.)
While customers in Taiwan often place greater emphasis on established brand names, there is a growing audience, both locally and globally, that truly values the spirit and craftsmanship of CYPRESS. Many are familiar with the brand’s renowned Raden and Urushi fountain pens, but you should not miss the extensive range of CYPRESS’ collections. With collections offered at varying price points, shaped by the choice of materials and the intricacy of design, CYPRESS presents finely crafted selections that remain accessible to a wide range of customers. Each pen stands and calls to be…
“Your first choice for design writing, collection and gift giving.”
When you look closely, the beauty and individuality of each CYPRESS pen shines through. See the pens closer, faithfully expressing the essence of each material, balancing its properties with comfort, durability, and elegance.
CYPRESS Fountain Pens Made of Wooden Material
CYPRESS Fountain Pens Made of Horn Material
Horns have a jade-like texture and look mild on hand. An important part of the cattle that witnessed their life, the horns are honored and transformed to continue their essence in the form of a CYPRESS fountain pen.
CYPRESS Raden Fountain Pens
In collaboration with artisans using the ancient Chinese handicraft technique, special materials are grounded and cut into thin slices to make different patterns. Each gentle quaint piece is inlaid on each pen according to the art sketches and coated with multiple layers of lacquer. The finished products result in exquisite CYPRESS Raden fountain pens collectors seek.
CYPRESS Acrylic Fountain Pens
This series feature a harmony of different colorful, composed aesthetics, using carefully selected materials engineered for a refined construction of fountain pens you can enjoy for everyday use.
CYPRESS Metal Engraved Fountain Pens
Where precision meets artistry, each CYPRESS metal‑engraved fountain pens transform writing into a statement piece. Each pen features sleek engravings that add texture, character, and a touch of striking elegance to every stroke.
CYPRESS Titanium Alloy Fountain Pens
Lightweight yet incredibly strong, CYPRESS titanium alloy fountain pens bring a modern edge to timeless writing. Sleek, durable, and effortlessly stylish, they’re built for those who want performance with a touch of bold sophistication.
Leaving a lasting impression, the visit concluded with a moment of quiet discovery. Just before departing the headquarters, a framed piece of calligraphy caught our attention, a remarkable phrase that speaks to the soul of CYPRESS fountain pens. As Celine explains, it translates to:
“A pen that rides the wind, flowing as effortlessly as drifting clouds and running water.”
What’s Next For CYPRESS?
CYPRESS continues to grow the business and expand their reach with exclusive collaborations with partners like EndlessPens.
Through exciting HATCH fountain pen releases like CYPRESS × @officialwastedpaper Elysium and Tartarus Fountain Pen and CYPRESS × @micahfinds Victorian Flora: The Expressive Rose Fountain Pen, CYPRESS showcases fountain pens that are a unique piece of art, meticulously crafted to embody the spirit of tradition while embracing the possibilities of innovation.
(Image of the HATCH CYPRESS x WastedPaper Elysium and Tartarus Fountain Pen)
(Image of the HATCH CYPRESS x MicahFinds Victorian Flora: Hopeful Hyacinth Fountain Pen)
